Seth hurried Gloria and Elias along towards Lover’s Respite. He was sure it wouldn’t take long for news of his outburst to spread through town. He kicked himself and nervously looked over his shoulder—he could’ve sworn he felt someone was watching them at the temple.

  He scanned the crowd around them. If someone was, he might as well have painted a sign on his back saying: Stab here.

  Nothing out of place, he thought. Well…except for the increasing number of people stopping to stare.

  “Seth?” Gloria looked up at him, worriedly. “Is something wrong?”

  Elias sniffled under her arm.

  Seth shuddered and shook his head. “Oh Crim, I hope not…” His grip tightened around her, and he urged them towards the inn.

  A small part of him hoped it was just his imagination, but the last time he’d done that, he’d gotten himself killed.

  He opened the door to Lovers’ Respite and stepped inside. A crowd had gathered for the midday meal, but it was nothing like the first time he’d been there with Gloria—it was cooler and quieter. Less laughter, and no music from Treedle.

  Seth’s last visit with Gloria came to mind. He tried to dismiss the fuzzy memories of his drinking contest with Agmundr, but one memory refused to leave his mind—Gloria’s glowing face in the firelight. He could still remember how thick his tongue felt when he said those two words:

  “So pretty.”

  His neck felt hot. Seth cleared his throat, trying to shake the thoughts away.

  He stepped forward to the counter and dug out a few copper coins. “Three bowls of soup and bread please.”

  The innkeeper hardly paid attention to him. She took the coins and nodded to the dining hall. “Go ahead and grab a table; one of the girls will be by soon.”

  Seth turned around and scanned the room for a table. The feeling was oddly familiar. He peeked at Gloria. Focus, Seth. You can daydream later.

  He pointed to an empty table in the corner of the room. “How’s there?”

  Gloria followed his gaze, then helped Elias over and sat down while Seth pulled over an extra chair and sat across from Elias. He squirmed uncomfortably with his back to the open air and glanced over his shoulder, scanning the room again.

  Still nothing. But that didn’t mean anything.

  Gloria’s voice brought his attention back. “Can you tell us what happened, Elias?”

  Seth looked back to see her rubbing Elias’s arm. His hands were clasped tight, and his face was red and blotchy from crying. He looked around the table at Gloria and Seth, stammering.

  “I— Uh—"

  It’s alright,” Gloria reassured him. “You can tell us.”

  Elias shuddered and looked down. “Promise not to lose it again?”

  Gloria squeezed Elias’s arm then nodded.

  He peeked up at Seth. “Sir?”

  Seth grimaced, then nodded. “I promise.”

  Elias took a shaky breath, then recounted his conversation with Father Verdas.

  It took all of Seth’s willpower to keep his word and stay quiet; He clenched his jaw and gripped the table so tight that his knuckles turned white. He glanced at Gloria—the tips of her ears were bright red, and she bit her lip, trying to remain silent.

  Elias stared at the table, eyes glazing over and hands shaking as he finished his story. “Then he closed the door, and I was alone in the hall…” Tears brimmed in the young man’s eyes. He squeezed his eyes shut and covered his face, trying to compose himself. “I’m sorry.”

  Gloria touched his arm again. “No. Don’t apologize.”

  Seth crossed his arms and tipped his chair back, a raging fire burning in his chest. Ungrateful bastard, he thought. I wish I could’ve gotten past that monk and decked the old man. He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes at a candle scone above Elias’s head. But that wouldn’t solve anything other than make him feel better. Maybe it’s better this way.

  A barmaid came by, interrupting his thoughts, and delivered their food. Seth nodded his thanks and picked up his spoon to eat. What now? he wondered. I can’t leave him with nowhere to go…

  “Elias, eat your stew…”

  Gloria’s gentle words brought Seth out of his mind. He blinked and looked at Elias who poked at his stew with his spoon with a shaking hand.

  “I’m not hungry,” he mumbled.

  “I know,” Gloria answered, “But you need to keep up your strength.”

  “Why? It’s not like it matters…”

  Gloria sighed. “Don’t talk like that.”

  “Why not?” Elias retorted, letting his spoon slide into his stew. “I can’t go home. I don’t have any family. Father Verdas doesn’t want me. You guys don’t want me.…” He glared into his stew and muttered, “Maybe it would’ve been better if I was dead in the river.”

  Gloria gasped, but Seth smacked the back of his spoon on Elias’s knuckle. He winced and stared back at him. “What was that for?” he cried, rubbing his hand.

