Page 148 of Enchanted Kingdom
Rafe took off what felt like the direction we had come from, so I took that as a cue and began walking slowly and quietly behind him.
On we marched, Rafe ahead of me leading the way, three wolves flanking behind us.
It was still creepy and dark in the forest, but it was at least quiet. There was no buzz in the air from magic. So whatever altercation had happened was over. I only hoped Owen had gotten out unscathed.
Please be okay.
Twenty minutes later, at the same time the lights of the castle came into view, I saw an opening and realized it was the meadow I had seen Keir and Krew practicing in. All I needed to do was get up to Keir’s wing without anyone noticing me. I was almost there.
Sure enough, the wolves led me all the way to that back hedge I had tried to get through the first time.
Just before I left for it, I turned toward the four of them. “Thank you.” I gently reached a hand out for Rafe. “Thank you, friend.”
He sniffed twice toward my hand but didn’t touch it. He’d saved my life tonight, so I wasn’t going to take that personally.
I was half expecting another Enchanted to jump out the closer I got to the hedge, but no one was there. And the fact that it was now pitch black out here was seriously messing with my already fried nerves.
With one more look back at the wolves, not sure if that had all really just happened or if I hit my head harder than I had realized, I took a step into the hedge, back into the castle grounds.
Three steps later I heard my name.
“Jorah!”
It was Easton, my night guard.
“Easton?”
He ran for me, and I tensed, but only until he let out, “Thank the gods. Are you okay?”
I let out a shaky breath. “I’m cold. Can you get me upstairs? And where’s Owen?”
He nodded. “Right away. Come on, he’s upstairs too.”
We took the stairs, my legs burning. It was a welcome burn though as it was getting me warmed up. One set of stairs down, I couldn’t take the uncertainty any longer. “Owen?”
“Is fine,” Easton said with a nod.
I let out a deep breath and continued climbing, though everything hurt.
I didn’t know how I got to Keir’s door, but somehow, I managed.
“They’re waiting for you,” Easton told me kindly.
“Who is?” I asked. If the king was on the other side of that door, I decided I might just head back to the forest and take my chances living among the wolves.
“The princes and Owen.”
“No king?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No. No king.”
Thank goodness.
He turned the handle and pushed the door for me, swinging it wide open.
I took two steps before hearing my name.
“Jorah!”
