TRUST IN LOVE (Lovemark #2)

19. Farrow-1

19

Farrow

I snuck into Nicolette’s and my tent early the next morning while she still slept. She looked so lovely and serene draped across her bedroll with her thick, dark braid curled around her neck like a scarf and a bare knee and calf peeking out from the confines of her skirts.

My body reacted instantly. I swear, I’d been in a perpetual state of arousal since plucking her from Donnelly. And it didn’t help that she made it so damn obvious that she was more than willing to lie with me.

I could wake her right now, ruck up her skirts, and the woman would be wet and moaning by the time I pushed inside her. A groan vibrated through my throat as I fisted my hands down at my sides.

I was weak when it came to her, but s*x would be the one place I refused to give in. I would not tup her, not until she learned everything about me and my situation and was still willing to have me afterward.

Which she wouldn’t be.

Swallowing down my regret over what would never happen, I tore my gaze from her and scanned the interior of the tent until my focus fell to the jewelry she’d taken off last night. Not pausing to think my actions through, I decided they’d do fine. I swept up her wrist guards, necklace, and hairpin, then shoved them into a sack, cinched it closed, and pushed to my feet.

Exiting the tent, I let the flap fall behind me, and I strode through the dawn where ribbons of smoke from dying campfires floated up around me like whispering fog. The scent of burned wood and rich spices overtook the aroma of fresh dew clinging to moss-covered trees.

The drop in temperature made my skin prickle with anxiety as I stopped a passing man hauling two pails of water from a nearby stream and asked him where I could find Mydera.

He pointed out the way with a tip of his head, and I strode off with a brisk murmur of gratitude. Her tent flaps were flung open and her two pages—Wicket and Spice—stood guard.

As I approached, Spice bowed her head to me. “Mydera will see you now.”

Without pausing, I ducked down and entered.

“Farrow of House Scott,” Mydera greeted, sounding pleased to receive me. “I was hoping I might get a visit from you this morning.”

I scowled into the darkness of the tent until my eyes adjusted and found her sitting cross-legged on the ground with her hands resting palms-up on her knees in meditation. Her eyes were closed.

“You know who I am,” I said, my heart beginning to race with dread. I had never told her which house I belonged to.

Her lashes fluttered open slowly. “We have a few seeing eyes within our midst. And they were all quite anxious to report that the Bastard Betrayer had momentarily joined our camp.”

My jaw knit. I’d forgotten about being labeled that despicable term by Roloff, and honestly, I hadn’t thought I’d ever hear it again.

Who the hell had coined the phrase Bastard Betrayer, anyway? It was stupid as hell.

“And it appears,” Mydera went on, “that even the mages of the Dimway Forest will benefit from your many deceptions.”

I swallowed with no idea what that meant, but it caused my blood to congeal regardless.

“Do you know what I’m supposed to do?” I probed, holding my breath for the answer.

But Mydera merely chuckled. “Child, you know better than that. Prophesies are never so forthright. All they do is cause confusion and more questions, until there they are, complete and true as the sky is blue. So no. I’ve no idea what you’re supposed to do to save us all.”

“Is my heroic agenda enough to get you to help me, though?” I hedged.

She flashed a smile. “Depends. For what reasons are you seeking me this grave morning, my son? I should warn you now; I won’t commit murder. Not against anyone.”

“It’s nothing so sinister,” I assured as I tossed the sack I held onto the ground in front of her. Inside, Nicolette’s golden wrist guards clanged together loudly. “I merely need a couple items charmed. That’s your area of expertise, is it not?”

Mydera glanced at the sack. Then me. “I’m listening.”

I handed her a folded slip of parchment, saying, “This is what I require.”

She read slowly, humming and bobbing her head the entire time. “Interesting choices,” she finally said, glancing up. “I don’t suppose you’ll tell me what you need all this for.”

“No, I don’t suppose I will.”

She smiled vaguely. “I didn’t think so.” She refolded my list and held it up between two fingers. “This’ll cost you, you know.”

I never had a doubt. But I lifted my eyebrows, regardless. “Even though I’m supposed to save your entire clan?”

“Being our savior has gained you an audience with me, plus the accommodations from my people for a day. But to attain your list of tricky charms, I’m afraid I’ll need more.”

Damn. I knew it would come to this. But it still filled me with grief. Biting the back of my teeth as hard as I could and already regretting my actions, I pulled the everlasting flagon from my pocket and showed it to her. My mother had told me to never part with it.

It grieved me to betray her.

In front of me, Mydera’s teeth flashed and eyes lit eagerly. “Well, in that case, my dear, we have a deal.”

“No!” Nicolette shouted, dodging suddenly into the tent. Snatching the flagon from my hand before I could pass it over, she clutched it to her chest and sneered at Mydera. “There’s no deal here.”

My heart dropped. A chill taking over my body, I demanded, “How long have you been out there, spying on us?”

Zipping me a scowl, she hissed, “Long enough to watch you try to hand over your most prized possession. Because of me. And I’m not going to allow it. I’m not going to Donnelly with them, because I’m not leaving you, so just erase the thought from your head. Right now.”

“Oh, but we’re no longer interested in traveling across the Vast Desert to Donnelly,” Mydera announced, seemingly amused as she glanced back and forth between Nicolette and me.

