Page 51 of The Marked Princess

It'd been four days since Josselyn disappeared from the Banri's home, from Tallis, from him. Each moment since he'd been awakened to the news of her disappearance had been a battle for self control. While search parties had been formed and plans drawn up for scouring the city, he'd ached to tear the whole damn place down. Raze the city brick by brick until he found her.

When the search had turned up empty, he'd lost it. The implacable Alex Grey had turned into a raging beast, unleashing his temper on anyone and everyone. Only Lily, with her calm, gentle ways had been able to tolerate his presence, continually reassuring him that the princess would be found. And he'd lashed out at her each time, even as her words had been a balm on his fraying spirits. Despite her youthful appearance, the girl had an inner strength that continued to surprise him, and he'd actually been somewhat relieved when she'd insisted on accompanying him as he searched the Eastern Road, making his way toward Eldon. Word had come of General Weston's army camped outside the city in a standoff with the Antoski.

“Maybe she's at the encampment, with the general.”

Lily's optimistic voice pulled him from his gloomy reverie as she nudged her horse forward so that they were riding side by side. “She's well trained and resourceful. There's a chance she may have escaped whoever took her and made her way to the closest ally. She may be waiting for us there even now.”

“She would have sent a messenger to Tallis, if that were the case.” Alex scowled as he attempted to push down the terror that clawed at his chest. She's alive, she has to be alive. You would know if she weren't. If anything had happened to Josselyn, he would surely feel it in the depths of his soul. “Just keep your eyes on the forest, will ya? We don't want to miss anything.”

“You're right, of course.”

Lily's soft reply sent a pang of guilt through him, but he shook it off, training his own eyes on the tree line as he looked for any sign of someone having been through there. A broken branch, a scrap of cloth, anything. They'd scoured the roadside all of yesterday, stopping only for a short rest before starting out again at first light. It was frustratingly slow going, but they didn't want to chance missing anything by moving too quickly.

A mark on the ground drew Alex's attention, and he called for the party to stop while he dismounted. Kneeling down on the soft dirt to the side, his fist clenched in frustration as he realized the print was made by an animal, a bear most likely, from the size of it. An additional layer of fear wrapped around him as he recalled the black hellcat from the forest. What if Josselyn had run into it? The beast could easily tear the princess's soft skin to shreds.

I should have gone after her, fought for her while I still could.

His feisty, sweet, surprisingly strong Josselyn. If he ever found her... when he found her, he would never let her out of his sight again. He would stake his claim for all the world to see, Edmund and his superior bloodline be damned. Josselyn had never been bothered by his Kalo heritage, had even professed to loving him once. He stood, striding back to his horse with long, purposeful steps.

“Find anything?”

Hiram called out from where he sat on his horse, keeping a close watch on his daughter. Alex had been shocked when the man had agreed to allow Lily to accompany the search party, especially when her sisters had remained in Tallis, with the Banris, but the girl had insisted she could help and her father seemed to believe her.

“Animal tracks. We'll keep moving.”

They continued down the road, two of the city's guards leading the way, followed by Alex, Hiram, and Lily. Another two guards brought up the rear, completing the party as they made their slow journey towards Eldon.

“There's something blocking the road up ahead,” one of the guards called out, urging his horse forward. “Looks like a stack of fallen trees. We'll have to find a way around them.”

“Why would someone make a barricade here? We're still a full day's ride to Eldon.” Hiram eyed the fallen trees warily.

“Could be a trap. Stay back here with Lily until we've checked it out,” Alex ordered, spurring his horse forward to join the guards as they approached the barricade. They dismounted, drawing their swords as they started around it, the two guards heading left while Alex made his way to the right.

“You won't find anyone over there. It's just me.”

Alex closed his eyes, letting the familiar voice wash over him, simultaneously setting him at ease and lighting him on fire. “Josselyn,” he breathed, his voice barely louder than a whisper. Turning to search the woods, his hungry eyes found hers, twin emeralds staring back at him from the most beautiful face he'd ever seen.

Stepping out of the treeline, she started to run a hand over her braided hair then stopped, letting her hand fall by her side. Free of the shadows, Alex could see she was dressed for battle, with leather armor fitted over a deep green tunic and fitted, leather pants. Sturdy, well worn boots laced up almost to her knees, and he could just make out the handle of her dagger, peeking out of the top. A sword hung from a belt around her waist. Along with the cool determination that filled her gaze, she was the picture of an ancient sword maiden, prepared to lead her troops into battle.

“You're... here.”

Brilliant observation, jackass. Of course she's here, you're looking right at her. Swallowing, he tried again. "What I mean to say is, how did you get here? We've been looking all over Tallis and eastern Eldour for days. We feared you'd been taken to the castle.”

She shifted her weight to the side, her fingers toying with the hilt of her sword.

“I was taken, back in Tallis. The men we met on the road, they drugged me and brought me out here on horseback.” She glanced over his shoulder and her stoic expression lifted, warmth filling her eyes. Lily's lithe form flew past him as she threw herself at the princess, wrapping her thin arms around Josselyn's neck.

“Thank goodness, you're safe! What are you doing here in the middle of nowhere? Not that it matters, because you're here and you're whole and I'm just so happy to see you.”

Josselyn returned the girl's embrace, laughing softly. “I'm happy to see you as well, Lily.” She pulled back. “I have much to tell you about our... gifts.” She looked up a Alex. “Any news as to the general's army?”

He blinked, still thrown off by her sudden appearance. “Ah, yes. General Weston has surrounded the castle, and he and the prince are currently in a standoff. It's a volatile situation, as we can hardly lay siege to our own capital. There are too many citizens being held captive within its walls.”

“We need to ride to the encampment and meet with the general as soon as possible.”

“But are you all right?” Lily reached up to trace a finger over Josselyn's face, drawing Alex's attention to the faint yellowing of several partially healed bruises. He sucked in a breath, anger stirring in his belly at the unnamed man who'd made those marks on her delicate skin. He'd kill him, rip him limb from limb, he'd...

“I'm fine.” Josselyn's voice interrupted his violent thoughts. “I had a bit of a failed attempt at escaping my captors. Luckily, help came along when I needed it.”