POISONED CUP

[Music Recommendation: How Villians Are Made ~ Madeline Duke]

By the time Rowan finally lifted the wheel out of the rocks, he was already covered in sweat, and his hands were scratched from pushing the rocks away. In the past, Rowan wouldn't have minded such marks on his body, but now that Freya was in the picture, he was more cautious about his appearance. He tore a piece of cloth from his shirt and wrapped it around his knuckles.

He removed his shirt entirely, using it to wipe the sweat from his face. When he turned to the coachman, he noticed the man gaping at him, something Rowan was used to whenever he stood shirtless so he ignored it and asked,

"How long until we reach the temple? Can we reach the palace before nightfall?" Rowan asked, running a hand through his now-damp hair.

The coachman cleared his throat before replying, "If we're quick, we can return to the palace by the time the merchants start moving their goods."