Chapter 48: Everly

Chapter

Forty-Eight

EVERLY

The night air crackles with energy as I sit near a massive fire. My attention drifts to several deep pits dug into the earth nearby, where Morwen and Ava tend to roasting pigs.

Four lute players strum a gentle melody nearby. I try to relax, to listen to the music, but my eyes refuse to stop wandering to Cenric sitting near Liam.

The entire time they talk, Cenric doesn't look at me. Not even once.

What I wouldn't do to go back in time, to never stumble into that alley, to never be forced into spying.

The lute players strike up a livelier tune, and couples begin to dance around the fire. I stay seated and pick at a loose thread on my sleeve. Dancing alone would be even more pitiful than sitting here moping.

My heart aches as I look at Cenric again, longing for his attention, but he's not going to give it to me .

I sigh and push to my feet. There's no point in staying.

I walk away, leaving behind the fire, behind Cenric, behind my hopes of him ever forgiving me.

The music fades as I step into my tent. I sink onto my bed, still wearing the blue surcoat Cenric gave me.

The tent flap lifts, startling me. Doran steps inside. His lips curl into what I suppose is meant to be a smile, but it only sends a wave of ice down my spine.

"Hello, Everly."

Dread threads around my heart as he moves closer.

"I thought we could get to know each other better." He lifts a terracotta jar for me to see. "Care for some wine?"

"No."

Apparently, he's hard of hearing, because instead of listening, he grabs a chair, dragging it across the ground with a screech that sets my teeth on edge. He plops down next to my bed.

Great, just what I need—an unwelcome guest with boundary issues.

Wine sloshes in the jar as he lifts it in my direction. "Are you sure you don't want some? It'll help you relax."

I eye the jar suspiciously. "I'm plenty relaxed."

Doran shrugs and takes a long pull from the jar, his gaze never leaving my face.

"You should leave," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm tired."

He pays no attention to me and indulges in another sip of wine. A drop escapes, and he wipes it away with the back of his hand .

"I said you should leave." I inject more force into my tone this time.

He leans back in the chair. "And I didn't hear you."

Fantastic. Not only is he creepy, but he's also selectively deaf. I consider my options. I could scream, but I doubt anyone would hear me over the music. I could try to run, but he'd probably catch me. That leaves me with one option: bore him to death.

"So," I say, forcing a cheerful tone, "how about this weather we're having? It's quite mild."

He blinks, clearly not expecting small talk. "I'd rather we stopped talking."

I scowl at him, my patience thinning more rapidly than a crowd during a lightning storm. "And I'd rather you leave."

He doesn't listen. Instead, he moves faster than I can blink, grabbing my arms and yanking me up against him. He slams his mouth against mine, his lips bruising and painful.

Fury ignites inside me as I place my hands against his chest, shoving with all my might. He rocks backward, and I take advantage, slapping him hard across the cheek.

Shock freezes his features. Then, his eyes narrow, and his fist connects with my cheek. Pain explodes through my head as I topple backward, landing hard on the bed. Brilliant light dances before my vision as I blink, desperately trying to stay conscious, to fight, to live.

My hand gropes blindly as I search for something I can use to defend myself. My fingers brush against something solid—the wooden fox Kassandra carved. I snatch it up.

He lunges forward, and I swing the fox with all my might. It connects with a sickening crack against his temple. He staggers back, cursing loudly.

I scramble toward the entrance, and he charges after me like a raging bull. His massive hands clamp around my neck, and he yanks me off my feet. I gasp for air and claw at his fingers. He slams me against the washing stand. Pain explodes through my back as the wooden structure splinters beneath me. The basin topples, shattering into a thousand glittering shards on the ground.

Fight!

You cannot die like this.

Summoning every ounce of strength I have left, I drive my knee upward, connecting solidly between his legs. He grunts, his grip loosening just enough for me to gulp in a precious breath of air.

Unfortunately, it earns me another punch. His fist comes down with a mighty blow. Pain explodes through my face as I fall to the floor, and blackness consumes me.