Page 29 of Hollow Court

I wasn’t sure what to make of all their attention. It felt like more than mild curiosity or attraction. Then again, this entire tunnel had a foreboding energy to it, so maybe I was unfairly projecting that onto them.

Either way, I didn’t argue when Davin led me to a tiny cavern again, even when I realized it was too small for four. Whatever else could be said of Davin and me, he had a vested interest in my safety now.

I settled wordlessly into the furs that were entirely too close to his, trying not to inhale his irritatingly familiar scent of cloves and spiced bergamot.

Hours went by as I watched the flames flicker out in our lantern.

It was somehow both too loud and too quiet at the same time, with the echoing sound of a steadydrip, drip,dripof water falling from somewhere above us, and the faint scurrying of mice or rustle of wings belonging to creatures that I didn’t want to think about for too long.

Another shiver rattled my frozen bones. It was even colder tonight than yesterday.

My heavy limbs trembled as I attempted to bury myself further in my blankets. I gritted my teeth to keep them from chattering, trying in vain to warm myself.

“You’re being ridiculous.” Davin’s low voice came from far too short a distance.

I didn’t bother to pretend not to know what he meant. Instead, I contemplated whether he was right.

Last night, waking up any closer to him had felt like the worst thing in the world. But there was less body heat in this cavern without the twins, and waves of cold were emanating from the frosty cave walls directly to us.

We were never going to sleep this way.

I tried to imagine myself in front of a roaring campfire, sipping my favorite ginger and cinnamon tea. Burrowing further into heavy furs on a soft bed. Anything to make myself forget about the cold, damp, hard ground of these storms-damned tunnels.

But it was no use. Besides, I could hear Davin’s ragged breathing, belying his own shivers.

With a resigned sigh, I rolled over until my back was pressed entirely against him. He inhaled sharply in surprise.

“Satisfied?” I asked.

“Hardly,” he rasped out.

His breath was warm against my neck, eliciting a shiver I desperately hoped he would blame on the cold. He hesitated for only a moment longer before resting his arm over mine, cocooning me in unexpected warmth.

I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing away memories of the last time we were close enough for me to feel his breath on my skin.

At least this was our last night in the tunnels. Then it was just…another six months of this charade.

* * *

Davin was already upby the time I awoke the following morning.

Sadly, that didn’t seem to make our ensuing day any less uncomfortable. Then again, everything about this trip was uncomfortable.

Even the twins were less talkative than usual as the hours wore on.

I wondered if they all missed the sunlight the way I did, or the feeling in their fingers and toes, or any smell other than the dirt and sulfur of the mountains.

When we finally emerged from the tunnels later that evening, our party let out a collective sigh of relief.

The gentle shafts of sunlight stabbed at my eyes as we transitioned from the wagons to the waiting carriages. Somewhere through my blurry vision, I vaguely discerned a new contingent of men who were eyeing me with varying degrees of curiosity and disdain.

Ladies in Socair were treated with something close to reverence, certain bastard fiancés notwithstanding. We might have been regarded as somewhat ornamental, but there was respect, all the same.

So, this casual contempt was new for me.

I was supposed to be helping Davin win them over, but it took everything I had not to glare back with my own icy scorn.

Instead, I smiled demurely, reminding myself that the only thing I cared about now was a hot bath and a real bed that I could sleep in far, far away from Davin. Not stupid prejudiced soldiers who looked at me like I was a circus attraction.