Black Moon Draw

"You risk angering your father," I murmur. "You'd both be in danger."

"We can go to my brother." The princess stands in the entrance, a tortured expression on her face. Even with eyes reddened from tears, she's more beautiful than any actress or model I've ever seen.

"You sure about that?" I ask uneasily, recalling what happened the last time Westley saw the Red Knight.

"We may not have a choice," Westley says. "If we can smuggle you to him, he can reach the Shadow Knight without the challenges we would experience."

My heart flip flops at the idea of seeing the Shadow Knight again then falls to my feet when I realize how bad the situation is. We have today and tomorrow to save the world - and no idea how to do it.

"I'll fetch him." The princess leaves once more.

The yearning on Westley's face as his gaze follows her almost makes me want to roll my eyes.

"Are you guys . . . bonded yet?" I ask.

"Aye," he whispers. "Last year, in secret, the day we met."

Love at first sight. I hate that in a book, LF. "I can't believe you masterminded this whole thing."

"We put everyone in great danger."

"Everyone was in great danger already. You just raised the stakes a little." Maybe I should be angry, but I'm envious of how they feel for one another. Deep enough to try to stop a war without knowing how much harm they caused. "Can we trust the Red Knight to help?"

Westley's hesitation tells me what I need to know. "We have no choice."

My thoughts return to the Shadow Knight. He must know by now how screwed he is. Is he sad? Desperate? Furious?

My heart aches for him and the people of this world, who can't know how important he and his war are. They don't understand that his heart is bigger than his sword, that everything he's doing is to prevent a much worse fate from befalling his people. He alone is waging a war on a thousand year old curse.

Not alone. At least, not anymore. I will find a way to help him.

"Whatever it takes, Westley. We have to help him," I say urgently. "Please."

"Fetch your cloak. The Red Knight is here," he says somewhat reluctantly.

"That's why you aren't excited about him. He's part of this, isn't he?"

"He did more than tell me about the Shadow Knight's defenses," he admits. "I dare not discuss it with you." He's troubled, his gaze stormy.

I swing on a cloak beside the uncomfortable bed I tried to sleep in last night. The teen looks ready to change his mind about helping me. I can't imagine what's going through his head, the enormity of his guilt.