A Drop of Blood (The Lost Kings Book 1) by Charlene Hartnady

Author:Charlene Hartnady [Hartnady, Charlene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-24T23:00:00+00:00

Twenty

Thesha

With an empty wagon, the return trip goes much quicker. It’s only an hour away from nightfall by the time we return to Xander’s valley.

There is plenty to do, so we all get busy packing and preparing for our journey up the mountain tomorrow.

By the time the little light we have is waning, there is a fire in the hearth and another stew bubbling in a pot, thanks to Franny and Thomas.

“Are you ready to learn sword-fighting basics?” Thomas asks Franny, rubbing his hands together. “I’m hoping you won’t need them since we’re running and hiding, but you never know.”

“Sometimes running and hiding is the right course of action,” Xander says.

“I’m not complaining.” Thomas holds up his hands at Xander in defeat. “What do you say?” he asks Franny. “Are you ready for your first lesson?”

“Do you mean it?” she asks, her eyes wide.

“Of course I do. Buckle on your sword, and let’s head outside.” He points at the door. “I take it that the two of you will manage for a short while?” he directs the question at me.

I nod, making a noise of agreement as I walk over to the pot, stirring the stew like my heart isn’t racing in my chest. Like I don’t have a care in the world. It’s stupid. I’ve been alone with Xander before. We spent over a week sharing the same tent. Somehow, things feel different between us now. Just as charged, only…different. It feels like more, so much more and it’s unnerving, to say the least.

“So, you never told me what a jackocrack is?” Franny asks Thomas as she buckles her sword around her waist.

“They’re scary beasts. I’ve only ever encountered one. My horse is fast, so I managed to outrun the thing, but only just.” They start walking toward the door. “It’s like a mountain lion, only three or four times the size.”

“Really?” Franny says, sounding nervous.

“Yep. Jackocracks have at least three rows of sharp teeth. No one knows for sure how many rows, mind you, because if you get close enough to count, you’re dead.”

“They sound terrible.”

“Oh, they are. Their jaws are so big that they are capable of snapping a man in half with a single bite.”

“You don’t say,” Franny says just before their conversation is drowned out by the door closing.

The air becomes electric in an instant. At least, it does for me. I’m trying so hard not to look at Xander that my neck starts to feel stiff. I’m looking out the window instead. I can still just make out the craggy shape of the mountains in the murky light. The horses are grazing behind the house. It’s the picture of tranquility and completely at odds with how I am feeling inside.

I really need to pull myself together. I’m not this chaotic emotional person I have been portraying of late. I don’t let my feelings get the better of me. I can’t, not if I want to live. I guess I don’t like the idea of loving another person, of being close to anyone, and that includes having friends.

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