8. Zarios

Chapter eight

The next morning as I walked through the halls, I felt everyone's eyes on me. With the announcement, I knew I would, but it didn't feel any less odd.

Last night, I had managed to slip away to my room before Damyr found me, but I had no such luck with breakfast. "There you are," he said with a grin. "Man of the hour. Come sit."

I joined him, pouring some coffee and sipping it deeply. He smacked my shoulder, almost causing me to spill. "What the hell, man? I'd been seeing you sneak around with that Yulean girl, but mating?"

I set my cup down. "The heart wants what it wants, I guess." I'd heard that saying before and hoped he would accept it and move on.

To my dismay, he didn't. "But a human? I mean, don't get me wrong, those sisters are hot, but they seem so breakable. I'm sure you've already found that out, though, haven't you?"

I reached for the toast and jam, not willing to even pretend to talk about that. Though many minotaurs talked openly about intercourse, and there was nothing wrong with that, I knew humans were more reserved. I wouldn't embarrass Sorcha, fake intended or not.

Kiaza joined us then, saving me from Damyr. "Good morning, sir," she said.

"Good morning. Have preparations been made to depart?"

"Yes," she said, flipping through her notes. "Everything is ready, and messages have been sent to all the Claraks. I hope to have responses by the time we return."

A smile touched my lips thinking of how shocked Naram would be when he found out. That smile quickly faded, though, thinking about how he could be the one betraying me. "Excellent," I said instead, my mouth feeling like sandpaper. "I want to set out from Ashmore in three days."

Her eyes widened. "Three days, sir? That's very quick."

"I know, but we need to get the new magestone shipment scheduled quickly, and that won't happen until our tour is over." I also didn't want to schedule the shipment until we figured out what happened. Though the stones were, for the most part, harmless, they were very expensive and would sell well on the black market. They could be looking for money, and who knew what they would do with it.

She nodded. "I will send someone ahead."

She got up to move, but I clasped her shoulder. "Have breakfast first."

She nodded and blinked, as if she totally forgot that was what she'd come here for. "Right. "

With her here, Damyr stopped his pestering, but he still talked, whether anyone was listening or not. It was a true talent of his, yapping without abandon, but I was used to it. He'd always been like this. Even as calves, he was too noisy.

Once we finished, Kiaza went to complete her work, and Damyr and I finished packing. By mid-morning everything was ready. The horses were packed and ready, the carriage set up for Sorcha.

As if on cue, she appeared. She was in a simple cream dress with her hair down around her face. She had a small satchel at her side, and I could see a small dagger hilted on her ankle. We'd spoken about her keeping her sword hidden. It was better if everyone underestimated her.

Her sisters walked her out alongside her mothers. They did make a very sweet family. Though my father was no longer around, my mother lived in Ashmore, and I was sure she would want to meet Sorcha. That was another reason for the quick departure. Though I did want my mother to meet my actual intended, this wasn't real.

Sorcha said her goodbyes to everyone, Elsbeth tearing up. Though I wanted to be on our way, I wouldn't rush them. I was taking their daughter—in their eyes, forever.

When she was done, she approached me.

"Ready?" I asked.

She nodded. Her eyes were red rimmed and a bit watery. I knew even though she was getting something out of this, leaving her family for it was hard. I didn't know what I could say in this situation, so I said nothing. I put my hand on the small of her back and led her away.

I walked to the carriage and opened the door. When she stepped in, I moved to close the door but felt resistance.

"Aren't you coming?" she asked me.

I huffed. "No. I will be riding with everyone else." I knew Kiaza would be angry when she found out, but that would put us in a very close proximity I wasn't sure I could handle right now.

She shifted, stepping back out. "Then I will as well."

I sighed. "It's fine. The ride is long, and our horses are larger than what you're used to. Just ride in the carriage."

She folded her arms across her chest. "I am capable of riding a horse."

"We don't have an extra," I argued. "And loading up one of yours will take too long."

"Then figure it out." My teeth ground in irritation I was careful not to show. Arguing before we even left the castle gates wouldn't look good.

I leaned in close to her. "We need to look happy and in love, remember?"

Her eyes narrowed, wrinkles forming between her brows. "I don't care. I'm not riding in the carriage."

I closed my eyes, rubbing my forehead. Stubborn girl. "Fine. But you have to ride with me."

I could see her surprise, but she wasn't backing down now. "So be it."

We approached my horse, and she gazed up at him. Her eyes widened briefly, and while I thought their ginormous size would be enough to deter her, she threw her foot into the stirrup that almost hit her chest and forced herself up. She stood easily, but I could tell there was no way she would be able to throw her legs over.

She let out a small cry when I lifted her and placed her on top. She scowled at me, but she said nothing as she settled in. I hopped up behind her, grabbing the reins and getting comfortable. Her back was pressed to my front, despite our shared effort to stay apart. There was just no extra room on the horse.

