Page 107 of Charmless

I staggered in that direction. A stalwart masculine form loomed in front of me, a pair of strong hands closing over my shoulders.

“Horatio!” I almost sobbed with relief. But as the mist parted enough for me to see the face leering down at me, my heart stopped.

Prince Florian’s mouth curved in a triumphant grin.

“Why, Ella, you look truly terrified. I really like that in a girl.”

Twenty-Two

“Let go of me, you cur!” Recovering from my initial fright, I struggled to free myself from Florian’s grip, kicking at his shins. My bare feet had so little impact the prince chuckled.

“Tsk, tsk, Ella. You are so foolish. What did you plan to do if you rescued Hawkridge? Flee the kingdom? You will never escape me that easily.”

Rearing up on my toes, I drove the top of my head into the bottom of Florian’s chin. I heard his teeth clack together, followed by his grunt of pain. He released me and I staggered away from him, my head throbbing.

The mist had evaporated as swiftly as it had come, revealing a scene of total chaos. The Chief Warder had been tackled by his own guards and was swearing furiously. Prince Florian’s Scutcheons had become completely turned around and were stumbling toward the gate.

I searched desperately for my companions. I could not find Horatio and Ryland, but I spotted Mal halfway down the hill, sprawled on his back. Rushing to his side, I tried to gather him up in my arms.

“Mal! Please. You must try to get up.”

His eyes were mere slits and it cost him great effort to speak.

“I’m done for, Ella. Go! Save yourself.” His eyes closed, his head lolling to one side.

“No,” I cried. A pair of strong hands seized my shoulders, pulling me away from Mal.

I almost lashed out when I realized it was Horatio. He hauled me to my feet.

“There is nothing more you can do for Hawkridge. I’ll do my best to protect him, but you must run. Get down to the boat.”

“No, I won’t abandon you.”

My protest was cut off as Ryland appeared, adding his urgent voice to Horatio’s.

“Go, Ella! Crushington and I will deal with the Warder and my brother.”

I shook my head vehemently. It was a futile argument in any case. The Chief Warder had managed to climb out from under his guards and lead them in our direction. The palace scutcheons had recovered their bearings and rushed us as well. We were swiftly surrounded by men brandishing swords and truncheons.

Smedley, one of the guards I had terrified into fleeing, pointed a shaking finger at me. “There she is, sir. The dread headless ghost I told you about.”

“She appears to be in possession of her head now,” the warder snarled.

“She-she must have grown it back. Or stolen one from somebody else.”

“Witless fool!” The Warder clouted Smedley upside the head. “She employed some sort of - of?—”

“Witchcraft!” Florian bellowed. “Ella Upton has been practicing sorcery. And without a license.”

Considering the far more serious laws I had flouted tonight, the prince’s accusation inspired me with an urge to break intohysterical laughter. I stifled it, fearing I might burst into tears instead and I refused to display such weakness.

Shoving his way through the circle of men, Florian tried to grab me.

But Horatio thrust him away from me. “Don’t touch her!”

Florian stumbled back a pace. As he caught his balance, he flushed with outrage.

“You dare to lay hands on your prince? I’ll have your head for this.” The prince glared at Horatio before sneering at me. “Oh, Ella, it would seem you have bewitched even the stolid Crushington into forgetting his duty. What a devastating effect you have on the men in your life!”