“If you’re looking to cause trouble, you can do it elsewhere.”
The leader’s eyebrows rose. “Your woods, do you say? Don’t tell me you’re the prince from the castle.” A small smile played around his lips, making Dimitri stiffen. “How very interesting.”
The man stepped swiftly to one side, revealing Rosalie. Rope dangled from one of her wrists, suggesting she had been bound and subsequently freed. If it had been an escape attempt, she hadn’t gotten far, however. A tall man stood behind her, one hand clasped around her waist to hold her in place and the other hand clamped over her mouth to keep her silent.
Her wide eyes were fixed on Dimitri, but their expression was shocked rather than pained, and she didn’t appear to be injured. Even so, fury ripped through him at the sight of her restrained and silenced.
Without conscious intention, he drew his sword from its scabbard. Striding across the clearing, he took the leader by surprise, gripping the front of his shirt and holding the sharp edge of his blade to the man’s throat.
“Let her go. Now.” The words came out hard and cutting as ice.
The other men surged forward, but the leader’s stance remained relaxed. He waved a hand for his men to stay back, his eyes fixed on Dimitri.
“How very, very interesting,” he murmured, sending a chill down Dimitri’s spine.
The leader’s eyes flicked to one of the men hovering close by.
“It looks like you did a good job after all,” he said to his underling. His voice rose in volume as he addressed the man holding Rosalie behind him. “Do let our lovely guest go. There’s no need for restraints among friends.”
“Sir?” the man asked, clearly confused. Whatever the leader was doing, it wasn’t what his men expected.
“I think my words were clear,” the leader said in a tone that made the man instantly release Rosalie, leaping away from her as if burned.
She whirled on him immediately and kicked his shin. He winced but didn’t retaliate, and despite the situation, Dimitri couldn’t help a small smile. He regretted it when he looked back at the leader, though. The man’s eyes were on Dimitri, and his smile had grown.
“Very interesting,” he murmured again. “Quite delightful, really.”
He raised his brows, his eyes dropping to indicate the sword. Reluctantly Dimitri released him, stepping back. But he kept his eyes on the man and his blade ready.
He half-expected the leader to order an attack. But the man’s smile remained in place as he straightened his shirt.
Rosalie tried to stalk past him with her nose in the air, but he stepped smoothly into her path. Dimitri’s hand tightened on his hilt, and he started forward. But the man made no move to seize her, and Rosalie stopped. She could have sidestepped him easily enough, but she chose to face him, making Dimitri still. Hecouldn’t interpret the expression she was wearing, and a sliver of unease crept down his spine.
“And I thought your usefulness was past,” the man purred. “But look who came running to rescue you.”
She remained silent, radiating an anger that Dimitri could feel from several steps away. The leader appeared unaffected, however, responding to his own comment.
“Why, it’s none other than the new prince of the castle!” His smile widened further. “I’m not sure why I’m surprised. You are the youngest daughter of a merchant, after all.”
Dimitri’s brows tightened even further. What was the man implying?
The leader continued, using a voice that made Dimitri want to rip him away from Rosalie. “I think you’re going to be very useful indeed. You must excuse my momentary discourtesy earlier. I meant no harm by it, of course. But if you need comforting, I’m sure your prince will be happy to oblige.” He chuckled once.
“He isn’t my prince,” Rosalie said, her voice as stiff as her stance.
Her response hit Dimitri hard. Why did he feel like he was the outsider in this interaction? Who was this man? And more importantly, who was he to Rosalie?
“And yet he came running to save you,” the man replied, still with a laugh in his voice. “He doesn’t seem to be able to control his emotions where you’re concerned either.” He laughed outright, making Dimitri feel as if he’d been stripped bare, failing at a very important task in the process.
“None of it matters,” Rosalie said. “I have no intention of ever seeing you again, Jace. You heard Dimitri. You’re not welcome here.”
The man reached out a single finger and ran it down her cheek. “What a pity,” he whispered. “I did enjoy our time together, Rosalie.”
A sequence of emotions flashed across Rosalie’s face as Dimitri’s chest tightened. Was this Jace the man who had hurt Rosalie in the past? The one Dimitri had wanted to find and set straight? And now he had abducted her?
Dimitri stepped forward, no clear plan in his mind but unable to remain still and watch Jace taunt her. But Rosalie reacted more quickly than he could. Slapping Jace’s hand away, she stuck her nose back in the air and marched around him.
When her eyes met Dimitri’s, he tried to rein in the emotion on display, but he wasn’t fast enough. Her expression softened in response.