Total pages in book: 222
Estimated words: 210715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1054(@200wpm)___ 843(@250wpm)___ 702(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 210715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1054(@200wpm)___ 843(@250wpm)___ 702(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 41
As soon as we cleared the castle doors, a boy ran up to us. “Which carriage?”
“The Magnars’,” I told him.
The boy took off down the wide staircase. My cousin and my brother tore down the stairs after him at top speed, pulling me with them.
“Stop or I’ll break my neck!”
The two of them let go of me. I picked up my skirt, gripped Rumian’s arm, and continued down the stairs. We conquered the stairs. Our carriage pulled up, Will and Lute looking like they were ready to fight.
Solentine jerked the door of the carriage open and saw Erodel. And then there was a dagger at Erodel’s neck.
“No!” I grabbed Solentine’s forearm. “He’s with me.”
Solentine slid the dagger back into his doublet and half shoved, half helped me into the carriage.
“I’ll go with her!” Rumian announced. “In case something happens.”
“Thank you, but no.” I blocked the door. “Arvel won’t do anything to me. He knows where I live, so he doesn’t have to rush. But he might pick a fight with Solentine.”
“Why do I never get to do anything exciting?” Rumian demanded.
“Now isn’t the time,” Solentine snapped.
Rumian sighed. “I suppose I will stay and help defend the family name.”
And he would defend it well. Rumian was the fastest blade in Rellas. Faster than his father or Solentine.
“If you could manage,” Solentine squeezed out. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”
They should take their show on the road and charge admission.
Solentine slapped the carriage door shut. “Ride like dursans are chasing you! Don’t stop for anything. If you see Defender colors, ride harder.”
Will barked a harsh command, the carriage jerked, and we sped down the King’s Way.
“What’s going on, my lady?” Erodel asked.
The carriage clattered down the cobblestones at full speed, jerking us to and fro. I needed to invent some seatbelts.
“Why are we riding so fast?”
“Lord Arvel has taken a liking to me,” I said. “My brother and my cousin are afraid he might chase us down with the Defender Knights and try to retrieve me.”
“Lord Doran Arvel? Commander of the Defender Knights?”
“Yeah. Huge, blond, blue eyes. That one.”
Erodel opened his mouth, closed it, then opened his mouth again. “Should it come to that, I will do my duty as your escort, my lady.”
“It absolutely won’t come to that.”
We took a turn at hair-raising speed. If I were an egg, by the time we arrived home, I would be an omelet.
“This is ridiculous. I’m allowed to leave the dance. Arvel isn’t going to ride after us. He knows where I live, so he’ll come to see me at his convenience and probably expect tea and snacks. Nobody will be chasing us.”
The sound of hoofbeats thundered all around us. Erodel jerked the curtain on the window aside.
“We’re being chased.”
Oh for the love of . . . “Is it the Defenders?”
Erodel turned a shade paler. “It’s worse. It’s the Sleepless Duke.”
I pulled the curtain aside. Selvan knights in black and green surrounded the carriage. Directly in front of me, Everard rode atop Villain, black smoke pouring off him like a royal mantle.
That colossal jerk. Of all the ridiculous things he could’ve done . . . Argh.
“What do you think you’re doing?!” I yelled at him.
No answer. Just smoke and green eyes.
“Get back into the carriage, my lady!” Erodel pulled me away from the window.
I sat back down. Erodel unsheathed his sword, put it across his lap, and adjusted the glove on his right hand.
“No need to worry. It’s just Everard.” I pounded on the carriage wall. “Will! Slow down!”
The carriage slowed. Erodel looked like he was ready to storm a castle.
“It will be fine,” I assured him. “I promise.”
The carriage rolled to a stop. The door swung open, and Everard loomed in my view, his eyes green and bright. His gaze slid over Erodel. “Out!”
Erodel gripped his sword and put himself between me and Everard. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Don’t hurt him,” I told Everard. “He’s my ranowen. There is no need for violence. Erodel, His Grace is my childhood friend. I will be perfectly safe in his presence.”
“Are you sure, my lady?”
“Yes. Thank you for your services and the pleasure of your company. Your courage and expertise are unmatched. I couldn’t have wished for a better companion.”
Everard took a step aside.
Erodel gave him a wary look.
“Thank you again for everything,” I told him. “I’m safe. I promise.”
“It was a pleasure, my lady.”
He exited the carriage. Everard climbed in and slammed the door shut.
“Have you lost your mind?” I demanded. “This isn’t Wilkair! You can’t just leave the joedurar and ride like a wild man across the city. Not only that but you’ve endangered—”
He wrapped his arms around me and crushed me to him.
“Ramond . . .”
He kissed me.
My heart fluttered in my chest. I was suddenly flying, exhilarated and terrified at the same time, and I didn’t know how to stop.