by Tanya Bird
‘I am certain he is not,’ Petra replied, not caring if the guard heard. ‘But thank you for the lovely bath.’
Nyla’s cheeks coloured, but she simply gave one more smile before heading for the door. The guard followed her out, and the door clicked closed.
Petra tossed the bread onto the tray and sat on the edge of the bed. Now what? She stared down at her cloak and the short, laced boots they had brought her.
It was almost half an hour later when the key turned in the door and it swung open. Apparently they were done knocking.
She was more than a little surprised when Prince Felipe stepped through, wearing his usual look of disapproval. She stood, but she did not curtsy. He came to a stop in front of her, a hand resting on his hip as he looked her up and down.
‘My, how the mighty have fallen.’ He paused. ‘It seems my father has finally come to his senses. He has asked that I escort you to Onuric Castle.’
Her expression did not change. Onuric was every Companion’s worst nightmare. Young women were lured there under the pretence of a better life, their unsuspecting parents believing the lies fed to them. But the truth was some of those girls were worse off than her.
‘Are we leaving now?’
He studied her, seemingly taken aback. ‘Have you no objections?’
‘They have done me no good so far.’
Felipe sniffed. ‘Let us hope this is the end of this insanity.’
There was no end to it. She was his until death.
‘This kingdom needs a king, and you have poisoned his mind long enough.’
She glanced at the door. ‘Where is he?’
‘Staying well away, no doubt fearing he will be put under your spell once more.’
Her gaze returned to him. ‘This was his idea? To send me to Onuric?’
The prince nodded. ‘And if I have my way, you will not be returning any time soon.’
She did not believe that for a second. He would never send her away. He would see her dead before being separated from her, before handing her over to another man. ‘What am I to do at Onuric?’
He shrugged. ‘Whatever they tell you.’
Still, her expression did not change. ‘I see. He wishes to teach me a lesson.’
Felipe gestured at the bruise above her eye. ‘Well, it seems the last one did not stick.’
She was not buying any of it. King Nilos had an agenda.
‘After you,’ Felipe said, nodding towards the door.
She knew he would be thoroughly enjoying himself. He had never liked her, because she saw through him. She saw through them all.
Walking to the door, she was unsurprised to find four guards waiting in the corridor. Leaving the room did not bring the relief she might have expected. Perhaps it was because she was immediately surrounded by the guards, who then marched her all the way to the front entrance of the castle.
When she stepped outside, she took her first breath of fresh air in months. Her eyes went to the six waiting horses, one for each of them. There was no handsome knight waiting with his hand outstretched, ready to pull her up behind him.
She closed her eyes at the image of Leksi, grinning at her from atop his horse.
‘Something the matter?’ Felipe asked.
She opened her eyes. ‘No,’ she said, walking over to the horse. If she could not ride behind Leksi, she would ride alone. A guard stepped forwards to help her mount, and then she gathered the reins, the way she had seen Leksi do a thousand times. She was surprised to discover she was not scared. Perhaps because she had faced every fear already.
Another group of guards approached on horseback, and Felipe turned to them.
‘Keep out of sight. I am not expecting trouble, but I am not taking any chances either. My father is collecting enemies in the North.’ His eyes went to Petra. ‘Do I need to bind your hands, or are you going to behave?’
‘If it will make you feel safer to have me restrained, by all means.’ She just did not have it in her to care.
Her eyes returned to the door to her left. For some reason, she was expecting to see King Nilos standing there. She could always feel his eyes on her, the small hairs on her body prickling.
What are you up to?
‘Move out,’ Felipe ordered.
Her horse walked forwards without her doing a thing, and she saw it was tethered to the prince’s mount.
The portcullis rose in front of them, and once again she found herself leaving the castle. She was a prisoner moving between prisons, never in control of her own life, never sure if the next man would be any better than the last.
King Jayr was no saint—she knew that much.
