Queen of Jastain (44 page)

* * * *

Abby's head rested on Avant's chest. His strong arms encircled her, and his scent filled her nose. Cedar, pine, and sweet musk. As much as she wanted this, his touch only made the heartache worse.

“I've been a fool. Please don't cry,” he softly pleaded.

She pulled away and turned her back, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “What do you want, Avant?” The brokenness in her voice reminded her of how she felt that night in Boston.

“My angel, I am so sorry. Please forgive me.”

“You're forgiven. Just go.”

“Abigail, please don’t shut me out.”

She spun around and glared at him. “Why not? Isn’t that what you do?”

He winced but redoubled his pursuit. “That doesn’t make it right.”

“It does when it comes to you, Avant. All you've ever done is rip me apart. The moment I saw your heart I fell in love with you, and every time I tried to love you, you pushed me away. You rage with jealousy then pretend nothing bothers you. You make love to me and accuse me of being unfaithful. You ask for my trust then you abandon me! You’re cold and heartless.” Uncontrollable sobs wracked her chest.

He grabbed her hands. “I'm only heartless without you.”

She jerked her hands from his and plopped on a rock. “Don't do this to me.” She pointed an accusing finger. “I gave you the driver's seat. Do you know how hard that was? You betrayed my faith.” She wiped her nose on her sleeve and tried to turn away, but his blue eyes still held her captive. Even if she wanted to run—and she didn’t want to—she couldn’t.

He fell on his knees in front of her, his heart open and vulnerable, begging for help just as he had the first time she saw him.
“Please, Abigail,”
he spoke into her mind, the familiar surge shocking her.

But she wasn't ready to forgive. Not yet. She steeled her reserve and lifted her chin.

Opening his mind like the annuals in the Great Hall, he allowed her access, revealing every thought, word and deed since his last Implanting. He showed her his love, his torment and anguish over her memories of Chad. She saw his guilt and despair at losing the throne. They coursed through her like the Itehris River.

She stared, mesmerized by his intimate display, and swayed from the dizziness of his Implanting.

“No more secrets. Please don't push me away. Can’t you see? I felt unworthy of you. I still do.”

“Unworthy of me?” Her heart softened; it always did when it came to Avant. He owned her, lock, stock and barrel, whether she wanted him to or not.

He cupped her face in his hands. “That's how I've always felt about you, from the moment I met you. I thought I would be worthy of you when I became king.”

“You're still destined to be king, Avant.”

“Abigail, you know that is not possible. But now, I know it is not necessary. I'll be a stable boy if you'll have me.”

The honesty in his eyes broke her defenses. She smiled. “Stable boy is not the title the Light destined for you. In fact, your title is already waiting for you to receive it.”

“Whatever you title me in public, call me your lover in private, for I will not live without you any longer.”

He pulled her from the rock into his arms and ever so gently kissed her lips, sending rippling waves of passion through her neglected body parts. His slow, deep kiss heated her all the way to her curled toes.

Forcing herself to concentrate, Abby pulled from him and whispered in his ear, “Aren’t you curious about the title I created for you?”

He kissed down her neck and pushed the fabric of her gown away to press an opened-mouth kiss on the scar of her bare shoulder. “Indeed. I am.”

His hot breath tingled against her skin, and she almost forgot her purpose. She let out a little whimper, the smoky sound of her voice surprising. “His Royal Highness, King Consort of the New Kingdom of Light and Imperial Regent of the Freelands of Jastain”

That got his attention. He pulled his head from its descent, his brow furrowed. “Abigail, there is no such title nor would the elders agree to ratify one.”

She smiled, drowning in the depths of his eyes. “Oh, but there is such a title, and they did agree to it.”

“What? How?”

She shrugged. “I told them it was a deal breaker. If they didn’t play along I'd take my crown and go home. I can’t help it if they understood home to be Dallas.” She snickered, remembering Galwyn’s scrunched face as he reluctantly signed the formal decree. “At any rate, they agreed, and I sealed it with my signet ring the day of the coronation.”

She placed her palms on his cheeks. “Your destiny is with me—as king. I can’t do this without you anymore than you can do it without me. We're stuck with each other.”

“Abigail.”
He stared into her eyes in a communication of his heart that was deeper than telepathy.

