Descendants of the Kings (Book 2)

Ch 28: A one-woman army

Snow crunched beneath Ella's booted feet as she made her way out of the Petrium, at the border between Faerie and Rhothomir. Not a soul could be seen, but she hurried deeper into the forest nonetheless, unwilling for anyone to see her in Cerean territory, so close to the borders, where questions would surely arise.

She ambled into the woods, the tightly huddled trees sheltering her from the bite of the icy wind. Even in Cereas, where the weather was milder than in snow-capped Gerrathea, the height of winter was still sorely felt. Watery grey skies stretched above, signalling the sun would soon rise, and hopefully, it would banish the fog and lingering snow.

Ella sent a little prayer to whatever God controlled the weather, and another one to whoever watched over weary travellers, or whoever deigned to listen; she wasn't picky. Heavens knew she would need all the good fortune available.

Good weather, no troubles, and an easy trip. She hiked through the forest, the scent of pine in her lungs, the steady weight of her rucksack between her shouder blades, and an uneasy knot in her stomach.

She hoped Aedion arrived on time. That he remembered it was today, at this particular place. She couldn't spot him anywhere as she looked around, but perhaps he'd gotten confused. There were many bordering Petriums, after all. Surely, she told herself, he was simply running late.

Only a few moments later, at the edge of a clearing, Ella stopped in her tracks, halting all her inner ruminations. There against an old alder tree stood Aedion. He leaned against the trunk easily, boot propped up, hands in his pockets. Tight leather trousers clung to his thighs, crisscrossing straps on his chest, and a sword hanging from his hips. Beside him, two massive horses lazily flicked their tails.

Upon noticing Ella's presence, he looked up and gave her a slow, lazy half-smile. "And the princess finally graces us with her presence."

In her chest, something Ella hadn't realised had been tightly wound, eased. Until that moment, she'd been waiting for the other shoe to drop. Half expecting Aedion not to be there, having decided not to come. But upon seeing him, all the doubts and insecurities plaguing her mind fizzled away, like mist in the morning sun.

She didn't need to inspect this feeling too closely to understand it had little to do with the trip itself, but rather with something much larger between Aedion and herself.

"I'm never late, you're simply too early," she said, closing the distance separating them, rucksack hanging from her shoulder. "And you weren't by the petrium."

She didn't say it, but by his arched brow, it was clear he heard the unspoken words. She didn't think he'd come. "You specifically told me to wait far enough from the Petrium that I wouldn't be visible." He rolled his eyes. "Did you forget that?"

Oh. She had said that, hadn't she? Mollified, Ella smiled sheepishly. "I suppose I did." Aedion huffed and took her rucksacks from her.

As she approached the copse of trees, one of the horses nickered in excitement, his large yellowed teeth baring as he smacked his lips. Fiend, Ella's pet horse. Ella's cheeks split into a grin, and she stroked the animal's snout.

"You managed to bring my horse," she commented, unable to hide her appreciation as the animal nuzzled her palm.

Aedion's horse, a beautiful, wine-coloured mare, butted her head against Ella's shoulder, demanding attention as well. Ella threaded gloved fingers through her sleek coat, toying with the braided ends.

Both animals were suited with thick wool blankets beneath their leather saddles, as well as leg warmers to stave off the cold. Not that they needed much help. Gerrathean thoroughbreds of the finest kind, they were sleek and muscled, covered in shaggy fur all throughout to withstand the harsh mountain winters.