Page 84 of Not Another Happily Ever After

“…we don’t wish for any trouble?—”

“Then move.”

“You’ll go no further.”

I toss and turn, trying to decipher them in my sleep. Then the sharp clang of metal striking metal slices through the air, and I jolt awake.

“Frog,” I gasp, my hand shooting for the knight. Only, he isn’t there.

My stomach tightens.

What in the realm is going on?

Another voice barks from outside, followed by the unmistakable hiss of steel leaving its scabbard.

Oh god, no!

I sprint to the carriage door and throw it open. A cold mist from the sea washes over me, alluding to the danger that awaits.

Four strange men cloaked in crimson hoods surround us. Two stand on the narrow road ahead, while the other two have settled behind the carriage, their swords drawn. With the thick foliage to our left, and the sheer drop to our right, we’ve nowhere else to go.

The carriage horses paw at the sand where they’re still tied up, blowing hot air out their noses. Frog’s and Rhidland’s steeds lie dead and Wolfe’s is missing.

It’s all Merrek and Myrrdin can do to keep them calm while heading off the two cloaked figures before them.

I rush to help them when a strong arm hooks around my waist and pulls me back into the carriage’s shadow. A warm hand smothers my scream.

“It’s me, Miss Sunday.” Frog breathes into my ear. “It’s only me.”

I cease the useless kicking and relax into the dark knight’s hold, expecting him to release me.

He doesn’t.

“What is going on?” I murmur beneath his hand, but my words come out muffled and distorted.

“What is happening?” I try again.

“Shh,” Frog hushes, the cold edge of his iron mask grazing the shell of my ear as he draws me closer. The touch is impossibly light, sending a shiver down my spine, sharp enough to make me forget, for one reckless moment, the danger surrounding us.

“This needn’t go on any further. We have no business with you,” Rhidland calls from somewhere behind the carriage, but he doesn’t sound like himself. He sounds tired. Desperate.

Boots shuffle in the sand and Frog pulls me further into the shadows.

“Youareour business.” A gravelly voicetsks.

“So be it.” Rhidland sighs, a sound I’ve heard a thousand times before, yet this time feels different.

I twist and turn in Frog’s arms, begging for him to let me go when the sound of steel exploding into motion makes me freeze.

The first clash echoes off the cliffside, like thunder rattling the mountains. Then comes the clash and zing of the other knights’ blades as they join in driving back the strangers.

Everything becomes noise.

Steel on steel.

Men shouting.

The terrified screams of horses.