Read Online Minstrel's Serenade by Aubrie Dionne - Free Book Online Page B

had a soft side. Danika stood and wiped the blood from her hands on her riding pants. Bron held his hand to the carriage window. “Stay in there. We must get Valorian to safety.”
    “Is everyone safe?” Nip peered around him, and Danika moved to block the view.
    “Valorian needs your help.” Bron placed his hand on the door so Nip wouldn’t open it. “Stay there and we’ll bring him in.” An edge of authority cut through his voice, strong enough to keep the boy inside.
    Bron helped Danika lift the minstrel from the ground and to the carriage. They opened the door and carried him to the velvet seat next to Nip.
    “Will he be secure?” She placed her hand on Valorian’s forehead. His skin burned hot as fire.
    Bron nodded and returned to the rice bags, stacking them on top of the carriage. “I’ll make certain to ride carefully and avoid bumps, if I can.”
    “Hold this tightly.” Danika took Nip’s hand and placed his palm on Valorian’s wound. “Do not let go.”
    Nip nodded as he stared at the blood blossoming through the fabric with wide eyes.
    She moved to close the carriage door. Valorian caught her hand with his own, his metallic eyes lucid. “My Princess.”
    She was not his princess, but he’d risked his life for their cause, and may soon lose it. “Yes?”
    “You fought bravely.”
    “As did you.” She froze, locking her gaze with his. The words from his song came back to her. He’d given her that dagger out of care and something more. What did he mean by something more?If he died, she’d never know.
    Valorian released his hold on her wrist. He smoothed his fingers over her silken scarf wrapped around his chest. “Thank you, Danika.”
    “’Twas the least I could do for saving all our lives.” Danika placed her hand over his and squeezed. She’d underestimated his strength and the power of his music.
    Bron cleared his throat behind her and Danika pulled away and closed the door. She mounted her horse. Bron had secured Valorian’s horse in place of the carriage horse they’d lost. Her mother stared at her from the center of the clearing, wistfulness etched in the fine wrinkles around her mouth.
    Reminiscing had no place in this quest. Danika shot her an impatient glance. “The scent of the horses’ blood will draw all manner of predatory beasts. How long?”
    “’Twill take an hour at most.”
    “Then we shouldn’t waste our breath. Lead us forward.” Danika spurred her horse.
    They would have never survived the attack if that massive abomination with malformed ears had attacked at the same time as the other kobolds. Valorian had risked his life keeping them alive. Time for her to save his.
    * * * *
    The forest changed from a looming threat full of shadows to a fragrant grove of cherrywoods. Their reddish-tinged leaves and low-hanging branches provided a cozy orchard escape. As they passed the low branches, hollow wood chimes clinked around them, creating a calming tinkle of peace and tranquility.
    “There must be a thousand of ’um.” Nip spoke behind Danika but the princess didn’t turn around. She couldn’t tell how far her mother could hear and she couldn’t open her heart to care. Valorian’s recovery consumed her every concern.
    “That’s how she’s lived here all these years,” Bron murmured. “Protected by a minstrel’s charms.”
    A bitter taste tainted Danika’s mouth. A minstrel. Of course.
    A cottage made from bluewoods tilted at an angle against a hilltop cleared for a patch of wildflowers and a garden. A flagstone chimney puffed with gray smoke on the southern side.
    Danika hadn’t known what to expect, but certainly not this humble hovel perched in the middle of nowhere slanting against a knoll. Born in the affluent, jeweled city of Jamal, her mother had come from riches. She’d compromised for Ebonvale’s inner keep, never mind this sorry beggar’s cabin.
    “You may tie your horses here.” Her mother gestured to a fence near a water fountain at