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  Table of Contents

  Synopsis

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Other Books by Jaime Clevenger

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Map

  Prologue

  Part One

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Part Two

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Part Three

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Epilogue

  Bella Books

  Synopsis

  Desperate and running for her life, Darin has left behind the world she’s known and hidden her gifts. With hunters on her trail, nowhere is safe but a night’s respite in an out-of-the-way barn seems worth the risk.

  Suspicious of Northerners, Aysha is wary of the stranger she discovers in her barn. Their first meeting only confirms her distrust, but she’s drawn to the mysterious fugitive and fears give way to passion.

  When Aysha is threatened by Darin’s pursuers, the two must escape to a new land. Hoping for a peaceful life, neither can outrun secrets of their past.

  Copyright © 2017 by Jaime Clevenger

  Bella Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 10543

  Tallahassee, FL 32302

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  First Bella Books Edition 2017

  eBook released 2017

  Editor: Medora MacDougall

  Cover Designer: Linda Callaghan

  ISBN: 978-1-59493-589-3

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Other Books by Jaime Clevenger

  Bella Books

  The Unknown Mile

  Call Shotgun

  Whiskey and Oak Leaves

  Sign on the Line

  Sweet, Sweet Wine

  Waiting for a Love Song

  Moonstone

  Party Favors

  Spinsters Ink

  All Bets Off

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to my editor, Medora. The time and energy you gifted to this story means so much to me. Thank you to my beta readers, Andrea, Carla, Amy, and Anna for your honest comments and encouragement. Thank you to Jessica at Bella Books for so many things but especially for saying yes. My mom always wants a signed copy and because of you, I won’t let her down. Most of all, thank you to Corina. If not for you, this story would have stayed on my desktop with the characters held hostage to my imagination. Now they can run amok.

  About the Author

  Jaime Clevenger lives in Colorado with her wife, two kids, and furry as well as finned pets. She works as a veterinarian and loves bringing work home. In her down time, she likes to swim and hike. Writing keeps her entertained and in good company every evening.

  Prologue

  Neck outstretched and teeth clenched on the bit, the mare galloped across the barren field, each hoof striking a new crack in the crusted land. Darin clutched the reins, knuckles bone white. She didn’t need to kick the horse to keep her going. The mare was terrified of Alekander and knew he was close. The scent of his stallion’s sweat came with the wind whistling through the clumps of dry grass.

  Stealing a horse was never Darin’s plan, but while the others were drinking and celebrating, Thea had brushed against her elbow and whispered into her ear. No one was standing guard outside the barn. Darin had gathered her belongings, saddled the mare and slipped away in the early morning light. Thea had waved goodbye as if she knew that it was the last time they’d see each other. They both knew Alekander would follow, but if she made it to the Barrier first, she had a chance at losing him.

  Pines lined the hazy southern border of the fields and beyond this a thread of gray rock marked the Barrier. Crossing was forbidden. Darin yanked the mare toward the trees and sank in her heels, the dry wind whipping at her face. She tasted blood when she licked her cracked lips. Her empty flask clanked against her thigh—there’d been no time to stop for water at the stream they’d passed, and she couldn’t think of turning back now.

  At the forest’s edge, the mare slowed to a bumpy trot. Branches grabbed at Darin’s cloak and scratched her legs as the horse weaved between the trees. When they reached a deer path, she urged the mare back to a gallop. The forest canopy thickened and the late afternoon light played tricks on her, turning shadows into Alekander. She buried her fists in the horse’s mane and closed her eyes.

  The trail dropped into a valley and the pines thinned. At a grassy clearing, the path abruptly ended and a high stone wall stretched to the horizon in either direction. Snorting, the horse pranced on her front feet as if she thought of jumping. Her head swung round and she eyed Darin, the whites of her eyes shining around the dark amber, nostrils flared.

  Shifting in the saddle, Darin glanced around the clearing. She’d expected guards, but there was no one in sight. They might be celebrating still. The king had claimed the whole of the Ald Mountains and no one had stepped forward to fight him for it. His reach seemed immeasurable now. With Alekander high in his command, nowhere north of the Barrier was safe.

  A sparrow shot out of the trees, startling the mare. Its wings caught the sunlight when it skimmed over the wall. If only it was that simple, Darin thought, as the bird disappeared from sight. Urging the mare forward with her crop, she sid
led up to the sheet of gray rock. It was impossibly high—too tall to jump and with few footholds to climb.

