Chapter 1

It had all happened so fast.

It's not as if they hadn't been expecting an attack. They'd known for months now that the kingdom was in turmoil and that war was inevitable. At first everyone believed that the conflict would be between King George and his adopted heir, the Duke of Shepherd. King George had no sons of his own and had long ago adopted a set of twin boys, raising the eldest as his heir. Prince James had died several months before, leaving his brother, Sir David as the new heir to the throne.

All those within the kingdom, and many outside, knew that there was no love lost between King George and Sir David. The two barely tolerated one another in public. King George was a greedy tyrant who taxed his subjects mercilessly while attempting to claim more and more lands through ruthless campaigns against their neighbors. He had become increasingly paranoid at the idea that Sir David, who was well liked and respected among the other lords, would make an attempt to overthrow him and take the crown for himself.

Rumors of war circulated the kingdom for months following Prince James' death, but the conflict had not come from the new heir. One of their neighbors had finally had enough of King George's atrocities and saw the rift within the kingdom as the opportune time to strike.

The campaign had lasted mere weeks before King George had been dispatched, and King Arthur had victoriously claimed the throne. The divided loyalties of the Lords and Knights between King George and Sir David had left the kingdom too weak and disorganized to put up much of a defense. Now all the lands were vulnerable, and it was only a matter of time before an army loyal to the new Sovereign would come to capture Sir David's lands and holdings in the name of the new King.

Sir David had never intended to usurp King George, a fact he'd tried to reassure his adoptive father of many times over the last several months. When it had became clear that King George would not accept the truth, and that neighboring kingdoms would eventually lay siege, Sir David and his wife, Lady Snow, had devised a plan of escape for themselves and their daughter, Lady Emma. They had planned to flee Misthaven before war broke out and seek refuge with their allies Prince Eric and Princess Ariel in their neighboring, sea-faring kingdom.

Lady Snow had left first. They had chosen to stagger their exits over time rather than flee all at once, hoping it would seem less suspicious. Under the guise of visiting her old friend, Lady Snow had booked passage to Ariel's kingdom and departed with King George's full knowledge. Perhaps if they didn't try to hide her escape His Majesty wouldn't see it for what it truly was, and he didn't. Not that he had ever paid attention to Lady Snow's actions anyway... he never had cared for the woman.

Lady Emma was to follow next. She was to disguise herself as a peasant and travel with a family to the southern border where she would board one of Prince Eric's vessels that would take her to reunite with her mother. If all went according to plan, then no one would even know Lady Emma was gone, as she rarely appeared at court. Days before she was set to leave, however, a wrench was thrown into their plan. A royal summons to appear at court within a fortnight.

If she didn't heed the summons it could alert King George to their plan. They felt certain that the summons was sent (addressed only to Lady Emma and not extending to her parents), as a way for the King to assess, and covertly interrogate, Lady Emma, in an attempt to glean information that might pertain to her father's supposed run at the crown. She would have to attend. There was nothing for it.

Sir David had argued, commanding his daughter to stick to the original plan, but she had his stubborn streak and wouldn't back down. She would go to court and he would make his leave while she was gone. No one would believe that he'd abandon his only child on the cusp of war, making it the perfect time for him to escape. In the end Sir David relented, seeing the logic in his daughter's plan, and took her place as peasant traveling to the southern border. Lady Emma would take his escape route the moment she returned from court.

Except that the war had come before she could follow.

She had just returned to their castle when messengers had arrived with grave news. King Arthur of Camelot had declared war on Misthaven and all the borders and ports had been closed. After the news of King George's demise had reached them they received more grave news. Lord Baelfire, one of King Arthur's allies, was en route, and an attack upon their lands was imminent.

Lady Emma had wasted no time in taking charge of her father's army to set about a defense strategy. She knew she could not hope to fend off invaders indefinitely, but hoped to maintain control until her personal envoy could reach the new King with a request for an audience. Her only hope was to throw herself at King Arthur's mercy, and agree to relinquish all their lands, titles, and holdings if he would only guarantee the wellbeing of her people and allow her to join her parents in exile.

As they had prepared for Lord Baelfire's incoming attack from the east, they had been caught off guard by another threat from the north. The invasion came at dawn and there had barely been enough time to get the women and children into the safety of the chapel. Which was where Emma now found herself. Huddled among the frightened masses, chafing at the fact that she had allowed her second-in-command to convince her to hide.

