by Riley Walker
“Frannie is on her way here? Now?”
“Yes. The Princess is on her way.”
“Rook, is it safe for her? Did you tell the Renegades not to harm her or her team? I know Frannie and if you harm any of her group she will never forgive you. She is fiercely loyal.”
“The Renegades have been instructed not to harm a hair on anyone's head. Especially the Princess.”
“She will listen to you Rook. Just get her to sit down with you so you can tell her everything. Introduce her to everyone and let her see exactly what is happening. She would never turn her back on anyone who needed help.”
“Let’s hope you are right Shelby. Get dressed. I have a feeling they will be here very soon.”
I finish dressing and begin pacing my cell. I can’t wait to see Frannie again. The first thing I am going to do is give her a nipple twist for not telling me about being a Princess! How dare she hide something like that from me, her bestie! Then I have to tell her that I shift into a penguin. Something tells me she will not see that little tidbit of information coming at her.
I’m sitting on my cot waiting for word from Rook when I hear a loud bang and my name being yelled. I run up to the door and look out to see who is yelling for me. I see a mass of red hair barrelling towards me. Before I can do anything I am in the arms of my other best friend.
“Colton? What the hell are you doing here?”
Colton puts me back down on the ground and looks me over.
“Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Who do I need to kill?”
I can’t help but laugh at him. I have missed his crazy ass.
“I am fine, I promise. Rook and everyone has taken good care of me. Where is Frannie?”
“She’s waiting on the outskirts of the camp. We didn’t want her coming in here and getting hurt.”
“No! You don’t understand! Rook was using me as bait to lure Frannie here. He needs her help, to show her the truth about what is happening to these people but he is going about it the wrong way. Leave me here and go back to her. If you don’t, Rook will take her. Colton! Are you listening to me?”
“Shelby, have you hit your head? Are you sure you aren’t hurt? They drugged you didn’t they?”
“Damn it Colton. Listen to me. I need you to get to Frannie right now. He needs her to listen but he will not give her a chance to come willingly. Damn it Colton! Go to her now. Leave me here.”
“She knows more than you realize Shelby. Look, you can talk to Franchesca all you want later but right now, I have to get you out of here.”
Colton throws me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and takes off towards the forest surrounding the camp. I am so pissed!
“Colton! Is that Shelby? Is she alright?”
There is a large, very virile looking man yelling at Colton across the grounds. Is there something in the water here because Rook, this man, even jerkface Hawkeye are hot as hell.
“I got her, Edrik, and she’s fine. I’m taking her to Franchesca and we’re headed back to the castle.”
“Did you just call him Edrik?”
“Yeah, why?”
“No reason.”
I really do have a reason for asking. I remember Frannie telling me about her first love who looked at her like she was his little sister. His name was Edrik and I am pretty sure there are not two men with that name here. Oh this is interesting. Frannie and I have a lot to talk about when I see her, if Rook hasn’t gotten to her first that is.
39
Playing By My Rules (Rook’s POV)
I knew they were coming for Shelby today. My informant at the Light Fey castle sent word this morning shortly after the Princess and her entourage left.
As soon as I receive that information, I call a meeting with Hawkeye and his upper commanders to let them know of the plans for Shelbys release. Hawkeye didn’t agree with my plans to let the Penguin go so easily, but I have an ulterior motive behind my decision.
The Princess has not yet reached out to me and no one will allow me near her. It is time I take matters into my own hands. I have been leading the Renegades since I was seventeen. For nine years now, I have devoted my life to bettering the lives of my people, the Inferiors. Armand may be the leader behind the scenes, but I haven't informed him of my decision either. Something he said to me earlier has me second guessing his reasons for even starting the resistance so many years ago.
I need the Princess here for answers. I also need her here to protect her.
Word has just come that Shelbys rescuers have reached the outer border of the forest. I make my way to the cell where Shelby is staying to tell her about the Princess’ arrival. I have grown fond of the Penguin. She is worried about me being able to speak with the Princess. Fearing that we will not be able to reach an understanding that will finally bring peace to all of our races.That is the shifter in her. Looking out after her Alpha.
I leave Shelby to get ready and make my way to edge of the forest to watch the ‘rescue’ take place. I promised Shelby that not one hair on the Princess's head would be harmed and I aim to fulfill that promise. I watch as the red headed boy enters the cells and comes out a few moments with a very pissed off Shelby thrown over his shoulder. As soon as I know she is safely out, I head to my last stop.
I know she feels me before she sees me…
40
Hello Princess
I am awoken by a pair of strong arms hugging me close to a very warm body. Kisses are being peppered down the back of my neck and I cannot help but push myself up against the hard length that is pressed against my back.
“Good morning, Princess.”
I love hearing his voice first thing in the morning. It has a deeper, more smoky sound when he first wakes up.
“Morning, my Knight.”
