Taken

Chapter 13 (Part 2)

Managing to avoid face-planting twice from tripping due to my untied laces, I made it back into the house with cold pinched cheeks and a red nose. At least the cold had been effective in numbing the sting on my hand. It was gone along with the ache on my other cheeks as I toed my boots off and removed the weight of warmth from my shoulders to hang it on the hook I had claimed as mine again. My pace was rushed, wanting to get away from the door before Silas followed me in.

With the fear he provoked subsiding, I was now worried that the rising anger replacing it would trigger the choker he had placed around my neck. That only had my anger growing further. It wasn't like I had been feeling him up like my straying thoughts had wanted me to. I was only shaking him awake. Nothing worthy of being knocked on my ass.

Though, I had learned early in life that some people didn't require a reason to lash out if they wanted to.

"Would you like a cup?" Hilda asked, indicating to the teapot before her as I slipped my fingers under the leather surrounding my neck as a precaution. One that would hurt my fingers rather than save me if it came down to it.

If anyone should be choked, it was Silas and his uncontrolled anger. Preferably by my hands.

"Sure," I answered, making my way to the table as the door behind me opened. I picked up my pace, not looking back at the muffled sound of boots stepping onto the mat just inside.

"Tea?" She asked Silas while adding the amount of sugar she had learned I liked to my cup.

I slipped into my seat, not looking up to catch the nod I was sure he gave her. She reached for another cup, not adding any sugar to it.

Silas liked his tea as bitter as he was. And strong.

She slid his steam cup of plain maroon-colored tea toward him before pouring a hint of milk into mine to turn it a deep pink color. She placed it in front of me as the chair across from me scrapped across the floor as it was pulled out. I kept my eyes focused on my tea, watching the swirling liquid slow with Hilda's abilities no longer mixing it.

"Why did you call me?" He asked, his voice holding the hard edge it always did when he spoke with her. The only time I had heard him speak to her with warmth was the first night I was here. 

Watching their interactions made it clear that it was a new development. It was a little heartbreaking to watch Hilda need to adjust to the change that her actions instigated in their relationship, but her lack of remorse had me swallowing any words of reassurance that wanted to reach out to her. Silas wasn't the only one she had wronged. Although I appreciated her making me feel welcomed, I couldn't move past her perfidy. I would be a fool to.

Instead of answering, she reached into the pocket of her skirt and pulled out a thick folded piece of parchment. Taking the last sip of her tea, she held it toward Silas.

"What's this?" He asked, taking it from her fingertips.

"Open it and find out," she retorted, reaching for the teapot to refill her cup.

Silas's brows lowered, a line of worry forming between them as he unfolded the paper. As his eyes scanned its contents, it grew as his lips pulled down into a frown.

"You leave in the morning," Hilda stated, taking another sip.

Silas shook his head lowering the paper. "Lissicus is a day's ride away. That kind of journey requires preparation."

"I know. I'll have everything you need sorted by sunrise. All you need to do-" she said, reaching down beside her to retrieve a leather bag from the floor, dropping it onto the table. The metal buckled holding it closed clanked against the wood. "-is pack. You'll arrive in Lissicus by nightfall. Chances of finding Nolik so late are slim and the note doesn't specify a time, so prepare for three days. You may need to spend a day waiting for him to show at the tavern. I'll call one of the inns closest to it to book a room for two nights tomorrow. I don't want you traveling at night." She told him before turning to me next. "You'll be heading into the Autumn Court. Although the snow will gradually disappear as your journey progresses, it will still be cold. Your coat is charmed to keep you warm despite the temperature so it's not a concern what clothing you choose to pack."