“I haven’t discussed one detail with you.”
“Which is?”
“Do you remember how I got out of the castle using Mother’s hairbrush that Mary gave me? It must have gems of power in it.” She glanced his way. He frowned. “Could I use it one time again and grow out this muddy hair of mine so it could be back to what it used to be? Mary is fussing to get me ready for this evening.” With one glance at his face Anna could see how foolish she had been to worry that her own father would execute her for using a hairbrush. But would he let her use it again?
“That hair rope you set on fire didn’t burn all the way. We never figured out how all that hair was hanging out your window,” said the king. “It’s one thing to ask forgiveness—of course you are forgiven, quite another to ask permission.” He frowned again. “There’s that law.”
“I know,” said Anna. “I understand. I just thought I’d ask.” She leaned up and kissed her father’s cheek. “It’s so good to be home.” She turned to go.
“Wait, Anna.” Her father shook her head. “Despite the fact this goes against my better judgment, I’ll let you use the brush this one time. Just don’t tell anyone, for heaven’s sake.” He held out his arms, and she dove into them.
“Thank you, Father.”
Anna returned to her room and took the hairbrush from the dresser drawer. She pulled the brush through her hair and softly sang her mother’s lullaby. Nothing happened. She squinted at her reflection. She had a small stripe of gold hair on her scalp, but it didn’t seem any longer.
She sang again and again and no new hair grew. Anna frowned. She’d just have to live with her muddy hair. She stared at the brush for several minutes, thinking of the last time she’d used it. She’d needed help. Mary said the brush brought luck. She thought of her mother and wished she could figure out the mystery of the hairbrush. Someday she would.
Mary knocked at the door and Anna tucked the brush in the back of a drawer.
“Are you ready to dress, Your Highness?”
“Yes. Sorry about my hair."
“No matter. We’ll wash it again, and you’ll be beautiful.”
Mary prepared her favorite bath. Yes, the castle has its benefits. Anna smiled to herself. She took a deep breath and sank into the warm, scented water. Mary scrubbed her hair with soaps and oils, humming as she worked. Anna’s thoughts returned to Jack. Mary was right. She wouldn’t find anyone better if she searched the world over, but there was something about Jack she couldn’t quite figure out. It was almost like riding a horse that couldn’t decide whether to go forward or back when you kicked it.
Mary braided Anna’s hair into a circle on her crown, tucking small jewels in the folds of the braid. She fussed and tucked and pulled. Anna tried to be grateful. Jewels decorated Anna’s neckline and ears. Anna glimpsed herself in the mirror and hardly recognized the girl staring back. She lined her eyes and touched them with sparkling shadow. She stained her lips a light pink. Finally, she was ready.
One of her father’s guards escorted Anna to the meal. Her dress floated down the stairs behind her. As she entered the dining room, everyone stood and bowed as she passed. Anna smiled kindly to each person. She had done nothing to deserve such a welcome.
Anna sat at her father’s right, next to Saira. She scanned the room for Jack among the lords and ladies present. There were at least eighty people in the room, but she didn’t see him.
“Anna,” her father whispered. “Welcome our guests.”
Anna stood. “Thank you all for coming this evening.” Anna smiled. “This is a night for rejoicing, yet also solemn preparation. A night to be thankful for the food, friends and family we have and to prepare to fight to keep our loved ones safe.”
People cried out with several rounds of “Here yeas!”
Anna continued, “So, please, enjoy this meal together. If I have learned anything from my journey, it’s that we don’t know what the future may hold. Relish this moment and live each one hereafter to the fullest. Love your families and care for your friends while they are with us. When you have the chance, choose to dance.”
Anna nodded. “Let the feast begin!”
Her father beamed as she took her seat.
She finally spotted Jack at the back of the room. Their eyes met briefly. He nodded and glanced away. She struggled to take her eyes off of him.
As the eating and the toasts came to a close, the king stood and tapped his gold cup. All eyes fell on him.
