I followed behind Sebastian with Thorn riding behind me on my saddle. I knew that Sebastian was not pleased with this arrangement, but neither of them knew how to ride and Svia was a war mount, meaning I couldn't lead her. It wasn't like it would be a long ride. If we kept at this pace, we would be in Reytor by nightfall.
Sebastian stopped suddenly. We had been going at a gentle speed for a few hours now.
"Let's take a break," he said. "I'm sure Thorn and you are getting stiff in that saddle."
He didn't try too hard to hide his resentment.
I rode over by a tree and got down before helping a tentative Thorn from the saddle. As soon as she was down, Sebastian nudged his way between us and helped carry part of her weight over to a nearby tree. I watched from the corner of my eye, petting Svia's neck.
The way they acted together reminded me of Daemon and Callan- how they had looked together. Something tore at my heart. Sebastian dug out some snacks that Zoë had given us. I took a swing of water from my canteen before pouring some water into my palm for Svia. Her nose was soft as she licked up the bit of water in my hand. I had never felt as alone as in the company of these two.
"Hungry?" asked Thorn, holding out her hand.
I shook my head, resting my head against Svia's. I saw Thorn walk over to me out of the corner of my eye and the hateful gaze of Sebastian on me.
"Yes?" I asked.
She took my hand in hers and placed some frost berries in my hand. There were white like snow with blue spots around them. They tasted sweeter than anything I had ever had.
"Eat," she said.
I smiled, closing my hand gently around them. "It's against royalty code to refuse."
The look of surprise that crossed Sebastian's face was amusing, as was as the one on Thorn's.
"Royalty?" he asked. "Why so far away from home then, Jaspen?"
I shrugged. "You judge a prince?"
Thorn looked as if she were about to say something, but stopped herself. I was mentally cursing myself for letting the royalty part slip. Why was I trying to impress the she wolf? I wasn't looking for love and she was obviously taken by the overprotective half dragon.
Sebastian gritted his teeth. "Nay. My apologies, Prince."
I smiled. How long could I play out this prince bid? How long would Thorn allow it?
I ate the berries and continued to stay near my mount. After an awkward span of silence, we continued on our way towards Reytor.
****
At dusk, we arrived at the gates of Reytor where we were quickly placed in the lower city. From what I had gathered from Sebastian and Thorn, this was the only city that allowed what they called the Dark Bloods- demons, Halflings, vampires, werewolves, and witches. The humans, angels, fairies and elves could travel between either city. The only ones that couldn't were the class known as 'Dirty Bloods' or 'blood traitors' that had sided with a Dark Blood and were now seen as lower city citizens.
Why were we kept separate?
"Where are we heading?" I asked.
"Mind if I take the reins, Prince?" she said with a slight undertone of sarcastic undertone to her voice.
"Aye," I said.
I stopped Svia and dismounted, letting Thorn slide forward before climbing up behind her. It felt odd holding onto her waist since the back of the saddle was barely wide enough for me. Sebastian glared at me, but followed at our side.
"So where are we heading, Thorn?"
"I had a shack here with my brother. Since I haven't been gone long, hopefully no one else has staked it as theirs."
The streets were muddy and the shacks in need of repair. The people- the ones who were still out- looked up at us with a look of misery in their gaze. Despair filled the air. I understood now why Thorn said this place wasn't what it seemed to be.
As we neared a shack, my senses prickled and Thorn's ears perked, a low growl growing in her throat. She halted my horse out front and clambered down from the saddle, almost falling when she hit the ground.
"What is amiss?" I whispered.
The tingling in the back of my head grew.
"I sense them," she growled softly.
She threw open the door, a dagger in hand, with Sebastian and I at her heels. There were two figures on their feet wielding daggers of their own. I locked eyes with the girl and realized at once what the tingling was- I was sensing her blood. A half angel.
"Sasha?" exclaimed one.
Before I knew what was happening, Thorn had her arms wrapped around the girl, hugging her.
"Eve!" squealed Thorn.
The boy chuckled, looking nervously back at us.
"Looks like we need to catch up, eh?" asked the girl's companion.
"Aye," said Thorn. "How about at the pub? You need to explain why you took my shack as your own."