I tucked my arms around Tristan’s waist, but looked back at the castle. By the dim light of the torches on the wall, I could make out figures, people watching us.

“They can see us,” I told Tristan. “Shouldn’t you turn off the flashlight?”

He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter if they see us now. They won’t be able to surround us—and if they come after us, their horses won’t move any faster in the dark than ours. Besides, I think they’ve figured out that I’m invincible.” He put his hand over mine and gently squeezed my fingers. “You can stop worrying. You’re safe as long as you’re with me, and I’m not letting you out of my sight again.”

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I leaned against his back, just like I’d wanted to do on our first ride, but I couldn’t stop worrying. “Where are Jane and Hunter?”

“Safe,” he said.

I wanted to ask more, but Tristan was busy trying to hold the flashlight steady with one hand and guiding the horse with the other. I’m not sure how much having the flashlight actually helped. The horse seemed to be spooked by the beam and kept stopping and jerking his head as though trying to get away from it.

We probably could have walked through the forest just as quickly ourselves, but I was glad we didn’t have to. I was tired and the frigid night air pushed through my dress and swept across my face. I shut my eyes, enjoying the warmth of Tristan’s back.

I didn’t remember falling asleep, but suddenly Tristan was dismounting. “Let’s make camp here. We’re both tired and not making much progress. It’ll be easier in the daylight.”

“Here?” I asked, because it was nothing but dirt, trees, and bushes.

“I’ll start a fire.”

I wrapped my arms around my chest and didn’t get off the horse. “Won’t that give away our position?”

“They won’t be able to see the smoke in the darkness and the forest should hide the light from the castle. The 414/431

only people who will know we’re here are those that are close by. And if any of them attack, I’ll be able to take care of them.”

I slid off the horse, still muddled with sleep, and helped him gather up twigs and branches. We also piled up handfuls of dry leaves. Finally, after a very long time of rubbing sticks together, he coaxed a small fire to life.

Then I sat on the ground, my hands wrapped around my knees, and wondered where we were heading. Not to the inn— the king’s guards would look for us there.

Tristan sat down close beside me and didn’t speak. I could tell from his posture that he was as tired as I was.

“Where are Hunter and Jane?” I asked.

He didn’t answer, which made me panic.

“You said they were safe. Where are they?” He looked at the fire, not me. I could see the flames reflected in his eyes. “I found them on the roadside.

Their horses had turned into mice, and the carriage into a turnip. They were trying to decide what to do. Hunter had been hit pretty hard. I guess he put up a fight back there at the castle. Jane was worried that he might have broken ribs.

“They told me what had happened to you, and I told them that I had the invincibility enchantment. I figured I’d go back, rescue you, and then meet up with them again.”

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He stopped talking for a moment and I had to prod him to continue. “And?”

“Then your fairy godmother came. All of a sudden she was there like some magical stewardess telling us she hoped we’d enjoyed our visit to the Middle Ages. She said the terms of my enchantment no longer applied and she’d take me back home with Jane and Hunter.” He glanced over at me. “Jane didn’t want to leave you, but Hunter wouldn’t go unless she did, and she thought he needed to see a doctor.”

“They left?” I asked. Part of me felt glad—they should have never come in the first place, and now it was even more dangerous for them to be here. Jane should be home, where it was safe. But another part of me was devastated. I’d never see her again.

I felt tears pressing against my eyes but didn’t want to wipe them away. That would just draw attention to them. I looked into the fire instead. “When is Chrissy coming back for you?”

“She isn’t.” He took hold of my chin and brought my face around to his. “I told her I wouldn’t go home without you.” His thumb caressed a line across my jaw.

“Savannah, you came back to the Middle Ages to help me. You gave up any chance to go home so I could escape from the guards. How could I leave you here alone?”

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My voice had nearly fled altogether, but I managed to say, “You shouldn’t have stayed just because you felt obligated to me.”

“I didn’t,” he said, and he leaned over and kissed me.

I kissed him back, thankful for the warmth of his arms. And really, I’d been wrong to ever think he wouldn’t kiss as passionately as the Black Knight.

Chapter 28

I’m not sure what time we fell asleep, only that it was very late. Eventually I felt the sunshine drifting through the treetops in patches. A part of my consciousness registered that birds were chattering in the branches around us, but I didn’t want to wake up. I was still too tired. Every time the fire had died down, one of us had to get up to throw more wood onto it.

Besides, I felt perfectly safe with Tristan sleeping just on the other side of the fire. He was invincible.

As I drifted into another dream, I felt lips brush against mine. I smiled and opened my eyes, already thinking of what I would say to Tristan.

Only it wasn’t Tristan. I was looking directly into Hugh’s face.

I let out a startled gasp and sat up, my heart pounding and my head still dizzy with the remnants of sleep.

Beside me, Tristan sat up, reaching for his sword. Before he pulled it from its sheath, Hugh said, “It won’t do you any good. I’ve already kissed her.” Tristan paused. “You what?”

Hugh stood and looked down at us with a triumphant smile. He still wore his clothes from the ball, although 418/431

they were rumpled and stained. He had an air of weari-ness about him, and I wondered if he’d walked all of this way. “Didn’t you know she had the invincibility charm?” he asked Tristan. “She stole it from me, and now I’ve stolen it back.”

To me he said, “You should have understood how it worked before you told anyone you had it. It only sharpens your senses when your enemy has a weapon pointed at you.” He held up his hands, showing me they were empty. “I don’t have a weapon, so I was able to sneak up on you without detection.” He walked over to our horse as though we no longer concerned him. “It was thoughtful of you to make it so very easy to find you. What with the light pointing the direction you went last night and then the smoke showing your location this morning.” He patted the horse’s mane. “Thoughtful of you to provide me with a horse too. I suppose it was the least you could do after you turned my father and brother against me.” He turned back to us, his gaze suddenly chilling. “Of course, that doesn’t mean the two of you won’t pay for what you did to me, because you will.” He walked slowly back toward us, picking up one of the sticks we’d gathered for the fire. As he gripped it he looked at me. “You were a fool to choose him—he’s 419/431

nothing but a storyteller. I would have come for you. I wouldn’t have let my father hurt you.” He may have meant it, but I didn’t regret choosing Tristan. I glanced at Tristan to see what he would do, but he was only gazing at Hugh patiently.

Hugh held out the stick, making it into a weapon, then turned to Tristan. “What will you do now, page? If you don’t draw your sword, I will strike her. Draw it, and it will only make your end come more quickly.” Tristan stood up slowly, faced Hugh, then pulled his sword from the sheath. “Do you feel anything happening?”