|[ THE FAERI'S KEEPER ]|

Chapter 10: Enemy City

Another long day of riding had not done my legs any good. They ached and burned something terrible, and I wished to stand and walk around. I asked one of the knights if I could walk beside them rather than ride but he refused and I continued the rest of the day in a size-too-big-saddle. My back was still arched, hands tied to the pommel. The knife was warm against my wrist, still in place from the other night. Cedric lazed in his own saddle, humming to himself. His hair was in his face as usual and shaded his blue eyes. I couldn’t help but stare at him; though I knew he was a Faeri at some moments he could pass for being human – and a gorgeous human at that – his curved spine accentuated his broad soldiers, and I could see his lean muscle through his shirt.  I shook my head and stared straight forwards through my horse’s ears, ignoring the strange feeling in my chest.

We had been riding for two days now, and already I could see the tall stone spires of Thalandor appearing in the distance. It would be tonight that we made our escape, that or we would be taken within the walls and would have no hope of fleeing. I felt a strange shiver run down my spine and I glanced over to see Cedric watching me. His blue eyes sparkled as he realised I had noticed, but he didn’t look away. I gave him a questioning look.

“What?” I asked, wishing he would stop.

“Nothing.” He said softly, grinning slightly, “Just thinking.” I sighed and looked away; uncomfortably aware of the fact he was still watching me. it was bad enough with him staring – I didn’t like the way his gaze rested on my features; I certainly didn’t like the way his gaze made me feel. I looked down at my bound hands and sorely wished I could use the knife and cut myself free. I wanted to start running and never stop, because something, even though I didn’t know what, had changed.

I wanted to hate Cedric, as I hated all other Faeris, but something in me wouldn’t let me. There was still the caution, the dislike, but it wasn’t as intense. Every time my anger wanted to flow forth I would see his blue eyes, see his beaten jaw and face, from where blows meant for me had landed, and the anger would dim. But I couldn’t quite let go it completely. The hatred was still there; only the flames had dulled, but the embers were still giving off heat.  I sighed and closed my eyes. Emotions were so tiresome.

“Something wrong?” Cedric asked. I kept my eyes closed and ignored him. I wanted to just erase him from my mind – it would make things easier.in fact I would’ve liked to erase the entire Faeri race from my mind… I heard him chuckle and go back to humming.

***

I must’ve fallen asleep at some point because I woke up with a jolt as I heard gates creaking. I opened my eyes and saw a large wooden gate being opened in the side of a castle wall. Stones as grey as storm clouds were piled ominously, preventing all access from outside – and stopping all escape from within. Four guards stood on duty, welcoming us in, though their expressions were anything but warm and inviting. Young faces carved with the lines of men who had seen too much violence, and eyes as dark as Talan’s. We had arrived at Thalandor.

I didn’t have time to formulate a plan; I didn’t even have time to acknowledge the stupidity of not having a plan already made. I only had time to act. I jumped into motion as my heart skipped a beat and slid the knife down my sleeve and into my palm. I cut through my binds with quick sawing movements and grabbed the reins of my horse. The man who had been leading it was pulled slightly off balance and stumbled backwards, looking over his shoulder wildly.

“Grab her!” he yelled out, seeing I was free. I kicked at his face and felt it crumple and break with a nasty crunch under my foot. I turned my horse around and somehow Cedric managed to leap from his horse onto mine as I rode past.

“How the hell did you manage to do that?” I cried as I passed him the knife. He sliced through his bonds, ignoring my question. He told me to slow down.