Page 9 of Royal Hunt
“Ssh!” I hissed, slamming my hand over his mouth. His eyes had been a bit bloodshot as they gazed at me in alarm, but now that they were wide open I couldn’t miss the gold in his irises, mixed with blue. I was an idiot for not seeing it before! Only the royal family had golden or silver eyes–fae eyes.
I snatched my hand back from his mouth, but kept my finger on my lips. He stared at me as though he were seeing a ghost, but sat up as much as he could. As he shifted, I saw a black crown glittering on the ground next to us, halfway between where we sat and where he’d been lying on the steps, likely forgotten in his drunken stupor.
Oh fuck, this was really happening, wasn’t it?Pull yourself together!I could panic later, afterI found a way to get him out of here. I’d have to hide him until he slept off the drink, because he’d be utterly useless until then.
“Stay here.” I commanded.
“Bossy wench,” he muttered, but didn’t resist as I helped him lay back down. I snatched his crown and tucked it deep into my largest skirt pocket before he even noticed it missing. Trenton would likely snag the other crowns for himself and his minions, but I wouldn’t let him have this one.
Ellis’s eyes fluttered at me, full of longing. “You’re not real, are you? It’s just another stupid dream.…”
I didn’t know what he was going on about, but it didn’t matter. I had to get us both through this. I glanced back, only to watch him slump unconscious again on the ground. With a roll of my eyes, I poked my head back into the hall.
“DON’T KILL THE CHILDREN! PLEASE!” screamed a woman from the center of the hall.
“YOU’RE A MONSTER!” shouted another.
“LET THEM GO, FOR GOD’S SAKE!”
The women shrieked and cried, pleading for the lives of the two children on the dais. The rebel lords made a line between them and Trenton, pushing back against the wave of women as they attempted to rush toward the young prince and princess, but all for naught. The men pushed back, and the women slipped and fell on the floor. Lace and heels were no match for armor and swords.
Trenton stood with an expression of grim determination on his face. “God will only forgive us once we finally strike down the demons that have plagued our lands. What is more of a tragedy: the deaths tonight, or the thousands of deaths of those who were starving and hungry?” He withdrew a long bit of silk from his sleeve and moved directly behind the young princess. He stroked her hair, a morbid show of affection as he twined the silk scarf around her delicate neck. She stood frozen in terror, unable to comprehend what was happening: unable to fight and unable to understand.
I realized that only I was in a position away from the others, unguarded and able to act. The knife I’d stolen from the guard was still in my pocket, and though I wasn’t sure what I could do, I was the only one who could do anything at all. Indecision stole my breath as Trenton stole the princess’s. I glanced back at the doorway to the balcony, knowing Ellis was unconscious outside. Do I save the heir more likely to take back the kingdom, or save the children?
I hovered, my conscience tearing me in two. It was impossible to decide. It was unfathomable. It wasn’t fair. I shouldn’t have to make this decision! Ellis’s crown dug cruelly into my side, reminding me to act fast.
Trenton pulled the scarf tighter around the princess’s neck, and she struggled. He gathered her into his arms, squeezing her tightly to him as though they were embracing, rather than him leeching the life from her.
It was awful, but I couldn’t abandon Ellis. He could be king. He could lead—ifI got him out of here. What would I do with two children on my own?
The way forward was clear, even if I didn’t like it. Tears of frustration burned at the corners of my eyes, but I stood still, determined to witness it even if I decided not to intervene.
I watched as the princess died, going limp in Trenton’s arms. A guard stepped forward and carried her away into a side chamber. If I hadn’t seen her murdered in front of me, I would have assumed she’d simply fallen asleep over the man’s broad shoulders.
My heart hurt as Trenton turned toward Prince Hector, and I knew it was the only chance I had. Everyone would be preoccupied. No one would pay us any attention.
I could get Ellis out.
I slipped back outside, and slapped the prince hard on his cheek. He still wasn’t fully conscious, but at least groaned when I yanked on his arm.
“Come on, let’s move,” I growled.
His eyes fluttered at me, and I tried to haul him to his feet. Three heavy pulls had him up and falling against me, but it took all my strength to hold him up. In exasperation, I realized we were at the top of the steps, and had several flights to the bottom. What was I going to do, push him down?
Think, goddamnit.
Ellis wasn’t bulky, but he was long and significantly taller than me. I sucked in a deep breath and lowered him back down, seizing him under his armpits and pullinghim down the stone steps. I counted in my head to keep myself focused.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Stop, breathe, then pull. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
I gasped for air, breathing hard even though we were only halfway down the steps. I wasn’t a trained knight, but I wasn’t a pampered, dainty girl either. This would be the first time I was thankful for it.
By the time we made it to the bottom step, sweat stained my dress and ran down my temples. I paused to wipe my face with his handkerchief.
I poked Ellis again. “Get up! We need to escape! Can you stand and lean against me? Hello? Wake up!”
I grabbed his hair and yanked on it, and he hissed and came back to the land of living spitting with fury. When he saw me, his eyes crossed in confusion.
