Page 10 of A Kingdom's Heart
“No,” I said quickly, cutting him off. “My horse is tied near one
of the trees. I’ll be fine.”
The silence that followed felt heavier than before. I could feel his eyes on me as I crossed the room, searching for my cloak. My hands moved too quickly, tugging at folds of fabric, trying to keep them from trembling.
When I found the cloak, I gathered it up and clutched it to my
chest. “I will just change out of this kirtle,” I said, already stepping back toward the hallway.
He rose to his feet, setting the cup aside. “It’s fine,” he said quietly. “Keep it.”
I paused, meeting his eyes for a moment. There was warmth there, steady and kind, the sort that made my heart ache. I wanted to thank him, to say something that would explain the lie I was still living, but the words never came.
So I just nodded, and pulled the cloak tight around my shoulders. “Thank you,” I said instead.
Before he could answer, I turned toward the door, praying the guards would not see me before I reached the woods. My hand was already on the handle when his voice stopped me.
“When will I see you again?”
I froze. My fingers tightened around the cloak, and for a long moment I could not bring myself to turn around.
When I did, he was standing near the hearth. The morning light caught his dark hair and his expression was uncertain, hopeful in a
way that made my chest tighten painfully.
“I do not know,” I said, my voice quiet.
His brow furrowed slightly. “Maybe soon?”
I hesitated, then shook my head. “Maybe never.”
The words felt colder once they were spoken, but they were the truth. Once I returned, my father would make sure I never left thecastle again. He would lock me in my chamber or set guards at every door. This had been foolish, all of it, and I would pay for it soon enough.
William’s gaze lingered on me. “I see,” he said quietly.
I met his eyes, trying to offer something that might pass for a smile. It felt weak, more like an apology than a farewell. “Thank you,” I said. “For everything.”
He nodded once. “Safe travels, Elara.”
His voice was calm, but there was something in it that caught in my chest. I turned toward the door before it could settle too deeply.
The handle was cool beneath my fingers. I pulled the cloak tighter and stepped outside.
The grass was wet beneath my boots, the wind sharp against my face. I kept my head low, walking quickly toward the tree line.
The guards were still there, their silver armor catching the pale light. They were close enough that I could hear the creak of leather, the soft thud of their horses shifting in the mud.
I swallowed hard and kept walking. Every step felt heavier than
the last.
Then a sharp voice broke through the morning air. “Your Highness!”
I froze.
The soundofhoovesfollowed, quick and purposeful. The
guards turned their mounts toward me at once, the polished silver of their armor flashing as they closed the distance. I let out a quiet sigh. So they had found me.
