Juniper couldn't believe how quickly she could gallop with Yevgeney as her rider. The countryside blurred as they raced away from the chaos of the Capitol.
They traveled without stop the entire day. As night began to fall, Yevgeney finally slowed Juniper down. Now moving at a gentle trot, they made their way to a small. Instead of going into the house, they went into the large barn. Where a group of men were waiting for them.
"Thank the gods, the children are safe," sighed a man that Juniper recognized as a member of the Queen's Guard. Him being here instead of with the Queen was a bad sign. One he quickly confirmed. "The King has been killed. The Queen gave herself up and told us to protect the heirs instead."
"Gave herself up?" asked Pyotr. Jade and Jet were thankfully sleeping, so they didn't hear the response.
"She agreed to do what she had to to keep her life. Given she is still young and beautiful, I suspect she will find herself in a royal harem somewhere."
"Why would she do that?" Yevgeney asked.
"To provide a distraction so we could meet at the rendezvous point and escort the children to safety." The man sighed. "Any word of the Crown Prince?"
"My sister provided him with a spelled amulet. It will keep him safe until he can either be found or seek out allies himself," Yevgeney said.
"How will he know where to go?"
"Trust me, he will be safe," Yevgeney said firmly. "Anya knows what she is doing."
"Very well," the guard said, though he didn't sound confident. Another man stepped forward. Juniper's heart raced. It was Gareth, Head of the Prince's Guard!
"What is our plan, Yevgeney?" Gareth asked.
"We must escort Jade and Jet to the kingdom of Estrellia."
"Has the King agreed to shelter the children?"
"Yes. But only the children." Yevgeney sighed. "He will shelter Crown Prince Jasper only if he agrees to take an Estrellian Princess as a bride."
Juniper couldn't believe what she was hearing. This was preposterous! She could be killed! Then she reminded herself she was currently a mare. The issue of a betrothal could wait.
"Ah. Well, perhaps it is for the best that we do not have him with us, then," Gareth said reluctantly.
"We shall rest for the night, then leave in the morning," Yevgeney said. "We will go to Estrellia by way of my hometown, Wind's Grove, in the Eastern Hills."
With that, everyone settled in the barn for the night. Juniper was placed in a stall with Dusty, who was still giving her a look she didn't like.
But soon, the events of the day caught up to her and she fell asleep.
She was awoken in the morning by a voice whispering to her.
"I know who you truly are."
Juniper opened her eyes to see...