by Tanya Bird
Ignoring her bleeding hand, she took off at a run. She was disadvantaged on foot. Add to that the fact that she had no weapons or fighting skills of any kind, and the odds seemed very much stacked against her.
She moved in what she hoped was a straight line, north towards Veanor. The village was a twenty-minute ride, so she figured she could run that distance in around thirty minutes. Except that a few minutes into her frantic sprint to safety, her chest began to ache and her legs tired. She pushed through it. Was it really so much to ask to see her son just one more time?
The pounding of hooves behind her made her stumble. She stifled a sob, looking around for a place to hide. Where were the tall oaks with their wide trunks? Skinny pines were no good when she needed cover.
Legs trembling, she had no choice but to keep running. Faster she moved, and louder came the hooves behind her. She was certain they would have spotted her by now.
She looked above her, trying to gauge if she was still heading in the right direction. Blinding light flashed through branches, not helping at all. Nothing was familiar. There were no tracks, roads, paddocks, sheep or anything that might give her a clue as to where she was.
She turned right, hoping to lose the rider behind her, but then she heard a horse approaching from the right. She darted left without breaking speed while the horse approached at a gallop. All she could do was keep running, because Leksi would never forgive her if she just stopped and gave up. She would not forgive herself. So she ran, even when the sound of hooves pounded so close she was sure the animal would trample her. Tears streaked her cheeks, and she would have screamed, but all of her energy was going to her legs.
Hands grabbed her, snatching her off the ground.
No.
She struggled, legs kicking as she tried to break free from strong hands. Arms enclosed her and a scream rose in her throat, but before she could release it, a hand went over her mouth.
‘Shh’ came Leksi’s familiar voice in her ear.
She went still, turning to check that it was actually him, that she was not losing her mind. His horse slowed to a canter, weaving between the trees. He took his hand away.
‘Hold on,’ he whispered.
She nodded, her legs to one side and arms wrapping his middle. One of Leksi’s arms went around her, crushing her to his chest. Her eyes closed and she listened for horses. She forced herself to breathe as the image of a sword protruding from Josse’s back replayed in her mind. The pounding of hooves whispered through the trees, eventually growing softer as Leksi steered them this way and that, until they faded altogether. She remained pressed against his chest, too scared to move or speak.
‘You’re bleeding,’ Leksi said, slowing his horse to a walk and inspecting her hand.
She opened her eyes, disappointed to see they were still among the trees. ‘It is nothing.’
‘Did they hurt you?’
‘No.’ She looked up at him, eyes welling again. ‘They killed Josse, and probably Morris.’
He nodded, then closed her hand, pressing her fingers tightly. ‘Keep a fist to stop the bleeding. We need to get to the manor.’
He pushed his horse into a canter once more, hoisting her higher so she would not slip off. His eyes searched the trees around them, then suddenly he pulled up his horse, its front legs leaving the ground momentarily.
Petra held on and turned her head to see one of the Corneon soldiers. Another emerged from the trees on their left, an arrow pointed at them.
‘Get behind me,’ Leksi said calmly, his gaze shifting between the two riders. He drew his sword. Once she was safely behind him, he reached down and retrieved the dagger that sat above his boot.
‘Hand her over and we might let you live,’ said one of the guards, advancing.
‘A generous offer, but I’ve never negotiated with a man wearing gold before, and I don’t intend to start now.’
‘There is an arrow pointed at your neck,’ the soldier said. ‘Don’t be a fool.’
‘My neck?’ He whistled. ‘Your arrow will go straight through me at that proximity. Shoot me, and you’ll kill the lady. And we know how your mad king would feel about that.’
The man with the bow glanced at the other rider, but the soldier ignored him, addressing Leksi once more. ‘Don’t try to be a hero. You can’t fight both of us.’
Leksi shrugged. ‘Sure I can.’
Petra closed her eyes. If she went with the men, they might let him live.
