Read Online The Last Witch (Incenaga Trilogy) by Debbie Dee - Free Book Online
Authors: Debbie Dee
Ads: Link
you as you explore the countryside. I know the area quite well. I could be your guide.”
Emmeline’s stomac h fluttered. She smoothed the fabric of her dress, surprised at the sensation. “Yes, that would be very helpful.”
“Do you think you’ll be able to e lude your guards again,” he asked with a nervous chuckle.
Emmeline’s laughter filled the air. “I’ll have to be more creative, but I will see what I can do.”
Erick nodded and glanced away, his thoughts on the horizon. When his gaze pulled back to her his expression whispered of hope and fear. He shook his head and kept walking, but his eyes had already betrayed his silence. Erick had a secret of his own.
Chapter 7. Stables
The stable barn was well kept with enough stalls to corral at least a hundred animals. Horses roamed the pasture, each unique and stunning in its own right. One in particular caught Emmeline’s eye. With an ebony coat that glistened in the sunlight, it could have been the sister to her horse at home. Its thick mane and long tail were also black and a small diamond of white graced its forehead.
“What is its name?” she asked as she pointed to the black mare. They turned away from the stables and leaned against the fence.
“ She doesn’t have a name yet. She is a gift from the Crown Prince to his bride. He traveled all the way to Volarcus to select the animal himself. Do you like her?”
“ She is breathtaking,” Emmeline said. She knew already what she would name her. She would name her Filia, after her beloved horse from home.
Erick grinned, pleased with her appraisal. “Yes, she is beautiful.” His gaze turned from the horse and rested on Emmeline’s face. “I once believed her to be the most beautiful creature in existence. Until today.”
Emmeline blushed . He couldn’t have meant her, could he?
Erick studied the grass at his feet, his face reddening. “ Excuse me, Emmeline, I believe I left one of the stable doors open.” He ducked his head and jogged into the barn.
Emmeline smiled at his odd behavior. She turned her gaze from Erick’s retreating back and strolled toward the far end of the pasture, wanting a better look at the beautiful horse the Crown Prince had bought her. She couldn’t wait to ride her.
The ground rumbled and a flock of geese scattered into the air. Emmeline’s chin jerked up. A cloud of dust was rolling down the road. Her heart lurched. She glanced around for anything to hide behind. A rock, a tree, anything! But there was no time. Nine men on horseback barreled around the bend and came to a sudden halt in front of her, their red cloaks coming to a rest around their shoulders. Emmeline shuddered. Leaning against a fence post, her mind swirled.
M emories of another red-cloaked mob flooded her mind and anger took over her fear. They had not only taken away her freedom, but her father, her home and everything she loved as well. She stood firm against the fence, determined not to let them treat her like a prisoner. She may have come from a modest upbringing, but as far as they were concerned, she would soon be their Princess, and ultimately their Queen.
Emmeline held her chin high and set her shoulders straight. “Hello gentlemen, what is the cause of all this excitement?”
Shadowed by his dark cloak, one of them jumped off his horse and moved toward her in long purposeful strides. Emmeline’s stomach churned with recognition.
Mahl on grabbed her upper arm. “Don’t play coy with me,” he said through his teeth.
Emmeline pulled her arm away, but his powerful grip tightened, sending a ripple of pain to her shoulder. Without missing a step, he dragged her toward his horse.
“Unhand me,” she yelled. “I will not be treated in this manner!”
A loud crash came from the stables. Alarmed for Erick, Emmeline turned her body toward the stables, but Mahlon grabbed her waist and lifted her onto his horse before she could see what had happened. He mounted behind
Emmeline’s stomac h fluttered. She smoothed the fabric of her dress, surprised at the sensation. “Yes, that would be very helpful.”
“Do you think you’ll be able to e lude your guards again,” he asked with a nervous chuckle.
Emmeline’s laughter filled the air. “I’ll have to be more creative, but I will see what I can do.”
Erick nodded and glanced away, his thoughts on the horizon. When his gaze pulled back to her his expression whispered of hope and fear. He shook his head and kept walking, but his eyes had already betrayed his silence. Erick had a secret of his own.
Chapter 7. Stables
The stable barn was well kept with enough stalls to corral at least a hundred animals. Horses roamed the pasture, each unique and stunning in its own right. One in particular caught Emmeline’s eye. With an ebony coat that glistened in the sunlight, it could have been the sister to her horse at home. Its thick mane and long tail were also black and a small diamond of white graced its forehead.
“What is its name?” she asked as she pointed to the black mare. They turned away from the stables and leaned against the fence.
“ She doesn’t have a name yet. She is a gift from the Crown Prince to his bride. He traveled all the way to Volarcus to select the animal himself. Do you like her?”
“ She is breathtaking,” Emmeline said. She knew already what she would name her. She would name her Filia, after her beloved horse from home.
Erick grinned, pleased with her appraisal. “Yes, she is beautiful.” His gaze turned from the horse and rested on Emmeline’s face. “I once believed her to be the most beautiful creature in existence. Until today.”
Emmeline blushed . He couldn’t have meant her, could he?
Erick studied the grass at his feet, his face reddening. “ Excuse me, Emmeline, I believe I left one of the stable doors open.” He ducked his head and jogged into the barn.
Emmeline smiled at his odd behavior. She turned her gaze from Erick’s retreating back and strolled toward the far end of the pasture, wanting a better look at the beautiful horse the Crown Prince had bought her. She couldn’t wait to ride her.
The ground rumbled and a flock of geese scattered into the air. Emmeline’s chin jerked up. A cloud of dust was rolling down the road. Her heart lurched. She glanced around for anything to hide behind. A rock, a tree, anything! But there was no time. Nine men on horseback barreled around the bend and came to a sudden halt in front of her, their red cloaks coming to a rest around their shoulders. Emmeline shuddered. Leaning against a fence post, her mind swirled.
M emories of another red-cloaked mob flooded her mind and anger took over her fear. They had not only taken away her freedom, but her father, her home and everything she loved as well. She stood firm against the fence, determined not to let them treat her like a prisoner. She may have come from a modest upbringing, but as far as they were concerned, she would soon be their Princess, and ultimately their Queen.
Emmeline held her chin high and set her shoulders straight. “Hello gentlemen, what is the cause of all this excitement?”
Shadowed by his dark cloak, one of them jumped off his horse and moved toward her in long purposeful strides. Emmeline’s stomach churned with recognition.
Mahl on grabbed her upper arm. “Don’t play coy with me,” he said through his teeth.
Emmeline pulled her arm away, but his powerful grip tightened, sending a ripple of pain to her shoulder. Without missing a step, he dragged her toward his horse.
“Unhand me,” she yelled. “I will not be treated in this manner!”
A loud crash came from the stables. Alarmed for Erick, Emmeline turned her body toward the stables, but Mahlon grabbed her waist and lifted her onto his horse before she could see what had happened. He mounted behind
Similar Books
