Prince Fernando
I embraced Stella’s trembling form even as confusion raced inside my head. Hadn’t I apprehended her a moment ago?
Rocco continued his pursuit of the coward along with an extra guard, while Dario and the remaining soldier stayed with me.
“Are you alright?” I asked, stepping backward to examine her.
She wavered on her feet, as though she was going to faint. I steadied her and led her to my horse.
She glanced at Rocco’s receding silhouette.
“We’ll catch your br…” I stopped myself. Why did I almost say brother? The criminal attempted to kidnap her! “That villain,” I finished.
Her eyes widened, and she gasped. Her reaction was quick before she turned her face from me.
“Did he try to hurt you?” I asked.
She didn’t respond for a moment, then pressed her palm against her forehead. “I can’t think.”
“Why did you flee?” Dario asked, tilting his head.
She stared at the ground. “I don’t know.”
I touched her cheek and gently forced her to face me. Her gray-blue eyes fluttered as I tightened my hold.
“You escaped. We need to understand why you ran away and identify who attempted to kidnap you. The king will demand answers.” I held back mentioning his unforgiving nature.
Flashes of a scene where my father ordered her whipped danced in my memory. In my thoughts, I stood up to him. If I did that in real life, he’d give the kingdom to Lorenzo to punish me.
“After I fell, I ran. What happened…” She squeezed her eyelids closed and sucked in a deep breath. “When I saw you, it was… like waking from a… how do you say it? Nightmare.”
A tear slid beneath her eyelashes to trail down her dirt-smudged cheek.
“How did you get past the wall?” Dario pressed.
“I don’t remember!” Stella shouted, her features flushing.
I scowled at him. He shouldn’t interrupt when I was speaking with her. Frustrating her wouldn’t help.
“Go after Rocco,” I commanded. “Make sure the vagabond is detained.”
Dario reluctantly obeyed. Once he’d gone a short distance, I focused all my attention on Stella.
“I didn’t run from you,” she said softly.
“You already said that,” I responded in a gentle tone. Warmth tugged on my chest, even as irritation pricked my heart over my father’s refusal to grant her to me.
She gnawed on her lip.
“Come. Get on Nelly,” I urged, making a step with my interlaced hands.
Her leg quivered as she stepped up and swung her other limb over the saddle.
Everything felt wrong. I’d already done this. Except, I hadn’t.
I mounted the horse behind Stella and began the return trek to the estate.
“What about them?” Stella asked, motioning toward where Dario and Rocco had gone.
“They’ll bring the bastard in due time. I’m bringing you home now.”
She nodded slowly, appearing to accept my words.
The sun lowered on the horizon, creating a blood red sky.
Bolin
I blinked, overwhelmed in the crowd. Wasn’t I just speaking with King Sartorius near the entrance?
A sentry bellowed, “They’re coming!”
“Did they find her?” I shouted over the dozens of bobbing heads blocking my line of sight. Wait. He’d already announced that five were returning. Right?
The guard met my gaze and peered toward the setting sun, then held up his palm with three fingers splayed. “Three are approaching on two horses. Their features are hidden by shadows.”
Irritation heated my cheeks. Why was the answer different? That made no sense.
“Make way for King Sartorius!”
I scrambled to the side and bowed, despite my sore ribs and collarbone screaming in protest. My mind lurched. He was just on the drive, ordering both Stella and me to be whipped. No. That must have been a dream.
The king strode down the rocky pathway, stopping at the edge where it forked between the villa and stables.
“Where are they?” King Sartorius demanded.
“Here, sire,” the lead guard replied, he commanding two sentries to open the gate.
I held my breath, expecting the bleeding prisoner. Instead, Prince Fernando rode in with Stella. A soldier followed behind, his violet jacket a molten maroon in the flaring light.
Where were the others? What was happening?
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