Oh, God, Enid’s kiss is enough to tip me off balance. I desperately want to be rid of this armor so I can feel her soft curves against my skin.

She traces her fingers up the back of my neck and through my hair, which is a lot shorter than when I last saw her. She doesn’t seem to mind.

The kiss brings forth everything I remember about her. I thought I’d forgotten what she tasted like, the way her lips moved, the little sounds she made—but it all comes back in a rush that leaves me breathless.

I lift my hands to her hair, running them through her curls.

Her lips part and our kiss deepens. She cups her soft, cool hands on my cheeks, the only part of me that isn’t hidden by armor.

I run my fingers down her bodice, and her breath hitches. The sound stirs something in me, making me want to carry her back up the stairs and lay her on the bed. I trace my fingers over her chest, hooking them over her dress where the tops of her breasts are teasing me.

This is torture. She’s a woman now—we both are, and we’ve had years to think about each other and grow bolder in what we want. And oh, the things I want to do right now. I want to see every inch of her, feel her, taste her…

Below, Sir Athdar shouts, “Brianna, all clear! Let’s go!”

Princess Enid and I pull apart. Her lips are full from the kiss, her cheeks flushed.

“Come on,” I whisper. I hold her hand, pulling her gently down the steps with me.

She resists. “Brianna, I…” She swallows hard. “I don’t want to be rescued.”

I blink, and the words hover between us before I can speak. “What do you mean?”

“I came here of my own accord. Queen Augusta is my aunt, and she is the only one who understands.”

“Understands what?” I squeeze her hands, wishing my thick gloves weren’t between us. “Why would you come live in this tower, away from everyone you love?”

“Because I’m eighteen and my father expects me to marry. If I live under Queen Augusta’s rule, she won’t make me. Brianna, she is married to a lady. The witches blessed her vows to Lady Moira.”

I open my mouth, understanding crashing over me. “Oh.”

I avoided becoming some man’s wife by training to be a knight. But Princess Enid didn’t have that option. She was left with a choice: marry a man and produce an heir, or run away.

We stare at each other. My pulse quickens as I realize I need to make a decision.

“Do you want me to leave you?” I say, a tremor in my voice.

“No,” she says quickly, holding my hands tighter. “I want—”

Below, someone shouts for us to hurry.

“I’ll go after them,” Sir Athdar says.

“We’re coming!” I shout. I lean closer to Princess Enid. “Princess, tell me what you want me to do.”

Her eyes brim with tears. “I don’t know. The knights won’t let me stay here, no matter how much I protest or try to hide from them. My father sent them, so they’ll drag me home.”

“I won’t drag you home,” I say fiercely. But despite my strong words, a tremor runs through me. What am I supposed to do? I can’t leave her here because the king won’t allow it. I’m a knight, and bringing her home is my duty.

But I don’t want to force her to come home if she doesn’t want to.

I study the stone floor as if hoping to find the answer there. My heart leaps against my ribs as a possibility stretches out in my mind. “Is Queen Augusta in need of another knight?”

Princess Enid’s face goes blank. “What do you mean?”

“I mean—” I draw a shaky breath. “If I stayed here with you, could I be a knight in her service? In your service?”

It’s a dangerous proposal—treason, even. But my heart is speaking stronger words than my mind, and my loyalty has always been to Princess Enid more than anyone else. If she is here in Queen Augusta’s realm, then I want to be here with her.

Princess Enid stands taller, her face brightening, and I don’t think I have ever seen her smile so widely. She throws her arms around my neck, kissing me hard. “Yes! Yes!” she says between kisses.

A rush of pleasure surges through me. I wrap my arms around her waist, holding her close. “Yes?”

“I know she will accept you as she accepted me. And I want you here more than I have ever wanted anything. Oh, Brianna…” She takes my hand and pulls me up the stairs, her face alight.

“But the knights,” I say, my head swimming. “They’re all fighting down below!”

“We’ll go to Queen Augusta straight away. Come quickly.”

She pulls me to one of the doors I ran past on the way up, and pushes it open. Beyond it is a long hallway leading to the rest of the castle—to a new life, a new queen, and a future with Princess Enid.

All I need to do is walk down it.

“Are—are you sure she’ll have me?” I say, swallowing hard.

Princess Enid kisses me, sending a tendril of heat through my midsection. “Dame Brianna,” she whispers, “you came here to rescue me, and you are the only one who is listening to what I want. You are, I believe, the noblest of all knights. I know she’ll have you.”

This is reckless, hasty, not planned whatsoever… but I have to try. I won’t force Enid to come back with me, and I can’t imagine leaving her behind and spending the rest of my life without her. If she’s here, then I must do whatever it takes to be here with her.

A flame of excitement ignites in my chest. I hold her hands firmly in mine. “All right, Princess. I trust you.”

“And you’re certain you will be happy here?” she says, searching my face with her brilliant blue eyes.

I smile. “Enid, darling, if I am allowed to spend my whole life serving you, I swear I will be the happiest knight in the world.”

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