Page 61 of Enamored
I bolted the rest of the distance to Elinor, reaching her at the same moment as Halvard. She hadn’t moved, was frozen to her spot on the ground.
Kneeling beside her, I wanted to draw her into my arms and never let her go. But I had to get her to safety first. We had no time to waste. “Elinor, we must go to the river.”
She lifted her head and peered up at the sky and then back toward the river. “The king?”
I followed her gaze and gauged the distance left to the river for the Knights of Brethren. “He’s almost there.”
She nodded, her shoulders sagging. Her efforts, although foolhardy, had almost certainly saved the king.
“You need to go to the river too,” she said, her voice trembling.
Halvard had dismounted and was kneeling on the other side of her. Gently, he assisted her to her feet. She didn’t resist as we helped her up onto Halvard’s horse. Only when the guard was positioned behind her did she hesitate. “What about you, Maxim. Where is your mount?”
My horse had bolted at the first sight of the draco on the battlefield. I had no hope of finding him now amidst the chaos of men and beasts fleeing to the river.
“Go. I’ll be there in no time.” I met Halvard’s gaze, silently communicating to him that he needed to take the princess away regardless of what happened to me.
He gave me a curt nod before digging in his heels and urging his horse away from the open grassland. Elinor shouted a protest, but thankfully, Halvard continued regardless.
I assessed the two dracos, the younger one still in pursuit, chasing the other toward the Snowden Mountains. How long did we have before they circled back around and posed a threat again? Would we be able to start down the river toward the bay? And even then, how long would Lis’s draco be able to protect the retreating Norvegian forces?
A thousand thoughts raced through my mind. If Rasmus had plotted the king’s demise once, what would prevent him from trying again? If I didn’t go through with his plans to release the sword and marry the princess, who would he pick in my stead?
Already my heart protested the prospect of any other man being with Elinor—even a good and honest man. But how could I run away and hide for my life while Rasmus married Elinor off to another man of his choosing, maybe a man with a heart as black as his?
Yet how could I possibly stop Rasmus? He was too powerful, too important, too crafty. I’d never be able to show myself in Vordinberg without gaining swift punishment.
Perhaps I could foil Rasmus by sharing the secret of the Sword of the Magi with a worthy nobleman, one of the Knights of Brethren. At least then an honorable man would pull the sword loose and marry Elinor, a man who could hopefully stand strong against Rasmus and put an end to his scheming.
“Maxim!” Lis was riding in my direction, her arm outstretched. “Hop on behind me!”
I eyed the distance separating us and positioned myself for the best angle to grab her and hoist myself up. She slowed a little, latched on to my arm, and helped swing me behind her. She was riding bareback, and I had to hold on to her to keep from sliding off.
We galloped for several beats of silence. “Thank you for saving Elinor.”
“The draco did, not me.”
“He obeys your commands.”
Lis didn’t respond except to veer her mount in the direction of the river.
Of course Lis wouldn’t want anyone to know she could communicate with a draco. In ancient times, such people had been considered witches and had been hunted down and burned at the stake. It was possible people would still consider such a skill the sign of witchcraft.
I calculated the distance and time left with Lis. I had no time to waste in speaking the truth. “You saved your sister.”
Her body stiffened. “I have no sister.”
“Ask your father. He’ll tell you the truth.”
“He’ll tell me I am his daughter.”
“You’re the firstborn child of Princess Blanche, sister of King Ulrik.”
“You speak blasphemy, sire.”
“She disappeared eighteen years ago with her one-year-old daughter Elisbet, and the two were never found.”
“Sharing a name doesn’t mean I share a family.”
