Page 19 of Royal Hunt
Ellis touched the small of my back gently, his lips close to my ear. I resisted the urge to shiver. “Prince Nessian of the Western Realm and Princesses Lyra and Lily.”
I glanced again, and that’s when I noticed how their hands were bound tightly with rope around the horn of their saddles.
They were prisoners.
They marched by us, my throat tightening as they stomped north toward the castle. Two royal families taken down at the same time? It couldn’t be a coincidence.
Another horn blew in the distance, and just as soon as the first company disappeared down the road, another one came on its heels. Their banners were the green of fresh grass, their trumpets loud and bold. Just like before, a retinue of soldiers appeared with their captives in the middle. Bound and scowling atop white palomino horses were three brothers, all of them sporting various bruises. Their red hair was mussed and dirty but still held vestiges of the complicated braids that went down to their shoulders. Square jawlines and hard eyes promised retribution to those who had bound them.
“The triplet heirs of the Southern Realm,” Ellis whispered. “Maven, Matthias, and Mixen. Good fighters.”
They looked like it, all rippling muscles and wide frames. I frowned. They were all bleeding. “Not good enough,” I muttered back, and Ellis nodded
Then his eyes narrowed, body suddenly tense with anticipation. Three kingdoms were down, including the Northern Realm. Only one left to go.
Ellis made a sound at the back of his throat as soon as the captive crested the hill.
She rode a massive black warhorse and sat high above the marching soldiers around her. Hers was a much larger contingent of guards than any of the others, which was laughable considering she was the only prisoner I could see. Her banners were black with gold accents, and they were clearly her banners because she held herself with such a commanding presence that no one would guess she was a prisoner until they noticed her bound hands and the murderous gaze in her eyes. Her hair was long, and black as night. It flew wildly in the wind, unbound by braids or any other adornment.
I glanced at Ellis, who looked lost. I elbowed him in the side.
“What?” He rubbed his ribs gingerly. I jerked a thumb at the woman, and he swallowed heavily. “Princess Viana. She was queen in all but name of the Eastern Realm. Her father gave up the responsibilities of ruling to her five years ago. I’m surprised she isn’t dead, to be honest.”
Surprised? More like relieved. It was the most honest emotion I’d seen out of Ellis yet. If I had to guess, he cared for this woman. I kept my voice casual. “Good thing she wasn’t officially crowned, or she’d be dead like your family.”
I knew it was a cruel, petty thing to say even as it left my lips.
Ellis’s face tightened with pain. “All the royal families are familiar with each other. We grew up vacationing in other realms. Viana was a better friend than most. Hell of a bowler and can knock me on my ass.”
I rolled my eyes. Afriend.Sure.Scoundrels like Ellis didn’t have friendswho were women.
As the last of the guards disappeared down the road, Ellis hopped down from the tree, hurrying back toward Flare. I didn’t waste my breath trying to catch up since he needed me to ride anyway.
“Come on,” he called out, impatient. I ignored him and patted Flare’s neck. She seemed rested enough, so we could probably reach my manor by sunset.
Ellis gestured to the saddle. “We need to go back to the palace.”
I barked out a laugh; surely he was drunk again. “You want to go back?” I said incredulously. “After all that trouble to free you? You’re mad! I refuse!”
I mounted Flare, and he grabbed my bare calf. His fingers kneaded into my muscles and clutched at my skin. I glanced down into his golden eyes, hesitating.
“They’re purposely keeping the heirs alive. I want to know why,” he begged.
I rolled my eyes. “That’s not true. They butchered your family. If they were sparing all the heirs, why’d they kill your brothers and sister?”
A flash of agony crossed his face, then his expression hardened. “Just another reason to find out what’s going on.”
My eyes shifted to his hand, which felt warm as it held onto me, his hands caressing my bare flesh. I tried and failed to control my blush. He’d been inside me for God’s sake, and I couldn’t handle a brush of his fingers on my calf? Get a grip, Eve.
I was curious to know what was going on though, but unlike him I wasn’t in danger of losing my head over it. Though Iwasin danger. Just being seen with Ellis was likely enough to send me to prison.
I decided I didn’t care what we did as long as I was able to ensure Ellis didn’t get himself killed. If he was so hell-bent on returning, then the least I could do was try to ensure he made it out alive again. Which he wouldn’t do if he went alone.
I groaned. ”If we go back, it’s with you as my prisoner.”
Ellis’s eyes narrowed.
“Listen,” I hissed. “If I return claiming I caught you, I’ll be welcomed back into the fold. I can find out what’s going on, and how to help free you and your ... friends.”