“So, you see, your Gift was right all along.” Abby looped her arms around his waist and held on with all her might. “Don’t ever push me away again. Or I may have to hurt you.”

He laughed. “I couldn’t even if I wanted to, angel. I'm yours forevermore.” Cupping her head to his chest like a cherished treasure, he whispered, “I love you, Abigail.”

Chills ran up and down her spine. She closed her eyes and smiled. Her favorite song finally played. And her heart danced. Home was no longer a faraway place where she'd never belong. It was him.

Avant tilted her head up, leaned in, and tenderly kissed her.

It was a familiar kiss that went on and on, but this time, she sensed his strong arm around her waist and his hand supporting her head. The soft stubble of his whiskers and the woodsy scent of his skin washed over her. When he pulled away and looked into her eyes, she murmured, on cue, “I love you.”

He kissed her again.

She broke the kiss and pushed that wavy lock behind his ear. “I have something for you.” Reaching to her ear, she removed the three-carat diamond and placed it in his. “It didn’t seem fair that you had to relinquish all your jewels.”

A smile lit his face, and his eyes shone with love. “Abigail, this is not a gift to be given lightly.”

“No, it isn’t. And now, it really is a kingly gift, and only a small token of all I have to give.” She laced her arms around his neck and pulled him to her lips. As desire for him flooded her body, a memory surfaced. “There is still an unfinished matter which needs to be discussed.”

Concern and suspicion filled the blue eyes she loved. “What unfinished matter is that?”

“I believe you owe me dinner and dessert in a nearby cave.” She bit her lower lip suggestively.

He arrested her gaze with confidence. “As far as dessert goes I'm sure I can satisfy your craving. And for dinner—there's always squirrel stew.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Let's just skip the dinner part.”

“If you would care to accompany me to our cave, my Queen.”

His words sent shivers down her spine, or maybe it was the thought of the icy water, but she didn’t hesitate. Immediately, she began to unlace her bodice.

“Abigail, what are you doing?” He gave her that familiar you’ve-lost-your-scruples look.

“I can’t swim to the cave fully clothed, now can I?”

“You do not have to do that…
yet.
” He halted her hands. “We can walk to the other entrance.”

“What
other entrance
?” His new memories came rushing into her mind and she playfully slapped at his chest. “You told me the only way to get into that cave was to take my clothes off and swim through the tunnel in the freezing water.”

Avant laughed devilishly. “Yes. I did.”

With her mouth in a tightlipped smile, she rolled her eyes and shook her head as she took his hand. “I know an even quicker way.”

The door of his heart was finally open, and it wouldn’t close. His will was settled, and she knew he would never change his mind.

* * * *

As the prophecies decreed, the king and queen took their rightful places as leader and ruler. The Kingdom was restored; Seppitent cast out. The fruit of love and joy reigned in the hearts of the people. Long life, health and abundance again blessed the land through the Implanting of the Seed of Light. However, unannounced to the lovers, another seed was planted that day. A seed that would grow to have dark hair and teal green eyes and, one day, rule the land in perfect peace long after the Darkness had gone.

THE END

When I started on my writing journey two years ago, I had no idea the number of people it takes to create a novel and make it read-worthy. I also never realized how many people would willingly help me with my dreams.

I want to thank my wonderful family, who suffered from neglect while I was held captive by the characters in my head. Especially, my husband, Bret, who not only allowed me the time I needed but also the encouragement. We made it through, honey, and I pray your sacrifice will reap rewards.

I want to thank my cousins, Kendra Highly and Debbie Anderson, who were my first cheerleaders. I want to thank all the lovely ladies at Crescent Moon Press, including my wonderful editor, Lyre Turner.

Finally, I want to thank Alison Croggon for asking a question that needed an answer. It was that question that set me on this path and I’m forever grateful.

Kary Rader is a stay-at-home mother of three, avid reader, and slave to the characters and worlds inside her head.

Always creative, she's drawn to stories with fantastical worlds and creatures. With a little bit of magic and divine guidance, there isn't anything that can't be accomplished. It's the power of words that creates and destroys.

Vanquishing evil and injustice while finding eternal love in the process is all in a day's work. And with the help of her critique partners and master cartographer, imaginary places come to life.

Come join her for an adventure and maybe you, too, will be claimed by passion and changed by love.

Let the fantasy begin….

You can find her at
www.karyrader.com