Free A Soul for Trouble by Crista McHugh Page B

fur on Cinder’s neck and told the child, “He’s just a large dog. Completely tame.” Then he grabbed the reins and pushed his way through the masses.
    Arden took advantage of having the horse all to herself and slid forward into the saddle.
    “Ahh, it’s good not having to endure a horse’s ass the entire ride.”
    “And what is that supposed to mean?” he asked tightly.
    She smiled sweetly in return. There was more than one way to define horse’s ass.
    As Dev led the horse through the crowds, most people gave them the same amount of leeway as they would a plague-bringer. At least the stench of unwashed bodies and urine wasn’t as overwhelming now. The scents of spices and leather trickled up from the stalls in the market. The merchant trains that came through Wallus twice a year seemed pitiful compared to the variety here.
    They stopped in front of a clothing booth, and he began inspecting the cloaks hanging there. Her gaze fixed on a deep blue one that would match her eyes and compliment her hair.
    Absolutely perfect. She stroked the buttery-soft wool, admiring the silver embroidery along the edge.
    “This will do.” Dev shoved a plain brown cloak into her hand, ignoring the merchant who counted out the coins behind him.
    “But I like this one.” She reached for the blue cloak again.
    “I don’t care what you like. I’m paying for this, and you’ll take what I think is practical.” How dare he order her around like she was his blood? A few choice words sat poised on the tip of her tongue, but his glare silenced her. For now, anyway.
    At the edge of the market, they found a blacksmith with several horses in a pen next to the shop. “Any of them look good to you, Trouble?”
    “Why are you asking me? You’re paying for it, so just pick the one you think is most practical.”
    A muscle rippled along his jaw, but he didn’t say anything else.
    “ That was rather sassy .”
    “ He deserved it. After all, I was just repeating what he told me earlier. He can’t complain that I’m not listening to him .”
    She slid out of the saddle and began to inspect the horses. Two of them looked like they’d keel over dead before they reached the coast. A solid black stallion pranced around the pen with so much nervous energy, she feared she wouldn’t be able to control him. That left the small roan near the water trough.
    Dev stood next to her. “I think the roan will work best for you,” he said almost apologetically. “Do you agree?”
    She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “For once.” His lips twitched, and he went to search for the blacksmith. The two men haggled over the price of the mare, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Perhaps she shouldn’t have given Dev such a hard time. After all, he was spending more money on her in one day than Hal had in the last ten years.
    With Cinder at her side, she approached the roan with her hand extended. The horse snorted and shied away from the wolf initially, but with a few coaxing words, she came close enough to nuzzle Arden’s hand.
    “My apprentice seems to have taken a liking to that one,” she heard Dev say behind her.
    “I’m not interested in the others.”
    “Apprentice, eh? Is that what they’re calling them these days?” Every muscle in her body locked. Now people thought she was Dev’s whore. She should have expected it, though. Anyone with eyes could tell she wasn’t his blood, and she doubted they’d believe she was his wife.
    “ Wife. Whore. The only difference between the two are a few words. Oh, and the binding commitment that shackles you to another person.”
    “Thank you so much for sharing your unique outlook on life.”
    “When you’ve lived as long as I have, you’ll understand my perspective.”
    “You mean to say you’re not going to drive me to suicidal insanity any time soon?”
    “No, my little Soulbearer, I have big plans for you.” The sensation of fingers grazing the curve of her neck sent a