Heart Song by Samantha LaFantasie
Chapter 1
Betrayed
Frigid air burned my throat with each gulp I took. I forced my legs to pump faster, desperate for my escape. They ached with resistance, burning with a need to cease movement. But the Balai were behind me, rapidly closing the gap between us. Their armor clanked and pounded in uneven rhythms echoing through the alley. I pushed myself harder, not wanting to be caught, because this time, I would be sent to the Cyr Gypsies.
I struggled to remain on my feet as I made my way through the garbage-ridden passage. Propelled by fear and the sting of betrayal made that goal more difficult. Fear, because I know what the Cyrs do to girls, and the sting, because I trusted someone and got burned. For someone I considered my best friend, he found it easy to frame me for stealing. I never thought it was possible.
Yet, I reached the end of the alley, searching for an easy slip-through amongst the crowd of townsfolk doing their daily shopping. Their loud bartering with the merchants overwhelmed the sound of my chase. I’ve never been more grateful for the busiest time in the square. With no easy way through, I rushed into the crowd, knocking over a few unsuspecting customers in the process. Their angry shouts fell on deaf ears as I ran along the cobblestone road that stretched through the heart and length of Hafton toward the woods that surrounded the town.
As I weaved through the small clusters of people in the crowded marketplace, a loud roar of more disgruntled shoppers behind me signaled the Balai’s appearance. Judging by the commotion, they caused more of a mess and surprise than I did. They shouted halts and tried to call the crowd to catch me, but I was too fast for them.
The woods were so close I could taste the sweetness of freedom on my tongue. Once I crossed into them, the chase would be over. The guard would be forced to give up. They’d have no hope of catching me and I would be free. Forever.
Prompted the quieting of the commotion behind me, I risked a turn to see if the Balai had given up. They had slowed but still made their way toward me. I turned back around to continue my run to freedom as I slammed into someone. Firm hands grabbed a hold of me, stilling my heart with the shock of icy fear that jolted through my body. The fact we didn’t fall to the ground with the force of the hit surprised me. Yet, he stood strong, and I watched with silent horror as the hood slid off his head, revealing long black hair that curled at the tips in soft ringlets. The color matched his eyes which were like gazing into black orbs that pierced into my soul.
Ask any woman and she would tell you he’s perfect. Any one besides me, of course. I saw the flaws that made him otherwise. The arches of his eyebrows, for example, were too wide and too high. The length of his nose was too long and squared—not to mention that it ended with an abrupt point. And his lips? Although they may appear perfect from a distance, they were, in fact, uneven and tilted slightly to the left. Clearly imperfect.
“In a bit of trouble again?” he asked, then smiled. Any other girl would swoon, but not me. Luckily, I’m immune to such atrocities. I rolled my eyes as he released his grip on my arms.
“Marren,” I forced out between breaths, “if you’ll excuse me, I need to go…”
I stepped to the side, attempting to continue my short jaunt into the woods of my protection, but stopped when he grabbed my arm again, spinning me around to face the guard, now closer to me than was comfortable.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible, Relena.” He started toward the guard. I struggled against him, but he tightened his grip.
“I’ve been set up,” I added, hoping for…anything other than to be handed to the Balai.
He chuckled. The musical sound of it caught me off guard, faltering my step. My heart did an erratic flip, flushing my cheeks with warmth, furthering my insult to injury. I hoped Marren didn’t see and struggled more as he tightened his grip.
“You’re hurting my arm,” I said with a clip in my tone.
“Now, now, Relena, your temper is going to get you into more trouble.” His teasing tone saturated his words. It angered me to the point my blood boiled.
“I’m not buying your poor shot at charm. You’ve got me mistaken with the rest of the town,” I said.
His smile faded.
The Balai finally met us, still struggling to regain their breath while I breathed with ease. Every single one of them had sweat pouring from them. These men protected Hafton? The pitiful excuses for guards.
“Relena,” Head Guard Lawrence said, red in the face. His features were scrunched as he panted. His obvious love for spice cakes and ale were the biggest contribution to it, no doubt.