Ginny Hartman (17 page)

Millicent had told Rosalind that the wisps seemed to be the key to her ability to transport. Neither of them was entirely sure what caused them to appear, and though Rosalind was doubtful it was the sun, she was just as excited as Gwendolyn to practice once more. “Aye, let's go.”

The girls chased each other to the outer courtyard and beyond to where the herb garden lay, both of them laughing and twirling in what little sunshine had managed to make its way through the clouds. Gwendolyn plucked a rosebud from the bush and tucked it behind Rosalind's ear before retrieving one for herself and doing the same. The air smelled fresh and alive. Gwendolyn grabbed Rosalind's hand and pulled her towards the path leading towards the vegetable garden where there was a patch of open field just beyond.

As soon as they were out of hearing distance from the gardener, Gwendolyn dropped her hands. “Where do we begin?”

“Your mother said that it's not likely that I'll be able to transport unless I can somehow reproduce the wisps.”

“How do you do that?”

“We aren't quite sure. I'm doubtful that I can just recreate them simply by thinking about them but your mother insists that the power can be learned.”

“Well then, you must close your eyes and imagine they are here. If you think hard enough, mayhap they will materialize.”

“That's what I've been trying to do, but I have yet to meet with any luck. She said that your grandfather, Richard, would think about his favorite foods to unlock his gift.”

Gwendolyn giggled. “Truly? Tis an odd way to unlock one's power. But then again, Grandfather Richard did love his food. I suppose it's worth a try. Grabbing her hands once more, Gwendolyn said, “Close your eyes,” and patiently waited for Rosalind to comply. “Alright, now try to imagine what the wisps looked like the first time you saw them.”

Rosalind thought back to the very first time she had seen the wisps. The day that she had been searching for cudworth berries in the woods was the first time she'd had experienced an episode, so she tried to recreate the feelings in her mind. She remembered vividly how the experience had left her dizzy and drained of strength. Clamping her eyes tightly shut, she tried to think how one would make themselves feel dizzy without spinning around in endless circles or some other foolish nonsense.

Finally, when nothing seemed to happen, she opened her eyes. She shrugged her shoulders, “Nothing.”

“I don't think you are trying hard enough. Mother says it can be done. So you imagined the wisps, but did you think of your favorite foods?”

Rosalind looked at her doubtfully, “Do you sincerely believe that will work?”

“It worked for my grandfather, why not?”

Rosalind decided to humor her. With a shrug of her shoulders she spoke, “I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try. The worst thing that can happen is nothing at all.”

“Precisely. Now close your eyes and try again.”

Rosalind clamped her eyes shut tightly and began thinking about her favorite meal of roasted rabbit and boiled potatoes. It seemed ages since she had last eaten it and her mouth began to water at the memory. Becoming much too distracted, she finally opened her eyes.

Gwendolyn was staring at her expectantly. “Well?”

“Tis not going to work. It only served to make me ravenous. Perhaps we should go inside and fetch something to eat.”

Gwendolyn rolled her eyes dramatically. “We are not going back inside until you've given it an honest try. The clouds could open up this very second, and a downpour ensue, and I would still refuse to let you go back.”

Laughing, Rosalind pulled her hands out of Gwendolyn's grasp and laid on the grass beneath her. “What are you doing?” Gwendolyn asked, giving her a peculiar look.

“I just remembered that some of the episodes occurred while I was lying down. Mayhap that is the key.”

Gwendolyn shrugged. “I suppose it's worth a try. Tis good to see you are starting to take this practice seriously,” she gently scolded.

Rosalind closed her eyes against the bright sky overhead and once more tried to make the wisps materialize. She imagined in her mind what the wisps looked like as they swirled towards her head, shimmering with iridescent colors, twisting and curling towards her in all their vibrant splendor. She could remember them so vividly, but no matter how well she recalled them, it did not make them appear. She even tried thinking about food and the wisps simultaneously but nothing changed. She knew that Gwendolyn was standing above her, watching impatiently. Deciding to perform for her rapt audience, she softly moaned as she lifted her hand and began feeling around the area directly in front of her face. She heard Gwendolyn suck in sharply, but otherwise she remained silent.

