Page 52 of Once Upon an Enchanted Kiss

“Another suitor?” she asked.

“Give it up, brother. The princess is spoken for,” Jeffrey said over his shoulder.

Charles flushed a deep red to the roots of his hair and turned away, his eyes forward. His brother clearly had no qualms about embarrassing him in front of her.

“That’s not very nice of you,” she said, chastising him.

“It’s all right, your highness.” Charles sounded so defeated he made her heart ache.

A low growl from somewhere in the forest cut off any response she might have had. Phillip held up a hand for them to halt. Her heart pounded as the growl sounded again, echoing through the forest.

“What is it?” Her voice was a breath of a whisper.

Phillip pulled out his sword and held it. Jeffrey did the same. Each of them glanced around the area as another guttural growl sounded again. This one was followed by a thunderous rumbling of the ground. Phillip and Jeffrey exchanged a look, and then in unison, both dismounted.

“Charles, take the princess to safety,” Phillip ordered, clutching his sword.

“To safety? Where?” She surveyed her surroundings trying to find someplace safe to hide from whatever doom was upon them.

“Come with me, princess.” Charles turned his horse and headed back the way they came.

She hesitated a moment too long. Suddenly the giant crashed through the trees, felling them as he went. The two horses fled. The thunderous noise they’d heard was that of his huge footsteps. He was as tall as the trees with dark round eyes. His skin was a sickly pallor and he wore nothing but a tattered cloth about his hips. When he growled again, he showed off stump teeth. He took a swipe at Jeffrey who dropped and rolled out of the way.

“What—”

“Troll! Princess, come!” Charles shouted, cutting her off.

Phillip went into action as the beastly thing headed for Jeffrey, reaching for him. He swiped his sword in an arc, slicing it across the back of the legs.

When she still failed to move, Charles reached over and grabbed her reins, giving them a tug.

“Come on,” he said.

Then he turned to flee. She did the same. As she did, she saw the large hand come down and swipe Charles off his mount. He went flying into the trees, crashing against one and tumbling to the ground. She gasped.

“Charles!”

That was enough to garner the troll’s unwanted attention. Black narrow eyes landed on her making all her limbs shake. She gripped the reins so tight, her hands ached. The troll took two giant steps and was upon her in an instant. Her horse bucked. Though she tried to hang on, she knew from experience it was better to let go. She tumbled to the ground as her horse galloped away. Without looking back, she crawled over the forest floor. Thick underbrush was ahead. She headed there hoping it would hide her from the beast.

Behind her, the troll cried out. Despite her better judgement, she glanced over her shoulder to see Jeffrey and Phillip had both attacked. No longer interested in her, the troll turned his attention back to the two men.

Nearby, Charles groaned. She stopped and turned toward him. He was on the ground at the base of a tree. Still on her hands and knees, she quickly crawled to his side. He had a terrible gash on his head. She pulled him into her lap, wrapping her arms around his upper torso.

“Shhh,” she said. “Don’t move. I’m here.”

“Princess?” he muttered. “The troll…?”

“Looks like your brother and Phillip have everything in hand.”

It was a lie, she knew, as she glanced up to see them fighting the large beastly thing. The troll hit Phillip so hard, he tumbled to the ground, his sword flying out of his hand. She bit her lip to keep from crying out. She eyed the sword lying out of his reach as Jeffrey went after the troll again. Every attempt he made to strike was outmaneuvered.

“Stay here,” she whispered. “Stay quiet. I’ll be back.”

Gently, she placed Charles back on the ground. He groaned but didn’t try to fight her or talk her out of it. Still on her hands and knees, she crawled toward Phillip’s sword. He managed to get to his feet, shaking his head to clear it, and then pulled out his dagger. He charged the troll while the beast was busy with Jeffrey.

As she reached the sword, Phillip plunged the dagger into the back of the troll’s leg. He cried out, an ear-piercing shout that rattled the treetops as he flung his large head back. He stumbled to the left, then the right. Phillip only had time to shout a warning before the troll fell, a descent that took out numerous trees on the way down.

Jeffrey jumped out to the way as it crashed with a resounding thud. Rosamund gripped Phillip’s sword in her hand and jumped to her feet. The troll rolled to his stomach, trying to get back to his feet. Without thinking, she charged, clutching the sword in both hands.

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