Dark One Rising(105)

She admitted that she found herself drawn in by his charm and good humor. She remembered the brief kiss they shared. There was no doubt in her mind that he had felt something at that moment. He responded to her when she kissed him and did nothing to pull away. But he had said nothing to her about it since, had never mentioned it or even tried to broach the subject. She’d had too much to drink, that was true, and maybe the spontaneity was from that, but the longing wasn’t.

She also admitted that when he was near, her heart started to pound faster and her body felt flush. These were feelings that she hadn’t encountered with any other man, and although she wanted to hide those feelings, she felt that soon she would no longer be able to do so. She sighed. She was in love with him, but she couldn’t say whether or not Emerick was right. She’d had no indication from him, other than the response to the kiss, about how he felt about her. Maybe the kiss was just his desire for the physical with her and nothing more. Her feelings were hard to determine too sometimes. She thought she was in love with him most of the time, then thought maybe she was just in love with the idea that a handsome rogue was protecting her, and that’s all it was.

By the time she pulled herself out of her thoughts, she realized she was approaching the gates of Eston. She was surprised that she’d been daydreaming that long, and that she had ridden so far. Well, she thought, she was here now; might as well have some fun. She went under the gates into the city.





CHAPTER 24


She spent the afternoon browsing the merchant carts and storefronts and took some time to have a bite to eat in the city square near the fountain. As the sun was starting to descend in the late afternoon, she retrieved her horse from the public stable and headed out.

She wended her way through the city streets, humming a tune. She didn’t see the man watching her from an alleyway. He waited until she was past, then slunk out, heading around a corner to where his horse was tethered. He mounted and followed her, making sure to keep well enough behind. He didn’t want to make her nervous, and he didn’t want to make a move too soon inside the city walls where there would be too many eyes.

As she left the city proper and got into the outer part of it, where the buildings were sparse, and he was sure no one would pay attention, he picked up the pace. He was almost on top of her when she finally glanced over her shoulder.

She saw him approaching and nervously picked up her pace. He didn’t wear Fallon’s colors, but she was trained enough to be suspicious nonetheless.

She couldn’t gallop. The streets here were still narrow; the cobbled roads would make her horse unstable at a hurried trot. She needed to keep going. She kicked her mount on, wanting to reach the gates before he caught up with her.

He was able to take a short cut behind a set of buildings, and just when she thought she had only been paranoid for nothing, he stepped out in front of her, blocking her path toward the gates. She was nervous, but decided not to panic until she found out what he wanted. “Who are you and why do you block my way?”

“I’ve been following you for awhile. Do you always wander from your home without escort, Princess?”

She was startled. He knew her. “I’m a big girl and can take care of myself.”

“I gather, since you have managed to keep yourself hidden all these months. You must have realized we’d find you eventually.”

She knew now who he worked for and was no longer just paranoid. She knew she was in trouble. He was the only one, but she wasn’t naïve enough to think that there weren’t any others waiting to strike. She tried to go around him, but he anticipated her move. He leaned over and grabbed her arm.

“You’ve had your little vacation, but now it’s time to go home where you belong. Your family misses you, and your fiancé will be relieved to know you’re alright.”

“I’ll bet.” She stood up in her saddle, and, removing one foot from the stirrup, kicked her foot out and up as hard as she could and caught him in the chin. As his head was coming back down from its flown back position, she knew she had only seconds to move. She kicked her heels into her mount and took off down the cobbled street. Her mount was unsteady on her hooves but kept her balance. She rounded a corner where two more guards were waiting. She pulled back on the reins so hard her horse reared, kicking one of the guard’s horses in the mouth. That horse threw his head, and the guard had to take a few minutes to get his control back. She tried to steer around the other man, but he was ready for her, and she couldn’t squeeze by him. He was too close to the wall of the building for her to fit. He reached over and grabbed her reins, trying to get the mare to succumb to his pulling. She reached down into her boot and pulled out a small knife that she’d swiped from the armory. She leaned forward and sliced the guard across his arm where his flesh peeked from the sleeves of his gambeson. He pulled his arm back in pain, but instead of him letting go of the reins so she could get away, he got mad and pulled harder. She took another try. She had to be quick because his companion was regaining his control and would be ready for her. She thrust the knife out and up and caught him again, this time under the chin. The guard could not keep control this time. He let go of the reins and grabbed his throat, trying desperately to keep the blood from running down his neck. It was no use. The blood was flowing fast now, running through his fingers and down his neck, soaking into the leather of his gambeson. The other man was on her fast. He was larger than his companion, and stronger. He grabbed the reins and pulled so hard her face and his were practically touching. She tried to lift the knife high enough to catch him in the neck as well, but he was ready for it. He grabbed her wrist and twisted hard. Her grip on the knife was loosening. He wriggled it out of her hand and held it to her throat now.