We shot her a startled stare and yelled, “What?” together.

“Why not?” I wondered. They had to go to Donnelly, so they could take the princess with them. That would’ve been my next request.

“Because of the flagon?” Nicolette said.

Mydera gifted her with an amused look. “No, sweetling. The flagon has nothing to do with it.” Her gaze settled knowingly on me. “It merely appears that there will no longer be a need for the forest mages to leave Far Shore after all.”

While Nicolette frowned in confusion, wondering, “Why not?” Mydera focused on the flagon.

“But I’ll still take your trinket there as p*****t, regardless. It’ll make a perfect addition to my little collection as it’s quite rare and worth a mint.”

“Well, I’m sorry. But you can’t have it,” Nicolette bit out, still hugging the flask. “This is Farrow’s, and he’s not parting with it. Because I’m not leaving his side. I’m not going anywhere with your people. And I’m going to be the one to help him save his mother, not you.”

Sniffing, she squared her shoulders decisively. If her determination wasn’t so misplaced, it’d look spectacular on her. “So we will not be needing your services, and you will not be getting this,” she finished.

“Oh, princess,” Mydera said softly, shaking her head in disappointment. “If only you knew everything.”

Hearing the word princess cross Mydera’s lips, I gasped and surged forward, taking Nicolette’s arm protectively.

Against me, she shivered with dread. “What…” She paused, grappling for air before saying, “I’m sorry, but what did you just call me?”

Mydera narrowed her eyes. “Yes, I know exactly who you are, my lady.” Her attention veered back to me. “I know who you both are.”

This time, I was the one who trembled as I hauled Nicolette even closer. And sadly, I wasn’t certain if I drew her in to offer her comfort and protection or seek it myself, because Mydera could expose me right now and reveal everything if she so wished.

I could lose Nicolette in an instant.

Except I wasn’t ready. I needed more time with her. I needed…

Everything.

Heart beating hard, I stared the mage down as she flickered me a sardonic smirk. Aye, she knew she could ruin me.

“But I won’t use it against you,” she finally added, enjoying all this power she held over us. “So here’s what’s going to happen. Princess Nicolette will not be going anywhere with us. It’s never in a mage’s best interest to interfere with destiny. Ergo, you remain with your true love bastard.”

Nicolette flashed me a triumphant smirk, until Mydera added, “And you’ll give the flagon to me. I’ll take it in p*****t for the items I’ll be enchanting for Farrow.”

“But—” Nicolette started, only to receive a severe glower from Mydera.

“I said, I’ll take it in p*****t for the items he’s requested that I charm for him.”

I nudged Nicolette’s arm, encouraging her to comply. She sent me a mutinous frown before releasing a disgruntled huff and muttering, “Fine. But let it be known, I’m against this plan entirely.”

I granted her an honorable nod. “So noted, my lady.”

Lacking all grace, Nicolette chucked the flagon at Mydera, who caught it with one hand, her fingers curling around it in a possessive claim.

“Thank you.” Her chest heaved as she released a relieved breath, and the flask was tucked out of sight before she continued. “Now, I invite you both to visit the cook’s wagon and join my people for a farewell breaking of your fast while we have your possessions packaged and readied for your journey ahead. I’ll meet you there when I have your trinkets charmed.”

Nicolette and I exchanged glances. She appeared to be as uncertain as I felt about this entire deal, but we also seemed to agree we’d follow the mage’s instructions anyway.

With a sigh, Mydera waved the backs of her fingers at us, shooing us along. “Well, what’re you still standing there for? Get on with you now. I have work to do.”

Mumbling to herself, Nicolette snagged my hand. “Come on,” she growled, “I think I’ve reached the limits of my patience here.”

I blinked at the command but followed her without a word as she led me from the tent. It always surprised me when she issued an order and I found myself perfectly content to obey. When first we met, she’d been much more biddable, acquiescing to my directives with nary a question. But the longer I remained in her company, the more she seemed to come into her own, growing more confident in her decision-making and philosophies.

I couldn’t help but think that once she reached her full potential, she’d be spectacular.

Unstoppable.

“I cannot believe you snuck out and spoke to that woman behind my back,” she hissed, trying to keep her scolding quiet and between the two of us. She kept hold of my hand as if she couldn’t seem to part with me, even as she sent me a vexed sniff. “What items are you getting enchanted, anyway?”

I couldn’t tell her. She’d never forgive me if she knew I’d snatched some of her things to have infused with magic.

Swallowing down my dread, I murmured, “That’s my prerogative, my lady.”

“Oh, is it?” She sent me an arch glance, only to sniff and lift her chin a notch higher before facing forward again. “Fine. Keep your secrets but know this. I’ll learn them eventually.”

“Not today, you won’t,” I countered.

Zipping me a scowl, she agreed, “Maybe. However, someday, you will come to learn you can trust me. Implicitly.”

I knew she’d leave the moment she learned everything; that was what I could trust. Until then, I’d steal as much time as I could with her.

Glancing toward me, she said, “You’ll also come to understand there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.”

I glanced at her, but she was no longer paying me any heed.

With a shake of my head, I released a breath. No one had ever claimed to be so dedicated to me. I wasn’t sure how to process it.