32. Chapter 32

thirty-two

T he first sense to register in Kallessa’s groggy mind was the smell. Damp wood and ozone. The second was her body, curled tightly into a ball, cramping all over. Forcing her eyes open, she saw pale light glimmering through the small window, her breath fogging the air.

It was freezing. Why hadn’t she taken the room by the fireplace? Had she thought she’d watch the stables in her sleep? She groaned as she unwound her limbs and stretched. The untouched parts of the bed were icy, and she shrieked with shock. Hopefully, Sunu had slept better than she had.

Rushing through her morning routine, she brushed her hair and splashed frigid water on her face. Shivering, she donned a linen dress, tugged two pairs of thick woolen stockings over her calves, and laced up sturdy leather boots. Her wool cape did little to warm her pink nose and she rubbed it vigorously.

After packing her meager belongings, she made her way downstairs, the old wooden steps creaking beneath her feet.

Embers glowed in the hearth and she stopped for a moment to warm her hands before searching for the innkeeper.

“Hello?” she called into the quiet. Pans rattled in the kitchen, the pungent scent of coffee wafting her way as she curled her lip. She hated coffee, but if it was hot and gave her some much needed energy, she would drink it.

In the kitchen, the small old woman from last night kneaded a ball of dough on a scarred wooden table, humming quietly. Her faded gray tunic fit loosely on her slight frame, but her forearms were wiry with strength. Kallessa tapped on the open door, startling a warm smile from the woman. “Are ye leaving?”

Kallessa hesitantly walked in, pausing by the table. “Yes. Could I buy some provisions and a hot cup of coffee before I go?”

The old lady shrugged and wiped her hands on a towel she had draped over her shoulder. She stopped by the stove and poured black liquid from a pot into a mug before placing it before Kallessa with a thud. “What will you be needing, then?”

Kallessa sipped the acrid liquid, half choking on the intense flavor. It was like drinking liquid smoke, and it clung to her tongue and throat, not wanting to let go. She coughed, her eyes watering.

The old lady doubled over, wheezing with laughter. “Oh, I’m sorry, my lady. Should’ve warned you. You’ll stand a full inch taller after a cup of Millie’s coffee. It’s the only thing to get my husband out of bed.”

“I admit, I’m usually a tea drinker,” Kallessa croaked, wiping her eyes.

Millie’s cheeks were still creased with mirth as she re-secured the pins in her tight bun. “Wait til you get old. Only coffee will do. What did you say you needed?”

If Kallessa planned to be home in two days, she only needed enough to get her and Sunu through. They should be fine after that. If not, she’d have to make do. Her money would be gone.

“Enough for me and my horse for two more days. ”

“Where are your companions?”

Kallessa sipped more of the horrid coffee as she tried to conjure an answer to Millie’s question. But a traitorous tear rolled down her cheek instead.

Millie patted her arm gently with a callused palm. “Was it a man, dear?” she asked softly.

Nevander’s face flashed in Kallessa’s mind, with those blasted spring green eyes and warm smile. Not only a man, but a prince of her own country. Embarrassment and loss rolled through in a fresh wave.

Swallowing hard, Kallessa shook her head slowly. “I’m sorry, I’m not usually like this.”

Millie waved dismissively. “Don’t you worry, dear. Drink your coffee and I’ll pack you a bag for the road.”

“How much do I owe you?”

She smacked her towel on the table and shook her head. “I don’t want your money. Just remember old Millie, and her kindness.”

Kindness from a stranger in a strange land, when her own people shunned her. “Thank you,” she whispered hoarsely. “I will not forget you.”

After sitting before the fireplace and drinking the potent coffee, Kallessa almost felt like she could tackle this day ahead of her. She vibrated with energy almost to the point of shaking, her body no longer cold or aching.

She headed to the stables, where Sunu stood brushed and saddled, the stable boy beaming with pride.

“I’ve never taken care of a royal horse before. She’s a beauty, my lady.” The lad bowed, sweeping his hat from his head .

Trepidation coursed through Kallessa. “H-how do you know it's a royal horse?”

“By the brand, of course. Are you a princess?” He pointed to a faint lion and shield brand on Sunu’s flank.

Suddenly, all that coffee burned in her throat. It had never occurred to her that Sunu would be marked. If anyone found out about this, they might think she stole her.

Kallessa smiled conspiratorially at the boy. “It’s a secret.” She dropped a halfpenny in his hand. “You can keep a secret, can’t you?”

His eyes grew round. “Of course, my lady.”

