Ginny Hartman (21 page)

“I suppose I will have to someday. A queen must have a king.” Not exactly the answer he had been hoping for. His heart constricted painfully, causing a tightness in his chest. He didn't want to convey to her the weakness he had for her, so he remained silent. Luckily it was she who began talking. “When I do marry, it will not be to someone my uncle has chosen for me, someone I hardly know. The man I marry will have to be someone strong, and brave, and—” she bent to retrieve the wayward parchment from the floor, “incredibly handsome. He would have to be someone who loves me for who I am, who helps me become something better, someone I love as much as he loves me.” Dare he have cause to hope? She folded the letters he had written into thirds. “May I keep these?”

“Of course, they were written for you.”

He watched as she stuffed them into the sleeve of her nightgown before rising. “I should probably get going. I just needed to see you, to know that you were well.”

He stepped forward and pulled her tenderly into his arms. “I'm truly glad that you came.” He brushed the hair back from her face before pressing his lips softly to her forehead. “Rosalind, I could be that man for you.”

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, calmly. A slow smile spread across her lips. “You already are,” she confessed as she reached up as if she were going to touch his face, but before her hand made contact she suddenly disappeared out of his arms, leaving them painfully and acutely empty.

Chapter 22

Accused

My dearest Rosalind,

I awoke this morning feeling as if last night had all been a dream. The only thing that assured me that indeed it was not was the absence of the letters I had written you. I meant what I said when I warned you that it wasn't safe to be in Peltis, but I admit that I long for you to return once more. My heart feels alive and full knowing that a short time ago I held you in my arms, that I kissed your sweet lips, that I beheld your beautiful face. Tis enough to get me through another day, but only just barely, for I long to be with you always.

Terric

***

It had been nearly impossible for Terric to focus on anything all day. He was unusually distracted by thoughts of Rosalind. It was still hard for him to fathom that she had really been with him last night. He could still vividly recall the way her warm, pliable body molded against him and his blood heated with desire. The day dragged on in endless, stretched-out minutes as he longed to retire for the night to see if Rosalind would visit him once more. He felt guilty for wanting it so badly when he knew it wasn't safe, but as long as she was with him, he knew he could protect her. If she came to him again, he would have to warn her away more firmly, for her own good, but it would take all of his willpower to do so.

Finally, King Cedric gave him his leave to retire for the night. His step was light and his heart even more so as he made his way to his bedchambers. He opened the door slowly, hopefully. When the door was shut, he turned around to see Rosalind sitting at his desk, her back to him. His steps were soft and imperceptible as he made his way to her, surprised that she hadn't heard him entering and turned to see him. When he reached her, he gently drew her hair to the side, exposing her graceful neck to his view and leaned forward to tenderly kiss her smooth skin. She jumped in response to his kiss then groaned in pleasure. He couldn't help himself. He pulled her swiftly into his arms and let his mouth melt into hers. He was absolutely certain he would never get his fill of her. But eventually, for her protection, he forced himself to pull away.

“You shouldn't have come,” he warned, though his voice was anything but stern.

“I couldn't stay away,” she confessed airily.

“Did you tell anyone that you came?”

“You mean, did I tell your mother of Gwendolyn? Nay, nobody is aware that I am here but you.”

“And me,” an icy voice bellowed into the room, startling both Terric and Rosalind. Rosalind tried to pull away to see who the intruder was, but Terric held her tightly to his chest as if trying to keep her hidden.

Terric cursed as he beheld Asher's lean frame standing in the doorway. “What are you doing here?” he ground out between clenched teeth.

“King Cedric sent me to fetch you.” Terric highly doubted that. He had left King Cedric in the company of King Hadrian and his court, as well as several other defenders. He knew the protocol and knew that, if the king had need of him, he would have sent one of the defenders to fetch him, not Asher. Not just anyone was allowed into the king's private chambers.

Terric battled the instinct to reach for his sword, knowing if he let go of Rosalind, Asher would be able to behold her face. He protectively tried to keep her hidden from him, ignoring the need to protect himself.

