Chapter 99: The Act
Rhaegar’s words barely had time to register in Naveen’s mind before he loosed the arrow. It streaked through the air with lethal precision, embedding itself in the crown prince’s shoulder.
Kai cried out in pain, toppling from his horse. The prince hit the ground with a heavy thud, writhing as blood seeped through his tunic. One of his attendants scrambled to his side, his trembling, bloodied hands fumbling toward the arrow, while Kai rolled on the dirt, his anguished cries echoing through the forest.
"This should keep him out of the fight for a while... perhaps forever," Rhaegar said coldly, his gaze burning with detest.
With a firm tug on the reins, he urged his horse forward. "Let’s move. Back to the campsite."
The two dark stallions surged through the forest, their hooves pounding against the earth like rolling thunder. The urgency of their gallop was fueled by a potent mix of frustration and fury. Rhaegar wasn’t entirely sure what his next move would be, but for the first time, he was certain of his purpose.
As they reached the forest’s edge, the horses skidded to a halt. The scene before them confirmed their prediction. Chaos reigned at the campsite. Nobles ran in every direction, their panicked cries cutting through the air as they struggled to hide from the feral figures cloaked in animal pelts.
The knights struggled to fend off the attackers, their arrows flying wide and their swords clashing futilely. It was clear the spell had disrupted their ability to protect the camp effectively.
’It’s not because she cares about sparing innocent lives,’ Rhaegar thought grimly. ’She needs this chaos to serve as her distraction... while she waits for me.’
He exhaled sharply, his glare hardening as his amber eyes swept over the campsite, scanning for any sign of the queen or the princess. Yet, no matter how intently he searched, their figures remained hidden. Worse still, Lorelai’s scent was lost amidst the suffocating miasma of panic and fear that clung to every corner of the area.