Page 15 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody
My fear eases a little when I notice Jessica is wearing a breastplate and gauntlets over her dress. She’s even armed with a long sword. Jessica must have taken them from my knights.
It’s a slim chance to escape these people, nearly impossible. But at least I’m not alone. We slowly back away from the governor and his approaching sentries.
“What do you think you’re doing?” the governor asks, his face contorting with pure wrath.
Jessica blocks him from getting to me. “I won’t let you hurt her.”
“And who are you to say what I can or cannot do?” Governor Graysen asks her, brows furrowing into a deep frown. He staggers backwards when Jessica swings the long sword inches from his face.
“What are you afraid of? Can’t you see beneath the armor? That is just one of our maids,” his wife answers with vague disgust. “Have you lost your mind, girl? You should be in the kitchen scraping pots.”
Jessica pays no heed to her taunt and whispers to me, “His guards will surround us soon. When I say run, you run as fast as you can.”
I peer at our threat from the safety of her dress. Dozens of sentries are creeping from the bushes to encircle us.
“Don’t come near us,” Jessica warns, waving the blade again. She can barely lift the long sword with her skinny hands.
The governor and his guards laugh as they watch her with amusement.
Without warning, Jessica gives me a rough shove. “Now, Princess!”
I don’t think twice as I bolt down the path with every strength left in me. The heavy branches of the colossal foliage in Astefar loom closer with every step. All the air in my lungs is spent, but I keep charging onward. I know I am just one step from being captured by the guards racing at my heels.
I keep barreling towards the tree line until I hear the swoosh of arrows behind me and look over my shoulder.
Jessica is still standing right where she was. She never intended to escape with me. Scarlet splotches spread over her back as she crumbles to the ground.
No. No. No…
Not her too…
She turns around and raises her head to look at me.
Go,she mouths wordlessly.Be brave.
I want to run back to help her, but I remember Oscar’s words.
You have to survive, no matter what.
“Get her before she reaches the tree line,” the governor bellows like a mad person.
Tears well in my eyes but I refuse to let them fall. “I have to live. I have to live. I have to live.”
Yes, you must live.An invisible hand guides me to continue my sprint.Don’t let them catch you.
“It hurts,” I cry out, drawing a shallow breath. “I think I have some glass pieces buried in my feet.”
The voices do not care for my pain. They keep urging me to move forward.Run, Rhianelle. Hurry.
And so, into the woods I go, deep into the heart of the forbidden forest.
Chapter 1 Rhianelle
“Cedwynn, you must inform Aelfric and Garrett of everything I told you,” I tell the young squire.
Something ripples in the young squire’s dark eyes.
“I—I understand, I will,” he stammers and nods fervently.
