Page 88 of Heart of the Hunted
"Okay, let’s go."
Taredd lead her back downstairs to the large open room where they had dinner a couple of nights ago. Natalia couldn't get over how much had changed for her since she first walked into this room. Most of it was good, but she would rather forget about the part where the other Demons had grabbed her.
Dain was sat waiting at the bar for them when they joined him. Natalia couldn't help the blush from forming when he asked: "What took you two so long?"
But luckily, Taredd took the blame. "I wanted to have a bath before we left."
"And it took you that long?" Dain asked, his brows raised.
"Yes, do you have a problem with that?"
"Nope, not a damn thing," Dain said, shaking his head.
Natalia could see the smile that creep across Dain's face. She had a feeling he knew exactly why they had taken so long, but thankfully he didn't comment on it.
"So, you two finally ready to hit the road?" Dain asked, clapping his hands together.
"Yep, so hurry up and finish your drink," Taredd told him.
Dain didn't need to be told twice. Picking up his nearly full glass, he drained the lot in seconds.
Slamming his glass on the counter when it was empty, he said: "Come on then, let’s go."
Taredd took Natalia's hand as they followed Dain outside and over to where he had the horses tied up. The cart was hooked up and ready to go as well. Natalia could see that Dain had loaded the back of the cart. She wondered what he might have packed for their trip, because it was a hell of a lot more than she was used to traveling with.
When they reached the cart, Taredd grabbed her around the waist and lifted her up effortlessly. He sat her gently on one side of the bench before walking round the other side to take his own seat.
"Did you get a cover for the cart?" Taredd asked as Dain climbed onto the back of the cart.
"Yeah, but I could only get one that stretches straight across, so we'll have to only use it when no one is sitting in the back," Dain told him.
"That should be okay," Taredd said, looking at the bed of the cart. "As long as you can't see what's in there when it's covered, it'll be fine."
"No, you can't," Dain told him. "I checked it out already to make sure."
Natalia didn't see why it was so important to have a cover, but she was sure they had a good reason for it.
"Good,” he said, then looked at her and asked "are you ready?"
"Yes,” she told him, nervous but excited all the same.
Taredd winked at her before turning his attention back on the horses.
With a flick of the reins, he said: “Walk on.”
With a jolt, the cart started moving along the cobbled street. The click-clacking of the horses hooves on the cobbles soon stopped once they were on a dirt road.
Natalia wasn't sure if she like this form of travel or not. It was a lot bumpier than she thought it was going to be, but she supposed it beat the hell out of walking. Especially since she didn't know how far they needed to travel.
"You get used to it after a while," Dain said from behind her, making her jump.
"Oh... it's okay,” she told him.
"You should have picked up some cushions for Natalia to sit on," Taredd told him.
"Yeah, in hindsight, I probably should have," Dain said. "We can always turn back."
Taredd looked over at Natalia.
