Horse Charmer (17 page)

"Cassia!" Luki shouted.

Kali immediately slowed to a walk and Luki rode alongside.

"Soldiers could still be in town," he said as Pakelika also pulled up, but on Luki's side. "They're looking for you. Are you sure you want to go there?"

Pakelika looked somewhat confused, but remained silent.

"I need to know what's going on," Cassia finally said.

"All right, we ride straight for the inn. Pakelika can take the horses to the stable." Luki reached behind him and untied Kali's bridle from his saddle. "She'll need to put this back on."

Cassia took the bridle from Luki's hand and without dismounting leaned forward to slide it onto Kali's face. Kali curled her lips slightly. Once she'd been able to lift the façade of being a normal horse she found it irritating to go back to that role.

I know how you feel
. Cassia told her in sympathy.

Luki took the lead now and Cassia ended up between the two men. A fairly normal way for a trio to travel with a single female among them.

Cassia tensed. Luki was right. Several tents were pitched behind the general store in the fields, campfires next to each one. The rowdy laughter of the Vesperan soldiers echoed in the evening air.

"Why would they stay here?" Cassia asked.

"They lost their tracker," Luki said, a smirk in his voice.

"It could be a different platoon," Pakelika said.

Cassia glanced back at him in surprise. If it wasn't for the constant presence of his gelding, Ward, in her mind she could easily forget Pakelika was on this journey. He ducked his head at her frank appraisal, but didn't say anything else.

The town seemed as busy as before if not more so and Cassia swallowed down a little disappointment at not seeing the familiar Karahan wagons. She'd held a small hope they might have stayed in the border town on their journey even if they hadn't hit it at nightfall.

The soldiers seemed to be sticking to their camp and Cassia was thankful for the twilight sky as it made it difficult to make out any of the people walking on the sidewalks which meant they couldn't see her clearly either. They made it to the inn without incident. She dismounted and laid her hand on Kali's neck.

I'm sorry.

Why?
Kali turned to look her directly in the eye.
Question Daeshawna
.
Find out what she knows. I'll be waiting for your word.

Cassia stroked her soft coat and dropped the reins as Pakelika pulled them off of Kali's neck. He rode on toward the corral, towing Kali and Dall behind him.

"Come on." Luki's hand automatically went to the small of her back as he urged her forward.

She glanced up, but he wasn't looking at her, he was focused on the people around them. No doubt worried someone would recognize her. The risk doubled once they stepped into the inn and the light. The restaurant activity was slow and several people gathered about the fire. Cassia did a quick survey for anyone familiar, but the only familiar face was the serving girl.

"Where's the innkeeper?" Luki asked quietly, slowing his pace as they walked over to the glowing fire.

"I don't see her."

"Are we staying here?" he asked with a sudden frown.

She wasn't sure what worried him, but his concern came off him in waves, the tension in his broad shoulders, the way his eyes cased every shadow in the room. "What's wrong?"

He glanced around again, but shook his head.

Just then Daeshawna stepped out of the kitchen and walked forward. She paused mid-step when she spotted Cassia, indecision obvious on her face. They hadn't exactly parted in the best of terms in Cassia's dream.

Evidently committed, the innkeeper walked boldly forward and inclined her head. "Lady Kaia, we're pleased with your patronage."

"Thank you, Daeshawna," Cassia said, for benefit of Luki. "One of my escorts, Luki."

"One of?" she asked with unconcealed curiosity.

"The other one is taking our horses to the stable. I need to speak with you, privately."

"Certainly, this way." Daeshawna led them past the small register table and opened the door behind it revealing a cheerful sitting room. Her hostess show of confidence was slowly being replaced by anxiety.

Why would her visit agitate the Dream Weaver so?

"Please, sit." Daeshawna stood next to a chair.

Cassia smiled politely and sat at the chair opposite her. Luki shook his head and leaned against the wall, a position to view both Cassia and the door. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword, again.

"I hadn't expected to see you so soon," Daeshawna said.

"But you expected to see me?"

"I knew you would return after." Daeshawna shot a look toward Luki and his no-nonsense short sword. "I was honest with you, Your Highness."

"You know who I am," she said in surprise.

"Yes." Daeshawna's eyes darted to Luki again. "I recognized you the first time you were here. Your Royal Caravan stopped here on your journey out to Castle Vespera."

"Yes, it did." Cassia thought back to the brief break. "I don't remember seeing you."

"I brought meals out. We weren't allowed to get too close, but I saw you climb out of your wagon and I sensed."

"My talent," Cassia guessed. "That was what you recognized when I returned."

"At first, it took me a few minutes to place it, but after I spoke with you I was sure."

