Page 16 of The Fae Girl 1

As I looked around I noticed no one was watching me. Not even Marke who was rubbing his legs like he was suffering just as much as I had from the hard ride.

Slowly, I got to my feet. I took a step back. Then another.

I could always argue I needed a wee, I reasoned as I snuck back right into something hard.

I turned, staring up at the soldier I hadn’t noticed. The one who was watching me.

I gulped, pushing back but he grabbed me yanking me further from the group by the scruff of my neck. I yelped, struggling to get free but then he pulled a dagger and I froze.

“All Fae are a freak of nature.” He spat lunging at me.

I didn’t have time to scream. I barely had time to raise my arms, to block his blows feeling the sharp agonizing slices as they took the brunt of the attack.

But his other hand gripped my cloak so tightly I couldn’t get free.

“Let her go.” Marke’s voice rung out behind me and my attacker spun me round, blade to my throat as he faced him. All the soldiers were there now. Swords in hand, ready to strike but clearly they were hesitant to do anything with how he held me.

“She needs to die.” The man holding me growled pushing the blade harder against my throat. Forcing me to press myself further into his body, fighting every instinct that screamed at me to get away. I closed my eyes, not daring to move. Not daring to even breathe.

But a whimper still escaped.

Small. Pathetic. Just like me. Cowardly Alice was back.

A whoosh of something passed. I felt the air move, shifting to accommodate the movement and then I heard the thump as the dagger hit its target.

My attacker gasped, and we both fell hard onto the ground.

Me right on top of him.

I cried out scrambling to get away from him, scrambling to get away from all the blood spurting out from where he clutched his throat around a jewel encrusted hilt.

As I looked up I met the Prince’s eyes. He gave me such a look that I knew he was the one who’d done it.

He’d thrown the dagger.

I gritted my teeth, pulling my cloak around me. Only too aware now of how vulnerable I really was. This was far more than just cosplay if they were willing to murder one another.

“Get rid of the body.” Prince Fain ordered. “And get the horses ready.”

“She needs a healer.” Marke stated.

Fain shook his head. No doubt irritated by the fact I’d let myself get injured. “We have none. Ridley, bandage her up.”

The soldier who’d given me the food nodded before beckoning me to follow. As he pulled back my sleeve I flinched. The cuts weren’t as deep as they felt but there was enough blood to make it look bad.

“Hold still.” He murmured.

I glared at him. I know it wasn’t his fault. I know he didn’t hurt me and yet he was part of this wasn’t he. He was part this entire charade.

He didn’t react beyond wrapping my arm, bandaging it tightly enough that the throbbing pain became muted.

“I’ll check it tonight and redress it.” He said.

I scowled in return, yanking my arm away. Did he expect me to thank him? To be grateful that he was helping me?

He walked off. No doubt as keen as everyone else to get packed up and going.

I looked around seeing the two soldiers that had disappeared off to bury the body sauntering back.

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