Free Thorne (Random Romance) by Charlotte McConaghy Page A

some part of me didn’t know if I’d ever make it back here.
     
    Thorne was waiting for us on the road. The sun was high and he had his face turned up to enjoy the warmth of it. I caught sight of him and felt a quick heat curl in my stomach. Travelling with the hated Prince of Pirenti … this trip was going to be fun. I’d see to it.
    Penn bounded ahead and jumped on Thorne’s back as though they were long lost brothers.
    ‘Traitor,’ Jonah muttered.
    The prince turned and saw us, lifting his hand. ‘It was generous of you to offer to travel with me,’ he greeted us. ‘I’d be grateful to take you up on the offer, if it still stands.’
    His eyes found mine.
    ‘Only if you carry my pack for me.’
    ‘Of course,’ he offered quickly.
    I laughed. ‘Gods, I’m kidding . This is going to be fun.’
    Thorne blushed.
    ‘You’d better be able to keep up,’ was all Jonah said to him. Between my manipulation and his rudeness, what a great impression we must be making for our country. I had no idea why the poor guy even wanted to travel with us.
    The four of us set off down the road, packs slung over our backs. I whistled in the morning sun, feeling lighter with each step.
    We came to the edge of the farm that belonged to Linas of Rora and I took a good look around before hoisting myself over the fence.
    ‘What are you doing?’ Thorne asked me, alarmed.
    ‘Best apples in the whole region.’
    Jonah and Penn climbed over and the three of us ducked low in the long grass.
    ‘You’re thieves now too?’ the prince asked, and despite his polite tone, I could hear the disapproval hidden beneath the words.
    I winked at him then crept forward, on the lookout for Linas’ dogs. I’d spent most of my life stealing these apples, and it had only taken a few bites from the sharp canine teeth to instill me with a bit of caution. As we reached the tree I swung up into the branches, while Jonah and Penn kept a lookout below. I lobbed a few down to my brother, then climbed higher, wanting the juiciest fruit from the top.
    Poking my head over the highest branches, I had a good view of the road below. Thorne was a still figure upon it, arms folded, back turned to our criminal activity. I couldn’t help smiling with amusement at the giant pole he seemed to have stuck up his backside.
    Picking as many of the best apples as I could, I stuffed them into my pockets and started swinging down. I was nearly at the ground when I heard the barking.
    A thrill struck through me and I jumped recklessly to the ground, tumbling hard and scraping my whole right side.
    ‘Penn, grab the dogs,’ Jonah told him and then we sprinted for the fence. Penn gave a low whistle and the dogs ran straight for him. I glanced over my shoulder to see them stop at his feet and give a soft whine as he made them submit with a few motions of his hand.
    Grinning, I lunged for the fence and hurdled over it, landing with a kick of the dusty road.
    ‘Where’s Penn?’ Thorne demanded worriedly.
    ‘We left him to be eaten,’ I replied, opening my pack to grab a juicy red apple. Looking straight at Thorne, I took a huge bite and gave a groan of delight. Jonah laughed and munched on his ill-gotten fruit too.
    Thorne went to the fence to look for Penn, but the boy was already climbing back over. The dogs had followed him, tails wagging for love of him.
    I threw Penn an apple as we set off.
    ‘Will I offend your delicate sensibilities if I offer you one?’ I asked Thorne. He shook his head, and I figured by the look on his face that it meant no to the apple, not the question.
    ‘She’s the meanest old bag in the realm,’ Jonah defended us.
    ‘So she deserves to be stolen from?’
    I rolled my eyes, walking ahead so I didn’t have to endure Thorne’s extremely boring self-righteousness.
    ‘You’re good with dogs,’ I heard him say to Penn.
    ‘They’re good with me,’ came the boy’s response.
    Jonah caught up to me. ‘Why did you invite the stiff?’
    I