Chapter 7

So many people.

Rissa had never seen so many bodies gathered in the same place all at once. Not even for her father’s grand events.

Hidden in the cluster of trees atop the hills overlooking the valley and castle below, they had an unobstructed view of the sea of flesh swarming around the fields. Waves and waves of people all herded shoulder to shoulder around the grand masterpiece of Calis’ plan. The massive structure stood out in stark contrast against the pale blue sky. An omen of death. The hangman’s platform was fitted with rows of nooses, all awaiting their innocent victims.

Rissa’s stomach flip-flopped as she swallowed the bile in the back of her throat. This was crazy. What was Davi thinking? What were they thinking following along with this whole idea? There was no way this plan would succeed. Not with their small contingent. Not even with the addition of the thirty or so forest soldiers would they be able to pull this off. This was a suicide mission, especially with the whole area stripped of any magic. All they had to fight with was what they had stored and come from Dreach-Sciene with. At this point they needed more than magic. They needed a miracle.

“How’s your magic level, my dear?” As if Ramsey was reading her mind, he breathed the question into her ear, and she jumped in fright.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that,” she growled but more from hopelessness than anger. The whole situation reeked of desperation. Ramsey picked up on her distress.

“Never fear, Rissa. We must wade through the darkness to get to the light...”

She glared sideways at him. “What the hell does that mean? If it means this is hopeless, then yeah I agree.”

He smiled at her. His casual disposition in the face of all this adversity amazed Rissa.

“You have your mother’s sense of humor… and sharp tongue, to be sure.”

Ri stared at him in disbelief. “Have you completely lost your mind? You do realize the danger we are in, yes? We’re about to attempt a rescue of hundreds of people with the saddest excuse for a plan I’ve ever heard. Between all of us we barely have enough magic to go up against a dozen of magic-saturated soldiers, let alone Calis and Briggs. We’re in league with a bunch of mercenaries I wouldn’t trust with a bottle of our worst wine, let alone our lives. And to top it all off, I’m doing this to help rescue the woman who had a hand in my father’s murder. This is complete madness. Why am I even here?”

Ramsey’s smile grew wider as his eyes caressed her face. “Why indeed. Love is a curious thing, is it not?”

Heat flushed Ri’s cheeks as her gaze found Davi standing off to the side and deep in conversation with the forest soldier’s leader. She wanted to counter her grandfather’s statement, but she couldn’t argue the truth. There was no point. She was in the middle of all this because of that dark haired idiot she would do anything for.

“It’s something alright,” she grumbled as she tore her eyes away and focused once more on the sight below. Ramsey settled by her side, showing no interest in leaving her alone. “In answer to your question, my magic is passable. How about yours?”

“About the same as yours. Functional.”

His words did nothing to reassure her.

“Functional? You’re a member of the Tri-Gard for crying out loud. Your magic is functional? We need you at your strongest, not functional. Why are you even here if you can’t help us do this?”

“I didn’t say I couldn’t help. I said my magic was functional. Same as yours and Davi’s and everyone else with us. I might have a little more control over my magic than you young people, but it was the crystal that allowed me my power. The good news is the same can be said for Calis and Briggs. Without their crystals, we are all on the same level.”

“Except we’re not. You said yourself Briggs and Calis have learned to store magic, more than we carry. How do we go up against that?”

“With the element of surprise.” Davi was the one to answer her question. She hadn’t even heard him approach. He squatted beside her, giving her the tiniest of smiles. “Don’t worry, Ri. If there is one thing I’ve learned about my father in our time together, he is much too arrogant. He’s aware that some of his people may resist here today and he’s taking precaution against that. He’s drained the lands so badly, no one will have enough magic to oppose him. Or so he thinks. He won’t be prepared for us.” He flicked her under her chin. “For you.”

She knocked his finger away in irritation. “Explain how this will work again?”

“Ri, we’ve gone over this-”

“Indulge me,” she interrupted and Davi sighed.

