Duplicity

"Jess" wasn't a prince. There was no prince. In fact, Jess might be a criminal.

So, why would Aylee Hembry even consider handing her safety over to him and his ragamuffin band of soldiers?

She had already been run out of her town by one unscrupulous man - she would not trust her life to another who refused to tell her his real name.

Unfortunately, she saw no easy path back to her home and away from the stranger's camp. Not only would she have to brave the forest, with its wandering rebels and occasional predators, but going home would bring her troubles back to her family - and Aylee held no desire to do that.

One way or another, she would have to figure out how to make it on her own. If she stayed with Jess, she risked more than just her life.