Cannon (Caged and Dangerous Book 1) by Milly Taiden

Author:Milly Taiden [Taiden, Milly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Latin Goddess Press, Inc.
Published: 2022-01-23T16:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

RYVER

Ryver gasped when she heard the rough voice behind Cannon. She pulled back to see a man in village clothing holding a gun aimed at them. Cannon slowly raised his hands and spoke in the tongue of the villagers.

Was this the person who shot the mother and left the baby to die? Anger and fear seared through her, but she trusted Cannon to keep her safe. That thought surprised her. He was the first man she’d ever truly believed in.

Cannon continued talking and the tension in the air dissipated as the gun lowered. After a moment, he gave the man a nod, and the man smiled, saying something then walking away.

“What the hell was that about?” she asked, nearly breathless with the turn of events.

“He’s on night patrol from the village. When the mother and child didn’t return home, some of the men went out to search. In doing so, they came across a new militia group east of here. He warned us to go south.”

“That was nice of him.”

Cannon grunted. “He told us and didn’t shoot first because he saw us return the child to the village. I told him where he could find the mother.”

“Oh. Glad to help.”

“Me too,” he said.

The night continued, but time felt like it was being strained through velvet. Ryver stopped looking skyward to get an idea of time. It only made her depressed. Every step was fraught as they dared not let their guard down and surged forward without knowing if they were walking into the hands of armed men.

Hours passed, and Ryver resigned herself to walking forever in this purgatory of darkness and danger. Strangely, she almost became numb to it when Cannon pulled on her sleeve.

“Hey, daydreamer. Look,” he said, pointing up.

Once again, she followed his finger and saw that the inky black was giving way to the morning light. Ribbons of lilac, saffron, and tangerine competed for attention above her. Were she not so tired, she would have cried at the beauty.

“Dealer’s choice. I smell chimney smoke ahead, which means a village is nearby. Do you want to stop here or keep going?”

Ryver wondered at Cannon giving her responsibility for making this choice. But she also knew he wouldn’t steer her deliberately into danger.

“We could see if a room could be rented. I have money in my pack,” Cannon continued. “But I understand if we’re both… hesitant.”

The thought of water even a measure above freezing and perhaps even a real bed floated in her mind, insistent and inviting.

“Let’s keep moving. At least to check it out. If we get a good feeling, we’ll proceed. If not, the earth is our bed.”

Cannon smiled. “A good plan.”

They continued, and sure enough, Ryver soon saw the same smoke trails. They saw a clutch of huts arrayed in a protective ring through the curtain of trees. A small village, that was certain, but Ryver could only hope that someone had a room to offer.

With silent nods to each other, Cannon and Ryver walked into

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