“No need to bring anything—I’ll buy whatever you need along the way.”
What?He was planning to put me on his horse and ride me out of here himself?
Digging in my heels, I yanked my hand from his.
“What about my family?” I asked.
I looked over my shoulder to see my sisters standing with my father, staring at the huge Elven man.
Pharis blew out a loud breath. “Go ahead and say your goodbyes if you must. But make it quick.”
I lifted my chin, doing my best to meet him eye to eye with our radical height difference.
“I’m not going to leave them.” My tone said the fact should have been obvious.
“You have no choice,” he said. “Did you not hear me?”
He gripped my shoulders, giving them a little shake. “The King and his soldiers are on their wayright now. They’ve just left the next village over. They’ll be here any minute. You cannot stay, Raewyn.”
“That’s not what I meant. We are already packed and ready to go. They’re coming with me.”
Pharis’ head jerked back. “No. They’ll slow us down.”
“There is nous,” I said. “Unless it includes them.”
“I only have the one horse,” he said. “We can’t all ride him, and going on foot with that crew…”
He waved toward the blind man and two small girls behind me. “...is a certain death sentence.”
“We’ll have to take our chances.” I turned to my family and motioned for them to follow me. “Come on. We’re leaving.”
Tindra and Turi each grabbed a handful of my father’s cloak, and the three of them walked toward the door, stepping out to stand beside me.
The girls’ eyes were as big as pies as they gaped up at Pharis and his incredible stallion.
Though this one had a similar glossy black coat and a long, flowing mane and tail, it wasn’t Dargan.Of coursethe Fae prince had more than one elite mount. He probably owned an entire herd.
“Who is this, Raewyn?” Papa asked.
I wasn’t sure how to explain Pharis, so I simply said, “A friend. He’s come to help us,” and gave Pharis a pointed look.
“Pharis, meet my father, Wyll Hennessey.”
Dropping his head back and looking toward the sky, he let out a frustrated-sounding growly noise.
“I swear you will be the death of me, woman.” His eyes narrowed, and his jaw hardened. “I should snatch you up and throw you over the saddle.”
“If you do, I will scream the entire way and alert the King’s troops to our location,” I vowed.
“You would, wouldn’t you? Right after you scratched my eyes out.”
Throwing his hands out to the sides, Pharis spun around, scanning the street.
A few houses down stood the Creegan’s house and behind it, Dardick’s new home that was still under construction. Corralled beside it was his horse, Ruby and two others belonging to his parents.
Pharis blew out an exasperated breath and started walking that way. “I’ll be right back.”
He went directly to the paddock, jumping the fence then saddling Ruby and leading her through the gate toward us.
