“Ev,” the prince corrected.
Hugo smiled and gave a little sigh. “It’s not your fault, Ev. You couldn’t have known the bandits would strike just then.”
“Actually, these men aren’t bandits.”
“What?” Hugo twisted, trying to see around the tree so he could look Everand in the face, and almost fell over. “What do you mean?”
“They’re not bandits. They’re scouts from the kingdom of Wulia, sent by King Victor. Father sent me out to accompany one of several patrols to hunt them down. The hope was to capture them and force King Victor to the negotiating table rather than go back to war. I called them bandits because I didn’t want you to panic.”
Hugo closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths to calm the fear bubbling up within him. Enemy soldiers were far more frightening than mere bandits. It also meant that it was imperative that Prince Everand escape. If they took him to Wulia and gave him to King Victor, Wulia and his own home of Branem would definitely go to war.
Yet, Everand didn’t sound panicked and terrified. The Wulia scouts could have easily killed them both by now but hadn’t. It looked as if they might still be in Shaggy Butternut Forest. The royal guards had to be searching for them. The important thing was to remain calm and keep their spirits up, which was what Everand had been doing with his flirty comments.
“You know,” Hugo stated, “I don’t think I’m going to apologize now.”
“Apologize? For what?”
“After our lunch together, I told my family that you were an utter ass, among other unfavorable things, and I was beginning to think that maybe I’d misjudged you. Now, I’m quite sure that my initial assessment was quite correct. You are an ass.”
Silence stretched for a couple of seconds, and Hugo feared he’d overstepped, when a harsh bark of laughter broke out from the other side of the tree. Everand laughed so hard that he snorted, which only got them both laughing, the sound echoing across the camp.
“Hey! Quiet or I’ll gag you,” the cook at the campfire bellowed, waving a knife at them.
Snickers escaped them, dissolving into giggles.
“Never change, Hugo. You are a diamond of the first water, and you deserve to have someone worthy of you. I almost wish it were me, but you’re right. I am an ass, though I have a few redeeming qualities.”
Hugo’s mind wandered to the feel of the prince pressed tightly against them as they were riding. He’d felt more than a few redeeming qualities then, but he wouldnotmake such a comment. If anything, the prince’s comments convinced Hugo that the man he’d met at lunch weeks ago was little more than an act, a façade Everand used to scare people away. The person he was with now felt far more genuine.
“I’m sure you have many redeeming qualities, Your Highness.”
“Ev,” the prince corrected.
“While we’re not fated to be husbands, I could always use a friend.”
“A true friend is always welcome,” Everand agreed, though there was something else lingering in his voice. Hugo almost thought it might be disappointment, but that was nonsensical. There was no way Prince Everand could ever desire more from him.
“So,friend, are we to wait until your guards find and rescue us?”
“Nope. We’re escaping.”
Twelve
The forest was darker than Hugo had expected. There were enough leaves on the trees to block out the moonlight and twinkling stars. The fire in the center of camp had burned low, providing only a faint glow. Most of the Wulian scouts had fallen asleep around the fire while a couple of guards stood watching over the camp and prisoners.
But Hugo could feel time slipping away from them. By dawn, they would move out, likely racing to the nearest border. Once the soldiers had Everand in Wulia, King Hubert would almost certainly answer with a full-blown attack on the other kingdom to reclaim his son. They had to escape if they were going to avoid yet another war between the two countries.
Thankfully, Prince Everand had a tiny blade the scouts had failed to find. With steady persistence, Everand sawed through the ropes binding his hands. Hugo edged closer to the prince so he could cut his rope next.
During the deepest part of the night, when the guards on duty were at their sleepiest, they crept away from the camp, escaping with careful steps. Everand gripped Hugo’s hand tightly, as if afraid that he might suddenly lose his companion.Hugo dutifully ignored the butterflies that tried to take flight in his stomach. This was not the time for nonsense.
A shout went up, splitting the night. Hugo and Everand weren’t more than a hundred yards from the camp. Someone had noticed their departure.
“Shit!” Everand hissed. “I was really hoping it would take them longer to discover us missing.”
“Run?”
“Definitely.”