“Fine. Bowman and his men will place themselves in position around the platform. We will position ourselves near Calis and Briggs. Since Bowman was kind enough to provide us all with these forest soldier fur cloaks, no one will question our presence or theirs or the kegs of ‘wine’ they’ve brought to the execution. The black powder will be placed in a position to take out the platform’s base. Once we get sight of the prisoners, Ramsey will disable Briggs while you and I take care of Calis. We must be quick and brutal since we won’t be able to control them for long. As soon as they are incapacitated, Bowman will blow the platform. Edric and Rion will grab Lorelai and escape in the confusion, as will we. We will hide in the mass of people and make our escape.”

Rissa had heard this twice already. It still elicited as little faith from her as it did the first two times.

“There’s so much left to chance. So much that can go wrong.”

Ramsey laced Rissa’s hand through his. “Yes, as is with any plan. But this is crazy enough to work.”

Rissa rolled her eyes and drew her hand back. “No, it’s just plain crazy. And what happens after? After we get Lorelai? What happens to everyone else? Where do they escape to? Dreach-Sciene? They won’t just up and leave their families… their people. What will become of them?”

“The others are not our problem, Ri.” Davi stood and adjusted his sword, refusing to meet her eyes. “We came for my cousin. The others can fend for themselves. The plan stands.”

He sounded so cold. So controlled. Rissa almost didn’t recognize him at that moment. She wanted to say something. To ask where the old Davi was, but she already knew the answer. That Davi didn’t exist anymore. She may as well get used to it.

“I have a gut feeling this is going to go terribly wrong,” she muttered to herself, forgetting about Ramsey. He stood, brushing off his palms before holding a hand out to her. She accepted, and he pulled her up beside him.

“You may be correct. But then again, it could go wonderfully right. The others are waiting for us. Shall we go set this in motion and find out?”

* * *

The heat was unbearable. So many bodies squished together under the merciless sun. Ironic that the sun would shine so bright on a day meant for death. These heavy fur cloaks they wore didn’t help either, but at least it had gotten them and their weapons past the Dreach-Dhoun soldiers without a second glance. The soldiers hadn’t even looked their way, too busy joking with Bowman and asking him to save them a drink of his famous forest wine.

But if Rissa thought the heat was bad, the smell as they made their way through the field was ten times worse. Some of these villagers had been here for days already, and the odor of unwashed bodies mixed with sweat and fear and wine all combined into a profusion of stench that nearly took her breath away. Grabbing onto Davi’s hand tighter so not to lose him in the crowd, she used her free hand to pull the hood of her cloak over her nose, trying to staunch the smell. Last thing she needed was to pass out before this whole rescue even began.

Once past the guards, they parted ways with Bowman and his men. Edric and Rion walked with them a bit farther until Edric leaned close and whispered in her ear, “Good luck. We’ll meet you at the rendezvous point.”

Rissa ignored the unease squeezing her innards into knots and kept swallowing the lump in her throat. The plan would work. It had too. She watched the two men disappear into the crowd, heading toward the gallows, while she and Ramsey fell into step behind Davi. She knew where Davi was trying to lead her. The small dais set up next to the gallows was shielded from the sun by a brightly colored canvas and afforded the best seat in the house for the show about to be unleashed on the crowd. Obviously in reserve for Calis. He wanted to make sure he was seen to be in control of this whole fiasco.

The closer they got to the podium, the easier the crowd parted, like they were more than willing to let others take position around their king. Davi and Rissa made their way to the dais and stopped in front of Calis’ intended spot. They were soon joined by Ramsey, all of them taking care to stay hidden among the crowd. Ri was thankful that others in the crowd also sought cover from the hot sun under hoods, making the three of them appear less conspicuous.

“Now what?” Rissa mumbled as she scanned the crowd for any sign of Rion or Edric or any of their men, but they were already swallowed up in the mob. She prayed they were all in position and where they needed to be.

“Now we wait,” He replied, but gave her hand a squeeze of reassurance. A small gesture, but Ri took what she could get.

The wait was made worse by the heat, but finally a trump of a horn pierced the air and the quiet drone of chatter that had filled the valley faded into silence. The horn sounded once again, and Rissa turned in the slight welcoming breeze toward the sound. A fleet headed their way from the castle. An imposing parade of horses and wagons and soldiers marched over the hills, along the dried-up riverbed and toward the valley floor. In the lead was a gilded carriage pulled by two magnificent black beasts, and Rissa’s heart constricted in her chest at the sight. No doubt who was arriving with such extravagance. Calis and Briggs were on their way.

