Not one enemy warrior tried to stop him. They all ran from him, including the one holding her. He released her arm with haste, shoving her roughly and sending her stumbling to land on her bottom as he took off running.
The black stallion flew past her, the rider raising his weapon, the thick muscles in his arm growing tighter as he prepared to strike. She hastily turned her head as the double-sided blade swung with tremendous force, her stomach turning at what he was about to do.
Elysia sat on the ground frozen, too shocked to move. She regretted taking a quick peek and seeing the headless corpse and that the cursed one had turned his stallion and was heading straight at her. The sight of him scared the wits out of her. He appeared like a demon rising from the depths of hell ready to devour everything in his path. Instinct told her to run but instinct also had her turning her head. The enemy was retreating in full force and was headed straight toward her, weapons raised.
Both were gaining on her and she hurried to her feet, not sure what to do. The madman on the stallion leaned to the side, his arm hooked out to snatch her up. She told herself he was not the enemy and either instinct or wisdom made the choice for her. Her arms shot up in the air and she braced herself to be caught by the cursed one.
Chapter 13
Elysia’s body jolted, her teeth slamming together, as his arm hooked her around the waist and she was swung up onto the horse and dropped down sideways in front of him. He let out another tremendous roar that rattled her down to her bones. The next thing she knew she was headed into battle with him and—once again whether instinct or wisdom—her arms shot up to clamp around his neck. She buried her face against his chest, having no desire to see what was coming.
“SURRENDER OR DIE!”
She winced and shivered at his vicious roar, his powerfully fierce voice cutting sharper than any sword.
His stallion suddenly began to slow and she turned her head enough to take a peek. Weapons were being dropped one after the other and men fell to their knees in surrender. His men and the village men were quick to gather weapons and began to force the men into a tight circle.
He directed his horse away from the group. She hoped he would release her quickly, simply lower her off his horse, then she could hurry off without a glance or word to him.
When the horse finally slowed to a stop, she slowly let her arms drift down from around his neck and waited, trying not to focus on his large size. An impossible task since his body seemed to consume her pint size and her heart slammed against her chest in fear.
“Elysia.”
The familiarity of the tender way her name was spoken sent a shock to her senses and her head shot up to meet his eyes—bold, intimidating green eyes she would know anywhere.
“Saber?”
“Aye,” he said, the depth of his voice shivering her.
She scrunched her brow and shook her head confused.
“Lord Odran, the enemy has completely surrendered.”
Elysia looked to the man on a horse who had ridden up to them.
“You know what to do, Finch. See it done.”
“Aye, my lord,” Finch said, “but the news can’t wait.”
“I’ll be there shortly.”
Finch bobbed his head and rode off.
Elysia turned her eyes on… “Who are you?”
His response was quick and firm. “Your husband.”
She shook her head. “Saber is my husband.”
He removed his helmet to confirm his claim. “A name I used to conceal my true identity. But as you can see, I am your husband.”
She stared at the familiar face of the man she loved and continued to shake her head. He looked like her husband, but he was nothing like Saber, not his voice, not his gentleness. They were nothing alike. “No. It cannot be.”
“It is so, Elysia. I am your husband and the only thing that has changed between us is a name.”
Elysia was at a loss for words as she tried to comprehend it all. He couldn’t truly believe that was all that had changed between them. A name? That was the only difference between them?
“There are things that need my immediate attention. You will remain by my side until we can talk and I can better explain.”
Sharp words flew from her lips. “Explain your lies?”
His mouth tightened for a moment before he spoke. “We will talk later.”
She was ready to argue when she noticed people were staring their way, whispering and pointing. She didn’t want to imagine what they were thinking. She had enough shocking thoughts to cloud her mind.
She held her tongue with difficulty as he directed his stallion to the keep and stopped once he reached it. He lowered her with ease to the ground before he dismounted. He reached out to take her hand and she backed away from him.