Page 91 of Ignite
My heart thumps painfully, tapping against my ribcage in a steady rhythm. Linnick would’ve loved this adventure—no matter how many bumps we’ve hit along the way. Traveling to Penyth and then back to Crea… My throat tightens.
“There’s a smaller inn a ways down,”Graylen says, pulling my attention away from the man. His gaze lingers on me, and I can see the question swirling within it.“There’s a more popular place in the center of town, but it’s probably best if we lay low for now.”
I break eye contact, nodding my head because I don’t trust my voice right now. Fingers graze against mine, sending a jolt through my arm, the sensation of his skin waking every nerve in my body.
“Laying low would be for the best,” I agree aloud.
Adrian makes a strangled noise, and my teeth clench together. “Lay low?” he huffs. “If I tell them who I am, we could get back quicker?—”
“No,” I cut in, my voice firm. “We’re nowhere near the castle and have no idea who here supports the crown or who’s against it.”
Adrian’s eyes widen, but—to my surprise—he doesn’t argue with me. He gives me a brisk nod and starts in the direction of the inn, his head lowered.
“He has a lot to learn about his own kingdom,” I mutter to Graylen.
Graylen’s gaze slides to mine, a tired smile tugging at his lips as he nods silently. A twinge pulls at my chest when he doesn’t reply with a quick remark.
“Come on.” I tilt my head to Adrian and tug on Graylen’s hand.
King’s Border isn’t anything like I’d imagine it to be. I always had this notion that the other towns in Crea were so muchmorethan Runnswick. The travelers who arrived on ships always came off with exciting stories and complaints about how cramped Runnswick was.
Every time I’d play pretend of traveling throughout the kingdom, I pictured beautiful towns with adventure around every corner. Little did I know I would get that, just not in Crea.
This town is simple, quiet. It’s far different from the bustling hub of Runnswick. The cottages here are fenced in and spread out down small dirt paths that branch off from the main road.
We pass people leading donkeys down the narrow paths, while some ride horses and others stroll on foot, periodically stopping to talk to others. There are a handful of travelers like us, easily set apart. The people who live here seem to all know each other.
Graylen motions for us to stop, tipping his head toward a wooden building to our right.
Just as the seller said, the inn is quaint. From the outside, it has closed shutters to stop people from looking in and a small sign on the door that reads:Rooms available.
My hands smooth down my vest, trying to straighten it before we go inside. But my palm runs over a lump where the inside pocket rests—almost like a small rock. My stomach twists as I frantically open it, shoving my hand into the small slit.
My hand shakes as my fingers wrap around the familiar cloth. I pull it out.
Graylen takes two large strides over to me until his chest nearly brushes against mine.“Little princess,”he warns.
I ignore him and carefully unwrap the parcel. My heart pounds in my chest, all sound falling away when my eyes land on what’s inside.
The shard. The very one I traded so Daimon would let us go.
But it isn’tjustthe shard. A message is written on the inside of the cloth:Find the dagger or lose your magic.
My blood runs cold, rushing in my ears with a deafening roar. I know there’s truth to it. I’ve felt my magic lessening since the moment I opened myself up to the shard. But why tell me? Is it from Daimon or did someone else find a way to get it to me?
I angle it toward Graylen, showing him what’s inside.
“Lose your magic?”he asks in my mind.
My lips press together as I quickly reply,“All magic has a price.”
“And you used it to get us in and out of the Vale,”he summarizes.
I nod, dread sitting heavily in my stomach.
Graylen swears, and I quickly cover the shard back up.
“Uh, everything okay?” Adrian asks warily.
