by Jody Hedlund
I saw the way the young noblewomen looked at him as if he were a prize to be won. I noticed the way my courtiers flaunted their daughters in the hope of catching his attention. So far, since his arrival in Delsworth, Ethelrex had taken more interest in his warrior training than he had in women. But it was time for that to change.
“I have given you command over my elite guard in place of Theobald.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” He bowed, the menagerie of weapons at his belt clinking ominously.
“As commander, you must take up the quest to find the final lost princess.”
“Very well, Your Majesty.” Although Rex kept his voice from showing his emotion, I sensed his anticipation and knew he would relish the opportunity to prove himself, especially since I hadn’t allowed him to participate in any of Theobald’s missions over the past months.
I’d done my best to protect Rex these many years from rebels and dissenters who might plot to murder him. I’d even gone so far as to send him back to the safety of the royal residence in Warwick where he’d spent his childhood and youth being educated and trained by the best knights and scholars in all the isle.
However, now with the threat of rebellion growing stronger, I’d decided it was time for him to come to my aid. He was no longer a young boy needing my protection. Rather he’d become a force of contention, someone to be feared, a warrior fiercer than Theobald.
“I shall do whatever you ask, Your Majesty,” he said.
I nodded at him curtly. “At least Theobald proved useful in wresting information from the Highland Convent abbess. The third princess is named Emmeline, and she is somewhere in Inglewood Forest.”
We’d hoped to follow Sister Katherine once again to the princess, but she’d all but disappeared after leading us to Princess Maribel. Since then, not even my strongest trackers had been able to pick up her scent.
“You must find Princess Emmeline,” I said severely, hoping to emphasize the serious nature of the mission. “I do not need to remind you of the gravity of our predicament if you should fail me.”
Rex dropped to one knee before me. “I vow I shall not return without her.” He reached for my hand and kissed it three times as was the custom when making a vow. In the darkness of the dungeons, my royal onyx ring gleamed even blacker, but he seemed not to notice or crave it.
“When you find her,” I said, having faith that my son would do as he pledged, “you must not let any harm come to her.”
“Very well,” he said. “I shall guard her myself.”
I smiled. He would be doing much more than guarding her. “You must take Father Patrick and marry her the moment you have her in your possession.”
Though I sensed he would rather put off marriage for a while, he was an obedient son. He bowed his head in acknowledgment of my order. “Shall I leave at first light?”
“There is no need to wait.” I strode past him toward the stairs, having had enough of the stale dungeons. “You may leave as soon as you are packed.”
“Very well, Your Majesty.”
I stopped at the bottom of the steps. “And take Magnus. He is in need of additional discipline.”
My younger son had too much free time at court and wasted it with women. I regretted now having neglected to send him to Warwick for the same education and training as Rex.
“I fear he may slow us down.” Rex’s statement was respectful, but I could sense the irritation he harbored toward his brother.
“I trust you will find a way to keep him in line, just as you do with your soldiers.”
Rex inclined his head in acceptance of my answer. He would do as I asked whether he liked it or not. Taking Magnus would make his quest more difficult. But it would also force him to learn how to control his brother—a skill, among many, he would need in the future.
“Oh, and when you find the princess, you must make sure you retrieve her key. It is of vital importance I have the key.”
Again Rex bowed.
As I ascended the dungeon steps, I wondered why I had not thought to send Rex sooner. He was determined and trustworthy. If anyone could find the princess and the key, I had faith my son would.
Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over twenty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award. She lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy teens, and five spoiled cats. Learn more at JodyHedlund.com
Young Adult Fiction from Jody Hedlund
The Lost Princesses
Always: Prequel Novella
On the verge of dying after giving birth to twins, the queen of Mercia pleads with Lady Felicia to save her infant daughters. With the castle overrun by King Ethelwulf’s invading army, Lady Felicia vows to do whatever she can to take the newborn princesses and their three-year old sister to safety, even though it means sacrificing everything she holds dear, possibly her own life.
Evermore
Raised by a noble family, Lady Adelaide has always known she’s an orphan. Little does she realize she’s one of the lost princesses and the true heir to Mercia’s throne . . . until a visitor arrives at her family estate, reveals her birthright as queen, and thrusts her into a quest for the throne whether she’s ready or not.
Foremost
On the verge of dying after giving birth to twins, the queen of Mercia pleads with Lady Felicia to save her infant daughters. With the castle overrun by King Ethelwulf’s invading army, Lady Felicia vows to do whatever she can to take the newborn princesses and their three-year old sister to safety, even though it means sacrificing everything she holds dear, possibly her own life.
Hereafter
Raised by a noble family, Lady Adelaide has always known she’s an orphan. Little does she realize she’s one of the lost princesses and the true heir to Mercia’s throne . . . until a visitor arrives at her family estate, reveals her birthright as queen, and thrusts her into a quest for the throne whether she’s ready or not.
The Noble Knights
The Vow
Young Rosemarie finds herself drawn to Thomas, the son of the nearby baron. But just as her feelings begin to grow, a man carrying the Plague interrupts their hunting party. While in forced isolation, Rosemarie begins to contemplate her future—could it include Thomas? Could he be the perfect man to one day rule beside her and oversee her parents’ lands?
An Uncertain Choice
Due to her parents’ promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, shortly before her birthday, a friend of her father’s enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents’ will left a second choice—if Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow.
A Daring Sacrifice
In a reverse twist on the Robin Hood story, a young medieval maiden stands up for the rights of the mistreated, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. All the while, she fights against her cruel uncle who has taken over the land that is rightfully hers.
For Love & Honor
Lady Sabine is harboring a skin blemish, one, that if revealed, could cause her to be branded as a witch, put her life in danger, and damage her chances of making a good marriage. After all, what nobleman would want to marry a woman so flawed?
A Loyal Heart
When Lady Olivia’s castle is besieged, she and her sister are taken captive and held for ransom by her father’s enemy, Lord Pitt. Loyalty to family means everything to Olivia. She’ll save her sister at any cost and do whatever her father asks—even if that means obeying his order to steal a sacred relic from her captor.
A Worthy Rebel
While fleeing an arranged betrothal to a heartless lord, Lady Isabelle becomes injured and lost. Rescued by a young peasant man, she hides her identity as a noblewoman for fear of reprisal from the peasants who are bitter and angry toward the nobility.
A complete list of my novels can be found at jodyhedlund.com.
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