My heart caught in my lungs. “L-left?”
Paige raised a brow. “When you stormed off to your tent. The prince went after you, and then everyone started dropping at once. Do you remember anything at all?”
I shook my head, feigning ignorance. “I remember Darren a-and then he fell and I… I guess I must have drifted off too.”
The two of us started toward the camp, Paige half-carrying me as I got back “control” of my limbs.
“I m-must have eaten too much.”
Paige snorted. “At least now we know it wasn’t your bad cooking.”
“Hmmm.”
“I’m sorry, my lady.” Her serious tone returned as she addressed me directly. “Earlier I was out of place. I know how much this must upset you now that the rebel is loose.”
I waved the knight’s apology away, quickening our pace toward the others. Darren had already gathered everyone else by the horses; their voices grew loud as we approached.
Ten minutes later, we were pouring over a map of the territory.
As I had hoped, they had discovered the missing mare and drawn their own conclusions.
“We don’t have time to debate the context of his escape!” Darren’s voice rose above the storm, stunning the rest of our unit to silence. “Gods only know how many hours we lost already!”
“You think he’ll try for the king?” One of the mages folded his arms. “In that condition, he’s hardly a threat, and we already sent out an envoy—”
“He has my horse and he’s headed south!” Paige snapped. “If the rebel has any sense, he’ll warn his comrades in the palace and take up in the desert with the rest of his traitorous kind.”
“The rebels have managed to stay hidden for years. This man was our one chance.” Darren fisted the map, the whites of his knuckles visible under the others’ light. “I am not going to waste our time prowling the mountains in the middle of the night. That traitor is headed south.”
I ducked my head as the others nodded along. I couldn’t believe our luck. If Darren insisted no one remain behind, Tallus would have better odds than we hoped.
“Ryiah and I will return to the palace immediately with our guards.”
“But the king’s orders—”
“The Black Mage and his second-in-command are more than capable of taking care of themselves, contrary to my brother’s opinion.” Darren glowered at the knight who had spoken. “The rest of you are to scout every inch of the south. The minute I arrive in the capital, I will have more of the Crown’s Army dispatched to help find that traitor while I investigate the palace. I’m not going to sacrifice our search for my ‘protection.’” Ember flared in the crown prince’s eyes. “If Blayne has a problem with it, he can take it up with me. You have ten minutes to pack up your gear and split into three parties.”
“That thief stole my horse!” Paige stomped around our site, throwing her saddlebags against the ground ten minutes later. “That no good, piece of—”
In ordinary circumstances, I might have laughed. “You can ride with me.”
“If I must.” The knight grumbled as we finished loading my roan with supplies. “But no talking. We are hunting a rebel, my lady, not building a friendship.”
“I would never dream of it.” I yawned—this time from real fatigue—and swung up into the saddle, reaching for Paige.
My guard was too busy staring at a dark stain on the top of my boots.
The rebel’s blood. I had been standing too close when he cut himself for the rope.
My heart pounded violently against my chest.
“When did you injure yourself, my lady?”
“Oh, that?” I laughed uncomfortably. “Must have cut myself when I…” When I did what? Paige was always nearby. “You know what? I think that might have been from the rabbits caught for the stew.”
“So not old, then.”
Was it just me, or did she sound suspicious? “Well, old as this evening.”
Paige continued to stare at my boot.
“My lady and Paige.” Henry’s call rang out over the din of orders. “We are ready to head out.”
Grateful for the interruption, I turned to Paige with a nervous grin. Don’t see my fear. “Time to return to the palace.”
The guard didn’t say anything else as she helped herself into the saddle.
7
It only took us eight days to reach the capital.
It took all of one breath to watch Darren race across the throne room to his brother. That twisting in my chest was a rising suffocation, and it was all I could do to stand there next to Paige pretending I was glad to see Blayne was still alive and well. I didn’t want to see that young, proud king relaxing in his gilded chair with a healthy glow and that lying courtier’s smile plastered to his face. I didn’t like to see the way Darren’s face lit up when he took in the same.
Seven nights of riding on and on, trading mounts at each inn we passed, only remaining long enough for a meal and an hour’s sleep—two at most.