She groaned even louder as she began twisting in the grass, “I think I see something,” she whispered dramatically.

Gwendolyn dropped to her knees next to her, “Truly? This must be it!” she exclaimed excitedly.

Rosalind couldn't help herself; she put her hand over her mouth and began giggling as her eyes opened to behold Gwendolyn. “Why are you breaking your concentration?” Gwendolyn asked.

“I didn't see anything; I was leading you on.”

Gwendolyn plopped back on the ground and huffed dejectedly. “Why did you tease me so? I was truly excited thinking you had finally figured out how to produce the wisps.”

“I can't help it. No matter how much I want to force it to be, I can't do it. I'm beginning to think that this practicing is useless.”

“You can't be ready to give up entirely already. We have only just begun practicing.”

Rosalind got up from lying on the ground, brushing some twigs from her hair as she sat in front of Gwendolyn. “Mayhap I'm not dedicated enough to learning how to use it. Or mayhap it's one of those gifts that just occurs by chance and I'll never have control over it.”

“Oh nonsense. Gifts aren't given to a person by chance. They are always given for a purpose, because there is a greater good that they can accomplish.”

“A greater good?” she asked skeptically. “It didn't sound like your grandfather used his gift for a greater good, just to make his life easier. I've lived my entire ten and eight years without the ability to transport, so I'm fairly certain I can do so the remainder of my days.”

Gwendolyn stood swiftly and immediately began walking back towards the house. “You're infuriating, Rosalind. Your gift is wasted on you.”

Rosalind stood and chased after her. She felt contrite for seeming ungrateful for the unique ability bestowed upon her when she knew that Gwendolyn would have eagerly claimed the gift for herself but couldn't. Catching up to her, she placed a hand on her shoulder bringing Gwendolyn to a halt. “Please forgive me, Gwen. I didn't mean to seem ungrateful. I'm just frustrated that nothing I have tried seems to work. Please stay and help me a little while longer and I promise to cease my complaining.”

Gwendolyn paused. Slowly she turned around, “I'm not going to force you to try, but I just can't imagine why you wouldn't want to learn how to do it; it seems so fun.”

“I'm not entirely sure I would describe it as such. It leaves me feeling quite unlike myself.”

“It only does that because it's new and you haven't fully tapped into your gift. Once you learn to use it and it becomes easier, you won't feel so drained.”

“Is that how you felt when you first learned of your gift?”

“My gift?” Gwendolyn asked, as if she had no idea to what Rosalind was referring.

“As a healer,” Rosalind reminded her.

“Oh that,” she said, as she waved one hand casually in front of her. “I wouldn't exactly call that a gift.”

“But your mother has the gift, and she said that you do too.”

Her shoulders slumped. “No, I don't believe I do. Mother is hopeful that I do because I have always enjoyed learning about herbs and plants, but mostly that started because I was interested in spending time with her. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoying learning and most of the knowledge truly fascinates me, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that I have the healer's gift. I have never had anything unusual occur or strange episodes that hint at a hidden gift. I've never even actually healed somebody before without my mother's assistance.”

Rosalind could see that Gwendolyn's admission really bothered her. She stepped forth and pulled her into a hug. “Mayhap your gift isn't to be a healer.  Perhaps there is something greater for you yet to discover.”

Hugging her back, Gwendolyn said, “Or mayhap I am just like the majority of people, common and ordinary with no special gifts, which is very well I suppose.”

Pulling back, Rosalind looked into Gwendolyn's dark blue eyes, “You are much too special to be without a gift. If anyone deserves one, tis you.”

“Thank you,” she replied quietly.

Rosalind held her hand the entire way back to the castle, the practicing all but forgotten. She marveled at how much she had grown to care for Gwendolyn and Millicent. Though she had only been with them for a short time, she felt like she had known them forever. Part of her longed to stay tucked away at Emerson Castle with them indefinitely. It was easy to forget about the world that existed beyond the placid moat surrounding their home, easy to forget that her parents were dead and that she was now Queen of the Southwest, easy when she wasn't faced with constant reminders at every turn.

Pondering about these things caused her to ask, “Do you think it will be long before they discover who is behind the attacks?”

