“Yes, he is,” I murmured.
“Do you think he will chase us?” Rumian raised an eyebrow at me. “That would be fun.”
“He’s welcome to try,” Solentine said. The darkness in his eyes was deep enough to drown in.
Solentine Dagarra didn’t take kindly to orders, not even from his own father. If Arvel tried to chase us, Solentine would fight him. I had zero doubt of it. The sooner we got the hell out of here, the better. At least Everard hadn’t come after us. Dodged a bullet there.
We turned the corner. I exhaled.
“Thank you for rescuing me.”
“Did I do well?” Rumian gave me a charming smile. “Was I too stern?”
“You were wonderful.”
“Splendid,” he said. “I always wanted to be an older brother.”
CHAPTER41
As soon as we cleared the castle doors, a boy ran up to us. “Which carriage?”
“The Magnars’,” I told him.
The boy took off down the wide staircase. My cousin and my brother tore down the stairs after him at top speed, pulling me with them.
“Stop or I’ll break my neck!”
The two of them let go of me. I picked up my skirt, gripped Rumian’s arm, and continued down the stairs. We conquered the stairs. Our carriage pulled up, Will and Lute looking like they were ready to fight.
Solentine jerked the door of the carriage open and saw Erodel. And then there was a dagger at Erodel’s neck.
“No!” I grabbed Solentine’s forearm. “He’s with me.”
Solentine slid the dagger back into his doublet and half shoved, half helped me into the carriage.
“I’ll go with her!” Rumian announced. “In case something happens.”
“Thank you, but no.” I blocked the door. “Arvel won’t do anything to me. He knows where I live, so he doesn’t have to rush. But he might pick a fight with Solentine.”
“Why do I never get to do anything exciting?” Rumian demanded.
“Now isn’t the time,” Solentine snapped.
Rumian sighed. “I suppose I will stay and help defend the family name.”
And he would defend it well. Rumian was the fastest blade in Rellas. Faster than his father or Solentine.
“If you could manage,” Solentine squeezed out. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”
They should take their show on the road and charge admission.
Solentine slapped the carriage door shut. “Ride like dursans are chasing you! Don’t stop for anything. If you see Defender colors, ride harder.”
Will barked a harsh command, the carriage jerked, and we sped down the King’s Way.
“What’s going on, my lady?” Erodel asked.
The carriage clattered down the cobblestones at full speed, jerking us to and fro. I needed to invent some seatbelts.
