Ever the Hunted (Clash of Kingdoms #1)

My hands stop over the split chiandra that I’ve been placing on a board to bake in the sun. “And why would you need to do that?”


My question goes unanswered as thumping hooves echo through the trees. My heart’s rhythm scrambles to match the beat at knowing Cohen is near. I almost feel a pull toward him. His kiss will likely never leave my thoughts.

Cohen and Siron come barreling into the clearing in front of Enat’s home. At the sight, a fluttery sensation dances from my shoulders to my shins.

“The guards are in the village.” Cohen hops off Siron. “They’re still posing as Shaerdanian soldiers, and they’ve spread word that two Malam fugitives are hiding there. They’ve placed a bounty of a year’s wages on our heads.”





Chapter

24


“WHO KNOWS YOU’RE HERE?” Enat appears at my side with a bow in hand.

“I spoke only with Delmar.” Cohen shoves a hand through his hair. “He knew I was headed here, but he’d never betray my trust. The only other person is the woman Britta spoke to at the Elementiary. Is she trustworthy?”

Enat relaxes. “If that’s all, then you’re safe here. No one can enter my land without a counter-charm. Astoria can be a gossip, but she’s loyal to the kinsmen and judge of Celize. She’d never betray me to royal guards from Malam. And Delmar would never betray a trust.”

“The guards can be persuasive.” I try to make my point without questioning her judgment outright. “If Astoria’s already known as a gossip, she’d be an easy target for them.”

“She won’t talk.” There is finality in Enat’s tone. “This isn’t the first time someone’s come knocking on her door looking for me. Channelers have an understanding. We don’t cause one another harm, and we don’t put each other in harm’s way.”

“Even if they’re not going to talk to the guards, there’s a chance someone else noticed us.” Papa taught me to always be prepared. Though we were careful, we’re still putting her in danger. She must see that. “Anyone could’ve seen the direction we were headed. Not all the kinsmen will be loyal. We’ve already been ousted by a kinsman from Padrin.”

“That’s true, but since leaving Padrin, we’ve been cautious.” Cohen looks at me and then turns to Enat. “Celize was empty when we left, and we didn’t cross anyone on the road. I doubt we were seen.”

“We cannot assume that,” I say. “Our only defense is to act as though we’ve been noticed and prepare accordingly.”

Enat scoops up the drying chiandra and puts the seeds into her basket. “Even if someone saw you, it’s difficult to travel through these woods. You’re safest here. But you should probably stay away from Celize for the next few days until your guards move on. Although most men are loyal to Judge Auberdeen, there are a few who haven’t been happy with his decisions.”

“What? No.” We cannot stay here. They know we were looking for Enat. They’ll come after her first. “Our being here puts you in the middle of our mess.”

“Britta’s right,” he says. “You’ve done enough for us. We’re leaving.”

Enat could rival Cohen for best stone-like expression. She pauses over the berries and seeds drying in the sun. “Nowhere safer than here. Only a handful of people know the route to my home. And like I said, the magic in these woods makes it impossible to find without a counter-charm. Setting up camp elsewhere would be a mistake.”

She’s right. We would’ve never found her if Astoria hadn’t given us directions and the herb mix.

“I know the layout of my land like every lump on my old-lady body.” She winks at the horrified expression I make. “I know the best vantage points. You’re better defending yourselves here.” She has a point there, even if she’s made it ineloquently. “They won’t find us. But for the sake of arguing that they will, if they come, it’ll be more excitement than I’ve had in years. Could use a good fight. I haven’t had decent target practice in a while.”

I wouldn’t want to be on the other end of her arrow. At least not again. Enat is as formidable as Captain Omar, with a touch more of madness. Perhaps it’s her brashness that makes me forget her bent body.

Cohen looks at me, his face full of silent questioning. When I shrug, he answers for us both. “All right. Britta can stay here while I head into town.” My mouth pops open. That wasn’t the answer I was expecting. “We need to keep an eye on them so we know what they’re up to. Stay one step ahead of them. I’ll return once I have more information on the guards’ plans.”

“No.” Belatedly realizing how loud my opposition sounded, I wrinkle my nose and start again quieter than before. “Cohen, you cannot go alone. How would we know if they catch up to you? If something happened?”

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