Free Unwilling (Book One of the Compelled Trilogy 1) by Kristen Pike Page B

protest as they righted themselves. Jace frowned as a man named Pickard erupted from the crowd. Jace didn’t know a lot about Pickard, but he knew that the 40 something year old, if he had to venture a guess, had travelled across all of Lamarina, and even ventured to Sharina, a land far across the Jamine Ocean. Or so he had said. To anybody that would listen. Over and over again. “I’m always searching for a new adventure!” Pickard said excitedly, his words slightly slurred.
    Jace also knew that Pickard loved his ale, and even now, Pickard was swaying lightly on his feet, his mouth turned up in a goofy looking grin. Jace could only imagine how many spirits he had already had that morning.
    “Thank you.” Rowan said to him lightly, though she frowned. Probably concerned he’s going to pass out drunk before we even leave Gavaint. Jace supposed.
    Rowan hesitated, waiting to see if any others volunteered, and when no more did, she ducked her head and made her way out of the crowd, toward a bag lying on the ground Jace had not seen earlier.
    The crowd dispersed, their heads together in whispers, darting glances back at Rowan and the two men that now stood beside her.
    “I have some money, to buy supplies for the journey, but please be fast, I’ve already lost so much time.” Rowan told them, handing them each a coin purse. Pickard smiled, feeling the weight of it in his hands. Jace shook his head, not wanting to take her money. “Please, it’s the least I can do.” Rowan insisted and Jace relented, taking it from her, and she smiled at him pleased, his heart skipping at the look.
    Jace hurried to make his purchases, stopping at Harmon’s booth that sold clothes and bought a few pants and shirts.
    “Jace. Hey, Jace!” A voice shouted behind him and he turned, seeing his childhood friend who lived not too far from his ma and pa.
    “Rin?” Jace asked as Rin bounded up beside him.
    “Are you really going off with her?” Rin said directly. He never was one for subtlety.
    “Yes.” Jace replied impatiently, eager to get back to Rowan. Jace spared a look over his shoulder at her and noticed she was talking to Valance, a family friend of Madison’s. Rowan was handing him another coin purse, a look of guilt crossing her pale face.
    “This will kill your ma, Jace.” Rin said quietly, drawing Jace’s attention back to him. Rin looked at him with concern, eying him up and down as if to check that Jace wasn’t going against his will.
    Jace frowned. “She will understand.” Gods, I hope she understands. “Will you tell her I’ve gone? You can ride Luna back, so she can get home. Pa will need her.” Jace said, his eyes darting toward his booth guiltily. Rin nodded his head and Jace knew he wanted to say more, but was holding his tongue. Rin turned; ready to walk off. “And tell them I love them, and I’ll come back?” Jace called, not caring about the people that shot him funny looks at his outburst.
    “Sure.” Rin said turning quickly to look once more at Jace, as if committing him to memory, then he slipped into the crowd and Jace lost sight of him.
    Jace finished his purchases quickly, rushing back to Rowan who was standing at the edge of Market that bordered the forest, looking over the crowds as if she had lost something precious. Pickard was already standing with her, a dark tan bag slung over his shoulder, and another man Jace didn’t know the name of–but would soon learn was Barton- but had seen at Market a few times, was standing with her.
    The group of four looked at each other a moment, stamping their feet in the late afternoon cold.
    “Shall we?” Rowan said, breaking the silence that had creeped upon them. Jace nodded his head. I’ll follow you to the ends of the world, Rowan.
    SIX MONTHS AGO- FEBURARY
    “What do you think about, when you look so far away like that?” Jace said to her, rousing himself away from thoughts of the past, surprising even himself that he had spoken aloud.
    Rowan