Ginny Hartman

by To Guard Her Heart

  Chapter 21

  Every Single Word

  Terric was more than ready to retire for bed by the time he saw King Cedric to his bedchambers. Bidding the king goodnight, he slipped silently into his own chambers. As soon as the door closed, his breath hitched as he noticed a shadowed figure sitting at his desk. His hand instantly went to his sword. Grasping furiously onto the hilt, he pulled it from its sheath and pointed it at the intruder. He sucked in a sharp breath when the intruder turned to face him and, by the faint light of the dying fire, he laid eyes on his sweet Rosalind.

  He held deathly still as she looked up at him with wide eyes. He must be more tired than he even realized to be imagining her here in Peltis, in his private chamber no less. Voice shaking, he whispered, “Rosalind?”

  “Aye, tis me,” her sweet voice floated to his ears. Slowly he lowered his sword, unwilling to take his eyes off of the vision before him, whether real or imagined.

  Holding up several sheets of parchment before her, she asked, “Did you mean what you wrote?”

  His eyes flickered briefly to the words he had penned for her. “Every single word,” he said softly, but firmly.

  She rose then, dressed in a simple linen nightgown, and he hoped desperately that she was real and not just a vision, for he yearned to touch her more than he yearned for his next breath of air. Not thinking clearly, he stepped forth and gathered her in his arms. She felt very real, as he held onto her soft body, inhaling her scent. His head tilted forward, and he reached up and brushed his palm against her smooth, soft cheek, his thumb brushing slowly, methodically over her lips. He felt her shiver in his arms and he felt an all-consuming urge to kiss her.

  His lips found hers and urgently expressed to her the feelings of his heart. He heard the papers she had been holding in her hand flutter to the ground below, swishing against their feet, but he otherwise ignored them. Her kiss was even more fulfilling than he had dreamed it would be, her lips more soft than he remembered. Her arms went around his neck, and he lifted her in his arms spinning her around so he could set her atop his desk. He pushed between her legs and felt them come around his waist, heating his blood as he pressed himself closer to her. Her entire body was clinging to his and her kiss was passionate and lively, just like her.

  Just as he thought he would drown completely in her kiss, he managed to pull away, just enough to see her face. “How did you get here?”

  “Does it matter?” she asked breathlessly. “I only longed to see you.”

  He held her tightly to his chest. “Oh how I've needed you.”

  She nuzzled her face into his chest, as she slipped her arms from his neck and slid them around his waist. His mind was screaming that it was improbable for her to be there, that it wasn't safe, but his heart just wanted to hold her a bit longer. If he was dreaming, he didn't want to do anything to cause himself to wake. He allowed himself to hold her tightly for a moment longer, pressing a kiss to the top of her head before he hesitantly withdrew, knowing he would never think clearly with her body pressed up against his. “I will never complain about seeing you, but I insist you tell me what you are doing here.”

  She took a deep breath, “I transported here.”

  Terric was taken back. “What do you mean?”

  Rosalind laughed, a tinkling melody that further warmed his heart. “You should know exactly what that means, apparently transporting is in your blood, not mine.”

  Terric went and sat on the edge of his small bed, running his hand through his hair. Of course he knew what transporting was. His grandfather had been a transporter and had often gloated about his special gift, much to his grandchildren's dismay. Terric had often been in awe of the odd gift as a lad, but as he grew older and his grandfather passed on, so did his fascination with transporting. He hadn't thought back to his grandfather's strange ability for years.

  Perhaps that wasn't completely true, for there was that one time when he had first become a defender for King Cedric when he had experienced an odd occurrence. He had been training with the senior defenders at the time and had been battling a tough opponent. The man had pinned him to the ground, pressing his longsword roughly into his neck. It was the first, and the last time that Terric had been bested. The other defenders were quite happy that someone had finally been able to take him down, but Terric had not been happy with the outcome at all.

  After he had left the field, he sullenly walked back to his chambers when thoughts of home assaulted him. At that moment he wanted nothing more than to be back at Emerson Castle where he was never the underdog. He wasn't sure how it happened, but the next thing he knew, he was standing in the stables next to Stephen, as if he was ready to mount the beast and gallop on home. It had shocked him immensely, but he had been too upset by his loss that he didn't allow himself to ponder the strange event, instead choosing to strategize in his mind how he would not allow himself to be bested ever again.

  Looking back on it now, he was sure that he had transported. A strange feeling washed over him at the knowledge that he possessed his grandfather's gift. Oh how Aeden and Gwendolyn would be jealous to learn of his luck! Rosalind was silent the entire time he was thinking, giving him the time he needed to absorb this information.

  He slowly raised his head to look into her eyes, “How do you do it?”

  “How do I transport?” He answered her with a nod. “Well, tis actually quite simple, well now that I know how to do it, that is. First I must summon the wisps.”

  Terric looked at her strangely, one brow cocked. “Wisps? What are wisps?”

