15. Verena

CHAPTER 15

VERENA

W e didn't stop until the sun rose and fell again, the night sky now giving way to the fiery hues of orange and pink across the sky as the sun rose yet again.

The rhythmic sound of waves filled the air, their salty scent immediately evocative of memories and places I had longed to forget.

Since I was just a child, my eyes had been drawn to the horizon outside my window, yearning for the boundless expanse of the Northern Sea. But as we emerged from the cover of the forest and the Southern Sea came into view, conflicting emotions washed over me. The endless blue waters, once a symbol of hope, now seemed to mock me with its impossible promises.

The vast expanse of the ocean stretched out before me, its waves crashing against the rocky shoreline with an untamed force. The sea seemed to merge seamlessly with the small coastal town, as if it were a living being that breathed in and out with the tide.

"We need to be quick." Dacre broke the silence between us, his eyes searching the woods that we had just left. He was tired, his body moving slower than I had ever seen before. "My father won't be far behind."

His father who he had betrayed. The father who he turned his back on for me.

He had killed one of them for me.

Our words had dried up, lost in the urgency of our escape. We ran as fast as our legs could carry us, our feet pounding against the unforgiving ground while our lungs strained for air. The only sounds were our hurried breaths and the thudding rhythm of our footsteps, a desperate beat propelling us forward.

But even as we fled, my mind was in chaos. Thoughts swirled like a whirlwind, each one demanding answers I couldn't give. The remnants of my power still lingered in my veins, our power . I couldn't understand it, couldn't wrap my head around the sheer force that had coursed through me.

But I knew that it saved us.

He had saved me.

He saved me, healed me, then gave up everything he knew.

I felt foolish to trust him, naive to let my guard down with anyone, yet every time I looked at him, my doubts slipped further from my grip.

My heart pounded wildly in my chest as I nodded, following Dacre down the gentle slope of the hill.

The coastal town sprawled out before me, larger and more vibrant than I had ever imagined. The streets were alive with a constant flow of people, each one absorbed in their own tasks and errands.

The salty tang of the sea mingled with the mouth-watering scent of freshly caught seafood, creating an intoxicating blend that filled the air.

Our footsteps echoed against the cobblestone streets as we passed by a colorful cart overflowing with an array of freshly baked pastries. The sweet, buttery scent drifted toward us, making my stomach churn in hunger.

Beside it, a cart displayed an assortment of vibrant spices, their fragrant aromas dancing in the air. Despite its similarities to the capital city, this bustling marketplace was full of unique sights and smells.

As we weaved through the crowd, I couldn't help but marvel at this world beyond what I knew.

It was an unknown corner of my own kingdom, hidden behind the veil of familiarity and routine, and I couldn't help but wonder what other secrets and wonders lay just beyond my reach.

When I had imagined the southern coast, my mind had conjured up images of quaint cottages and a charming village nestled by the sea.

But what I saw around us was far from that expectation. It was a bustling town filled with homes and shops and winding streets.

This was something my father never told me about.

Dacre's firm grip enveloped my hand, his calloused fingers intertwining with mine as he pulled me along behind him. His steely gaze remained fixed ahead, determined and unwavering, as if he feared losing sight of our destination for even a moment.

Every muscle in his body seemed taut and ready for action, his steps purposeful and swift as we made our way forward. I could feel the weight of his focused energy radiating from him, urging us on with each step we took.

"We must reach the docks," Dacre insisted, his firm grasp pulling me closer to his side. I could feel the heat of his body and allowed myself to be drawn in by his warmth and strength.

He was right.

The docks were my only hope, the gateway to a new life and a chance at freedom. Anxiety coiled in my veins as we hurried toward the teeming harbor, our fate hanging on the success of boarding one of those ships.

I had nothing but the cold metal of the coins that Dacre had thrust into my hand, no connections to offer, and no valid reason for any captain to allow me passage aboard their ship.

But I prayed to the gods that one of them did.

Dacre's strong arms pulled me closer, enveloping me in a protective embrace as we turned sharply to the right. My heart raced as I strained to catch a glimpse of what lay ahead, but Dacre shielded me from view with his broad frame.

Through a small opening between his arms, I caught sight of three heavily armed King's Guards marching down the street toward us.

Dacre quickened our pace as we darted down a narrow side street, the pungent smell of ale wafting through the air.

The street was crowded with people, mostly sailors and merchants, their voices echoing off the stone walls. But they paid us no mind as we hurried past them.