When everyone was ready, we set out. Sorcha looked back as we left her home behind.

The journey was long and tiresome. We were only halfway through the day, and I was already becoming irritable. Not only did I prefer to ride alone, but having Sorcha this close to me made me…uncomfortable. Her soft body pressed so tightly to mine was distracting, and my cock was not taking the hint, constantly threatening to arise. It didn't help that she continued to wiggle around, unable to sit still. I thanked the moons she was at least quiet.

When the sun was high in the sky, we pulled off to a clearing for lunch. I hopped down before putting my hand out for Sorcha. She ignored it and tried to get down on her own, turning her body towards the horse to shuffle herself off.

She almost made it when her foot caught on the stirrup, and she let go of the horse. Thankfully, I was there, catching her easily as she falls back against me with an oof.

Her gaze met mine, her face tinged with pink. "Thanks," she muttered as I set her down.

"You could have just accepted my help," I said.

"I was fine," she countered.

I rolled my eyes. "Sure."

She walked away, heading towards the stream running on the edge of the clearing.

I helped Damyr unpack our food, simple sandwiches and fruits given to us by the Queens. We stood around eating, all of us needing to stretch our legs.

"You know," Damyr said, "if the princess isn't using the carriage, I wouldn't mind. I'm exhausted."

"Don't even think about it," I said. Kiaza was in there, and I was sure she'd strangle me if I left her alone while Damyr yapped the entire time.

"Why?" Sorcha asked, appearing at my side. "I have no plans on riding in it."

She reached into the bag with the sandwiches and pulled one out. Her face and hands were now damp, as if she'd splashed water on them.

Damyr gestured as if to say ‘see,' but I shook my head. "I don't know why," I said. "It's perfectly comfortable."

"And so is the horse," she said between bites.

I had to disagree, but I wouldn't spend time arguing .

Soon, we were rested and back on our way. Luckily, we were able to reach an inn on the outskirts of Valcor before night fell. On the edges sat a wider variety of beings. Though Valcor was considered minotaur country, it was open to anyone, and where borders met, there tended to be a larger mix.

We stepped into the inn filled with patrons, some human, some minotaur, some others, like demons and even a dragon. Damyr and Kiaza went to the counter to grab keys while I put away the horses. Sorcha insisted on helping, and I was too tired to argue.

When we were done, we met Kiaza, who held out two keys.

It quickly dawned on me that we would be expected to stay together. Sorcha seemed to realize it too, but her reaction was so slight, I barely noticed it.

I thanked her and took the key.

Damyr appeared a moment later. "Would you lot like to join me for a drink?" he asked.

"You crazy bastard," I said. "No one wants to drink, and you shouldn't either. We have a long day tomorrow." Not to mention, I always worried when he drank.

"Don't worry," he said. "I'll just have one to relax."

I nodded. He had gotten better, and I needed to stop hovering. "Very well. See you in the morning."

Kiaza said goodnight and dipped into her room, leaving Sorcha and I alone.

Neither of us said anything as we unlocked the door to our room. It was smaller than I remembered on my way here, with a bed large enough for two minotaurs to fit comfortably, a small sofa, and a desk with a chair.

"Well," she said. "This is cozy."

I huffed in amusement. "You could say that."

I set our bags down. "I'm going to grab us food. Any requests?"

She shook her head. "I'm going to shower down the hall."

I nodded and left, the door clicking lightly behind me. I took a single deep breath. I could do this. For my kingdom, I could do this.

I grabbed us two bowls of stew and some fresh water before going back upstairs. I didn't see Damyr anywhere, so it seemed he had stuck to his word and only had a single drink.

After retrieving our bowls of stew, I went back upstairs. Sorcha was back from her shower, brushing her damp hair. She wore a simple silk slip that hit mid-thigh. The neckline was low, making me feel as if I would swallow my own tongue.

"Here," I said, handing her one of the bowls.

"Thank you." She set the brush down and picked up the bowl, devouring it. We ate silently, neither of us knowing what to say.

When we were done, I brought our bowls back and took a shower of my own. When I returned, Sorcha was curled up on the small sofa with one of her dresses under her head acting as a pillow, a sheet wrapped around her.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

She turned to face me. "Sleeping?" she said, confused .

"Why are you sleeping there?"

Her brow cocked. "Because I am much smaller than you and fit on the couch just fine."

Her scrunched legs told me different. For a moment, I thought of offering to share the bed, but that thought made me uneasy. "You take the bed," I insisted.

"Where would you sleep?"

"I would be fine," I insisted.

She scoffed. "I am just fine."

"But—"

"Goodnight," she interrupted, turning her body back to the edge of the couch.

I grumbled my displeasure but went around putting out the lanterns. I laid in bed, staring up at the dark ceiling.

Stubborn princess was my last thought before drifting off.