After catching yet another stranger pointing and whispering, she gave up her attempt at hiding beneath her hood and sprinted toward the cover of the stable.

Why were they all whispering, and about what? Did anyone guess at who she was, or did they all really think she was some type of omen? She’d give anything to be able to tap easily into her hearing the way everyone around her could.

The main question scraping against her composure was how many would be happy to learn who she was, and how many had secretly supported the rebellion against her family?

Her family. Gods, it still didn’t seem real that she had one. She’d obviously known she did, but to know she was about to meet one of them? Her father, no less? It was overwhelming.

She was leaned up against a wood pillar, catching her breath, when her companions caught up and entered. They each wore differing expressions of concern, but neither pressed her about running off.

They’d left the tavern soon after Jaren agreed to follow her lead and travel with Jaeros, all of them eager to get out of Ocridal and head to Naris as quickly as possible.

“It’s hard to have secrets when even whispers can be heard through the walls,” Jaeros had said, and even Jaren nodded.

A stable hand, who hadn’t bothered to approach her when she was alone, hurried their way as soon as Jaeros entered. He gestured for them to follow, talking too quickly for her to understand, and pointed to the three horses they’d be taking on their two-day trip to the capital.

Although her body was glad she only had to ride for a couple days, her mind wished it was longer. Two days. That’s all she had left before the stares and attention got so much worse.

“We don’t need this one.”

Lost in her thoughts, she startled, dropping her hand from the brown mare she’d been quietly petting. “Why? There’s nothing wrong with her,” she said, glancing over her shoulder to raise a brow at him.

“She’s not big enough to hold our weight. We’ll take the other,” he said, referring to the stallion she’d passed.

“There are three horses, Jaren,” Jaeros called from another stall. “I know how to count. That mare will do a fine job for her.”

Jaren didn’t even flinch, refusing to take his eyes off her. His expression was neutral, but what brewed on the inside was anything but. “What have I told you? You ride with me. Always.”

“Don’t you think you’d be more comfortable if we—”

“Always.”

She stared at him a second longer before accepting he wasn’t going to change his mind. In truth, she didn’t mind riding with him, she liked the comfort of his warmth, but she also didn’t want to look weak after just telling him she’d make her own choices.

Reading all of that across her face, and more, he smirked, knowing he’d won. “Oh, my sweet Veralie, I promise you’ll prefer to ride with me.”