Jeremiah quickly finished off one of the men, then went over to help Jack battle the other two. I watched as they continued to strike at each other and prayed neither Jack nor Jeremiah would get hurt.
Suddenly, someone grabbed my arms from behind, squeezing me and digging fingernails into my muscles. I screamed as one of the hands struck my wrist, causing me to drop the sword Jeremiah had given me. I reached for it, but my captor kicked it away from me.
“Jack!” I cried. But then a knife was held to my neck, and I didn’t dare to speak.
CHAPTER 19
I was pushed forward, out of the trees and into the small clearing. Jack and Jeremiah looked over at me.
“Scarlett,” Jack mumbled under his breath. The blood drained from his face.
“Unless you want me to slaughter this young maiden,” the voice of the man who held me called, “drop your swords! Now!”
Jack and Jeremiah immediately obeyed, placing their swords on the ground. Jeremiah looked angry. Jack simply looked shocked.
The man pressed the knife blade flat against my throat.
I closed my eyes, feeling like I might faint. Oh, Lord.
“Who do you think you are, threatening to harm my sister?” Jack asked.
The man who held me scoffed. “Who do I think I am? Who do you think you are, invading the princesses of Dovehoven’s camp?”
He was lying. Even if I hadn’t witnessed them earlier, I could tell by the looks on Elsa and Sabine’s faces that they did not wish to be here and these men were strangers to them.
Just then I remembered the arrow I had stuck in my belt before leaving the castle. I felt for it. It was still there, pressed against my hip.
“Tie them up,” my captor said, and the other two men grabbed some rope and cautiously approached Jack and Jeremiah.
I have to do it now. I have to.
Quickly, I pulled the arrow from my belt, and I jabbed it into my captor’s torso with all my strength. He let out a suffocating gasp, and he dropped the knife. When his grip on me loosened, I didn’t look back but left the arrow in him and ran forward as he fell backward, a gurgling sound coming from his throat. I picked up my sword and unsheathed it.
When they saw I was free, Jack and Jeremiah retrieved their weapons from the ground and spun around to battle the two men once again.
Jack sliced at one man’s arm, cutting it and causing him to drop his sword. He then punched the man hard in the gut and watched him fall to his knees. Jack quickly grabbed the rope from him and tied his hands behind his back.
Jeremiah still battled the other man. Then, after a hard blow, Jeremiah lost his sword, and it went flying through the air. He blocked the next few blows with his armor-protected wrists. His challenger went to strike him, but Jeremiah dodged, and when the man was in an awkward lunging position, his sword blade pointed toward the ground, Jeremiah punched him hard on the shoulder and sent him falling down onto his back.
Jack, who had finished tying his own challenger, kicked this man’s arm, and he dropped his sword. Jeremiah dragged him from the ground and tied him up as well.
“Oh, Jack!” I ran to him.
“Glory and praise!” he exclaimed as he hugged me. “You were amazing.”
“As were you.”
“Thank God we’re still alive,” said Jack.
I ran to where Elsa and Sabine were trying to slide themselves from the saddle of the tall horse they sat on. They landed in the dirt, and I hugged them both. “Oh, I am so glad you’re all right!” Then I surprised myself by beginning to cry. I had thought for a moment, when that man had the knife pressed to my neck, I was going to die, Jack and Jeremiah would become those men’s prisoners, and these girls would be at their mercy. But now that man was dead. I’d killed him. Elsa and Sabine were safe, and Jack and Jeremiah would bring them back to Darrenberg.
The girls began to cry as well, and Elsa asked, “How did you know we needed rescuing?”
I told her about the boy who saw them at the river.
“I am so happy you came!” she said. “I didn’t know who those men were, or where they were taking us, and they were being very unkind to me and Sabine.” She hugged me again.
Sabine burst into sobs and buried her face in my chest.
I squeezed them, feeling awful because of what they had gone through.
Jeremiah walked over then and looked at the girls with sympathy. He asked me in a quiet voice, “Are they all right?”