The mass of soldiers spilled into the crowd, surrounding the people forced into the valley. So many they almost numbered the villagers themselves. Rissa sucked in a breath of panic. She hadn’t expected so many armed forces. How were they to get past them all, but as if Davi could read her mind, he turned to her and the corner of his mouth lifted in a tiny smile as if to say, Don’t worry.

Don’t worry. Yeah, easier said than done. She pulled her hand from Davi’s and rubbed her sweaty palms down the side of her cloak.

Keep it together, Ri.

Once the last soldier took position, only then did the gilded carriage settle to a stop behind the tented dais. Rissa couldn’t see what was happening, but a loud voice boomed through the air as a tall man took center stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen. His royal majesty, King Calis of Dreach-Dhoun.” The herald bowed in respect and backed away as Calis took to the podium. He smiled. He actually smiled and waved at the crowd of hundreds as if it were a pleasant day and he had gathered them all here for a picnic instead of the executions of their friends and families.

Rissa stared in contempt at the hateful man who caused her family so much pain. Her palms itched, and the magic danced at her fingertips, wanting to rip that disgusting smile right off of his face. A memory of their last meeting flittered in her mind, and she shuddered in revulsion at the thought of how he had caressed her cheek. A tug on her arm snapped her out of the memory as Ramsey pulled her down to join the surrounding crowd that were now bowing, not out of respect but out of fear. She complied with the rest, not wanting to draw attention.

An unnatural hush fell over the crowd as Calis walked to the front of the stage, a stern looking Briggs at his back. Briggs’ eyes swept the crowd and Rissa, Ramsey, and Davi all dropped their heads in pretend reverence. Calis’ voice shattered the stillness.

“My people, it is an honor to see you all here, even as it is a very sad day for all of us.” He sighed, and it seemed to sweep out over the crowd. Rissa wondered if he was using magic to project since she swore she could feel his false sadness. “This should have been a time of rejoicing for us. A time of elation and pride. A plan I’d put into motion years ago worked flawlessly. We were this close to claiming our victory over our greatest enemy, Dreach-Sciene.” He held two pinched fingers up into the air. “Instead, my plan was met with betrayal. I had nothing but the best intentions for the people of Dreach-Dhoun. My people. We would want for nothing. We would have everything. Yet, instead of thankfulness I was given disloyalty. My own subjects plotting against me. Trying to oust me from power. No one was trustworthy, not even those of my own blood.”

His head bowed and for a moment Rissa thought he was actually about to cry. Then he raised his head and stared out over the crowd with a look that sent a chill over her body. The blue eyes, so much like Davi’s, were solid ice and his mouth formed a grim line. “You thought you would get away with this treachery? Fools! All of you. No one betrays Calis Bearne and gets away with it. You are all here today to observe testament to that.”

“Please, sire, I beg you to have mercy!” The voice came from behind Rissa, and she turned in surprise, searching for the brave soul—or fool. “These people are naught but women and children. Innocent of all you accuse.”

“Innocent?” Calis’ eyes narrowed as he searched for the speaker in the crowd. “Step forward.”

The man did as Calis requested. He was dressed in peasant garb that hung from his thin frame and his sallow skin reeked of ill health, but his stance stayed strong. He didn’t cower under Calis’ stare, even as those around him did and distanced themselves from the man brave enough to speak up.

“What is your name, good sir?”

“Giles, your Majesty.”

“Giles. And do you, Giles, have family here today?”

The man nodded and wiped angrily at the tears that fell from his eyes and down his cheeks.

“Speak up,” Calis growled.

“Yes, sire. My daughter and son are both being held prisoner. They are innocent! They have no affiliation with the rebels. You need to release them. Please, sire.”

“Are you telling me that I’ve made a mistake?” The question was almost a whisper, yet everyone in the crowd heard and an audible gasp filled the silence that followed. The crowd’s heads bobbed back and forth as they stared from the king and the man who dared question him. The man’s own look was one of total confusion, as if he knew he shouldn’t answer, but knew if he didn’t the consequences would be the same.

