Retreat, page 2
part #2 of Stormers Series
Any future questions went unanswered as Meg stepped back in the room, a pile of clothing in her hands. “It’s not just that it’s his family, it’s also his job. He agreed to find the princess, and he didn’t do it. It’s been preying on his mind.”
Kade’s eyebrow cocked, his eyes flicking to Hadley as though conveying a warning. Did Cester know that Kade had chosen not to retrieve the princess?
He got to his feet and made for the single couch along the wall. “Until we figure out who he is; we’re all on alert.”
As Meg disappeared to find some blankets for Kade, Hadley pulled the clothing closer to her chest. She continued to stare at him, her heart thumping against her ribs as he kicked off his boots, not bothering to unlace them.
His voice was low as though not wanting his sister to overhear. “A few days then we’ll probably be rid of him. When the snow clears, I’ll make more enquires about your brother.”
Her stomach flipped at his words. Any thought of what else she had to ask him disappeared under the weight of this knowledge.
Hadley frowned at him as his eyes closed again. How could he think she’d not notice the length of time? Her voice was tight as she spoke. “That could take months.”
Kade’s eyes slid shut again, and he his reply was mumbled. “Don’t start.”
Meg returned effectively ending any discussion. Unceremoniously dumping the blankets over her brother and ducking out of his reach before he could swipe her.
Hadley sniffed and turned her back before either Meg or Kade could see her disappointment. She left them talking quietly and found the small bedroom she would sleep in. Kade’s room.
A solitary candle illuminated the room, animal skins covering the floors, a colourful quilt draped over the single bed. Various daggers and knives were lined up on the chest along with a curved blade.
Hadley sat on the bed, her eyes roaming over the pile of clothing on the chair beside her. Her fingers reached out to touch the tan leather vest the Stormers all wore.
Without a thought as to why she was doing so, she pulled the vest off the pile so she could examine it closer. The leather was soft and worn in places. Hastily sewn patches covered holes she thought might be from arrows.
In the candlelight the colour seemed to match the perfect caramel of Kade’s skin tones. On impulse she closed her eyes and inhaled the hefty scent of leather, warmed and conditioned by Kade’s well-defined chest and shoulders. Her eyes popped open as her gasp resounded around the cosy room. What is wrong with me?
The vest was back on the pile in an instant, her fingertips burning as hot as her cheeks. She was most definitely not interested in the vulgar Stormer or the way he looked. Her sleep deprived mind was simply confusing her emotions with things that weren’t real.
Her yawn answered the unspoken question of her mad thoughts, and she was almost relieved to feel the pull of exhaustion wash over her again. Hadley ran her hand through her hair and didn’t bother to smother the next yawn that took over her body.
There was nothing to be done tonight. Nothing to be done but play along and see what happened. Hadley chewed on the idea as she pulled the soft cotton nightshirt over her frozen frame, relishing the feel of the warmth of the thick sheets and blankets. She curled on her side, sinking into the plump mattress, and despite her anxiety she felt herself slipping towards sleep.
In the last moments between wakefulness and sleep, she found comfort in the knowledge that come morning every odd impulse regarding Kade Dawson would have faded quietly away in the night.
Chapter Two
Kade eased up from the lumpy couch, wiping stray hairs from his trousers most likely left by one of the shaggy-coated hunting dogs who’d snuck in somehow when Cester’s back was turned.
He stretched out his back then placed his feet on the cold floorboards. A shiver worked its way through his stockinged feet and travelled up his spine, and he hurried to pull his boots back on. The cabins may be ingeniously insulated with straw mixed with wool, but it was still freezing outside, and without a fire each of the outlying cabins, only in use when the Stormers arrived, were the coldest.
Kade grumbled to himself as he stalked to the bedrooms and listened to the two feminine voices as they dressed for the day: muffled sounds of boots being laced, and Meg’s chuckle mingling with the faint sounds of activity outside. He hovered in the doorway and prepared to eavesdrop shamelessly.
