Page 16 of Pippa of Lauramore (The Eldentimber #1)

I scramble from Archer’s horse. He’s on the ground seconds after my feet touch, and he loosens the knot that ties Willowisp to his horse.

My frozen fingers work at my bow and quiver, freeing them from my pack.

I pull them on my back and then mount Willowisp.

The cool air embraces me, and I shiver. I already miss Archer’s warmth.

“Look grateful to see them,” Archer commands, and he kicks his horse forward.

I’m right after him, and we make haste to the torches. My skirts are drying, and now they are only damp instead of drenched. Still, I feel as if I’m so cold I’ll never be warm again.

It only takes about a quarter of an hour to meet them.

“Father,” I call when they are within shouting distance, trying to look relieved.

His eyes are cold, as are my brothers’, who are seated on their own horses next to him. They, and the rest of the knights with them, are in full mail. I’m not sure what Father was expecting to find. Did they think I’d been stolen by an ogre?

I remember the sharp cry of the mountain cat the other evening, and images of stealthy glasselns come to my mind. I push them away.

“Archer,” my father says, and Archer cringes.

“You misunderstand, Father.” I come forward before Archer can say something to make it worse. I hold up the herbs we harvested. “I was on an errand for Yuven. He needed these. I asked Archer to come with me for protection. I heard there have been an unusual number of grim boars in the forest.”

Father’s eyes flicker to the herbs, unconvinced. “Why would that errand take you out this far after dark? And do you forget you were not to leave the palace grounds?”

My brain whirls madly. I can’t let Archer fall into trouble for this. “I’m sorry, Father. I was trying to be helpful. It took longer than expected, and I fell in a creek,” I explain, holding out my wet skirts. “I didn’t mean to worry anyone.”

I try very hard to look remorseful. It’s not too hard since I do feel sorry—sorry they noticed my absence. I’m eighteen years old. These rules are ridiculous.

“I will speak with Yuven, and then I will decide what must be done with you.”

I lower my eyes. I must not argue with him.

“Archer, is what she says true? You came to protect her?” Father asks.

I hold my breath.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Archer answers, his eyes on my father. “The princess’s safety was my utmost concern. ”

My brothers look on us with suspicion, but Father is temporarily appeased.

Alexander pulls a cloak from his pack and brings it to me. Speaking low, he says, “Why can’t I help but think there is something between you and Archer?”

I look at my brother. I don’t like how sharp his eyes are. “There’s nothing between us. How could there be? He’s an archer. I’m a princess.”

“I only meant you are scheming together.” His copper eyebrows knit as he studies me. He pats my shoulder and gives me a sad smile. “But if it is something else, leave it alone. It will only bring you and him grief.”

Alexander’s wrong. There’s nothing between us, not really.

I glance at Archer. He quirks an eyebrow at me and clicks his horse forward.

Leave it alone.

I stare out the balcony, waiting for Father’s decision. There’s a knock at the door, and Anna enters.

“Where have you been?” I ask, temporarily distracted.

She settles in a chair next to the fire, pats her braid, and then gives me a haughty look. “Yuven has confirmed your story.”

It’s the first night I’ve requested the fire lit in over a month, but despite its warmth, I can’t seem to free myself from the chill.

Anna yawns, covering her mouth with her hand, and then pulls out a swatch of fabric. “With all the extra time on your hands, I expect you have been working on your embroidery.” I can tell by the tone of her voice she doubts I’ve done any at all.

She’s right. I haven’t touched it.

“You will have adequate time tomorrow.” Her voice is smug.

I set down my tea and stare at her. “Why do you say that?”

“Your father has decided you will spend the day with Leonora and Lady Marigold.”

My throat constricts. “All day?”

“His Majesty believes you need more time with female companions. He thinks, perhaps, you’ve become unruly because you are too often in the company of your brothers and their comrades.”

I stare at her, aghast. I can’t spend all day with Leonora and Lady Marigold. Even if I wanted to—which I don’t—I don’t have time. I must help Galinor find the fifth item.

Unless it’s already too late.

“Anna, has anyone come back with all five items?” I ask, realizing with the excitement of the evening, I forgot to ask.

She threads her needle, ignoring me.

“Anna?”