Asher stepped slowly, deliberately into the room. Terric turned from him in an attempt to keep Rosalind shielded from view. “I suppose I will have to return and tell the king that you cannot do his bidding, seeing as how you are entertaining a harlot.”

Terric seethed at his insinuation. “Leave,” he growled.

“Not before I get a look at the whore and decide if I'd like to take a tumble next.” Asher clutched his hand painfully into Rosalind's hair and ripped her head back violently in an attempt to expose her face. She closed her eyes as if blocking him out would make it so he wasn't really there.

“Her?” Asher bellowed. “Tis no whore, but Princess Rosalind.” Terric stood stone-faced, not sure of what to say to explain her presence in his chambers.

Asher's thin lips twisted into a cruel smile as he stretched to his full height and said authoritatively, “As lead trajector of Darth, I hereby accuse you of treachery, punishable by death.”

A piercing sob rose from Rosalind's throat. “You can't do this; he has not betrayed the kingdom. Get my uncle to come to me and I will explain everything.”

“There's nothing to explain, Your Highness,” Asher hissed while, as if on cue, two of the king's defenders entered the room and ripped Terric away from her, forcing him towards the door with their blades.

“Terric!” Rosalind screamed as she lunged for him. The two men jerked his arms back violently, pulling him just out of reach. She fell painfully to the ground, her knees crushing on the hard stone below. Ignoring the painful throbbing in her legs, she attempted to crawl towards him when she felt a sudden kick in her side that caused her to fold in half.

“Another word out of you, and I'll instruct them to kill him right now, with you as a witness.”

Rosalind choked on a sob, her heart breaking at the sight of her strong defender captured between two fellow defenders, men who should have been his friends. She chanced looking up at him, as they pulled him furiously towards the door. She could barely make out his face through the tears welling in her eyes. She reached one hand towards him, but wisely chose not to speak, fearing her words would only cost him his life.

He lifted his head, his blue eyes filled with some emotion she didn't recognize. Certainly it wasn't fear. He was much too brave for that, she rationalized. “I love you Rosalind,” was the last thing she heard him utter before they pulled him violently around the corner and out of her sight. Asher's threats prevented her from responding. Instead, her heart held on to the emotion she couldn't express until it swelled inside her chest causing it to feel as if it might burst.

Asher was soon to the door, “Stay put, I will be back for you shortly.” He slammed the door and she could hear the bar falling into place behind him.

For a moment she allowed herself to give into her grief, sobbing loudly on behalf of Terric. She was certain she wouldn't be able to survive if she lost him. Scrambling to her feet, she forced herself to focus her thoughts long enough to recall the wisps—she had to get out of there as quickly as possible.

The mattress of her bed absorbed her fall as she arrived back at Emerson Castle. She twisted in the covers struggling to get free. She tumbled out of bed and stubbed her toe, barely managing to squelch a scream in an attempt to not wake Gwendolyn. Her eyes watered while she waited for the pain to subside before making her way slowly across the room in the dark. She had to get to Millicent and tell her what she had done. Her heart pounded almost painfully in her chest as she impatiently made her way to the tower where Millicent's chamber was located. The going was slow in the dark of the night, but she was determined.

When she finally reached the tower chamber, she pushed the door open and stumbled into the room and straight towards the large bed in the center. She felt for Millicent and immediately began shaking her. “Millicent, wake up, wake up.”

“What's the matter child?” Millicent asked, becoming instantly alert. “Did you have a nightmare?”

“I wish it was only a bad dream. Nay, I have done something horrible.”

Millicent pulled Rosalind into her arms, but she was loathe to take the comfort she was offering. Instead, she pulled free from her grasp and explained frantically, “I transported to Peltis, to Terric, and we were caught. They accused him of treachery and have sentenced him to death. I need to help him. How can I help him?” Millicent appeared much more calm than Rosalind felt. How could she not be worried?

“What do you mean?”