“As you know, in my most desperate attempt to have my daughter returned to this good kingdom, I issued a decree, not knowing Anna was already almost to my doorstep. I declared that whatever knight would bring her back could have her hand in marriage.” He motioned for Anna to stand, which she did slowly. Her stomach dropped to her feet.
“And so,” continued her father. “To be true to my word, tonight I offer my daughter’s hand to the one man who saw her safely returned home to me, Sir John William.”
Anna forced her eyes to lock on Jack, who was walking smoothly to the front. He bowed to the king and crossed to Anna, bowing before her and taking her hand. He kissed it and leaned over to whisper in her ear.
“You look so beautiful tonight.” His words rushed out. “Absolutely perfect.”
Anna shrugged. “Mary,” was all she said, as if that explained everything about her appearance. Her eyes filled with tears. She squeezed his hand for balance.
Jack dipped his chin, released her hand and turned to King Vilipp.
“Your Majesty,” he began. “Although I deeply appreciate the offer of the hand of the most precious jewel in your kingdom, my conscience cannot accept it in this way. I only have one request, that Anna would marry the man of her choice. So though it greatly pains me, I must decline your most fine offer.”
Gasps erupted through the crowd. Jack bowed before the king.
King Vilipp’s eyebrows shot up. He reached forward to touch Jack on the shoulder.
“You do know her well. So be it. Anna shall marry the man of her choice whenever it pleases her!” he proclaimed through the hall.
Jack glanced once more at Anna before making his way toward the door.
Anna stood paralyzed. Has Jack just turned me down in front of all these people? Didn’t he know I was fine with marrying him? She glanced around the room and met Lady Arissa’s eyes. Her stomach clenched and the old insecurities crept in. She saw the smirks on the court ladies’ faces and the appreciative glances at Jack, officially back on the market. Anna forced a bright smile and returned to her seat. Look as if this is what you’ve always wanted. And in a way, it is. She glanced at the door where Jack had retreated. She’d never wanted to bolt out of a room more in her life. As the guests started to retire, she thanked her father again and told him it was time for her to turn in. Her hands shook terribly as she fumbled with the doorknob to her room.
She pulled the jewels out of her hair and kicked off her shoes before collapsing on the bed. What had happened? Anna reconsidered Jack’s words. He wanted her to have the man of her choice. Did he want her at all? She didn’t know. Moments later, Mary burst through the door.
“My dear, are you all right?” she asked, stroking her back.
“Tell me what happened down there.” Anna said in a dull tone.
“Sir John William believes you should make the choice, and your father agreed.”
“That’s what I’ve always wanted.”
“So why the glum face?” Mary asked.
Anna thought she was going to be sick.
“If he wanted to be with me, wouldn’t he have just accepted me today?” A pang filled her chest. “We’ve been together every day for weeks,” Anna said. “Maybe that was enough.” I miss him already.
“Time will tell the answer,” Mary said. “But now you have the chance to make that decision for yourself.”
“Just leave me, Mary. I need to rest.”
Mary gave her one last pat. “Ring the bell if you need me.”
<
br /> “Of course.”
The old nurse left, quietly shutting the door. Anna could hear her busily shooing people away in the corridor.
Anna lay down again and stared at the wall. Silent tears slipped from her eyes and slid down her nose. It is what I have always wanted. Then why do I feel so rotten? Doubt swirled through her mind as she remembered a few of his harsher words. He’d even said she was acting like an idiot yesterday. Of course, he must see himself with someone else. A rush of shame washed over her. Everyone in the castle must realize that. He had to have known how this was going to sting. He’s from a noble family as well and probably would just as soon not marry an idiot like me.
She pulled her dress off and let it fall to the floor. The room was chilly, so she slipped on her nightclothes and wandered to the window. The moon sparkled its reflection on the river as it continued on its journey, as if nothing had happened. Its beauty was lost on Anna as she stared back at the nearly moon. Seamus would strike soon. She needed to forget Jack and turn her mind to helping her father win the battle. The wind shifted and a cool breeze filled her room. Would Stefan make it back in time? Seamus was out there, somewhere.