She pressed her forehead against Leksi’s back. ‘Just hand me over. It is not worth your life.’
He kept his gaze trained on the men. ‘Have a little more faith,’ he said. ‘Here’s my offer. I’ll let you both ride away, but only if you leave now.’
The men chuckled as they closed in. ‘Hand her over,’ said the man with the bow.
Petra heard the bow creak in his hands. She had just made the decision to slip down from the horse and surrender herself when Leksi’s body jolted. Her head snapped up, expecting to find an arrow protruding from him. Instead, the soldier with the bow tilted sideways in the saddle and fell to the ground, Leksi’s dagger in his neck. Her hand went over her mouth, holding in whatever was rising in her throat.
‘I respectfully retract my offer,’ Leksi said, turning to the second rider. The man stared down at his friend, who continued to choke on the ground. ‘Care to see what I can do with a sword?’
The soldier narrowed his eyes. ‘You Syrasan bastards are all the same. Think you’re the centre of the world. Come on, then,’ he said, drawing his sword.
Without turning, Leksi reached back and took hold of Petra’s arm. ‘You’re going to stand right here.’ He lowered her to the ground. ‘Don’t move, no matter what.’ When she did not reply, he said, ‘Understand?’
‘Yes.’ She anchored her feet, hands shaking.
Leksi’s horse lurched forwards, and her eyes snapped shut as steel screeched a few feet in front of her. She decided to keep them closed so she would not have to watch or be tempted to move. If Leksi wanted her to remain in that spot, she would remain in that spot. Only when someone cried out did she open them. Leksi thrust his sword up and twisted before pulling it from the soldier’s side. There was no choking that time; the man was dead before he hit the ground.
Leksi swung his horse around and reached for her, pulling her up behind him once more. ‘How many Corneon soldiers died at the house?’
She gripped his waist, her mind not working properly. ‘What?’
‘Charis said there were five soldiers.’
She shook her head, trying to think while corpses bled out on either side of her. She blinked.
‘Petra, how many?’
‘Two,’ she said, jumping at the sound of her own voice. ‘I don’t know about the other. I left before…’
Leksi’s eyes went to the trees.
‘You should have just handed me over,’ she said, bringing her hand to her face. ‘All these people are dead because of me. You could have died.’
He returned his sword to its sheath, not bothering to wipe the blood from the blade. ‘Those fools were never going to kill me.’
The comment infuriated her. ‘You cannot just assume you are a better fighter than every other man.’
He looked over his shoulder at her. ‘I am a better fighter than every other man.’
She turned away. ‘Those poor guards at the house—’
‘Were clearly not up to the job.’ He faced forwards and dug his heels into the sides of his horse. ‘We’ll talk at the manor.’
She grabbed hold of him and glanced back at the dead men. ‘What a mess I have made. And for what? The king has made it impossible for me to reach my son.’ She buried her face in his back, and Leksi slowed the horse to a walk.
‘Look at me,’ he said, turning to her.
She raised her eyes to him, feeling broken.
‘I went to the manor to organise additional men for your transportation,’ he said.
She stared
at him for a moment. ‘Transportation to where?’
‘Archdale Castle.’
Searching his face, and a little afraid of the answer, she asked, ‘Why?’
‘They found your son.’
Chapter 17
Hali sat Petra down on a large bed in one of the many upstairs rooms while maids rushed in and out with pails of hot water. Petra barely noticed the elaborate furnishings and expensive rugs; her eyes were fixed on the door, waiting for Leksi to return. He was with Lord Yuri, securing the manor. Once she was safe, he would head to the house to take care of his men.
‘Then I will tell you everything,’ he had promised.
‘This is one of my favourite rooms,’ Hali said, collapsing on the bed beside her.
Petra forced herself not to be rude, taking a quick glance around the room. ‘It is lovely.’
‘A result of too much time on my hands. You know, you’re the first to see it outside of Yuri’s sons who occasionally stay. I once thought it would make a lovely nursery with its large windows.’
