AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nodded. It had not escaped me how easily I had allowed him to command me. He had all but seen me kill Florian. Then he had disposed of the body.
He had seemed to know just what to do and in my state of guilt and confusion I had acted cowardly, relieved to let someone else handle the mess I had made, no matter who it was.
Now I was indebted to a cold-blooded killer. A man who Sir Ector had claimed did not hesitate to kill children.
Whitehorn did not seem much better, but at least he did not have a reputation for child-murder.
I stared numbly as Draven set up a small tent suitable for one bedroll and one person.
“You’re not paying attention,” he said quietly as he worked.
“What did you do with the body?”
He glanced around. “Hush. I would not speak of that here if I were you.”
I flushed. “I need to know.”
He eyed me. “If you’re worried someone might find it, stop. They won’t.”
“How can you possibly know that?”
A smirk formed on his lips.
“You think this is amusing?” I demanded.
“You’re such an innocent, little Princess,” he murmured, driving in the last tent peg.
“And you are anything but I suppose?” I snapped.
Our eyes met.
I flushed. Had I given too much away? Was this really what I wanted? To confront him with what I knew? Now? Here?
Did Whitehorn even know who Draven truly was? Would he care?
Draven stood up. “Your chamber awaits.”
He walked back to the campfire and took a seat on a tree stump, stretching out his hands to warm them.
Whitehorn had finished packing up the remains of our meal and now was boiling a pot over the fire.
“Princess Morgan,” Whitehorn called. He nodded to the pot. “Come and drink this.”
I sniffed. The aroma was familiar. It was not tea, but rather the concoction my uncle had crafted for me. How had Whitehorn gotten his hands on it?
I approached the fire slowly. “Where did you get that from?”
Silently, he held up a packet.
A look of disbelief crossed my face. “Who gave that to you?” I asked the question even while knowing there could be only one answer. “I have my own stores packed in my things. I have no need of yours. Besides, this is not the right day for it. I had my dose last night.”
“Regardless, the king says you’re to begin taking it every night once you leave the castle.” Whitehorn held out a steaming mug. “Drink up, Princess.”
I met his eyes and did not like what I saw. The bullying, arrogant demeanor was all-too familiar.
“Arthur did not tell me anything about this,” I said quietly. “The medicine already brings on terrible headaches. I don’t see how I can manage to...”
“You’ll do what your brother the king instructs,” Whitehorn barked, his lips twisting nastily. “Or there will be unpleasant consequences.”
