The Princess and the Huntsman Read Online Free PDF Page A

To do so would mean a perilous fall from the horse. Instead, she tried not to cry, and prayed that her father would soon come looking for her.
    The day wore on, but they never left the forest. They passed over deer trails and through the deep woods, the men making small-talk or remaining silent for long stretches. Brandywyn was terribly uncomfortable, headachy, weary, and hungry. She had eaten nothing since the noon meal, and since that had been shared with that dreadful Prince Gammon, the food had been like rotten grain in her mouth. She ate little and left quickly.
    When it was nearly full dark, Smith told his men to stop and make camp in a small clearing. Although the big man dismounted, he left Brandywyn dangling. She thought maybe she could squirm down, and now that the horse had stopped, she might not get trampled in the process. But the horse was a tall one and it seemed like a long way down, from her upside-down perspective. Still, she wriggled a bit, testing the feeling of slipping off the horse slowly. Unfortunately, she wriggled a bit too much and slid right down the side of the horse rapidly. Her tied feet couldn’t support her and she landed smack on her bum with a soft cry as her bottom smarted from her earlier spanking and falling on the hard dirt.
    “What’s this? So eager for our company, Princess?”
    “Unbind me.”
    “I had planned to do so, but I do not care for commands. I give the orders around here.”
    Brandywyn was certain of that. Smith had a commanding air… perhaps too commanding. And his speech was cultured, educated. He might be a noble down on his luck and fallen in with bad company. It mattered little to Brandywyn; she wanted her freedom. To that effort, she swallowed her pride and tried to appear meek. “Please?”
    Dark eyes twinkling behind his mask, he grinned. “Much better, m’lady. I shall untie you.” As he approached, he added, “But if you give me so much as a hint that you will be causing trouble, I shall tie you and leave you that way through the course of our journey.”
    Nodding, Brandywyn held out her arms for him to loosen. It was such a joy to have her hands free again! She rubbed her wrists vigorously. They were slightly chafed by the rope, but nothing that would not go away in a few hours. It felt so good, she almost smiled at Smith as he unwrapped her tied ankles. Almost.
    “I need a chamber pot,” she told him imperiously, once she was freed.
    He chuckled as he stood. “I am no ladies’ maid to do your bidding. Use the forest like the little beast you are.”
    Brandywyn’s face heated with a combination of anger and embarrassment. Use the forest indeed! A princess did not pee in the forest.
    “I demand—”
    “There you go again,” he interrupted. “Making demands.” Walking up very close to her, he said quietly. “I am the one to make demands here, Princess. I am the only one. Best you understand that clearly. I shall brook no arguments with you. Go piss in the forest, but do not go far and do not tarry. I shall go after you, do I think you are trying to escape. If I catch you with your skirts hiked, ‘tis no matter to me.”
    His size was intimidating, the softness of his voice held an edge that was frightening. There was no guarantee that he wouldn’t rape her at the first opportunity, or give her to his men to do so. I’faith, ‘twas the likely thing.
    “Aye, Smith. I shall return shortly.”
    He nodded. “Go.”
    Stumbling off in her bare feet, over rocks and twigs, Brandywyn found a small group of shrubs that seemed like a concealed enough spot. As she did what she needed to do, she contemplated her situation. She was deep in the woods, far from anywhere she had ventured before. She did not know the way back to the royal park and the palace. It was possible for her to run, though ‘twould be hell on her naked feet, but where would she go? Hiding in the woods, falling prey to animals, hunger, thirst, and other depredations seemed like a