The Queen by Suzanna Lynn Page B

castle and smashed hard into Baylin’s friend Ferric, knocking
her to the ground. Pain seared up her hip as she made contact with
the stone floor.
    “Luana!” he cried, pulling her up to her
feet. “Are you hurt? I’m so sorry.”
    “I’m fine,” she murmured, dusting herself
off. She felt heat travel to her cheeks with a blush. “I’m sorry. I
wasn’t watching where I was going.”
    “Is something wrong?” Ferric asked.
    “Oh no. Not at all. Everything is fine,” she
said, avoiding his gaze. “I was just…” She feared he would see the
lie in her eyes. “Just headed back to my chamber.”
    He cocked one eyebrow, causing his forehead
to wrinkle. “Are you sure all is well?”
    “Yes, quite well.” She smiled. “I should be
on my way.”
    She gave a slight curtsey and turned to go
around him, but he caught her by the arm. “Luana?” His stare bore
through her. “What secrets are you keeping?”
    Her body tensed, but she held his gaze. “I’m
not keeping secrets, Ferric. I just… I…” Her body relaxed as she
admitted defeat. “I was looking for a man who knows about my
family. I’ve had word they are in Black Hallows and plan to try and
hold up in their shop.”
    Ferric released her arm, his brow furrowed.
“Why would they do that? Certainly they know how dangerous it would
be, especially so close to Fagin Forest.”
    “I don’t understand it either,” Luana
sighed. “But you must see that I have to go to them to convince
them they need to come to the castle.”
    “It’s too dangerous,” Ferric said. “Baylin
would never allow it.”
    “This is my family, Ferric,” she cried.
    He looked down at her with a sympathetic
gaze, as a brother would look at his little sister when he wanted
to protect her. “Let me send a group of men. You don’t even know if
they did, in fact, decide to stay. If they did, my men will bring
them back.”
    His plan made sense. While his men are
out, I can check here in the castle to be sure they aren’t here
already. She looked up at Ferric. “How soon could you get
there?”
    “It is late. We could make it to Black
Hallows before sundown, but it would not be safe to ride back at
night,” Ferric said, looking up at a window. “We will go at first
light.”
    Luana sighed. “What if Mirstone attacks in
the morning, or even tonight? My family—”
    “Will be fine,” Ferric interrupted. “We have
time, Luana, I promise.”
    She nodded to him.
    “Why don’t you go to your chamber and rest,”
Ferric suggested. “I’m sure your son would be happy for his
mother’s company.”
    “I suppose you’re right,” she agreed.
    She walked toward the stairwell to the royal
chambers, not looking back until she reached the foot of the
stairs. Ferric was gone. I will not wait to see if my family can
make it through the night. I am going to get them out of Black
Hallows—tonight.

Chapter Fifteen

    Luana’s dress billowed behind her as the
stead galloped down the dusty road. Strands of silvery hair fell
loose from her braid and whipped at her face.
    Commandeering a horse had been much simpler
than she hoped. With so many people being moved into the castle,
the stables were overflowing. The stable boys were a little
confused as to which horse belonged to whom. She managed to snatch
a big beautiful mare tied to a fencepost beside the stables,
without anyone noticing.
    The horse’s black coat glistened with sweat
in the late afternoon sunlight as they pounded toward Black
Hallows. Luana swallowed hard, trying to choke back the dust
floating through the air.
    She took the fastest road, through
Hillsford. Most days, one could plan to meet many travelers along
the road, however, it was eerily quiet.
    The sun had gone down enough that the
towering trees cast dark, ominous shadows over Luana as she rode.
When she approached Black Hallows, she slowed the horse to a trot.
The only sounds on the air were of the wind and her horse’s
clomping hooves. Houses were left