The silence stretched out, peppered only with the sound of Ruadh and Wullie's argument, and Nessa grew increasingly confused. She'd seen too many of these battles now. She knew how it went. So where was the panic? Where was the oncoming storm? Surely, even if Ansel had managed to convince the mento a more peaceful route—and that was unlikely—there would besomeresistance from the village?
She peered down the hill, but despite Ansel's assurances, it was far too hard to see. She realized one thing for certain, though. For whatever reason, the battle had not started.
Her guards were still arguing behind her, and though Nessa knew that she should sit still, something pulled her forward. She took a few steps toward the village, not even sure what she was intending to do.
A suddenthudmade her jump, and she spun around just in time to see Ruadh fall to the ground and lie still. She cried out in surprise, at first thinking Wullie had attacked him, but the other guard came lumbering over with panic on his face.
Nessa hurried toward the downed young man, but before she could reach him, a man darted out from seemingly nowhere and pounced toward her. She wordlessly screamed as a hand gripped her arm and pulled her hard.
Wullie drew his sword and threw himself forward. "Let go of the king's property!" he snarled. "I'll kill ye where ye stand, rebel scum!"
"Wait here," her attacker said in a voice that sounded a little too lighthearted for Nessa's comfort. He turned and winked at her. "I'll only be a moment."
She stood, paralyzed with a mixture of fear and shock, and watched as the strange man ran forward to meet Wullie's attack. She stared, wide-eyed, at this strange, impossible man who seemed completely out of place here at this moment. His tree-sap golden curls bounced as he fought, laughing as he dodged out of the way of Wullie's attacks.
"Come on, now, ye're nae even tryin'," the attacker scolded with a snort. "Dinnae make me kill ye. I dinnae like winnin' against such a pathetic show."
Wullie roared and swung again. The man danced out of the way, his wild grin visible even through his short beard. "I'll kill ye!" Wullie snarled. "I'll kill ye before ye take her! She belongs tae the king."
The man tutted, parrying another hit. "I ken some very powerful people who'd disagree. Now, last chance. Put yer sword down. Surrender and ye'll live."
Wullie screamed. "I'll gut ye! And the king will destroy each and every one of ye vermin!" He swung down with a heavy two-handed blow. "Die kennin' yer pretender heir will burn!"
Something in the man's posture changed. Something serious and dark overtook him. He did not retort. He simply moved, almost too quickly for Nessa to follow, and sliced out with his sword. Wullie fell a moment later, and it was clear from the thunk of his body on the ground that he would never rise again.
The man returned to Nessa's side. "Now, then," he said in that same cheerful voice from before, all traces of the darkness gone. "Shall we go?"
Nessa tried to run, but he grabbed her again, pulling her close. She cried out, kicking at his legs, flailing her arms as she tried to fight against his grip. He grunted, almost sounding surprised, but he fought back easily. Nessa desperately wished she had a weapon. She screamed, praying that Ansel orsomeonewould hear.
The man overpowered her in just moments, holding her with her back flush against his chest and her hands crossed in his grip. He pushed her slightly, urging her forward until they reached a horse.
"On," he ordered, loosening his grip. "Come on. We've nae time."
Shaking, Nessa obeyed. She didn't know what else to do. Her eyes went from Wullie's body to Ruadh on the grass as herkidnapper climbed onto the horse behind her and reached past her to grab the reins.
"Did ye have tae kill them both?" she whispered.
The man flicked the horse's reins, and they set off at a gallop. Nessa was thrown backward, feeling the heat of his body supporting her as they raced away.
"The redhead isnae dead. He's gonnae have a hell of a headache when he wakes, though," he told her. "And as for the other one, Ididwarn him."
The horse sped down the hill and into the forest, galloping in the opposite direction to Blackthorn Castle. Nessa felt cold and empty, wondering where life was taking her next. She wondered if she'd ever choose a path of her own.
"Are ye gonnae kill me?" she asked. "Or are ye plannin' tae hold me for ransom?"
Unbelievably, the strange man laughed again. He really seemed to be enjoying himself—or maybe he just enjoyed every moment. "Kill ye! Ransom ye! After all this effort? God, Nessa. Nae offense, but it doesnae seem worth the trouble."
Nessa's brain scrambled as she tried to understand what he was saying and his odd tone of words. "Are ye mad?" she asked, partly sincere. "Have I been captured by a madman?"
Her kidnapper's arm tightened around her waist as they swung around the corner. Nessa gasped at the sensation.
"Possibly," he replied, "But nae mad enough tae let any harm come tae ye, never fear. After all—yer sisters are waitin'."
Chapter Eight
Hours had passedand night had fallen by the time the horse slowed to a stop. The kidnapper, who had told her his name was Darren, slipped off the horse and raised his hands to help her. Nessa obediently allowed him to help her dismount, ignoring the ache in her body from the relentless ride.
"Sorry we didnae rest earlier," Darren said, his keen eyes obviously noticing the way she stumbled. "We needed tae put as much distance between us and that prince of yers as we could."