Sir David and Lady Snow were both highly skilled in weaponry; her mother favoring the bow, and her father, the sword. Emma had been raised with the art of defense, and was proficient enough in all manner of weapons, (from bow, to sword, to lance, and staff) to hold her own, against even the most highly trained of their knights. She should be out there fighting, not hiding away in the only sanctuary they could muster for the weaker and fairer of her people.

The sounds of battle rang out beyond the walls of the chapel. Clanging of metal against metal, cries of both victory and pain, and the shattering of splintering wood (and possibly bone), seemed to go on forever. When the sounds finally quieted, indicating that battle was over, Emma held her breath awaiting news of the outcome.

Had her men prevailed? Were they able to push back the invaders and secure the castle? What of the villagers that had been caught outside the castle walls?

Or had they been conquered? Occupied now by foreign troops and under the rule of an unknown Lord, loyal to the new king

Her answer came as three unknown knights, dressed in foreign armor, and sporting a crest that did not belong to her family entered the chapel.

Conquered.

Her people. Her lands. Her. All conquered.

Emma swallowed back the rising bile that threatened to overtake her. Perhaps not all was lost. She could still find a way to escape. Her people would tell them that she had fled with the Duke and Duchess, and disguised as one of the peasants, she would bide her time until the borders reopened and try to find her way back to her parents. She just had to keep her identity a secret, even if it ruffled her pride to do so.

As she rolled the possibilities of escape over in her mind, she watched as two of the men stopped halfway up the aisle, discussing the chapel. The third man continued to make his way toward the huddled mass of women and children, an insidious glint shining in his eyes.

"Well, well," he mused, as he paced back and forth in front them. "Let Lord Jones keep his spoils, then. This plunder is more to my tastes anyways." He reached out and grabbed one of the young maidens by the wrist, pulling her in close to him.

Before she could think better of it, Emma stepped forward and yanked the girl back. "Unhand her, fiend!"

She should have expected it, anticipated it, but the back of his hand met her cheek suddenly and with such force that she found herself sprawled across the floor in an instant.

Before she could retrieve the dagger she had hidden in the lining of her cloak, a sword appeared at the neck of her attacker, stemming the vitriol he had been spewing at her audacity.

"My brother's orders were that no harm was to come to any of the women or children. You'd do well to heed those orders, mate," the sword wielding knight stated with a hint of menace.

"Apologies, sire," the man offered, without a hint of actual remorse. "Was only having a little fun."

"Well, if it's amusement you seek," the other knight commented as he sheathed his sword, "why don't you go help the squires round up all the livestock. See that their pens are repaired, and all the animals are secured by nightfall."

It was clear that this wasn't the man's idea of amusement, but he knew an order when he heard one. With one last dark smirk shot her way the man turned and made his way out of the chapel.

"I apologize on behalf of my comrade-in-arms, lass," the knight offered as he extended his hand to assist her off the floor.

Taking his proffered hand, her heart began to race as she rose to stand before him and properly looked at him for the first time since he'd intervened.

He was quite handsome, there was no denying that, and despite the fact that he served the Lord that had just conquered her lands, she felt inexplicably drawn to him. Raven black hair swept across his forehead and stuck out in odd angles from his removed helmet. Cerulean eyes sparkled under heavy brows, and several days growth dusted his jawline with hints of auburn.

A small scar marred his right cheek, a visual indication that he had seen his fair share of battles. He wore his armor as an extension of himself, and the many nicks, dents, and scratches upon its surface told her that this was a man who did not shy away from being at the center of the fray.

Although his expression had softened slightly, he still had that hardened look of one who was used to having his orders followed without question. This was not a man to be trifled with, no matter how enticing his looks, or how soothing his voice was as he addressed the women and children before him.

"I want to assure all of you that you have nothing to fear from Lord Jones or any of his men," he vowed. "His Lordship asks that you all remain here until he has the opportunity to address you personally." Despite how politely worded the statement, it was apparent to all that this was not a request.

She was caught off guard when he turned back to her and began examining her cheek. She flinched at his touch and he gave her an apologetic look as he continued to press the tender flesh, checking the severity of her injury. The hairs on the back of her neck rose and her breath shallowed at the nearness of his presence. A booming voice rang out from the entrance of the chapel, startling her again. Why had she become jittery as a newborn colt?

