Free Of Silver and Beasts by Trisha Wolfe Page A

hay, I scan through my communications. Nothing since Lilly last contacted me. I assume the Nactue are with the empress, learning vital information about the Otherworlders’ situation while I’m stuck here tending to a pampered prince. I should be with them now. I should be made aware of what orders are being given, if the empress is in any danger, what is happening at our borders.
    I should not be here .
    Aggravated, I stalk toward the stall. “Are you quite done yet, Your Highness?”
    He grunts. “Almost.” Then he exits wrapped in the cream-colored cloak with the matching uniform beneath. If it weren’t for his smooth, nearly flawless skin and the way he holds himself upright, as if he knows of his own importance, he could almost pass for a commoner.
    “Well,” I say, motioning toward the horses in the stalls. “You may have your pick of any one of them.”
    “I give you some credit. At least you don’t castrate them.” He smirks.
    My lips parts with a comeback on the tip of my tongue, but the prince closes the gap between us with three quick strides. My words flee my head.
    His blue eyes linger on my face a moment, then scan my body, stopping at my waist. My breath hitches. “Any?” he asks, as his hand reaches up. I flinch away and he halts. Then with a deft move, his fingers sweep a stray hair from my brow.
    I squint, but my confused expression doesn’t prevent the pads of his fingertips from trailing the side of my face, then my shoulder, and on to my arm. When he reaches my midsection, I take a hesitant step back but he grasps my waist, keeping me close.
    “You said any . . .” His breath fans my face, and the cool minty scent of it mixes with the warmth, sending a shiver down my back.
    I swallow hard. “That is not part of your accommodations, prince,” I say, angry that my voice quivers.
    His lips quirk into slanted smile. “I’m sorry.”
    “Your customs are different where you’re from.” I force my voice and posture strong. “It’s forgotten.”
    “No,” he says, and latches on to my waist firmly with both hands. “I’m truly, very sorry.” Then as quick as the mercury racing in my blood, he snatches my sword from my belt and cracks the pommel over my head.
    Sonofabitch —
    Blackness covers my vision, and I’m lost.
    I force my eyes open. Blinding pain shoots through my skull. Grasping the sore spot, I finger the swollen lump, and slowly rise. I cry out as pressure surges my forehead.
    “Bastard.”
    Getting to my feet, I ignore the throbbing pain in my head and scan the stable. The black horse that was nearest me has been taken.
    Idiot. I’m an idiot.
    I knew what he was planning and I played right into his scam. I should’ve tied him up in his room, but I didn’t think he could pull it off—that he could get past me. I even helped him pick out his disguise!
    Clasping my transmitter, I pause, my fingers clutching the hard metal. The responsible and right thing to do would be to report him. But damn. I’d risk everything. My position, my empress’s respect, my salary—and then my mother’s means of support and the medicines she needs.
    Instead, I glance at the time. It’s only been five minutes. He couldn’t have gotten farther then past the gatehouse. Maybe he’s just now entering downtown. I know which way he’ll try to leave Cavan, and I know my city better than him.
    The white horse in the stall next to me nickers as I slam the latch down. I grab the bridle from the wooden post and force the mouthpiece into her jaws. “It’s okay, girl,” I say. “We’re going to catch that spoiled prince.” I sling the leather straps over her back, then grab her mane and bound up, mounting her without a saddle. I don’t have time.
    After confirming that my dagger is still in my chest harness, I press my heels into her sides. She stomps her hooves and trots out of the stall.
    The palace walls circle the whole court. There’s no other way out besides the gatehouse, so I