Chapter 18: Grand knight
Lucien's brows furrowed as he sped through the thick undergrowth, leaves slapping against his face and arms. He had left behind a trail of bodies and shattered armor, but that wouldn't stop Reynard. If anything, it would only provoke him to send someone stronger—much stronger.
"A Grand Knight could be next," Lucien thought grimly, scanning the forest ahead for the safest path. "If that happens... I might not be able to protect her."
He turned to Selene, who was panting and barely keeping pace. Her legs trembled beneath her dress, her strength nearly spent. She wouldn't last much longer if they kept running like this.
"I'll carry you," Lucien said, his voice steady. "We need to move faster. Is that alright?"
Selene's eyes widened, a mix of hesitation and embarrassment flashing across her face. But she saw the urgency in his expression and gave a resolute nod. "Okay. I trust you."
Lucien gave her a small, grateful smile. Then, without ceremony, he scooped her up into his arms. She let out a startled yelp as her feet left the ground, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck.
Before she could even say another word, Lucien launched into a blur of motion, sprinting across the forest floor at breakneck speed. Trees passed them in streaks of green and brown. The wind howled in Selene's ears, and she instinctively curled against his chest like a kitten seeking warmth.
Lucien's focus was razor-sharp. Every step was calculated to avoid broken branches, thick roots, and anything else that could give away their trail. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop himself from noticing Selene's body—warm, soft, and pressed tightly against him. Her ample chest pressed against his torso, and her thighs rested against his arms. Her delicate scent clung to him like a teasing whisper.
Focus, he told himself, shaking his head to dispel the swarm of inappropriate thoughts. Now is not the time.
But that fragile calm shattered like glass when he heard it—swift, thunderous footsteps, growing louder with each second. The rhythm of the steps told him all he needed to know. Whoever was following them wasn't just fast—they were powerful.
Their speed and the way they moved confirmed Lucien's worst fears, a grand knight was after him, and they were not playing around.