Page 30 of A Kingdom's Heart
Behind me, Raven stepped toward the blond knight’s horse. At
five foot eleven, she swung herself up with surprising ease, landing gracefully in the saddle behind him.
The knight turned his head, smiling wide. “Well, I do enjoy some company.”
Raven smirked. “Don’t get used to it.”
Their banter faded around me. I could feel William’s gaze still waiting. Slowly, I placed my hand in his. His grip was strong and warm, steady as he pulled me upward.
The ground slipped away beneath my feet. His arm came around my waist, guiding me to the saddle. The motion was smooth, but the warmth of him left my heart unsteady. His hand brushed briefly beneath my shoulder before he let go.
The horse shifted beneath us, muscles rippling under the dark coat. I gripped the edge of the saddle, trying to steady my breath.
“Hold tight,” he said, glancing over his shoulder.
I nodded, unsure where to put my hands until instinct took over. My palms found his shoulders, solid and warm through the steel of his armor.
“Ready?” he asked.
I nodded again. “Yes.”
William gave the reins a light pull and the horse started forward. The motion was smooth at first, then steady as it found its rhythm along the dirt path. The forest stretched out ahead, filled with soft light and the hum of insects waking in the trees.
Behind us, Raven’s laughter broke the quiet. “This is honestly very kind of you gentlemen,” she said, her tone half teasing.
The blond knight turned his head slightly, flashing a grin. “Kindness is a knight’s duty.”
“Oh?” Raven replied. “And what’s your name, kind knight?”
“Eric,” he said, glancing back at her.
“Well, Eric,” she continued, the corners of her mouth lifting, “what are you two doing all the way out at the Northern farm?”
“Reports of unrest,” he said simply. “The captain sent us to look into it. Probably nothing, but we’ll see.”
I listened in silence, my hands still resting lightly on William’s shoulders. His armor started cooling beneath my palms. The forest air brushed against my skin, and the smell of pine and river water mixed together.
Eric turned his head again, this time looking straight at me. “You
know, Elara,” he said with a curious smile, “you look a lot like the princess.”
My stomach dropped. For a heartbeat, I forgot to breathe. The sound of the river faded, and the world narrowed to the rhythm of the horse beneath me. Raven’s head snapped toward me, her expression tight and alert.
William’s horse slowed a little, the reins tightening in his hand. The sound of hooves on the path dulled.
Eric was still watching me, amused, as if he’d said nothing out
of turn. “Same hair. Same eyes. It’s uncanny, really.”
Raven’s voice came sharp, lighter than it should have been. “Careful, Sir Eric. You’ll make her nervous.”
He laughed, easy and unbothered. “Didn’t mean offense. Just an observation.”
I forced a small smile, though my throat felt tight. My fingers curled against William’s armor until the edges pressed into my palms. “People say that sometimes,” I said softly. “It’s nothing.”
Eric chuckled under his breath, clearly not finished. “Dare I say,” he added, glancing back at me with a grin, “prettier than Her Highness?”
Raven’s eyes widened and she stared at me, waiting to see what I’d answer.
