by Jody Hedlund
At the sight of his bare chest, I was the one to spin and face the darkness of the cavern. My face was suddenly hot, though I knew not why. I’d witnessed various states of undress during my months at the mine. Our close living quarters had made modesty difficult.
At the crunch of steps directly behind me, I stiffened.
“Gabriella,” he said softly, “you won’t make it through the night in your wet garments. You must at least take off the outer layers and allow them to dry.”
He was right. And truthfully, my chemise underneath was modest and of good, sturdy material. I wasn’t sure why I was hesitating. “Very well,” I said just as softly in return. “I shall go farther into the darkness and undress.”
I didn’t wait for his response and instead walked several paces until I was hidden in the shadows. I made quick work of shedding the emerald gown the duchess had arranged for me to wear to the Choosing Ball. Though it was undeniably beautiful, as the heavy, wet weight fell from my shoulders, I felt as though I’d been set free. I stepped out and kicked it across the cave floor. For the first time in months I was truly free from the burdens I’d been carrying. Grendel was captured. The sacrifices to him were over. And the fairest maidens in the land could now rejoice.
I’d accomplished the impossible, and now I could rejoice too.
I tried to smile. Instead, I shuddered, but this time not from the cold. This time the shudder came from a place deep inside, a place that had somehow filled with love for Vilmar though I’d tried not to let it.
I loved him. The realization rose swiftly and painfully, and I would have cried out except that I cupped my hand over my mouth to catch it.
“Come back to the warmth of the fire, Gabriella,” he beckoned. “We have no time to waste in our efforts to dry out.”
I wanted to tell him I couldn’t come back, that we had to part ways. This was the moment to do so. I needed to free him. To cling to him would be entirely selfish of me.
I glanced to where Ty was roasting the fish above the crackling flames. “Your Highness, we need to speak.” But even as I tried to force the words out, I couldn’t contain my shivering.
He stalked over to me, and before I could protest, he scooped me up and carried me to the fire. Though I was mortified to be cocooned against his bare chest, the warmth of his flesh seeped into me. Upon reaching the flames, instead of releasing me, he lowered himself to the ground until I was sitting on his lap. The heat from the flames toasted me from the front, and his body provided warmth from behind.
Still embarrassed by the intimate position as well as his bare chest, I conceded that his efforts were noble and naught more. Without his warmth, I would have frozen, and he knew it. Nevertheless, I didn’t allow myself to relax against him and instead held myself rigidly. Moments later, when Ty offered us cooked fish, I made a move to leave the comfort and warmth of Vilmar’s hold, but he curled his arm around my waist. “Stay,” he whispered.
At the plea in his voice, I made no further effort to distance myself. Instead, I gratefully relished each bite of fish. As the warmth of the meal settled inside, I closed my eyes, too tired to keep them open. Within seconds, I fell asleep.
Something jolted me awake. I was surprised at the warmth surrounding me. In fact, I was warmer than I’d been in a very long time. I started to stretch but then startled at the tightening of thick arms around me.
My eyes flew open to utter darkness, and memories of the previous day rushed into my consciousness—fleeing from the queen’s guards, the long day of traveling, and then hiding behind the waterfall. The steady cascade of the water told me we were still in the secret cave. But our fire was doused and everyone was silent.
I attempted to move again, but lips pressed against my cheek, halting me. I was suddenly aware of my position—Vilmar was leaning against the cave wall, I was reclining against his chest, his legs outstretched on either side of mine, and his arms wrapped around me, covering me like a cloak. Thankfully, he was no longer shirtless. Nevertheless, our predicament was less than proper.
Although my chemise was still damp, I’d dried out enough I could sit by myself. To linger longer with Vilmar would certainly be indecent.
I tried to sit up, but he bent in, his lips brushing my cheek once more before finding my ear. “Don’t move. Soldiers are searching nearby.”
Immediately, I stilled. In the distance beyond the sheet of running water, I caught the faint glimmer of light. Torches? My pulse sped with fear. “Do you think they will discover our hiding place?”
“Curly insists that only he and his fellow hunters know about this cave,” Vilmar whispered.
“But the torches are so near. What if they have learned about it?”
“If they come inside, we shall fight them. Curly and Ty are standing guard on either side of the fall.”
“No. I shall not allow you to fight for me again.”
The soft exhalations of his breathing ceased.
“You have already done too much,” I rushed to explain. “You have put your life in jeopardy for me too many times, and I cannot allow you to do so any more.”
“The queen seeks my life as much as she does yours.”
“Because of me.” My whisper grew more adamant. “I have brought danger upon you.”
“I have made my own choices—”
“If not for me, you would never have left the mine pits.”
“If not for you, I wouldn’t have learned how to be a better man.”
How was he a better man because of me? He’d already been noble and gallant. I shook my head. “I have led to your demise. You ended your Testing because of me.”
“Maybe at first I wanted to abandon my Testing so I could save you. But in the end, I did it to free everyone from slavery. I realize now that was my destiny, to lay down my life as a ransom for many, and I would have done it with or without you.”
