"What did she give you?" David asked as I caught up with him and Jesser.
"She didn't give me anything," I heard myself say.
He eyes me curiously. "Are you sure?"
I thought of the walnuts in my bag. Sitting there, mixing with all my other things. "She just spoke to me, David. That was it. She's very nice."
"You've never had to deal with the witches around here."
"Have you?"
Jesser laughed. "She has you there. When was the last time you fought a witch?"
David frowned. "We don't fight them. We just avoid them."
"You should just have them cleared from the kingdom. That would solve the entire problem of the old hags throwing your princess into mud."
I shuddered. I still hated that mud.
"You're no worse for the wear, are you, Moriah?" David said.
I nodded.
"Because you still could head back to the palace. Take a real bath. Wait for us."
"I don't think you've listened a word I've said."
He shrugged and turned back to riding.
And that was my trip. Even David and Jesser were silent to each other. I felt ignored. Of course, I was always ignored and that was just fine with me. It was almost a relief when we made camp, but even that was done in complete silence.
Which was a little disturbing. They actually expected me to camp in the woods. Again. Had not the night before been enough?
I stood next to my horse and stared in horror as David and Jesser rolled out blankets and things that vaguely looked to be beds. "You don't expect me to sleep here, do you?"
"At least you have a bed tonight," Jesser said with a grin.
"That's not a bed."
"You slept on dirt last night."
"Here," said David. "I've it all ready for you." He gestured at a lump of blankets and pads on the ground.
I looked at him. "Please don't make me sleep there."
He rolled his eyes. "Moriah, you're the one that wanted to go. I told you should go back, but you're the one that wanted to do this. Your own personal little adventure."
I wanted a bed. "Did you bring me a nightgown?"
"It's in your bag."
One of my nightdresses shoved unceremoniously in my bag. I sighed, pulled it out and slipped behind a tree to change. It was one of my favorite night gowns, too nice for the woods. A present from David. Sweet of him to bring it, I suppose. I returned to find David already lying down on the barbaric pile of blankets. I slid into next to him, grateful for his warmth. "Thanks for letting me come on this," I said.
"No problem." He kissed my cheek.
"Goodnight."
And that was that.
Hours later I awoke to someone whispering my name. Female.
I sat up quickly. Lydia? It sounded just like Lydia. I peered into the trees. There was someone there.
Oh boy. Lydia.
David was fast asleep, and I assumed the same of Jesser. Careful not to disturb David, I climbed to my feet and set into the woods.
Incredibly stupid of me. Any woman in my family would not have been nearly so stupid.
"Grab her!" a man hissed.
And once more, I was abducted.