  “Colorful mist-like swirls. As soon as you are able to produce those, all you have to do is imagine the place you wish to be, touch the wisps, and just like that,” she snapped her fingers, “you are transported to where you imagined. It takes a fair amount of practice to get it right, but eventually it becomes rather easy.”

  Terric rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Tis not how it happened for me. I do no recall seeing any such wisps.”

  Rosalind clapped her hands excitedly, “You are a transporter too?”

  “I suppose so, but I only vaguely remembering doing it once, many years ago, and my experience was not like the one you are describing. Perhaps it is different for everyone.”

  Rosalind shrugged, “Possibly, but according to your mother, tis similar for everyone who possesses the gift. Would you like to attempt doing it now?”

  He looked at her curiously, seriously considering if he wanted to try it or not. Finally, he stood and walked to where she was still sitting on the desk. He offered her his hands and pulled her to her feet. “Aye, why not?”

  Rosalind's smile was radiant, which made him smile in return. “First you must try to think of whatever you were thinking about when you transported in the past.”

  “I'm not sure I recall the precise thing I was thinking about. What do you think of when you wish to transport?”

  Rosalind ducked her head shyly. Terric laughed and tilted her face up to his. “Is it truly so embarrassing?”

  “I don't know why the key to accessing my gift has to be something so personal. Tis truly awkward to admit it aloud.”

  “Now you've gotten me extra curious. Do tell what your secret is.”

  “Tis you,” she mumbled.

  “Tis I?” he asked, truly amused. “Then mayhap all I need to do is think about you.”

  “Well go ahead and try it then,” she said encouragingly. “Close your eyes and think about me.” Terric did as she asked, but he couldn't help the grin that formed on his lips as he thought of her, knowing she was standing inches away staring right at him.

  “Are you seeing any wisps yet?”

  “Nay.”

  “Try harder,” she urged.

  Several seconds passed before Terric started laughing. “I feel foolish. I do not believe this will work. Mayhap it isn't working because there is nowhere else I'd rather be than with you. I have no need to transport right now.”

  “Perhaps you ar
en't truly a transporter,” she said, her chin tilting in the air haughtily.

  “Pity that,” he said flippantly. She cuffed him lightly on the arm which only made him laugh more. He felt so merry and lighthearted around her, so amused. He hadn't felt this happy since leaving her presence.

  He reached behind her and turned the chair around so it was facing him and urged her to sit. “As much as I enjoy having you here, tis not safe for you to be in Peltis. We have yet to capture the person responsible for the attacks. You need to go back to Emerson Castle where you will be safe.”

  Rosalind slid forward on her chair and reached for his hands. “Will I see you again?”

  “I will try my best,” he answered honestly.

  “You said you meant everything in those letters you wrote me,” she said, as she indicated to the papers strewn about the floor.

  “Aye, that I did.”

  “Is it true then that Asher is trying to persuade my uncle to allow him to marry me?”

  Terric's jaw tightened in anger. The last think he wanted to think about was that man and his asinine plan. “Tis true,” he answered regrettably.

  “Nay, tis a horrid idea. For I do not wish to marry. I told you that before, remember?”

  “You do not wish to marry anyone?” he asked, surprising even himself with his boldness. He waited for her to answer, doubt and fear carving its way into his heart. He remembered the conversation perfectly, that he had told her that he too wasn't sure if he ever wanted to get married. And, that had been true then, but mayhap not anymore.

  “I suppose I will have to someday. A queen must have a king.” Not exactly the answer he had been hoping for. His heart constricted painfully, causing a tightness in his chest. He didn't want to convey to her the weakness he had for her, so he remained silent. Luckily it was she who began talking. “When I do marry, it will not be to someone my uncle has chosen for me, someone I hardly know. The man I marry will have to be someone strong, and brave, and—” she bent to retrieve the wayward parchment from the floor, “incredibly handsome. He would have to be someone who loves me for who I am, who helps me become something better, someone I love as much as he loves me.” Dare he have cause to hope? She folded the letters he had written into thirds. “May I keep these?”

  “Of course, they were written for you.”

  He watched as she stuffed them into the sleeve of her nightgown before rising. “I should probably get going. I just needed to see you, to know that you were well.”

  He stepped forward and pulled her tenderly into his arms. “I'm truly glad that you came.” He brushed the hair back from her face before pressing his lips softly to her forehead. “Rosalind, I could be that man for you.”

  She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, calmly. A slow smile spread across her lips. “You already are,” she confessed as she reached up as if she were going to touch his face, but before her hand made contact she suddenly disappeared out of his arms, leaving them painfully and acutely empty.

  Chapter 22

  Accused

  My dearest Rosalind,

  I awoke this morning feeling as if last night had all been a dream. The only thing that assured me that indeed it was not was the absence of the letters I had written you. I meant what I said when I warned you that it wasn't safe to be in Peltis, but I admit that I long for you to return once more. My heart feels alive and full knowing that a short time ago I held you in my arms, that I kissed your sweet lips, that I beheld your beautiful face. Tis enough to get me through another day, but only just barely, for I long to be with you always.

