We don't remain much longer. I want to write off my inability to sleep on the cold weather and grass tickling my cheeks, but I know it's the wired energy, hard body, and sexually-charged tension that's preventing me from calming down enough to sleep.
We start down the dirt road once more. My feet hurt worse from blisters and my pace is much slower.
The Shadow Knight doesn't complain. The awkwardness between us is charged with emotion and attraction, not to mention apprehension about what happens in two and a half days.
At long last, moonlight reveals the steep walls of his hold, visible up a winding dirt road that runs along the cliff. Only the wall is visible from our angle, but it's enough to show me how large the seat of his kingdom is. The imposing wall stretches from the cliff for over a mile inland.
A large party on horseback emerges from the fortress and barrels down the road, stopping as they reach us. A man with the head of a jackal dismounts and drops into a low bow before the Shadow Knight.
"M'lord. We were sorry to hear of the death of your second. I am his brother, here to replace him."
Wolfie's dead? I had no idea. A glance at the Shadow Knight's face is enough to tell me this is a big deal. His jaw is clenched, his eyes gray gems. His sadness in the tower makes sense to me now. I have to imagine he and his second were close, since he told the master-at-arms his secret.
"Your steed, and one for the witch," Jackie-the-Jackal says, motioning someone to bring two horses forward.
"The witch rides with me," the Shadow Knight says firmly.
I curse him silently but don't say anything, my mind taken over by another question I hadn't thought to ask. On the roof of the Red Knight's, my little squire had been prepared to die for me.
Had he?
I can't stomach the idea.
"Brown Sun Lake is marching upon our lands. The Desert Knight has tricked us, crept behind our armies," Jackie continues, urgency in his tone. "His armies are at the edge of the forest."
The Shadow Knight mutters foul curses, all business once more, his battle energy back after a rather peaceful day walking. He slings himself onto the horse. Bending down to grab me, he gives me a warning look as I push at his arm.
"I can ride my own horse," I object.
"On the battlefield, I command." He cups his hand behind my neck to bring my face closer to his. Gray overtakes his eyes.