“They will be fine. All is well,” I crooned in Sabine’s ear.
“Are you all right, Lady Scarlett?” Jeremiah then asked.
The girls began to release me and moved on to embrace Jack.
“I’m fine, thank you,” I replied.
He examined my neck to make sure the man hadn’t cut me. Thankfully, he hadn’t. “That was really something,” Jeremiah said. “You even caught me off guard with that arrow in your belt.”
I couldn’t help but smile. The greatest compliment one could receive from Jeremiah was to be told they did well in action, or that they were good at combat.
The girls hugged Jack and thanked him for coming to their rescue.
“Of course,” said Jack. “I couldn’t let them hurt you.”
And I knew he meant it. Jack loved the girls like I did, and he wouldn’t have been able to live with himself if something had happened to them.
“Should we go back?” I asked, looking up at Jack and Jeremiah.
Jack gave me a relieved half smile. “Yes. And we will bring these two scoundrels back to face our father.” He motioned to the two men they had tied up. Then he went to retrieve the horses.
He and Jeremiah removed the reins from the men’s horses and put lead ropes on them for the kidnappers to ride on. Jeremiah then dragged the man I killed out of the trees.
When Sabine saw him, she gasped and hugged me, shielding her eyes from the horrid sight.
I myself had a hard time looking at the dead man, especially when I saw the pool of blood surrounding my arrow impaling his chest. He was definitely dead.
Dead. Gone. His life over. Because of me.
Of course, I had to do it. But I still felt a little sick.
Jeremiah pried my arrow out of the man. It was dripping with dark red blood, and I wanted to throw up. He cleaned it, gave it back to me, and winked. “You just might save my life with that arrow.”
He must have been used to killing people, to seeing them dead with slits in their throats, and knowing he caused their life to end.
Finally, it was completely dark.
“Let’s go find the others,” said Jack.
We all mounted our horses. I took one of the extra horses instead of riding back with my brother, and Sabine rode on the back of Jack’s horse. She seemed to like my brother.
Jeremiah gave me his cloak, even though I already had one on. It was wet, but he insisted I wear it so I had another layer on.
We found the other men right where we left them, and they followed us back to the castle. When we arrived in the courtyard at midnight, the men brought our horses to the stables. Elsa, Sabine, and I quietly walked up to my chamber, where we put on dry nightgowns and stood by the fire to warm ourselves.
As we changed, I told them, “Don’t tell my father I came with Jack and Jeremiah to rescue you. He will be upset with me.” I was beyond grateful that Father hadn’t noticed I was gone —he must have seen my note.
The girls agreed not to say a word, and I thanked them. Then we went down to the Great Hall, but it was completely empty. A single touch was lit on the back wall, but the room was dark otherwise.
Jeremiah and Jack entered. They, too, had changed into dry clothes.
“I assume Father is in his private study,” Jack said. “I’ll have one of his servants send for him. We must tell him what has happened.”
Elsa, Sabine, Jeremiah and I waited in silence until Jack finally returned with Father.
“Come,” Jack said, “look who we found being kidn
apped.” He motioned toward Elsa and Sabine.
Father stopped walking and stared at them in shock. “So the boy was telling the truth.”
“Duke William,” Elsa said in her proper manner, “those men were not who they said they were. They weren’t my father’s knights, but evil strangers who tried to kidnap Sabine and me. Lord Jack and Sir Jeremiah were so brave, and they rescued us before the men could harm us.”
Father shook his head. “How has this happened?”
“We brought back two of the men so you can question them,” said Jack.
“And the others?” Father raised his eyebrows.
We all looked at the floor, and Jeremiah said, “We had to take matters into own hands.”
Father nodded. “Are the ladies all right?”
“We are well, Your Grace,” said Elsa.
“I’ll take care of them,” I assured Father.
“I’m glad you’re both well. Scarlett, send for me if they need anything.” Then he turned to Jack. “Take me to see the captives.”
