What Matters Most by Sasha L. Miller Read Free Book Online

while more, enjoying the feeling of not having anywhere to be. He was far too used to moving from safe spot to safe spot within the city or having to ride all day long as quickly as he could. Staying in one spot for a few days was a luxury he planned to take advantage of.
    It was mid-morning before Kyros finally dragged himself from bed. His mother's movements in the kitchen downstairs were getting progressively louder, though Kyros wasn't sure if that was a hint for him to get out of bed or if it was accidental.
    Knowing his mother, it was probably the former. Throwing back the blankets, Kyros slid from bed. He stumbled over to his saddle bags, intending to find some clothing, but someone had raided his bags.
    Kyros' heart stopped momentarily, and he dumped the bags upside down, letting the contents tumble across the floor.
    Everything was still there, minus his clothing, including the most important piece. Kyros picked up the puzzle box, thumbing the simple catches along the top and side. The top popped open, revealing a cubby. There were three gold coins and a silver ring set with an emerald tucked inside. Together, they were more than enough value to keep anyone from prying further or looking for more compartments in the box.
    Closing the top of the box, Kyros pressed it down until he heard it click, then threw it back in the bag with everything else.
    He tossed the bag back against the wall and then headed for the ladder that led down to the main level of the house.
    "Did you steal my clothing?" Kyros called down, and Ailynn's humming paused.
    "Raslin stole it for me," Ailynn called back. "He put some of your father's old things out for you to wear while I get your smelly clothes laundered."
    Kyros turned, spotting the clothes folded neatly on top of a tiny bureau tucked in the corner. He'd assumed they were Raslin's, considering the loft was his space. Kyros dressed quickly, discarding the clothes he'd worn to bed in a pile. They could be laundered too; heaven only knew when he'd get a chance to have his clothing cleaned again.
    Climbing down the ladder, Kyros dropped his clothes in the pile Ailynn gestured to. Her hair was swept up in a bun today, and there were little wisps of hair slipping free already. It would be half undone by lunch. She wore an old, stained apron over her simple blue dress and was busily throwing ingredients in a large pot on the table.
    "Dinner?" Kyros guessed, leaning in to steal a bit of chopped carrot. His mother slapped his hand immediately.
    "Hands off," Ailynn said smartly. "If you want food, check the pantry. There's some bread and porridge left over from this morning."
    "Thank you, ma," Kyros said, stepping close and kissing her on the cheek before ducking into the pantry. It didn't take him long to find the bread and porridge, and he brought it back out to the kitchen, settling at the very small unoccupied portion of the table to eat. Ailynn continued to chop vegetables and hum, occasionally shooting thoughtful looks at him that Kyros ignored.
    Ailynn finished chopping and set the pot on the second fire hook before pausing to tend the pot on the first hook. That was where the cinnamon and apple scent he could smell was coming from, Kyros realized. Ailynn fetched a cup and dished something out of the pot, then returned to the table to pass it to Kyros.
    Kyros took a cautious sip, pleasantly surprised by the warm, sweet wine. There was an apple slice floating on top; Kyros fished it out, eating it slowly. Ailynn started to clean up the table, fussing about taking care of scraps and dishes while Kyros finished eating.
    "Raslin and I spoke last night," Ailynn said as Kyros brought his dishes over to the scrubbing basin.
    "Oh?" Kyros asked, keeping his tone light. He hadn't planned on pushing Ailynn about leaving. He'd planned to give her a day or two to come to terms with it.
    "He thinks I should go," Ailynn said, her tone flat, suggesting she wasn't happy with Raslin's opinion. "He doesn't