Dacre's fingers tensed around mine as he led us toward a quaint inn at the end of the street. The scent of ale grew more potent as we strolled past a tavern, where raucous laughter could be heard spilling out onto the cobblestone road.

Dacre pushed open the door to the inn, the wooden frame creaking loudly. The inside was dark and cramped, filled with trinkets and books.

Without a word, Dacre guided me to a small desk tucked in the corner of the room. The door behind us slammed shut with a resounding thud, trapping us inside.

The stagnant heat in the room was stifling. The stillness in the room only broken by the small fan held by the older woman seated behind the desk.

The woman's wrinkled hand clutched onto the fan as if it were a lifeline, her weary eyes reflecting the exhaustion of the long day even though the sun had just risen. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead as her gaze flicked back and forth between Dacre and me.

"Do you have any vacancies?" Dacre asked and pressed a hand against the wooden desk.

The innkeeper nodded, reaching for a key with delicate fingers. She reached deep into a drawer, her hand disappearing for a few moments before emerging with the key. "One."

"We'll take it."

Dacre reached into my pocket and pulled out five gleaming coins and tossed them onto the desk, causing the innkeeper's eyes to light up with excitement. She eagerly took the currency, her hand shaking slightly as she counted it out. "I'll just need to change the bedding. It's been vacant for some time."

"We don't mind," Dacre replied urgently, his voice betraying a sense of panic. "We need the room now, and I'll give you three more of those coins if we can have food brought up as well."

The innkeeper readily agreed, nodding and handing over the key to our room. "Up the stairs, first room on the right."

"Thank you."

The woman's eyes locked onto mine, her gaze searching. I shifted uncomfortably, my body instinctively wanting to shrink away from her knowing stare. My hair fell like a curtain over my face, shielding me from her perceptive eyes as we turned away from her.

As we made our way up the narrow stairs to our room, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered in the pit of my stomach. The woman's piercing gaze seemed to have seen through me, and I couldn't help but wonder if she knew who I was.

If she knew who the king's men were looking for.

With a creak, Dacre slid in the key before opening the door to our room, revealing a small but tidy space. The dim light from a lone window cast shadows across the walls, highlighting the worn and faded wallpaper.

In the center of the room sat a single bed, its sheets wrinkled and thin. I crossed my arms, feeling the weight of uncertainty settle in my stomach as Dacre shut the door behind us.

"We need to get to the ships," I urged.

"I need to get to the ships. You are gonna stay here," Dacre replied, his tone firm as he ran his fingers through his hair. But I could see the fear in his eyes, betraying his confident words.

He was panicked.

This wasn't a part of the plan. My mind raced with questions and doubts, unsure of what to do next.

"You must remain here, hidden and safe. Eat when food is brought to you, but do not open the door for anyone else." His fingers traced over the door absentmindedly as he spoke. "I will try to secure your passage on a ship and return as soon as possible." He tucked the key into his pocket. "Remember, do not let anyone in this door. There are far too many people after you here."

"I want to come with you," I pleaded, my voice betraying the hesitation and fear in my mind.

Dacre was leaving me here alone, and I could sense the same fear and panic radiating from him. But amid it all, there was still a trace of lingering doubt—what if this was all just another betrayal?

"Listen to me, Verena." Dacre's hands were warm and firm as they gripped my shoulders. His voice was urgent and laced with fear. "If those king's men find us, find you, they're going to take you. And I won't be able to fight them off alone. I have no power in this town. My father won't be far behind." He shook his head, his eyes full of worry. "I need you to stay hidden until we can get you on a ship. It's our only option, your only choice."

The weight of his words settled heavily on my chest.

Trusting him was my only choice.

That was what he meant.

That's what he wouldn't say out loud, but it was the truth.

Either I trusted him, or I was on my own.

"Fine." I crossed my arms and looked up at him. "But if you aren't back in two hours, I'm leaving this inn."

Dacre's eyes locked onto mine, a mixture of relief and desperation in his glance. He nodded. "Two hours," he murmured before he stepped back from me. "If I'm not back, leave, Verena. Find another way. Trust your instincts, but don't let them capture you. Promise me that."

I nodded, knowing that I didn't have much of a choice. "I promise."

Dacre's face relaxed slightly as if he had just released a heavy burden from his shoulders. He leaned in and pressed his lips gently against my cheek.

I leaned into his touch, allowing myself to revel in the feel of him before he turned and left the room, the door creaking closed behind him.

I quickly turned the lock, hearing the latch echo through the room like an omen.

I was alone in that small room, with nothing but the constant sound of the sea on the horizon. A sense of dread filled my chest, but I knew I had no other choice but to wait.