Once Upon A Time (Historical Romance) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the back of the line. "Prince Ruyen is to be treated with the respect due his rank. Anyone who forgets that will bear the brunt of my anger."
    Ruyen was reconciled to his fate, but he had to make certain that his soldiers would be released. "Have I your word, Sir Dudley, that my men will be allowed to return home to their families?"
    "If each man swears to take up arms against King Henry no more."
    "I give my pledge for them. They will not war against England."
    Sir Dudley nodded in satisfaction. "Then they are free to leave."
    Ruyen saw defiance on the faces of his knights, and they grumbled in protest, not wanting to abandon him. "Go home to your families," he said. "They need you now. There is nothing more for you to do here."
    "We prefer to share your prison, Your Highness," one of his knights spoke up, voicing the thoughts of the others.
    Ruyen looked upon the face of each knight who had fought so bravely at his side during their ill-fated campaign. Some of them had been his boyhood companions, and some had faithfully served his father before him. To a man they would sacrifice their own lives to save his, and all he could do was send them home in defeat.
    "I order you to return to Falcon Bruine," Ruyen told them.
    "But what shall we tell the people?" one of his men asked.
    "Tell them to keep faith." Pride shone in Ruyen's eyes as he turned to his captor and held his arms out, waiting to be shackled. Though his actions were humble, there was no submission in his haughty manner.
    "I am at your service, Sir Dudley," he said.
    The commander motioned a soldier forward, and heavy chains were clamped on Prince Ruyen's wrists and tightened until they bit into his skin.
    "I would forgo the chains, Your Highness," Sir Dudley said, "but I have my orders."
    An English knight grabbed the reins of Ruyen's horse. As they started off, he was surrounded by an escort of twelve of Henry's elite guard. He turned back to look once more at the remnants of his army, but they had been swallowed up by the encroaching darkness.
    Although the weather worsened and it was bitterly cold, they traveled all night without stopping, as if his captors feared pursuit.
    Ruyen was oblivious to the cold and discomfort. He was a man in torment. His father was dead, his sister a prisoner, and God alone knew what had happened to his mother. He raised his head in silent agony, feeling the soft snowflakes fall on his face.
    When the sun rose, they changed horses at a small inn, then resumed their grueling pace. Ruyen refused the food and drink he was offered at their infrequent stops. It was long after nightfall on the second day when they reached London. It was eerie, silent as they rode through the unlit streets toward the Tower.
    It had stopped snowing earlier, but the clouds still covered the moon. With torches to light their way, Ruyen was escorted up stone steps. The shackles were removed from his wrists and he was thrust into a chamber and the door slammed and locked behind him.
    "Oh, Ruyen," Princess Cassandra cried, rushing to her brother. "Is all lost?"
    He enfolded his sister in his arms. "It would seem so." He then held her at arm's length so he could look at her closely. "Have they treated you well?"
    "They have allowed me no woman to attend me, but I have been given palatable food, and as you can see," she said as she looked about the small quarters, "the rooms are not uncomfortable."
    "You look pale." Ruyen was concerned with the sadness he saw in her dark eyes, and she appeared younger than her fourteen years. "What of our mother?" he asked abruptly.
    Cassandra shook her head, reluctant to tell him that she suspected their mother had betrayed them.
    "Is she dead?"
    "No," Cassandra said in a choked voice. "When last I saw her she was very well indeed. She met Henry's emissaries at the gate, welcoming them into the castle like old friends. Then mother told me that I was to be taken away as a hostage and kept safe in one of Henry's castles until you