Six of Ruin (Heirs of Irenwell #1) ✔

Chapter 14: Secrets

They gave me the donkey.

Even Nickeltinker had a gorgeous, brown stallion and he was a whole head shorter than me.

Yet they gave me the damn donkey.

The forest was dark, but moonlight illuminated the cleared path through the thick trees. The night was calm and soothing. The donkey brayed underneath me and shook his head from side to side, almost making me fall off. Nickeltinker burst out laughing behind me.

"This is unfair!" I shouted, holding the reins tightly. "Why did I get a donkey?" My silk dress made sliding off the donkey way too easy.

Rixen turned his head slightly, "Donkeys are beasts of burden. And you are a burden."

Nickletinker laughed out loud again. This time, Torvald joined in, too.

Only Danilo didn't find the joke funny, "Rixen, I'm warning you."

He was way ahead of everyone. Danth region, his birthplace, was on the way to the Woods of Loria, so he led.

"Yes, Rixen." I mocked. "You have been warned."

The shadowman glanced at me sideways, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, "You're the one who insisted on bringing your entire closet, so you get the donkey."

"For your information," I wanted to cross my hands on my chest to prove the point, but I'd most definitely fall off, "I only brought items I really needed."

Nickeltinker let out a laugh, "How many tiaras did you bring, your Grace?"

I scoffed, "Only the main five, those I truly cannot go without."

"Truly?" Rixen eyed me. "You would not survive without them?"

"You can mock all you want," I exclaimed, "But my title is important. And trust me, people will treat you differently if they know you're with a princess."

"Did you hear that?" Nick chuckled. "They're going to treat us differently."

"Oh, yes." Rixen nodded. "They will kill us and kidnap her Grace for ransom."

My eyes widened.

Torvald rode past me and murmured, "Uh, no. Torvald protect. Ugh."

"Thank you, Torvald!" I said. "At least one of you has manners."

The brute grinned and rode all the way to Danilo.

"Irina is a princess," Danilo spoke, "Just because she's far from home does not change that fact. And she can carry whatever she wants."

"Thank you!"

Rixen rolled his eyes, "Whatever. If someone kidnaps you, I am not going to look for you."

"I wouldn't want you to." I smiled tightly and pulled the reins.

The donkey grunted and slowed down. Rixen's eyes met mine and understanding passed between us. We had to talk. I had some information on operation 'how to convince the mage to join us,' but I needed more.

Except, Danilo couldn't see me talking to Rixen.

Rixen's eyes glimmered molten gold in the darkness, as if he tried to speak through them. I understood perfectly.

Nickeltinker noticed our secret conversation and glanced at both of us with unmasked interest, "Hey, knight, are we stopping soon?" He shouted at Danilo.

"There should be a nice clearing not far from here, where we can spend the night." Danilo hurried ahead.

Nickeltinker jumped in, "Thank gods, I'm starving."