by C. K. Brooke
She was crushed by his uncharacteristically cold expression. “Go home, Lucie,” he growled. “Your engagement party is over.”
She shut her eyes to quell the gathering tears, and stepped back. When she reopened them, Geo was saddling a sorrel stallion, arming it with supplies. “I’m coming with you,” she informed him, strolling up to the white horse in the neighboring stable.
Geo only flung his quiver over his back.
“You don’t believe me?” She freed the horse, which was already saddled. The prince mounted his stallion, continuing to act as if Lucie were invisible. Desperate, the young woman tugged on his pant leg. “Why do you go, and not His Majesty’s men?”
“Because the Crown Prince is my brother,” Geo barked, scowling down at her.
“And he is my fiancé!”
Geo flinched, and Lucie closed her mouth, regretting her tongue. Looking stung, the man marched his stallion through the open doors.
Lucie climbed atop the white horse, her heart throbbing. She hadn’t meant to cause Geo any more suffering. And she needed to ensure that no further harm came his way.
“Ride on, Georome Straussen,” she called ahead, propelling her horse in his wake. “I am right behind you.”
THE HILLS WERE RATHER MAJESTIC, really. Dmitri Straussen had never seen them up close. Generally speaking, he wasn’t the outdoors type. Now, he found himself wondering why not. If only he could reach out and feel the fronds protruding from the passing trees…. He imagined the sensation to be fluttery, prickly yet calming. Alas, his hands were bound together. Too tightly.
He hunched his shoulders, squirming. Behind his spectacles, he glanced back at the humorless rider who carried him upon his steed. “I say.” Dmitri cleared his throat, trying to win the soldier’s attention. The man did not look at him. “I say,” he repeated, “d’you think you could loosen me up a bit?”
The Llewesian said nothing, and Dmitri sighed. It was a foolish question, of course. They wouldn’t loosen his bindings, lest it enable his escape. But how could he escape under the watch of an entire army, and the King of Llewes himself? Dmitri wracked his mind. He’d not read any novels about kidnappings. Perhaps he should have.
The following afternoon, they reached the bridge at the border of Tybiria and Llewes. The hooves of a hundred horses clopped weightily over the old wooden structure that stretched over the rushing, bubbling waters below. Dmitri glanced down into the river’s wide expanses and gulped.
Once the last of them had descended the arch, King Ira turned from the front of the procession. “Burn it down,” he croaked.
The soldiers shared uncertain glances. “Your Majesty,” began the man beside him, as though intending to talk him out of it.
The king’s complexion only reddened. “Burn it!”
The soldier squared his shoulders, nodding at the army behind him. Dmitri watched, stunned, as a team of men created fire from their supplies and set it to the bridge. The wood took slowly at first, the smoke more visible than the light. Dmitri’s eyes watered from the noxious fumes.
Once the bridge was ablaze to the king’s satisfaction, the procession resumed, leaving the flames to build behind them. “No damned Tybirians shall be crossing into my borders,” Dmitri heard the king growl.
Bewildered, the prince could only stare at him from behind. Tybirians never crossed into Llewes’s borders; they only protected their own territory from Llewes’s senseless invasions. The king was insane.
They rode for days, and Dmitri’s panic gradually evaporated into resignation. At that point, there was naught to do but accept his predicament. His hands were bound, his every move surveyed, and countless swords would rise to challenge him, should he attempt the smallest scheme. His only solace was the fact that they had not killed him. Yet.
What they wished to do with him, Dmitri dreaded to wonder. He’d assumed they were taking him to their capitol, perhaps to bring him to trial, or else harbor him for a ransom. But when they didn’t march east, only continuing due north, Dmitri was confused. Why were they going north? At this rate, they would run into the coast.
“Please,” he said to the man riding with him that day. It was a different soldier every time. “Could you at least tell me where you’re taking me?”
“I’m not permitted to speak to you,” he said, as the horses trotted into the woods.