My racing thoughts paused. I, too, sensed he would have freed the slaves. That’s the kind of man he was. My leaving the mine had merely spurred him to do it sooner. “Nevertheless, I release you from the betrothal and any obligation to me.”
“You don’t have the power to do so.” His whisper turned hard. “The vows we took are binding.”
“They were spoken under duress; therefore, you are not beholden to me.”
He shifted, his body tensing against mine. “No one can force me, even under the greatest duress, to make promises I don’t intend to keep.”
“But, Your Highness—”
He pressed a kiss against my ear, cutting off my words and thoughts. I reveled in his nearness and the echo of his breath in the hollow of my ear. After a moment, he lifted away. “Do not call me that ever again.” His request was harsh.
“Call you what?”
“By my title.”
“But that is my whole point.” I twisted around, wishing I could see his face. But the darkness was too thick. “You are a prince. You deserve a woman of your equal, not a poor woman, a nobody—”
His mouth descended upon mine, powerfully and fully, giving me no chance to protest any further and sweeping me away in a current of desire. I raised my hand to his cheek and kissed him back, no longer able to contain my love.
An admonition tolled like a bell somewhere at the back of my mind. I was being selfish and needed to let him go. But as he slid a hand to my cheek, then neck, my love for him swelled and drowned out the clanging.
A moment later he broke away, leaving me gasping for breath. “I shall have you as my wife and no other for as long as I live.” His whisper rang with both passion and determination.
I closed my eyes and basked in the kiss still lingering upon my lips. But even as I considered giving myself over to him, I forced myself to try one more time to sever the bond between us. “I have made a mortal enemy of the queen. She will never stop seeking to silence me. If you align yourself with me, then she will consider you her enemy too.”
“She already sees me as an enemy for capturing Gre
ndel.”
“That is the crux of the problem.” My voice rose, only to receive a shushing warning from Ty and Curly. I swallowed my desperation and lowered my tone. “If I stay with you, she will have more reason to hate Scania and perhaps even seek retaliation. But if you leave me and return to your homeland, Scania may eventually be able to restore peace with Warwick. Surely, your father and all his advisors would want you to seek Scania’s good over your own?”
Before he could respond, a shout came from the river beyond the waterfall and torchlight flickered nearer. Vilmar released me and was on his feet in an instant with his weapons drawn.
Chapter
21
Vilmar
Gabriella’s question echoed in my mind as I braced myself for another battle, this time against the queen’s men. “Surely, your father and all his advisors would want you to seek Scania’s good over your own?”
For as long as I could remember, I’d lived to impress my father and the Lagting. Over time I’d earned their favor as well as that of the general populace. But all along, had I sought my own glory? Was that what my Testing needed to reveal?
Beside me, I could hear Gabriella rising. I shifted my sword to my opposite hand and then reached out for her, guiding her behind me where I could guard her against any soldier who might attempt to capture her.
Yes, she was right that our union would be a blemish upon Scania and ruin any possibility of maintaining peace with Warwick. After I’d led the slave revolt and captured Grendel, there was little peace left anyway.
The person I used to be would have taken any amount of peace at any cost in order to please others and make myself more appealing. But I didn’t want the easy path to self-glory any longer. I wouldn’t abandon Gabriella, and neither would I bring more conflict to Scania. If I must live the rest of my earthly days in hiding and obscurity and never resume my life of privilege, then so be it.
The torchlight came from along both sides of the riverbank and flamed brighter. I tensed and prayed the soldiers wouldn’t be able to see behind the waterfall to our hiding place.
Gabriella inched closer, as though seeking my refuge. And once again, as when I’d kissed her, an overwhelming surge of emotions threatened to undo me. This time I had no doubt what the emotion was. Love. I loved her. Loved her deeply and desperately.
Garbled voices from the other side of the waterfall filtered inside, much too close. I held myself motionless, as did Ty and Curly. Thankfully, our horses were resting where we’d tied them earlier, too exhausted to sound any alarm.
While I didn’t want to fight anyone tonight, I was prepared to battle the queen for the rest of my life if I had to. I would do it for Gabriella and anyone else Margery tried to wrongly harm. Perhaps that was my life mission—to live humbly and be slave to all who needed assistance.
The lights flamed against the cascading water. Gabriella leaned into my back. I could feel her heartbeat pulsing against my flesh. I reached for her again until I found her hand. I intertwined my fingers with hers and hoped she could understand my message. Henceforth, we would face whatever came our way. Together.
Her fingers tightened within mine. Was she agreeing to the same? She laid her head against my back, her cheek resting there securely. The touch, as when I’d held her earlier, set my skin ablaze. I’d needed no fire for warming then, nor did I now.
Shouts from farther down the hill seemed to draw the attention of the soldiers at the waterfall. I held my breath as they shifted. When the torchlight began to bob away, the air spilled from my lungs, and the tension eased from my shoulders.
Apparently sensing the change in my stance, Gabriella started to back away. I spun before she could move too far. I dropped my weapons, wrapped my arms around her, and drew her near again. I wished for light so I could see her face, but I said the words regardless. “I have but one desire left in my life. And that is to love you all my days.”
