I ignored Ashton as I did my best to keep my head on my shoulders. Such an effort ended up in vain, because my mind was loud with thoughts filled with fear that I was going to get caught.
"Goddess, I underestimated them," I hissed beneath my breath, trying to calm myself. "I should have known, the royal guards could sniff anyone out. They're still quick, even though Galen hasn't been with them. Dammit, I shouldn't have listened to these people."
"And get eaten by those orcs and the other beasts swarming Evernight?" Ashton shook his head, disbelief written on his features. "There's a protective barrier casted by one of ours surrounding this base, you're safer here."
I stood my ground. "I would still have taken my chances if that meant getting as far as possible from the royal palace. Besides, I'm not that safe anymore now that the guards are here."
Ashton rubbed his palm all over his face. "So you really are a princess? What the hell. And from Orion? By the Saints! We're from Cygnus, you know? And if they ever see you here, we're totally going to have some diplomatic problems. These guards are going to assume that we kidnapped you, and they'll have us punished for something we didn't do. Oh dear, oh dear."
The fact that the Ravens were Cygnusians made perfect sense. Still, Evernight Forest may be closest to the outskirts of Cygnus, but it didn't belong to any country because none wanted to claim a place festering with monsters. It was located on a region of land between Orion and Cygnus, belonging to no one. And hence it was named "The Unclaimed".
Looking at Ashton now, I saw none of his bright demeanor. He wasn't beaming like he used to some seconds ago. But instead, shadows draped over his eyes.
I could only hope that he had none of the prejudice towards us that was common among his people.
I clenched my jaw. "That is why you're going to help us escape. You've been living here for years, aren't you? I bet you know the quickest routes toward the forest exit."
He sighed. "Look here, Rosie. You're an impressive, Saints-blessed dancer, and you brightened up our usually drab day of having to keep these monsters in check. That meant a lot to us, so it doesn't matter if you're a princess of Orion. But hey girlie, I do hate to break it to you but there's no way out. Your royal guards have completely surrounded us."
Ashton seemed really sincere, his eyes suggesting that he did indeed feel bad for me.
I exhaled, attempting to loosen the suffocating feeling inside my chest. I was nearly about to lose all hope when Lira put a hand on my shoulder, staring at me warmly.
"What is it?" I asked.
She smiled faintly. "Breathe, Rosie."
I released a dry laugh. "I'm trying to, but it looks like I've forgotten how."
Lira gave me a gentle squeeze. "We'll figure this out together."
That made me melt. It wasn't to say that I wasn't surprised that she hadn't suggested coming back with the guards despite the pessimist that she was.
I heard Ashton release a string of curses, making me jump.
He was at the window again, brimming with some static energy I couldn't quite describe.
I scampered to his spot, taking extra care not to let myself be seen from the guards outside.
Ashton scoffed, grinning broadly. "Hah, so this is why they hadn't started pounding on the door ever since they arrived. Someone's been dealing with them while we were busy panicking. Take a good look there, Rosie. It seems you've found yourself a knight in shining armor."
Never in my life would I have expected for that knight in shining armor to he the opposite of one. He faced the royal guards, in his mercenary attire of leather trousers and a fitted tunic, neat bandages wrapping his wrists and ankles. Crude blades were strapped on his back, none of the shimmer a knight would have.
But I believed he was as worthy as any. Better, in fact. Rasvien might actually save my life twice.
I was grinning as wide as Ashton, unable to stop myself. I turned to Lira, saying, "Is this why you were placid? You knew he was there?"
"More or less." She shrugged, in her way of shrugging as if she did nothing that deserved to be praised. "I had a hunch that he was going to come."
"Rasvien of Cygnus." That voice belonged to one of Galen's generals. "Leader of the Ravens and watcher of the Evernight beasts."
Rasvien's chuckle was rich and deep, echoing towards me like a hot summer air, stirring something in my chest. It was unexpected, and I didn't like how my heart seemed to leap out of my chest.
"That's me," he said, sounding amused. As though he was merely receiving guests that wasn't a whole platoon of Orionian guards. "What can I do for you?"
"We're looking for a girl," said the general, "you don't suppose you've seen one sneaking around these parts, do you?"
Rasvien's laugh was empty of pleasantness. "Girl? What girl? Be more specific. I can't help you if you're being so vague."
The general's frown was clear even from here. "There aren't much girls getting lost in these woods now, are there? Just tell us if you've seen one that's unfamiliar."
"Hmm? Can't say I have," Rasvien said.
I get it. My parents would never have allowed the knowledge of my disappearance to be known to the public. If the news spreads, the entire kingdom would go crazy. And they definitely wouldn't risk telling a bunch of mercenaries from Cygnus about me either.
That might seem like an exaggeration, but the eldest princess played a great role in the stability of Orion.
Rasvien continued the conversation with the general. It looked like the royal guards were about to leave.
But everything went wrong when a monstrous howl pierced through the sky.