Rain pelted our bodies while we raced, running from the screaming and shouting. Still held tightly in Karim’s arms, I
shook with cold, my dress completely soaked through.
Thundering through mud and swamp like streams, my two rescuers didn’t flinch or falter. They just carried on going.
Karim sent out a few bolts of whatever magic he possessed as soon we came to some cliffs. They didn’t think twice about
climbing up the ledges, even when I offered to get down and climb myself, they wouldn’t listen.
Once we were high enough we stopped, and I was set down. The cuffs were magically removed from my wrists. Only the
moonlight gave us any sort of indication as to where we were or how high we were.
“I don’t want to risk exposing ourselves to a fire. For now, we can use this.”
Karim waved his hand about a dim light orb appeared in the palm of his hand, not bright enough to see from afar but enough
to illuminate our path and surroundings.
“Thank you for saving me, but what about your sister?” I asked, sitting down on the cold rocks, aching all over.
“She can take care of herself. This was all part of the plan.”
“Who’s plan?”
“Your brother, the king, and your sister.”
I recognised that voice. Lowering his hood, Marcus, revealed himself. Nearly jumping into his arms in relief and
gratefulness, I held out my hand for him and when he placed his rough hand in mine, I squeezed it tightly. He’d always looked
out for me, even when I had no idea he was watching.
“Norok is the reason Dorian tried attacking me.”
“Norok had to get Dorian and you away before we could intervene.”
Marcus spoke roughly, letting go of my hand and stepping towards the edge of the cliff, watching, waiting. He seemed as if
he’d seen better days. Worry rested upon his shoulders and I wondered what he’d seen after I left. Had he been punished for
not keeping a closer eye on me?
“Dorian murdered your father, princess.”
“I know,” I replied, my voice cracking and breaking. I couldn’t even recall the last moments I had with my father, and it
ripped at my heart thinking of how much I hurt him.
“I suspected he and Lady Nora had been planning this attack for years. They didn’t anticipate you leaving though. So, when
you and your king were wed, Dorian began plotting and putting doubt into your parents minds, and Norok’s.”
Nora had been behind so much. It was plain to see her affection for Dorian and after hearing her speak of him earlier made
my heart sink. How much had they orchestrated in the last few years?
“I left shortly after your father passed.”