Jack nodded and led him toward the dungeon.
“Is there anything more you ladies need?” Jeremiah asked us.
Elsa and Sabine shook their heads, and I said, “No, thank you. You’ve done enough. You should go rest for the night.”
“Very well,” he said. “Goodnight.”
The girls and I snuck into the kitchen, found some cheese and blueberries, and brought them back to my chamber. We sat on the floor and ate like we were starving, and truthfully, after riding in the rain for so long, I felt like I was.
After we finished, Elsa and Sabine told me the whole story — from them riding off with the strange men and not suspecting anything, to their stop at the river where they had their first suspicion because of the way the men were treating them, which was nothing like the way their father’s guards usually treated them. Then when they made a camp, the men threatened them and said if they attempted to run away, they’d be killed.
We were so tired, we had a hard time keeping our eyes opened, so we crawled into my large bed together. Almost as soon as I blew out the candle, Sabine fell asleep. It wasn’t long after that I began to drift off, but then Elsa whispered, “Scarlett.”
I rolled over to face her. “Yes?”
“I can’t sleep. I’m still shaken by what happened today. I can’t calm myself.”
“I’ll stay up with you.”
“That would be lovely, but I don’t want you to be tired tomorrow.”
I laughed a little. “Don’t worry. I am used to staying up late.” We both sat up. “Are you still afraid?”
She nodded. “I just don’t want it to ever happen again.”
“It won’t. Your father’s own guards will come for you soon, and before you realize it, you’ll be back in Dovehoven with your mother and father.”
She smiled. “It will be wonderful. I still don’t know why I ever went with those men. I should have known better. They weren’t wearing Dovehoven colors, they practically rushed us out of the castle and carried us to our horses, and even if those men did work for my father, he wouldn’t send them to bring home his daughters. He would send Cornelius, Demetris, and Zenon, his first-hand men. There is no chance he would send those filthy rogues to bring us back. What was I thinking?” She shook her head and rubbed her forehead with the heel of her hand.
“You were thinking the same thing we were all thinking — the letter was from Duke Aaron. Those men did a good job trying to manipulate the situation and bring you into their own hands.” I shook my head. “Thank goodness that little boy heard your cries for help.”
“You do not know how thankful I am.”
I hugged her, and I doubted she was any more thankful than I was.
KOLTON
“Oh, this is wonderful!”
My mother ran up to me, a piece of parchment in her hand. Her face beamed with exhilaration. “Britta Hawmann is getting married!”
I smiled. “To whom?”
Her eyes scanned the page again. “She says she met a man who lives in Rugart — Eric Devon is his name.” My mother smiled again. “Oh, I am so happy for our Britta!”
“As am I,” I said. “When is the wedding?”
“Two weeks. In Darrenberg.” Then my mother got a worried look.
“What is it?” I asked.
“That is the week your father and I are going to Townsend Village to visit Aunt Idette. We won’t be able to attend the wedding.” She looked disappointed, but then she looked up at me. “But you should.”
“Attend the wedding?” I looked at her with wide eyes.
“Yes.”
“By myself?”
She laughed. “Unless there’s a maiden you have in mind that you’d like to escort.”
I rolled my eyes. She knew there wasn’t.
“But honestly, Kolton. It’s not like you haven’t traveled there on your own before. You keep on saying how wonderful a time you had visiting your cousin.”
I thought about it. “It would be good to see Britta again.” She was very kind, and I did enjoy spending time with her when I visited Darrenberg.
“I’m sure it would mean a lot to her to have you there.” Mother winked at me. “You know you are her favorite cousin.”
“I wouldn’t bet on that. Besides, I need to be here to watch Merrick, Gustav, and the girls. I don’t want to leave them alone while you and Father are away.”
“Your siblings will be just fine. They have all of Father’s men and their nursemaids to watch over them and protect them, and Odelette is fifteen now. Don’t worry about them. Just go and have fun at the wedding.”
