Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
This time, Hugo leaned in and quickly kissed Everand, silencing him so he couldn’t say any more heartbreakingly sweet words.
Hugo knew what he’d found with Everand was impossible. All he could do was enjoy the time they had together, and when it was finished, he would cherish the memories.
“I would be happy to see you, but I mean the charming rogue from the woods. Not the lazy lout from lunch.”
The pounding of racing horses drawing closer cut Everand’s laughter off. They both looked toward the town to see a group of riders approaching. Just as they were retreating from the path, they discovered the riders were actually soldiers from the palace.
“Your Highness!” the lead guard gasped as he reined in his steed.
Everand smirked over his shoulder at Hugo. “It appears I’ve found my ride. Would you like me to deliver you home first?”
Hugo retreated a couple of steps, suddenly aware of several sets of eyes locked on him. “Oh, no. It’s a short walk from here. You hurry to the palace. I’m sure the king and queen are worried sick.”
Lines of concern cut across Everand’s face, and it seemed as if he were about to argue, but Hugo backpedaled some more. “Go, Your Highness! I need to sleep for two days and then figure out how to deal with a fox.”
The prince smiled and nodded. “Fine. Go. You’ll hear from me soon enough.”
Hugo hoped that was true. But even if it wasn’t, he’d received enough memories from spending one day with Prince Everand to last him through many years of daydreams.
Thirteen
Hugo groaned and rolled over, pressing his face deeper into his pillows. Some inconsiderate soul with a death wish was knocking on his door, and all he wanted to do was sleep.
Arriving home last night after being missing for the entire day had resulted in much hand-wringing, tears, and stern words. And most of that was from Dorian. Now that he was away from Everand and the potential for more kisses, exhaustion consumed him. When he’d spoken with his family, he’d kept his explanations vague, mentioning something about escaping some bandits while glossing over the meeting up with Prince Everand part. No reason to give his mother any unrealistic hopes. He was merely friends with the prince now.
Friends who kissed.
Passionately.
Yes, friends who kissed passionately.
That sounded lovely.
But it wouldn’t lead anywhere beyond that.
Before dawn could start streaking the sky shades of yellow and pink, Hugo had climbed into bed and sworn he wasn’t leaving it until lunch.
Except someone was trying to drag him out of bed much sooner.
The knocking stopped at last, but it changed into someone shaking his shoulder.
“Hugo,” Augustine hissed. “Hugo, you’ve gotta get up.”
“Why?” he demanded in a half whine, half moan.
“There’s someone at the door.”
Hugo made an indecipherable grunt and turned into his pillows. He pulled his blankets up over his head, hoping that his youngest brother would take the hint.
“Okay, I guess I’ll go tell Mother that the Royal Huntsman is at the door—”
The blankets flew off Hugo, and he bolted upright. “What?” he barked.
“The Royal Huntsman is at the door,” Augustine repeated, his grin growing. “Why do I feel like there are some important bits left out of your story regarding your disappearance?”
“Not now,” Hugo growled. He shoved his feet into a pair of worn slippers and snatched his robe. It wasn’t the best way to greet anyone from the palace, but he couldn’t afford to keep the man waiting another second. After a last warning look at Augustine—which did absolutely nothing to rein in his brother’s enthusiasm—Hugo raced down the stairs while mentally muttering a prayer for his mother to be still abed at this early hour.
Just as his brother had stated, he found a robust man with a bushy red beard streaked with white and wearing a deerstalker cap standing on their doorstep. Slung across his back was a rifle, and several other men and about ten hounds were gathered behind him on the lane leading to their house.
“Sorry to wake the household,” the man greeted. “You’re Mr. Hugo Baker?”
“Yes, and you are…”
“Colby Waverly, Master Huntsman for the royal family.”
Hugo gulped. Augustine was right. The Royal Huntsman was on their doorstep, and he’d brought with him an entire hunting party. It was too early for his fatigued brain to deal with this.
“How can I help you, Mr. Waverly?”
“When His Highness returned to the palace late last night, he came straight away to see me. He left the order that I bring a hunting party to your home by dawn and not leave until we’ve taken care of the fox who’s been raiding your chickens. I just wanted to stop by before we entered the woods near your home to inform you we’re on the job. Don’t worry. We’ll get that fox and check the woods to make sure there’s nothing else in the area to terrorize your barnyard.”