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It reminded him of Balaclava, in that fatal moment when he’d tried unsuccessfully to lead his men out of harm’s way. And right now, their opponents were gaining on them.

He wasn’t going to reach Hannah in time.

If he didn’t get these men away safely, all of them would die. And he’d sworn he’d never let anything happen to her.

The leadership of these men was on his shoulders, all of their lives dependent upon the decision he would make. And though doubts rose up, strangling his confidence, a sudden clarity emerged from his fear. He couldn’t control the outcome, but he could give an order that might save them.

One of the men turned and tried to fire back, but his shot flew wide. Time to act before anyone else was shot.

Michael signaled them closer. “Four of you go to the left and take cover near those rocks. The rest of you go to the right and leave me here. I am their target, and it will give you a better chance of picking them off.”

“We can’t leave you unguarded,” the captain argued. “Our orders are to protect your life.”

“I won’t remain on horseback,” Michael countered. “If we fire from three directions, we’ll get them. If we try to outrun them, Hannah will be caught in the crossfire.”

“Your Royal Highness, I’m not certain—”

“Do it,” Michael commanded. “If you don’t, we die.”

With a quick nod of his head, the captain gestured for half of the men to follow. The other four went right, and Michael wheeled his horse around, reining the animal to a stop. He dismounted, taking cover on the ground.

In this position, he was reminded of the battleground again, surrounded by the enemy. It was familiar, and yet different, for he had given the orders this time. Not for the glory of war or the honor of a country—but to save the men.

No longer was he afraid of failing them, of being responsible for their deaths. Instead, he’d given them the chance to save themselves. Their fate lay in God’s hands and in their skill.

His guards fired from both directions, and Michael took careful aim at the center rider.

His first shot was out of range, but the second struck its target.

They kept up a steady stream of gunfire, but in the meantime, he was losing Hannah while the rider was taking her farther and farther away.

With a glance behind him, Michael saw her disappearing on the horizon.

He expelled a curse, forcing himself to concentrate. The attackers attempted to scatter, but three more shots ended the battle.

Afterwards, the men rejoined him. The captain looked shaken, but thankful for his life. “Your Royal Highness, are you all right?”

Michael nodded. “Send two men to retrieve our fallen man. The rest of you, follow me. We still have to rescue Lady Hannah.”

He mounted his horse, and reloaded his weapon with ammunition given over by the captain. Urging his steed faster, he rode as fast as the animal would take him. With each mile, his dread intensified.

He couldn’t lose her. Hannah belonged to him as surely as she held his heart. Although she had voiced arguments, trying to convince him that she wasn’t worthy of being a princess, he wasn’t going to accept them. He would keep her at his side, both to protect her and to love her.

At the crest of a hill, he saw the pair of them near the city borders of Vermisten. The rider had stopped, and he held Hannah captive.

Michael drew his weapon. Right now he couldn’t risk firing it, for fear of striking Hannah. He kept up the unyielding pace until at last he reached them.

And when he saw that it was Fürst Karl who held her, a suffocating rage came over him.

His guards joined him, surrounding the pair with weapons drawn.

The impostor prince had his own weapon but did not reach for it.

Instead, he lifted Lady Hannah down from the horse.

Hannah raced to his side, and Michael turned to his guards, signaling.

“Take him away. He is guilty of kidnapping Lady Hannah.”

He dismounted and crushed Hannah into his embrace. Gripping her hard, he couldn’t calm the racing of his heart. Her dress was ragged, the hemline dragging on the ground. Tangled brown hair hung across her shoulders, and her arms were reddened and bruised.

“Michael, no. The prince didn’t—”

He shushed her, covering her mouth with his. “He’s going to answer for every bruise I see.”

She drew back, not allowing him to kiss her fully. “Let him go. He was keeping me away from the gunfire, not running from you.”

In her eyes, he saw unyielding stubbornness. And though he had trouble believing that Karl would lift a finger to help them, Hannah stepped back from him and turned to the former prince. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

The prince’s mouth tightened, but he nodded. Just as he was about to leave, Michael called out to him. Karl turned, his expression taut and unreadable.

“You have my gratitude.”

The former prince met his gaze, gave a nod, then turned away. Though Michael still didn’t trust him, Hannah was right. Karl had found her, keeping her away from the gunfire. He owed the man for that.

“You came for me,” Hannah whispered. She kissed him, winding her arms around his neck. The simple touch of her lips made him forget about everything but her. He didn’t care about anyone around them, nor what they might think. He was simply glad she was safe.

When Michael pulled back, he cupped her face, examining Hannah to be sure she was all right. “I’m sorry that you had to endure such a terrible night. I should have made sure you had better protection.”

“I don’t blame you for it.” She stifled a yawn, leaning her head against his chest. “I’m just glad you found me.”

“Hannah, I was angry, and I said things I didn’t mean.” His fingers traced the line of her jaw. “I love you, and I’m offering you a choice. I want you to marry me, whether you want to be a princess or merely a lieutenant’s wife.”

She stood up on tiptoes, lifting her mouth to his. “I love you, Michael. And wherever you go, I will go.”

“Even if it means having to endure this life, with all the trappings of royalty?”

She sent him a mysterious smile. “Oh, I don’t intend for it to be a trap. Not anymore.”