Heir Untamed - By Danielle Bourdon Page 0,43

she hoped not. She hadn't worked long enough to pay back what money she'd already spent.

Sander tucked his phone away and guided the horse back her direction.

“What will happen now?” she asked.

“The appropriate people know. What I want you to do is pretend like everything is going as it would if you hadn't told me. Do the same things, take the same precautions. Don't let on that you've confessed, all right?” He brought his horse to a halt facing the opposite way again.

It gave her an excellent view of his face. His sharp eyes. “I can do that. The Royals won't send me home, will they?”

“No. We're going to take care of it. However, I can't have someone shadow you all the time or they'll know what's going on. So you're going to have to watch your own back in the castle. Try not to make it easy for someone to hurt you.”

“Well that makes me feel all fuzzy inside.” Unease brought out her natural sarcasm.

He smiled, but didn't laugh. “Yeah, it's not the best circumstances. Hopefully, they'll tip their hand sooner than later, and you won't have to worry about it anymore.”

“What about them planting a relic in my room and framing me for theft? I really don't want to go to jail.”

“We're aware. The security in the castle know what's going on. Two of them will be going through your room while you're out here with me to make sure no one has pre-planted anything in your absence. Sorry for the intrusive nature of their search, but it's for your benefit.” He swung the horse around and started off again through the forest at a brisk walk.

Chey noted that he wasn't heading back toward the castle. She kneed the mare into a walk. “Sander, wait. Where are we going?”

He glanced back. “Canoeing?”

“...after what I just told you?”

“There's nothing we can do but wait, Chey. Wait and check your belongings and work the investigation until a solid lead presents itself. And it will. One way or another, we'll find out who did this.” He sounded sure.

“I guess you're right.” Frowning, she let the mare pick her path behind Sander's horse. She watched how relaxed and at ease he was in the saddle, moving with the gait as if he'd been born with one foot in the stirrup. She supposed he probably had, with easy access to the stables his whole life.

“Right now, you're safer out here with me than anywhere else.”

“Unless the person starts taking pot shots at us again.”

“We'd know. There are extra security measures in place after the last incident. No one will be taking any unexpected shots at anyone today.”

“What you really mean to say is that other people know where we're going, and have cleared the way.” It made the most sense in Chey's mind, rather than spread the military out over thousands of acres of land.

He twisted his shoulders to look back, grinning. “Excellent deduction. Actually, they've cleared the way up to a certain point. No one but you and I know where we're going. If anyone was to try and follow, the guards would see.”

Chey smiled, a wry curve of her lips that lingered even after he turned to face front. “You think of everything.”

“I try. Come on. The fog is starting to burn away. I want to be on the water before it's all gone.” He dug his heels into his mount's sides, encouraging the horse into a canter once he hit a small trail.

Chey's mare automatically matched the pace. For now, Chey set aside worries and questions and concentrated on the trip ahead.

Chapter Nine

Chey understood exactly why Sander wanted to hit the water before the mist lifted completely. With the sun on the rise, it created a surreal veil over the river and through the trees that was stunning and beautiful. Balanced on a seat in the rather crude canoe, Chey snapped picture after picture.

After they'd arrived at the cabana at the edge of the river, Sander had tied the horses to posts near a water trough and pushed one of three canoes halfway into the water. He'd pre-loaded it at some point with food, water and a few other necessities. After she'd boarded, he pushed off and hopped in.

Now the river snaked ahead through terrain she could only describe as rugged. A high cliff flanked the left side after the forest broke away to rock. The right was a mix of shore, boulders and trees. Twice, with caution, she turned