Page 15 of Royal Hunt
“You have no idea what I had to do to save you.” Hot tears blinked at the corner of my eyes, and I let them fall. I wanted him to see the pain he’d missed in his drunken stupor—the horror I witnessed for him that would haunt my sleep each night for the rest of my life. He wouldn’t lie his head down each night watching the princess’s terrified face go slack with death, or hear the sound of steel meeting flesh.
“I made my choice, and now I will see it through whether you like it or not, because if I fail to get you out, and fail to help you get your throne back, their deaths will have been for nothing! I can’t have that! I CAN’T!”
I tried to attack him in earnest, my fists swinging with abandon as I sobbed and collapsed against him. He would never understand. He would never bear my burden.
His eyes were wild as he clutched my wrists tightly in each of his hands, squeezing hard enough to send pain racing through my body. I gasped, and he released me. I wasn’t even sure if he’d fully processed what I’d said, but that was alright for now.
“Focus,” he snapped at me. “I believe you. Now pull it together and let’s escape.”
He was such an ass. I hated him. I hated his family. I hated Gregory and how everyone had conspired to put me in such an impossible position.
Ellis ignored me, and stared at the horses like a starving man. I blew my nose on his handkerchief and stuffed it back into my bosom.
Focus. Right.
“I could do it,” I interrupted, sensing his nervousness. He whipped back to glare at me, and I refused to back down, even if I was exhausted and my eyes were rimmed with red. “Honestly, it makes sense. If I’m caught, I’m just an idiot escorted away. If you’re caught, you’re dead. And if they do catch me, the coast will be clear for you to escape while they deal with me.”
One dark eyebrow arched at me. “You’d do that for me?”
I raised one sarcastic eyebrow back to match his. “Queen, remember?”
Ellis’s expression grew stormy, but I didn’t wait any longer. I confidently walked out from behind the woodpile, determined to act like I belonged there. What I refused to show was the fear that twisted my stomach, making me sick inside. It was just as likely the guards dismissed anything I said and carried me back up to the castle to be married off like cattle.
Cold sweat broke out along my brow. I couldn’t let them happen. Iwouldn’tlet that happen.
Ladies of the court often took rides, didn’t they? Not usually when they looked like they’d rolled in the pig pen or after the entire royal family had been murdered, but here I was.
I strode into the barn, nervously glancing at the horses. They mostly ignored me, snorting puffs of steam into the cold morning air. I studied them, thinking hard. We would need two horses that were quick, yet sturdy enough to get us through a few nights of hard riding. The fastest horses would tire easily, built more for sprinting.
Halfway down the row a medium-sized workhorse stuck its head out from its stall, sniffing toward me in the hopes of scoring a treat. Perfect.
“What’s your name then?” I asked softly, running a hand over her velvety nose. She bumped against me, and I saw the wooden name plate nailed over the door.
“Flare. That seems appropriate.” I silently unhooked a harness and bit from the wall, and carefully slid the bolt through the stall door. Her ears pricked, sensing impending freedom. I willed myself to be calm. Confident.
I knew how to tack my own horse thanks to Gregory and the few stable hands we employed back home. I managed to get the bit and harness around her head even with my trembling hands, and guided her over to the blankets and saddles. Flare snorted with impatience, pulling away from the saddle.
“Get over here,” I said firmly, tugging back with the reins. She stared at me, but let me finish.
“What are you doing?” an unfamiliar voice growled at me.
I jumped badly as a palace guard came up behind me, his brown eyes scanning me with distrust. I took a shaky breath and held the reins out in front of me.
Ellis better have hidden himself.
You can do this. Not doing it isn’t an option.
I took a deep breath. “J-just going out for a ride. The excitement of the day has me jittery. Riding helps.” I offered up my best smile, hoping I didn’t look too deranged.
The guard frowned. “Why aren’t you with the other women?”
Flare nickered with anxiety and I put a calming hand on her neck. She didn’t like this man, so neither would I. Horses were rarely wrong about such things.
I tugged Flare along with me toward the barn doors, hoping the guard was by himself. If there were more waiting outside, I was screwed.
“Lord Trenton gave me permission.” I huffed imperiously. “Shall we go to him to confirm?”
The man’s face paled under his helmet. “No, my lady. Surely that’s not necessary.” He followed me out of the barn. “But I do insist on accompanying you. It isn’t safe.”