I squeal when I am suddenly on my back looking up at Edrik above me. He looks at me with the same hunger he had last night and the one before. I don’t think I could ever get tired of seeing this look on his beautiful face. The lavender eyes staring down at me are full of emotion and I hope he can see the same feelings in mine.
“As much as I would love to stay in bed with you, we have to get up. We need to be downstairs to meet Colton and the Prince in ten minutes.”
I hop out of the bed and rush to get ready.
Today we are all dressed alike in head to toe black. Cargo pants, long sleeve tees and black boots make up our attire. Each one of us has a sword on our back and a dagger on each hip. I am pretty sure the guys have many more weapons hidden somewhere on them. We decided to draw a small scale map to take with us and I am tasked with carrying it and keeping us on track.
It only takes us two hours to reach the forest surrounding the Renegade camps.
Once there, we stop to regroup and go over the plans once more. From this location, we have to travel one more mile to reach the western border. Our contact has told us this is the best location to penetrate the camps undetected. I will be staying back but keeping watch out for anyone patrolling this area or looking for anything suspicious. From where they will enter, the prison cells, which is where we are assuming Shelby is being held is only about three hundred yards. The plan is to get in, grab Shelby and get out in less than thirty minutes. We were told there are only two guards that keep watch and the guys should be there just as their shift change.
We are hoping at this point the guards will be preoccupied with one set leaving and another beginning their rounds. I hope that they can do this without being noticed and with none of them being hurt. I want all four of them and especially Shelby back with me and with no complications. As soon as they grab Shelby, we have a plan in place to all meet back at the entrance of the forest. From there, hopefully we will all travel back to the castle together.
We make it to the tree line without being spotted and I take a moment to look over each of them. Colton my second best friend, Winston the asshat, and my betrothed and lastly Edrik, my Knight and heart.
Colton gives me a hug an
d takes off in one direction.
Winston stares at me and surprises me with a swift kiss on the lips and whispers in my ear, “Stay safe and do not let anyone see you Princess,” before following after Colton.
Edrik lifts me up under my arms and kisses me so hard my toes curl.
“Be here and in one piece when we get back.”
I watch him run off after Colton and Winston then get in place to start my look out.
I can’t help but let my mind wander off and remember some of the craziness that Shelby and I did. She took me trick or treating my first year at the university. I had never heard of, or experienced Halloween before, but she assured me there was nothing wrong with an eighteen-year-old dressing up as a Bumble Bee and going door to door asking for candy.
She had no idea who I was and I know my best friend enough that if she did, my title would not have mattered to her. She still would have kicked my butt at MMA, still laughed at my refusal to wear anything but my Chucks and flip-flops and she still would have spent every night with me on our small couch, drinking coffee and talking about our days. She is a true friend and a genuine person. When I get my hands on the one responsible for taking her, I will take them down. They will know what the vengeance of a future Queen feels like.
It is not long before I see movement coming from the direction of the prison camps. I hear Colton yelling before I see him.
“I got her Edrik and she’s fine. I’m taking her to Franchesca and we’re headed back to the castle.”
Edrik is coming from a different direction than Colton, who is currently carrying my best friend over his shoulder like a bag of potatoes. If I know Shelby, she is probably cursing him while watching his butt. I have missed the hell out of her.
I stand from my perch and prepare myself for finally having Shelby back with me when I sense a change in the air. Before I can react, a thick, strong arm stretches across the middle of my body and a calloused hand goes over my mouth.
“Hello Princess. I’ve been expecting you.”
Acknowledgments
Amy Naylor:
To my Momo and Poppy who support everything I do. To my son who is my greatest achievement. To my husband, thank you for leaving me alone when I needed to work hours upon hours. Last but not least, Kell, the ying to my yang. Thank you for reeling in my crazy and showing me the covers that finally got me to write. Also thank you for being the cotillion to my kegger.
Kelly Stephens:
To my husband and son, thank you for your patience and understanding when the house was a mess, laundry wasn’t finished and pizza was for dinner. You both stood by me and encouraged me to follow this crazy dream. I love you guys more today than yesterday. To my Mom who is my biggest cheerleader. You are my hero and inspiration. When I grow up, I want to be just like you. To my Naylor...what can I say? Thank you for looking at four book covers and saying, “Yep. We can do something with those.” You are my exact opposite in every way and I would never change one thing about you. Ok, I’m lying. I would like you to eat ice cream. Seriously, it’s just creepy that you don’t.
From Both of Us:
Special thank you to anyone who had a hand in helping us get Knight out there! Our PA, Erin May, thank you for everything you do. Missy and Heather, thanks for helping us and putting up with all the craziness. Francesca Vance, your covers started this entire journey. We will never buy a cover from anyone but you. To Zoe Parker and Vicki Duran, our Savages. You will never understand how much your support, laughter and ears for us to vent to means to us. We adore you both. To our Betas, we could not have finished Knight without you. Get ready because book two is coming soon! Last but not least, to the Riley Walker Renegades. We love each of you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being with us for this wild ride.
About the Author
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