‘What are you so angry about?’ He’s frowning. ‘I just saved you.’
‘Savedme?’ I can’t even speak for a moment.
‘Is everything all right, my lady?’
Raven guards are the best in the land. Of course they heard us. Heard me, anyway. Half a dozen surround us, appearing almost from thin air. And, oh god and darkness, Bertrand is among them, his kindly face creased with disapproval.
‘I’m fine.’
‘Did something happen?’ Bertrand has his arms folded. ‘The car was just getting ready to leave. We weren’t expecting you home yet.’
I sigh. Kyle is standing to attention next to me. I can almost feel his desperation. I have a choice again, it seems. I can drop him in it, or I can save him.
For some reason, I go with option two. ‘I didn’t feel well, so Kyle offered to bring me home.’
Bertrand’s frown deepens. ‘Through the Great Forest?’
I glance at Kyle. He can deal with this.
‘We were on the road,’ he said. ‘Then we ran into a Reaper gang, so I took my lady into the woods, hoping to outrun them. That’s why we came over the fence.’
Bertrand’s suspicious gaze comes to me. I nod, my eyes wide. ‘That’s it,’ I said. ‘That’s what happened. I’m lucky Kyle is so fast, I guess.’
‘Emelia?’
All the guards, including Kyle and Bertrand, bow and step back.
Great. It’s my mother.
ChapterSix
A GOLDEN CAGE
‘What’s happening? Why didn’t you call?’
My mother comes to me in a rustle of silk. There’s worry in her voice. I find mine.
‘I’m fine. I was just tired, that’s all.’ But, before I can say any more she’s hugging me, her hands stroking my hair. I cling to her for a moment, then push at her, feeling comforted and smothered all at the same time, love like a crackle in my chest. ‘I’m fine.’
She releases me, a crinkle in her perfect pale brow. ‘Are you sure? You do feel a little warm.’
‘Honestly, I’m all right. It’s just been a long night.’
‘Come then, lovely girl. There is tea for you, and you can tell me all about it.’ She turns to Kyle. Her gaze narrows. ‘As for you,’ she says, her tones suddenly glacial, ‘I hope you have a very good explanation as to why you thought running my daughter home through the Great Forest was a good idea.’
Kyle’s silver gaze flicks to me. I do nothing.
‘My lady.’ He bows. ‘It is as Emelia says. She was tired and, rather than wait for the car, she wanted to come home. I thought to run with her, as the road to the house is usually safe. However, we ran into a Reaper gang and so I had to take her into the forest to evade them.’
I close my eyes.
‘A Reaper gang?’ My mother’s voice rises. ‘Are you mad? How could you put her in harm’s way like that?’
Well, at least I’m not the only one who thinks Kyle has problems. But then I feel bad. I remember silver trees, rushing water, the wild flicker of freedom.
‘I made him bring me home,’ I say, opening my eyes.
Just in time, it seems.
