Chapter 13

P hillip threw coins on the table to pay for their meal and then rose, his chair scraping back with a loud screech. The fear on Rose’s face told him everything he needed to know. She was the girl the soldiers from Myst Hall were looking for. Likely the ones who were in the forest not far behind them and why she insisted on galloping away from them.

But who was she and why would she be running from them?

Her face had drained of color as she rose from the chair. She followed him out of the tavern and into the late afternoon sunshine where he turned to her and gripped her by the elbow.

“Who are you?” he repeated. “Are you a thief?”

Her eyes flew open. “No!”

“Then what did you do to garner the attention of four soldiers from Myst Hall?” His voice was demanding, terse.

“How do you know they were from Myst Hall?”

She blinked owlish eyes. He thought for certain he saw the palpitation of her pulse in the long column of her neck. He gave her a deadpan look.

“I recognized the sigil on his cloak.”

A look of discomfort flickered over her face, as though she, too, had noticed the sigil from Myst Hall. She shifted her weight from one foot the other and tried to dislodge her arm from his grip, but he held fast. It confirmed his thoughts that she was the one they were looking for. Yet he was compelled to lie to them. Why, he did not know.

“You told them I was your mute sister,” she pointed out. “Why did you do that?”

He tipped his head to one side. “You looked frightened. I was trying to help you.”

Confusion trickled over her face then realization when his words sunk in. She flushed, her cheeks turning pink which, if it were under any other circumstance, might be adorable.

He released her and walked to the side of his horse. He shouldn’t have covered for her. He should have let them take her. Now, he was an accomplice to keeping her out of the soldier’s hands.

“I thank you for that,” she said. “And I promise I’m not a thief, nor have I done anything nefarious.”

He was still unconvinced. “Then why do they want you?”

She pressed her lips together into a thin line, as though she wanted to tell him the truth but couldn’t. As though the truth would be damaging. If she was hunted by the soldiers, then she must have done something to garner their attention. Attention he could not afford.

If they captured her, they would likely capture him and the last place he wanted to be was Myst Hall. Where his irate parents were likely still visiting. Not to mention the princess he was supposed to marry.

“Under the circumstances,” he said, stepping into the stirrup, “I think we should part ways.”

He swung his leg over the saddle and settled into position. She hurried to the side of his horse, looking up at him with those big, green imploring eyes.

The soldier had said he was looking for a girl with blonde hair and green eyes. He had no doubt in his mind Rose was the girl.

“Please wait,” she implored.

He remained where he was, gazing down at her waiting for her to say something. She scanned the town and licked her lips, as though coming to a decision.

“If you’ll ride out of town with me, then I’ll tell you why the men were looking for me.” Her gaze lifted back to his.

Her pleading gaze that begged him not to turn her over to the guards or separate from her. His resolve melted into a puddle. He pushed out a breath, his shoulders slumping a little.

“All right, then.”

She hurried to her horse and climbed into the saddle. Moments later, they were off, trotting through town and heading for the gates.

Her mind raced as they rode along in silence. If she told him the truth about who she was, would he even believe her? She had to come up with something to tell him. Something that he would believe. But what?

They were almost out of the town gates. Her nerves were wound so tight, her stomach cramped and threatened to heave the delicious meal she’d just had. She swallowed hard, trying to keep her wits about her.

At the town gates, he halted and gave her a pointed look. “Well?”

There were still too many people within earshot for her comfort. She eyed the forest ahead.

“Let’s ride into the forest.” She glanced back to see if they were followed, but no one was there.

“And then you’ll tell me?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said with a nod.

They continued on. But as they approached the forest, she still had not come up with a plausible reason why the soldiers were looking for her. She decided to stick as close to the truth as possible.

Once they were through the trees and in the cover of the forest, she reined in her horse. He did the same, looking at her with an expectant expression as he leaned on the saddle horn.

“I ran away from home,” she said at last.

