Page 22 of The Accidental Prince (Accidentally in Love #3)

She saw a man who she guessed was in his early forties. His face was thin, and a brown beard obscured his features. She’d never seen him before but wondered if he’d been among the men who had attacked the other night.

“To you, Princess, I’m a nobody.” He sat at a table and poured a drink into a wooden cup. Her eyes took in her surroundings, as she tried to discern where she was and how long she’d been here.

She was in a dwelling smaller than her bedchamber, with only a mattress, a fireplace, and a single table and chair. Her hands were bound behind her back, as were her feet. In the corner stood a taller man, whose face was dirt-streaked, along with his hands. Possibly a farmer.

Serena struggled to remember how they’d brought her here, but after the blow the bearded man had struck to her face, she couldn’t remember much of anything.

A sinking ball of dread formed inside her stomach, but she forced her words to remain calm. “What do you want from me?”

“You’re going home, Princess. Someone want you there badly enough to pay for your safe return. They’re waiting for you across the water.”

Terror clenched inside her. “Who is waiting?” The man’s smile widened as if he’d confirmed her identity. “He paid each of us fifty marks to bring you. I’d give you over to the devil himself for that.”

Likely it was Freiherr Albert von Meinhardt. The Baron would stop at nothing to bring her back, for he craved the king’s favor. She couldn’t stop the unsettled feelings that swelled up inside, drowning out any hope she might have had.

She lowered her head, closing her eyes. Though she wanted to believe that Fürst Karl might come after her, there was little he could do now. Her days of freedom were at an end.

Hours passed, and there was still no sign of the prince.

Serena pressed back the fear, telling herself that Karl would come eventually.

He had to, if he expected her to marry him.

She bit her lip, trying to silence the chattering of her teeth.

She was unbearably cold, now that the weather had shifted once more.

Outside, violent waves surged against the sand.

Rain slashed through the roof, pouring down on all of them.

The storm had returned, transforming into a raging tempest that made it unsafe for a crossing.

The men had changed their plans, intending to leave at dawn.

Though it had granted her a brief reprieve, she didn’t know if the prince could find her in time.

What if they succeeded in bringing her back to the mainland? The paralyzing fear swept over her, numbing her mind. She wasn’t ready to face her father again. Not so soon.

She studied her surroundings. A fisherman called Jürgen was their leader, and although he’d ordered the other men not to touch her, she saw them eyeing her with interest. Thank heaven, she still had her cloak, and she kept it firmly around her body, hiding every inch from view.

There was only one entrance within the wooden dwelling, and it was heavily guarded. It was late at night now, and though exhaustion threatened to claim her, Serena forced her eyes to remain open.

She might have to rescue herself. It was a reality she didn’t want to face, but what other choice did she have?

In the darkness, she could hardly see anything, but she knew the men were armed with guns and knives. Her ropes were too tight to untie, and she fumbled against them, hoping to somehow loosen the knots.

After an hour of trying, her wrists were numb and raw.

She was near to tears, and though several men had fallen asleep, it was impossible to steal a knife without waking them.

With her bound feet, she couldn’t walk or hop either.

When she was first taken captive, they’d stolen her shoes from her, keeping her feet bare to prevent an escape.

Trussed like a Christmas goose , she thought. Wasn’t that just lovely? Her anger and frustration grew stronger as time dragged onwards. How could the prince have just left her? Had he changed his mind and decided to find another bride after all?

You’re overreacting, her mind warned. He’ll come . And get himself captured in the attempt? Not likely. Fürst Karl was not an impulsive man, and he’d probably gone for help. Which was perfectly logical, except that in her foolish mind, she wanted him to charge in, seize control, and take her away.

The longer the night dragged on, the more she began to worry that it wouldn’t happen. Karl had only two men to help him. How could he possibly do anything against these odds?

He couldn’t. She sobered at the conclusion. And here she sat, enduring her captivity instead of using her head to try and escape. Not once had she called out for help, nor even made the attempt to leave. She’d let herself become their victim, without fighting back.