“Ye… yes,” he stuttered. It was his last word. The movement of Calis’ hand was barely perceptible, but the man was suddenly lifted into the air. His feet kicked out underneath him and his hands fought to tear away the clamp around his neck. Rissa stepped forward as if to help the man, but Davi clamped her arm in a vise grip and shook his head. They couldn’t give themselves away. Not yet.

As the crowd watched in horror, the man did the hangman’s dance, jerking around wildly like some marionette being controlled by a mad puppeteer. He struggled to breathe, his lips turning blue and his eyes bulging from his head. Rissa couldn’t stand to watch anymore. She turned her head and closed her eyes, but she could still hear the man’s horrible gurgling. Finally, that too stopped, and she heard his body hit the ground. It was over. An unnatural silence settled over the valley. Not even a bird or cricket dared break the hush. Then that hated voice slithered along her spine.

“Does anyone else think I’ve made a mistake?”

No one else spoke. Quiet sobbing whispered through the crowd, but no one dared answer the king’s question. Not even Rissa, but her muteness wasn’t due to fear. The anger that raged through her heart was the culprit. She raised her eyes to the object of her anger and watched him stride casually to the throne-like chair placed in the middle of the podium. Briggs settled himself off to the right as Calis’ waved his hand at the head of his guards. “Bring out the prisoners.”

Dozens jumped at his command. Wagon door after wagon door unbolted and the prisoners unceremoniously yanked out. They squinted in the bright sun, tied hands lifted to try to protect their eyes from the harsh light. Dirty, ragged men, women, and children ushered into lines and up the stairs toward their deaths. Some cried quietly as they shuffled up the platform. Some prayed. Some scanned the crowd, desperately searching for the faces of those they loved. But none cried out for mercy, for they all knew it would be a waste of breath.

Rissa tried to count them but lost track after fifty. Fifty faces filled with so much terror and eyes full of fear. Ri knew those faces would haunt her til the end of her days. She tried to block them out and instead focused on finding the face of the seer. Her white hair should have been a dead giveaway in the massive crowd, but her attention was caught instead by movement at the end of the platform. Others in the crowd of watchers had noticed as well, and cries of dismay and sorrow soon saturated the air.

“Davi.” Her tone was frantic as the first prisoners on the gallows finally cried out in desperation as nooses were dropped about their necks. “They aren’t waiting for all the prisoners to climb the platform. We have to do something now.”

“Dammit,” he whispered back. “I don’t see Lorelai. Where is… there!” Rissa followed his agitated stare. The seer was being escorted up the stairs by a guard, her back held straight and her head held high.

“Do you think Rion and Edric will get to her in time?” Rissa asked, but Davi ignored the question.

“Ramsey, you ready?” he hissed at the other man and Ramsey gave a slight nod. “On the count of three. One…”

Rissa called on her magic. It started as a warm, tingling sensation in her stomach but soon, just like throwing a log onto glowing embers, a flame ignited.

“Two…”

The flame grew brighter, and she struggled with the need to set it free too soon. It leapt eagerly at her fingertips, begging for release. Begging to take its revenge.

“Three!”

The growing fire exploded, aiming straight for Calis. The king’s mouth formed a tiny O as if he knew what was coming moments before the chair toppled over and he fell with it. Briggs’ overcame his surprise and headed for the king, but was jolted back, locked into place by Ramsey’s magic. Dark eyes burned through the crowd, searching for the one who dared do this and settled on them, recognition setting in. He struggled against Ramsey’s hold, but Ramsey’s magic held even as the strain of fighting Brigg’s power soon showed on his face.

“We just need to keep him pinned long enough,” Davi grunted, and Rissa knew he was feeling the same resistance as her. Calis was fighting back, and he was strong. She felt his push back against her magic and she grit her teeth. It was like fighting against the wind. A powerful force she couldn’t see, but it was there and could crush her at any moment. She had to stay strong. They had to stay strong.

Panic set in on the crowd as they realized something was wrong. Desperation turned to confusion as the soldiers barreled through, pushing people aside in their search for the magic wielders. Ri could feel her power waning and she reached deep, desperately trying to dredge up any remains of stored magic.