I sighed. “Maybe I’ll go. For Britta.” In the back of my mind, I wondered if there was a slight chance I could run into the beautiful girl from the woods again.
“Good.” My mother stood on her toes to kiss my cheek. Then she turned to leave the room.
“Oh, and Mama?” She looked back. “I think it’s best you don’t mention Britta getting married to Father.”
She gave me a quizzical look.
“It might make him start talking about me getting married again.”
She shook her head and laughed. “Don’t let him get to you. You are still young, and I think you deserve to live your life, like he did when he was your age.”
I nodded as she left.
###
Two days later, when my family, the girls, and I were eating the midday meal, Duke Aaron entered the Hall. Elsa and Sabine jumped up and ran to him, squealing in delight as they hugged their father. His guards Sir Cornelius, Sir Demetris, and Sir Zenon looked on, smiles on their faces.
“Will you please stay and rest yourselves for a night or two?” Father asked Duke Aaron and his men.
“Brother,” said Duke Aaron, “you are an answer to prayer. I will take you up on your offer.”
Father nodded. “There is something we must discuss with you. A very important matter that your daughters and I must tell you about.”
“Of course. Shall we walk?” So the four of them walked out of the castle and left Cordel, Jack, and me in the Great Hall.
Duke Aaron and his daughters stayed for two nights. The girls and I spent those days resting, as the three of us were recovering from slight colds from being out in the rain. On the day they left, we said our goodbyes like the last time, then they departed with their father for Dovehoven. I knew I would miss them, but I was more than happy to know that they were safe in their father’s care.
My father and Duke Aaron sent trackers to find out what they could about the men who kidnapped Elsa and Sabine. The trackers were to find out how they learned Elsa and Sabine’s whereabouts, and how they learned that Duke Aaron was on his way to get them.
###
One week later, as I crossed the courtyard, Sir Malachi approached me. “Lady Scarlett, a messenger has requested this be given to you.” He handed me a letter.
I examined it and saw the blue ink stamped on the back, and I knew it
was from Gorenhelm. I quickly opened it.
Lady Scarlett,
It is with heavy grief that I write these words. My father has died…
I stopped reading. Oh, no…I shook my head in disbelief.
“Are you all right?” Malachi asked.
Tears brimmed my eyes, blurring my vision. I ran toward my chamber, clutching the letter in my hand. “Lady Scarlett!” Malachi called, but I didn’t answer.
I collapsed on the floor in my chamber. “God, please. Let it not be true. Let it be a lie.” It was all I could say as I knelt on the hardwood floor, the letter in my trembling hand. I was afraid to look at it again – afraid of what it would say. But I took a deep breath and forced myself to finish reading it.
Lady Scarlett,
It is with heavy grief that I write these words. My father has died, and Gorenhelm is in despair. My brother Zachariah has much weight upon him, as he has stepped forward to take our father’s place as the Duke of Gorenhelm. He fears he is too young to have so much power, and that, because all of Gorenhelm is counting on him, he may let them down. He only wants to do what our father would want of him, if he were still with us.
—Lord Izaak
“Oh, Izaak,” I said. “I’m so sorry.”
I thought about Zachariah, so young to be taking on so much responsibility. Knowing him, I knew he must have been taking the loss of his father very hard, while becoming duke so quickly must have been weighing him down. And I knew he didn’t think he was ready. He was only seventeen, for goodness’ sake! How much responsibility could he handle?
I then thought about young, innocent Lord Micah. He was too young to lose his father — not even thirteen. And Lord Lukas was sensitive and had to be taking it extremely hard. My heart ached as I thought about the four of them. I wanted to be there, in Gorenhelm, just to be with them.
I folded Izaak’s letter. Leaning my elbows on my knees, I placed my face in my hands. I could no longer hold in the tears that had been threatening to burst for so long. All the emotion from the past few days seemed to come out all at once. I felt sick to my stomach as compassion for my dear friends welled up inside me. I wished I was there with them. To comfort them. Hug them. Tell them everything would be all right.
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