As the portcullis lowered behind her, she glanced over her shoulder, eyes going straight to the window above the entrance. There he was, his shape so familiar. She was too far away to see his face, but she stared straight at the spot she imagined his eyes would be.
I am not afraid of monsters anymore.
He remained there, watching her. She pictured his contorted face and twitching hands.
The portcullis lowered between them, and she faced forwards again, only to find Felipe watching her.
‘Take a long look,’ he said, ‘because I am going to make sure you never see inside Masville’s walls ever again.’
She stared at him with the same blank expression. ‘That is the best news I have received in months.’
He turned away from her, and they left the castle.
Chapter 35
About three hours into their journey, Petra glimpsed the dense forest of Corneo’s west. Memories scraped at her mind, memories she would have preferred to suppress. But there they were, the trees they had ridden through, with her cheek pressed to Leksi’s warm back. She had been invincible. She had laughed beneath those branches while rain and wind whipped her face, hair, and body. Not the kind of laughter that stroked the egos of men, but the kind one could not hold in. It had torn through her body until everything ached with it. When she had finally calmed enough to look at Leksi, she had seen how much he needed to witness that moment, what he had been trying to bring to the surface for months. She had seen his complete adoration, the kind that made one’s pulse slow.
‘Would you like me to build you a shelter?’ he had asked.
He had been her shelter since the moment he found her shivering on the forest floor.
Half an hour later, they rode beneath those very trees, careful to stay on their side of the border to avoid running into any Syrasan guards. It was unusually hot for that time of year. The sun sat high in the sky, scorching everything it touched. Petra removed her cloak, and the men took advantage of the shade the trees provided. Water was passed around, and as she was handing the flask back to Felipe, she noticed a change in his expression, as though he were listening for something. A few moments later, he stopped his horse and held up a hand. The guards also stopped, their eyes searching the surrounding trees. It was hardly surprising that King Nilos had enemies in every corner of the kingdom.
A bird took flight overhead and the prince drew his sword. The other men followed his lead, two reaching for their bows, one pointed east and the other west. They swung them slowly, covering all directions. Petra should have been afraid. Whatever exchange took place, she would be caught in the crossfire. But she was past fear. She felt only a numb sort of resignation.
An arrow passed her head, landing in the neck of the bowman closest to her. She turned to watch him fall to the ground. His horse sidestepped into hers, and she gripped the pommel of the saddle to keep from falling. While she accepted her fate, being trampled by a horse seemed like a bad way to go.
‘Find them!’ Felipe barked.
Petra held her breath, expecting an arrow to hit her at any moment. The other bowman began releasing arrows, but Petra could tell he was shooting blind.
Hiss.
An arrow pierced the guard’s neck, and he cried out before falling from his horse. She closed her eyes against the image. Whoever wa
s shooting at them knew what they were doing. Instinctively, a hand went to her neck and she held her breath.
‘Ready your bows!’ Felipe shouted.
She forced her eyes open and watched the men fumbling with their weapons. Before they had a chance to load their bows, a horse emerged from the trees to their right.
‘I suggest you lower your weapons,’ came a familiar voice.
Petra whipped her head around to look, then froze, not trusting her own sight.
Leksi.
He appeared through the trees, an arrow aimed at Felipe. I am hallucinating, my mind deceiving me. That is what happens when you are locked in a room with your grief for too long. Yet she did not look away, too frightened to even blink for fear he would disappear.
He was not looking at her, his eyes trained on Felipe.
‘Sir Leksi,’ Felipe said, shaking his head. ‘Should have guessed it was you.’
Another horse stepped into view from the other direction. It was Prince Tyron, bow in hand and aimed at Felipe’s men.
Her gaze returned to Leksi, expecting him to be gone, but the ghost remained. She sucked in a breath, remembering the guards following out of sight. ‘There are six more men—’
Before she could even finish the sentence, an arrow flew over Leksi’s shoulder, just missing his face. He swung his bow, eyes sharp as he searched the trees. Tyron spotted him first and took aim. A moment later, a cry rang out around them.