Dmitri blinked. “You just did.” When the soldier said no more, Dmitri pressed him. “I don’t think it’s so much to ask—”
“Hush,” the man commanded him, although his eyes shifted, and he looked uncomfortable to order the prince in such a manner.
Dmitri was adamant, ducking as they passed beneath an overhang of branches. “No. You are going to tell me where we’re headed, or else—”
“They are conversing!” blurted a young soldier, pointing between Dmitri and the rider. “Your Majesty, Officer Knealy is conspiring with the enemy prince!”
Before the youth had finished his accusation, Dmitri was shoved with terrible force. His hands bound, he could do nothing to break his fall as the man with whom he’d been riding pushed him from the horse.
He hit the ground, too stunned to cry out. At once, he rolled out of the way, lest the proceeding horses trample him. The procession halted, voices raised in anger and impatience.
Dmitri’s head throbbed from the impact. Feeling hazy, he glanced up. He thought he saw odd, curious little faces blinking down at him from the treetops. But his vision blurred as he took in a shuddering breath and shut his eyes, awareness slipping away.
GEO’S HORSE STAMPEDED THROUGH THE countryside. Was it heartless to wish he could lose the girl behind him, shake her off? Lucie followed fearlessly on the white horse, her flawless face set with determination.
Geo fumed. Why did she have to tag along? Her presence would only make it harder for him to rescue his brother. Looking after a lady was possibly worse than his father’s whole army. And of all charges to be saddled with, why her, the woman who’d torn out his heart?
The following day, they came to a fierce, wide river at the border of Llewes. The horses shied away, backing off of the banks. Geo winched his brow, glancing around. Strange. For some reason, he’d expected there to be a bridge.
Then he saw it. The remains of a wooden frame hovered over the river, charred and threatening to collapse into the frothing current. The bridge had been burned down. And recently, by the looks of it. Geo pursed his lips, steering his horse farther back. It was no accident. The Llewesians obviously knew they’d be tailed.
“Change of plan,” he announced. Making up his mind, he descended his horse. Lucie remained poised atop hers, both legs draped neatly over one side beneath her long lilac gown. “You’re going home.”
Her brown eyes narrowed. “Am not.”
Geo grit his teeth, though he spoke quietly. “I am your prince, Miss Camerlane, and I am issuing an order. To disobey is a crime punishable by law, you know.”
Her face fell, though she didn’t look affright. Instead, she looked oddly pitying. She slid down from the white steed. “Geo.” She met his eyes, her face full of regret. He was unnerved. “We need to talk. There’s something you must—”
His horse whinnied, rearing up its hooves, and Geo jumped out of the way. The railing river was spooking it. He needed the girl to return the creatures to the castle, so that he could cross the waters and continue alone.
He turned back to her, and was surprised by her expression. She looked so genuine, staring at him with a plea in her eyes. But he’d not be fooled again. He knew what a fine actress she was.
She began to speak once more, but he ignored her. “Take the horses back, and let our families see you’re safe. I will continue on foot.”
Lucie shook her head. “I don’t know the way.”
“The animals do.”
“No,” she whispered. “G
eo, don’t send me away…please.” Her voice faded, and it took him a moment to realize she was crying. It appeared to be something she seldom did, for her dry little breaths were sporadic and awkward. It made him anxious.
She wasn’t faking, he realized. She was upset, in earnest. Maybe she did love Dmitri? Geo may have only been a pleasant romp—as she’d put it—but perhaps his brother meant more to her. A lot more. Enough to rescue him?
He could no longer bear her quivering shoulders. Though she’d little regard for his feelings, she clearly possessed her own. And who was Geo to deny the Crown Prince and the woman who apparently loved him?
He released a long breath, rubbing the hilt of his sword. “All right, fine. You may stay.”
She lifted her head and sniffled hopefully. Without thinking, Geo withdrew his handkerchief and dabbed it at the kohl streaming down her cheeks. He stood so close; close enough to kiss her, though there was nothing in the world he wished to do less.
