Rowena Through the Wall: Expanded Edition (14 page)

Heading to the stables, I saddled Lightning. Logan did the same with his horse.

Soon we were off at a gallop through the gates.

When we reached the river, I turned Lightning north.

"I thought we were going to Castle Huel," Logan called out.

I slowed Lightning and shook my head. "That's not my home. Follow me. It's not far now."

I led him along the river, then to the forest. Up the hill we went, into the clearing where Gareth's tent had been set.

I dismounted and gestured for Logan to do the same. Alarmed and somewhat pale, he dismounted and opened his mouth to argue.

"Come now," I said, taking his hand. "We're almost there."

I guided him along the path to the split oak tree. Then I faced the forest and yanked him through the wall.

Chapter 16

Kendra gasped. "How did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"I saw you walk right through that wall!"

"Oh, that," I said, brushing myself off. "Look, sweetie, not to change the subject, but I don't have a whole lot of time. I―"

"And who is
that
?"

Kendra gaped at Logan, who stood at least a foot taller than her. He, in turn, gazed down at her as though he'd
just discovered the meaning of life, the universe and everything that might possibly be in it.

"Damn," I mumbled. "Logan, this is Kendra. Kendra, Logan. Now that we're all introduced, I really have to hustle."

Kendra's eyes widened. "Is he for real?"

"Yes, yes, he's real," I said, trying to speed things along. "He's a cousin of my fiancé."

Kendra stared at me, mouth open. "He's Ivan's cousin?"

"Not Ivan. Sargon." I sighed. "It's complicated."

She crossed her arms. "I can follow."

As a very curious Logan watched us, I sucked in air. "Okay, here goes. I was married to Ivan the first day I got there, but then I got kidnapped. Gareth's land doesn't recognize the laws of Huel, but if you have sex with the same guy three times in one day in this place, you're con
sidered pledged. So I'm kind of married to Gareth too. Except then Ivan got banished―long story, not nice―and now I'm affianced to the king."

"The king?" Kendra frowned. "You're hitched to two of these bozos and engaged to another?"

"Kind of. It wasn't my
fault."

"What is this
bozos
?" Logan interjected.

I ignored him. But I had an idea.

"Kendra," I said, lowering my voice, "I have to whip home for my vet bag. It would be easier without Logan along. Can you keep him here? I'll only be twenty minutes."

"Sure, but how?" She could hardly take her eyes off Logan.

"I don't know." I snorted. "Flirt with him or something. But don't let him leave this classroom. Got it?"

She gulped. "Okay."

Paying no attention to Logan's concerned shout, I ran to the desk and grabbed my car keys. As I reached the exit, I heard

Kendra say, "So…is that a broadsword on your belt or are you just glad to see me?"

I made it home in five minutes, breaking all sorts of traffic rules. I tore through the front door, raced up to my bedroom and grabbed the leather vet bag. I took a box of supplies from the closet and emptied every container of drugs and serum I could find into that bag. Then I ran to the bathroom for aspirin, ibuprofen and Tylenol 3. Next, I went to the bookshelves in the spare b
edroom.

There it was―my book on herbal medicines.

"I hope they have the same herbs in Land's End."

Back in the bedroom, I grabbed a pair of jeans, a T-shirt and one more item. I stuffed everything, along with the book, into a pink designer backpack.

What h
ad ever possessed me to buy pink leather?

I searched for my hiking fanny pack. It held a first aid kit and miscellaneous stuff. Finally, I returned to the closet for my cowboy boots. Yes, there they were! I threw them in a shopping bag.

On the top shelf, I spotted a box that sent a chill through me. It had been a gift from Dad, after the university had been broken into and ransacked one night. Since he knew I often worked late, he wanted me to feel safe, protected. So he'd given me a gun.

I slid the box from the shelf and opened it. The small Derringer pistol gleamed back at me. The only time I'd used it was for the gun lessons Dad insisted on.

There were two bullets beside the gun.

I dumped the contents of the box in my fanny pack.

Hurrying into my office, I booted up the computer and left Debbie an email. "I may be a little longer than I thought. Can you please look after Piper for the rest of the week? Owe you big time. I'm fine and the sex is astounding. Talk soon. Row."

I signed off and shut down the computer.

When I turned around, I let out a startled gasp.

Steve stood in the doorway, looking smug in a dark gray suit and tie.

"How did you get in?" I asked, trembling.

"I still have your key." He held it up. "Where have you been? And why are you wearing that silly dress?"

My mouth opened and then snapped shut. "None of your business."

I pushed past him and stepped into the hall.

"You're going somewhere?" he asked. "Where?"

I marched past him and headed for the bedroom, ignoring his irritating though gorgeous presence. I strapped on the fanny pack, slung the backpack to my shoulder and picked up the shopping bag.

"What did you do to your neck?"

My heart stopped. "What are you talking about?

"Your neck. It's all bruised and purple, like a vampire bit you or something." He moved closer. "Who did that to you?"

I looked in the mirror. Holy crap, he was right.

"I can't talk now," I said, frantic. "I'll call you."

He followed me downstairs. "No, you won't. You're lying!"

"Yes, I will. I promise." I had nearly reached the door.

"When?"

I groaned. "Tuesday."

Tuesday? Why had I said that?

"Row, stop this. Come back here!"

But I was running for the car.