Maybe Meg could shed more light on what was up with Cester? Whatever Cester was withholding, it was important.
His captain had barely bothered about Hadley’s drastic change and hadn’t been too perturbed at their failure to bring the princess back. At the time, Kade had been overwhelmingly relieved Cester was handling it all so well. But now, after a restless night’s sleep, he was beginning to worry Cester had been humouring him so he’d go along with the insane plan to try to figure out what the earl was really up to.
Was he just holding back his anger until the earl was dealt with and Cester’s home was restored to its normally ordered existence? Was he still using him? Continuing to lie and withhold information?
Last night, Kade had been too exhausted to push the point home that Cester had broken his trust. Truth be told, he’d been anxious to get back to his sister, anxious to let Carl know he’d be needed come first light, and though he hated to admit it, he’d been anxious to check on Hadley.
Whatever was brewing wasn’t going to end well. For him or most likely for Hadley. The longer he could find ways to stall a confrontation with his captain, the longer a rest he and Hadley would get.
He pressed his ear to the wall, listening for his name or Cester’s. When all that met him was silence, he realised a second too late his error.
Meg’s fist slammed into his arm as she sprang out at him. “What were you thinking? You should know better than to spy on me.”
Kade ducked before she could hit him again. “You should know I don’t.”
Meg rolled her eyes and pushed past, still running a brush through her shoulder-length curls. Hadley trailed in her wake, a wry smile on her face as she stifled a yawn.
He couldn’t resist a dig at her sleep-dazed expression. “Sleep well? Because I didn’t.”
Hadley’s cheeks heated. “Thank you for giving up your bed.”
He nodded, trying to keep from linking his bed with any thoughts of her in it. His eyes stayed on her as she followed Meg to the doorway. Before she could go any further, he gave her a warning. “Stay close to me, got it?”
Meg frowned at him. “You don’t really think the earl will try something do you?”
Kade shrugged lightly, trying to hide his concern from his observant sister. “Just following orders.”
Meg eyed him, with a wry expression that made him uneasy. She shrugged on her jacket, angling her body so she was facing Hadley. “I need to go help with the chores outside. I’ll get you a coat of your own as soon as I can.”
She opened the door and sent him a pointed look. “Behave yourself.”
Kade waited a beat to allow Meg to descend the few snow dusted stairs leading to the main walkway before he gestured for Hadley to follow.
He nodded as a cousin of Cester’s walked by, Todd was an ardent follower of the faith Cester held to, and friendly enough. Todd gave a dignified half bow then carried on walking as though a princess being in the midst was an everyday occurrence.
The rest of the walkway was quiet, and Kade took the opportunity to reassure Hadley as much as he could. “I’m still trying to decide how to play this. Cester and I didn’t get much of a chance to talk.”
Hadley gave him a vague nod. Her eyes locked on the main house where they were heading. “Do you trust him then?”
The question jolted him slightly, and he took his time in answering. “I don’t know. I want to, but he lied to me.”
Hadley’s face was grim as she looked across at him. “He knew the princess wasn’t really being held against her will?”
Kade tried to keep the bitterness from his tone, breath misting as he spoke. “He told me. Still hasn’t told me why he kept it from me though.”
Hadley shivered alongside him, and he shrugged out of his own coat without a thought. She gave him a grateful look as she accepted it. “Because I’m royalty, I’ll take it.”
He snorted as she shrugged herself into the coat she’d found for him in Arrowford. “We’ll get you one of your own.”
She graced him with a smile, and he found himself wanting to return it. A slow burn settled in his stomach as her eyes held his captive. Get a bloody grip! You’re standing in the middle of the walkway.
Her brow knotted together. Her mouth opened and closed again as though she wanted to say something to him but couldn’t seem to find the right words. “How are your muscles today?”
His eyebrows rose at the peculiar question, but she hurried to correct the error, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes wid. “I mean ribs. How are your ribs?”