At the mention of the word love, she sucked in a rapid breath.
“I love you, Gabriella.” I wished I could find a way to express just how much I loved her, but I guessed that was what marriage was all about—taking a lifetime to show love in small and great ways every day.
“No, you cannot,” she protested, although weakly.
“There’s nothing you can do to change my love. Not now. Nor ever.” I bent down and kissed the top of her head, the silky strands of her hair reminding me what a beautiful woman she was both inside and out. “No matter where we live or what life may bring, I would be the most fortunate man in all the world to earn your affection in return. Will you let me try?”
She shook her head. “You have no need to try.”
“Please, my lady. I beg you—”
Her fingertips against my mouth halted my plea. An instant later, her lips replaced her fingers in a tentative but earnest kiss, one that left me as powerless and weak as all the others she’d given me.
When she broke away, she brushed my cheek tenderly. “You have no need to try to earn my affection, because you already have it. You have all my love and will have it forever and beyond.”
I reached for her hand and moved it to my lips, kissing her palm, which only made me want to kiss her longer. I resisted and lowered her hand. “Then no more talk of parting ways?”
“’Tis selfish of me when I know I ought to set you free—”
“I am free.” For the first time in my life, I truly felt it. The pressure of pleasing and performing and keeping peace was gone. “Together we’ll be free to serve the people around us and heap upon them as much kindness as we can give.”
“I like that plan.” Her tone hinted at a smile.
“Then we shall be married the first chance we have with the first priest we meet.” The light of the queen’s men had disappeared, leaving the blackness and silence of night in its stead. We would likely need to stay hidden away in our cave for several more days before the knights gave up searching the area and returned to the queen. I didn’t want to wait that long to marry Gabriella, but I wouldn’t put us at risk for my own impatience.
“I’m a priest.” Ty moved away from the entrance and skirted toward us. As always, he’d listened to everything I’d spoken. And this was one time I was glad he’d done so. “I guess that means you must be married now.”
“Now?” I couldn’t contain a shiver of pleasure. “Perhaps Gabriella would like to wait until we reach a chapel?”
“Now is fine.” Her voice was low but with a note of eagerness that made me smile.
“Good,” Ty said. “Then as your chaperone, I’ll no longer need to worry about how to tactfully implore His Highness to refrain from any further kissing of the lady.”
I grinned. “Yes, of course we want to make your duty easier if we possibly can.”
“I think Your Highness is putting me out of a job altogether.” From the kindness in Ty’s tone, I suspected he understood how the challenges of the past months had brought about my inner transformation. And he was pleased with it.
“It’s mighty clear God brought ye to each other.” Curly now joined us in the cavern. “Never met two kinder souls, and if any deserve happiness, it be ye two.”
“You shall have your chance at happiness, Curly,” Gabriella said. “We shall reach the others. And then Ty can marry you and Molly straight away.”
“I be praying so,” he whispered thickly. “That I do.”
Curly had been willing to sacrifice much on behalf of Gabriella and me. In fact, he’d left before he had the opportunity to marry Molly, knowing he might never see her again. I, too, could only pray someday erelong he’d have the chance at happiness.
Today, now, was my chance. I drew Gabriella into the crook of my arm eagerly, and Ty took his place in front of us. As we spoke our vows to each other, ones nearly identical to our betrothal vows, my heart swelled with both peace and joy. This was where I wanted to be, by this woman’s side and nowhere else.
“The Lord mercifully, with his favor, look u
pon you,” Ty concluded, “and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that you may so live together in this life, that in the world to come you may have life everlasting. Amen.”
“Amen,” I whispered with the others.
“Now you may kiss your bride, Your Highness,” Ty said, “anytime and anyplace you wish.”
“And as long as I wish?” I drew Gabriella into my arms.
“Now that is something only your bride can determine.”
I framed my bride’s face, feeling her lips curve into a smile. “How long may I kiss you, my beloved bride?”
Her smile widened. “Most fervently now and forever.”
Chapter
22
Queen Margery
“They vanished.” I repeated the words of the commander, tapping my fingers against the armrest of my throne, the jewels from the rings glittering brilliantly.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” His voice wavered, laden with fear, and rightfully so. At the foot of my dais, he was close enough I could see the stark despair in his eyes. “They vanished without a trace.”
“Without a trace.” I kept my voice as calm as I could. It was a technique I’d learned instilled more fear than when I erupted into one of my rages. “How is such a thing even possible?”
“My scouts, along with my best tracking dogs, have searched for over a week. But they have left us no trail.” He glanced behind him to the dozen or more of his best knights who’d been tasked with bringing me Prince Vilmar and Lady Gabriella. Defeat lay upon every shoulder and creased every face.
The commander had likely pushed the knights hard, giving them little opportunity to eat or sleep. I had no doubt he’d swiftly punished any who slackened their duties. Nevertheless, he and the men had failed me.
I thrummed my fingers again, my long nails clicking and filling the silence that had settled over the great hall.
