Queen of Jastain (29 page)

“…if you come to the study, I’ll tell you. Can you bring some coffee with you...and two cups?”

She glanced over at him and nodded to a chair in front of the desk. “You can sit down.” She began sifting through papers and lit up a windowed machine on the desk, a
computer
.

He sat in a leather winged back chair and picked up the quill…
pen
from the desk. The writing instrument, made of weighted metal similar to that of his sword, felt sleek as he turned it in his hand.

A few minutes later, a large woman pushing a cart came wheeling into the study. Abigail jumped up and ran to embrace her. According to Abigail's memories, she was the house manager. “Susan. How are you?”

“Abby, girl, where have you been? You’ve been gone for almost a year, and…Good Lord, child, what are you wearin’?” The woman held Abigail's arms from her body and studied her ragged appearance.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but I’m back now. For a little while, anyway.” Abby motioned for him. “This is Avant. He’ll be staying with us.”

The substantial woman eyed him with suspicion.

She was important to Abigail, and he needed to make a good impression. He bowed, took her hand, and kissed it. He smiled his most charming smile and said, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Susan.”

She blushed, and Abigail rolled her eyes. “
Avant
.”

Glancing up to his beauty, he grinned and sat back in the chair. They would need Susan’s help for many things during this visit. He was already fond of the woman who looked at Abigail with such love.

Susan smiled sweetly. “Avant, honey, can I get you a cup a coffee?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Susan poured two cups of coffee. “Your Daddy knew this would happen, honey. He left Doug and I specific instructions on what to do if you disappeared. We’ve kept things pretty much the same and have been tellin’ people you were travelin’ in Europe.”

Hmm…. Jo-Naphen had prepared for the contingency that Abigail would Implant to Jastain. That must mean he had also given her direction on how to find and restore the Crown.

“Susan, I need to get into Daddy’s safe. There’s something in there I need.”

“Well, Abby, it’s your safe now. You should have the combination in the papers Doug gave you from the will.”

Confidence surged in his chest. What they sought would be in the safe. The Light had revealed it to Abigail through her dream. This had to be it.

Susan looked at Avant and asked, “Do you take cream or sugar, honey?”

He smiled. “You decide.”

Susan raised her eyebrows. “Oh, I think you'd like a little sugar.”

He chuckled as Abigail pursed her lips at the exchange. He sipped the hot beverage that had a rich roasted flavor with a hint of sweetness.

After their cup of coffee, Abigail asked, “Susan, could you make us some of your pancakes and bacon? We need to bathe and change clothes.”

“You know I will, honey.” She wheeled the cart back toward the kitchen.

The clothes he’d worn for days clung to his skin. A bath would be a welcome friend. Abigail led him upstairs to what he assumed was the master chamber, her father’s. The dark wooden furniture filled the lightly colored room. Though the pieces were substantial, the delicately carved wood gave an air of elegance. The solid color rug, made from a textile he'd never seen, spanned from wall to wall across the floor.

Framed photographs—captured moments in time—sat atop a chest of drawers. He wandered over and studied each photo as Abigail flitted about the room finding him supplies. A beautiful blond child with bouncing curls in a formal dress next to a Christmas tree. Jo-Naphen with her on his lap.

She darted into an adjacent room lined with clothing and tossed a pair of pants at him. “Can you wear these?”

He tried them on. The waist fit but the legs were too short.

She crinkled her nose and shook her head. “You can wear Daddy’s flip flops and shorts to the mall, and we’ll get you some clothes after we eat…and I open the safe.”

What might a
flip flop
be?

He watched her flit and scurry, and he chuckled as she gathered thing in her arms. She was his little take-charge captain. To see her in her element both fascinated and frightened him. If he relinquished control of the quest, would he ever regain it? She shooed him out of the way to open one of the drawers. He tightened his lips.
I doubt it.

What if she loved her world too much to return to Jastain? This had been his primary fear all along. “Abigail, how does it feel to be back?”

She halted her flurry to ponder. “Strange…and familiar.” She scanned the room and lit with a smiled. “C’mon. I have a special treat for you.”