“Anytime now, boys,” Davi grit through clenched teeth, glancing over at the soldier narrowing in on them. Almost as if on cue the first explosion rent the air. The ground shifted under their feet and Rissa stumbled, losing control of her magic for just a moment. That moment was all Calis needed. He took advantage. Leaping nimbly to his feet, he countered back with a debilitating strike. The pain tore through Rissa’s shoulder and she cried out as her magic shattered around her like broken glass.

“Rissa!” Davi screamed, turning toward her, his hood falling in the process and revealing his face. The sneer of hatred on Calis’ face faltered as his eyes fell on his son.

“Davion?”

Davi stiffened but didn’t respond. He lunged for Rissa to keep her from falling. His arms tightened around her waist, and she sucked in a breath. Her eyes met his. “Dav, it’s gone. I’ve used all the magic I had stored.”

His gaze tore into her, darkening as they both felt the looming presence behind them. Davi’s eyes flicked to the bow strung across her back in silent communication. She nodded, and he released her. In one swift movement, Davi dropped and Rissa pulled her bow, knocked her arrow, and loosed it toward Calis.

He waved his hand and the arrow hit an invisible wall and clattered to the soft ground. Davi drew his sword and jumped forward to face the one man she hoped they’d never have to see again.

Rissa rested another arrow against the string of her bow but held it there and waited. Davi needed to do this. He needed to face that man. He needed to face the demons that haunted him.

She risked a quick glance at Davi and caught sight of the indecision on his face. Over the past week it seemed as if the boy she knew had returned to them, allowing her to forget what had been done to him. What he’d lost.

She narrowed her eyes and tightened her grip on her bow as she caught the movement of soldiers at her back, but they stopped at Calis’ raised hand, even though his eyes never left Davi.

Calis didn’t make a move to attack. “Son, you’ve returned to me.”

Davi took a step back and shook his head.

“He’d never return to you,” Rissa spat.

Calis finally looked to her. “You’re naïve, girl.”

Another explosion sounded behind them, bringing all three back to the fray surrounding them. Rissa tried to see through the bodies pushing for freedom, but Rion and Edric were nowhere to be found.

Ramsey continued to struggle against Briggs, but even that couldn’t hold much longer.

A man barreled into Davi and almost knocked him over. Davi pushed him aside. “Rissa, now!”

Rissa didn’t have to be asked twice. She released the arrow. Calis slammed his hands up, forming a protective wall once again. Davi’s eyes followed the arrow. His hand twitched and a loud crack sounded through the air as it burst through the barrier. The explosion knocked Briggs off his feet, but Calis merely ducked out of the way and the steel tip struck a soldier behind him, the shaft protruding from his neck. Blood spurted Calis and he wiped it away without so much as a grimace.

Rissa saw Davi’s shoulders slump with the effort it took to break through his father’s magic. That was when she knew. They were both without power now and no living earth in sight to regain it.

“Enough of this nonsense, Davion.” Calis held out his hand. “Come with me. Together, we can make all of this right.”

Davi’s sword lowered slightly. He wasn’t considering it, was he?

“Davi,” she said. “We have to find a way out of this.”

Davi shifted his eyes from her to his father.

“Son,” Calis pleaded, emotion clouding his words. “Please.”

A hand latched onto Rissa’s arm. “Time to go,” Ramsey said into her ear.

Behind Calis, Briggs lay unconscious on the ground.

“Stop!” Calis’ eyes found the prone Briggs. “My son isn’t going anywhere.”

“If you want him to stay, you’re going to have to kill him.” Rissa shrugged off Ramsey’s grip and stepped forward. She wasn’t sure how much truth filled her words. Davi still hadn’t moved.

“I am his family.” Calis sneered. “You are no more than an enemy princess.”

Magic shot from his hands, aimed toward Rissa, and she didn’t have a moment to process it before a body bowled her over, throwing her to the ground. Davi jerked on top of her as his father’s power struck him.

“Davi!” she screamed. Crawling out from under him, she rolled him over. His chest rose and fell with his labored breath, but he was alive. A tear tracked down her cheek as she raised her head to Calis.

“You would kill your own son?” She shook her head. “What kind of monster are you?”

