Page 64 of Façade

“The princess has noticed someone following us.”

The guard soundlessly withdrew his own sword and went to investigate, while the other shielded us with a guarding stance, his posture alert.

“You will tell me about this attempt on your lifenow,” Ryland ordered stiffly, not pausing in his surveillance while the remaining guard scanned the surrounding forest from behind.

“The first occurred while still in Estoria when a man threw a knife at me.”

Ryland’s gaze jerked away from the surrounding trees to snap back to me, wild with horror. “What?”

“Someone killed him before he could harm me.” My brow furrowed at that still unexplained mystery. “Nothing else occurred until the night I snooped through your study, when a man followed me from the ballroom.” His eyes bulged further. “Then the night before we embarked on this journey, that same man tried to smother me. I managed to defend myself until I was rescued by someone who attacked my assailant. I took refuge in your room for the night…and by morning he was gone.”

He didn’t find such a succinct summary nearly satisfactory. I gave additional details as quickly yet thoroughly as possible. Horror hardened his expression with each word of the recitation. When I finished, he swore. “So he’s the one who just tried to—” His hold around my waist tightened so much it was almost painful…yet somehow not tight enough. “No one attacks…or tries to poison…my wife.”

His broken words could barely wrench free from his strangled throat. My heart swelled at his obvious concern, an emotion accompanied by guilt that I’d entertained even the slightest suspicion against him. No matter what happened between us or how much easier the path of doubt would be for what came later, I never wanted to distrust him ever again.

“And this same man is following us now?”

I gave him a half-nod, half-shrug. “I believe so.”

He released a whooshing breath. “Why didn’t you tell me about any of this sooner, the moment it all happened?”

Now likely wasn’t the best time to remind him that until very recently, relations between us had been far too strained for me to open up about someone being after my life. Even without my saying it he seemed to understand this, and though frustration clenched his jaw, he accepted my unspoken reason, even if he didn’t particularly like it.

Even after my confession he didn’t relax; we both remained still as he frantically took in our surroundings, the only sounds our ragged breaths and the frantic beating of our hearts. Despite the fear encircling us, I felt perfectly safe in Ryland’s arms, and even had the rebellious wayward thought that I never wanted to leave.

Despite the security found within his embrace, I couldn’t still my shaking. Without a word Ryland drew me closer, much as he’d done the night I’d first witnessed the assassin while snooping through his study. Like before, he stroked not just my back but my hair. This time something deeper filled each gentle and infinitely comforting touch that hadn’t existed the first time, a sign of how much closer we’d become.

“Why are you holding me so tightly?” I managed breathlessly.

He blinked down at me, as if he hadn’t realized what he’d been doing. To my relief he didn’t release me. “I don’t want any harm to come to you, Evie.” His eyes blazed with sincerity.

His fierce protectiveness made it impossible to continue suspecting him of attempting to poison me. Despite sense dictating otherwise, I would choose to give in to my heart’s deepest desire and trust him.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured.

His brows drew together. “Whatever for?”

“For doubting you. I shouldn’t have accused you as I did.”

His fingers grazed my cheek. “You have nothing to apologize for. Trust must be earned, and I’ve done nothing to warrant yours.”

But he had. Each sweet gesture had built it gradually even as they’d chiseled away my protective walls, leaving nothing left to guard my heart, which I no longer wanted in my possession but inhis.

I ached to say more, but in that moment footsteps sounded. I instinctively pressed myself closer to him, but it was only the guard who’d left to investigate the area returning with his report. Ryland reluctantly withdrew from our embrace yet thankfully maintained his firm grip around my shoulders.

“Did you find him?” he demanded.

The guard offered a deep bow. “Unfortunately not, Your Highness, but my investigations did yield evidence of his presence. From what I can tell, there was definitely one—perhaps even two—people present. I’ve recruited additional guards to accompany us to the village, should you still wish to go.”

Resolution set Ryland’s jaw. “It’s imperative I investigate to see whether the curse has spread and if any of my subjects it might have affected are in need of aid. Princess Evelyn, however—“

Before he could even finish, I stepped forward, my chin lifted with determination. “—will be accompanying Prince Ryland.”

He groaned. “Evie…” The satisfaction I usually gained from his exasperation was entirely absent, leaving me almost compelled to humor him…but I held my ground.

“Arguing over the matter will only waste time.” I narrowed my eyes in challenge. We had a silent stare-down before his shoulders drooped in acquiescence. He grumbled something beneath his breath that sounded likestubborn,but he obediently guided me forward, keeping his sword drawn and me plastered against his side. Though the position slowed our pace, I took great comfort from his nearness.

Despite the safety I found from his presence, I couldn’t resist stealing several tentative glances behind us for the presence of the intruder. “Do you think he’s still following us?” I asked in an anxious whisper.

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