More arrows flew, some narrowly missing Petra when her horse’s front legs lifted off the ground.
‘Get down!’ Leksi called to her, still searching for the other shooters.
Tyron’s horse pivoted, and he released a few more arrows. A pained cry seeped through the trees. Luckily, the Corneon soldiers were not so accurate.
By that stage, the guards closest to her were feeling brave and attempted to draw their bows. As though sensing their actions, Leksi swung in the saddle and released two consecutive arrows, striking them through the neck.
Felipe reached for Petra’s horse and yanked the gelding closer. Taking hold of her arm, he pressed the blade of his sword to her neck. ‘Enough!’
Leksi aimed his bow at the prince, the string taut beneath his fingers. Petra knew if he killed the Crown Prince of Corneo, they would hunt him to the ends of the earth. She shook her head, the cold blade piercing her skin with the movement.
‘Leksi, no!’ Tyron called.
The knight hesitated just long enough for the tables to turn in Felipe’s favour. The remaining soldiers emerged from the trees, weapons aimed at the two men.
‘Finally, some calm,’ Felipe said, keeping his sword in place. ‘You can drop your weapons now, gentlemen,’ he added, looking between them.
‘If it’s all the same to you,’ Leksi said, ‘I’d prefer to keep mine pointed at your face.’
Felipe looked at him. ‘The infamous knight. I actually sympathise with you. Every now and then, a woman comes along and makes us look foolish in front of our enemies.’ He nodded towards Petra. ‘Isn’t that right, Prince Tyron?’
‘You have never needed a woman for that,’ Tyron replied, his bow swinging between the men surrounding them.
‘This one has done a really thorough job on my father,’ Felipe said, shifting his sword.
Petra winced as the blade pressed into her neck, but she did not make a noise.
‘Lower your sword,’ Leksi demanded, his voice like gravel.
Felipe glanced at him. ‘Why? You cannot shoot me. Even your prince, the man who wants me dead more than anyone else, knows that.’
‘You know,’ Leksi began, ‘I had heard rumours that you owned a sword. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that it’s used only on women.’
Anger flashed in Felipe’s eyes. ‘Need I remind you that there are two arrows pointed at you.’
Leksi glanced both ways at the two guards. ‘I’ve seen your soldiers shoot a few times in my life. They’ll likely miss, and by the time they reload, Prince Tyron will have killed them both.’
Felipe laughed, an odd, vicious sort of noise. ‘Your prince is faring no better than you.’
‘I am not too worried,’ Tyron said. ‘I suspect your men will let me live for the same reasons I let you live—twice now. If either of us dies today, it will start a war bigger than we have seen in our lifetime.’
The men eyed one another for a moment, and Petra saw Felipe’s throat move as he swallowed down that realisation. ‘What is it with this woman? She has men falling to their knees. I know for a fact that you have no shortage of pretty women in Syrasan.’ He paused. ‘I had one myself once.’
Tyron did not react, likely prepared for whatever taunts Felipe would throw at him.
‘You may kill the knight,’ Felipe continued. ‘I will pay Prince Tyron the same courtesy he showed me.’ He narrowed his gaze. ‘You may return home after watching your friend die.’
‘No,’ Petra said, stiffening beneath his sword.
Felipe’s gaze returned to her. ‘Perhaps I will kill you first.’
Felipe moved his hand so the tip of his sword was pressed into Petra’s throat. She swallowed against the sharp edge, and a drizzle of blood ran down her throat onto her chest.
‘Stop,’ Leksi said, his confidence waning. His bow went taut, but something caught his eye in the distance. The guard closest to Tyron turned his head also, just as an enormous spear came hurtling through the air, piercing him through the side of his stomach where his armour was vulnerable. The horses stirred, and moments later more spears flashed through the trees, taking down every Corneon guard.
