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Once upon a time, such a tempting morsel would have driven him to distraction. He would have taken what she offered. Even going as far as accepting her challenge as a form of flirtation. But now, the press of her body against his filled him with disgust. He longed for only one woman. Ruby put all others to shame with her wit, fire, and beauty.
As they continued deeper into the forest, Crispin allowed his mind to wander. There was nothing he wished to say to his unwelcome companion, nor was there anything he desired to hear from her poisoned lips other than the truth of the plot against him.
Crispin could not fault Henry for taking an interest in the woman. Ignoring her treasonous intent, any man would find her enticing enough for some bed sport. Henry dedicated his life to the kingdom, to his service. He deserved a well-earned fuck with a lovely wench. No one would fault him for wanting her.
“There.” She pointed to a winding trail breaking off from the main road. It veered in the direction of the lake. One could hardly call it a road with the overgrown brush and low-hanging branches.
With a creeping unease, Crispin urged the horse down the disused path. It had been years since he wandered these old trails. He and Henry had once taken a trail similar to this which led to a cliffside overhanging the lake. They stripped and dove into the refreshing waters, nearly dying from their careless actions. Invigorating, certainly, but not wise. His mother had scolded them harshly when she discovered their little adventure.
Simon, Timothy, Jacob, and Francis had followed them. Sweet, sainted Francis could not bear the burden of silence. Crispin scowled at the memory. He ruined everything in his quest to live up to the expectations placed upon him as the golden prince of Meradin.
The deeper they ventured into the forest, the heavier the uncertainty hung upon his shoulders. He could not shake the nagging possibility he may be walking into a trap. It did not matter. He could not sit idly by while his soldiers searched for Ruby and Henry. His grip on the reins tightened as they wove around the fallen branches. Dying leaves fell around them as they wove along the path around the lake.
Ivy sat quietly against him. Her hands rested against Ghost’s mane. The silence increased his distrust of the woman who so eagerly offered information after confessing to being a spy. She was more than that. Crispin recognized the cool detachment of an assassin. Whoever trained her, owned her loyalty, and they invested heavily. Only a fool would cast aside such an asset with little care.
He did not trust her, and yet he followed her into this heart of darkness.
Even though the trees lay quite bare, the tangled branches and thick pines obscured the sky overhead and cast them into shadows. Dark patches of moss clung to the trees. Ghost’s hooves squelched beneath him as the ground grew saturated with moisture.
The overgrowth became so thick, it became increasingly difficult for Crispin to navigate Ghost with them astride. He moved to dismount when Ivy gestured to their right.
“Just through there.”
He maneuvered them through a narrow passage. On the other side, the path spilled into a small meadow surrounded by sloping hills and tall trees. A small oasis hidden in the thicket. Off to the right stood a tall, gnarled oak tucked at the base of an overhanging ridge. He could see the tree’s struggle to survive warped it as the branches reached beyond the ridge toward the minimal sunlight.
As they approached, he noted the base lay as wide as the arched door leading to the throne room. The jagged branches stretched overhead like a dark, twisted crown.
Crispin dismounted and helped Ivy slide from the saddle. He gripped the chain tight to keep firm control over her. Ghost wandered toward the center of the meadow and grazed.
Ivy strode toward the ancient, gnarled oak tree. She knelt on the roots and reached into a dark, gaping hole at the base.
He scoffed.What game is this?
When she removed her hand, a leather-bound bundle lay clenched in her fist. She carefully opened it.
Empty. Crispin shook his head. What did he expect? A signed confession of guilt and a map?
Ivy reached into her bodice and removed a small slip of parchment. Crispin snatched it from her hand and peeled it open.
“What is this?” Crispin frowned at the unintelligible writing inside the missive.
“A coded message. I am relaying no new information and requesting direction.” Ivy took the message from his hand and tucked it into the leather bag. She carefully replaced it within the tree and rose to her feet.
Crispin wrapped his hand around her throat and pinned her against the tree. Her luminescent eyes widened in surprise before narrowing. She gripped his wrist with her shackled hands.
“If you value your life, you will tell me the truth.” He gritted his teeth, boring his gaze into hers as though searching for any flicker of deception in her soul. “I will not hesitate to slit your throat and leave you here for your master to find.”
“Would you risk your beloved by indulging in such rash behavior?” She gasped between breaths as he clenched tighter.
Crispin dropped his hand, and she slumped back against the tree. “Do not tempt me.” He spun and strode to where Ghost happily munched on the tall grass.
Ivy stumbled along behind them as he led Ghost from the hidden meadow. They carefully climbed the sloped incline to the left of the overgrown thicket. After a few minutes, they discovered a small gap in the trees.
After tying Ghost to a nearby tree, he pulled Ivy alongside him. “There.” He gestured to the narrow slit in the trees. Peering inside, he grinned. The position allowed a perfect view of the small meadow and the gnarled, old oak tree where Ivy had hidden the message.
“We wait.” He shoved her shoulder, and she collapsed onto a pile of leaves.
Crispin sat across from her, keeping the meadow in constant view. He drew the satchel from around his torso and pulled some bread and dried fruit from inside.
