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“I’ll—what now? Hey! What’s going on here?” Eyes widening when he finally spotted the knights as they stepped under the lamplight, Roloff started to struggle to be free. “You know, I really shouldn’t be seen by any guards just now. They’re after me.”
“I know. That’s why I’m turning you in. I can’t just betray my king and father by letting you get away, now, can I?”
His mouth fell open, shocked by my betrayal of him.
Shoving him toward the other two, I said, “Look who I found, boys? It’s that lying soothsayer the king’s searching for. Why don’t you two take him back and turn him in to the dungeon? I’m sure they’ll reward you handsomely for such a catch.”
They each leapt off their horses to tackle Roloff. Once they had him well in hand, one guard glanced my way. “What about our journey?”
I hitched my chin up. “Go on. I’ll stay here and wait with the horses. We can head out as soon as you collect your bounty.”
“Indeed!” They seemed fine with that idea. “Thank you, Farrow.”
As they fell right along with my plan, brutishly jostling
and steering Roloff toward the castle on foot, I glanced toward their horses they’d left behind.
Perfect.
“No, thank you,” I murmured.
As soon as all three were gone, I relieved one of the guards’ mounts of all its weapons and food they’d stockpiled for our trip, then I slapped its flanks and sent it trotting back in the direction of the stables. After securing the rest of the supplies to the second horse, I tied its reins to my own and climbed back into the saddle.
Galloping out of the courtyard and into the night by myself, I headed toward Donnelly.
I didn’t have time to wait around for anyone else. Whatever it took, I was going to free Sable as soon as possible.
4
Nicolette
A Fortnight Later
Plucking a white rose from the bush in front of me, I broke the thorns free from their stem before dropping the beauty into the basket that dangled from my arm.
“Flower picking,” an offended voice from my right lamented. “There’s a festival going on down in the village right now. Music, dancing, cups overflowing with wine, girls whose bosoms are overflowing from the tops of their dresses, and you choose to go flower picking instead.”
I sent the disgruntled man an amused smile. “Yes, well. While I do love a good overflowing bosom…” Tone dry with sarcasm, I shrugged. “I just didn’t feel much like joining in on the revelries today.”
My personal guard slumped his shoulders and sent me a pleading scowl. “But what about me, my lady? I’m forced to go where you go. Why didn’t you consider what I felt like doing for once? And not that you care or anything, but it’s been far too long since I explored a healthy bosom.”
“Eww.” I wrinkled my nose and turned back to the bush, searching for the next perfect flower to pluck. When he continued to just stare at me expectantly, I sighed. “Indy, really. I told you to just go already. Pursue as many bosoms as you like. You certainly don’t have to stay up here at the castle, babysitting me every second of every day.”
“Yes, I do.” Blinking as if my suggestion was absolutely absurd, he shook his head. “It’s my job to protect you. Babysitting you every second of every day is literally all I’m supposed to do.”
“Wow, dramatic much?” I teased on a laugh. “You’re always shoving me off onto one of your squires to watch so you can flit about to do something else far more important. Why is today any different than—wait.” My eyes flared wide with worry.
Forgetting the roses, I hurried to him and clutched his arm. There could only be one reason why Indigo would suddenly be so inclined to personally watch over me.
“Why is today different from any other? Oh Lord, Donnelly’s under attack, aren’t we? Are we about to be invaded? Again?”
With an impatient sigh, he tugged his arm free and scowled. “Of course not. You wouldn’t be allowed outside the castle walls at all right now if the kingdom was under attack.”
I dogged his steps when he turned and paced away, trying to escape my worried stare. “But the secret entrance back into the castle is just right over—”
When I started to point, he spun around and grabbed my hand, lowering it dramatically as he widened his eyes at me. “Do you mind very much not announcing aloud or pointing out where the secret entrance back into the castle is located?” he hissed from between gritted teeth. “Just because we’re not under any kind of attack doesn’t mean listening ears couldn’t possibly be nearby. And besides, a quick entry back into the castle is no reassurance whatsoever under any kind of threat. I would never trifle so freely with your care.”
I huffed out a moody breath and yanked my hand from his so I could plop it against my hip. “Well then, if we’re not under any kind of threat, why are you being so clingy?”
