Ever the Hunted (Clash of Kingdoms #1)

“And what do you think will happen when you get to him? Didn’t you used to be the bounty hunter’s apprentice?” Millner’s words are sharp. “You should know if you take the boy away from his company, he’ll be charged with treason. A bounty will be put on his head.”


Cohen pushes out of his seat and strides away from the table. “So you’re suggesting I let him die? Leave my family behind?”

“You’re only outside of the boundaries now because you’ve been on the run.” Millner fixes on him with a hard stare. “But you haven’t been free, have you? You had the king’s guard chasing you clear across Shaerdan. I can assure you that won’t change once you have your brother in tow. I’ve been hiding and running for nearly twenty years. I know what it’s like to have the king out for my blood. Is that what you want?”

“I know the risks.” Cohen glares at Millner. “Doesn’t change my decision.”

Millner shakes his head and sighs. He turns to me. “What about you? Think you’ll be free to return to your grandmother’s house after you accuse the captain of the guard? The closest you’ll come is hanging from a noose at the border. You won’t be coming back here ever again, I can promise you that.”

I hadn’t given much thought to returning.

“I have to try. My father’s death won’t be in vain.” My gaze flicks to Enat, who is watching me carefully. The idea of losing her sends me into a panic. There are risks I hadn’t considered. The day I was brought to the dungeon, a woman was there. The dungeon master called her a Channeler. She was dying. I imagine Enat in that woman’s place, and my body chills as if the ague is coming on.

Millner’s point hits the heart of my fears. What if we return to Malam and the guard catches Enat and accuses her of being a Channeler?

I’ve made a grave mistake. Enat cannot go to Malam.





Chapter

32


ENAT IS BENT OVER THE SMALL WOODEN TRUNK in her room, withdrawing a cloak from the box as I lean against the door frame. Since Millner and his daughter left an hour ago, I’ve done little more than think about Enat and the dangers awaiting us.

“It’s much colder in Malam. Here the temperature stays close to the same all year. But in Malam, where we have to travel through the high plains and mountains to reach Brentyn, it’ll likely be close to first frost. This should be enough to keep warm.” She pats the material, wool that is the same shade as heavy clouds before a rainstorm.

“You won’t need it if you teach me how to break the bind,” I say.

She turns to me with a sideways glance. “Why do you want to know that?”

My response has run through my head a hundred times, and still it catches on my tongue. I clench my fists and push myself to say what needs to be said. “It’s too dangerous for you to go. You could show me what to do, and I’ll do it.” Even though I want her to come, it would be selfish to allow it.

“No. I’ve already given you my word. I’ll go.” She stands and shakes out the cloak so dust particles dance off the material into the slant of fading window light.

“Enat, there are too many dangers. Crossing the border won’t be easy. But if you come, you’ll have to cross it twice. Who knows what awaits us when we get to the palace. You’re risking your life.”

She hmms to herself as she inspects the cloak but gives no further acknowledgment to my comment.

Cohen chooses this moment to duck his head into the room. “I’ve checked over the horses, and they’re ready.”

“Willow hasn’t ridden east before,” says Enat. “Did you make sure to pack an extra blanket for her?”

“Yeah. What about the other horse? Acorn?”

“Aspen,” she corrects. “He’ll be fine, though an extra blanket wouldn’t hurt. Especially if we hit a storm head-on. This time of year, the fall weather in Malam tends to rage before winter.”

It’s been almost a month since I left Malam. It amazes me how easily I’ve overlooked my country’s season change. Being here in the warmth and lush forests has been a nice reprieve. Now it’s time to return to frost and rocky mountains.

“You can remain here and not have to spend weeks traveling to Malam and back.” I try approaching the subject again as soon as Cohen leaves the room. “There’s no danger if you stay.”

“Britta.” Enat’s voice is lower, pensive. “Even if you learn what it takes to break the bind, you don’t have experience. This task is no easy thing. It’ll take a great deal of concentration and know-how. And without experience, well . . .” She doesn’t need to finish the sentence—?I already know. Without experience, I wouldn’t be able to do it. I look away, embarrassed for thinking I could learn.

Her wrinkled hand wraps around mine. “Now, listen, girl. I knew the dangers when you first asked me to go. Knew what I was getting myself into.”

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