Just as she’d never fought back against her father. Because she was too afraid.

She’d suffered his wrath, obeying him and doing everything in her power to please him. Even when he’d broken her ribs, she’d done nothing to stop him.

A sudden surge of frustration and rage welled up within her. Why? She didn’t deserve any of the wounds inflicted upon her. She’d done nothing wrong, not in all these years.

Blind obedience had given her nothing but bruises to show for it. And now, she had fallen back into her habit of hiding in the shadows.

You can’t keep hiding , a voice inside her warned. Her escape from the palace had been the first shaky step, but it wasn’t enough. She’d been waiting for someone else to take the lead, to make the decisions.

Not anymore.

In the darkness, she stood up, with hands and feet bound.

No one moved, nor did the sleeping guards notice her.

She couldn’t walk very well, but after her efforts to loosen the ropes, there was just enough slack to allow her the smallest fraction of steps.

Slowly, with a numb, shuffling movement, she managed to make her way a few feet across the room.

A hand caught her, jerking her backwards until she fell hard upon the ground. “Don’t.”

She didn’t recognize which man had spoken, but his words alerted the others. Within seconds, she was forced to the back of the enclosure, fully surrounded.

A bleakness settled over her, and she wondered why she’d bothered to fight back when there were six of them. What chance did she have of gaining her freedom against so many?

Better to try and fail, than not to try at all , her mind advised.

And then another idea took root, sinking into her consciousness with possibilities. She waited a few moments, then stood up, deliberately tripping over one of the guards. Her bound hands bumped against his waist.

“Can you not sit still, woman?” he demanded, shoving her back against the hut. “You’ll not get free, no matter what you try.”

Serena hid her face, showing no response. After he let go, she moved her legs forward, using the hem of her gown to conceal the knife she’d unsheathed from his belt.

She remained motionless for a long time, until he turned his attention elsewhere. Though she risked cutting herself with the blade, she didn’t care. She would free herself from the ropes and find a way out. Somehow.

One of the guards came near and crouched down behind her. “Give me the blade,” he warned. Her hands froze behind her, and she dropped the knife, trying to hide it. “You’re doing a poor job of cutting the ropes,” came the whisper at her ear. “Allow me.”

It was Karl.

A rush of emotions clattered through her mind. Had he been here all along, disguised among the men? How had he done it without being discovered? In the darkness, she couldn’t see his face, but she felt the blade cutting through her ropes; first her wrists, then her ankles.

His mouth returned to her ear. “Keep your hands and feet behind you for now. When you see the signal, I’ll grab you and take you to the entrance. We’ll make our escape then.”

Before she could ask what signal he meant, he predicted her question and whispered, “You’ll know.”

Though he’d freed her hands, she felt the tingling of blood flowing back through her skin. It hurt worse than she’d thought it would.

The prince remained behind her, and she felt his hands upon her ankles.

At first, she winced at the sensation of him touching her bruises.

A moment later, he left his hands in place, letting them warm her feet.

She held herself motionless, not at all certain she should allow it.

But his hands felt good, the barest touch sending heat through her cold skin.

The futile wish, that he could take her into his arms and warm her body with his own, crossed her wayward mind.

He protected you, just as he’d said he would.

Something shifted inside her, for she’d not truly believed he’d keep his word. Despite their circumstances, he’d infiltrated the enemy and found a way to keep watch over her. Though they hadn’t yet made their escape, he’d given her a reason to hold on to faith.

Serena reached back to touch Karl’s hand with her own.

In the darkness, no one saw them, and she held his hand with her own in a silent thanks.

His presence brought her comfort, knowing that he hadn’t abandoned her.

And though she couldn’t guess what sort of signal would provide the distraction they needed to get away, already she felt better with him here.

She squeezed his hand, and he returned the gesture.

It was then that she smelled smoke. With horror, she understood that someone had set the shelter on fire. Karl grasped her hand and forced her to run while behind them, flames erupted.