21. Eighteen

Eighteen

L ily was filled with peace as she looked around at the beautiful forest. All day she'd been entranced by the sounds—the cooing birds, the chittering squirrels she'd spotted chasing each other around a trunk, the peaceful roar of the river, and the breeze rustling the leaves. It was so unlike the castle, polluted with the noises of clattering metal, men shouting as they practiced, the rolling of wagons, and the sounds of the market.

Being in the forest was everything she'd dreamed it would be.

The air was so fresh she could smell the water flowing in the river, the cluster of flowers, and the fresh mint at the waters' edge.

Percy had snuggled up to her side, panting with a big smile on his face from playing with Sand. Sand and Mardai were talking about Sand's rock collection. And for the millionth time, she caught herself glancing over at Asher, whose eyes were still closed. His side rose and fell with deep breaths of sleep and a tear lingered on his long lashes.

In spite of how cold he'd been to her all day, she couldn't blame him. His mother was dead, he'd been tortured, and he hadn't expected to have extra baggage during their escape: her.

"He's normally very friendly."

Lily looked to Asher's father and quickly smiled. "He was polite, more or less, when we first met. He still blames me for being human and the soldiers attacking your land. I didn't know his mother had been killed. I'm so sorry for your loss."

Mardai gave her a tender smile. "Thank you. He was very close with his mother. It is going to be difficult for him to get over her death. I know you didn't expect to come with us, but I am grateful you have. You seem like a remarkable woman. I imagine your own parents must be proud?"

She flushed. "I don't . . . have parents. But thank you."

"Ah." He nodded. "I'm sorry. And I mean it. Thank you for taking care of my son." He looked at the young man with love and adoration. Not even Wester had ever looked at her in that way.

"Lunch is ready. But I don't dare wake him." She glanced at Asher.

"Serve everyone and we can eat as he sleeps. He needs it, especially before we get home. He works too hard." He took out the three bowls and held them out to Lily one at a time.

She did her best scooping even portions while leaving plenty for Asher too. Of course, she had to sneak some bits of meat from her own bowl for Percy to eat. He wagged his tail happily with each bite.

"When we get home, where is Lily going to live?" Sand asked through a mouthful of food.

"With us in the palace," Mardai answered. "I don't know what the status is of the homes in our land, if any of the humans destroyed them, and I won't make her sleep in the mud or barn." He winked at her.

"Good. You can stay with us, if you want," Sand offered.

Lily ran her hands up and down her sore legs. "I will go wherever I am supposed to. I truly don't want to be a burden on anyone."

"You aren't. We have two empty rooms in the palace." Mardai leaned over and shook Asher's foot.

Asher's eyes snapped open and he sucked in a breath as he sat up. In spite of the exhaustion in his eyes, he stretched and acted as if he were fine. "Mm. Smells good."

"I saved some for you." Lily held out the pot, then winced as she stood to gather and wash the bowls.

"You're really sore," he commented.

She nodded. "But I'll manage."

Asher frowned, set the pot back down, and got up to dig through the saddlebags. "I can't imagine Takai sent us without some spare clothes. There we go." He had removed a tight bundle and unrolled it to reveal a pair of pants and shirt about his size. "They'll be large on you, but having pants will be more comfortable than a dress. I imagine you've got chafing." He returned to her and held out the clothing.

"What is chafing?" she asked as she accepted them.

He took the bowls from her. "It's when you get a red rash on the insides of your legs from rubbing against the saddle. Are you feeling pain between your legs?"

Lily gaped at him.

Asher's eyes widened and he grew as red as a tomato, then fumbled over his words. "I-I'm sorry. That came out wrong. I didn't mean to address what's between your legs. Or on them. Or—"

"Maybe you should stop talking," his father interrupted.

Asher nodded and spun around to face his father, running a hand over his face as he did so. "I'm going to wash the bowls. You change." He rubbed the back of his neck, which was still red.

Lily bit her bottom lip to resist the urge to break out into laughter at Asher being so flustered, especially when he'd been so composed just a moment before. She walked around a tree and removed her wizard robe and then nightgown. She quickly glanced over her shoulder to ensure no one was watching and pulled the pants on first. She'd never worn pants before, and it felt unusual to have fabric hugging her legs. Asher was right. She already had sore bumps on the insides of her legs. The shirt was definitely too big, but manageable, and she returned to Asher and the others.

Mardai was in the process of getting Sand on the back of the horse as he said, "I think we should continue our fast pace as long as possible."

Lily's body ached, and the thought of riding any longer made her stomach drop. She didn't dare complain or suggest resting there for the night. Asher had warned her she would be sore, and there wasn't anything she could do about it, unless they came across the necessary plants and she could have some time to make a healing potion. Then again, she could just try healing herself. She'd never healed herself with magic before.