My Light, she was a vision even rumpled and weather-worn. He followed her into a large tiled room. She opened an oversized door made from glass and turned a knob on the wall. Water sprouted like a fresh spring. Steam gathered as Abigail handed him a long plush towel, washcloth, soap and some kind of hand held machine.

He turned the small instrument over in his hand. “What is this?”

She grinned. “I guess I don’t have many memories with this, do I? It's an electric razor.” She flipped a button on the handle. It buzzed to life. She held it to his face. Moving it in a circular motion, she touched a small area of his jaw. The instrument vibrated against his cheek.

He reached up to feel where she'd stroked. The skin was smoothly shaven as if he had used the sharpest of blades.

The mirrored room fogged.

“Enjoy. And let me know if you need anything. You may not want to leave after this.” She pumped her brows as she left him there. A bolt of desire shot through him.

Watching her leave, he considered asking her to stay. My Light, she precipitated a response in him that made him pulse with heat from his nose to his knees. The now familiar Implanted memory flooded his mind for the third time that day, and he hissed out a breath to maintain control of his body. If his self-control was in jeopardy before her Implanting, it now crumbled under the weight of her memories.

The hot water methodically pounded his tense shoulders, relieving the tension. Abigail’s massages were the only thing that had ever released the tension in his shoulders. His eyes rolled back into his head as he thought of the pleasure her hands afforded him. Unfortunately, her hands caused other tension within him.

He let the water beat against his back as he shaved and washed. Feeling more relaxed, he dried and dressed. Abigail was correct in thinking he would enjoy the shower. But wearing the new undergarments restricted his
freedom.
With a frown, he donned the t-shirt and shorts she'd tossed at him.

* * * *

Abby hurried to her own bathroom and showered until all the hot water was gone. She washed and conditioned her hair, shaved her legs, exfoliated, moisturized, spritzed, and sprayed anything she could find among her many toiletry items.

Her favorite jeans fell off her hips. Pulling on her skinny jeans, she surveyed herself. They fit but were loose. She pumped her fist in the mirror.
Yeah!

After she dressed, she found the paperwork and the combination to the safe. She went to the study and opened the locked casing. Inside were several files filled with papers and an empty oval box made of inlaid wood.

She flipped through the various legal documents. In the middle of them laid an envelope with her name written on the front.

Abby opened the letter.

My Dear Abigail,

If you are reading this then something has happened, and I wasn’t able to make it back to you. I'm sorry I can’t be there. I'm sorry that you're alone on this journey. I've regretted every moment away from you, but please know you have been in my thoughts.

The first thing you need to do is find Chad. He loves you and can lead you to me. I will explain everything in detail when you find me.

Be careful. There are those who seek to destroy you, and they are closer than you think. Trust no one in your father’s house or employ, and tell no one where you are going or what you plan to do.

I hope to find you soon and find you well.

All of my love,

Raieda

The letter was dated this past December, after her father’s death and her disappearance. Her mother was
alive
…and somehow she'd placed the letter in the safe without anyone knowing. Abby put the paper back in the envelope and stuffed it in her pocket.

All the years of missed time with Raieda came rushing in on her. She'd lived without a mother all of her life and rarely thought of having one. Now Abby was to welcome her with open arms? She replaced the contents and closed the safe.

Raieda must've had her reasons. Hope sprang in her heart, but years of solitude held her emotions in-check. 
They better be good reasons.

She headed to the kitchen to find Avant.

* * * *

Avant peered down at the strange, ridiculous shoes. The little fastening between his toes, which provided the only means to secure them to his feet, rubbed annoyingly. He sneered.
Flip-flops
, the name did them justice. What other indignities must he endure? He sighed and clopped downstairs toward the smell of food.

In the kitchen, Susan prepared him a plate of round flatbread called pancakes, which she covered in butter and a thick, sweet liquid similar to honey. He moaned at the delightful flavor and ate them in five bites. The kind woman brought him another, larger stack with pieces of fried pork.

