Forbidden Love

Chapter 3

Staring angrily at the back of the prince's head, Laura thought about her father. He must be worried sick, especially since she had not been found.

It weighed heavily on her mind, she was surprised they had stayed the whole night. If they wanted to evade capture, they would not do such a thing. No matter, she would simply rely on herself to escape. She just needed to get her hands on a knife and she and Yara would make their escape.

Turning around, she looked at Yara on a saddled horse with one of the soldiers. His uniform was different from the rest, maybe he was of a higher rank.

She was startled to see her laughing at something the man whispered into her ear. Fraternizing with the enemy, an enemy that kidn*pped her, the nerve!

Maybe she would leave her here when she made her escape, it would serve her right, she thought childishly. She was so deep in her thoughts, she did not notice Philip slowing down his horse allowing her to catch up with him.

" What has you so bothered, "he asked cheekly.

" You mean aside from the fact I have been kidn*pped by and enemy kingdom " she replied scowling at him.

" Yes, besides that fact " he said chuckling.

She turned around slightly to look at Yara again and said " I am contemplating leaving her when I escape from you all "

" Why would you want to leave her "

" Well, as you can no doubt see, she is fraternizing with the enemy "

" Hmmm....... " he hummed in thought

" So you really think you can escape " he asked

" Of course I do, you might see me as a spoilt little princess but I assure Prince Philip I am so much more than that "

The way she said prince sounded so mocking,he had to laugh.

" I have no doubt of your........capabilities but trust me when I say you will not escape " he said, all traces of humor gone.

" We will see then " she replied just as seriously.

He smiled fiendishly before he said " And the enemy Yara is fraternizing with is my head guard Dominic. He is a decorated soldier and a fine man. He is also a very good friend "

" I have no care for his person, I simply want him to leave my maid alone "

" I am not sure she wants that " he said looking back at them again just in time to see her laughing yet again at something Dominic had said.

" You see, "he said to a bristling Laura.

" They enjoy each other's company,leave them be and focus more on your escape plan "

Huffing angrily, she urged her horse into a faster pace and left him behind. His laughter followed her as she left.

He was just so aggravating and arrogant and annoying and so.......handsome. Laura was annoyed at herself for even thinking about him that way, he was her captor afterall, but she could not help it. He had such shiny brown hair that was cut at next length. Little crinkles around his eyes which suggested he laughed a lot and Lord, he was big. Tall and broad with long mountainous legs. She felt tiny when standing next to him, he could crush her with one hand.

He really was handsome,she thought with a sigh, then immediately chastised herself for thinking about him that way, the only thing she should be thinking about concerning him should be the look on his smug face when she stuck her blade in his chest, she grinned with a bloodthirsty expression. Yes, by the time she was done with all of them, they would regret taking her.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Hours later, just as the sun was setting, they arrived at the base of the mountain they would cross. Laura looked at the top of the mountain all the way up there, then lowered her eyes to the crossing.

Turning around to look at Philip and the rest of his men, she said in horror," We cannot possibly be crossing that"

" Of course we are princess " Philip replied carelessly without even looking at her.

The crossing was a little ways above them connecting two mountains and below the crossing was a deep chasm.The bottom could not be seen as it was covered by fog.

" But ......but surely you are not serious about this, what if someone falls off and it is almost night,seeing would be almost impossible " she sputtered.

" Someone has fallen, one of my men fell during the crossing " he replied urging his horse forward to meet hers.

" Then how can you want to cross it again "

" Because it is the fastest, besides we will not be crossing now "

" We will not? "she asked in relief.

" Not now no, tomorrow we will" he said. " Fear not princess, you will ride with me up the side of the mountain and during the cross "

" With you? "she burst out outraged.

" Yes with me, I do not doubt your prowess with a horse but I would prefer my charge arrives safely at our destination, " he said calmly.

" I cannot ride with you, it is unseemly"

" It does not concern me, that is how it will be ", he said with a note if finality and turned around to talk to Dominic.

She looked again at the unstable bridge connecting the mountains, the path up the mountain that led to the bridge and the chasm below them.God help him, if I fall to my death I am coming back to haunt him for all eternity, she thought maliciously.

They set up camp at the base of the mountain with plans to begin the climb up the side of the mountain at dawn.

As Laura was preparing to lie down for some much needed sleep, Yara walked into the tent.

" Oh, there you are traitor " Laura said in accusation.

" Princess? "

" I saw you with the head guard, you were flirting with him, he kidn*pped us " Laura said enraged.

" Forgive me princess, but I was not flirting with him, I am not accustomed to riding a horse and he offered to share his with me " she explained.

" I saw you laughing with him, do not lie to me "

" We were merely trading childhood stories, my princess "

" Well, good then, "Laura said placated.

" Now I will not have to leave you when I escape "

" You have planned an escape, my princess, " she asked.

" Well, I have not planned it exactly but I will "she replied bashfully.

" Yes princess I believe you will "

" Come then, I was about to sleep when you came in, Lord knows I need to be alert for tomorrow "she said lying down.

" For the climb and the crossing? "Yara asked

" Yes, I cannot believe Philip really plans to cross that, I hope he falls to his death "

Laughing quietly, Yara replied, " He has invited you to ride with him, yes? "

" Yes, but it was more of a command than an invite "she muttered.

" Which means if he falls, then so do you my lady "

" Thank you for telling me, as though I was not already aware "she said scowling.

Laughing louder, she replied" My pleasure, princess "

" Go to sleep Yara, maybe when we wake, this madness would have left Philip's head " Laura said with a sigh.

" Good night princess "

" Good night Yara "

Laura closed her eyes and surrendered herself to sleep.