Page 51 of Oath of Rebellion

It might've been hours later, Eirwyn wasn't sure, but eventually they slowed. It was the wee hours of the morning and the sun would be rising soon. She could feel it in her bones.

The woman stopped the horse at a small stream to drink. Eirwyn slid from the back of the horse, falling to her knees and taking a drink herself. The water was refreshing, but her body still felt the jostling motion of the bruising ride.

She looked up at the woman . She'd been so wrapped up with escaping the cloying responsibilities of court that she'd gotten herself kidnapped. As much as she listened and flirted with everyone, why hadn't she heard anything about her brother wanting to kill her before now?

"Are you going to kill me?" Eirwyn asked as she scooped more water to drink.

"No, I'm not going to kill you."

Eirwyn looked around. "Then why are we here? Why your grandma's house? Olive's house, right? Is that where we're going?"

The woman stared down at her. Eirwyn couldn't see her eyes, but she felt the weight of the stare bore into her. Then Scarlet pulled a knife from her belt. It gleamed off the light of the half-moon.

"Because she'll help us think up a solution."

"A solution to what problem?"

Scarlet sighed and waved the knife. "The king demands your heart."

Eirwyn gasped, scrambling back and falling into the water. The cold jump started her into action, and she quickly got to her feet.

"But why does he want my heart? He just married Bella? I'm no threat to him."

The woman shrugged and threw the dagger at the ground. It stuck, point up and gleaming in the light of the moon. "Apparently he thinks you are. That's not for me to decide. I'm giving you my dagger to show I'm not going to hurt you, alright? I'm just taking you to Grandma and Knox."

"Knox?" Eirwyn gasped.

"Yes, Knox. You're the only woman he's ever wanted, and if I let anything happen to you, he'd have my head."

Eirwyn's heart raced for a different reason now. She'd thought of him for the past two weeks so much, had dreamed of him every night. What was it about that giant, growling lumberjack that made her want to rip his hood off and ride him into oblivion?

Another howl echoed, and they both froze. Scarlet whispered, "They're never this far north. Shit, shit, shit."

She glanced at Eirwyn and back toward the howl. Then she pushed off her hood to reveal a red head with a massive curly messy bun on top of her head.

"Grab the dagger and let's go. Hurry."

Another howl echoed, nearer this time. Scarlet swung the horse around and offered her hand.

"Look, I promise not to kill you tonight, alright? But if we stay here, we'll both be dead."

Eirwyn ran, grabbed the dagger, and reached for Scarlet's hand. She put her foot in the stirrup and hiked her dress up to sit astride on the horse, then tucked the dagger into her boot.

Scarlet kicked the horse into another gallop. They raced further into the woods, and eventually Eirwyn fell asleep on Scarlet's back.

****

When Eirwyn awoke, it was to arguing voices. The biting hunger that clawed at her made her stomach growl. She licked her lips, the faint taste of dust making her yawn.

If you're hungry, get up and eat something. You're not in the castle anymore, princess. If you're going to be at the tavern so much, go get your own food.

Bella's voice echoed in her head, and she felt tears threaten. Her friend was married to a monster who had tried to have her killed. And that monster was her own brother.

Eirwyn's heart raced. Why was her brother so evil? Tears pricked her eyes, but she refused to just lay there.

She had to get up and figure this problem out. She opened her eyes slightly, just enough to see into the barn. At the end of the aisle was the woman who had dusted her earlier. Was that Scarlet? She blinked, the memories of the previous night flooding her. Fear licked her spine, making goosebumps dance on her skin.

Scarlet argued with a giant of a man.

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