When I reached the classroom, Logan was demonstrating how to wield a broadsword. Those things are heavy, and even with both hands, Kendra couldn't get it above her knees. Logan was showing off, of course, and my star student watched him, smitten.

"Sweetie, I'm so sorry," I said, hurrying toward them, "but we have to leave right now. Steve is right on my tail."

I crossed the room and threw my backpack at Logan.

"Who's Steve," he asked.

"No one."

"Where are you going now?" Kendra demanded.

"I promise I'll tell you everything when I come back."

I shoved my hand through the wall to make sure the portal was still open. "Hurry, Logan."

"Can't I come too?" Kendra wailed.

Without waiting for my reply, Logan grabbed her arm and pulled her through the wall.

Chapter 17

Kendra landed on her knees.

"Oh poop," I said, vexed at this new complication. "Okay. Well, Kendra, here are the rul
es. You've got to do everything I say. And by the way, I'm your
cousin
. Got that?"

"Cousin," she mumbled. "Where are we?"

I made for the clearing where Gareth's men had been camped―that seemed like months ago―and where Logan and I had left our horses. I'd
no sooner turned the corner when a dozen bows were aimed at me.

"Go back!" I cried out.

Men dropped from trees. Two seized Kendra by the arms.

Sargon emerged from the bushes. "Logan, you idiot, you captured a boy."

"I'm not a boy," Kendra yelled. "I'm a Goth."

As she continued to struggle, I scowled at the king. "Sargon, she's a girl. Tell them to stop hurting her."

Frankly, Kendra seemed to be hurting the men more. She kneed one in the crotch and he rolled on the ground. The other man, Rhys, had a bloody nose. She got in a last kick before they backed off.

"Who are these nut-bars, Row?"

I was about to answer her when Sargon grasped my shoulders.

"I'm Sargon," he told Kendra. "This disobedient wench is to be my queen."

I winced. Oh crap, here we go again.

One of the older men stepped forward and peered curiously at Kendra. "So you're a Goth. I heard tell of Goths from way east across the sea."

The crowd was hushed.

"Beyond the island, out of reach of the curse?" Thane asked.

Kendra glanced at me. "What curse?"

"You really don't want to know about that right now." I shook my head. "Trust me."

"Nice armbands," one man said.

"Thanks," Kendra said. "They match my boots. See?"

"Do all Goth's have funny black hair like that?" Sargon asked, disapproval in his voice.

Kendra glared at him, her fists clenched.

"He has rather antiquated ideas about how females should look," I told her.

"I like your hair," Logan said. "And the ring in your eyebrow looks…fierce."

Kendra glowed. "Thanks."

Uh-oh. She was going to be trouble.

Sargon's men made a small camp. They built a fire and tethered the horses close by. After a while, I noticed Kendra chatting with Logan and Rhys by the fire, so when Sargon motioned me toward the trees, I felt it was safe to follow.

I had some explaining to do.

Sargon clenched his teeth. "I don't know whether to kill you or love you to death."

A hysterical sound left my throat. "Do I get a choice?"

Would I ever have a choice?

"Why?" he demanded. "Why did you leave?"

"I went back for my medicine bag. I have antibiotics for your wound now. We would have been back by dusk."

His eyes bore into me. "One of the grooms saw you leave and got Thane, who reported your defection to me. I'll have Logan's hide for this."

"Don't you dare! It's not his fault. You told him not to leave my side and he didn't."

"That boy doesn't stand a chance. You could charm the spots off a leopard." Sargon's mood was lifting.

"How is your wound?"

"Mending."

We glared at each other.

"This Kendra," he said. "She will be a good companion for you?"

"She's my cousin and one of my students."

"Ah, you are a teacher as well as a healer." He pushed me against a tree trunk. "I like that."

"Can you keep the men off her?"

He laughed hoarsely. "From what I have seen, she can do that herself. Don't worry, my love, I will find her a suitable mate."

If she doesn't select one first, I thought.

When we strolled out from the trees, the men were sitting in a circle and Kendra was demonstrating how to do a judo move. She gave one wild yell, then tossed Logan neatly over her back. He landed on the ground with a thump and gazed up at her in adoration.

My worst fears were allayed. Kendra
could
take care of herself.

The ride back to Sargonia was uneventful, except that Kendra rode with Logan, and I had issues about Sargon's wandering hands. Black leather with pink snakeskin will have that affect on some men, and I'd caused a bit of a scene when I put on the cowboy boots.

Kendra said they were "sick," so I guess she approved.

When we got to the castle, it was very late.

Sargon took me straight to his bedchamber.

"I will be gone a short while to make arrangements," he said.

The chair outside the door remained empty.

Still dressed in my rose gown, I was sitting on a chair when he returned an hour later.

"You look thoughtful," he said, undoing his belt and dropping it.

"So," I drawled, "I passed the quick-wit test, the riding test, the strategic-intelligence test and presumably the carnal test. Are we done now? Or do you have any more tests in store for me?"

He burst out laughing, until the tears ran down his face and he had to stop in order to resume breathing.

"Caught, fair lady! I do believe that is the most I have laughed in my entire life. But still, you cannot blame a man for wondering how intelligent his children might be."

I allowed myself a small smile. "No more tests, please. At least not in front of others. You don't have to marry me, you know."

"Don't be absurd. I would
want
my children to be illegitimate?"