Felipe lowered his sword and watched, wide-eyed, as ten inked men emerged from the trees on their muscled horses. He looked around at his men on the ground, clutching their wounds. There was no hiding the panic on his face.
Leksi glanced at Tyron, then turned as the horses divided down the middle, creating a path. Queen Cora rode down the centre, seated on a black horse, the skirt of her tangerine dress cascading down the animal’s rump. She pulled up the mare and narrowed her eyes on Prince Felipe.
‘Forgive the rather dramatic arrival, but I get a little edgy when people point weapons at my family.’ She looked between the three men. ‘If this were a feast, I would happily settle myself at the high table and watch the conflict, but this is not fun for me.’ She turned to Tyron. ‘I knew you would follow Leksi on this foolish quest.’
Tyron nodded a greeting at his sister. ‘I never thought I would say this, but I am really pleased to see you.’
‘I really hope you appreciate the effort I went through to be here today.’
Leksi’s bow was still pointed at Felipe. ‘Time to drop your sword. Prince Tyron might not want to go to war over your death, but if that blade touches her skin again, I will kill you without hesitation.’ He walked his horse towards them. ‘Weapon down,’ he said, louder that time.
Felipe’s face was contorted with anger. Everyone knew he was a sore loser.
He glared at Petra before letting his sword drop to the ground.
Leksi watched as the air returned to her lungs. She turned to look at him.
‘He told me you were dead.’
He continued towards her. ‘King Nilos will have to send more than sixty men to kill me.’ His teeth pressed together when he noticed the bruise above her eyes and the marks on her neck.
‘What lies are you speaking?’ Felipe asked, eyes following Leksi.
The knight looked at him. ‘Did your father not tell you he sent men into Syrasan to hunt me?’
Judging by the prince’s face, the answer was no. ‘My father did no such thing,’ he shot back.
‘I am guessing there is much your father has not told you,’ Cora said, rejoining the conversation. ‘Like the fact that he has sent you on a fool’s mission.’
That was news to Leksi, who stopped his horse to listen.
‘What are you talking about?’ Felipe asked.
She exhaled. ‘I am talking about the fact tha
t you are on your way to Onuric without my husband’s knowledge. He does not like broken things.’ She glanced at Petra when she said that. ‘Everyone knows your mentor is just a few days from death and incompetent of training anyone.’
Leksi glanced at Tyron, who looked equally as surprised by the revelation.
‘Ridiculous,’ Felipe said. ‘Why would he tell me to take his whore to Onuric only to be turned away?’
Without missing a beat, she replied. ‘Because he never intended for you to make it that far. His only intention was to draw Lord Leksi out, because his last attempt to kill him failed.’
Prince Felipe shook his head. ‘You expect me to believe our men breached the western border and rode into Syrasan for the purpose of killing one man?’
Yet even as the prince spoke the words, Leksi saw the doubt in his face.
‘Your father is not fit to rule,’ Tyron said.
Felipe looked stricken as he pieced the new information together. When Leksi glanced at Petra, he noticed her face was suddenly paler than a few moments ago. She was trembling in the saddle. He pushed his horse forwards, wanting to get to her in case she was about to faint.
She met his gaze, eyes blazing.
‘You need to run—now.’ Looking around, she added, ‘All of you!’
Leksi reached for her, ready to pull her from the saddle and put her safely behind him, where she belonged. But to his surprise, she leaned out of his reach. He put his hands up slowly, showing he meant no harm.
‘Run!’ she screamed.
When no one moved, Petra pressed her palms against her eyes. ‘Don’t you see?’ she said before looking up. ‘He would not send a handful of men to kill you after sixty failed. Her eyes pleaded with him. ‘Run,’ she whispered through gritted teeth.
He stared at her, and something in her expression told him this was not fear speaking, but a deeper perspective he did not have.
‘Leksi,’ Tyron called.
He turned.
‘Listen.’
He could not hear it at first, but then he did. A faint vibration rumbled around them. It was a sound he recognised—the sound of battle.