“Bah! Aye, ye told me the plan, but I’m callin’ yer bluff. Ye no more wish to drop the lass and run when we get to the castle than ye wish to have yer man parts sliced off. I suggest this—let the important parties at the castle know we’re to arrive. No more. No less. Agreed?”
He hated admitting it, but he had tried to get word to the castle. But as wretched as the weather had been, no one was willing to take the risk to deliver a message for free. “I have already attempted such, friend. No one wishes to make the journey for little to no pay.”
Dannan grinned, his fluted ears wagging. “I knew I could count on ye to at least try. Now answer the question. What will ye do if she chooses to return to her land?”
Jon clenched his jaw, along with his resolve. “I will do as I promised and not look back.”
Now Dannan slapped him on the back, almost knocking him over the fence. “Take care, lad, or our fair maiden will have yer nose growing,” he teased, his laughter ringing through the crisp morning air.
Indeed. Care he would take. He’d take care not to fall further prey to true love’s kiss.
Whether the furious beat of his heart in his chest wanted it that way or not.
Chapter 9
Toni groaned as she hunted for berries. Her ankles ached and her dress was beginning to feel like a pair of psychotic Spanx, squeezing her, pinching her, and generally getting in her way. Wandering along the path as she searched for berries, she eyed their surroundings as night began to fall, the forest still as beautiful as it had been when she’d first opened her eyes almost a week ago.
She could swear she’d heard the ocean as they’d chosen a spot to settle in, the surf lapping at the land, the scent of salt in the cold air.
Shamalot had everything, without the stress of Stas. If this crazy queen didn’t have it out for her, it would be the perfect place to reconfigure her life—a new beginning.
She’d decided she really loved it here. Despite the danger they’d encountered, despite the lack of coffee and creature comforts. The woods brought her peace. She could roam them for days, exploring if not for the price on her head—which was why she was teamed up tonight with Marty as her babysitter.
They’d continued their trek onward after leaving Ellesandra’s with plenty of supplies and the wish that they return someday under happier circumstances.
Day after day, night after night, they walked. Nina was much stronger after Ellesandra’s magic elixir, but she only had enough to last for another few days. Thus, the push to make it to the castle was ramped up. They slept little, walked for what felt like miles, all in an effort to keep Nina alive and return these stupid shoes.
And she’d do it all again—whatever it took, as long as Nina would remain on this side of the grave.
Sometimes as they walked, she relived the most magical kiss she’d ever shared with a man. Remembered his warm embrace, the ease with which she’d opened up to him. Wondered if Jon felt what she felt—hoped he’d felt what she felt.
Maybe what she’d told him about how she’d run away from Stas had left her a lot less warrior-ish and much weaker in his eyes. He’d kept to himself since they’d left Ellesandra’s, leading the herd of them like the expert he was, avoiding all contact and conversation, with her specifically.
Which made no sense, and she planned to call him on his behavior. Because enough was enough. In her land, she’d always been straightforward about her feelings.
Tonight, Jon was about to get a load of her feelings dumped right over his head after dinner. All that talk of staying in Shamalot then giving her the cold shoulder since the night they’d kissed was crap.
Carl trotted toward her, his lopsided muzzle tinted with green. She held out her hand and he came to her, nuzzling her palm. “How about another story tonight, Carl? After we finish up dinner? I say we do Little Red Riding Hood? Or The Three Little Pigs? I think both have wolves in ’em.”
Each night, she sat with Carl by the fire and told him one of her favorite fairytales from her childhood. Nina had said he loved to read, and in her efforts to make up for what she’d put him through, she made sure they never missed what she’d come to consider their special time together.
She sucked at remembering the stories, according to Nina. Apparently, The Three Little Pigs didn’t have an evil queen or a talking mirror anywhere in their story.
But whatever. She’d fallen in love with Carl, and when the time came to say goodbye, Toni knew he would be one of the hardest to part with.
Carl stomped a hoof on the ground, which she took as a sign he approved. She planted a kiss on his head and chuckled fondly, continuing her search. “You got it, buddy.” She moved deeper into the woods to gather more berries for their meal, Marty not far behind her, humming to herself.
But Carl stomped his hoof again, swishing his hindquarter against her thighs and shoving her back.