I had to deposit Frans outside Hardanger Forest and get him help. Then I was going back in to retrieve Mikaela. I might not be able to rescue Sven tonight, but I had to make sure Mikaela was safe.
With my torch lighting the way, I could finally see the end of the forest. The woodland was beginning to thin out, the brush wasn’t as thick, and there weren’t any more traps.
The trip out hadn’t taken me nearly as long as the one in. Even so, I’d travailed for the past hour. Thankfully, Frans had remained unconscious so that the jostling of his wounds didn’t cause him undue suffering.
As I reached the edge of the woods and took in the dark grassy field that sloped up toward the castle, I released a pent-up breath. Once word spread that I’d rescued Frans, how would I explain my reason for going in after him? Especially to Bernhard?
A part of me wanted to find a way to avoid the coming conflict with him. Through it all, he was bound to learn of my connection to Mikaela and Frans. And he might even suspect I’d gone into the forest to look for the chalice.
Could I find suitable excuses to fool him as I’d been doing my whole life? Or was it finally time to stop playing a role and stand up to him?
I couldn’t imagine being honest with Bernhard about anything. But the thought of having to remain duplicitous with him sent despair spiraling through me. If I could find a way to get Mikaela out of the forest, I didn’t want to keep my love for her a secret any longer. In fact, I didn’t know how I’d ever be able to let her out of my sight again.
I dragged the litter out of the woods at least a dozen paces before lowering it. I bent over and pressed my hands against my thighs, needing to stave off my dizziness and to catch my breath.
But at the slap of footsteps in the field, I straightened to find a young woman running in my direction. The sliver of moon didn’t provide much light, but I recognized her as Kirstin, Mikaela’s younger sister.
What was she doing out? Had she been waiting nearby since Mikaela had gone into the forest hours ago?
Upon reaching us, she halted and took in Frans now laid out on the ground, unmoving.
“Frans?” Her voice wobbled. “Is he . . .?”
“He’s alive but injured.”
She pressed a hand over her mouth, capturing a sob while at the same time falling to her knees beside him. She touched his arm gently while scanning his legs.
My brows shot up. ’Twas obvious Kirstin harbored feelings for Frans. Perhaps someday he might be able to stop loving Mikaela and find happiness with Kirstin instead.
I shook off the thoughts. None of that would matter if Frans didn’t receive medical attention. “I need you to go get Valter and then fetch the physician.”
“How bad is he?”
“One leg is broken and the other—well, it’s not good.” I wouldn’t scare Kirstin with the details of the suffering Frans had endured. Or with the possibility he might lose that leg, maybe even his life.
“He’s here. That’s all that matters.” She swiped at her cheeks.
“He needs help. Right away.”
She glanced across the distance toward the castle’s side entrance. “Nanna is waiting to let me in.”
“Then go tell her to alert Valter. And when you find the physician, assure him I’ll be the one to reimburse him for his fees.”
She hesitated near Frans as though she was loath to leave his side.
“Make haste. He’s suffered long enough.”
With a nod, she stood and started back the way she’d come. After a dozen steps, she halted and spun. “Where is Mikaela?”
I nodded at the forest.
At the simple gesture, Kirstin wavered.
I jolted toward her, grabbing her arm to keep her from collapsing.
Kirstin closed her eyes. “This is my fault. I sent her in.”
“I’ll find her and bring her back.” There was no other option. I’d get her out even if it killed me to do so.
“I should have gone in as I’d planned.”
“If anyone can survive, she can.” That’s what I’d been telling myself over and over. And I prayed it was true. I pushed Kirstin gently toward the castle. “Now go. Get Frans help.”
With tears now streaming down her cheeks, she stumbled forward.
Without waiting another moment, I spun, drew in a breath, and then plunged back into the forest. I held my torch out and started the way I’d come.
Somehow, someway, I’d free Mikaela from the jotunn, even if I had to bargain my soul to do so.
Chapter
24
Mikaela
I gasped for each breath, but I couldn’t draw in enough air to satisfy my body. My muscles had turned as wobbly as custard, and I would have tripped and fallen by now if not for Sven holding me aloft. His grip upon my arm didn’t waver. In fact, the longer we ran, the more he seemed to bear my weight, half-carrying me through the dangerous forest.
No matter how far we ran, the jotunn’s crashing and cursing came only steps behind us. I didn’t know what he would demand if he caught us, but I guessed that the next time I wouldn’t be able to so easily distract him and sway him to do my bidding.
“We are almost there.” Sven still held the torch.
“Please, God.” I lifted a prayer that we would make it. Even more, I prayed Gunnar had survived his trip out of the forest with Frans.
“We must go faster, child.” Sven tugged against me. “Just a little faster.”
I tried to make my legs obey my command to hasten their steps, but I was simply too worn from the hour or more of endless running.
“A light, ahead.” Sven’s breathlessness told me he was nearing the end of his endurance too.
A faint illumination broke through the branches.
“Mikaela?” came a familiar voice.
My heart tumbled over itself. Gunnar. He was still alive.
“Get back out of the forest, nephew!” Sven’s shout echoed above the jotunn’s noise. “You are not safe.” Sven didn’t have to elaborate for me to understand that because Gunnar had escaped from the trap, the jotunn would want Gunnar more than any of us.
I opened my mouth to add my warning to Sven’s, but I couldn’t formulate any words past my constricted airways.
The light didn’t waver, only drew nearer. As it did, panic pushed up into my throat. After coming this far, we couldn’t let the jotunn draw any of us under his strange control. With a burst of fresh determination, I pushed myself harder, picking up my pace.
Only a moment later, Gunnar came into view. He was sprinting toward us, still favoring his injured leg. With his sights set on the forest behind us, he tossed his torch into the brush over our shoulders. Fire sprang to life amidst the windfall. I prayed it would pose a barrier to the jotunn and that he wouldn’t find a way around it.
Gunnar didn’t wait to find out. Without a word of greeting, he scooped me up, tossed me over his shoulder, and sprinted back the way he’d come.
I couldn’t squeeze out a sound. All I could do was grasp at his tunic and allow him to carry me. From my odd angle, I could see Sven’s bare feet right behind Gunnar and realized then that the older man had slowed his pace for me and was now moving much faster.
Within seconds of sprinting, the jotunn’s shouting and bellowing began to fade. And within another minute, the cracking of twigs and our labored breathing filled the silence.