Both nodded, and Colton gradually opened the door. Jayce positioned himself before her and clasped her hand. They all crouched and gradually emerged from the door into the kitchen. Trays of freshly baked bread and pastries cooled on the counter’s edge. Molly desired to conceal all of it in her pockets for later consumption.
In a similar vein, Jayce reached up to seize one of the larger loaves to conceal in his jacket before pursuing Colton. Colton cast a brief glare over his shoulder before ensuring the cooks had not observed Jayce.
The only sound was the clinking of metal as the cooks navigated the kitchen. It was likely the warmest location she had encountered since her arrival in the north. None of them glanced in their direction as Colton gently opened the door, allowing them to exit into the biting cold once again.
They all stood after closing the door behind them.
“That was simpler.”
“There they are!” a voice shouted across the clearing. A queue of guards positioned themselves precisely at the exit. Jayce positioned himself in front of Molly as though he could completely obstruct her from their sight.
“What are our next steps?” Jayce whispered to Colton.
Colton surveyed the guards, and Molly pondered whether he identified any of them as his own personnel. “Veer left. We can evade them amidst the trees.”
“Should we relocate?” Molly enquired.
“No. I will be unable to, and the situation will only deteriorate if we proceed.”
“My men are out there; they possess horses for us. All we need to do is reach them-”
“Seize them!” the guard bellowed.
The entire experience was a vague haze that Molly struggled to comprehend. Jayce seized her arm and sprinted towards the trees. She felt as though her feet scarcely made contact with the ground as they struck the snow. She recognised that Jayce would begin to pull her if she did not expedite her pace, and she was unwilling to sacrifice an arm to him.
An arrow swiftly passed her head and struck the snow before her. Jayce compelled her to commence running diagonally rather than in a straight line. Molly nearly stumbled, but Jayce prevented her from falling. Unaware of how near they were to apprehending her, she did not know if they were directly behind her, poised to seize her, and thus, she merely ran. Despite the burning sensation in her throat and her body’s inclination to surrender, she continued to run.
They vanished into the trees, and silence enveloped them. Molly perceived her breath nearly overwhelm her ears as they navigated around the trees and altered their course. There was no opportunity for contemplation, only action. She had sufficient trust in Jayce to follow him unconditionally through peril, anticipating he would guide them to safety. Not long ago, she would have declined to trust him for even a moment.
“Down there!” Jayce shouted to Colton, who was slightly in front of them. Shouting ensued from behind, and she fervently desired to ascertain their proximity. She suppressed the impulse; turning her head would have resulted in her demise. Molly observed Beckham and the remaining guards stationed at the base of a small hill ahead.
They mounted their horses, and several had already departed at Beckham’s command.
“Hurry!” Jayce exclaimed. Molly was uncertain whether he referred to himself or the entire group, yet she exerted herself further despite the internal turmoil she experienced. What accounted for his apparent indifference?
Jayce lifted Molly by her waist and slid down the hill, overtaking Colton en route. He hoisted her onto an unoccupied horse and ascended without pausing for a moment. Molly clutched him firmly and observed Colton ascend his horse and depart moments after they did.
The guards ceased their advance at the summit of the hill and began to shout at them, as though it would compel them to halt. Quicker than she anticipated, they vanished from view. She orientated herself forward once more and permitted herself to breathe, notwithstanding the jarring gallops of the horse. Her throat was so severely inflamed that she feared it would soon begin to bleed.
Her mind began to synchronise with her reality; she clutched Jayce more firmly and felt gratitude for their survival. She shut her eyes and allowed him to transport her to a distant and secure place. Should safety truly exist in these territories.
They urged the horses vigorously until she could no longer identify their environment. Her face was entirely immobilised by the time they ultimately paused to rest. Snow began to descend gently around them; she merely wished that no storm was approaching, given all they had already endured.
Jayce dismounted the horse and assisted her in descending. He surveyed the surroundings briefly before raising her jumper.
“Hello!” Molly seized the fabric and pressed it down with flushed cheeks. “What is your current activity?”
“Molly,” Jayce remarked with impatience. “I need to ascertain whether you require a sample of my blood.”
“Some of your blood? For what purpose?” Molly raised her jumper and observed blood staining the side of her abdomen. She was oblivious to the arrow that likely grazed her skin upon striking the ground. Her fingers explored the wound as if it were an unfamiliar entity detached from her body. She recoiled at the contact. “I did not even perceive it.”
“This is due to your adrenaline. It is typical not to experience any sensation in the moment for minor injuries.” Jayce grasped her hand to reposition it. He inclined nearer to ascertain its depth. His warm breath grazed her cold skin, eliciting a shiver along her spine. “It appears to be a superficial wound, but I would like you to apply a treatment to expedite the healing process.”
Jayce immediately discarded her jumper upon Colton’s arrival. He appeared even more gaunt than previously.
“Your sentinel identified several caves ahead. They are somewhat diminutive, but I believe you both can navigate them.” He caressed the horse beside them. “I will instruct them to conceal the horses as effectively as possible, but I will be unable to relocate until morning. Rest assured, I will not be deceased.”
“Colton, we will manage the horse. Please, take some rest.” Molly caressed his arm. He bestowed a faint smile and averted his gaze from them. He stumbled slightly as he approached one of the small caves ahead.
Molly enquired, “Do you believe he will be alright?” Jayce signalled for his men to conceal the horses and then faced her again. Perhaps you should provide him with a sample of your blood before he loses consciousness.
He will be well. He has endured considerable hardship, yet he will recover by morning. “If not, I shall pour him an entire cup.” Jayce grasped her arm and guided her towards one of the more distant caves. The men swiftly vacated the vicinity, ensuring it appeared unoccupied. Several of them retreated into another cave, yet the prince invariably possessed his own.
