Page 140 of Royal Rebel

He wanted to curse. If Henri thought he’d take a ship, he might send orders to increase the guard in every port city. He couldn’t worry about that right now, though.

Grayson kept his word; he made the man’s death as quick as he could. When the captain slumped, Grayson wiped the blade on his uniform and sheathed it.

As he stood, he caught movement from the corner of his eye.

Jon was still staring at him, and so were the boys, but Mia stood with them now, her eyes wide.

His stomach dropped. He hated that she’d seen him kill. That she could see the bodies that littered the ground.

Everything felt horribly still. Frozen. Then Mia ran to him.

He caught her around the waist and she threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you,” she said, squeezing him hard. “Thank you for saving them.”

Thank you for saving them.

Her words rang in his head, not making sense. Then it hit him: she didn’t see the lives he’d taken—only the lives he’d saved.

His arms tightened around her.

Over her shoulder, he watched Jon approach slowly. He didn’t wait for the innkeeper to speak. “You should leave here,” Grayson said. “Those soldiers won’t be searching the forest for long, and anyone still in Edgewood when they return will be in danger.”

Jon’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. “All right.”

That’s all he said.

Grayson pulled back from Mia, but she laced her fingers through his, keeping hold of one hand. She faced Jon and the boys. “I’m sorry for the trouble we caused you. We never meant for this to happen.”

Keegan peeled away from Garrett and moved to stand before his father. His attention was fastened on Grayson, his eyes holding a mixture of shock and awe. “You’re theBlack Hand?” he gasped, incredulous.

Grayson glanced down at his ungloved, scarred hand. His fingers curled into a tight fist—but only for a moment. His hand loosened, falling open at his side. He wasn’t surewhohe was anymore, but he knew he was no longer his father’s puppet.

“He’s Grayson,” Mia said. So simple. So . . . Mia.

He squeezed her fingers. “We need to go.”

“Wait.” Jon glanced across the road, looking to the blacksmith. “They need a horse.”

Grayson shook his head. “We can’t afford—”

“You saved us,” Jon cut in. “Allof us.” He focused back on the blacksmith. “Get that horse.”

The blacksmith hurried toward the stable.

Grayson looked to Jon. “Thank you.”

The innkeeper nodded once, then glanced at Timothy. “Grab some food they can take with them.”

The young man darted off.

The street was silent. Grayson looked around them, at the villagers who still stared at him.

They didn’t stop staring, not even when the blacksmith returned leading a saddled horse, or when Grayson secured their packs, along with the bag Timothy brought out. They all watched as Grayson lifted Mia into the saddle, swung up behind her, and gathered the reins.

With a final nod at Jon, they rode out—the eyes of an entire village following them.

Chapter 33

Serene

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