Davi coughed and reached out to grip Rissa’s leg. “He didn’t…” He coughed again. “He held back on his magic. I could tell. That was not a death strike.” Relief washed over his face. “He doesn’t want to kill me.”

Calis’ mouth opened.

“Let us go, Calis.” Ramsey’s voice broke through as the chaos of escaping prisoners and attacking soldiers continued around them. “Let us go.”

Calis glanced back at Briggs who’d begun to stir.

“We aren’t the ones you want,” Ramsey said. “Just as you wouldn’t have wanted to execute Lorelai. I know you, old friend. You love that girl. Let us leave Dreach-Dhoun. Let us save her life.”

Davi pushed himself up. “Please.”

Calis raised a hand as if to wield his magic once more.

Davi stepped forward. “Father.”

The word broke whatever had been raging inside Calis. “I cannot let you leave me again, Davion.” He turned and issued orders to his men. “Capture the prince. Kill the rest.”

Rissa heard the words ‘capture’ and ‘kill’ but she couldn’t worry about the villagers caught in the fray.

Not when her every fear was wrapped up in Davi standing still amid it all.

“Time to run, my Prince.” Ramsey jerked his head toward the trees.

He was right. They had to get Davi out of there before the soldiers could get to them. Rissa searched the crowd mingling around them trying to find a soldier-free course of escape, but they were closing in at an alarming speed. She raised her bow and aimed at the nearest soldier. Her arrow found its mark and before the soldier even hit the ground she pointed and yelled above the noise, “That way.”

“Davion, stop!” The voice roared, and Rissa felt the magic bind around their ankles like quicksand. It rooted them in place with such force she nearly fell over, stumbling into Ramsey as his body stopped her fall. Reaching deep inside herself, she searched for any last remaining trace of magic to fight back but came up empty.

“No,” she cried, her voice thick with frustration. “Ramsey, do something.”

The explosion that ripped at their eardrums had nothing to do with magic, but it was just as effective. Rissa knew it was the dais holding Calis that had exploded without even seeing the aftermath. The magic holding them captive loosened, and they were able to move again.

“Run!” she screamed at Davi, even as he faltered and looked back where his father had just stood. She grabbed his arm and glanced back as well. The brightly colored canvas fluttered on the wind as it settled down over the pile of debris that had once been the platform.

“He was protected by his magic. Trust me, the bastard is still alive. Don’t you even dare think about going back. We need to save our own necks.”

Davi shook off his indecision as Rissa’s words registered, and he grabbed her hand tight and began to run. Another explosion erupted. People screamed as the gallows listed to the side. Prisoners and soldiers alike toppled off the slippery slope, barreling into anyone unlucky enough to be standing at the bottom. The whole scene was mass confusion. Soldiers and commoners ran in different directions, not quite comprehending what to do next. Orders were shouted out by the captains of the guard, but they were quickly swallowed up by the screams and shouts of the villagers all trying to reach their loved ones. All trying to make the most of this opportune moment to escape.

“Did you see Edric and Rion get to Lorelai?” Davi shouted over his soldier as he dodged a sword that swung his way.

“Uh, I’m a little busy trying to keep us alive here,” Rissa yelled back as she aimed an arrow at the soldier blocking their path. “Duck!”

The arrow sailed over Davi’s head and struck the soldier in the arm, spiraling him off balance enough for them to run by. Trying to push through the crowd was like fighting against a wicked wind, but finally the crowd thinned out enough for them to break through into a clearing as people ran in all directions, trying to escape the soldiers and get away with their family members.

They stumbled out of the sea of people so abruptly Rissa almost fell to her knees and would have if a strong hand hadn’t seized her wrist. She reached for an arrow as the soldier’s blade swam into focus, but a voice stopped her movement.

“Head for the spot in the trees,” Bowman growled as he steadied Rissa. “My men and I have this. We’ll try to keep the soldiers occupied and give anyone we can the chance to escape. We still have one big surprise left. We just need to get as many villagers as we can out of the way.”

“Thank you,” Rissa said to the big man, staring with gratitude into his eyes. He merely nodded, then whirled with his sword held high. “For the people of Dreach-Dhoun,” he yelled at his men as they all ran screaming back into the crowd.

“Move,” Ramsey ushered them into movement, and they headed for the destination.

