In the Shadow of the Goddess (Book 1 of The Fallen Gods Trilogy)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Why does it seem like I'm constantly standing by watching Brexten pull these stunts?

That was Jill's first and only thought as she gazed after him, unable to do more than squeak out a scream. People swore and shouted as they struggled to scramble out of the way. In the pushing that followed, she lost sight of him. She scanned frantically, discounting one brown haired person after another, confused by the sheer mass of the jostling crowd.

Her horse shied from the outburst, panicked to find itself surrounded on all sides. The reins Brexten abandoned dangled on the ground and wrapped around its legs. With a curse, Jill grab for them and fought to calm the animal before it could trample anyone. Her blankets bunched around her waist as she reached. Jill punched at them angrily when they got in her way. Stupid blankets. Stupid idea. Brexten, when I find you—

Brexten's horse pranced away, swallowed by the crowd and disappearing. Damn him.

"Brexten!" she shouted, over the din of the crowd. "Brexten, where are you?"

Her heart felt like it would beat its way out of her chest, pounding so hard that her body hurt with every thud. Moments ticked by. People shook their fists and cursed her for holding up traffic. Jill felt like returning the favor. Then she saw him, catching glimpses through the crush. He was on his knees, being punched...No...punching someone else.

Without caring who blocked her path, she jerked her reins hard and fought her way over. More cursing resulted as her horse stepped on toes and knocked people aside. A parade of wagons crawled past and she had to weave through them, fighting for every step. By the time she'd reached him, she was nearly crying. How could he be so stupid? So irresponsible? So...

So in trouble.

Jill swore. Did he just get himself arrested?

Three guards had subdued Brexten and another man. Both were on their knees. Brexten was calm, hands clasped loosely behind his neck as he knelt at the point of a sword. The other fought and two guards held him down to prevent him from bolting.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she shrieked without thought or care.

Brexten's eyes barely flicked in her direction. Instead, he concentrated on the sword at his throat and the guard holding it. "As I was saying, this fool picked my pocket. He startled my horse and when I fought to calm it, he stole my money pouch and my dagger."

"I didn't take anything!" the other man, just a boy really, shouted. "I said it was mine!"

She felt like kicking Brexten—an impulse she was having more and more. "You dove off the horse for a dagger?"

The guard's eyes had gone from Brexten, to the boy, to her. "Who's this?"

Another eye flick. "My wife."

Jill's terror went up another notch. Brexten's eyes were no longer brown. They were blue. Oh shit.

The guard studied Jill with little piggy eyes set too close together in a pudgy face. Rafe's words suddenly ricocheted in her head. "She looks like a noble playing at being common folk. She sticks out and she's going to get us caught." Except, he wasn't looking at her like that—not with suspicion. As his eyes roamed over her, Jill had the feeling he thought about something else entirely.

The feeling was confirmed when the guard followed up with, "You're a lucky man."

"I tell myself that every day." Brexten met her gaze and had the gall to wink.