“That’s good. Well, I must go, the prince awaits.” Trotting out, she waved, while dying a little more on the inside.

By midday, the once sunny sky had dimmed to a dull gray, and a steady drizzle fell. Kallessa wiped her nose with damp hands. Her hair hung in lank ringlets from under her hood and her toes ached with cold. The surrounding woods had grown silent, save for the rustle of golden leaves dropping in the sullen mist.

Angry purple clouds gathered on the horizon ahead. She slid her hand along Sunu’s neck, soothing the mare.

She’d only passed two other travelers, a man with a cart of pelts, and a lone soldier, his eyes narrow with suspicion. Surely they'd reach the Dracian border soon. Why did it seem so much longer than before? Maybe because she’d been in a comfortable carriage and not sore and cold and wet.

Her throat felt scratchy, and the energy from the coffee had left her. She sagged, pulling her cloak closer, glancing up at the ever darkening sky. What time was it, anyway? It could have been noon or evening by the looks of it. They had to go faster .

“How about a little gallop to warm us up?” she suggested to Sunu. The mare’s ears flicked in response. Kallessa squeezed her flanks, holding on as they sped up.

Finally, the Dracian border loomed ahead, guardhouses flanking a rope across the path. Why hadn’t she remembered this from before? Because she’d been riding in that cozy carriage with the Wynlar crest. Of course, they wouldn’t have bothered them.

She slowed Sunu to a walk. Flipping her cloak out behind her, she covered the brand on Sunu’s flanks. No ownership papers. Who would have thought she’d need them?

A stout soldier in a tan uniform exited the left guard house, a steaming mug in his fist. Oh, what she wouldn’t do for something hot right now. He took a long slurp before blocking her path.

He raised his bushy eyebrow, looking her over with a critical gaze. “Where might ye be headed, lass?” he asked gruffly.

“Back to Teansong, my home.” Kallessa swallowed hard.

He studied her. “Take down your hood, miss.”

Trembling, she did as he said, letting her curls tumble free. Kallessa pushed the unruly locks back, offering the man a tremulous smile.

“Name?”

“Kallessa,” she replied, her mouth suddenly dry. What was going on here? Were there tensions on the border for some reason?

“Surname?”

Fear lanced down Kallessa’s spine and before she could second-guess herself, the name tumbled from her lips. “Dahoko.”

The soldier retreated to the guardhouse. Kallessa’s heart pounded. There was no reason to feel afraid. She’d done nothing wrong .

Finally, he reemerged, removed the rope, and waved her on. “One word of advice, miss. Bad weather’s coming. Find a place to stay soon.”

“Thank you, sir. I will.” She trotted past, refusing to turn around until out of sight. Relief mixed with unease as she nudged Sunu into a canter.

Two hours later, the drizzle had become a steady rain, slowing their pace. Kallessa shivered, her soaked cloak clinging uncomfortably as she hunched over Sunu’s neck, trying in vain to shield herself from the relentless downpour. Water dripped off the tip of her nose, and she was having difficulty seeing more than a few yards in front of them.

Kallessa’s head was aching. It'd begun with a dull throb behind her eyes that was now intensifying into stabbing pains. She closed her eyes, pressing her palms against her eyelids. They had to stop, whether she wanted to or not. Her fingers ached from gripping the reins, her hip muscles pulling with every sway of Sunu’s flanks.

Guiding Sunu off the path to a brook, she dismounted with an unladylike grunt. Underneath the meager shelter of an overgrown shrub, she fed the mare an apple and two oatcakes, then let her graze on the damp grass. Kallessa grabbed a biscuit and a thick slice of hard cheese and plopped to the wet ground, not caring about her state of dress. She shoved the food in her mouth, following it with a drink of water from her flask. Oh, what she wouldn’t do for a hot cup of bergamot like the one she’d shared with Nevander.

What would the prince think of her now? Bedraggled and dirty, her hair in wet tangles? Probably be appalled. She’d just been a game to him. A distraction .

Heaving a sigh, Kallessa rose, every part of her body aching. They had to keep going, or risk being caught out in the open after nightfall.

Suddenly, Sunu’s ears flattened, her nostrils flaring. In the distance, the ricochet of hooves and men’s shouts echoed off the surrounding woods. An instinctive sense of danger surged within her. Quickly, she tugged Sunu into the dense woods, crouching behind a fallen log.

Through the tangled underbrush, she could see only a sliver of the road. She stayed silent, not daring to move as the thundering hoofbeats grew closer. Kallessa gasped, a stray blade of grass scratching her face.

It was the soldiers from the border.