Nobody expected William to want to go back to the village, but he did. They mounted their horses and headed straight back to the village rather than to the palace like they all figured they were headed. Edward and Mal were eager to walk them out the door and slam it closed the second they were in the snow. Despite the new respect, the fear was more evident.

He didn’t respond to anyone as he led them back to the village. Doris was close to falling off the horse with how exhausted she felt. She could imagine that they all felt the same, but somehow William appeared wide awake. His...