Page 108 of Lady Knight and the Thief

Torren’s gaze drifted to Cypress—the cascade of her hair across her shoulders. The rich mahogany color shimmered inthe light, while her skin absorbed and reflected the dappled sunlight streaming through the leaves.

No, he wouldn’t have time forthat… not nearly enough time.

Torren shook himself free of that line of thought once more and adjusted himself for good measure.

Then, he shouted across the circle. “Do ye want something to eat, Lass? We’ll need to set the glamours afterward.”

“Glamours?”

“Ah, did I neglect to mention that part of our disguises?”

Cypress sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Well, do go on.”

“We can slightly alter our appearances. Enough to slip into Grethnah and not be immediately recognized,” he said and held a matching set of bracelets in the air.

They were golden and reflected the light in the many facets of jewels littering the bands. Tiny little sunbursts were etched on the interior edge.

“You think the wanted posters will be everywhere?”

Torren shrugged. “I wouldn’t put it past either of them.”

Cypress sighed again, then said, “Yeah, fine. Give me a minute.”

“Manners, Lass,” Torren chided just to see her eyes go dark, the flash of her teeth as she bared them.

34

Little Hills & Trees

Afterspendingsolongin the Wylds, Grethnah seemed…barren. Empty.

The wind still swept through the trees, rustling and whispering, though not with the many voices of Dryaads.

In the Wylds, the never-ending cacophony of bird song had accompanied Cypress and Torren throughout their journey to the tomb, and back. In Grethnah, it was like everything was muted. Colors seemed duller, and the birds were practically silent.

Cypress mentioned as much to Torren as they entered the outskirts of Westshade.

“The Wylds are wild in more ways than one, Lass,” Torren said by way of explanation.

“I knowthat, it’s just…” Cypress struggled to name the feeling that tumbled around inside her chest. “Odd, I suppose. Before venturing into the Wylds, I would have never known the difference.”

Torren cracked a smile at her. “All the more reason to venture outside where you’ve grown comfortable.”

Cypress rolled her eyes at him. “How do you stand it?”

“The quiet?” Torren asked. Cypress nodded.

“It is what it is. Once, all these forests were a part of the Wylds. Perhaps one day Dryaads will be allowed to return.”

“Allowed?” Cypress asked, though she already knew.

“Human Kings from ages past all systematically pushed the Wyld borders back.”

"Until all that remained of the Wyld Wood was half of what it once was…” Cypress finished, aware of the shame that now coated her tongue. Had she really been so blind as not to see the divide in the people before? And why had she never questioned the King and Cade?

Cypress didn’t need to guess the answer. She'd always ignored these truths because it was easier, more comfortable, and because questioning threatened the fragile stability she’d found. She felt indebted to the crown for pulling her out of the orphanage. Climbing as high as Captain of the Prince Guard would never have been possible otherwise.

“Half?” Torren huffed an unamused laugh. “Lass, the Wylds are only a fraction of what they once were. The tiny corner of forest you see on maps now once blanketed theentirecontinent.”