Page 12 of An Archer's Reckoning

“That’sexactlywhat we’re suggesting.” Wilfred didn’t blink.

I sat back, struggling to process the sheer insanity of the Sheriff’s suggestion. I thought I’d seen a lot in my time with the Guard, but this was a totally different level of madness.

“Queen Isabel will say we kidnapped her, that two Melucians stole her daughter. We’ll be used as an excuse for the war she already wants,” I argued.

“You’re probably right. It’s a terrible risk, but I agree with the Captain. We can’t protect Jess here.” Wilfred shrugged. “To make matters worse, it’s been more than three hours since Isabelcompleted her ceremony. It only takesthree hoursto get across the lake. We know she’s coming; we just don’t know when. If she gets here before Jess is safely away . . .”

The men fell silent.

I found myself wishing I had never left Melucia.

Chapter 5

Jess

Istared at the signet as I spun it absently around my finger. I’d always thought it so massive on my father’s hand. Now, it felt like it belonged on my slim finger even though the weight of what it represented pressed against my spirit far more than the golden band did against my skin. I had been preparing to rule my whole life but had not expected to actually wear the crown for another twenty years or more.

After leaving home, I expected I never would.

There was plenty of time to be a teenager and rebel, to have a normal life—as normal as life could be for the Crown Princess. Until my mother—

An urgent knock at my door snapped my head up. I straightened my blue blouse and stood before calling out, “Come in.”

Sheriff Wilfred burst through the door with Keelan and an old man close behind.

“Your Majesty, we need you to leave—now.” The Sheriff’s normally placid voice carried near panic as he rushed forward and began tossing my riding clothes into a satchel.

“What? Why? Sheriff, what are you doing? I just got here.” My gaze shot from Wilfred to Atikus, then Keelan.

“Your Majesty, please. There’s no time. We’ll explain on the way,” Wilfred urged. When I didn’t move, he added, “Yourlifeis in danger. We have to go.”

Atikus stepped forward and offered me his hand. “Your Majesty, my name is Atikus Dani. I am a Mage of Melucia sworn to keep you safe. There is no time for explanations, but I assure you, we will explain everything one we are free of this place. Please come with us. Keelan will lead us out. The Sheriff will follow with your things.”

I was too exhausted and stunned to argue.

Keelan turned on a heel, and I followed. As we marched down the narrow hall to the back stairs of the inn, I was surprised to find it empty. There had always been at least two men of the Royal Guard within shouting distance when I was only the Crown Princess. There should’ve been far more protecting the Queen.

“Where are my guards?” I stopped walking and clutched my chest with my arms.

Atikus bumped into me from behind.

“Sorry, Majesty,” he muttered.

“The Royal Guard is waiting for us in the stables. The Captain arranged for his men to be elsewhere. Please, Your Majesty, we have to gonow,” Keelan said.

I eyed Keelan, searching for any sign of deception or deceit, then reluctantly followed him down the stairs and out a back door. We hustled to a small wooden stable across the alley. Stalls for ten horses lined the interior of the old wooden barn. The farcorner was hidden by stacks of baled hay. More hay littered the ground, but the place appeared well kept.

A massive armored man’s head appeared from within one of the stalls where he was buckling a horse’s saddle.

“Your Majesty.” Captain Proctor snapped to attention and offered a shallow bow.

“You?Youare in on this?” Jess stammered.

He nodded but didn’t speak. His silence somehow set my blood boiling, and I stormed over to the stall where the giant stood, hands on my hips. “You agree?You think I should go with these men? TheseMelucians? What have you not told me? I am not moving until someone explains everything right this moment.”

The man didn’t hesitate. His eyes didn’t waver. “Your Majesty . . .Jess, I held you in my arms the day you were born. I watched you grow. I’ve protected you, and your family, every day since. Protecting you is my life. I would gladly give mine to save yours.” Rare, unchecked emotion marred his normally chiseled features, and his voice faltered as he spoke. “Ican’tkeep you safe right now. My men are . . . compromised. I . . . don’t know who to trust. I believe Atikus and Keelan are good men. Go with them—for your safety, as well as the Kingdom’s.”

My mouth fell open, but I couldn’t speak. The Royal Guards had been my family’s most trusted knights for generations. There had never been a single incident of treachery or betrayal, at least not one that resulted in a member of the royal family’s death.

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