A Queen's Sacrifice (Book #5)

Chapter Nineteen

"I think I'm going to stay with them," Henry announced while everyone finished gathering their weapons.

Haven turned so fast, and her head spun. She blinked hard a few times then gawked at him. "Don't jest about this, Hank. We need a bowman."

"Leanne is incredibly talented with her bow," he argued, and then he pointed at his shoulder. "Don't forget I am useless at the moment."

"You seemed fine earlier."

"Now I am paying for that." He grimaced when he moved his arm. "Besides, I would rather Annaliese and the duke not be alone in case they need to rest." He looked over at Annaliese who was checking Booker for a fever. "We can take turns. I can alert them if I hear or see anything."

Haven squinted at him. She heard someone walking up to her, and she looked to find Elouise. "Do you hear him?"

Elouise crossed her arms and raised her brows. "This does not surprise me. I knew someone else would stay. I was hoping it would not be him, but if that is his decision, what do you expect me to do?"

"Use your queenly powers to order him."

"I am not his queen, and he also needs to do some healing of his own." Elouise started to turn, but she quickly turned back and said to Henry, "You still have Ashton's handkerchief. Keep him with you."

Henry nodded. "I was hoping you would say that. I think it'd be best if he stayed with me. We wouldn't want to risk anyone else seeing him. They are still adjusting to you having magic."

"I would not show myself to anyone else!" Ashton said, popping into view next to Henry.

"Nonetheless, you should be with him," Elouise stated.

"That's fine with me."

"Well, Hank, if you insist on staying here," Haven said as she walked over to where Jaxon was tied up. He'd woken up right after Elouise had left, and Haven had forced her newest potion down his throat before he could utter a word. He'd fallen asleep immediately, but there hadn't been any other negative reactions since. A better sign than with most of her previous subjects.

"You can watch over him for me." She reached into her satchel and pulled out the last bit of powder she had. "When he wakes, blow more powder into his face. I don't want him to be conscious until I can be here with him." She handed the pouch to Henry, and he nodded as he took it.

Haven touched the side of Jaxon's neck with two fingers, feeling a faint pulse against her tips. "Just make sure he doesn't get killed by anything. I guess I should thank Annaliese for watching over him during the dragon attack."

Ashton's eyes slid to Haven. She hated when he looked at her like that. Such a soft little gaze like a lost dog. No... it was even worse than that. He stared at her with the same worry a parent would possess. Maybe it was an angel thing. Godwin had never given her that look, though; but that man could hardly be considered a heavenly being anymore.

"Take care of each other," Ashton said to her.

Haven wrinkled her nose. "What else would I do?"

He just smiled.

"Can we leave?" Haven asked Elouise.

"Yes." Elouise nodded at Henry and Ashton and then led the way toward the group.

Everyone stood around, watching Elouise like their entire lives were depending on whatever she said or did next. Actually, their lives probably did at this point.

"Are we all ready?" Elouise asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Aaron answered.

Alaina's father stood from where he'd been sitting against a stump. He called to Elouise and said, "Do whatever you must to bring her back."

Elouise nodded once and faced forward. "Let us make our way to the next village."

"Onwards to Luciville!" Haven cheered, raising her fist. The soldiers stared blankly at her, and she laughed. "Smile a little for once."

Aaron went up ahead of everyone while Haven and Elouise lingered behind. For a moment, it felt like everyone was settling in silence—a long and dreadfully painful silent walk. Fortunately, after passing a mile, Haven started to hear murmurs in the middle, followed by laughter, and then more casual conversations.

"Nothing interesting to listen to, but it's something," she jested to Elouise.

"Hmm," was the only sound Elouise made. But it was obvious from that dazed look in her eyes that she didn't even know what Haven had said.

Haven groaned. "Alright, you're making me ask. Did something happen at the castle?"

"Nothing in particular."

"Well, you saw Eldon, didn't you? That has to be the reason you're not all here right now."

Elouise side-eyed her. "I did see him. However, there are other things in my head." She stopped briefly and turned to Haven. "Who truly is Udolf Winslow?"

Haven furrowed her brows, looking Elouise up and down. "What are you asking?"

They resumed walking, albeit slower than before.

"You must know him better than anyone else. I met him thinking he was cruel and awful like Lord Winslow. He certainly gave me the impression of someone I couldn't trust. Then he... he tried to help me in so many ways only for him to lie about Eldon and steal my crown."

"I also lied about Eldon," Haven reminded her. "I'm not saying this to defend him, but it was more Godwin who stole your crown and gave it to him."

"What does that mean, then?"

Haven rolled her eyes. "Are you asking me if Udolf is a good person? Because he isn't. Yes, he might not want to do half of the things Godwin asks of him, but he still does it. He's still done bad things, just like I have."

"Do you believe he would try to fool me into trusting him again only to betray me?"

"If it meant saving his own ass, maybe." Haven frowned. "He stopped the dragon, didn't he?"

"Ashton saw him do it."

Haven took a deep breath and shook her head. "Look, I can't tell you who or who not to trust. There was a time when I wouldn't hesitate to trust his intentions. He was different. He was quiet and soft... and I ruined that."

"What happened?"

"Do you really want to know the whole story?"

Elouise gestured to the group and their surroundings. "We have a long journey ahead of us, Haven. Yes, I want to know everything."

Haven threw her head back and laughed. "Fair enough!" She regained herself and cleared her throat before starting. "Lord Winslow wasn't fond of Inferum cantivat. He refused any and all communication with them. Most of his people didn't, which is why your parents still had to deal with the Interlopers. So, Godwin wanted to target Udolf—the little bastard who was the son of a member killed by a royal soldier. It was the perfect setup, and Godwin doesn't love anything more than manipulation. Udolf was no longer a child, but he was a coward, and he was lonely. And a lonely mind is very easy to manipulate."