Bastien cracks a smile. “It’ll be tough, but I’ll see what I can manage.”
I grin and leap from the window and out into the night.
As I hurry along the path leading to the stables, glancing back over my shoulder from time to time, I can’t help but think of one thought: today I’m getting married. I had hoped that when this day came, it would be filled with joyful nerves and butterflies of excitement, not dread and fear.
Dawn isn’t far off as I hurry down the steps and toward the stables. I can hear the whinnies of the Inara and grin. Bastien’s plan was brilliant. Of course the guards would allow me to breach the palace walls to go for a ride, even one so close to my wedding. My beach is private, secluded. No harm would come to me there.
We decided it best to leave Bastien behind or risk raising unnecessary warning flags should we be seen together. To this point we have given Aloysius no reason to doubt either of us and now is not the time to give him the chance.
Edana waits for me in her stall, her head bucking as I reach out to smooth my hand over her nose. She nuzzles against me and I laugh, stepping aside to grab a fruit for her. “You don’t want to eat too much or you’ll spoil your breakfast.”
It takes me a few moments to figure out how to attach the saddle. Watching one of the stable boys do it is hardly a good enough lesson to learn by. As the first droplets of color dot the sky, I steer Edana out of the stable and break into a run.
My hair whips behind me and I laugh as I leave the palace behind, feeling free for the first time in days. Edana eats away the distance in only a few scant minutes. Nervous tension roils in my belly at the thought of seeing my friends again.
Aminah is sure to crush me in a hug if she comes. Zahra might even be happy to see me. Although, if she tries to go for a hug, I’ll be shocked. And Kyan… I need him more than I realized. He’ll know what to do. He always does.
The gates loom before and I lean low over Edana’s back, waiting for the gates to open. As we draw near, I realize that two guards stand before them, hands outstretched. I pull back on the reins, my teeth rattling as Edana digs in her feet.
“What is the meaning of this?” I growl as we slide to a halt only a few feet back from the towering metal gate. “I order you to stand aside.”
The guards look at each other before answering. “I’m afraid I can’t allow that, my lady.”
“By whose authority?”
“Mine,” a raspy voice calls from my right side.
Edana paws at the dirt as I shift uneasily in my saddle. Drakon emerges, his hands clasped behind his back. His face is battered and bruised, his upper lip split and laced with stitching. Apparently Malek had a good time teach Drakon his lesson.
His gaze sweeps over my attire and I can feel his smug grin hit like a punch to my ribs. “I should have known you would try to escape to your rebel friends.” He steps forward and grabs my reins, yanking them from my hand.
The guards rush forward and I scream as their hands clap upon me, unseating me. Drakon smiles as I buck in their arms. I can feel his touch as he prods at my mind and snarl as I mentally shove him back. “Don’t touch me.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” His eyes glint black in the rising dawn. “However, I think the king will be very interested to hear where it is you were heading, don’t you?”
Twenty-Two
I strain against Drakon’s grasp, clawing my nails against his arms as he drags me across the slick palace floor. I grunt, digging in the soles of my boots, giving myself only a small amount of traction to resist. “Let go of me.”
“And miss the chance to see Aloysius turn his rage on you? Not a chance. I’ve been waiting far too long for this moment.”
I lash out at him, raking my nails across his face. He howls as thin red gashes appear and rears his hand back to strike.
“Let her go,” a deep voice growls behind me.
“Bastien!” I strain to see over my shoulder, but Drakon yanks me around, crossing his arm over my chest, pinning me tightly against him.
“I tried to warn Aloysius about you two.” Drakon sneers. I feel something sharp jabbing into my side and realize he has pulled a knife on me, positioning it between my ribs. “The fool’s arrogance and lust has blinded him to the truth.”
Bastien’s gaze narrows dangerously. “Illyria?”
“She can’t do anything,” Drakon laughs. I gasp as the knife pierces through my shirt. A tiny droplet of blood seeps down my side. “If she does, Aloysius will know that she isn’t under his control and she doesn’t want that, now does she!”
His hand tightens over my chest as he reads Bastien’s reaction. “Oh, yes. I know all about you two. Alesta may be a cunning girl but I’ve been playing this game far longer than she has.”