"I heard there was a spot of trouble."

The voice came from a new man who had entered the chapel. He was flanked by two others signifying his importance. Several years older than the rest of the knights that had congregated there in the chapel, could he be Lord Jones?

"Just Sir Walsh being Sir Walsh," the knight answered as he finished his assessment of her cheek. "He grabbed one of the younger maidens and then struck this one when she stepped in to intervene."

Emma bristled at being spoken of as if she were not standing right in their midsts.

"All's well now, I take it?" the man asked as he approached their assembly.

"Aye. I set Sir Walsh to rights, and she seems none too worse for wear." He smiled down at her even as he spoke again as if she were not there.

"And the other maiden?"

The knight turned and looked at Ashley, raising his brows at her as if to inquire about her well-being. Why should Ashley get to answer for herself, but I am to be dismissed? Emma thought petulantly, and then berated herself for acting like a child.

When Ashley offered no response to their query, the older man asked if she was well.

"I am, my Lord. Thanks to Lady Emma." Ashley's eyes went wide as the men's heads snapped in Emma's direction.

"I'm so sorry, milady!" Ashley cried out, despondent over revealing Lady Emma's true identity.

"It is alright, Ashley," she soothed, taking the girl's hand. "We couldn't have hoped to keep it a secret for long." The fact was, she hadn't wanted to hide away in the first place. Even though anonymity would have given her a chance to escape, she'd rather face Lord Jones or any other would-be conqueror head on.

Emma turned towards the knights, squared her shoulders, and looked directly at the older man. "I am Lady Emma, daughter of Sir David, the Duke of Shepherd."

The older man surprised her as he gave her a slight bow before introducing himself. "Lady Emma. I am Lord Liam Jones, a subject of His Majesty, King Arthur. May I introduce you to my second-in-command, and brother, Sir Killian Jones."

The raven haired, blue eyed knight also gave a slight bow before her, though his eyes never left her as he did so. He seemed to be assessing her anew, and she could feel a flush of heat spread across her chest and up her neck under the intense scrutiny of his gaze.

"Killian, escort Lady Emma back to the castle and see that she is comfortable until my return," Lord Jones instructed high-handedly before turning to address the remaining women.

"No," Emma replied flatly. She was done with being dismissed.

"Excuse me?" Lord Jones responded incredulously.

"I will not return to the castle and passively wait until you deign to grace me with your presence. There is too much to see to and too much to discuss for us to waste such time," she declared.

"And what such things did you have in mind, milady?" he asked in a patronizing tone that only served to stoke her temper.

"How about the fact that the wounded need to be tended to, and that the castle must be secured," she offered.

"Why don't you let us worry about the security of the castle, Lady Emma. No need to worry your pretty head over such things."

"Oh, really? Well perhaps it might interest you to know that Lord Baelfire is, at this very moment, on his way here to attack. You might want to consider sending an envoy alerting him to the fact that you have already done so, then accept the allegiance of my men to help you secure the grounds before he arrives!"

The men had been staring, slack jawed, at her tirade, but the news of Lord Baelfire's approach caused the brothers to share a telling look. A look that sent a lead ball of dread straight to her stomach. Surely Lord Baelfire would withdraw once he received news that the castle had already been occupied in the king's name. He was the king's ally after all, wasn't he? The Jones brothers' expressions seemed to indicate otherwise.

"Lady Emma, though I appreciate your passion and the information concerning Lord Baelfire, I must insist that you return to the castle and let us men handle things." Lord Jones nodded stiffly to his brother to carry out his orders, but Emma refused to budge.

"And although I appreciate your gracious offer to allow me to wait in comfort, I am afraid I must refuse. I insist on seeing to the needs of my people." Emma didn't even bother to keep the ire from her voice.

Lord Jones may have taken control of her castle and her lands, but they were still her people. She had a responsibility to see that the women and children were protected, and that the wounded were tended to properly. Nerves churned in her stomach at the thought of having to determine who was among the dead and arranging a mass burial for the fallen, all in the face of another potential attack. It was not in her nature, however, to sit idly by and do nothing, and no self-righteous, pompous lord was going to make her.

