Page 171 of The Fae Girl 1

“No.” I shook my head. “No one is going to do a thing to you. They’d have to get through me first and you remember what I always say?”

“That you’re tough as old boots.”

I laughed. “Yes I am.”

He gave a weak smile before I set him on his feet. He was the Crown Prince, heir to my brother’s Kingdom, even at his young age he couldn’t be carried out of here. He had to walk. Had to show that he was just as worth following as my brother.

I walked over into his dressing room quickly pulling the thickest clothing he had. We’d be riding through the night, and there was no way I was going to let him feel a moments chill.

“Let’s go.” I said once he’d put them on.

He looked around as if he was taking one final look at his home and then nodded. “I’m ready.”

“That’s my boy.” I murmured.

Ridley had readied the men. They lined the hallway, providing another level of protection from any would be assassins that might still be lurking despite our sweeps.

Hal stared wildly as he walked but he didn’t falter. Didn’t show any other signs of hesitation.

When we got to the courtyard he looked up at all the warhorses with his mouth wide open.

“I’m going to ride one of those?”

I nodded. “Yes you are.”

“What if I fall off?” He whispered.

I picked him up putting him onto my saddle and then got in behind him. “You won’t fall Hal. I’ve got you.”

I wrapped my cloak around him as he sank back into me. Behind me Ridley gave the order for everyone else to mount.

There’d be no resting till we got back to Montefore. No resting until Hal was safe within the castle walls.

“How fast are we going to go Uncle Fain?” Hal asked as we set off out of the castle.

“As fast as we can.” I replied kicking my horse into a gallop.

We switched horses at day break. Leaving the tired ones to make the journey back when they were recovered. As much as I had a reputation for being a hard task master I wasn’t unnecessarily cruel.

Hal slept most of the way. When he was awake he didn’t talk. He just stared out, wide eyed, at the world around him. He’d led a relatively sheltered life. As the only heir to the throne there wasn’t much choice in that. When he was older he would come to Montefore. Uther would teach him the arts of kingship and I’d teach him how to command an army, how to fight like a soldier.

He'd be no pampered little prince then. He’d be a warrior king in the making.

When we rode into Montefore I made sure his banners were up, that his sigil was displayed for everyone to see.

At the stables I dismissed the soldiers. Dismissed Ridley too.

And gently woke Hal up from where he’d been slumped against me. I dismounted first, then helped him off before a stableboy took away our horse.

I knew Uther wouldn’t be happy until he’d seen his son was safe and unharmed and I also knew that despite the brave face Hal had on, underneath it he was not only confused but scared too.

“Shall we go Princeling?” I said.

“Go where?” He asked rubbing his eyes not quite realising where we were.

“To see your father.”

His face lit up. He grinned so wide. “He’s here?”

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