Or more….
Warring with himself, he pulled back and displayed the stained handkerchief to her. “Your tears are black,” he murmured, “like your heart.” He turned before he should witness her reaction, and removed the supplies from his horse’s saddle. Clicking his tongue, he gave each steed a dismissive pat. “Retreat.”
The animals turned, keen to depart the riverbank. “Kee-ah!” Geo called after them, and they heightened their pace, disappearing down the southern road.
Lucie came to stand beside him, examining the river. “So, how do we cross?”
Geo removed his cape and vest, and balled them into his bag. “We swim.”
“Oh.” A shadow passed over her features.
“Afraid of water?” he challenged, tugging off his boots. “It’s not too late to catch up with the horses.”
“I’m not afraid,” she snapped, though she eyed the river warily. “I’m just…not a very experienced swimmer.”
“You’ve lived all your life by a lake, and you’ve little experience swimming?”
She twisted her hair into a knot. “You know, a man is permitted to lift off his tunic and dive into a body of water any old day, regardless of onlookers. But seldom may a lady remove so much as a glove.”
Geo didn’t argue. She had a point.
She stepped out of her slippers as he unfastened his shirt, and they tucked the items into his bag. “You may add your jewelry,” he offered, holding out the open bag to her. But she clutched her pendant protectively. “That’s right,” he grunted. “You never take that thing off, not even when we’d—” He stopped at once, cheeks hot and pulse jerking. He didn’t dare glimpse her face.
Lucie waded into the river before him. Her gown darkened and clung to her. Through the material, Geo could make out every detail; details he’d once known intimately.
He stepped down beside her, holding his bag, bow and quiver above the surface to keep them dry. He propelled forward, following the current and shifting to the other end of the bank, his sword heavy at his belt. He would have removed it, too, but his hands were already quite full.
Sensing Lucie’s absence, he looked back to find her still lagging in the shallows. “Lucie,” he called.
“When I said I’d little experience,” her voice was high over the burbling tide, “I sort of meant none!”
Geo gaped. “You mean you can’t swim?”
She shook her head apologetically.
Groaning, he kicked forward, raising his chin as a high wave floated his way. “Just stay there,” he barked. “Let me bring my things ashore, and I’ll come back for you.”
The current was strong, and his gear heavy. But Geo swam, exhausted by the time he reached the opposite bank. Breathing heavily, he hoisted himself over the edge and relieved himself of his bag, boots and weapons. He smoothed back his dripping hair, mopping pearls of water from his eyelashes, and peered around. The land appeared deserted. He could only hope his possessions would remain safe in the interim.
Free of the added weight, he dove again into the cool water and swam swiftly back in the girl’s direction. Already, she was holding him up on his mission. But it was too late now; the horses were gone, and he had committed to her accompaniment.
When he reached her, she was shivering. He tried to avert his eyes from her breasts, acutely poking behind her gown at the water’s chill. “You’d have warmed up by now, had you been moving.” He angled his back and hunched over. “Come on.”
Her voice was amused. “You want me to climb on your back?”
“It’s the easiest way to carry you.” In spite of himself, he laughed, so awkward was their predicament. He supposed he’d better get used to it. “Now get on, before I change my mind and strand you here.” His body tensed as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he pushed ahead through the rushing water.
“I feel like a child,” she said, just above his ear, “riding on my father’s shoulders.”
“Your father carried you around on his shoulders?” He felt her nod against his cheek. “I suppose I can picture the baron doing that.” Geo chuckled. “So, what else have I failed to learn about you, Lucie Camerlane?” The river stampeded noisily down a mass of stones, and he wove around them. “You can’t swim, you’re in love with my brother—”
Something gripped his ankle from the water’s depths, and he sucked in a breath.
“Geo?” Lucie slipped down, startled.