Asher stuffed the bowls and dripping pot into the saddlebag and buckled it closed. "We can eat dinner as we ride," he replied to his father, but noticed Lily standing nearby. "You look more comfortable. And dare I say happy?"

She looked down at herself. "They're definitely too big, but pants are incredible."

"You've never worn pants?"

"I guess there is a lot I've never done." Lily walked around the horse to push her nightgown and robes inside the other side of the saddlebag. "This time, I'm getting onto the horse without your help," she insisted.

Asher relented with a crooked grin. She'd seen him give it before, when he knew he was supposed to smile and acknowledge her, but this time there was humor behind his eyes. "Maybe you'll have better luck dismounting tonight too."

Asher stood beside their horse while Lily lifted her leg as high as she could to get it in the stirrup.

The horse side-stepped and she stumbled, nearly falling.

Lily noticed Asher's lips tighten, resisting the urge to laugh.

She moved forward, grabbed on to the saddle, and tried yet again. This time, however, she got her foot in, and then grunted as she dragged herself upward, clinging to the saddle.

"You're really short. There's nothing wrong with needing some help getting up," Asher said.

Her right foot hit the ground again, and she grunted a second time as she jumped, and this time she almost made it up. But before she could fall backward, Asher's hand was on her butt, pushing her upward and into the saddle. She couldn't deny the pants did create a nice barrier and already provided relief.

She nodded down to Asher. "See? Told you I could make it." She pulled her long brown hair over her shoulder.

Asher scooped up Percy and set him in Lily's lap before he mounted behind her. She was envious of his height and easy ability to get on and off like he was straddling a chair.

Percy clambered onto Lily's shoulder and stretched to try to lick Asher's face.

"He's kind of cute," Asher said, ruffling the puppy's fur.

"He might have been happier with Takai," she said, dragging Percy back down onto her lap.

"He seems to like you, though."

Lily smiled. "I have to admit I really like him too." She kissed him on top of the head. She turned in the saddle and looked up at Asher. "You seem a little happier after some rest."

"I needed it," he confessed.

In front of them, Mardai grunted, and both Asher's and Lily's attention snapped to the scene. A man stood at Mardai's side, holding the hilt of a dagger he had plunged into Mardai's ribs.

"Dad, stop!" Sand screamed.

The man flashed his teeth inches from Mardai's face. "You will not return to the throne." He withdrew the dagger and started to stab Mardai again before Asher was off the horse and in the form of a tiger. Lily had only felt his weight leave the horse behind her.

Mardai transformed into a lion, but the man disappeared. If he was Sand's father, he was a viper and must have transformed into the form of a small snake.

Sand jumped, or rather fell, off of the horse, pleading, "Dad, don't do this. They're bringing me home. Please, Dad! Please!"

Mardai pawed at the ground, searching the grass, and Lily noticed Asher's head turning left and right. They must have lost sight of the snake. Until Mardai roared and kicked his back leg, which had a snake attached.

Asher leapt forward, grabbed the snake in his mouth, and tore it off his father's leg. In the same motion, he flung the snake through the air.

"Asher, there are more!" Lily shouted when she spotted the grass rippling. For some reason, she jumped off the horse and ran to Sand. "Get back on the horse. I need you to protect Percy." She cradled the puppy in one arm as she pushed Sand toward the horse he had been on.

The boy's eyes were frozen wide and a tear dripped down his cheek.

Lily placed Percy into Sand's arms, making Sand finally blink and look at her. She then picked up Sand and got him on the horse. "Stay here," she ordered and stepped back when Asher came limping over in his human form, supporting his father, who had also returned to his human form and grimaced.

"I don't suppose you have any of those magic healing potions with you?" He pushed his father against the horse.

Mardai groaned, his teeth gritted in agony.

Lily shook her head. "I only brought bandages. I may be able to—Asher!" she cried out.

Five men had transformed into human forms behind him, and one of them charged at Asher with a raised dagger in his fist.

Asher instinctively ducked and turned under the man's arm, then slammed his fist into the stranger's ribs.

Lily knew she needed to help and began coaxing Mardai to get on the nervous horse with Sand. "That's it. Can you pull yourself up?" she asked while she guided his foot into the stirrup.

"I can try," he said weakly. "The poison...do you have anything for poison?"

Lily helped push him while he pulled himself onto the saddle, simultaneously going through a mental checklist. She had tried to think of what they might need on a journey through the forest, and she couldn't remember if she had packed an antivenom. When she pulled her hand away, it was covered in blood, and she looked up to see Mardai's side was soaked with blood.