Chapter 11: Balls are Puny

Mercy Hall

Hearts pounding, she swings her legs over the rail and laces her fingers around a thick vine. She pushes off from her perch then starts the long climb down.

"Not so fast." He leans over the balcony.

The vine pulls free of the castle wall, and she slams against the pitted surface.

After sliding several inches, she claws at the stone structure for a handhold. Fingers wedged into a crack, she pulls herself up. The motion tugs on the tender flesh of her wound.

"Arrgghhh," she cries out. A warmth trickles down her bicep, and her grip slips.

A firm hand wraps around her wrist. "I got you."

More than two stories below her, the ground waits to meet her. At this point, she's not sure which is worse, capture or possible death.

Tipping her head back, she peers up into creamy, chocolate-brown eyes. Slowly, she's pulled over the rail and into his firm embrace.