"Lady Emma!" Lord Jones roared, his ire also raising to greatly heated levels. "I don't think you fully appreciate the position you are currently in. I will not be ordered about by the spoiled daughter of a cowardly duke who turned tail and ran, abandoning his people, his lands, and his kin. Now do as you are told, and return to the castle!"

The cracking sound of the slap echoed off the chapel walls before Emma even realized that she had struck him. She had never been more furious in her entire life. How dare he call her father a coward!

The unexpected force of her blow knocked Lord Jones sideways, causing him to stumble. His guards reached out to steady him as Sir Killian stepped in front of her. At first she thought he meant to restrain her, but as he put his back to her she realized he was putting himself between her and his brother. Almost as if he meant to protect her.

"Brother!" Sir Killian shouted, as Lord Jones advanced toward them. He halted when he realized that Sir Killian was shielding her. "A word, brother," Sir Killian demanded, but he made no move to step away from her until Lord Jones nodded and began to move toward the center of the chapel.

Emma couldn't hear the words the brothers spoke to one another, but it was clear that neither liked what the other was saying. After several tense moments she finally did hear a snippet of the conversation in which Lord Jones exasperatedly told his brother that she was now his problem to deal with, then he signaled for the two other knights to follow him out of the chapel.

Sir Killian made his way back to where she stood, reaching up to rub at the back of his neck. Tension radiated off his body as he attempted to compose himself. He closed his eyes for only a moment before fixing them, once again, on her, and let out a heavy sigh. Placing a lopsided, but gentle smile on his face and addressed her.

"Lady Emma, my brother would like for me to seek your counsel on how best to handle the triage of the wounded, and who among your men would be best to assist us with securing the castle and the grounds."

She scoffed, knowing that it was most certainly not his brother's request, but saw no need to take out her frustrations on Sir Killian. She was actually quite grateful that he had apparently spoken up for her, and that he was genuinely seeking her counsel.

Sir Killian looked at her expectantly and she once again felt herself knocked completely off kilter by the vividness of his eyes and the intensity of his gaze. It was as if that gaze could see right into her soul, allowing him to read her as easily as a scholarly man could read ancient scrolls.

She shook the thoughts from her mind and swallowed hard before answering. "The chapel would be the ideal location to set up triage. We have several cots that can be pulled from storage and set up, and most of the women can assist with bandaging and small matters of aid." He remained intent and gave her an encouraging nod to continue when she paused. "I'll need to check on the status of my men, but if Sir August is still among the... the living, then he would be the man I would put in charge to oversee the care of the wounded."

Sir Killian turned his head and nodded to a man Emma had completely forgotten about. The third knight that had entered the chapel with Sir Killian before he had drawn his sword on Sir Walsh.

"Lady Emma, allow me to introduce my second, Sir Robin. He will discover the fate of your knight, Sir August." Sir Killian turned and instructed that should he find August alive and well, he was to bring him to the chapel. August and Sir Robin would work together to organize triage and treat the wounded. Sir Robin acknowledged his orders and departed.

"And what of the repairs and security of the castle and the surrounding lands?" Sir Killian asked.

"My second-in-command, Sir Graham, would be the best man to help oversee those tasks. He knows these lands better than anyone," she admitted.

"Even better than yourself?" he asked with a teasing note lacing his words.

This new tone confused her, and her expression must have said as much. Sir Killian cleared his throat uncomfortably and spoke again. "Come. Let's you and I see if we can track down your second. Your men have been assembled in the courtyard where you can address them and give your orders."

"What of the women and children?" she asked.

He seemed to have forgotten about them completely until that moment. "I leave that to you, milady." He swept out his arm, inviting her to address them, and she wasted no time giving her instructions.

"Ladies, your assistance will be needed in several areas. Granny will take charge of those who can help in the preparation and service of meals. Ashley, you and the older girls will see to the care of the children. Keep them out of the way of the men. Those of you who have skill with healing will remain here to assist Sir August and myself. Although we have Sir Killian's assurance that the men are under orders not to harm anyone, I don't want anyone going off on their own." She glanced over to gauge whether or not that last directive had angered Sir Killian, but he seemed unconcerned with her warning to the women.

She dismissed them to begin their tasks, then followed Sir Killian to exit the chapel. Pausing at the door, Lady Emma prepared herself for what she might find beyond.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Would love to hear your thoughts! Special thanks to my beta, Allison. She's the best!