Petra immediately thought of Xander. Four days she had spent with her son before they had drugged her and taken him. One day for every pregnancy terminated before him. She was going to Hell, but the worst part was that Nilos would be there also. Even then she would not be rid of him.
‘Occasionally, Yuri’s sons bring their own children to visit, but their mothers prefer to keep them away.’ She looked down at her hands for a moment. ‘It sounds bad, but they simply wish to minimise scandal in their own lives. Can’t say I blame them,’ she added.
The door opened and Petra shot off the bed, hopeful. A maid entered and poured another pail of water into the tub before leaving, pulling the door closed behind her. Petra and Hali looked at one another.
‘You are welcome to stay here as long as you need,’ Hali said, smiling reassuringly.
Petra’s fingers moved over her nails. ‘Thank you, but I need to leave as soon as possible. Did you hear? They found Xander.’
‘That’s wonderful news,’ Hali said, her face creased with concern.
‘What is the matter?’ Petra asked. ‘I thought you would be happy for me.’
Hali reached for her hand and studied the cut. ‘I don’t want to worry you, but the situation is complicated. You can’t just ride into Corneo and visit him. Once King Pandarus hears of what happened at the house, he’ll have his own agenda.’
Petra stared at her. ‘I… need to see him. Whatever must happen after that, so be it. Leksi promised to help me.’
Hali tilted her head, as though Petra should know better. ‘Leksi’s hands are tied. He’ll follow the orders of his king.’ She paused. ‘Actually, he serves Prince Tyron first, his king second. Though Prince Tyron’s hands will be tied also, because he’s forced to deal directly with Pandarus.’
Petra pulled her hands away. ‘A piece of me left with him the day he was taken. I need to know that he is loved, that he is safe, that he forgives me for all my failings as his mother. And I need him to know that I came looking for him, even if I could not stay.’ A tear escaped and she wiped it away. ‘Honestly, I am growing tired of people standing in my way.’
Hali swallowed. She was about to say something when a knock came at the door. ‘Come in.’
Leksi stepped into the room, looking surprisingly fresh-faced given the events of the day. The man never seemed to tire.
His eyes went to Petra. ‘Let’s talk.’
The conversation went nothing like Leksi had imagined it. Somewhere between the house and the manor, Petra had lost all ability to have a rational conversation.
‘I am not even asking you to come with me,’ she said, throwing her hands about as she paced the length of the entranceway. ‘I am simply asking that you let me go.’
Hali had abandoned him, leaving them to their quarrel. Lord Yuri was also suspiciously absent. Even the maids and servants had disappeared into the secret burrows of the house. Leksi leaned against the front door, a physical barrier, his arms crossed in front of him. ‘As I’ve already told you, probably fifty times now, it isn’t safe for you to go anywhere alone. King Nilos has men combing the kingdom. You’ll never make it.’ He let out a long breath. ‘My orders are to bring you to Archdale.’
She stopped walking and turned to him. ‘That is not what we agreed on. It is all well and good to locate him, but not much help if you keep me from him.’
‘I’m not keeping you from him. I’m protecting you so you might actually get the chance to see him.’
She shook her head. ‘No, you are following orders. I get it, you cannot go to Corneo, but you can let me go.’
His hands curled into fists, which he brought to his eyes. ‘You’re not listening. It’s not safe.’
‘I do not care.’
He pushed off the door. ‘Well I do.’
Her hands went over her face and then fell to her sides. ‘What is it with you men and your need to control? If you do not wish to help, fine, but get out of my way.’
Up went his hands. ‘Not helping? We found him, didn’t we?’
Her eyes pleaded with him. ‘What is the point in knowing where he is if I cannot go to him?’
Leksi stared at her, visibly torn. ‘You know I can’t just let you go. My orders are to bring you to Archdale.’