  Seth shoved his spoon in Elias’s face. “I don’t want to hear you talking like that,” he scolded. “I won’t stand for it. Now listen to Gloria and eat your stew.”

  Elias stammered, but Seth silenced him with a glare. The young man sighed and slowly fished his spoon from his stew. “Yes sir,” he muttered, trying to lift the spoon with his right hand.

  Seth nodded with satisfaction before taking a bite. “Good.”

  The table was quiet, then Gloria tapped Seth’s shoulder and leaned over to whisper in his ear. “Can we talk for a moment?” Seth looked up at her and she nodded towards the fireplace behind them. “Alone?”

  He furrowed his brow and nodded before taking one more bite. “Sure.”

  Elias’s eyes snapped up when Seth and Gloria pushed their chairs back and rose from the table. “Where are you going?” His eyes darted between the two of them.

  “Don’t worry,” she assured him. “Seth and I just need to talk for a moment.” She pointed to the fireplace. “We’ll be right over there.”

  Elias looked at the fireplace. “Right there? Nowhere else, right?”

  Seth leaned on the table and met Elias’s eyes. “You will know when we leave,” he said, “We wouldn’t do that to you.” He smiled reassuringly. “Now eat your food.”

  Elias swallowed anxiously and nodded. “Yes sir…”

  Seth tousled Elias’s hair, then followed Gloria to the fireplace. “What’s on your mind?”

  Gloria grimaced and glanced at the glum boy who swapped to his left hand, struggling to spoon a carrot into his mouth. "I know you had your heart set on bringing Elias back here, but I don’t think that’s going to be an option now.”

  Seth sighed and scuffed at the wooden floor. "Yeah… yeah you’re right.”

  "Why don't we stay a night or two until we get our bearings? Give Elias some time to process what happened."

  Seth shook his head and subtly glanced around the inn. "No, we need to keep moving. Someone’s here, I can feel it. We need to stay ahead of them.” Gloria’s face paled and she started to look over her shoulder but Seth reached out and touched her arm. “Don’t look. If he’s here, you’ll make it obvious.”

  She tensed slightly at his touch, then bit her lip before looking back at him. "Okay… in that case, where do we go now? We can’t leave him."

  Seth continued to scan the room and nodded. “I’m not sure.” He frowned, thinking for a moment, then brightened. “Let’s take him to William and Kayla. They were kind to us and it’s on the way to Stormvale.” He folded his arms and grinned. “Plus, I'm sure William would appreciate another hand around the farm."

  Gloria met his gaze and raised an eyebrow. "Seth, William has five children to feed. I don't think it's right to ask him to feed another."

  Seth’s smile fell. "Well, where else should we take him? I don’t want to just dump him somewhere on his own. That’s not right either."

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Gloria went quiet and shuffled her feet. "He… could come with us.” She peeked up at him.

  Fear shot through Seth, and he shook his head firmly. "No, absolutely not."

  Gloria frowned and put her hands on her hips. “Seth!” she hissed. “Where is your compassion? He has nowhere else to go! We're all he has left!"

  Seth bristled at her accusation. "I am being compassionate. Why do you think I’m putting so much effort into this?”

  "Have you thought about asking him what he wants?” She folded her arms and cocked her head at him.

  Seth pinched the bridge of his nose. “Gloria…”

  “No! This is wrong, Seth, and you know it.” She stepped closer to him, her eyes glowing hot. “I was willing to go along with you before, but now that Westfjord’s out of the question, we can’t leave him behind.”

  Seth pursed his lips and tried again. “Gloria…”

  “He loves us, Seth!” She flicked a pointed glance at Elias “He looks up to you and would much rather stay by your side than be abandoned on a farm."

  Seth followed Gloria’s gaze to catch Elias watching them, worry etched across his face. When Seth met his eyes, Elias jumped and quickly dropped his eyes to his stew, stirring it stiffly with his right hand before awkwardly switching to his left.

  Seth ground his teeth and took a stiff breath—his patience was slipping. “But he needs a home.”

  “Home is more than just a roof and a bed,” she shot back.

  Hot anger coursed through Seth and he gripped the fireplace mantle. "Gloria,” he said, struggling to keep his voice calm. “Please understand. Elias still has the chance to get in the clear. You know who I am—he doesn't."

