Page 15 of The Fae Girl 1

Only I couldn’t look away, I refused to cower before him. So instead I held his stare. Challenging him in the only way I could, even as goosebumps spread across my skin. Even as a chill crept up my spine.

“This is the girl?” He asked looking down to Marke who was kneeling by my side, yanking on my cloak, clearly trying to make me kneel too.

Even his voice sounded hard. Merciless.

“Yes Prince Fain.” Marke replied.

“Good. Get her on a horse and let’s be going.” He said before turning round and going to mount his own horse.

Marke helped me as I clumsily climbed into the saddle. No one had even asked if I could ride. I sat half rigid as someone adjusted the stirrups for me and then handed my reins to a waiting soldier.

My feet recoiled against the cold metal but no one else seemed to notice or care that I had no shoes on.

Perhaps that was part of their plan, not give me any shoes so it would make it harder to escape. I gritted my teeth.Like that would stop me.Because if that’s what it took, then I’d do it, I’d rip my feet to shreds if it meant getting away from these crazy people and their crazy behaviour.

Prince Fain turned his horse to face me and narrowed his eyes. “I’m warning you girl, you try anything and there’ll be consequences.”

I glared back at him but bit my tongue. I needed to buy some time, to make him to think I was at least complying until my moment came.

Next to me Marke flustered in his own saddle, clearly he wasn’t any more comfortable at riding than I was and the thought gave me some relief. Perhaps they would be more considerate of his needs. Ride slower for his sake.

In unison our group headed out. My horse followed with the others as I clung to the edge of my saddle, digging my nails into the leather, needing every bit of leverage as I jolted and jutted with every move of the beast beneath me. Any hope of an easy ride was gone the minute we left the village.

The minute the prince gave the order for us to start cantering.

If I managed to stay on it’d be a miracle.

We stopped at what I assumed was midday for food and to change the horses for fresh ones. No doubt because we’d made the poor beasts run within an inch of their lives.

I practically fell off my horse as I dismounted. My whole body was screaming in protest and I could barely conceal the shaking in my legs.

I slumped onto the floor glancing only to see if it was dry. A few of the soldiers watched me but I avoided their gaze. I didn’t want to make eye contact. I didn’t want to see the amusement and no doubt mocking in their eyes.

One of them passed around steaming bowls of something. My mouth watered at the sight and my stomach rumbled so loudly.

He walked up to me, squatted and passed me a bowl.

For a moment I hesitated. What if it was poisoned? What if they’d laced it with some drug to keep me docile?

“Take it.” He said quietly but I shook my head.

I’d rather starve than risk making it easier for them.

He sighed picking up the spoon, stirring it around and took a bite. “See?” He muttered as if to prove it wasn’t anything insidious.

I gulped. My hunger told me to do it. To eat. I hadn’t had breakfast and if I didn’t get some calories in soon I’d start to weaken. If I stood any chance of escape then I needed to keep my strength up. Besides, once I was free, once I was running, who knew when my next meal would be.

I chewed my lip. The debate obvious on my face.

He shook his head, taking my hand and forced the bowl into it.

“Eat quick. We’re leaving shortly.” He said before standing up.

I glared back at him. Glared at them all but I didn’t hesitate. Not when the food was right there. I gulped it down, ignoring the burning, ignoring the smirks. It tasted like heaven. Hot stew, hot vegetables and chunks of meat though what sort of animal it came from I couldn’t guess and frankly, didn’t want to think about.

When I was done I wiped my mouth. Putting the bowl down. I contemplated stealing the spoon but what good would it do as a weapon? Besides they would see it straight away and it hardly fit with the compliant image I was trying to portray.

The so called Prince wandered about, speaking to the soldiers as though he was one of them. He didn’t look at me. He didn’t even glance my way. It was like he was trying to pretend I didn’t exist.

---