Sorry for the wait, my loves! It wasn't because I'm on hiatus again but I struggled with a part in this chapter sksk. But today I got through it so I hope y'all enjoy!

Chapter Twenty Six

I was leaning against the doorway, watching as Todd scratched at the front door before turning towards me, cocking his head. I laughed softly, walking over to him.

"Not yet, little one." I kneeled down, running my hands through his fur. He chattered back, tilting his head in confusion. I reached into my pocket, pulling out of a piece of meat. "Soon you will be well enough to go back into our forest, do not worry." He became distracted by the meat, snatching it up quickly before running off.

"Rowan, sweetheart, I think I have to go into town. It seems we're out of a few things," my father said from within the kitchen as the cabinet's doors yawned open and slammed shut. I sighed, knowing he was right.

We'd been away from home for quite some time. However, I knew it was always tasking on my father to go get them. It would likely be harder now that he was out of the routine of doing so.

I hesitated before responding. "Do not worry, Papa. I will go into town and buy what we need." I could hear silence in the kitchen before I saw him walking into the living room, a frown on his face.

"You certainly won't be doing that. You and I both know they don't accept you and won't sell you anything. I'll go." I shook my head, already grabbing my shoes and putting them on.

He walked closer, quickly taking my jacket before I had the chance to grab it. I gave him a pointed look before speaking. "It is not like you to play childish games," I teased, but it did nothing to lessen the expression on his face.

"You are not going out." He said the words firmly, little room for compromising. I took his hands in mine tightly, pressing my lips against them.

"Papa, I will be fine. I will go to the town I have gone to during emergencies. It will be easier now that we have a horse once again," I explained, hoping he would see my reasoning. "You are not fit to continue going back and forth to town. I will go from now on. Just make sure Todd does not go out."

I gently pulled my jacket from his hands, grateful he allowed me to do so. I could see the reluctance in his face, how badly he wanted to find an excuse for me to not go. But we both knew it was the best solution and we could not go argue about it.

"Be safe, sweetheart. Don't stray from the path. Come back right after, do you hear me?" he asked sternly, lecturing me as if I was a little girl.

I smiled, grabbing the money from him before giving him a hug. "I will be fine, Papa. Hopefully, Todd does not cause you too much trouble. If he becomes too restless, there are toys in the cardboard box within my room." We both said parting words before I left.

In order to return home, I'd asked Shaterria if I could borrow a horse. She had told me yes before telling me not to worry about returning this particular one. She explained that it had once belonged to a knight who had died, sacrificing his life for the King. They had kept the horse in hopes of finding another life for him. Shaterria said that he would be serving an equally important purpose if he was placed into my care. I thanked her, promising I would take great care of him.

I got him ready for the ride before smiling, running my hand down his mane. "I hope you are enjoying your time here. Are you ready for a ride?" I asked him, hearing air rush out of his nose in response. I took that as a yes before I mounted him, beginning our journey.

It was a long ride but I did not complain. It was either this or have my father ride into the closest town when it would only bring down his health. At least the weather was in a kind mood, the sun wearing a gown made of white clouds, her light shining so bright that it filtered through on occasion.

When we finally arrived in the town, the staring had begun. I could as they tried to steal not-so-discreet glances towards me, their stares boring into my back. I ignored them, continuing towards the center of the town where the needed supplies would be.

"Isn't that the woman who drives animals crazy? I heard she does it with a snap of her fingers."

"No, no. She just stares at them. I think she can communicate with them telepathically. Say the wrong thing and she'll tell that horse to charge at us without speaking a word."

"Maybe she can't actually do it. She couldn't be bothered to tame the King, after all."

I willed myself to stop listening, knowing the comments would build and build until someone decided that I had convinced the King to kill the man. It was the worst possible scenario and likely in all of their eyes.

I dismounted Deuis, the horse I'd been gifted, before making sure he was placed in the nearby visiting stable. I then headed into the local store, noticing when the talking turned into muted whispers.

I walked down the aisles, holding my head high, refusing to allow the stares of simple-minded people to weigh me down. However, their stares seemed to have a magical effect capable of causing time to warp, seconds feeling as long as minutes, minutes as long as hours. By the time I grabbed all of my necessities, it felt as if I had been inside the store for a lifetime.

I placed my things on the counter, ignoring the cold look I received from the clerk. I believed if I acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary, they would continue whispering and leave me be. I was proven wrong when the clerk grabbed my things and instead of placing them in bags, placed them in the nearby trash.

My eyes flickered with surprise before they glazed over, hardening into orbs of invincible glass. My spine seemed to become a cord of steel as I straightened up, my hands clenching and unclenching quickly. I would not allow someone so petty to get to me.

"Is there a problem?" I asked calmly, however, just my voice alone caused the people nearby to quiet, turning their attention towards us.

