The carriage jolted forward, wheels cracking against stone and gravel. The man across from me still cloaked hadn't spoken since we climbed in. I was starting to regret getting in that carriage with him.
The silence was thick. I cleared my throat, no reaction. I started humming, silence.
Finally he pulled back the hood.
I froze.
Handsome was too soft a word.
Sharp jaw, high cheekbones, a faint scar cutting through one brow, a signature left by danger itself. His dark hair was tousled like he hadn't slept in days.
He peeled off the cloak and tossed it to me.
"You'll freeze in that dress," he said voice like velvet dragged across gravel.
I took it with careful hands, draping it over my shoulders, "Thanks."
Then, gathering the breath I didn't know I was holding I cleared my throat.
"You can drop me off at the nearest inn. I'll figure things out from there,"
He blinked once, then laughed.
Not a kind laugh, not a cruel one either. Just amused.
"You think I pulled you out of there to drop you off at a tavern?"
My stomach tightened, "That was the plan, yes."
He leaned forward just slightly, shadows dancing across his features, "you're not out of danger. The crown prince is surely breathing out fire as we speak."
I folded my arms, " I have survived worse."
"Then survive this with me," his voice lowered.
What was this? My heart was racing my body was getting hot. When did I catch the eye of such a divine masculine hunk like him?
"Help me find the missing ladies,"
Oh, this was about us but others?
I fanned away my embarrassment, "How do you know I can help?"
"You are a suspect in this case and you want to prove your innocence," Well, wasn't he blunt.
"How do you know all that?"
"I've been watching you,"
That made me go still. "You've been watching me?"
He nods.
"You've also found something no one else has. So you'll be quite helpful"
I looked out the window.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Call me William,"
"William, how Will you protect me from the prince?"
"I work as a knight for Duke of Emberheart plains, he'll protect you," he answered.
"Duke Kade Gracia?"
"Do you know him?" He asked.
"Who doesn't. His one of the prominent figures, a dangerous man and a very powerful vassal," I answered. "The first place I wanted to escape to was to the plains. They're the only ones I wrote peace too but cursed their lord."
"Cursed him?" He asked his eyes narrowed.
I slipped again.
"Who? Curse?" I tried to gaslight him.
He didn't speak again for a long while. Just sat across from me, arms folded, flexing his biceps. His posture was unyielding, like a stone carved man. He was art. Maybe he was an extra or a character that helped in the shadows, I couldn't recall a William.
The silence pressed on like thick fog. He was a man of few words.
I adjusted the cloak on my shoulders, "Celestara isles was believed to be the homeland of elves," that got his attention. "Elves are known for their beauty and magical capabilities. But humans invaded this lands and some had children with the elves. As years went by and people kept breeding others dying this beauty and knowledge about magical craft disappeared."
"What does this have to do with any of what's happening?" He grumbled, I had disturbed his peace and quiet. But he asked for my help, so he had to bear with it.
"Only ladies from the isle are missing. It was believed that some families have pure untainted elven blood," I explained. "Just a drop would create a very powerful potion and give one the powers elves possessed."
"And what makes you so sure that that's the case?"
"The underground lab. The vials found."
Then silence again.
"I know a place. A river that flows to the ocean, Sayshore, a certain flower was believed to grow there,"
"Another lore?"
"That flower is needed for the ritual," I said.
"How do you know all of this?" He asked.
"I am infatuated with books of history. Few, hidden ones in the library contain such odd information," I lied. "But with everything that's happening they've been so helpful."
" Why weren't you kidnapped?" He asked.
I shrugged, "I am lucky I guess."
"Your beauty might get you mistaken for an elf," he casually stated.
I blushed. I opened my mouth to thank him...
"But I heard you've altered that too,"
I leaned back to the carriage seat. How did he know all this. And what was with this bluntness of his.
"That's why you appear that way. You really put that knowledge into practice."
And he kept going.
"How did you achieve that? Why aren't you leading this rituals? That's really why am curious, why didn't they take you?"
I didn't answer him right away.
"Maybe they don't know I know all of this."
I met his gaze, he didn't blink.
"I agree, all that adornment makes you look dense. No one would guess how well read you are," he had an odd way of speaking.
"Was that a compliment?" I asked.
"No, I don't do flattery my lady," he answered. "Just observations."
And it stung.
He closed his eyes for a moment, like the conversation bored him now. And it stung more. Did I have a crush on this man? I mean who would not.
"Stop staring," he grumbled eyes still shut.
"Am not," I said.
"I can feel them on me,"
"Kind sir, I assure you....." Our eyes met and I hurriedly looked away cheeks flaming.
The carriage slowed down. I saw distant cliffs, rolling silver hills sloping towards the ocean, Sayshore. We'd arrived.
He stepped out first, offering his hand like a gentleman. I took it.
"Let's now find that flower before they do," I said stepping onto the road.