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Chapter 19

The conflicting range of emotions assailed Ford. Happiness at finally having Triss—Grace—in his arms again. Anger toward her lies and deception. Worry over being hunted like animals.

He held her close to his chest, his arm resting over her waist, her bottom bracketed by his thighs. This is where she belongs. The unruly thought came to his mind, and he shook it away.

They were from different worlds, although, at the moment there was no one closer.

She is a harlot, his mind nagged at him grimly.

Why does it matter? His heart sang the response.

She lied to me.

To protect herself.

She doesn’t trust me, then.

Does she have a reason to?

The opposing thoughts whirled round and round in his mind.

The cold rain continued assailing them from above, adding to his misery.

It didn’t show any intention of slowing down either. It was as if the clouds were traveling in the same direction as them, and if they stood still, they would have been dry a long time ago, but they remained under the same clouds, traveling the same speed as the rain.

Grace shivered in his arms; her hands that gripped his forearms were cold even through her gloves.

Ford paused under a lone tree by the side of the road and took off his coat.

“W-what are you doing?” Grace asked through her chattering teeth.

He gave his coat a few sharp shakes, shedding droplets of collected rainwater before draping it across her front, the heavy wool spilling over her lap and legs. Careful not to dislodge her secure position seated on the saddle between his thighs, he slowly wrapped the coat around her torso, meticulously tucking and arranging the coat’s open panels, cocooning her until only her head remained exposed to the chill air.

She glanced at him, the crests of her cheeks reddening from finally feeling warm within his coat’s embrace, or was it a blush?

“You are going to freeze,” she admonished him. Ford just shrugged. He would. But he’d rather she was warm. Without saying a word, he nudged the horse back into a gallop.

Grace’s stiff posture didn’t last for long. Soon, she relaxed against him, her head resting beneath his chin. It was a testament to how cold she truly was that she didn’t argue with him. The obstinate woman rarely gave up easily without a fight.

He hoped that it also meant that she’d finally started trusting his judgment, and by extension, him.

Although the cold wind blew into his face, he felt oddly warm. At least for a while.

* * *

It took them hours to find a suitable inn.

They had passed a few small villages, but all beds were taken. The best they could manage was a cup of hot broth, a few minutes by the fire, and a change of the horse.

Ford didn’t want to go to a bigger town. They ran a risk of being recognized. Even if they weren’t identified, someone might remember two strangers sharing a horse, looking like drowned rats in the heavy rain. Such gossip could spread quickly from a big town inn.

If Ford wasn’t quite memorable, there was no way people wouldn’t notice Grace.

Her looks were exotic enough that she stood out. No doubt, she used to be a popular harlot in the brothels before she managed to hide her features with paint. His own features twisted, and he pushed the thought away. He didn’t know her history. But the shape of her foxlike eyes, her wide cheekbones, and ink-black hair easily told him that she wasn’t from this land.

He hadn’t even questioned it before. He wasn’t interested enough. He knew she was Hades’ trusted friend, and it was enough for him to dislike her. Now, he wanted to know everything he could about her.

The bottom line was that if they strolled into a packed inn on a busy road, someone would notice her. They would talk and spread rumors about a beautiful stranger stopping at an inn accompanied by a large man. These rumors would spread until they reached the King’s men’s ears, leading to Ford and Grace being captured.