Page 4 of A Kiss From a Faerie King

The guards crowd around the broken wheel, leaving us unwatched—the hairs on the back of my neck rise.The Woodsare unsettling. It feels like a million eyes watch me as I tear a strip of fabric from my dress and bind Caryssa’s hand. She hisses slightly before biting her lip in discomfort. Her light eyes dart towards the guards.

Even at a distance, I can hear them grunt and curse. There’s no way this wheel will get fixed anytime soon, and I don’t feel like spending a night in these woods.

“Well, it seems like fate is granting us a bit more time together before we return to the palace,” I say, giving her a soft smile. Her eyes are still on the guards as she chews her bottom lip. “Are you sure you aren’t hurt worse?”

I place my hand on her forehead and try not to recoil. She’s as cold as ice.

“Caryssa, you’re freezing. Here?—”

“Laurelle,” she whispers, capturing my hand. “You need to run.”

Her words cause my own blood to ice over.

“What?” I ask, glancing at the guards, who are still gathering around the wheel.

“You can’t go to the castle. He’ll kill you.”

“Caryssa, where would I go? I have a duty to?—”

“A duty to nothing,” Caryssa spits. Her eyes were like blue fire, a fury I’d never seen before kindling them. “You are kind and caring. I was too young or afraid to save the others, but I can’t let their fate befall you. Run, run now.”

My hands shake as her words wash over me.

“Here.” Caryssa is already moving and leaving me no time to consider her words.

She shoves a small coin purse into my hand. My fingers curl around it.

“There’s a town a few miles down the Lord’s Road before we pulled off. A merchant is there who can give you passage somewhere else—somewhere safe. I’ve been in contact with him myself. For when the time comes where…I need to make my escape.”

“Caryssa.” My hand curls around hers. A girl as young as her shouldn’t have these worries. “Come with me. I can’t leave you behind.”

She shakes her head.

“I’d only slow you down. Don’t worry about me, but go now. Before the sun fully sets and you lose the path back towards the road.”

I grip her hand again, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Thank you, Caryssa. Truly.”

I lift up my skirt and slip off my uncomfortable slippers. My toes dig into the soft grass of the forest. With a harsh jerk, I rip my gown off before loosening the laces of my corset. I suck down my first mouthful of air, savoring the crispness of it. Caryssa’s eyes are round as she watches me.

“I can’t run in that thing.”

Caryssa nods and nudges my shoulder.

“Go, I’ll distract them.”

“How?” I ask. She bends down, picks up one of my slippers, and holds it towards me.

“Hit me with this.”

“What?” I whisper, my mouth falling open.

“Just hit me with it and run. I’ll do the rest.” I grip the silken slipper in my hand. I cringe as I raise my arm above my head.

“Sorry,” I whisper before bringing the slipper down on the side of her head.

Before the slipper hits the ground, I’m already running. I hear Caryssa’s scream and rush towards the guards. My braided hair whips in the wind as I pump my legs. I haven’t run in a long time, and it’s showing as I’m quickly winded.

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