“Lionel arrived this evening, Pippa.”

I feel as if I’ve been struck in the stomach, and I struggle for air.

She frowns at the look on my face. “Of course, we don’t know if his fifth item is correct.”

“What did he bring?” I demand .

“A black pearl.”

I clasp my hands together and take deep breaths. Archer doesn’t think the pearl is the correct answer. If he’s right, then Lionel will be an item short.

Will Archer help Galinor tomorrow if I can’t get away?

He’ll help.

I know he will.

“Pippa, would you sit still?” Leonora asks through clenched teeth.

The outburst startles Lady Marigold, and she drops her embroidery in her lap.

I glare at Leonora. She’s been so touchy since the tournament started. You would think her future rested on it, not mine.

Galinor and Archer only have one more hour. Many of the men have already returned, most with only two or three items. The mysterious fifth item has been the source of much debate, though many believe the answer is the black pearl.

So far, Lionel is the only one to bring one back.

Two men have returned with injuries from battling their grim boars, but Yuven has announced one will make a full recovery in a few weeks and the other should be well by the archery competition.

I’m not worried about Archer and Galinor running into that kind of trouble now that Galinor has his boar, but the last item has me on edge .

“It must be a pearl,” Leonora says as if she’s reading my thoughts.

“It can’t be a pearl.” I toss my embroidery across the room, missing the table I was aiming for. The cloth falls on the stone floor instead.

She raises a perfect eyebrow. “That was a hissy fit.”

“I’m suffocating in here,” I say, motioning to Leonora’s beautiful and spacious sitting room.

Marigold glances around, looking perplexed.

Trumpets sound in the courtyard, announcing the arrival of another competitor. I crane my neck to look out the window, wishing I could see who it is, but there is a turret in my way.

We’ve painted, we’ve sang, we’ve embroidered—I’m done. I need out of this room now .

There’s a light knock at the door.

“Enter,” Leonora calls in a voice that’s much more pleasant than the one she’s been using on me. “Hello, Queen Sabine.” She rises to greet my mother.

Mother sweeps into the room, her eyes locking on mine. A large smile spreads across her pretty face. “Your father is going to allow you to come tonight.”

I gasp. “He’s going to let me watch the winner’s announcement for the scavenger hunt?”

She smiles and nods. “I will escort you to your room so you can prepare yourself.”

“Has Prince Galinor arrived?” I ask, breathless with the news.

Her smile dims. “Not yet, darling.”

He’ll make it. Archer won’t let me down.

I tug at my gown. It’s light blue, the color of my eyes, and brocaded with gold threads. It’s princess cut, tight at my waist, and very difficult to sit comfortably in. Mother picked it out.

“Stop fidgeting and wave,” Alexander hisses from next to me.

I glare at him but wave to the men entering the arena with their treasures. All items except the grim boars, which have been tallied and taken to the kitchen, are displayed on small tables in front of them.

There are only about ten minutes left, and Galinor still hasn’t arrived.

What’s keeping them?

Lionel stands below, somehow managing to look smug and distant at the same time. He must have gotten a little too much sun in the last few days because his large forehead and cheeks are bright red.

“He’ll make it,” Leonora whispers from my other side. She smiles encouragingly.

I can’t keep track of her moods. One minute she’s snapping at me, and the next she’s as sweet as usual.

Rigel enters, and as always, his gaze gives me chills. He nods to me, and I give him a stiff wave. Twenty-seven men stand, ready for the winner of the scavenger hunt to be announced. Two men lie in Yuven’s care in the palace, and one—Galinor—is still missing.

“We have to start,” Alexander says.

“No!” I exclaim, and then I spot Archer taking his seat in the crowds. He meets my eye and nods .

Just as my father stands to begin, a trumpet rings from the edge of the arena. I let out a great sigh of relief when I see Galinor striding in. Though handsome as always, there’s something strange in his expression. He fights with something behind him.

What does he have?

The entire crowd squints to see what he’s brought. Whatever it is, it’s shadowed by the tall pillars in the arena entry, and it’s giving him trouble. Laughter breaks out through the crowds when he finally wrestles his last item in with him. I gasp.

I’m going to kill Archer.

“Oh, no,” Leonora whispers beside me.

Galinor has brought a sheep.