Chapter 2 TAKEN BY THE PRINCE

The steady swinging of a horse beneath her roused Sapphire . Her limbs hurt as if she had been trampled, and her brain throbbed. She attempted to move, blinking against the intense sunlight, but the heavy ropes shackled her hands in front of her. A wave of panic swept across her chest.

Despite the residual fog in her mind, she looked around, her senses becoming more acute. Soldiers in dark armor, with their swords attached to their sides, surrounded her. An unknown sigil-a silver eagle on a red field-was displayed on their banners.

When Sapphire realized what had happened, her breath caught. They had taken her.

A loud voice interrupted her train of thought. "She's conscious."

Her eyes darted forward and found the rider in front of her. His presence was commanding, and he was taller than the rest. His armor was more elaborate than the other soldiers', with exquisite decorations cut into the metal. He turned to her and his dark robe billowed.

Kieran, Prince.

Sapphire had previously heard rumors about him-Nyanga's warrior prince, infamous for his brutality and fear on the battlefield. His demeanor was unreadable as his piercing green eyes examined her.

"So," he remarked in a silky but steely voice. "You are the apprentice of the healer."

Sapphire forced herself to keep her composure and swallowed hard. "Yes, I am."

Kieran's eyes strayed to her shoulder, where the golden birthmark was visible due to a little slip in her tunic. He squinted his eyes. "You think I'll believe that?"

Sapphire 's heart was racing. He was aware of the mark.

"I don't understand what you're saying," she remarked cautiously.

There was no amusement in the sneer that formed on the prince's lips. "You won't be saved by lying." He faced the road once more. "For Nyanga, we ride."

Sapphire 's fists clenched. She needed to get away.

The Journey to Nyanga

They rode for hours, the dense woodland giving way to broad grasslands. Sweat dripped down Sapphire 's back as the sun shone overhead. The tight restraints made her wrists hurt, but she remained strong.

Kieran said nothing, but the troops talked among themselves, sharing stories and laughing. He rode on, looking back at her now and then.

Sapphire looked about, looking for an opportunity to run. If she were able to get away while stopping-

"We're not going to stop." As like he had read her mind, Kieran's voice pierced it.

Sapphire frowned. "You're worried I'll get away."

The prince laughed. "You can't outrun me, but I respect your spirit."

She raised her chin. "So why don't you just kill me?"

Kieran's face grew serious. "Because I never kill for no reason."

His eyes sparked with something inscrutable, and Sapphire stared at him, uneasy. Before she could answer, a scout galloped forward to announce their approach.

Sapphire 's stomach knotted as the towering walls of Nyanga's capital loomed before them. They rode into the busy city as the gates opened. People packed the streets, their inquisitive eyes trailing the warriors.

Sapphire 's breath hitched when they arrived into the palace courtyard. The palace was a wonder, with golden roofing that glistened in the sunlight and imposing pillars that climbed into the sky. It was suffocatingly lovely.

Two guards seized Sapphire 's arms as soon as they dismounted and pulled her forward.

Kieran commanded, "Take her to the queen." Sapphire 's pulse raced as she was escorted through the palace hallways, unsure of what was ahead, but certain that her life would never be the same.