His reply was cut short when a solid ball of snow slammed into the side of his head. He whirled to face his attacker, only to find a grinning Carl already armed with another missile.
Before he could launch, Kade rushed him, tackling him around the waist so he couldn’t retaliate. His ribs screamed in protest, but he managed to wrestle Carl and, with a lot of cursing coming from them both, managed to shove his cousin’s face into the compacted snow.
He scrambled to his feet, breathing hard as he backed up, dipping low to scoop a handful of snow to defend himself.
Carl narrowed his eyes as he pulled himself to standing, snow dripping off his face. He scowled hard, ready to carry on when Cester’s voice prevented either of them from anything further.
Outside his family cabin, Cester was glaring at them both, the earl at his side, his eyes to the right of where Kade guessed Hadley stood. “Inside, Stormer Kade.”
With an irritable sigh Kade dropped the snowball and motioned to Hadley. Her nose now pinking in the frigid air. “This way, your highness.”
Hadley raised an eyebrow, the slightest of smiles on her face as she fell into step with him. Her chin dipped low as they walked the few metres to where Cester waited. Their boots crunched in the snow as they walked side by side. “He looks angry.”
Kade shrugged and felt his ribs jab him. He should be more careful. Even his and Carl’s annual snow war would have to be put on hold for a few more weeks. Soon as he could, he’d visit the healer.
Maybe then Cester would lay off and realise he was in no state to go travelling. The ridiculous pretence could end, and they could find another, easier, far more effective way to get information out of the earl.
Kade’s lips twitched. Cester would find no shortage of Stormers willing to take on that role. Me included.
Not that Cester would ever let them. He was too hung up on doing the right thing to break rules or noses.
As they entered the sitting room, heat wafted towards them like a welcoming hug reminding him of how much he’d looked forward to visiting the Retreat.
Kade helped Hadley strip her coat off and took a seat beside her. May as well play the bodyguard role, since it’s expected.
The earl was once again openly staring at Hadley, and she shifted in her seat, smoothing her simple dress, her trembling hands giving away her nerves.
Kade caught Cester’s eye and found him eyeing the earl, his jaw working. “I’ve asked my mother and aunts to bring us a meal in here,” Cester said.
He raised an eyebrow at the tightness to Cester’s voice and the unusual arrangement. Normally they all ate together, the ample kitchen big enough to accommodate them if they ate in shifts which they usually managed to.
Cester’s gaze burned white hot into him. “Have you seen the healer yet?”
Kade shook his head. “Haven’t had time.”
Cester gave him a distracted nod, and his eyes moved to Hadley. “I was thinking perhaps it would be a good idea to have the princess checked too.”
Hadley’s face paled slightly, but she slowly nodded her head, her voice even when she spoke. “It has been quite an ordeal.”
Kade half coughed into his hand to smother the laugh at her imitation. He could only guess she was modelling it off the real princess.
Shame I didn’t get to meet her. She sounded like a princess he might have actually liked, given the chance. If she was truly marrying for love and to help both countries avoid war, then he already liked her a million times more than her father or any of the other noble families in Azetaria.
He still hadn’t gotten around to sharing the little titbit of information that Prince Rahid wanted him to visit the king personally. One mention of that and any chance he had of rest would be gone.
The door to the hallway opened, and Cester’s mother appeared, her greying hair pulled back in a bun, her smile warm as always as she pushed a trolley laden with pastries and a large pot of tea.
Kade rose from his chair and accepted the embrace Ma Hamlin offered him. “You get even more handsome with each year that passes,” she teased.
He chuckled and helped her hand out plates, and teacups. When they’d eaten their fill of delicate buttery pastries that Kade thought rivalled what would be served in the King’s own court, Ma Hamlin disappeared once more.
Hadley’s hands continued to tremble, and he fought the desire to reassure her. Instead, he turned his attention to the earl and narrowed his eyes at the crumbs covering his ill-fitting navy-colored clothing.
