15 Shauna
My heart is still pounding after my fight with Philippe. But when I hear something large coming through the woods, it feels like my heart is going to jump out of my chest. Maple and Poppy stomp their hooves and yank at their tethers, eyes rolling as they try to pinpoint where the sound is coming from. Poppy snorts. “It’s okay girl, it’s okay,” I repeat, rising and moving over to our packs. Philippe had taken his sword, and I have the bow and quiver of arrows. I fumble as I hook the bowstring and pull the quiver over my shoulder, then draw my first arrow. Doubt makes my hands shake, and the arrow continually turns away from the nocking point. I haven’t shot a single arrow since before I was captured by Damian’s men. “Dammit,” I whisper sharply as the noise grows closer, coming
