Page 74 of Demonic Prince

“Hiding in a cave in the wilderness, you may have missed some gossip.”

“But I lived in that village before I burned it down. Hell, I worked in a tavern, where gossip swarms like flies on shit.”

He snorts. “The king kept my existence secret enough. And my sister’s. We weren’t raised as royalty. He expected my sister to become an elite courtesan at another court. He expected me to join the ranks of his king’s guard.”

My eyebrows shoot skyward. “He wanted you to protect him?”

“He trusted me enough for that.”

We’re silent as we walk through the Thornwood. Shadows cling to the deep forest, darkening as the sunlight fades.

“How far away is the nightwitch?’’ I ask.

“Beyond the Thornwood, to the west. We should reach her by sunrise if we aren’t delayed by knights, dire wolves, or dragons. Take your pick.”

“Dragons, please.”

He sighs. “Scaldric isn’t your ally.”

“Yet.”

“A foolhardy assumption.”

“You’re just jealous.”

He growls something unintelligible, a masculine noise of displeasure. It warms my heart. I can’t help smiling cheerfully at him.

“Youdocare about me, don’t you?” I ask.

Distant wingbeats pound the sky.

My smile vanishes. “Speak of the devil,” I whisper.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

The golden dragon slices through the twilight like a sword. He flies so low over the Thornwood that his claws nick the trees. When he swoops over me, the wind of his speed flings my hair into my eyes.

Scaldric.

My heartbeat hammers in my throat. “He saw us.”

Rook lifts me from the saddle. “Run.”

“On foot?”

“Go!”

Rook swings into the saddle and spurs on Bolt. His horse lunges into a gallop.

I’m not that good of a rider, but I sure as hell know how to run.

Barefoot, I sprint through the forest. My eyes dart between obstacles in my path. I dodge between trees and crash through ferns.

Scaldric roars. The tiny hairs on my neck stand on end.

A thicket of cursed roses entangles the forest ahead. I skid onto my knees and crawl inside to hide. Dragons hunt their prey by sight. When thorns stab my hands and knees, I bite my lip and dig my fingers into the dirt.

Where is Rook? He isn’t planning tofightthe golden dragon, is he? If he doesn’t die, I’m going to kill him for being so reckless.

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