Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Hugo released Mr. Ringleader and took a step back, lifting his open hands in front of him, showing he was no longer putting up a fight. The second he did, Wulian attackers grabbed him and jerked him away. He stumbled, trying to get his balance, but the world went black.
A gasp broke from his throat, and he drew in a breath to call for Everand when the world came into focus. Except they weren’t in the palace ballroom any longer. They were standing in the middle of a camp, a large fire flickering not too far away. And at least fifty soldiers surrounded them with swords and guns trained on them.
“We’re not in Frostbourne any longer,” Hugo mumbled.
A ragged snort caught his attention, and he stared at a weakly smiling Everand, still held by a pair of guards. “We’re not even in Branem. Welcome to Wulia.”
Twenty-One
The soldiers moved frighteningly fast, swarming Hugo and Everand. At first, they attempted to pull them apart, dragging them in separate directions, but Hugo fought like a crazed toddler in desperate need of a nap. He kicked, bit, and clawed his way to Everand. The prince seemed to catch on and mimicked his behavior, sending the many guards scrambling to get them under control.
Mr. Ringleader groaned, swearing under his breath. “Leave them together! They caused enough problems in the palace. Just tie their hands and shove them in the carriage.”
Hugo winced as the guards wrenched his arms behind his back, and rough rope tightened around his wrists. But all the discomfort was worth it so long as he remained at Everand’s side. He still had no idea how he was going to protect the prince, but that was okay. If they were together, he had a better chance of keeping Everand safe.
The man who led this escapade stomped over to where Hugo and Everand stood together. He leaned in close to Prince Everand. “King Victor stated we were not to harm you. However, he said nothing about your fiancé. He doesn’t even know about this man. So, his state when or even if reaches the castle is up to the both of you. Personally, I’d like to slit his throat and leave him in the woods for the wolves to sort out.”
“Understood. We shall abide by your wishes so long as they are reasonable,” Prince Everand agreed with a regal nod of his head.
Mr. Ringleader rolled his eyes and stomped away. “Get them in the carriage.”
Guards hustled them to a waiting carriage—Hugo a little more roughly than Everand—and stuffed them inside. Heavy curtains covered the windows, leaving the interior of the carriage pitch black. The air was stuffy and warm. Hugo sat on the bench beside Everand, their legs rubbing together.
The carriage rocked under the weight of Mr. Ringleader as he climbed in after them and dropped onto the opposite bench. The door shut, and the head of the guard knocked on the ceiling, ordering the driver to get them moving.
“Hugo? Are you all right? They didn’t hurt you?” Everand whispered.
“I’m fine. You?”
“I’m well. But I am sorry about all this. Why did you demand to come with me? You could have remained at the palace. My parents would have protected you.”
Mr. Ringleader snorted in the darkness but said nothing. Hugo understood his derision. The king and queen had been struggling to protect themselves, though it was likely the palace guards would have broken into the ballroom within the next minute or two, thoroughly outnumbering the Wulian soldiers. Hugo wouldn’t have captured the notice of the Wulian men until Everand had called him his fiancé.
“I had no choice. You get into so much trouble when I’m not with you. You need me to save you,” Hugo teased, knowing full well that it was the other way around. Sure, he might have saved the prince from a racing carriage, but it had been Everand’s fast thinking that had saved them from the Wulian scouts in the woods.
“Mmm, yes, that is quite true,” Everand agreed with a hint of amusement in his tone. He bumped his knee into Hugo’s and continued in a more serious tone. “But no more silly heroics. I don’t want you to come to any harm.”
Hugo didn’t reply. He wasn’t making any promises he couldn’t keep. His primary focus was protecting Everand and getting him home.
“How did they get us out of the palace and to Wulia so quickly?” Hugo inquired. It seemed safer to change the subject.
“Remember the bellpull in the changing room and the servant appearing?” Everand leaned on him, resting his cheek on Hugo’s shoulder. The urge to hold the prince was overwhelming, but he couldn’t with his arms tied behind his back. The best comfort he could offer was resting his cheek on Everand’s head.
“It’s the same kind of magic,” the prince continued. “We have protections against people magicking into the castle, but I’m guessing they acquired some fraudulent invitations and walked into the ball as guests.”