Stepping out of the treeline, she started to run a hand over her braided hair then stopped, letting her hand fall by her side. Free of the shadows, Alex could see she was dressed for battle, with leather armor fitted over a deep green tunic and fitted, leather pants. Sturdy, well worn boots laced up almost to her knees, and he could just make out the handle of her dagger, peeking out of the top. A sword hung from a belt around her waist. Along with the cool determination that filled her gaze, she was the picture of an ancient sword maiden, prepared to lead her troops into battle.
“You're... here.”
Brilliant observation, jackass. Of course she's here, you're looking right at her. Swallowing, he tried again. "What I mean to say is, how did you get here? We've been looking all over Tallis and eastern Eldour for days. We feared you'd been taken to the castle.”
She shifted her weight to the side, her fingers toying with the hilt of her sword.
“I was taken, back in Tallis. The men we met on the road, they drugged me and brought me out here on horseback.” She glanced over his shoulder and her stoic expression lifted, warmth filling her eyes. Lily's lithe form flew past him as she threw herself at the princess, wrapping her thin arms around Josselyn's neck.
“Thank goodness, you're safe! What are you doing here in the middle of nowhere? Not that it matters, because you're here and you're whole and I'm just so happy to see you.”
Josselyn returned the girl's embrace, laughing softly. “I'm happy to see you as well, Lily.” She pulled back. “I have much to tell you about our... gifts.” She looked up a Alex. “Any news as to the general's army?”
He blinked, still thrown off by her sudden appearance. “Ah, yes. General Weston has surrounded the castle, and he and the prince are currently in a standoff. It's a volatile situation, as we can hardly lay siege to our own capital. There are too many citizens being held captive within its walls.”
“We need to ride to the encampment and meet with the general as soon as possible.”
“But are you all right?” Lily reached up to trace a finger over Josselyn's face, drawing Alex's attention to the faint yellowing of several partially healed bruises. He sucked in a breath, anger stirring in his belly at the unnamed man who'd made those marks on her delicate skin. He'd kill him, rip him limb from limb, he'd...
“I'm fine.” Josselyn's voice interrupted his violent thoughts. “I had a bit of a failed attempt at escaping my captors. Luckily, help came along when I needed it.”
Lily opened her mouth, but Josselyn held up her hand. “I'll explain everything later, I promise. Believe me, it's a long story. For now, I just want to be on our way.”
“Well, all right, I suppose,” Lily huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “But I want to hear everything. Don't even think about leaving me out of the telling.”
Josselyn lifted her mouth in a crooked grin. “I won't.” She started toward the road, calling out a greeting to Hiram, who stood watching them with a relieved grin. As she brushed past Alex, he caught her arm, stalling her. She looked up at him in surprise, her brows lifted in question.
“The man who did this...” Alex lifted his free hand to her face, letting his thumb brush against her bruised skin with a gentle stoke. “Where is he now?” His eyes flashed dangerously, and Josselyn drew in a breath, her eyes widening briefly before shuttering once again. She pulled her arm out of his grip with a gentle but firm movement.
“Last I saw him, he was laying dead in the road, just a few feet from where we're standing. His men must have returned and retrieved his body since then. Either way, he's of no concern anymore.”
With that, she walked away, joining Lily beside her mount. “Mind if we ride double? I'm afraid I don't have a horse with me.”
The girl nodded, shooting a glance at Alex. “Of course, if that's what you want.”
“It is.”
Lily bit her lip, watching Josselyn swing up into the saddle with ease before reaching down to help the other girl up. Alex's stomach clenched. He was her guard. If she rode with anyone, it should be him. But as he made his way over to his own horse, Josselyn never once looked his way, and he certainly wasn't about to force the issue. If she wanted to ride with Lily, so be it. But he'd be damned if he let her avoid him for long.
She was his, whether she realized it yet or not.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Two years of having to deal with Mr. Stoic, and now, when I'm finally trying to put some distance between us, now he can't stop giving me smoldery, knee-melting looks? What the heck,” Josselyn grumbled to herself, crouching down beside the stream to wash up for the night.
They'd ridden all day, stopping only when the horses needed a break. Now they were only a few short hours outside of Eldon, having decided to set up camp rather than arrive at the army encampment in the middle of the night. Alex had been a fixture at her side all day, matching his horse with hers as they rode and watching her like a hawk, as if someone might swoop in at any moment and spirit her away. Josselyn was shocked he'd actually acquiesced to letting her wash up by herself. Not that she would have taken no for an answer.
“Mind if I join you?”
Lily came up behind her, gesturing toward the stream bank. Josselyn narrowed her eyes. “That depends. Did you come on your own, or did Alex send you to keep an eye on me?”
Lily tucked her hands behind her back, rocking back on her heels and looking as though she'd been caught stealing cookies from the kitchen larder. “Well, to be fair, I do need to wash up.”
“Uh huh.” Josselyn sighed, scooting over to make room. “Go ahead, then.”
The other girl knelt down beside her, scooping up
