Enchantingly Different

Chapter 13

Hours have passed and yet the road seems never ending. Even the horses seem to have lost their spring in their steps and their heads are drooping in exhaustion. I think back to the inn and know they probably weren’t cared for as they should be. I pat at Taric’s neck in reassurance. It can’t be too much further now, I think.

As I look up, I see the sky has become significantly darker and I can see flashes of light illuminating the edges of the ragged mountains ahead. It’s the only sign that we are growing closer to our goal, yet everything about it screams for me to turn around and ride the other way. I would if I had that option, but I can’t turn my back on Jules; we’re her only hope now.

“Our pursuers are growing nearer. We must let the horses rest for only a moment,” Shae announces from behind me. “There’s a small stream just off the road here that they can drink from.”

I jump down from the saddle to stretch my legs and lead Taric to the small stream that Shae is motioning to. He drinks from it without hesitation. “Good boy,” I mutter whilst stroking his neck.

“We’re not far from our destination,” she says, confirming my thoughts. “Probably only half an hour until we reach the turn off for the castle and then another half hour to actually get there. You know, it might not be a bad idea to let the men catch up with us.”

“What?” I thought we have been trying to stay ahead of them for all this time?”

“Well, yes, but I was just thinking that we’ll probably need the man power,” she says whilst stroking her own horse beside me. “It will be very difficult alone, Robert.”

I sigh and lean over to kiss her cheek. “But I don’t want them to figure out what you are until I have chance to talk to my father. You said yourself that you’d have to use magic in order to save her.”

“Robert, we went into this relationship knowing full well that there’s no future in it. Your father won’t accept me. Your kingdom won’t accept me. What’s changed?”

 “I love you and I’m now ready to fight for you, for our future,” I state, staring into her eyes with determination. Her face softens and she leans into my chest, resting her head in the hollow of my neck. I can feel the faint beat of her heart that seemingly beats in sync with mine.

“I love you as well, but I won’t lead you to certain exile. I won’t let you throw your life away for me,” she whispers. “Besides, if we have extra men, I may not have to help in battle.”

“I have no real life without you,” I reply, kissing her hair and wrapping my free arm around her shoulders. “How many are following us?” She stands back up, leaving me feeling cold and vulnerable without her against me.

“Perhaps fifty or so. They seem to be stronger than the others before.”

“He must have sent the royal guard then.”

“It appears that way. They’re unrelenting and at the pace they’re traveling, they will be on us in less than an hour. I don’t see we have any choice except to combine forces.”

I sigh deeply, knowing that we will probably have to do things her way. If it’s as dangerous as she says, then it wouldn’t hurt to have more men on our side to protect her. If she got hurt in any way, I would never be able to forgive myself. I know the royal guard to be fearless men and perhaps she is right, maybe she won’t have to help if they are successful.

“Alright, my love, you win,” I concede, squeezing her to me tight. “No matter what, I’m sticking with you. I don’t want you to step in unless absolutely necessary.”

“We shall see,” she says in a quiet voice. I look down at her and her eyes are sad with a sheen of tears developing. She blinks them away and pulls out of my arms to get back on her horse.