  "That won’t help him,” Gloria stressed between her teeth. “He’s already been seen with you.” She subtly gestured to the crowd behind them that occasionally peeked a glance at them in between bites. “We just made a scene in front of everyone!” She jabbed a finger at him. “Whether you like it or not, he’s a target now."

  "Not if I send him far away."

  "And then what?” Gloria snapped. “You think that'll make everything better? You can't erase what happened to him. To us!”

  Hot shame flushed to Seth’s cheeks, and he opened his mouth to speak, but Gloria barreled on. “You send him away and he will spend the rest of his life feeling abandoned by the two people who actually gave a damn about him!”

  Seth set his face and stared Gloria down. "I'm not bringing him with us."

  Gloria stamped her foot. "You're not listening to me!"

  "I am—!"

  "Elias needs this."

  "No!” Seth finally snapped. “He needs to be safe."

  A thick chuckle interrupted their argument. “Well, well, well,” a gravelly voice said. “Are the lovebirds having a little spat?”

  A flash of irritation went through Seth, and he groaned internally. Oh no…not him. He looked up to see a tall man with oily black hair and a beard striding towards them. He flashed rotting teeth at Seth—Agmundr.

  Seth straightened and stepped in front of Gloria. “This is a private conversation.”

  Agmundr laughed. “Well, hello to you too.” He gave Seth a once over then smirked. “You’ve muscled up since the last time I saw you. Not quite as scrawny now.” Seth growled, but Agmundr’s eyes had already moved on to Gloria who inched closer to Seth.

  His fists shook as Agmundr’s eyes traveled over her. “I’ve missed you.” He flashed his eyebrows at her. “Well, except for in my dreams.”

  “Don’t you talk to her like that!” Seth stormed forward but Gloria grabbed his arm and tried to hold him back.

  “Seth,” she muttered. “Don’t make a scene.”

  Seth ground his teeth and glared at Agmundr. “What do you want?” he spat.

  A chair scraped along the floor and footsteps approached. From the corner of his eye, Seth saw Elias coming over.

  Agmundr chuckled. “Not much,” he answered before stepping around Seth and leaning against the wall where he could view Gloria best. “Someone’s been asking questions about you, and I couldn’t help but wonder why someone would be after such a tiny man like you.”

  Seth bristled at the insult but remained silent.

  “Someone’s looking for you?" Elias looked from Seth to Gloria. "Who? Why?”

  “Not now, Elias,” Seth said, trying to keep his eyes on Agmundr.

  Agmundr snorted. “So, this is the little novice everyone’s been talking about. The abbot was turning the town upside down looking for you. You must’ve been pretty naughty to get tossed out like that. What did you do, kid?” Elias’s face turned red, and he tucked his arm behind his back.

  Fear and anger coursed through Seth. He yanked his arm from Gloria and stormed over to Agmundr. “Leave them alone.”

  Agmundr scratched his beard, unfazed. “You haven’t even heard the best part yet.” Seth wrinkled his nose at Agmundr’s rank breath. “He said he’d pay gold for any information of you.”

  Seth’s face paled and he slowly stepped back. Agmundr straightened, chuckling. “Don’t worry, I haven’t said anything… yet.” He folded his arms confidently. “Here’s my offer, pay me more than what he’s offering or…” His eyes trailed to Gloria. “Give me an hour with her.”

  Seth barely registered the motion—one moment Agmundr’s rotten face was leering at Gloria, the next his fist had connected with Agmundr’s jaw, sending blood, spit, and a yellow tooth flying before the bastard fell to the floor holding a bloodied mouth.

  Seth stood over him, his bloodied knuckle aching. “You will stop talking about Gloria like that!”

  Agmundr cursed and stared at the blood pooling in his hand. “Do you have a death wish?”

  Elias’s mouth dropped open, and his eyes darted from Seth to Agmundr. Meanwhile, Gloria gasped, horrified, and grabbed Seth’s arm, her face pale. “Seth! It’s fine you don’t—”

  “No!” he growled. “It is not fine!” He jabbed a finger at Agmundr. “He’s been nothing but disgusting to you! You deserve better than that!”

  Gloria’s eyes were wide and fearful. “Seth…” she whispered. “Everyone’s watching.”

  Seth looked back. Lover’s Respite had gone quiet—all eyes were on him and his friends. He gulped. He’d just made a point to Gloria about keeping Elias out of danger and here he was putting both of them in harm’s way… again.

