He started down the street. A couple of guards turned the corner, heading toward the Guard station, saw us, and gaped.
“I cannot possibly ride your warhorse.”
Rellasian knight warhorses were highly trained and prized, and they tended to be loyal only to their rider. Touching a knight’s horse without permission was taking your life in your hands.
“Of course you can. You are doing it right now. You’re so light, he barely noticed.”
“I can walk.”
“Please, my lady, I couldn’t possibly tolerate you overexerting yourself in my presence.”
You’ve got to be kidding me. “My lord . . .”
Bellen gave me another grin. “Lady Maggie, this is a proper rescue. Having bested a corrupt Knight Captain, we must now make our exit in style.”
What? “What if we made a quiet getaway instead?”
“Impossible. The Holy Order of the Defender must maintain its reputation. You have done us a great service by warning us about the danger to Dame Eliarde. It is only fair that we demonstrate to everyone that you are under our protection. Anything else would displease Lord Arvel.”
I glanced at Clover. She made big eyes at me. Right. No help there either. I just had to sit here on top of this colossal horse and try to maintain some dignity. The last time I went riding was two years ago and it was on the beach, in Galveston. My mount had been an old mare, and I rode her at a gentle walk.
The Shears’ carriage was supposed to wait for me. Instead, it was nowhere to be found. In Solentine’s absence, Avaria was in charge, and I had a feeling she did not care for me.
We reached an intersection. We should’ve turned right, north, toward our house. Instead, we turned left, south.
“My lord, I think we’re going the wrong way.”
He frowned. “No, I’m quite certain this is the shortest route.”
“Where are we going?”
“To the Citadel, of course.”
Of course. What was I thinking?
“Why are we going there?”
“To celebrate your glorious rescue.”
“My people will be very anxious about my safety.”
“No worries,” he assured me. “Once we reach the Citadel, I will send your maid to inform them of your whereabouts in a carriage. Clover, is it?”
“Yes, my lord,” Clover answered.
“Have no fear. Your lady will be perfectly safe. I’m reasonably certain the Defender Knights can withstand an assault from the City Guard.”
Bellen winked at me.
I sighed. “When I was younger, my mother said, ‘If a man is charming and smooth-tongued, you must ask yourself how he got that way.’”
“Your mother sounds like a very wise woman,” Bellen said.
“My lord, I think you are the man my mother warned me about.”
He laughed.
I shut up and concentrated on staying in the saddle. At least I had gotten out of the Guard station without revealing my identity. Hreban was still in the dark. Even Bellen only knew my first name, and I needed to keep it that way.
