AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shake my head. “No,” I say, painting on a brave face. “I’m all good.”
He looks at me skeptically, then says, “Whenever you’re ready, just say the word.”
He trails off as I shake my head, insisting we finish our free beer. Sabine seems so happy that we’re here, I’d hate to break her heart.
The conversation ends as trivia night begins. The pub buzzes with energy as teams huddle together, strategizing which members will answer what kinds of questions.
“First question!” Sabine shouts. People quickly quiet down to listen. “What is the name of the Winchesters’ Impala?”
Without thinking, I scrawl “Baby” on the dry-erase board.
When Sabine asks everyone to reveal their answers, Jakob holds the board up for all to see. Every team but one gets the answer correct. Sabine points at us.
By the end of the night, we’re the top scoring team. Sabine presents with another round of free drinks. Soon, I’m full of beer and glowing with all the congratulations from everyone in the village, and it’s time to go home.
Just as we’re about to leave, everything falls apart.
A tall, shadowy figure appears in the pub’s doorway, brushing snow off his kilt.
I don’t take too much notice of him at first.
Jakob freezes.
Then I remember…
I look back at the figure by the door, whose face I can now see in full.
I hook my arm through Jakob’s. “Is that..?”
He doesn’t answer at first.
My gaze goes from Jakob to the man in the kilt, whose severe face is unmistakable. He’s in the background of every news story about every royal appearance.
Oh…my…gods.
It’s Uther Nancarrow, the head of the palace guard. The one who dotes on Queen Hilde and Princess Flora, specifically.
My hold on Jakob’s arm tightens, and I watch as Uther’s gaze sweeps across the patrons and staff. There’s a barely detectable nod in Sabine’s direction. Sabine is working hard to appear nonchalant as she wipes down the bar.
Before I can wonder what that silent exchange was about, Uther’s his eyes narrow as he focuses on Jakob. Time seems to slow down.
Did I have a premonition that this would happen? I thought I was just being self-defeatist—always assuming something bad was bound to happen after so many lovely days with Jakob. My life is too perfect.
But now, looking back, it was Sabine all along that made me feel anxious tonight.
Watching Uther stare at Jakob, it takes me less than two seconds to piece it together: Uther’s been asking around town for Jakob. Sabine kept us here for that reason and that one alone.
The other patrons seem to be waiting to find out what will happen next. The tension between Uther and Jakob sees to stretch into a taut thread, and I’m waiting for this perfect quiet life that Jakob and I have built together to snap in an instant.
Uther’s lips curve into a faint smile.
“You’re a difficult man to pin down, Jakob. If only I’d known you were here on my first visit to Mirror Lake, this entire mission could have been made much more efficient.”
What does he mean by “first visit,” I wonder? I whisper, “We can escape through the employee exit!”
Jakob pats my hand that’s hooked around the inside of his elbow. “It’s okay, love.”
With me clamped on for dear life, Jakob approaches Uther and extends his hand.
