Page 13 of The Huntsman's Heart
I think back to all the times I taunted him or spat insults. I wonder which it was that finally made him snap. To be honest, I had never given it much thought, but it occurs to me he could have taken many opportunities to hurt me in the past. If he wanted to abduct me or bring me to harm he would only have had to let me escape beyond the walls of the town. Quite clearly I was not prepared for what is out here.
So why didn’t he?
For all the times he hauled me back to the keep or chided me for rebelling against my stepmother’s orders, he never once truly hurt me, though I’ve always known he is far stronger and faster.
And why take me now?
When I stumble on an icy patch of ground, I drop to one knee and pain spears through me. I cry out. Finally he looks around. “One drop of the wyrm’s venom, princess, and you’ll make no sound again.”
I can’t help but shudder at the reminder of the monster that attacked me. Yet another example of a moment when Alaric could have simply stood by and done nothing and allowed me to meet my end. I cannot work him out.
I scramble to get my feet under me and choke out, “Why did you bring me here? What is it you want?”
He only turns away, giving me his back. The black of his cloak and hood merge with the black of the forest around us, his horse, and my angry thoughts.
“You know I’ll kill you if I ever get the chance,” I tell him stubbornly.
To my surprise, Alaric laughs darkly. “Go ahead and try, princess. There’s no doubt I deserve it.”
By early dawn I’ve stooped to bargaining, which I’m not proud of. Alaric still won’t give me anything.
“If it is gold you are after, you would have more luck demanding a ransom from my father. I doubt my stepmother will pay to have me back again if that is what you are relying on.”
He only yanks on the rope binding me to his horse, making me stumble.
I’m tired. He’s kept a slow steady pace most of the night, only stopping briefly to let me drink a little water from a flask he tucked back in his saddle bag. He seems to need nothing, not taking anything to eat or drink himself.
My legs ache and my arms are stiff from being held so long in an unnatural position. I don’t know where we’re going or why he wants to take me there, but I’ve learned one thing: he isn’t trying to kill me. If he was, he would have let the wyrm or whatever that was back there do it. That's the only clue I have.
I throw my weight back against the rope suddenly, hoping to pull a hand free. Unfortunately all it does is yank the tie tighter around my wrists and startle the horse. It darts forward two steps, pulling me to my knees and off balance. I topple to myside and am dragged forward with nothing between my face and the rough, cold ground. A stone strikes my cheek. I taste metallic blood.
Alaric curses and the horse stops. A moment later I’m dragged to my feet again.
“Are you trying to get yourself trampled?” he hisses. “Do you want me to hurt you?”
“What is it you brought me out here to do then?” I spit. I’m tired of waiting to find out. A sick part of me longs for him to do whatever he’s going to and get it over with.
He still doesn’t answer, which infuriates me.
Instead he deftly unties the rope binding me to the horse’s saddle. I muster the strength I have left. It has to be enough. I don’t even know which way Blackthorn is from here.
When I feel the rope slacken, I lurch forward, ducking and hoping to spring free and run.
He simply yanks me back, jarring my shoulders, stealing the last of my energy to fight. I let out a bitter cry.
Alaric growls. “How far do you honestly think you will get out here on your own?”
“Just let me go!” I don’t bother regulating my volume. Let every monster in the whole forest come charging from the darkness. At least Alaric will die with me. There’s no way he could fight off hundreds of them. If there are even a hundred monsters in the woods.
“Arrogant brat.” With his hand in my hair, he yanks my head back. “Do you think the world will kneel before you just because you command it?”
“I never said that.”
“You did not have to. The way you act says it loud and clear. But believe me, this world has ways of bringing down even the greatest prince.”
I scoff. “What do you know about great princes? The queen you serve is nothing more than an imposter. A cuckoo in a stolen nest. Did you dream she would bed you when my father died?”
To my surprise, he laughs. “You know nothing, princess.” Another tug on my hair makes my eyes water. My arms are still trapped behind my back. I struggle fruitlessly. It only seems to make him more angry. “You are going to regret fighting me. I would have made this easy for you.”
