Free A Knight of Honor by Laurel O'Donnell

fallen sword, his frowning stare fixed on something above them.   She followed his gaze up to the window two stories above them.   Two of the soldiers were staring down at them from the splintered window frame above.   One of the attackers stepped out onto the ledge.   A sudden rush of adrenaline surged through her veins, overriding any pain, overriding any feelings.
    “Let’s go,” Slane whispered sharply, grabbing her wrist and pulling her after him.   Taylor snatched her sword from the ground as Slane pulled her down an alley.   Just as they rounded the corner, she saw the black-clad man leap from the window.
    Slane led her down the alley past the backs of houses.   He re-crossed their path and headed up a different alley.
    Again and again, he moved through the town, doubling back several times, until Taylor lost her way.   Her head swam with the sudden turn of events.   Disoriented and confused, she clung to his hand as if it were her lifeline.
    Finally, Slane led her out of the village and into the forest.   There, he moved quickly, not running, but not walking, forcing her on until her legs ached.   Until she stumbled.
    Slane stopped suddenly and turned to her, his searching eyes scanning the thick growth of trees.   She saw his shoulders relax, the tension drain from them.   He sheathed his sword and looked at her, his gaze dark and piercing.   “Are you hurt?” he demanded.
    With the exertion taking its toll on her body and her swirling feelings taking their toll on her mind, she began to shake.   Taylor looked at the canopy of trees above them.   She glanced at the forest around them.   Finally, she turned back the way they had just come and took two steps toward the town.   “I have to go back,” she announced.
    “Are you out of your mind?” Slane asked, coming up behind her like a storm cloud.
    Taylor whirled on him.   “I won’t leave Jared like that!”
    Slane stared at her for a long moment.   His scowl diminished and the hard edge to his gaze softened.   “Taylor, he’s dead.”
    “You don’t know that!”
    “I’ve seen death many times,” he said.
    “As have I.   And he wasn’t dead!”   He had known the risks of being her accomplice, she thought.   “He’s not dead!”   Jared had known how dangerous it was to travel with her.
    Slane looked at her with a sad calmness in his face, his blue eyes penetrating to her very soul.
    “He’s not dead,” she repeated, even though she knew her words weren’t true.   She had seen death numerous times, had delivered it herself.   But she had never thought it would happen to Jared.   Anguish ripped at her heart; her eyes burned with tears.   They had known her father would send men after her someday.   She whirled away from Slane as the hot tears filled her eyes.   He’s gone, she thought.   Just like Mother.
    “Taylor,” he called.   Slane’s voice was a gentle whisper, a caress.
    With all her heart, she wanted to give in to her feelings; she wanted to be comforted.   She almost turned to him...   almost allowed herself to be touched.   But she didn’t.   She pushed the hurt aside as she had all those years ago and wiped a sleeve across her eyes, wiped away the self-pity.   Jared was gone.
    She was alone now.
    And she had only herself to look out for her.   No one to watch her back.   She shrugged her shoulders slightly, trying to brush away Jared’s death as easily, and looked away from Slane’s piercing gaze.   But she could not control the tears that threatened to overflow, no matter how hard she steeled herself.   No matter how much she told herself it didn’t matter.   No matter how much she told herself it was his fault for...   for befriending her.
    Her lower lip trembled; her entire body shook.   A lone tear slid from her eye and traced a path down her cheek.
    Then Slane’s finger was at her chin, gently lifting it until her eyes locked with his.   His deep blue gaze reached into her