The Red Pearl by C. K. Brooke Read Free Book Online

parked the carriage. Antonia gasped as Maverick hopped over her in his haste to disembark, large padded paws launching off of her thighs.
    “Mav,” scolded Robin, hurrying down after him.
    Antonia was brushing the dirt from her skirts when the man opened the door for her. She glanced up, startled by the uncharacteristic act of chivalry. He offered a hand, and she took it, climbing down onto the rocky terrain.
    After drinking from their glass water bottles, Antonia went to fetch the canvas tent. But Robin merely shrugged. “We need not go through all that trouble out here. It’s a clear night; we could sleep beneath the stars.”
    Something about the way he suggested this, the unusual softness in his tone, made Antonia shiver. She knew she ought to decline, that spending another night in the tent by herself was only proper… Yet, she did not want to. Why, she wanted to sleep outdoors, she realized, a sense of adventure overtaking her. There was no need to continue sheltering herself. She was out of the temple, after all. “I…I’d like that,” she confessed.
    Did his expression brighten? “Good thing I brought a spare bedroll for you, then,” Robin grinned. He turned and rummaged through their supplies.
    Antonia followed him, bemused. “You did?”
    In response, he hoisted a large sleeping sack from the pile and unexpectedly tossed it at her.
    “Oof.” She caught it as it collided with her stomach. At once, she glared at him. “I am standing five feet away! You could have just handed it to me.”
    He only continued fishing through their supplies, and Antonia sighed, retreating across the sandy earth, the bundle tucked under her arm. After a minute, Robin joined her with his rucksack, finding his pace alongside her.
    “Sorry,” he chirped. “I was only checking to see how good of a catch you were.”
    Antonia nearly tripped over a rock. But before she could ask what the devil he meant by such a statement, Robin gripped her elbow, steadying her. “You all right?” he demanded.
    She nodded, meeting his eyes. Why, they were almost aquamarine in this light…
    “Jeez, Annie.” He turned away. “Watch where you’re going.”
    She could only trail after him, feeling strange as her elbow tingled where he’d grabbed it. “Erm, Robin?” She glanced around. “Is this the desert?”
    He strode ahead. “Outskirts of it, looks like.”
    “Are you sure it’s safe to sleep out here?” One look at the desolate landscape stretching before them, and she was having second thoughts. “Aren’t there…snakes and scorpions—?”
    His laughter interrupted her. “You sure like to worry.”
    Antonia bit her tongue. She was only trying to be wise. How foolish would they be to expose themselves to the dangers of the desert needlessly, when they’d a perfectly good tent in the carriage? But apparently, the man was unconcerned.
    They found a spot of ground that was as flat as they could hope for, and finally set down their baggage. Antonia unfurled her bedroll, and noticed a name embroidered across the pillow. “Miriam,” she read, curious.
    “That was my mother’s name.” To Antonia’s surprise, Robin chuckled. “She hated camping. Meanwhile, Thad and I loved it. He had that made for her, hoping a personalized bedroll might entice her to accompany us on a trip or two.”
    Antonia smiled gently. “Did it?”
    “No.” He laughed again. “Can’t you tell that thing’s never been slept in?”
    She examined the fabric. It did look quite fresh and unused.
    “Then again,” he added, “I guess she never really had the chance.”
    Antonia watched as he dragged his bedding alongside hers. Perhaps she ought not to ask. As though reading her thoughts, however, the man informed her: “Mum contracted a rare degenerative disease.”
    Antonia looked down. “I’m so sorry.”
    “At least she’s out of pain now.” He extracted a bowl from his rucksack, and proceeded to empty a bottle of water into it for Maverick.