Volume One Chapter 1

Iset the royal mark on the counter, and the merchant's eyes glowed, first with greed, then regret. "I can't make change for that," he murmured, his gaze on the gold coin. "You'll need to go to the bank."

"I don't want change," I replied quietly, trying to keep the barely contained excitement out of my voice. "I want books."

The merchant laughed and swept an arm toward the corner of the shop I'd already perused. "You could buy every book I own, and I'd still have to make more change than I have. Go to the bank."

"I will take them all. Use what's left to pay off the balance of whoever needs it most."

His eyes widened. "You're serious?"

"I am. I made a list of the copies I want. Do you have boxes I can use?"

The merchant nodded and hurried off to find some empty boxes before I could change my mind.

He took the gold coin with him.

I moved to the shelves and started making stacks of books. When he returned with two large crates, we loaded books into them with quick efficiency. He helped me carry the first crate outside to my waiting handcart. He frowned at the cart and slid an assessing glance over my slight build.

He shook his head with a quiet sigh. "You won't be able to haul all of this by hand, but with the change you're owed, you can buy a pony and wagon. Wait here, and I'll get someone to find one for you."

I stopped him with a hand on his arm. "No need. The cart has a clockwork-assist. I will be fine, but I appreciate the offer."

The merchant looked skeptical, but he helped me load the rest of the books without a fuss. He watched me pull the cart away, easy as you please, and his worried frown morphed into a smile as he waved. "Thank you! I'll have more books next month, if you're interested."

"I'll check in the next time I'm in the area," I assured him.

I passed a few people on my way out of town, but none of them paid me any mind. The road was empty and the sun was warm, so I made good time. It was midafternoon when distant hoofbeats broke the silence.

The rider was pushing their horse hard, so I moved to the edge of the narrow track to give them room to pass. I shook out my arms and used the excuse to take a break and enjoy the sun.

A massive black horse rounded the far bend at a full gallop. And perched atop it was a knight in shining silver chain mail with a huge broadsword strapped to his back. My lip curled, and it was an effort to smooth a pleasant look onto my face. Knights were the worst. High-handed and single-minded, they would rather stay doggedly obedient to their rotten king than listen to reason.

This one was handsome enough, as they often were, with short brown hair, dark eyes, and fair skin tanned from days in the sun. And not two brain cells to rub together, no doubt.

He reined in his horse as he neared, and my thoughts of a warm fire and cozy books began to wane. I didn't have any desire to deal with a knight today.

The horse's lungs bellowed, and the poor creature was lathered in sweat. It shied as it neared, even though I stayed perfectly still.

The knight swung down from the saddle, but rather than ignoring his steed, he loosened the girth, took a cloth from his saddlebag, and started rubbing the horse down. "A moment, my lady," he said as he worked. "After I care for Percy, I will speak with you, if you'll allow it."

My eyebrows rose, both at his polite greeting and his concern for his horse. Perhaps I'd judged him too soon, because Percy was a whimsical name for a warhorse. Most were named Killer or Vengeance or Thunder or something equally ridiculous.

The knight caught my look and gave me a slightly embarrassed grin. "My sister breeds warhorses, and my young nephew picked this one for me—along with the name."

"It's lovely."

His smile grew, and he ducked his head. He couldn't have been more than twenty-five, as young and fresh as green spring leaves.

Once he finished wiping away the worst of the sweat, the knight led Percy in wide circles to cool down. I sipped from my canteen while I waited to see what he wanted. Both man and horse moved with the lithe grace of natural athletes. The horse didn't surprise me, but the man did. Knights were often overfed and overconfident, relying on reputation and brute strength rather than skill. If it came to a fight, he would be more dangerous than most.

Once the horse was cool, the knight returned and bowed. "I am Sir Ansel, at your service."

This close, I could see that his eyes were a dark brown, the warm color of rich soil. His hair was several shades lighter and clipped close to his head. He had a square jaw and a strong nose that were softened by a mouth that seemed to constantly smile. He was even more handsome up close.

I blinked and mentally shook my head, then responded a beat too late. "Feora."

"Lady Feora—"

"Just Feora," I interrupted.

He grinned at me, undaunted. "Just Feora, the road is too dangerous to travel alone. There was a dragon attack here less than two weeks ago. Please allow me to accompany you to your next destination."

"How many people did the dragon kill?"

Ansel blinked at me. "None that I am aware of, but a carriage full of the king's gold was stolen."

"Then I hardly have to worry, since I don't have a carriage full of gold."

"There are other concerns besides dragons, my lad—Feora. Bandits have been sighted in the nearby hills."

"On a dragon-blessed road?" I asked in disbelief. Surely no bandit would be so bold.

"I don't know about blessed," he said. "After the dragon steals its treasure, it moves on. The bandits can operate for weeks or months before they have to worry about another attack."

I hummed an acknowledgment as my thoughts whirled.

"The king has tasked me with hunting the dragon, but until the next sighting, I'm hunting bandits."

I waved at the road ahead. "Go on, then. Clear the way."

"You are a more tempting target than a knight, I'm afraid. I can't ensure your safety if I'm not with you."

I pointed at the sword hilt sticking out of my cart. "I can take care of myself."

"They'll take away my knighthood if I let a beautiful woman venture into dangerous woods alone," he said with a teasing smile. "Please reconsider."

I snorted at the flattery. My looks were perfectly average. My hair fell in dark waves past my shoulders, my eyes were just as dark, and my face was neither beautiful nor ugly. My most notable feature was my delicate-looking build, but I would disappear in a village of any size at all, overshadowed by the true beauties—and that was exactly how I liked it.

"No, thank you," I said, then gestured down the road. "Off you go."

He bowed. "As my lady commands."