"Why did you send me to Julyan?"

Daeshawna grasped her hands and her expression turned pleading. "He told me to."

"Really," she said in surprise. Luki stood away from the wall, as if disliking what he heard. "He was here?"

"No." Daeshawna shook her head in quick denial. "He sent me a message. He'd heard of your disappearance and he said that if I saw you I needed to steer you to him. I apologize, but my first loyalty is to Julyan."

"So, it was you in my dreams."

"No," Daeshawna denied, "except for the one time where you saw me. I don't know what was in your dreams."

"Was Julyan in my dreams?"

Kali, I need your truth detection.

I need to be in the presence of the human who is lying to be able to tell.

Cassia watched Daeshawna's face carefully for any sign of evasion. She'd have to rely on her own instincts.

I will assist as much as I am able.
Kali said.

"Julyan doesn't have that ability." But she sounded slightly uncertain.

"Are you sure?"

"No."

She couldn't sense any deception coming from Daeshawna. Cassia let out a breath and went back to her original reason for wanting to question the innkeeper. "That's not why I came. You know everything that goes through this town."

Daeshawna nodded eagerly.

"The Karahan Caravan went through today?"

"Yes, they came through just before the dinner serving. They watered their horses, traded for some fresh ones with the stable, and continued shortly after."

"Why are they going to Vespera?"

"They didn't come into the inn," Daeshawna said. "I only know they're heading for Vespera with haste."

"Is the Queen of Karah still in Vespera?"

Daeshawna eyed her in surprise. "Yes, your party hasn't left. A few of the Karahan soldiers have traveled back toward Karah in search parties, but that is all."

"Are you sure the queen remains?"

"Yes."

Her mother was safe for now. But she still didn't know why the Karahan advisors where traveling to Vespera with such urgency. It wasn't smart to have all the Karahan power away at a single time. That was why the advisors had stayed behind initially. Her first urge was to head right back out on the road to Castle Vespera.

How are the other horses?
She asked Kali.

Tired, they need to sleep and eat. They will not make it if we continue tonight.

Cassia pushed back her irritation and urgency.

"May I offer you something, Your Highness?" Daeshawna asked formally.

She shook her head and wondered at the change in the woman. She hadn't treated her with such deference before. Respect, yes, but not deference.

"You're treating me differently." Her nerves making her speak when she would have remained quiet.

Luki shifted his stance, his movement audible, causing Daeshawna to shoot him another startled glance. Cassia almost laughed. She wondered what about Luki made Daeshawna so nervous.

"You were a lady then, Your Highness," Daeshawna said.

"You kept up the charade even though you knew. Why? You knew the soldiers were looking for me."

"Exposing you wasn't what you wanted."

"Or Julyan." Luki spoke up for the first time.

Daeshawna inclined her head in agreement.

"Now, I know where and why she got the idea to go to him," Luki said.

Cassia glanced at him for the first time and could finally see why Daeshawna was so nervous. In the soft light, standing in the shadows, he looked down right menacing though it was hard for her to think of him as menacing.

"We'll need rooms," Cassia said, looking back to the innkeeper and focusing on the tasks that needed to be accomplished.

"I'll see what I can do." Daeshawna stood up, moved around Luki to the door, and ducked through.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

"It won't do us much good if Daeshawna's running to the soldiers," Luki said, not moving from his position against the wall of the sitting room.

"She won't." Cassia stood as well and turned to look at him.

"Let's hope you're right." After a moment of her staring, he shifted and glowered back at her. "What?"

"You made her nervous. I was trying to see why."

His teeth flashed in the shadows as he grinned. "I take my role as your escort very seriously."

"I can see that."

"Speaking of protecting you, what was that about dreams and her being a Talent?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh." A blush crept up her cheeks. "I probably should have told you about her being a Dream Weaver and Talent Detector."

"Could have been important information to know." Luki nodded, but he didn't seem angry.

"I'm sorry, I forget what I've told you and what I haven't."

He grinned. "That's reassuring."

Daeshawna came back into the room with a troubled expression. Cassia immediately tensed and Luki matched her posture, waiting for the bad news.

"I." Daeshawna took a deep breath. "I have a bit of a problem."

"Which is?" She hoped Luki wasn't right and Daeshawna hadn't run to the nearest soldier.

"I'm afraid I only have one room available, room eight," Daeshawna said, her voice filled with dismay as she stared at Luki.

Cassia relaxed, surprised at the innkeeper's tension, but then the source of dismay occurred to her as Luki tensed even more. "The single room will do. Luki, could you get Pakelika and our belongings, and take them up to our room."