A brow lifted in curiosity. “And home is?”

She swallowed hard, her mouth turning dry. “Myst Hall.”

Edward’s brows drew together in question. “And the soldiers want to take you back there, I gather.”

“Yes,” she said with a nod. She focused her gaze on the cluster of trees in front of her. The smell of bracken and damp leaves wafted to her nose. “I don’t want to go back.”

“Why not?” he asked.

Anything she answered would give her true persona away. She dragged her lower lip through her teeth and tried to come up with a plausible response.

“Are you the daughter of a noble?” he asked.

A laugh nearly bubbled up her throat, but she managed to contain it. She glanced at him. “You could say that.”

He still leaned on the saddle horn. His handsome features were creased with perplexity. Golden strands of his hair shone in the afternoon light shafting through the trees. He tipped his head to the side and gave her a lopsided grin.

“Are you running away from an arranged marriage?” He said it as though it were a farce.

Her heart thudded. “Yes.”

His cocky grin melted away replaced by something akin to empathy. “I understand that.”

“You do?”

Rosamund met his gaze and her pulse skipped. His expression softened, as though he truly did understand. He straightened in the saddle, then shifted.

“More than you know,” he muttered.

She took a deep breath and decided to throw away her caution. “The truth is I am betrothed to the prince of Woodhaven.”

His head snapped to her, his eyes wide with surprise. “You…” The word came out a breath. He swallowed hard, regaining his composure. “But…to be betrothed to a prince, you’d have to be—”

“A princess. And I am.” She refused to meet his gaze. “The Princess of Myst. Daughter of King Stephan and Queen Eleanor.”

“The princess…of Myst Hall.” He sounded incredulous, his voice a roughened whisper.

She glanced at him to gauge his reaction. His expression was unreadable, his eyes shadowed as though deep in thought.

“My parents didn’t tell me I was betrothed until the day the king and queen of Woodhaven arrived. My wedding was already planned a few days after my birthday. That’s why I ran away. I do not wish for my life to be controlled and planned for me.” She clutched the reins tighter in her hands until they cramped.

“You are Princess Rosamund. Aren’t you?” he asked.

The sound of her name rolling off his tongue sent a little thrill through her. Heat crawled up her neck and pierced her cheeks. “Yes. Are you going to hand me over to the soldiers?”

He considered this as he looked at her, then he shook his head slowly. “No, I am not.”

“Because you could,” she continued, as though trying to convince him. “And likely fetch a nice price for returning me to my father. He would pay handsomely for my safe return, no doubt.”

There was a bitterness in her tone. A bitterness she hadn’t expected to hear. Did she want to return? No, not ever. But if this man insisted on finding the soldiers and handing her over, she would have no choice but to go.

“I’m not going to turn you in,” he said, his voice soft.

“You’re not?”

“No,” he said. “They’re likely looking for you in the next town over.” His dazzling smile was reassuring. “If we keep to the trees, they likely won’t follow us.”

“Do you think so?” Her voice was quiet, almost timid, and she hated herself for that.

“I do. And, I think we should continue our journey. That is, if you’d like to continue along with me.”

Relief sputtered through her. “I would like that very much.”

“Good. Then perhaps we’ll find that adventure yet.” He gave her a surreptitious wink as he took up the reins and nudged his horse into a walk.

She followed him, her heart pounding a wild beat as she thought of facing adventure with him. She hoped it was a grand one.

For a moment, Rowena thought the two were going to split in the town near Mystwood Forest. Relief spread through her like wildfire when she saw them continue to travel together.

Curses on those Myst Hall soldiers. They nearly ruined everything. She used a bit of her Fae magic to send them on a wild goose chase to keep them from finding the girl. She couldn’t have that. Not yet.

The girl’s birthday was in three days. By then, the two of them would be exactly where she wanted them. A broad smile crossed her face.

It was time for her to sift and greet them at last.