Blood for her Crown

Chapter Eleven

Ciden

The moon was the only source of light they had that night. It had rained in the evening, so there was no dry wood to use for a fire. This night was colder than in the past days, and without a fire to keep them warm, they had to share the two blankets.

That was how Ciden ended up sharing one with Jamie, who was now fast asleep next to him. Ciden, however, couldn't even close his eyes. He was still wide awake, even after riding the whole day. And for once, he envied Jamie, and just alone that thought crept him out. But he needed to sleep. It would be a long day tomorrow.

He just couldn't help but think about Grace. Worry about her. He didn't even know why he cared that much about her; they knew each other for not more than a few days. Still, the possibility of something happening to her made him furious. And that was a problem. It was dangerous to get attached to someone these days. No one was safe. Especially not around him.

If Aderah really left, they'd be helpless. He wasn't capable of helping people. Saving them. The only thing he was capable of was ruining them. Grace might be tough, but she wouldn't survive him. No one did.

Maybe it would be best if he just disappeared now, before he could cause any more damage. He had done enough by just staying with Jamie and Grace.

These bounty hunters were after him; he was certain of that. Not the one in the tavern or the ones that had shot Grace, but the ones in the village.

Would they search for him? Would they care if he left? Sure, they needed him for something, but could it be that important when they still haven't told him what for? It's not like he hadn't asked, he had multiple times. However, every time he did, they would change the subject or tell him he shouldn't worry about it already. He did, though.

He grew up as an extremely mistrusting person, and the only reason he even joined them was simply because he had to. Certain experiences in life had taught him not to trust anyone, but never how to survive out here on his own.

If it wasn't for that, he would have left already. And that was when he realized he was a coward and nothing more. To stay alive, he was willing to bring death upon his companions, friends even. The bounty hunters wouldn't kill him, he was sure about that. They were only supposed to hand him over to the one who would. And they'd slaughter everyone in their way.

Either way, he'd end up dead. The only question was just when. And who would turn out to be collateral damage.

He glanced at Jamie, who hadn't moved an inch in the last hour. No matter how many jokes he made throughout the day, how much he pretended to be okay, he wasn't. And now that he was sleeping, he seemed as peaceful as never before.

He had to leave, he decided. None of them deserved the end he would cause them.

When he silently got up and walked over to his horse, he suddenly felt someone's eyes on him. As he turned around, Grace was sitting there, watching him. Damn it.

She tilted her head to the side. "What exactly are you planning to do there?"

He swallowed. Having her looking at him like that sent a shiver down his spine. Her eyes gleamed through the dark of the night and basically drilled through him.

"Couldn't sleep," he shrugged.

She raised an eyebrow. Usually, he saw her looking at Jamie like that. He was a good liar, but still felt like she saw right through it. Right through him. And suddenly he felt like prey.