Page 85 of Disenchanted
“What? No!” I protested.
Grateful for the chance to escape, Prince Dahl seized upon Horatio’s suggestion. He dodged past me. Without even pausing to say goodbye to my sister, he bolted down the corridor.
“Dashy! Don’t go,” Amy wailed.
I snatched my sister’s broken garter from Horatio and shoved it into my hidden pocket with the orb. I started to charge after the prince, intending to haul the young wretch back here and force him to account for his actions, but Horatio restrained me.
“Let him go, Ella.”
With Horatio’s strong arm about my waist, I fumed, watching the prince disappear. As soon as Horatio released me, I rounded on him. “How could you let that rapscallion saunter on his way after he lured my innocent sister down to his wine cellar so he could have his way with her?”
“He didn’t!” Amy cried, her eyes filling with tears. “You are ruining everything, Ella. Oh, Dashy!”
Horatio and I ignored her as he tried to reason with me. “You must not fling out such reckless accusations. You do not know exactly what happened between the prince and your sister.”
“And now I have no way of finding out because you just let him go!”
“No good could come of forcing a confrontation with Prince Dahl. Surely you must see that.”
“Why? Because that nail-biting little weasel would just lie his arse off?” I huffed an angry sigh. “No doubt you are right. What I need to do is demand an audience with the king and inform him of his son’s iniquitous behavior.”
“That would be an even worse idea. Prince Dahl might find a way to blame whatever happened here on your sister and the king would of course side with his son.”
“And as the king’s loyal Scutcheon, whose side would you be on, Commander?”
“Your sister’s,” Horatio said quietly. “My main concern and yours should be to protect her reputation.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my reputashion.” Amy sniffed. “Don’t you be scolding me, Ella. What have you been up to with your commander, running around all barefoot?” She swayed on her feet as she pointed accusingly at my discarded shoes.
Much to my annoyance, I felt a telltale rush of heat to my cheeks. “We are not discussing my behavior, but yours. How could you be so wantonly reckless, Amy?”
“You think I have been w-wicked but I haven’t been and neither has Dashy. He loves me. He’s going to marry me. I’m going to be a princhess.” Amy hiccupped and placed an unsteady finger against her lips. “Shh! It’s got to be a shecret for now.”
“Oh, Amy!” I groaned at my sister’s gullibility in believing she was beloved by a young man who had not even been honest enough to give her his true name. But I could hardly fault Amy for that, not when I had once been as big of a fool, taken in by Prince Ryland’s deception.
My sister swayed dangerously. When Horatio steadied her, she blinked up at him. “Didn’t know you were twins, Commander.”
Horatio looked startled. “I’m not.”
“Then why are there two of you?”
Amy went cross-eyed and she moaned. “Oh, I think I need to shit— sit down.” She backed away from Horatio and slowly slid to the floor. As she plunked down on her bottom, she knocked against one of the suits of armor.
Amy gazed blearily up at it. “Oh, pardon me. Didn’t see you there.” Leaning her head against the wall, she sighed and closed her eyes.
Even when she was not drunk, Amy had the enviable ability to doze off anywhere and in the most uncomfortable positions. The way her head drooped to one side reminded me of all those times when she had been a little girl and I had found her asleep in her ponies’ stall, nestled against a bale of hay.
She looked so young and innocent, I felt a lump form in my throat. Prince or no prince, if Dahl Helavalerian had done anything to hurt my little sister, I silently vowed to kill him. Bending down, I shook her shoulder gently.
“Amy? Amy, please, dearest. You’ve got to wake up and come with me.”
Amy roused enough to push my hand away. “Just five more minutes, Ella,” she mumbled.
I expelled a frustrated sigh. After the way I had snapped at Horatio, I was ashamed to appeal to him for help, but I did not need to do so. He was already hunkering down beside me.
“If you would allow me?” he asked diffidently.
I gave him a grateful nod and scooted out of his way, so he could scoop Amy up in his arms. My sister’s eyes flew open.
