Lion Heart Read Free Page B

to spare,” he said.
    â€œEh,” the man grunted. “It’s your necks.”
    I looked at David as the gate were raised slow.
    â€œA knight,” Allan muttered. “As if I would ever be a
knight.
I’m far too handsome to be a knight.”
    â€œShut. Up,” David ground out. “If your mouth endangers my lady, I will extract it.”
    â€œAlways so
angry
.” Allan sighed.
    They let us pass through and lowered the gate behind us.
    The road were dark and empty, but every hair on my neck stood on end.
    â€œNot far now, my lady,” David told me.
    â€œLet’s hope it’s not the worst of the ride,” I returned.
    We made our way toward the Strand, the road that led out to Westminster Palace. We’d bare made the roadwhen a noise started to rise behind us.
    We turned round, and I could see the glow of orange light seeping through the streets.
    I frowned at David, and he looked grim. “Stay close to me, my lady.”
    â€œSomething’s happening,” I told him.
    â€œThen we should
hurry
,” he insisted.
    I nodded, spurring my horse.
    Our horses started to gallop down the lane, and the crowd finally showed themselves from between the buildings. I looked back as they pushed into the lane. We were far enough ahead, and faster besides, that I didn’t need to worry.
    Looking forward, I tightened my thighs on the horse, and they shook in response. My whole body trembled and shivered, too tired and weak by half. But after months in a prison, locked in a box and brought to my knees, I were free, and I weren’t letting my own weakness stop me.
    The road turned, and I thundered round the bend. It weren’t long until I saw the tall turrets of Westminster Palace in front of us. I stared at the flags, trying to see well enough to make sure the prince’s flag weren’t up there.
    My head snapped forward when I heard David roar, “
My lady! 
”
    He and Allan were stopped; there were a wall of guards with swords drawn, guarding the palace from the rioters. I pulled sharp on the reins, looking behind me to the growing noise of the crowd.
    â€œLet us through!” David bellowed. “The queen mother is expecting us!”
    â€œDesist or you will be run through!” a guard yelled back. “No one shall come near the palace tonight!”
    I hesitated. It would be an easy thing to throw off my hat and raise my chin and tell them I were a princess, Richard’s daughter, Eleanor’s granddaughter. They would take me behind their swords and they would defend me.
    But then Prince John would hear I lived, and he would change his plans, bend his mother’s ear, and make sure I were thought a liar for my words.
    Before he found another way to see me dead.
    â€œFollow me, my lady!” Allan shouted, pointing back at the road.
    â€œAre you mad!” David roared.
    â€œRide fast to try and break through and go sharp right,” Allan said. “We have to get away from the rioters!”
    I nodded, trembling in the saddle. I spurred my horse hard, David out in front of me and Allan somewhere behind.
    We turned round the bend, and the rioters werecloser than I thought. They’d separated for David, but now they were turned, looking at him, and not moving for me.
    My horse reared and tried to stop at the same moment, twisting to the ground with an unearthly scream. He threw me off as he went down, and my legs landed bare shy of the horse’s back. People swept back from the horse, stepping on my body as I struggled to move away, off the road.
    My sword were gone—I couldn’t even see where it went.
    I got to my knees, and a body slammed into mine, sprawling me backward again.
    Panicking now, I got to my knees again, desperate to stand, fearing the force of the crowd. I got one foot under me, and someone pulled me up.
    â€œHush, I have you,” a voice said in my ear.
    My blood rushed over with dizzy