The prince straightened, reaching underwater to massage his skin. It had happened so quickly he might’ve imagined it. Yet his ankle burned as though it’d been squeezed. “Fish,” he murmured, trying to propel again, but the current yanked him back. Once more, something clasped his ankle. This time, it didn’t release.
“Geo!” Lucie hung onto him as an underwater force dragged him downward.
Alarmed, he squinted into the waves, his pulse whirring to see a powerful tentacle snaking up his calf. He tried to push the creature off, but the more he struggled, the deeper he submerged. “Lucie,” he gasped, straining to keep his head above water as a second slimy tendril wrapped around his other leg. “Can you reach those rocks? Hold onto them while I—while I sort this—”
His words were lost as water covered his mouth. The creature was aggressive. Amidst the cascading current, Lucie reached for the pile of rocks and hung onto them. Her weight off his back gave him a momentary edge as he bobbed upward. He was instantly harassed by a third arm, this one strangling his waist.
Woe that he’d removed his sword! Had he a weapon, the fight would be over. Lucie stood on the rocks, watching him wrestle his aquatic foe and calling out to him. He could hear the alarm in her voice, but couldn’t make out the words.
With his bare foot Geo aimed a kick at the attacker, but without his boots, the impact was not as damaging as he’d hoped. The creature lashed out another flailing tendril and caught him by the wrist. Geo thrust away, though not before the thing submerged him again. For a moment, all he saw were bubbles exhaling from his nostrils.
He then caught a glimpse of the enormous jellied head with fearsome beady eyes staring him down, intent on claiming its prey. He would’ve screamed, would it not have filled his lungs with water. He tried not to panic as he tossed punch after calculated punch, his breath slipping away all the while.
One of his maneuvers had been effective. Geo popped up for air, water splaying as he sputtered. He cast a frantic glance at the rocks where he’d left Lucie, and his heart dropped to find her gone. God forbid, had she fallen in? Was she drowning, carried away by the current while he was locked in the inescapable grip of a preposterous river monster?
His enemy raised each of its limbs, baring a horrific cavern of fangs. Geo shouted in fright. The demon had teeth? It was about to take a deadly tug at his legs when a flash of metal swung out of nowhere, severing a tentacle. Geo looked up, stunned to see Lucie wielding his sword.
“I may not know how to swim,” she panted, “but I can hop stepping-stones!”
He laughed with euphoria as she handed him the weapon, indicating a trail of rocks poking out from the riverbed, which she must have hopped to reach the bank. Geo clasped his fingers around the cool hilt and in several deft movements spliced off the monster’s remaining arms. It emitted a disturbing squeal, pointy teeth exposed as it swirled backward, bleeding profusely.
Lucie extended a hand, helping Geo up onto the bed of stones. “Stone-stepping.” He gasped for air, blotting the dampness from his eyes. “Now, why didn’t I think of that?”
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” He glanced into the current flowing with inky blue blood. “I only wish I knew what in hell that was.”
“Freshwater squid,” she answered matter-of-factly. “And a rare giant one, by the looks of it.” She turned and leapt onto the next rock.
Geo stared at her back. Freshwater squid? “There’s no such thing.”
“Of course there is.” Her tone was mild. “Don’t you read?”
He followed, jumping between stones, his sword now safely sheathed at his belt. So, maybe that was another reason Lucie preferred Dmitri? The Crown Prince read far more than Geo did. He wasn’t opposed to reading, of course; he simply hadn’t time for it when there was battle to train for.
They arrived at his pile of belongings as the sun bore down overhead. Lucie turned to face him. Her skin shone so radiantly, her breasts damp and puckered with her treasured amethyst tucked neatly in the crevice between them. Geo longed for her all over again. It was as though the last few weeks had never happened, and she was still his.
His fingertips found her shoulder and traced its caramel perfection. Beneath his touch, she shuddered. Something about it recalled him to his senses. At once, his stomach sank. This was his brother’s bride. He had no right touching her.
He withdrew his hand and went to gather up his things, determined to forget what had just transpired.
