They all looked up at the sky as it burst with fireworks. The colorful lights flashed in Aerina’s eyes, making them sparkle. They met his gaze and she smiled.
The power that action had on him made his heart pitifully tumble into his stomach. If only she knew how much it broke him. He had already crossed so many lines by simply experiencing such a thing.
Those feelings were dangerous.
Because what if…
“Princess!” Nisa called cheerily. “Would you care for a dance? Sir Rawn is at your service.”
“What? I?—”
Nisa pushed him hard enough that he stumbled a few steps forward until he found himself standing in front of Aerina. He felt a rush of heat shoot up his pointed ears, and his heart shot back up into his throat.
Aerina stood and said with the sweetest smile, “I would love to.”
Rawn couldn’t do anything more but take her offered hand. Sylar immediately began a new song as he led her into a dance. But Rawn had been trained in everything except that. Aerina laughed at his clumsy attempt, yet he didn’t care, because she was still smiling at him.
His sister and his best friend had their fill of ale as he endured their teasing at his lackluster dancing. They eventually fell asleep. But Rawn stayed up late into the night, talking with Aerina by the fire about everything and anything.
Well, she mostly talked, and he listened. He could fall asleep listening to her voice.
And he had.
A grave oversight, for Rawn woke to a distant scream.
He stumbled to his feet, his mind on alert and disoriented in the gray dawn. Sylar and Nisa jerked awake. The highlands were coated in a veil of fog.
And Aerina’s bed mat was empty.
“Princess!” Rawn shouted.
The scream came again from the trees.
He bolted for his horse, Nisa and Sylar running close behind. Leaping onto Fair’s saddle, Rawn kicked his heels. They chased the echo of Aerina’s cries and the beat of retreating hooves.
Rawn raced into the forest, his heartbeat thudding in his ears. This couldn’t be happening. He couldn’t fail. He had to reach her.
A group of riders galloped ahead. They wore black armor, their dark red cloaks flowing behind them like veils of blood.
Force Sentries of Red Highland.
They were fleeing with a carriage, and Rawn heard Aerina’s cries.
Rawn galloped for the carriage through the forest, determined to reach it before he lost her forever. Nisa and Sy caught up on his flank. A fight broke out of steel and magic as they fought sentries guarding the carriage and every rider who appeared from the trees.
Rawn leaped off Fair’s saddle onto the back of the carriage and climbed onto the roof. A blade came for his head. He ducked and rolled out of the way. Rising to his feet, he whipped out his sword and met his opponent. The sentry was covered head to toe with black armor. The only thing visible were his amber eyes through his helmet.
Their weapons clashed as they fought.
His opponent muttered a spell in Elvish, and blue electricity spiraled around his blade. Rawn rolled out from under the sentry’s next attack and kicked him off the roof.
Climbing down the side of the carriage, Rawn yanked open the door to find Aerina inside. She cried out in relief and rushed to him.
“We have to jump!” he told her.
“What?” she said frightfully.
“Now!”