“It was stupid of me, so foolish. I transported to Peltis the previous night because I wished to see him, to know that he was well. I should have stayed away, knowing for myself that he was safe, but I couldn't resist going to him once more. We were in his private chambers. I thought we would be safe. Asher found us and...” she couldn't finish, couldn't explain to Millicent the awful scene that she had witnessed.

“Who is Asher?”

“Darth's lead trajector. He accused Terric of treachery without even allowing him to explain.”

“You must admit that you being in Peltis, alone with him in his chamber, could not have looked well. What was Asher to think? He probably assumed the worst of Terric, and rightfully so. King Cedric had trusted Terric with your life and has assumed that you were safely hidden away. When he learns of your appearance, he will only assume that Terric has betrayed him, lied to him about your whereabouts and has secretly hidden you in Peltis, where it isn't safe for you to be, and taken advantage of you.”

Rosalind gasped, “Terric would never do such a thing.”

“Aye, I know that, as you do as well, but that is the conclusion that everyone will come to.”

“What have I done?” Rosalind dropped her head into her hands. “I've got to go to him, to try and free him before they kill him.” She was rambling incoherently, anxiety and fear suffusing her being.

“You can't go back,” Millicent firmly scolded. “There's nothing you can do. You need to calm down and try not to fret...”

“How can you say that? I can't sit here and do nothing knowing that Terric could be killed because of my foolishness, that his honor will be in question. His honor is everything to him, and I have taken that away.”

Millicent reached for her and she tried, unsuccessfully, to pull away. Millicent gripped her wrist and held her firmly in place. “Terric is smart, he will take care of himself. I'm sure once he gets a chance to talk to King Cedric he can explain your appearance and all will be smoothed over.”

“What if they kill him first?” She was growing more distraught by the minute. “What if he is never given a chance to explain?”

“That's not the way the law works. There will have to be a trial first to determine if he truly is guilty of the offense he is accused of.”

“Perhaps I should go to my uncle and explain everything myself. I can't sit idly by when I could help Terric.”

“Rosalind, you must have faith in Terric and in the law. He has been your uncle's lead defender for the past three years, the king trusts him perhaps more than anyone in the kingdom. I agree that the situation does not look good, but give your uncle some credit, he will by fair when dealing with Terric. You have to believe that.”

A tiny bud of hope planted itself in Rosalind's heart. Yes, her uncle was a fair man; he would make sure that everything was set to rights. Her body was shaking as she slumped into Millicent and let her pull her onto the bed next to her, her arms going around her soothingly. And this time, instead of pulling away from the comfort, she melted into it, allowing it to calm her rattled heart.

Chapter 23

A Risky Endeavor

Asher trailed the defenders the entire way down to the murky, damp dungeon of Malton Castle. He couldn't help the sinister smile from spreading on his face, knowing that soon King Cedric would see the truth about his beloved lead defender. Surely he would be grateful for his noble act and would undoubtedly grant him Rosalind's hand in marriage.

Thinking of Rosalind made his insides heat with lust. She looked so much like her mother had in her younger years and he couldn't wait to wed and bed her, like he should have done to her mother, but mayhap not in that order. He thought of her waiting for him in the chamber upstairs, and he quickened his pace, anxious to get back to her.

He quickly explained the charges he was bringing against Terric to the dungeon guard, who then willingly opened the door to a small, depressing cell with the large ring of keys that attached to the belt around his waist. The defenders shoved Terric in, causing him to fall to the ground.

“Strip him of his defender's tunic, he is no longer worthy to wear it, and shackle his wrists,” Asher instructed happily, then watched as the two men did as he instructed. As soon as the door was shut and locked, he turned and without another word, raced back up to where Rosalind was waiting for him.

His mouth watered as he approached the barred door of Terric's chamber, thinking of the delicious prize that awaited him inside. He felt great anticipation as he removed the bar and pushed the door open, but a cursory glance around the chamber revealed that it was empty. Asher cursed as he dropped to the ground and called for her, looking underneath the bed to see if she was hiding from him. He rose angrily, pulling open the drawers of the desk and the dresser in an unrealistic hope of finding her therein.