“Please, protect my brother,” she whispered to the Most High.
Chapter 18
The next day Anna awoke early and snuck down to the stables. She found Farley in his stall and went to work brushing his matted coat and picking burs out of his mane and tail. She took him outside the stable to graze as she sat in the rising sun, thinking. She occasionally glanced to the west, hoping to see Stefan leading the army home.
Anna moved to sit with her back against a tree. Farley didn’t appreciate having to move from the tender grass. He shook his head and pulled on the lead rope.
“Oh, come on, Farley. It won’t kill you to come with me!” Anna said, irritated. She had grown used to the sweet, compliant mare. The big horse followed her slowly, grabbing a few more bites as he walked.
As the mid-day meal approached, Anna returned Farley to his stall with grain and hay. She gave him one final pat and checked his water. She paused at Star’s stall. The little mare nickered and thrust her head over the stall door. Anna scratched her behind the ears and on the throat. Tension drained from Anna as she stared into Star’s bright eyes and breathed in her sweet, familiar scent. The mare rested her head against Anna’s chest. Her heart warmed. Thank goodness she survived.
Anna crept back to her room before too many people were up. She couldn’t bear to face Jack. She wasn’t hungry anyway.
Anna washed her hands and thumbed through a favorite old book. She alternatively sat by the window or paced her room most of the day. Before long, someone knocked at the door. Saira.
“Hello, Anna.” Her boots clicked on the stone floor as she entered. “I was just checking on you, making sure you weren’t ill. We missed you at meals today.”
Saira hugged her. Affection from my usually distant older sister?
“You are going to be all right,” Saira whispered. “No one thinks badly of you. It was a noble thing Jack did. He turned down position for your freedom to choose.”
Anna nodded. “But why would he have bothered if he’d wanted to be with me? He must not. It’s like I somehow lost him.”
“Well, life doesn’t always turn out the way we expect—or want it to.” Saira raised her eyebrows in a way that made Anna wonder if there was something Saira was keeping from her.
She couldn’t argue with her point, however.
“Did you not talk about it?” Saira asked.
“Believe me, I wanted to, but he avoided the conversation.”
Saira frowned. “Have you considered that it might not be about you, but him?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure what that means,” said Anna.
“He was in bad shape when he first came here,” Saira said. “He was in shock. I remember because Father had me look after him for a while as he is close to my age.”
“What happened? I only know his family was killed, and he fled here.”
“One day the whole family was together—it was Jack’s fourteenth birthday. One minute everyone was celebrating, the next minute armed men ran in with swords and started slaughtering the family. Jack’s father and brothers fought to the death, giving Jack and his mother time to escape. His father told Jack to flee with his mother—to get her to safety. He told me he glanced back and saw his brother dying and his father run through with the sword. He grabbed his mother and kept going.”
Anna’s heart wrenched to think of what he went through on that day.
Saira continued. “Jack wanted to stay and fight, but the king knew their only chance was to flee. There were too many of them. People in their own castle had turned against them. Jack escaped on a single horse, carrying his mother to safety.”
“Jack may have his own reasons which have nothing to do with you,” Saira said, her tone soothing. “He didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“I’m sure you are right, but I can’t stop feeling I must have read him wrong. I thought he cared for me. What’s worse is Arissa and her ilk in the court. I’m sure they can’t wait to get their paws all over him. He’s fresh meat now.”
“Ignore those girls. They are nothing to you,” Saira said.
“Gavriella isn’t so bad, I suppose.”
“She’s the one from Durham?” Saira asked thoughtfully.
“Yes. I think I could be friends with her.”
“That’s a start,” said Saira. “But you need to remember you are a daughter of the king. Now act like it.”
Anna shook her hair down and pulled her shoulders back. “You’re right. What have I been thinking?” She steeled herself and shoved the embarrassment and confusion away.