When Gwendolyn didn't answer immediately, Rosalind wondered if she had confused her with her sudden change of subject, but finally she answered. “Nay, not if Terric has anything to say about it. I know he won't rest until your parents’ deaths are avenged, until King Cedric is safe once more in his own kingdom. Terric is fiercely loyal to Darth.”

“Aye, tis true. But he wouldn't do anything rash, would he? I mean, he would be careful to keep himself safe as well, wouldn't he?”

Gwendolyn looked at her as if she were silly, “Of course he wouldn't purposely do anything rash. He's not stupid you know, but his own safety is not a priority. He will do whatever it takes to ensure Darth and King Cedric are kept safe.”

Rosalind's face fell. She had foolishly hoped that Gwendolyn would reassure her that Terric would be safe. She hadn't been looking for a reminder of his loyalty and the dangerous position he willingly put himself in. “Oh,” was all she managed to say.

Gwendolyn stopped on the steps they were climbing that led up to the castle's door. “You care for my brother, don't you?”

Rosalind tried to do everything in her power to keep the blush from creeping into her cheeks. If sheer willpower alone would have been enough, she would have accomplished it, but nature's reaction would not be tamed. She quickly dipped her head in hopes that Gwendolyn would not notice the flush of her cheeks. “Aye, of course I care for him. He has done a great service to my family and myself. I will forever be grateful to him for that.”

Gwendolyn squealed, both hands covering her mouth excitedly. “I don't believe this. You actually have feelings for my brother.”

Rosalind's head whipped up, “Hush, you know not of what you are speaking.”

“Your face says it all. I should have seen the signs earlier. I can't believe I have been so obtuse.”

“What are you speaking about?” Rosalind stammered.

“The way your eyes light up whenever he is mentioned, the way he looked at you with complete adoration when you were together.”

“Wait, he looked at me with adoration?” she asked hopefully.

Gwendolyn giggled. “You wouldn't care how he looked at you if you didn't care for him. But since you must know, aye, he did look at you like a man in love and I daresay, you returned the emotion.”

Love? Surely Gwendolyn didn't know what she was talking about. Of course she had come to care deeply for Terric, but was it more than that? Could she possibly love him? And could she dare hope that he returned the feeling? Feeling more flustered than she had ever felt, she stammered, “I'm going to go lie down,” as she quickly ran inside and up to the bedchamber, in an attempt to give herself some privacy, where she could think about what Gwendolyn had just revealed.

Chapter 18

A Promising Start

Lying in bed, Rosalind's heart hammered within her chest. She was grateful beyond relief when Gwendolyn didn't follow her to the bedchamber. She lay atop the mattress that had belonged to Terric in his youth. The thought that she had been sleeping in the same bed as he once had made her involuntarily blush once more. Could it be possible that she had come to love him? She thought back to the time she had spent in his presence and she could definitely attest to a strong attraction to him, even from the beginning.

Thinking back to the night they had shared their first kiss, she thought of how passionate her defender was, how he had clung to her as desperately as she had clung to him. She would forever be grateful that she apologized to him that night for the awful things she had accused him of regarding her parent's death. His quick forgiveness was a gift. What if she hadn't apologized and she never saw him again? Her heart ached deeply at the thought. Grateful though she was that that conversation had taken place, it wasn't enough. She wanted more—more of his kisses, more of his laughter, more of him.

She clamped her eyes shut tightly in an attempt to dam the tears she could feel burning behind her eyelids. Her breathing was quick and painful as she berated herself inwardly for being so emotional. When she had finally gotten her emotions in check, she opened her eyes, relieved that no tears attempted to leak from them. Sucking in a shocked breath as one hand went to her heart, she realized that the colorful wisps she had been so desperately trying to beckon were suddenly before her. Translucent purple and pinks swirled before her face. She threw her legs over the side of the bed and bolted to her feet.

“Gwendolyn,” she screamed, “Millicent, I saw the wisps!” She ran as fast as her legs could take her down to the great hall in hopes of finding Gwendolyn and Millicent to share her good news, her longing for Terric all but forgotten. She skidded to a halt in front of where Gwendolyn and Millicent were sitting, both of them eying her curiously. “I saw the wisps!”