  Darin untied her saddlebag and slung it over her shoulder along with the empty flask. A knife was strapped to her calf and another was tucked under her tunic along with a satchel of coins. She had nothing else—nothing to tie her to Alekander. Steadying her breath, she set her hands on either side of the horse’s neck, then slipped her feet out of the stirrups and hopped up to a standing position on the saddle. The mare shuddered, splayed her legs and looked wildly up at Darin.

  “Easy,” Darin whispered. She ran her hands quickly over the wall, searching for any small crevice in the smooth slab and praying the horse wouldn’t move a step. With her arms stretched she was still inches from the top ledge. The mare sniffed the wind and whinnied. Before Darin could grab the reins, the horse reared and threw her into the air. Darin scrambled for the ledge as the saddle slipped away from her feet. She scraped at the rocks until her boot slid into a divot and then swung her weight to balance at the top. A long drop down the other side ended at a sloping bank with a wide river below. Rocks made an unwelcome landing.

  A branch snapped and a chill raced through her as she looked back at the forest’s edge. Alekander’s dark bay stallion burst into the clearing just as the mare made a break for the deer path. Ripping at the reins, Alekander struggled to keep his stallion from following. Battered by Alekander’s spurs, the horse took two steps toward the wall and then spun round. Alekander hopped off the stallion and drew his sword.

  Darin felt frozen in place as he raced toward the wall. Her legs shook when she stood up. She’d dreamt of crossing the Barrier. Countless dreams. But now she waited for Alekander. She wanted to remember the expression on his face. As soon as he touched the wall she jumped. His scream followed her as she tumbled down the bank and into the river.

  Part One

  Chapter One

  “There’s someone in the barn.”

  “It’s the middle of the night,” Ranik murmured. “Let it be.”

  “It’s after dawn.” Aysha pushed at her brother’s shoulder, but he only rolled over, burying his chin deep into his pillows. “Looks like a Northerner.”

  “A Northerner?” Ranik rubbed his head, further tangling his dark hair. Grumbling, he turned to face her. “Aysha, why do you always find us trouble?”

  “It isn’t as if I look for it.” Aysha pulled at the heavy wool drapes, letting a rectangle of light lengthen across Ranik’s chest. His clothes smelt of stale cider and wood smoke. He’d fallen asleep with his boots still on, and the blankets were strewn about as if he’d fought them all night.

  Squinting in the sunlight, he tried to push the drape closed with an unsuccessful nudge from his boot. “My head is pounding…”

  “You can’t handle your ale.”

  “The drums were too loud last night.” He grunted and reached again for the drapes.

  “I’ll tell her she’s welcome to stay as long as she likes.” Aysha started out of the room.

  “She?” Ranik pushed himself up to a sitting position, cursing. “It’s bad enough there’s a fugitive hiding here, but a woman?”

  “Why does it matter that she’s a woman?”

  He rolled his eyes. “It’s too dangerous to hide a fugitive—you know that. The only thing fugitives bring is company. We’ll have a hunting party pounding down the door by midday.”

  “But what difference does it make that the fugitive is a woman?”

  “A woman will be caught. And killed. In our barn. We don’t need that bad luck.” He pulled the curtain open further and stared at the barn, as if his gaze might penetrate the latched wood doors. His window faced the pad of grass in front of the barn. The chickens were still searching for remnants of the grain Aysha had tossed, but no one else stirred. “You’re certain she was alone?”

  Aysha nodded. She’d seen the blue cloak in the corner behind the saddles and then noticed the woman under the cloak. Although she’d had a start seeing the stranger there, she hadn’t rushed to leave.

  “Maybe she isn’t a Northerner. Maybe she’s only someone coming in from one of the other villages in the Glenlands for the festival.”

  “I can recognize a Glenlander, Ranik. Her skin was pale and I went close enough to see her face.” Aysha didn’t add that the woman was beautiful in a way that made her breath catch in her throat. Nor did she want Ranik to know the booted leg that had stretched past the edge of the cloak had a knife strapped at the calf.

  Ranik shifted back on the pillows. “If she’s smart, she’ll leave before anyone else wakes.”

  “And if she doesn’t?”

  “She’ll be caught. You’ll lie and say you never saw her. I won’t have to lie because I’m going back to sleep.”

  “If she’s bound to be caught, there’s no harm in bringing her breakfast.”

  “Aysha, she’s done something terrible. Otherwise, she had no reason to cross the wall. And you want to bring her food? We don’t want any part of this.”

  “She’s in our barn. We’re part of it already.”

