Page 17 of Veil of Winter

The narrow passageway suddenly ended at a wrought-iron gate, beyond which was a bit of natural light. Jacob unlocked the gate and pushed it open, holding it for the others.

Gerard maneuvered through the opening, careful not to let the princess’s feet catch on the sides of the gate. Elyce’s head was still against his chest, her whole frame having sunk lower in his arms while he walked.

Ysabeau hurried through the small stable, which was empty except for a few horses. It looked as if it had been hewn out of the rock.

“Is this stable underground?” He noticed some light coming through a window that was just higher than his head.

“Half underground,” Ysabeau answered and grabbed a saddle.

She, Oswalt, and Jacob began saddling horses, but he didn’t want the three of them to saddle four horses without any help from him, so he looked around for a place to set the princess.

“Put me down over there,” Princess Elyce said, lifting a shaky finger and pointing. “I can stand against the wall.”

He was not at all sure she could stand, but he did as she bade. He set her feet gently on the floor, still holding her upright as she leaned her shoulder against the wall.

“I am well.”

He waited to make sure she didn’t fall over, then went to help the others.

What had he gotten himself into? A haughty princess with a half-cooked idea to avoid marrying someone. What was he supposed to do with her? Where were they supposed to go?

God, are You sure I’m meant to be here?

Five

Elyce leaned against the wall of the stable. Her hand shook as she brushed the hair back from her eyes. She should have braided it to get it out of the way, but she didn’t have the strength for even such a simple endeavor as plaiting hair. And now that Sir Gerard had left her leaning against the wall of the stable, bereft of his body heat, she was shivering.

God, help me get my strength back.

She had prayed about this plan of hers, had asked God to help her, to keep her alive, which He had done—Thank You, God—and yet here she was, weak and shivering, the plan having gone awry, with only Ysabeau, Jacob, and two strangers to help her. It was humiliating. If her father and her other relatives had taught her anything, it was that she should never appear weak, never show emotion, because she was a princess and she had to at leastpretendto be above those things. It was her responsibility to be strong.

If anyone knew what she was thinking just now—that she was tired and hungry and frustrated and just about to burst into tears—they’d hate and scorn her. She rather hated and scorned herself.

“Father’s and King Claude’s guards will come after us,” Elyce said. “Jacob, you should stay here.”

“Why, if I may ask?” Jacob looked at her, loyal, good soul that he was. “I intended to come with you.”

“Because you will be blamed, possibly accused of taking me against my will, if we get caught. It is too dangerous for you, now that they know I’m not dead. Indeed, if any of you wish to stay, now is your chance.”

“I am not leaving you,” Ysabeau said.

“We are here to help you,” Sir Gerard said. “But Jacob can remain. We will have to ride a long way, and fast.”

“Yes. Please stay here, Jacob.”

“If that is your wish.”

“It is. I don’t want to put you in danger.”

“Then I shall try to keep them from finding out that you are gone for as long as possible.”

“Thank you.” Elyce watched the loyal Jacob walk back the way they had come.

Sir Oswalt and Sir Gerard continued saddling the horses. Ysabeau tried to help them, but she’d never saddled a horse in her life, and she soon left the task to the men and came toward Elyce.

“I’m still very worried about you,” Ysa whispered. “You do not look well.”

“I’m beginning to feel a little better, but the potion is sure to have some lingering effects.” But if she were honest, Elyce was concerned as well. She did not understand why she was so weak and feverish.