“Very good. I want the queen, princess, and lady taken to safety straightaway,” Harrison said.
The officer nodded and pivoted to leave. Harrison turned to Aerity and the other lasses. “A boat awaits to take you across the Loch of Lanach where the town of Easthaven will harbor you.”
“Fine, thank you,” said Aerity, knowing better than to argue. Paxton’s shoulders lost their tension when she agreed.
“I’m going to get an idea of their arrival time and round up your horses,” Harrison said. “This is only a minor setback. Nothing we can’t handle.” He gave Wyneth a warm look and she rewarded him with a small, reassuring smile before he turned to go.
“Will you come with us?” Aerity asked Paxton.
His eyes moved to the door and then back to her. He grasped the back of his neck. Aerity felt a pinch of worry in her chest when she realized he wanted to stay and probably to fight. Or heal. Or both.
“Pax, please,” Aerity said, her chest expanding and collapsing with each bang of her heart. He came to her and took her hands.
“Soldiers will accompany you,” he told her gently. “I’ll be the first across that lake once things settle.”
Aerity closed her eyes, trying to calm her anxiety. She knew she could beg and even use guilt tactics to make him leave with them, but she also knew his mind and heart wouldremain here, in Craw Coorie, feeling as if he’d abandoned the other men when every hand was needed . . . feeling as if he’d taken the coward’s route.
“Please be safe,” she implored.
He leaned his face down to kiss her when abangrocked the ground beneath their feet. Vixie screamed and voices outside rose to a shattering volume of screams and shouts. Paxton’s eyes went huge.
“What was that?” Wyneth asked.
“Gunpowder explosion,” Paxton said.
“It sounded close.” A wave of panic crashed through Aerity. “Maybe even town hall.”
“We’ve got to get you out of here.” Paxton pulled her by the hand and looked at Wyneth and Vixie when he got to the door. “Stay close!” They huddled with Furball at their side.
Aerity wasn’t prepared for the shock of what she saw when they came out of the cottage. Her guards had fanned out, staring at the commotion, with their bows and arrows drawn.
Beyond the hill that hid them was the town square and town hall. Flames shot high into the air, stretching its smoke into the darkness of night. From the corner of her eye, Aerity saw a flash of light as something came soaring through the air.
“Watch out!” she screamed, pointing. Paxton pushed them back just as the flaming arrow hit the thatched roof of the tiny house next to them. It crackled and quickly spread until its roof was in flames. Heat wafted toward them.
“Where is Harrison with the blasted horses?” Paxtonyelled. The four of them peered around at the commoners with armfuls of belongings, and soldiers who were pointing, directing, and running with weapons brandished. But so far not a single enemy could be seen in their valley.
Wyneth murmured a plea to the sea under her breath.
Paxton looked at Aerity. “He must have met interference. I’m going for the horses myself. Stay behind your guards. If anything happens, run north and don’t look back.” She squeezed his hands and he sprinted up and over the hill.
The three girls clung to each other in silence, watching the chaos. Their guards moved in closer to surround them. A covered cart rounded the hill and sped down toward them, halting as the guard’s arrows were aimed at its single driver, a Lochlan commoner.
“An army of Kalorians are just through those trees—” The moment the man said it, another flaming arrow came soaring from the woods, hitting the ground and skidding to a halt in front of them. A guard stomped it out. The man continued in a rush. “I carry two riders, villagers from across the stream, but there’s room for three more: two in the carriage and one up front with me. Any takers?”
The guards looked at one another, then their eyes went to Aerity. She shook her head. “I will wait for Paxton.”
One of the guards hurried forward and bent his head so only the royal lasses could hear. “Your Majesty, I implore you to go now. And to take two guards.”
“I’m not leaving my sister and cousin.”
“Aerity, don’t be absurd!” Wyneth said.
“Go!” Vixie pleaded. “We’ll be right behind you.”
The guard’s eyes beseeched her and Aerity exhaled, knowing she had a duty to keep herself safe. “All right.” She kissed Wyneth and Vixie quickly on their cheeks. She did not want to leave them. Every footstep toward the carriage went against her instincts.
Please let Harrison and Paxton be safe. Please let Vixie and Wyneth follow me to safety straightaway.
