Page 45 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

“I’m afraid I can’t let you go alone,” he said.

They had a long, silent staring competition.

“I can take care of myself,” Nicholas said.

Then Gustav nodded toward her with question creasing his face. “And what about her?”

“What about her?” Nicholas asked. “I can take care of her, too.”

Ella stepped forward, extending her hand. “I’m Ella, by the way.”

He was surprised by her sudden introduction and hesitated a moment before taking her hand in his. “Gustav. I’m Captain of the Guard. It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lady.” He cut a glance to Nicholas. “And I’m coming with you no matter what you say.”

“Because you think it will be dangerous?” Ella asked.

“Because I know it will be dangerous,” he said.

“Then perhaps you should accompany us.” She walked around to her horse, stuck her foot in the stirrup and swung herself up into the saddle.

Nicholas gaped at her. Gustav did the same.

“Well, then, I guess you’re going with us,” Nicholas said then.

“As I should.” Gustav said with a nod.

Ella clutched the reins in her gloved hands and sat tall in the saddle, trying to decide how she felt about a great many things. First, about everyone calling hermy ladywhen she certainly was not. Second, about Gustav coming with them on their trek to the Grimbrande Mountains to rescue Ingrid. While she thought it was a good idea, she much enjoyed Nicholas’s company and was looking forward to spending more time with him.

Gustav, it seemed, had anticipated the upcoming trip and already had a horse saddled and ready. When they were both seated and ready, Nicholas gave a quick nod.

“Well, then, let’s be on our way.”

Nicholas kicked his horse into a gallop and headed out of the stable. Gustav gave her a grin and motioned for her to go next.

“After you, my lady.”

She followed Nicholas, nudging her horse into a gallop. Gustav followed her, bringing up the rear.

And as they left the stable and the safety of Rovenheim castle, her gut clenched. She was on a new adventure with two men she hardly knew. What would her father think?

Alternatively, what would her stepmother think? She stifled a giggle at the thought of her stepmother’s horror-stricken look at the idea Ella was headed toward a place she had never seen to rescue a girl she had never met.

She was actually going on the adventure she had always dreamed of instead of cleaning chamber pots, cooking meals for the ungrateful, cleaning until her hands were raw, as well as doing all the mending and the sewing and taking care of all the animals while the three of them loafed around the manor. It made her heart smile and sent a thrill of excitement through her.

She sat a little taller in the saddle, clutched the reins a little tighter, and felt her confidence soar as they headed toward the port.

Chapter 16

“So,Ella,tellmehow you came to be in the company of our rogue prince?” Gustav asked as they trotted along toward the port.

She cut Nicholas a glance whose mouth had formed into a thin line. “I am not a rogue prince.”

Gustav laughed. “How many lady friends did you entertain this summer?”

The prince’s face flushed a deep red. “Don’t listen to him, Ella. He’s merely trying to cause trouble.”

“And you don’t?” Gustav countered.

Ella glanced between the two of them. Gustav had a smirk on his face while Nicholas was less than amused. While she had no right to the prince—they hardly knew each other after all—a pang of jealousy went through her anyway.

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