Page 6 of Oath of Rebellion

The forest was already dragging the carcasses of two horses away. The other two screamed, their cries piercing the air as the vines wrapped around their stomachs and squeezed them to death, kicking the entire time. Their neighing grew fainter as vines wrapped around their heads.

A stab of guilt did hit him at their loss. He couldn't free them in time and let the forest take them too, a pang of guilt over their loss. Knox waved a hand and the vines and underbrush that pulled the carriage into the ground receded to create a grassy clearing.

He sighed and approached the carriage. "Hello?"

He leaned over to see into the window, coldly detached and not worried about what he'd see. He'd seen enough of these accidents over the years that he'd become somewhat desensitized to it.

He blinked and frowned, surprised for the first time in years. A plump woman leaned against one seat but appeared unharmed.

It was the smaller, petite woman that drew his attention, though. Her black hair was long, several braids at her temples pulled back and the rest hanging down past her shoulders.

Her red, black, and white dress hugged her curves, and the fabric screamed high quality noble. But that wasn't what had him captivated. He had a direct line of sight down her ample cleavage. He blinked, forgetting to breathe as he stared at this vision of womanhood.

He'd been around women in town and in Vidrland, but it was safer to stay arm's length from them. There was something about this woman that made him want to break his rule and touch her, kiss her, hold her and comfort her.

She was panting, her eyes wild with fright as she knelt on the side of the carriage and checked on the other woman. "Helga? Helga, wake up."

Her voice was a melody that he could spend hours listening to.

Scarlet asked behind him. "Well? What are the injuries? No sign of Growlers."

He shook his head, but at the words, the black-haired woman looked up. Her gray blue eyes widened, captivating him like she held all the answers in the universe inside her head. Light wrapped around her like a halo.

Her shoulders slumped in relief. Her rosy red lips sighed, pouty and lush. She looked at him with complete trust and hope, and it slammed into him. A pressing need that had been building for years crashed through him, threatening his carefully curated control.

She reached up a hand. "Will you help me?"

Scarlet shouted behind him, and he looked back. Trees had shot up around him and the carriage, blocking Scarlet out like a wall. His tail was now lifted almost as high as his head, ready to strike, the barbs now visible with venom dripping from the end.

He whipped the cloak around and breathed deeply to control his emotions and body. He wanted to do more than help the princess. A clawing ache at his chest made him want to protect her, throw her over his shoulder and hide her from everyone else.

Curling his tail up around his shoulders, he safely hid it under his calf length cloak, looked around at the tree circle, and waved a hand. The trees reversed back into the ground, turning back into acorns.

He'd lost control for the first time in years. Scarlet's brows rose as she pressed her horse closer to him, brows raised in surprise.

She asked softly, "What does that mean?"

He glared at her. "Nothing. It means nothing."

A scratching sound made him look back down, and the dark-haired beauty's head popped out of the window. She looked around and then waved at Scarlet.

"Oh, there's two of you, thank the gods. My maid is injured. Will you help us?"

Her voice was lilting, like the water running through the creek, tumbling over the rocks. The worry in her voice drove him to action.

He grunted and said, "Watch out. I'm going to right the carriage."

She frowned and her head disappeared as she replied. "How are you going to do that? It's heavy, and– oh!"

He straightened the carriage and it settled upright on two wheels, leaning heavily on the broken axles, but no longer on its side. Then he opened the door.

She was thrown against the side of the carriage now, then quickly scrambled to her feet, grabbing two bags. She collected scattered pencils, notebooks, knitting, and books into the bags. Her complete unconcern as she tidied up their things showed a level of trust that he wanted to honor.

The glimpse of red stockings in her black boots blindsided him, and it made his blood boil for her.

He wanted to swoop her into his arms and carry her deep into the forest where no one else could find them. Instead, he stepped back, offering her a hand out the door.

Her soft hand slid into his, and it was like lightning danced up his arm. He stiffened and had to consciously think to keep his tail down. Then he backed away as she jumped onto the ground. She shook out her dress and beamed up at him.

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