The sound of screaming and yelling lessened the farther into the forest they ran, muted by the thick canopy of withered leaves. Rissa gasped for breath as the stitch in her side cut as sharp as any blade. She limped in pain, but still they ran. The surrounding trees all looked the same and she feared they had gone the wrong way. A wave of relief washed over her when she spotted their men waiting in the clearing with the horses.

Coming to a dead stop, she bent over with hands on her knees, and sucked in huge gulps of air, looking around. The couple of soldiers they had left behind ran toward them in concern.

“Princess,” one called out, but she shrugged off his hand as she took another deep breath and straightened up, wiping the sweat from her upper lip.

“Edric? Rion?” she asked the soldier, but he shook his head.

“No. You are the first ones back.”

“Dammit,” Davi breathed hard as he ran a hand through his dark hair. “We should have looked for them. We should have helped them instead of running off like scared little maidens. What if they didn’t make it? What if they didn’t get Lorelai?”

“Oh ye of little faith, Davion.”

Edric’s voice was like a weight lifted from her chest. Rissa whirled as Edric and Rion shuffled out of the trees, a disoriented Lorelai walking between them, her hands still tied. Her panic and puzzlement soon turned to disbelief as she spotted her cousin.

“Davi.” She fell into his arms, her sobs mixed with joy. “You came for me. You idiot!”

Davi hugged her back hard, his face softened into a small smile. “Nice to see you too, cousin.”

Rissa squashed the twinge of irritation burning in her gut at the sight of the seer. She was Davi’s family and supposedly innocent of her father’s murder. Rissa tried to rationalize that in her head, but still looking at her only fueled her ire.

“No time for family reunions,” she growled as she stepped their way, pulling her knife. Davi raised a concerned brow, but Rissa ignored him as Lorelai stepped back and Ri grabbed the girl’s tied wrists. Her sharp blade sliced through the ropes and Lorelai let out a small cry of gratitude as the ropes fell from her bloodied wrists.

“Can you ride?” Rissa asked, and Lorelai nodded in answer. “Good. We can’t wait for the others. They know to head for the border. We need to move.”

“Agreed,” Ramsey gave the girl a quick hug as well. “The Princess is correct. We should ride hard while there is still chaos back there.”

Rissa turned away from Davi and Lorelai. She didn’t want to admit how hard it was watching him show so much concern for the girl who had betrayed her father. Instead, she focused her attention on Edric and Rion as Davi fussed with getting Lorelai settled onto a horse.

“You two did well. I will be sure to tell my brother how you did Dreach-Sciene proud today.”

Edric’s face broke into a wide grin. “How well, Princess? Maybe there will be some talk of reward? Maybe knighthood?”

Rissa laughed at his boldness. “That is not up to me, Edric.”

“Too bad,” he answered. “Well please make sure you enhance our part of the story. Rion and I would truly appreciate any sort of embellishment you choose to add. Sir Edric does have a nice ring to it, does it not?”

“And Sir Rion,” Rion added, grinning at his partner. “The ladies of court will fawn over that.”

Rissa lifted her brow. “I think Willow might not be too happy with court ladies ‘fawning’ over you, Rion.”

His grin dropped away. “You may be right, Princess. She does have a wee bit of a temper.”

Edric’s laughter boomed through the trees. “Well, I for one, do not have a quick-tempered lady waiting for me back in Dreach-Sciene, so I’ll take whatever title the king decides to throw my way.”

Rissa couldn’t help but join in with his laughter as she headed toward her own horse. Grabbing the reins, she lifted herself nimbly into the saddle before glancing back Edric’s way.

“How about the title of ‘pompous idiot’ then? I think that suits you well.”

Edric’s face contorted into a look of mock hurt as he straddled his own horse. “I think—”

His words stopped at the same time an unmistakable twang hit Rissa’s ears. Rissa stared in horror at the sight, burning into her brain. An arrow erupted from Edric’s chest with a splatter of crimson as it tore through his heart. Edric glanced down in disbelief before raising his head once more and stared at Rissa even though he was long past seeing her. Blood bubbled from his lips, and he moved them as if to speak one last time before the haze of death covered his eyes and he fell from his horse and hit the ground.