He frowned at her dismissal, but left the room with a warning glare at Daeshawna.

Cassia eyed the nervous innkeeper with curiosity. "Why does my escort trouble you so?"

Daeshawna shot a startled look at Cassia. "He doesn't."

Cassia merely waited. Daeshawna's reaction to his presence still didn't make since to her.

"Your Highness, when you were in your façade it was much easier to converse with you," Daeshawna said. "I guess seeing him, so ready to believe I might harm you, made it finally occur to me who I was speaking with, and you aren't happy with me. Making him unhappy with me and it's never healthy to upset royal guards."

"Is that all?"

Daeshawna nodded. "I can show you up to your room. I checked. There are no soldiers in the dining or lounging area so the path should be clear."

"Thank you," Cassia said, but stopped the Dream Weaver. "Outside this room I am Lady Kaia."

Daeshawna nodded and opened the door. The room was full, she followed Daeshawna, keeping her head down and not making eye contact for fear of someone recognizing her. Only after she had climbed the stairs did she relax.

"The room isn't large," Daeshawna said in apology. "I'm afraid there won't be much room for you and your escorts."

"It will have to do." She reached for her coin purse tied to her belt.

The innkeeper held her hand up in rejection. "No, my lady."

Cassia's lips curved slightly at the correct title. Daeshawna was good at this, something else to mull over later. The door was ajar and she could hear Luki and Pakelika already inside.

"Let me know if you require anything," Daeshawna said.

"Thank you." Cassia stepped in and glanced around the small room.

It wasn't too hard to see why Daeshawna had been concerned. The room was tiny. Cassia shut the door behind her, locking herself in with two large men. Both Luki and Pakelika stared at her awkwardly.

"Are the horses bedded down?" Cassia broke the uncomfortable silence.

"Yes, Princess Cassia," Pakelika said.

"Lady Kaia." She corrected him. "Here, I'm Lady Kaia."

Pakelika nodded his head eagerly and Cassia had to look away. The idolization was starting to get to her. Perhaps, it would be best to have him return to his family. He'd been helpful in showing them the shortest route here to cut hours off their journey, but she wasn't sure if his continuing on with them was the right decision.

"Well." She glanced around the room occupied by a small cot and just enough floor space for the two men to sleep. "We'll need blankets."

"I'll get them." Pakelika volunteered.

"Only make the request to the innkeeper," she ordered. "Do you know who she is?"

"Yes, I saw her outside the door."

"Very well."

He eagerly jumped to the errand.

Luki shook his head and tossed Cassia's bag to her. She caught it easily in the small space.

"So, who gets the bed?" she asked with a smile.

He rolled his eyes. "Take a guess."

"I guess royalty does have its benefits."

Luki hesitated. "I don't like this."

"What?" she asked, sitting on the bed and opening her bag.

"This." He gestured his hand around the room. "It isn't right?"

"In what way?"

He huffed. "It's improper."

She nearly choked on a laugh. "Are we back to you not being a safe escort for me?"

Cassia immediately regretted her words. As much as she wanted to know what he'd meant, she also didn't want to remind him of their argument. He didn't appear to take offence as he looked at her silently for a moment.

"Sleeping in the same room wouldn't be proper even if you weren't a princess."

"Ah, so it's the male-female thing."

"The unmarried male-female thing," he emphasized.

"But there are two of you?"

"That makes it worse."

"I think you underestimate your trustworthiness."

"It's not trustworthiness," he hissed, angry she didn't understand the situation.

A jolt went through her stomach at reading his emotions. Could she be getting better at this? She read horses, not people. "Then explain it to me in little words."

Pakelika came in to the room, followed by Daeshawna, each with a pile of blankets.

"Thank you," Cassia said as Daeshawna nodded and left the room.

"You're on that side," Luki said to Pakelika, putting himself between Cassia and the young man.

She almost smiled, but held it back knowing Luki wouldn't find it funny. Once all of the blankets had been positioned into as comfortable a nest as possible the two men were left with nothing to do, but stand there awkwardly.

You should go to sleep
.

They don't look ready to sleep,
Cassia thought.

They can wait in the hall until they are.

She laughed out loud and both men stared at her as if she had lost her mind. The expressions on their faces made her laugh even harder until she had to lie down and wipe the tears off her cheeks. Exhaustion hit her. All of her limbs weighed down heavily.

"We'll wait outside while you get ready." Luki grabbed Pakelika's arm.

He shut the door behind them and she could hear Luki's voice as he talked to Pakelika quietly, but she couldn't make out his words.

Cassia didn't have the energy to eavesdrop and that was when she remembered. She had no appropriate sleeping clothes. Oh, no. She pawed through her bag, but knew she wouldn't find anything.

