AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Traitor,” Olivia mumbled as she jerked on the reins. “Come now, take me someplace new. I daenae wish to wallow in the mire of my thoughts. This is Conner’s favorite spot, nae mine.”
Garric bobbed his head and stomped his foot in protest. Olivia knew exactly what the horse was asking for, yet, she couldn’t bring herself to lead the horse down to the stream.
“I’ll find ye another way,” Olivia promised as she turned the horse about. Garric wasn’t having it. The horse jerked its head about in defiance and started down the slope toward the water. Olivia held on as Garric cut through the tall grass until finally making it to the river’s edge.
“Ye stubborn thin’,” Olivia scolded as she slipped off the horse. Garric let out a neigh and moved to the water without a second glance at Olivia.
Olivia glanced about the area giving Garric a few moments to indulge in the stream water. She couldn’t help but think of Conner as she stood there. A sharp pain coursed through her as she shook her head trying to shift her thoughts away from him. Irritated, Olivia didn’t wish to linger a moment longer.
“Come on,” Olivia said to Garric as she patted her horse on the neck. “I’m certain ye’ve had yer fill.”
Olivia climbed back into the saddle and grabbed the reins. She stole one last glimpse at the stream before turning her back on it and began following the flow of the river downstream.
The day drifted on and every minute she was away from the castle, the lighter she felt. Yet, as the sun began to dip, Olivia knew she couldn’t avoid Conner forever. She’d have to go back to the castle sooner rather than later. Pulling in a deep breath, she wished she could stay longer in the moors. There was a peace she found in the open space that filled her.
Digging her heel into the horse’s side, she took off towards the sun. The wind howled in her ears as Garric raced along the ravine floor. As Olivia drew to the woods surrounding Conner’s land, she couldn’t help but feel as if the trees had eyes, watching her pass through them.
A deep-seated dread nagged her as the shadows twisted and the branches stretched across the ground. Olivia knew she was running out of time and that dusk would be there soon. Her heart fluttered from the anticipation of seeing Conner and mingled with the dread that something was behind her, stalking her.
“Come on,” Olivia said, giving Garric a rough tap to the side. Breaking through the tree line, Olivia found herself wishing to be home. She found that as the day dragged on there was something not right about being out after dark.
In the distance, Olivia spotted the dark stone walls of the castle. She couldn’t help but smile a bit as relief shot through her. Garric trotted along as Olivia kept her eyes locked on the castle. A soft cry caught her ear causing her to pause. Looking about, she suddenly felt the need to run, yet the cry seemed so urgent she knew she couldn’t just leave.
“Aye? Anyone out there?” Olivia called as she tugged the reins to bring Garric closer to the tree line. Her heart sank as she noticed a horse laying on its side, unmoving.
“Help,” the male voice called. To Olivia it sounded as if the person were using their last breath to call out. The closer Olivia drew to the horse, the more she felt the need to run. Yet, she knew she couldn’t, not if someone was in dire need of help.
“Sir? Are ye alright?”
“My horse,” the voice called. “It’s gone lame and fell… on me… help.”
Olivia gasped as she jerked on Garric’s reins causing the horse to stop. Olivia dismounted and moved swiftly to the man. The instant she caught the white of his eyes, she knew in the pit of her stomach something was not right. The scowl of pain that etched across the man’s face shifted into a devilish smirk. Olivia gasped as the horse resting on him jerked up to its four legs with a start.
“Come here, ye lass,” the man growled. Olivia’s eyes widened as her body froze. No matter how much she wished she could move, terror kept her locked to that spot. Just as the man came on her, she found the courage to bolt. Running as fast as her legs could carry her, she made it back to Garric.
“Where dae ye think yer goin’? Ye cannae outpace me,” the man said. Olivia glanced over her shoulder and noticed the long silver scar racing down the man’s face. It was as if a hook had sliced him from the top of his head to his chin. The wildness in his gray eyes caused her blood to run cold.
Olivia’s foot slipped as she scrambled to get it into the saddle to hoist herself up. With each precious second spent struggling to get on Gale, the closer the man got. In one final attempt, Olivia threw herself over the saddle as if she were nothing more than a bag of flour.
“Go!” Olivia ordered Garric, but before the horse took off, strong fingers curled around her ankle pulling her from the horse. Olivia kicked and screamed as the man climbed over her, trying to silence her. Kicking and shoving with all her strength, Olivia fought back against the man until she was able to free herself.
Giving a sharp kick to his face, he fell back allowing her enough time to shimmy out of his grasp. Olivia didn’t hesitate, she raced to Garric and threw herself onto the horse’s back. Garric took off, racing wildly through the open field toward the castle. Holding onto the saddle for dear life, Olivia did all she could to get back into the saddle to take control.
Using every last bit of her strength, Olivia pulled herself into the saddle. With her heart pounding, regret flooded every fiber of her being.
Oh why did I have to go so far from the castle?
“Come on, Garric, show him what yer made of,” Olivia charged on as Garric darted through a line of trees as if it knew precisely what Olivia needed to evade capture. Racing across the field, Olivia wished Garric had wings to fly her away. Garric sprang over the small stone wall even as Olivia pushed her harder.
Glancing over her shoulder, Olivia was surprised to find the man flying over the stone wall with as much grace as she had. Her heart pounded in her ears as reality struck her. The man behind her wasn’t going to give up until he had her. With the castle still being a bit away, all Olivia could do was pray she reached the courtyard soon. At least inside the castle walls, she’d be safe. The guards would certainly protect her, even if Conner was nowhere to be found.
“Come on Garric,” Olivia cooed as she leaned forward. Garric let out a loud cry as Olivia found herself flying over the horse’s head. Squinting her eyes, she rolled into herself, bracing for impact. The ground came quick and hard. Olivia’s shoulder rammed into the dirt and scrapped across jagged stones until she finally came to a halt.
With her head pounding from the pain, Olivia found all sensation to her legs cut off. For a moment she wondered if she’d had lost her legs altogether. Shoving her palms against Garric’s body, she tried to nudge him off her. Olivia’s heart plummeted into her stomach as the harsh reality slapped her. Garric didn’t budge.
“Nay,” Olivia gasped as her mind skipped and danced around the idea of him being dead. She’d had Garric for as long as she could remember and knew he his footing was true. Panic shot through Olivia as she craned her neck and peered over Garric’s body. A long, slender twig stuck out from Garric’s side.
“Nay, Garric,” Olivia screamed as her brain finally registered the arrow lodged into Garric’s flank. “Please, ye have to get off me.”