  He swallowed and grabbed Gloria’s hand before turning back to Elias. “Get your things,” he said curtly. “We’re leaving.”

  Agmundr spat blood on the floor. “You’re going to regret this.”

  Seth cooly looked down at him. “You’re right—I should’ve hit you twice." A few snickers traveled through the inn, then Seth turned and marched back to their table with steady steps, but his heart pounded in his head and panic swirled in his chest.

  Damn it, damn it, damn it—this is bad. This is really, really bad. Why don’t I just chop my own head off and hand it to Lord Ember myself?

  “Master Seth?” Elias leaned in. “What’s going on? Why is someone looking for you?”

  “Now’s not the time…” Seth hissed back.

  “What were you thinking?” Gloria snapped in his other ear. “Punching him? Now he’s going to go straight to that assassin!”

  His grip tightened on her hand. “Not… now,” he gritted from the corner of his mouth.

  The inn’s silence was thick in his ears as he snatched his bag from the table and slung it over his shoulder. Then he grabbed Gloria’s bag with his free hand.

  “I can carry my bag,” Gloria muttered, trying to pull her hand free from his.

  “I’ve got it,” he growled, holding her tight and storming to the door. Elias scurried ahead and pulled it open so he and Gloria could leave, then Elias shut the door behind them.

  The spring wind did little to cool Seth’s hot cheeks. Furious and panicked, he turned on his heel and marched straight towards the cliffside trail. We’ll lose them in the plains, he thought, scrambling for a plan. We’ve hidden in the grass before, we can do it again.

  Elias hurried to keep up with Seth’s pace. “Who’s after you? Why? What’s going on?”

  Gloria strained against his grip and raged at him. “What is it with you and this place? First time you get drunk and now you’re punching people?”

  Elias halted for a moment and his eyes went wide. “Wait, you got drunk? Why?”

  Seth’s eye twitched. There had to be a faster way to get to William’s.

  “I would’ve been fine!” Gloria snapped. “I can handle gross men!”

  “Am I going with you now, Master Seth?”

  “Seth, you really need to control—” Gloria jerked back and screeched. “Let me go!”

  Seth released her and spun back on the two of them. “Enough!” he barked. Elias flinched and stared at him while Gloria gasped and took a step back. He jabbed a finger at Elias. “No! I’m not telling you anything! I have one more shot to get you to safety and I’m not jeopardizing that.”

  “But—”

  “No!”

  Then he whirled on Gloria who shrank back from him. “I don’t give a damn if a hundred assassins come after me. No one talks about my Gloria like that!”

  As soon as the words left his mouth, Gloria’s eyes went wide, and her face turned bright pink. Elias, meanwhile, let out a low whistle.

  “Your Gloria?” he repeated with a smug smirk.

  A stone sank in Seth’s stomach, and he stared at Gloria stammering, his face growing even hotter than it was before. He hadn’t meant to say it out loud—not yet at least. She wasn’t ready. He glanced over her shoulder at Lovers’ Respite and frowned. I hate this place.

  Gloria tore her eyes away and looked down at the ground, holding herself. Her face was bright red, and Seth thought he saw fear and shame. He tried to reach for her.

  “Gloria?”

  She took a step back and held herself, shaking her head. “I’m fine. Let’s just go.” She looked up and gave him a brave smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “We need to stay ahead of that assassin.” Then she stepped around him and headed up the trail at a brisk pace.

  Seth sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. His knuckles throbbed and a hollow ache settled in his chest. He’d blown it again, just like at Giantstoe; he let his temper get the better of him and dug a deeper hole for them. He growled under his breath before kicking himself and followed her up the trail.

  As he went, his words echoed in his mind: My Gloria… He smiled a little—he liked the sound of that. My Gloria…

  Then his face fell, and a terrible guilt swallowed up his joy. But the look on her face… He shifted uncomfortably. She shrank away from me. He didn’t mean to yell at her, he was just so mad at Agmundr. I wonder what went through her mind.

  He watched Gloria’s back as she marched up the trail—alone. She held herself tight and looked so small. She’s still afraid. He grimaced. I have to do better.

  Seth pursed his lips and watched Gloria’s curls bounce as she walked. Should I tell her that I know now? Would that help? Or make things worse? Maybe… I don’t know…

  Elias stepped up beside him and glanced between Seth and Gloria’s retreating figure. “I don’t understand, I thought she’d be thrilled to hear you call her yours.”

  Seth looked down at the rocky ground. “So did I.”