Page 50 of Enamored
I held up a hand to the guards to command them to stay where they were, and then I made my way across the tunet toward Elinor, Halvard, and the occupants of the farm.
“Do not come any nearer, Maxim.” Elinor’s expression tightened, as though she was afraid of me.
Regret pierced my heart. Regret that I’d caused her pain. Regret that I’d lost her trust. Regret that I hadn’t been honest with her from the start.
Nevertheless, I continued with slow but steady steps toward her.
Halvard unsheathed his sword and moved in front of Elinor. “Listen to the princess, sire. Stay back.” His tone radiated a menace that told me he’d defend Elinor to the death.
His loyalty earned him my respect, yet I still didn’t stop. I was betting my life on Elinor’s compassionate nature. She wouldn’t allow Halvard to harm me, no matter how frustrated with me she might be. When I was but a foot away, he swung his sword toward me. From the angle, I knew he only meant to scare me. When he ended by pressing the tip of his blade into my chest, I finally stopped.
I heard the almost-imperceptible clink of Rasmus’s soldiers readying to cross and rescue me. Without turning to look at them, I held up my hand again to halt them. Portraying a calm demeanor and unflinching bravery would convince them I had the special powers many people believed Sages had.
After my opening of the sword’s case, the rumors about my abilities had spread. I had no doubt that was part of Rasmus’s intention, to demonstrate I was powerful well beyond my years and training.
My ease in finding the princess so quickly had also added to my aura. And now, I needed to keep up the charade, using every skill I possessed to control the guards.
“Your Highness,” I said, even as Halvard’s blade punctured my skin. “I beg of you to give me a final chance to speak to you privately.”
I allowed myself a flinch, hoping my acting was convincing and that she didn’t already hate me and wish me dead.
Her gaze flickered to my chest. She pressed her lips together, the sign she was attempting to resolve herself to my demise.
“What you overheard,” I continued, “’twas a misunderstanding. If you’ll let me explain, you’ll come to the same conclusion.”
I let the sword press deeper, drawing a gush of blood instead of a trickle. Again, I forced myself to show a moment of pain, though it went against everything within me to display my emotion.
“I loathe you.”
“You have every right to do so.”
As the wet spot of blood darkened my cloak, her gaze invariably dropped to it. Her expressive eyes widened, and she stepped toward Halvard, tugging on his arm. “As much as I would like to kill Maxim, I shall keep him alive for now.”
“Very well, Your Highness.” Halvard dropped his sword, now tinged with my blood.
“If you would be so kind,” she spoke to the maiden and her father, “I would use your home for but a few moments to speak with Maxim.”
The two bowed their heads in acquiescence.
With that, she spun on her heel and strode in the direction of the lofthouse.
I’d gotten what I wanted. Privacy with her, away from the listening ears of Rasmus’s soldiers. I also knew she was in a great hurry to reach the king and wouldn’t delay her mission for long. Especially not for me.
She stepped up through the lofthouse door, three-quarters the dimensions of a full-sized door. I bent to enter behind her, then closed it and lowered the beam to keep intruders out. Even then, I suspected Rasmus’s soldiers would congregate outside and attempt to listen to our conversation. They’d likely been instructed by Rasmus not to allow me out of their sight for any reason. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them insisted on leaving the door open or even joining my conversation with the princess.
With the low ceiling of the storage room, I couldn’t straighten all the way. Even if I could, bunches of herbs drying in clusters from the rafters hung in my way, the aromas tingling my nose and urging me to identify each spice.
But instead of giving way to the challenge, I crossed to the hearth and stood beside Elinor. She held her hands out to the low flames and stared straight ahead, the muscles in her jaw tensing.
I had a minute, maybe less, before I lost this opportunity to speak the truth. “I am not working with Rasmus.” I kept my voice to a low whisper.
“You have always done his bidding without question, and clearly that hasn’t changed.” Her whispered reply was terse.
“He’s attempting to make me do his bidding, but I won’t let him succeed this time.”
“You are his pawn, and he is playing you to his advantage.”
“I will foil him.”