“Come down and have some dessert.” Saira laughed.
Anna couldn’t argue with that. Anna dressed properly and followed Saira downstairs. She held her chin high as she entered the dining room. The few people left at the table rose as she entered. She held up her hand to signal for them to be seated. She wanted no attention. She and Saira shared cake and tea. She even laughed a little. Saira was right. Most people were not at all concerned with her. They were worried about the coming battle.
A blast of heat hit Anna as she and Saira walked through the armory after dessert. Blacksmiths worked night and day, sharpening swords, pounding hot metal into shields, spears and armor for men and horses. Anna’s heart swelled at the thought of protecting the people. Yes, their lives were what mattered now, even though a part of her worried about running into Jack at every turn.
The rattle of chain link armor made Anna glance up. Bart strode toward her, wielding a new sword.
“Bart!” Anna exclaimed. “It suits you perfectly.”
He bowed before her. “I am happy to defend the castle, Your Highness.”
“You will serve the king well in battle, as always.”
His eyes glistened. “Thank you, Your Highness,” he said. “I’m thrilled to fight at my master’s side.”
Anna’s eyes narrowed. “Promise me you will stay close to Jack during the battle.”
“Of course. He might need me, after all.” He grinned and bounced a little from foot to foot.
She only hoped Jack could keep him safe.
The next day after the midday meal, Anna decided to walk around the gardens for some air. The place was deathly quiet, like the stillness before a great storm. Even the wind had ceased. She wasn’t in the mood to chat with a great number of people, so when she saw a group of ladies approaching, Anna ducked into the hedge maze in the middle of the garden. While mazes were confusing to most, Anna knew this one well. She often had used its ten-foot-high walls for cover when sneaking to the stables.
She walked along one side and without paying attention where she was going, turned at the first right. She turned at the next left and took two more turns as she followed the maze around. But here, to her surprise, it came to a dead-end. Oh, no! They must have changed it! She ran back to where s
he thought she’d begun but couldn’t find the entrance. Oh, great. She took yet another wrong turn. Then she heard voices. I must be close to the gazebo. She could shout through the hedge and ask for help if she absolutely had to. Anna walked along until she heard the voices clearly. She was about to call out when she recognized Saira’s voice. Anna hesitated.
“I think you’ve upset my sister’s pride a bit,” Anna heard Saira saying.
Anna’s faced burned. Oh, no!
He laughed, “I can’t imagine!” Jack. “She’s not your typical girl.”
Anna couldn’t speak.
“No,” said Saira, “but she still has feelings. Remember, she’s only sixteen.”
“Soon to be seventeen, but I know. She’s young.” His voiced softened. “It was never my intention to hurt her.”
Anna trudged in the other direction, struggling to get out of the maze. After fifteen minutes, she found she again was within earshot of their conversation. Giving up, she plopped to the ground and listened.
“We’ll see,” Jack laughed. “You will have made me the happiest man alive. I never knew you were so sensible.”
“That’s me. The sensible, boring one. Not like someone else.” Her voice was low.
“I’ll never forget the time we spent together when I first came here. It meant everything to me,” Jack said. “I was broken.”
“You were young and in shock. Anyone would have befriended you,” Saira said.
“No. Not the way you did. Whoever catches you will be a lucky man,” he said. There was a long pause. What could they be doing? Anna’s cheeks burned. And what history do they have together? “But all I can think about right now is the battle. Anna will be fine,” Jack said. “Please make sure she stays out of trouble.”
“Talk to her now, while there is time,” Saira said. “She should hear from you.”
“I’m not sure what to say,” Jack said.
“You’ll think of something.”
Anna couldn’t sit still any longer. She stumbled around the maze until she finally found the exit that led down to the stables. Dirty and sweaty, she ran to Farley’s stall. Her heart pounded in her ears. Hands shaking, she brushed Farley quickly and then saddled him.
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