She stepped closer to him. ‘Please. If you take me to Archdale, there is every chance King Pandarus will hand me over and I will never see my son again.’
‘You don’t know that.’
She took another step towards him. ‘I cannot tell if you are lying to me or yourself. What does your gut tell you? Do you think your king is going to risk men by sending them into Corneo on my behalf?’
He stared at her, silent.
‘You promised to help me,’ she whispered, turning away.
He reached out and caught her arm.
* * *
‘What do you want? Name it.’
‘You know what I want.’
‘Do you want to be queen?’
‘Corneo already has a queen.’
He bit into the flesh above her breast, groaning into her skin. ‘You will always be my queen. I cannot live without you. Tell me you feel the same.’
‘I feel the same,’ she said absently.
He pulled back and brought his hand down across her face. She turned away, eyes dry. ‘You know I hate it when you lie to me.’
That was true. But he did not like the truth either.
‘Forgive me,’ he whispered, pressing against her once again. Pinning both her wrists above her head with one hand, he pushed her knees apart with the other. ‘Open for me, my queen.’
* * *
She stared down at the hand gripping her arm.
Taking in her blank expression, Leksi let go of her. He placed a finger under her chin, raising her face to him. ‘Where did you go?’
She blinked and stepped back from him, his hand falling away. ‘You have a job to do. I see that now.’
He narrowed his eyes on her. ‘I want you to see your son, but we need to be safe—’
‘And you need to follow orders.’
There was something in her tone that got to him. ‘What are you doing?’ He shook his head. ‘You need someone to blame? Is that it?’
Her lips flattened into a thin line. ‘I came to Syrasan of my own accord, and you are treating me like a prisoner.’
He took a step towards her. ‘You trespassed into Syrasan. I found you near death and felt sorry for you. If I had known you were going to be such a pain in my arse, I would’ve left you in the woods.’
Before he could snatch the words back, her face collapsed.
‘I trusted you,’ she said, breaths coming sharply and eyes brimming with tears. ‘You can hand me over to your king, or hand me over to my king. It does not matter which.’ She took an unsteady step back. ‘You’re all the same.’
Leksi felt sick to his stomach as she turned away from him. He went to follow her, then stopped himself,
instead watching her disappear around the corner. Only then did he exhale, listening to her soft footsteps on the stairs. There was a process, and it was his job to ensure that process was followed. Perhaps she just needed some time to see sense. He could give her some time, and him some time. Then he would apologise for the things he said, and she would realise that he simply wanted her safe.
Leksi stayed in his room for the rest of the afternoon. He told Charis to keep an eye on Petra’s door and tell him if she emerged. He had a wash, changed his clothes, and wrote to Tyron telling him they would be arriving at Archdale the following day. A servant arrived to invite him down to dinner, and he asked if Petra was downstairs.
‘She would not open the door, sir. I thought it best not to disturb her.’
Leksi thanked him and went to fetch her himself. He was trying to be patient, understanding, because he knew how much she wanted to go to her son, but he was also prepared to knock her door down if she refused to open it to him.
He found Charis leaning against the wall, head slumped forwards, snoring. Shaking his head, he kicked the boy’s foot, startling him awake.
‘Sorry, sir,’ the squire said, pushing himself up onto his feet.
Leksi knocked on the door and waited for what he thought was a reasonable amount of time. ‘Petra,’ he called. No reply. ‘I’m coming in,’ he said, pushing against the door and finding it was unlocked. He opened it and stepped inside, staring around the dark, empty room.
He turned to his squire. ‘Where is she?’
Charis looked past him. ‘Is she not in there?’
Leksi resisted the urge to kick him again. ‘How long were you asleep?’
‘Not long,’ Charis replied, unconvincingly.
The knight stepped past him, head shaking. They made their way downstairs and entered the hall where Lord Yuri and Hali were seated at the large table, waiting for their guests to join them. Leksi stopped in the doorway, an uneasy feeling growing inside of him when he saw she was not there.