Kade leaned back in his chair, his stony gaze fixed on the earl as he crossed his ankles and arms while Cester spoke. “I’m having trouble sourcing horses who will withstand the temperatures.”
The earl’s lips curled, his eyes shooting towards Hadley. “How long will it take?”
Cester shrugged his massive shoulders. “It will take as long as it does. I’ve sent one of my men to the nearest village, but you must prepare yourself for at least a two-day wait.”
Kade fought a smile at the irritation flashing over the portly man’s face. “This is most distressing.”
Cester’s face remained impassive. “I apologise. But I’m pushing my men as hard as I can.”
Kade cocked his head at his captain as he listened to Cester make all kinds of excuses as to why they couldn’t depart for at least three days. None of which were true. No Stormers had been sent anywhere. They had a half-dozen specially bred horses in the barn, who could make the journey.
Cester was lying through his teeth, not something he’d seen before. Confirms everything. Kade stole a look at Hadley to see if she could see through him. Given the alarm on her face, she was buying everything Cester was throwing out, hook, line and sinker.
What was so important that Cester would lie so boldly to an earl technically his superior? It seemed so out of character. But then what did he really know about Cester Hamlin? Who was he really?
His amusement died when Cester included him in the conversation. “Go and see the healer. Make sure you and the princess are fit to travel.”
He dipped his head slightly, his eyes conveying a hidden meaning that Kade understood. Healer Ben wouldn’t let him go anywhere if he grumbled in the slightest about pain. He certainly wouldn’t if his ribs were still in danger of cracking again. He was strict and unrelenting in making sure the Stormers under his care received adequate time to recover.
No wonder Cester was so insistent they see him. He could provide the perfect reason not to go. Unless of course Cester sends someone else with Hadley.
Kade winced inwardly. Was that even a possibility? He kept his features calm, and nodded in return, forcing the thought away. There was no way he could dwell on the idea.
He helped Hadley back into his coat with yet another promise to find her one of her own. Cester poured another cup of tea for the earl. Kade waited as Cester’s eyes flicked backwards as though wanting to say something; sure enough, Cester excused himself and left the earl staring daggers at his back as he joined them at the door.
He opened it, and motioned them out, standing on the top step, his voice barely audible. “Do not let her out of your sight; we’ll speak more on this later, Stormer Kade.”
Kade kept his mouth shut as Cester closed the door to the cold. Later. That was what Cester had promised last night.
Fine by him: the later it got, the longer he could stay. The longer he could take to rest, and the longer he could put off asking Cester the multitude of questions he didn’t really want to.
Despite his actions. Cester had given them a better life. A chance. And for that alone, he needed to tread carefully.
He steered Hadley towards the healer and accepted that the coming conversation was going to arrive when it suited Cester best. Which could only mean it would be when Kade was least expecting it.
The old healer narrowed his eyes at Hadley as she took the seat Kade offered, shrugging out of Kade’s coat and letting him hang it on a peg by the door. A small fire burned in the hearth, dried herbs hung around the small cabin, glass jars filled with strange substances lined the walls, and the floor was covered by several animal skins.
The smell of liniment burning in her nostrils brought with it memories of sickness and pain she’d rather not think of.
For months the healers in Kingsport had tried to help them, tried to assure them that, if the gods willed it, her parents would survive.
But her mother slowly became more and more emaciated, and her father never woke up from a fevered dream that stole his rational mind.
There was no point dwelling on the past. What was the use? The future was all she had to look to, her only hope in finding her brother. And for that, she needed to push away all feelings that might prevent her from doing what needed to be done.
Ben eased himself onto the stool and ran his hand over the beard. She swallowed thickly under the scrutiny, trying desperately to try to act as a princess would.
Hadley shuffled slightly in her chair, grateful when Ben’s gaze moved to where Kade perched on the single bed along the wall.
“Cester said you’d come see me; what is it this time?” Ben said.