Kali?

You humans worry too much. Sleep now. Worry later.

I have nothing to wear.

She could feel Kali's snort.
It doesn't matter.

Of course it does.

Why?

Because…
She couldn't think why, as Luki had said it was highly improper for her to be even resting alone in the same chamber with them and she didn't think protocol covered what would be appropriate to wear since it was understood such a thing would never happen.

Luki knocked softly on the door. "Lady Kaia?"

Cassia shot a look of mortification at the door and dropped her bag on the floor. "One moment."

She untied her boots as quickly as she could and kicked them under the cot. She then climbed between the sheet and blanket fully clothed. She was tired enough that it shouldn't matter. She twisted around, uncomfortable with her belt and vest. She sat back up and pulled her vest off over her head with some difficulty since she didn't actually untie the laces and undid the belt hanging them on the corner of the cot. She laid back down a little more comfortable, but a little uneasy at how loose her shirt was without the vest and whether it would stay on.

Luki knocked again.

"Enter," she called, making sure the blanket covered her completely.

Luki blew the light out that illuminated the room and suddenly she was in darkness and realized her lack of proper clothes didn't matter. They couldn't see anything.

She listened to the two men walk gingerly into the room and lay down on their makeshift beds. It didn't take long for sleep to claim her.

****

The grey dawn greeted her and it took Cassia a moment to remember where she was and who she was with. One of them snored. She had been so tired it hadn't woken her, but now that she was awake it was very distinct.

Careful not to make any noise, she rolled over onto her side and glanced down. Luki was awake. His eyes open and his hands behind his head, he gazed at her when he heard the rustle.

So, he wasn't snoring. She looked past him to Pakelika who continued to snore. She sucked in the giggle knowing it probably wasn't the right response and her eyes drifted back to Luki's.

His face was contemplative as he studied her and it didn't take long for her to feel self-conscious. No, she was a princess and above feeling self-conscious. At least that was what she told herself.

"What?" she whispered.

He blinked. "When do you want to set out?"

It was a perfectly acceptable question, but it wasn't what he'd been thinking about. She narrowed her eyes at him and tried to give him her best regal frosty look. "That wasn't what you were going to ask me."

Luki raised an eyebrow. "You talk in your sleep."

Heat surged into her cheeks as she tried to recall her dream. There had been no visit from her father or the Dreamscape. "What did I say?"

He smiled, a slow sexy smile lightening his face from his usual serious expression. "You don't remember your dream?"

"If it was a normal dream, of course I don't remember. At least I think it was a normal dream, why, what did I say?"

"Nothing coherent." He assured her. "A lot of unrelated words."

He wasn't telling the truth, but she was too embarrassed by the possibilities to call him out. "Did you sleep at all between my ramblings and his snoring?"

"Some." Luki sat up.

His face now even with hers and his eyes trailed down, only to quickly jerk to the wall.

Cassia looked down, the blanket was around her waist and, as she'd suspected, the shirt was barely hanging on. She pulled up the shoulders to cover herself and crossed her arms. Without looking at her, Luki handed her the vest and belt.

She wanted to glare at him, but he still respectfully kept his eyes on the wall and then turned his back. Trying to decide who was more mortified, she pulled her vest over her head and, of course, got stuck in it. She struggled silently for a moment and then sighed. This is what happened when you rarely dressed yourself and undressed in the dark without untying any of the laces.

"Luki?" Cassia whispered.

"What?" he whispered back over Pakelika's snores.

"I need your help." Cassia couldn't see him through the vest, but could tell by his silence that he wasn't pleased. She heard him shift, but he didn't move to help her. "Luki?"

"What do you need me to do?"

"I don't know. If I knew I could do it myself. I'm stuck."

She'd tried to put her hands through the sleeves first and then pull it down, but the vest was stuck, covering her face and she couldn't get her arms free.

Luki softly chuckled. His fingers brushed her shirt as he tugged on the vest. It remained stubbornly in place. The cot creaked lightly as he leaned on it and took a firmer hold on the leather material.

"Straighten your arms," Luki whispered in her ear.

Cassia did her best to comply and with a hard yank her head went through the hole. Luki was close. His gaze held hers. Uncertain, she instinctively stayed still. She dropped her eyes first, suddenly realizing the snoring had stopped.

Luki slowly rocked back onto his heels, as if he'd also registered the absence of sound. "It's time to go. Go get the horses, Pakelika, I'll get our stuff together."

Pakelika rolled over and without looking at Cassia stomped his feet into his boots and darted out the door.

She followed his movements before looking back at Luki's uncomfortable face. "I apologize."