Page 119 of Quest for her Knights
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she says, feigning innocence.
I glance out at the arena, wondering what exactly she did to get them back here. Did she tell them how sad I was? Did she have to beg them to come back?
I frown with worry and ask, “What did you say to get them to come back?”
“I still don’t know what you’re talking about,” she repeats, batting her lashes innocently at me. But then she leans forward and adds quietly, “But if I did, I’d tell you they never left.”
She straightens up and smirks at the stunned look on my face.
“Enjoy the last event, sister,” Pyke says as they take their seats.
I move back to mine and watch as a bunch of random objects are placed haphazardly around the arena. It’s a little like the obstacle course, except there’s no clear path or direction. There’s a giant pile of dirt in the middle with a large pole standing upright at its center, surrounded by clusters of logs, bales of hay, and even some large bushes.
“What is all that for?” I say aloud.
“Ah, I’m glad you asked,” King Lewis says with a smile. “Because you get to take part in this last challenge.”
“I do?”
“Yes. You’re the prize.”
Chapter thirty-six
Elora
When King Lewis said I get to partake in this challenge, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.
I stare around the arena as I try to pull my hands free. I’ve been tied to the pole on top of the mound of dirt in the middle of the arena.
Standing all around are several dozen knights who, in this case, are playing the bad guys the lords must rescue me from. Some are only a few feet in front of me, while others hide among the logs and bushes.
The lords’ challenge? Free me and bring me to safety, which is marked by a yellow line painted in the sand beneath the royal family's viewing box.
It bothers me that my so-called family is okay with all these men possibly manhandling me. I just pray my knights areactually down there and I’m not just deluding myself. Sure, I mentioned I liked to sew to some of the lords. Maybe the arrowhead and dagger were lucky guesses. But my underwear? That had to have been taken from my belongings, unless it was already in someone's pocket, which is definitely possible after everything we got up to on our way back here.
No. It has to be them. They’re down there somewhere, and they’ll make sure no one else touches me.
I was told all participants are using wooden swords, so there’s no real danger, at least, in theory. But that doesn’t stop my body from tensing when the horn blows to signal the start of the challenge.
I hear footsteps all around as the lords make their way toward me. Some make a mad dash, only to be stopped by well-placed guards. A wooden sword to the gut means they’re out.
Sword fights break out all around, but with the constant movement, I still can’t pick out any of the four men I’m desperately searching for.
After about ten minutes, some of the knights near me begin moving down into the fray. One knight, standing closest to my right, steps even closer. When he catches me watching, he smiles, and it sends chills down my spine.
“I don’t recognize you,” I say, frowning. Not that I know every knight, but after a month in the castle, most are at least familiar.
His smile widens as he stops right in front of me. I fidget nervously, tugging at my restraints. “They made it so easy for me,” he says.
“Who are you?” I demand.
“You might not know me,” he replies, “but I think you’ve met my brother.”
I frown, trying to place his face. “I don’t remember.”
“Do you forget all the men you’ve had killed?”
My head jerks back in shock. “Killed? What are you talking about?”
