A Song of Faithless Shadows

66. The Border Between

Azriel

Sadie chortles when we meet the first bridge, and it's enough to stir Gwyneth awake. I understand the horse's apprehension, seeing as the bridge was hardly stable enough for her to safely cross. At the other end was a military checkpoint. The last one before we hit the Spring border if I'm not mistaken.

"They will be questioning our identities," I murmur to Gwyneth as Sadie hesitantly steps on the bridge, shaking slightly. I scratch her behind the ear, willing her to keep going. "We should have our stories straight."

"I see," she props her chin on my shoulder. "You a huntsman from near the autumn border?"

"It would explain my complexion if I cannot be Illyrian," I mutter quietly, keeping an eye on the sentries. I knew Tarquin had expanded his military with his proximity to the human lands and Hybern. Still, these checkpoints were a headache.

"And me to be your nymph escort?" She says in a way that feels like a trap. I open my mouth, but she cuts me off, a kiss on the back of my neck. "I don't mind our story being whatever is most believable, Az, really. I understand what people see in me."

"Give anyone enough time, they'll see the warrior priestess too," I tell her. "But I suppose we shouldn't linger."

She glances down at my back, concern gracing her features. "I suppose not."

I clear my throat as we approach the Sentries, wishing Gwyneth could do the talking. She was much better at it than me. "Good evening," I nod at them.

There's eyes flick to Gwyneth once, so they don't see the way I swallow as her hand slides over my thigh. "Evening," one of the three says. "You two headed to the border?"

I nod. "Following a herd of wild boar," I tell them. "Plan to bring back a good bit before the first day of summer festival."

They like the sound of that clearly, though they glance at Gwyneth again. "And who do you have with you?"

"I'm Vivietta." She didn't sound like herself, giggling in my ear like that. I wish I was immune to the way her hand locked around my waist with greedy fingers. "Gavryn said he'd show me the wonders of the spring court on our trip, but all he can seem to talk about is the boar. I'm hoping the trip won't be such a boar."

I glance back at her, her eyes utterly teasing. "Well, you know nothing is a bore with you, Viv," I say to her, feeling as though my acting isn't nearly as good as hers, the words coming out stiff and blank. She was a performer no doubt. I lean into her ear and drop my voice to a whisper. "Pretend I said something clever."

She giggles vibrantly, her grip on my thigh tightening as she clamps her hand over her mouth, as if scandalized. "Gentlemen," she addresses the sentries. "You ought to arrest this man for the filthy things he's saying to me!"

Don't give them any ideas.

"When it is you who has instigated it all?" I counter. "How am I supposed to help it when you are so beautiful?"

She giggles again, nudging her nose against my throat, giving a peck over my pulse. "You spend your days hunting boar— that's fine," she mumbles, keeping my gaze. "As long as you spend your nights hog-tying me instead—"

"Alright," the sentries cut us off, supremely uncomfortable, each of them shifting on their feet. My eyes are just as wide and frantic. "Just the toll fee will be fine, you two."

Gwyneth, with a sinister smile, reaches into my pocket and grabs the two coins for the officers, gripping my thigh as she leans to drop them in the collection bucket. I, for my part, haven't breathed this entire interaction, now finding my mouth dry as I clack Sadie forward.