  Ranik grumbled and kicked at his sheets as he rolled over. “Do as you like then. I don’t know why you bothered waking me.”

  Aysha went to the kitchen to heat a pot of water. She sat down on the stool to wait for the water to boil, her mind returning to the vision of the woman asleep in her barn.

  Before the Barrier had gone up, Glenlanders and Northerners had peacefully traded. But since the war, neither could cross the river. The Northern king had claimed all the land north of the river and his wall stretched beyond the Glenlands from the Ald Mountains to the Rinder Sea. Northern guards patrolled the wall and killed anyone who tried crossing. But there were some who’d slipped past. Fugitives. Bounty hunters were paid to track them down and anyone who helped a fugitive was seldom the better for it.

  For all the stories she’d heard, Aysha never thought of meeting a Northerner, let alone feeding one in her barn. She tried to push away the image of the knife strapped to the woman’s leg. Fugitives were only bad luck because of the bounty hunters.

  “Be quick with her breakfast,” Ranik said, sticking his head out into the hallway. “If she isn’t gone before the neighbors wake, she’ll have to spend the light hours in the barn. We better hope she was good at covering her trail. Or that she’s not a bounty hunter herself. I’ve heard Northern women fight as well as men. Watch out if she’s got a weapon.”

  “Go back to bed, Ranik. You worry too much.” But she agreed with him. They could only hope the Northerner knew what she was doing. And that she wasn’t dangerous. She buttoned her coat and slipped outside.

  The early sunlight cast the yard in a honey glow and red leaves swirled as the wind picked up. Autumn had come late, but a certain chill was in the air now. Aysha headed to the barn, scattering chickens with the toe of her boot as they pecked around her feet for more grain. She reached the barn and took a deep breath, suddenly nervous. Ranik’s warning echoed in her ears.

  The latch rattled when she unhooked the lock. She nudged the door open, every creak louder than the last, and then shuffled across the wood planks avoiding the spots that groaned. She tiptoed up to the first stall and climbed on the rails, hoping for a good view of the corner where she’d seen the cloak without getting too close. Prince sniffed at her and then distractedly went back to his hay when she offered nothing. The blue cloak was gone from the corner and the saddle pads were neatly folded. Had she imagined the woman? Aysha drew a sharp breath as she heard one of the planks creak behind her. She turned and was eye to eye with the Northerner.

  “You’re still here,” Aysha said. She was the same height as the Northerner when she was standing on the stall rails, but as soon as she hopped off, she was a head shorter. She regretted the difference as the woman loomed over her. Thick black curls fell about her neck in a wild mane that only seemed to accentuate her height, and she stood with her hands open at her side as if ready to lunge forward. Her
nose and jaw were sharp lines as if cut from rock no one had bothered to smooth. Aysha shuddered as the woman’s cold gray eyes locked on hers.

  “Did you tell anyone I was here?” Her words were thick with a strange accent.

  “Only my brother.”

  “What did you tell him?” She narrowed her gaze on Aysha and took a step toward her.

  Aysha glanced down at the knife, wondering how long it would take the woman to reach down to her leg to grab the handle. “He won’t tell anyone. He’s gone back to sleep.” She tried to hide her shaking hand as she held out the bowl of barley mash. “I brought you this.”

  The woman stared at the bowl and then glanced at the door. “I should have already left.”

  “You should have,” Aysha agreed. “But it’s after dawn now and you might as well eat first.”

  The Northerner pulled the bowl roughly out of Aysha’s hands and in no time at all was scraping up the last of the barley and handing back the empty bowl.

  “You haven’t eaten in days, have you? I can bring you more.”

  “I can’t stay. Don’t tell anyone you saw me here.”

  As the Northerner turned to push the barn door open Aysha said, “We have neighbors on each side of our field and the main road is well traveled. Especially in the morning. A hundred questioning eyes will see you if you take the road. At least leave through the paddock. If you cut straight through the field to the forest, you’ll find a path that takes you away from the main road…Or stay here and wait for dusk.”

  “No one will see me. I keep to the shadows. You didn’t see me yesterday in your field, did you? I watched you for hours.”

  Aysha felt a chill race up her spine. She swallowed. “I was busy working. The Autumn Festival begins today. No one will be in the fields. The roads will be full of Glenlanders from as far as Glen Briar and Glen Roushe. Some even travel from Glen Hawk. Any one of them could recognize you’re a Northerner by that cloak alone.” Aysha slipped off her jacket. “I know this isn’t worth the trade but…”