A Queen's Sacrifice (Book #5)

Chapter Ten

"Will I regret if I ask what is in your box?" Aaron questioned Haven. He was the first to break the silence they'd all succumbed to after departing Solis.

Elouise trailed behind them, surrounded by knights who swore to protect her. She squinted at Haven, already knowing she would have a perfectly witty response.

"My darkest desires," Haven whispered, smirking.

Aaron's cheeks turned red.

"It's my heart," she added.

"What?" Aaron gasped.

"Or a heart."

Elouise sighed. "Haven."

Haven laughed and nudged Aaron with her elbow. "It's just too easy."

"Please ignore her, Sir Aaron. She is always like this." Of course, this only made Haven laugh harder. Elouise sighed again—louder this time. The knights around her asked if she needed anything. She shook her head no. Nonetheless, they offered her berries, water from the ocean, and wine.

"I am fine," she grumbled.

The smile finally dwindled from Haven's face. She slowed her steps to walk alongside Elouise and merely stared at her in silence.

Elouise blinked hard. "If you have something on your mind, Haven—" A knight up ahead urged everyone to be still and quiet. Aaron turned to her and leaned in closer to inform her that their destination was merely a few feet away.

"We must be cautious," he whispered. "We are walking into the smallest village in the region—Novundas. It appears the most innocent and most defenseless areas are being targeted first."

Haven snorted. "Starting off easy and working their way up to bigger challenges."

Aaron glowered at her as he raised his forefinger to his lips. "Your voice, ma'am."

Elouise stared forward, catching movement in the distance of villagers going about their day. None of them even knew—none of them could even guess what was about to occur.

"They look at peace," Elouise said. "I assume it has been this way for them since I left."

"That is very likely," Aaron answered.

"And that is why Udolf wishes to disturb them now. As if he has not already done enough damage."

The knights ahead instructed everyone to get down and stay out of sight. Although Haven looked around first and questioned what they were doing, she kneeled.

"We are waiting for the attack," Aaron explained.

"Without telling those people what's coming?"

"We prefer not to worry them if nothing happens. There is a possibility they will remain safe and sound."

Haven moved closer to Elouise and narrowed her eyes. Elouise looked away.

"Therefore, we wait here," she said.

"Until what? When will we even know when it's all clear and we can go?"

Again, Aaron held up his finger to his mouth. This time, however, Haven grabbed it and snarled at him.

"I don't care who you are, don't raise your finger at me again," she warned.

Elouise touched Haven's arm and slowly lowered it until Haven released Aaron. Aaron moved to the other side of the path, hiding between four palm trees with Leanne and Booker.

"This is a waste of time," Haven hissed.

"Will you be quiet?" Elouise scolded.

"No." Haven stood up and cleared her throat, gathering everyone's attention. They all gawked at her in disbelief. "We shouldn't all be waiting here for something that might not even happen. I say some of us go out there and meet them halfway. Why wait for them to come here and terrorize these people?"