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“How much?”
“Five pieces a week if you can pay up front.”
It’s practically a gift. “I’ll take it. I can pay for a month.”
“Only a month?” There’s that look in her eye again, the one where she’s seeing into my depths.
“For now,” I say.
She nods, gesturing to the back wall of the cabin. “There’s a creek about twenty paces that way for washing and cooking. I have a tub for bathing I can have my husband and son bring down if it’s hot baths you’re after.”
“I can use the creek for now, but that would be lovely.”
“We take our feast days seriously here. Lady Kaia is good to us, kind and generous. But I can send them down in three days when the feasts are over.”
“That’s fine.”
I follow her back outside and retrieve the necessary coins from my bag. She doesn’t bother to count them when I hold them out, just opens a small leather sack so I can drop them in and then hands me the key.
“Enjoy your rest, my dear. You look like you need one.”
I run a hand through my hair as she walks away. I must look worse than I thought. Meera watches me debate whether I should take her back to the village for the few supplies I still need or bathe first.
In the end, the idea of washing the dirt from my body and fresh clothes wins out, and I take what I need from my saddlebags and store the rest inside. Locking the door behind me, I follow Hellena’s directions to the creek, and the sound of rushing water reaches my ears before I see it.
It’s a few steps into the forest, and tendrils of mist lap its banks on one side. Scanning my surroundings, I quickly peel off my travel clothes and wade into the deepest part of the creek. It only comes up to my thighs, so I sink down and submerge as much of my body as I can.
Tipping my head back, I quickly wet my hair, using my fingers to scrub every bit of dirt and grime I can from my scalp. The water is cool, but it’s refreshing enough that I don’t mind the goosebumps.
Once my hair is as clean as I can make it, I splash water on my face and breasts, watching the dirt slough off my skin and wash away down the creek. The tub is days away, but already I’m dreaming of reclining in the steaming water. With all these herbs around here, surely I can find some to add to a bath and a pretty-smelling soap.
I look up to see Meera watching me, ever-present and disapproving of my bathing habits. She could use a good groom too, now that we’ve found somewhere to settle. She won’t like it, but I’ll give her a bath tomorrow, and then we’ll both smell better.
When the tips of my fingers begin to go numb, I force myself out of the water and wrap myself in a clean cloak to dry off. Tugging on a pair of leather breeches, I tuck my tunic into them and fit my most comfortable corset over top, deftly tying up the front laces. I’m nearly finished when the snap of a tree branch draws my attention.
Meera gives a warning snort, and I keep my eyes trained on the forest as I shove my feet into my boots and slowly back away toward the safety of the cabin. Whatever’s in there, I don’t want to give it the idea I’m prey by running.
My hand instinctively goes to my thigh, where I’d normally strap my dagger, but it’s bare. I left it in the cabin. Meera paws the ground behind me and snorts again when I hear another snap, but I’m still watching the forest for any signs of a threat, my heart beating a fast rhythm in my chest.
The woman takes my breath away when I see her. Hair black as a raven, falling in thick curls down her back, and a dark green dress sewn with thousands of tiny silver stars that sparkle when she moves. She’s beautiful, with bold red lips that stand out against her pale skin, high cheekbones, and an elegant nose.
She lifts her hand in greeting when she notices me and changes direction, a serene smile on her face as she approaches. When she stops in front of me, I refuse to bow. I haven’t shown deference to a god since I was eleven and they refused to save me. I don’t see the need to start again now.
Her smile turns amused, and when she reaches out a hand to stroke Meera down her nose, I see the godmark on the inside of her left wrist. A five-pointed star ringed by a circle. I expect Meera to shy away and be as standoffish with the goddess as I am, but she betrays me, leaning into the contact with a contented sigh.
“I am Kaia,” the goddess says, not using her title like most gods would. “And you are?”
“Elora of Dremen.”
She smiles and gives Meera a pat. “Not too terribly far from home, then.”
Her eyes drift to the forest, and mine follow. The woods have felt more like my home than anywhere else I’ve ever lived. And I’ve traveled all over Acaria searching for something impossible to find.
“I hope you’ll come enjoy the festivities. My people are generous and kind.”
“That’s exactly what they say about you,” I reply, remembering Hellena’s words from earlier.
“Then I am honored.” She turns toward the village and then pauses, looking back at me over her shoulder. “Be wary of the forest, Elora of Dremen. Dangers lurk within its borders.”