He crossed his arms, shifting his feet. It was clear by his stance that he was portraying someone who was not threatened. Yet, his eyes were what gave him away, as they did most people's true emotions. They were as wide as a newborn deer's.

"I want nothing to do with you or your business. No one would've bought those things after hearing you were the one who held them previously," he said stiffly, his eyes staring me down. I gritted my teeth, hoping my temper would not get the best of me, especially in front of an expectant crowd.

"I am bringing you business. I am willing to pay more if that is what it takes-" I started but he quickly shook his head, silently cutting me off.

"You're going to destroy my business! Don't you understand? The second they hear that you showed up here they'll be looking towards my competitor's store," he snapped, growing angrier by the second. I could feel the tension thickening, eagerly watching the tense conversation.

"Fine," I growled, storming out of the store. Making a scene would do me no good. It would only provide fuel to the burning fire. As it was, I was already doing so by coming into the town.

I expected to ride back home and tell my father that we would order the supplies. They would come much later but it was the only solution. I knew he would fight me on this but I would not allow him to ride into town anymore. But, before I could start listing the benefits of having the supplies sent to the house, I spotted a familiar mare.

"Hello, Sequeria. It seems that you are doing well," I said softly to her, my body relaxing as I ran a hand over her, hearing her quietly nicker in response. I pressed my forehead to hers, her tranquil nature rushing through my body, providing me with a sense of calmness.

"Do you think it is appropriate to interact with someone else's horse without their permission?"

I frowned, the calmness leaving my body as I turned, meeting a pair of light brown eyes. He wore a plain white shirt and jeans, his hair pulled back into a ponytail. Within his hands were bags that he thrust towards me when he was within reach. I scowled but grabbed them on reflex.

"I am not your servant. Take your bags before I drop them on the ground," I said, watching as his eyes rolled, already growing impatient with me.

"They are yours. I visited your home and your father told me that you had gone into this town to buy supplies. I bought a variety of common things that most need. I assume you have not yet gotten them?" he questioned, raising his eyebrow. I was silent for once, shaking my head. He did not need to know that I had tried getting supplies only to fail miserably. I glanced in the bags, noting there were a few things we still needed but they were not things that we needed now.

He nodded in reply before gently petting Sequeria then mounting her. "I will meet you back at your house. We have much to discuss." This was all he said before he rode off, leaving my irritated and beyond frustrated.

By the time Deuis and I returned, Sequeria was eating some food that had been provided. I tied Deuis up next to her, murmuring goodbyes to the both of them before I took my supplies and walked into the house.

It was quite odd, seeing Sage in this setting. Perhaps I would find it odd if anyone was inside other than my father and Todd, as we didn't have guests. But what was most startling was how he seemed to blend in with the surroundings like it was the most natural thing.

My father sat on the couch, Sage on the adjacent one. The two were conversing with one another, each smiling occasionally. Todd had been curled on Sage's lap grooming himself before he spotted me and began chattering excitedly, walking towards me.

"I've missed you too, little one," I said, smiling as I picked him up, walking over and sitting next to my father. "Would you mind making hot chocolate, Papa?" I asked, knowing it was best if Sage and I conversed alone.

He grinned before clapping his hands. "That sounds wonderful, sweetheart. I'll go do just that!" he exclaimed, pressing a kiss to my cheek before he got up and disappeared into the kitchen.

"We found a slaughtered wolf within the forest. Someone attempted to feed bits to Todd," Sage abruptly said, not bothering with small talk. I suppose it was for the best because I was not one for beating around the bush either.

I was quietly, petting Todd as I considered my words. "That does not concern me anymore, Sage. My job ended the moment the King was taken away. It is why I am home and you know this."

His jaw hardened at my words, but he surprised me when he didn't snap back, but instead spoke with a leveled tone. "This is evidence of the King's innocence, Rowan. He would never kill his own kind. He was a wolf when Todd was injured as well so he could not have tried feeding him." He paused for a moment before speaking again. "I am here because I need your help."

I pursed my lips, thinking of the last time he had asked for the same thing. It had ended with Todd almost dead and me failing to do the job I was given. My father had been better off, however, he'd grown accustomed to a higher standard of living as had I. Living here again would not be easy.

"I can provide your father with reliable housing once again. Todd can remain with him or wherever you would prefer."

There was silence again before I decided to reply. "This is not about where they will stay, Sage. This is about their safety. Even so, I do not believe there is hope when there are so many factors going against the King. I understand that you are loyal to him but reason states that this will not end well for him whether I am here or within the castle."

Sage's eyes flashed before his face became empty. But not quick enough. I could spot the disappointment that had lingered behind, causing me to look away.

"I did not believe you were one to give up." With that, he got up, said goodbye to my father and left.