Page 114 of The Fae Girl 1

I was trapped. Just as Uther wanted.

I turned, my eyes widening as I saw Prince Fain only metres away watching me.How long had he been there? Did he know what I’d just thought, what I’d just been tempted to do?Something in my told me he’d seen, that he knew.

I bit my lip, my feet frozen to the ground. I half expected him to pull some rope and tie me back up again, just like last time.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

I nodded because I didn’t think I could trust myself to speak.

“Let’s go then.” He said.

I made sure I didn’t hesitate as I walked back with him, back through the streets to where everyone else was waiting.

He helped me mount and then got in his own saddle.

“Where are we going now?” I asked him quietly.

“Back to Montefore.” He replied.

I frowned more confused than ever. What the hell was all this about then? It had taken the best part of two days to get here and now we were literally just turning around and riding all the way back. We’d been here barely more than a couple of hours.

I bit my tongue not wanting to ask, not wanting to know. I was angry and annoyed and also fearful of what the Prince might still do to me.

* * *

We madecamp later than we had the day before. I sat by the fire still thinking it over, thinking it all over.

I glanced up feeling eyes on me and realised he was watching me. What did he want? What the hell was the point in all of this? To take me there, to that place of nothing but ash and death and dark magic; and then the penny dropped.

I got up and walked round the fire sitting next to him.

He gave me an inquisitive look but said nothing.

“Why did you take me to that place?” I asked him even though I was pretty certain that I already knew the answer now.

“Why do you think?” He replied calmly.

“To see it. To see all that death and destruction.”

“Partly.” He said.

“Partly? What else then?” I frowned thinking back. “Were you testing me?”

“Testing you for what?” He asked.

I felt myself flush thinking back to how much I’d considered just running when I had the opportunity. How a part of me even now regretted not doing it.

I looked down at my boots hoping he wouldn’t notice.

“Why didn’t you run?” He asked.

My head whipped up, I looked back at him shocked. So hehadseen. The fear inside me started to grow, to multiply.

“I thought it was obvious.” I muttered looking away.

“Tell me.”

“I was tempted too. Really tempted. But where would I go?” I replied and then I looked at him. “Do you want to know the real reason?”

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