Abigail stepped into the kitchen, her face pale with concern. Something was wrong. “What is it? Did you open the safe?”

“Yes, but there was nothing there that can help us. We’ll have to look somewhere else. Maybe Daddy had something placed upstairs. We can look when we come back from shopping.”
“Avant, we can’t trust anyone. I’ve found something. We’ll talk when we get out of here.”

He nodded his understanding. What had she found? Whatever it was, it had clearly shaken her.

“Are you ready to go get some new duds?” Her eyes twinkled. “Susan, is Daddy’s car in the garage?”

“Yes ma’am. Hector’s been usin’ it to run errands so it should start just fine.” Susan pointed to a set of small metal objects hanging from the wall. “Should I make dinner for y’all tonight?”

Abigail stepped over and picked up the dangling metal. “That'd be great. I think Avant needs to experience Tex-Mex.” She glanced in his direction and raised her eyebrows. “Can I still use my credit cards?”

Tex-Mex?
It sounded a lot like flip-flops.

Susan turned to face them. “You should be able to, but you can use the checks from your trust, honey.”

“Oh, right. Thanks.”

Finished with breakfast, he followed her into the garage. A large, shining, black carriage waited in splendor. It was beyond anything he could have fathomed. His fingertips slid over the supple leather like fresh butter over bread, and it smelled just as mouth-watering. He walked around the vehicle. His heart pounded in his chest.

He lifted his gaze to Abigail. “I want to drive.”

Her brow furrowed. She hated relinquishing control as much as he did, but this was a lesson she needed to learn if she was to be his queen. And the truth of the matter was he did want to drive the car.

“I don't know, Avant. Driving a car is not like riding a horse, and Dallas traffic is the worst.”

“I am aware of that, Abigail. Are you so loath to allow me into the driver's seat?” Coaxing her in this instance might be the best way.

The familiar struggle played across her face, and he knew from experience the war raged in her mind. “Do you trust me?” He held her gaze, waiting for an outcome.

She sighed and rolled her eyes. “Oh, all right. Here.” She tossed him the keys.

He understood how much relinquishing control meant and he was humbled by her gesture. The desire to kiss her overwhelmed him. Barely concealing a smile, he stalked to her and swept an arm around her waist. Her eyes rounded like a doe's in the hunter's sights. Blood pulsed in his head, drowning out all noise. His vision focused on her lush lips that parted slightly as he lowered his head.

Brushing his lips over hers was the purest heaven. Her sweet flesh yielded to his, and she sighed. His body bridled to claim her.
Slowly, Avant.
Slanting his mouth, he deepened the kiss but never sped the pace. She tasted of sweet maple and pecan. His hand braced her head and fisted in her hair. He kissed her long and deep, drinking in their shared desire like festival wine.

It is not yet time.
With an act that tested the outer boundaries of Avant's will, he pulled from the kiss and smiled. Abigail stood with her lids closed, swaying as if she might lose her balance. Slowly she opened her eyes, and stared at him with such love and desire he forgot his purpose.

Finally regaining some of his senses, he sucked in a deep breath and opened the passenger door for her, before rounding the car and slipping behind the steering wheel.

Luminescent numbers and characters glowed across black glass on the dashboard and a black lever sat enticingly between the two front seats.

Still appearing a bit dazed and disoriented, Abigail pulled a letter out, which he took from her trembling hand and read.

By the Light, they could not linger here. He tossed the note on the center console and rubbed his face. Danger lurked in this world.
Who here could know of the existence of Jastain?
He started the car and backed out of the drive.

“Abigail, I am bewildered. We must find what we seek and return to Jastain. This ominous danger is unsettling. How can we defend ourselves from it?”

She shook her head as the car raced smoothly down the road. “I don’t know. I didn’t find anything else in the safe. This has to be the clue we’re looking for.”

He stared ahead as he traversed the crowded streets. The power of the car's engine thrummed through his body, energizing every cell. His Gift told him the letter was not the clue they sought, but for now, it was all they had. They must move quickly. In his world, he could protect her, but here, the unknown moved in every shadow.