Wicked Lord of Thessaly (Halcyon Romance Series Book 3) by Rachael Slate Read Free Book Online

sentinels along the entire stretch of borders. She shuddered to think what they would do to her, or Agrius, if they were captured.
    Eione held a finger to her lips as she guided Agrius several feet into the safety of the forest. “There are guards everywhere, searching for me.”
    “Nay.” His brows knitted together. “I fear they are not entirely a result of your escape. Something more sinister brews.”
    A shiver slithered down her spine. He was right. The guards may be looking for her, but one betrothal wasn’t worth this effort. Her hand was insignificant compared to her sister’s.
    “Come.” He led her deeper into the forest. “We’ll wait until cover of dark and make our attempt then. In my centaur form, they’ll stand little chance of catching us.”
    She swallowed her concerns. Fire was too much of a risk, so they huddled together on the forest floor. Agrius’s immense warmth soothed the chill from her bones and she entwined her fingers with his as they awaited the setting of the sun.
    Finally, the last rays vanished, darkness settling over them. No moon this night, only clouds, which would aid their cause.
    “It’s time.” He helped her to her feet and pressed a firm kiss to her lips. “Once we cross the border, you’ll be safe forever.” His thumb brushed across her cheek. “Then, I’ll make you mine.”
    His wickedly low chuckle sent quivers through her body. She rose on her toes and murmured against his lips, “Perhaps, once we cross the border, centaur, I’ll make you mine.”
    She squirmed from him before he snared her in his arms, and they spent the night pursuing ambitions other than freedom.
    Together, they crept to the tree line. The two guards continued to pace to either end of their perimeters, switching and meeting in the middle to carry on in opposite directions.
    Before them, centaur lands stretched. Wild, free, and so close she could almost grasp them.
    Her blood pulsed in a thudding rhythm, the anticipation burning through her. Yet she steadied her breaths as she did before loosing an arrow.
    The guards met in the middle, each pacing atop their steeds to the opposite boundary.
    As they neared their bounds, Eione and Agrius stole forward, creeping down the grass embankment into the meadow.
    He seized her hand and tossed her atop his back, bolting forth from the cover of the bushes. Silently, he galloped across the boundary, his hooves barely crushing the tall grass.
    Eione held her breath. So close.
    “Halt!” one of the guards barked.
    She tensed, clutching Agrius’s waist and praying they’d gained enough distance.
    “Almost there.” He patted her hand, hooves tearing up the ground. The edge of the meadow rose before them and hope sprang into her chest.
    Just make it to the tree line. Great Artemis, please aid us—
    Agrius howled, collapsing to his knees and sending her tumbling over his side.
    Oomph! She crashed into the ground ahead of him, a few feet from the trees. The air knocked from her lungs, she wheezed. “Agrius!” She scrambled around, scanning behind her.
    His hand shot out toward her, not reaching, but urging her away from him. “Go, Eione. To the trees. Run!” He staggered to his feet as dozens of soldiers charged them.
    She wavered, glancing between the trees offering freedom and the men closing in on her mate.
    “Run, Eione,” he barked at her, one last time before facing his opponents, gripping a blade in his hands.
    Oh gods. She couldn’t make this choice. He was too far away to make it to the trees with her, yet if she joined him, they would kill him.
    “Drop your weapon,” she shouted. “Don’t fight them.”
    He gaped over his shoulder at her, eyes wide, but lowered his blade to the ground and raised both hands above his head in surrender.
    “Go, lass,” he growled as the first soldier approached him and delivered a savage blow to his side, knocking him to the ground.
    She bit her tongue to keep from crying out and bolted for the