With that,Gaston drew her forcefully against him with one arm while he steered the gelding in the direction of the meadow. He held her so tightly that Estelle couldn’t move, the stench of him overwhelming her. He must have seen her flinch because he laughed coldly.
“Yes, I stink. If not for Valentin’s constant patrols on Bratavia’s borders, I would have abandoned this wretched forest weeks ago. But withyou accompanying me now, they’ll be only too happy to fall back unless they wish for me to slit your lovely throat right in front of them.”
Now Estelle did retch, lowering her head to one side while Gaston cursed vehemently behind her. He kicked the gelding into a trot even as the sound of raised voices carried to them, people anxiously crying out her name.
Heartsick, she was certain she heardValentin calling out to her, too, his voice so strong and yet filled with apprehension. She thought to cry out to him to warn him—dear God, what if Gaston had another evil intention in mind to harm Valentin?—but the cold weight of a knife suddenly pressed to her neck made her stiffen with fear.
“That’s right, say nothing, do nothing, not if you wish to live. I want to live, too, but I’ll diebefore Valentin throws me into the dungeon where he and his accursed father should have spent the last of their days. One guard betrayed us—one guard with a weak stomach who opened the gates to Prince Renaud’s rabble! The wretched bastard!”
Gaston’s voice filled with hatred and near-crazed hysteria, Estelle squeezed her eyes shut and began desperately to pray as the shouting voices grew louder,closer.
Gaston kicked the gelding into a canter as if he was determined to burst upon Valentin and the rest of the search party and startle them all.
So he did, too. Astonished cries echoed in the forest, punctuated by a roar of such anguish that Estelle’s eyes flew open to the sight of Valentin riding straight toward them.
Until he saw the blade pressed to her throat.
Such a stricken lookcrossed his face that Estelle’s eyes blurred with tears. He jerked up on the reins, the stallion rearing on its hind legs and pawing at the air.