  Terric

  ***

  It had been nearly impossible for Terric to focus on anything all day. He was unusually distracted by thoughts of Rosalind. It was still hard for him to fathom that she had really been with him last night. He could still vividly recall the way her warm, pliable body molded against him and his blood heated with desire. The day dragged on in endless, stretched-out minutes as he longed to retire for the night to see if Rosalind would visit him once more. He felt guilty for wanting it so badly when he knew it wasn't safe, but as long as she was with him, he knew he could protect her. If she came to him again, he would have to warn her away more firmly, for her own good, but it would take all of his willpower to do so.

  Finally, King Cedric gave him his leave to retire for the night. His step was light and his heart even more so as he made his way to his bedchambers. He opened the door slowly, hopefully. When the door was shut, he turned around to see Rosalind sitting at his desk, her back to him. His steps were soft and imperceptible as he made his way to her, surprised that she hadn't heard him entering and turned to see him. When he reached her, he gently drew her hair to the side, exposing her graceful neck to his view and leaned forward to tenderly kiss her smooth skin. She jumped in response to his kiss then groaned in pleasure. He couldn't help himself. He pulled her swiftly into his arms and let his mouth melt into hers. He was absolutely certain he would never get his fill of her. But eventually, for her protection, he forced himself to pull away.

  “You shouldn't have come,” he warned, though his voice was anything but stern.

  “I couldn't stay away,” she confessed airily.

  “Did you tell anyone that you came?”

  “You mean, did I tell your mother of Gwendolyn? Nay, nobody is aware that I am here but you.”

  “And me,” an icy voice bellowed into the room, startling both Terric and Rosalind. Rosalind tried to pull away to see who the intruder was, but Terric held her tightly to his chest as if trying to keep her hidden.

  Terric cursed as he beheld Asher's lean frame standing in the doorway. “What are you doing here?” he ground out between clenched teeth.

  “King Cedric sent me to fetch you.” Terric highly doubted that. He had left King Cedric in the company of King Hadrian and his court, as well as several other defenders. He knew the protocol and knew that, if the king had need of him, he would have sent one of the defenders to fetch him, not Asher. Not just anyone was allowed into the king's private chambers.

  Terric battled the instinct to reach for his sword, knowing if he let go of Rosalind, Asher would be able to behold her face. He protectively tried to keep her hidden from him, ignoring the need to protect himself.

  Asher stepped slowly, deliberately into the room. Terric turned from him in an attempt to keep Rosalind shielded from view. “I suppose I will have to return and tell the king that you cannot do his bidding, seeing as how you are entertaining a harlot.”

  Terric seethed at his insinuation. “Leave,” he growled.

  “Not before I get a look at the whore and decide if I'd like to take a tumble next.” Asher clutched his hand painfully into Rosalind's hair and ripped her head back violently in an attempt to expose her face. She closed her eyes as if blocking him out would make it so he wasn't really there.

  “Her?” Asher bellowed. “Tis no whore, but Princess Rosalind.” Terric stood stone-faced, not sure of what to say to explain her presence in his chambers.

  Asher's thin lips twisted into a cruel smile as he stretched to his full height and said authoritatively, “As lead trajector of Darth, I hereby accuse you of treachery, punishable by death.”

  A piercing sob rose from Rosalind's throat. “You can't do this; he has not betrayed the kingdom. Get my uncle to come to me and I will explain everything.”

  “There's nothing to explain, Your Highness,” Asher hissed while, as if on cue, two of the king's defenders entered the room and ripped Terric away from her, forcing him towards the door with their blades.

  “Terric!” Rosalind screamed as she lunged for him. The two men jerked his arms back violently, pulling him just out of reach. She fell painfully to the ground, her knees crushing on the hard stone below. Ignoring the painful throbbing in her legs, she attempted to crawl towards him when she felt a sudden kick in her side that caused her to fold in half.

  “Another word out of you, and I'll instruct them to kill him right now,
with you as a witness.”

  Rosalind choked on a sob, her heart breaking at the sight of her strong defender captured between two fellow defenders, men who should have been his friends. She chanced looking up at him, as they pulled him furiously towards the door. She could barely make out his face through the tears welling in her eyes. She reached one hand towards him, but wisely chose not to speak, fearing her words would only cost him his life.

  He lifted his head, his blue eyes filled with some emotion she didn't recognize. Certainly it wasn't fear. He was much too brave for that, she rationalized. “I love you Rosalind,” was the last thing she heard him utter before they pulled him violently around the corner and out of her sight. Asher's threats prevented her from responding. Instead, her heart held on to the emotion she couldn't express until it swelled inside her chest causing it to feel as if it might burst.

  Asher was soon to the door, “Stay put, I will be back for you shortly.” He slammed the door and she could hear the bar falling into place behind him.

  For a moment she allowed herself to give into her grief, sobbing loudly on behalf of Terric. She was certain she wouldn't be able to survive if she lost him. Scrambling to her feet, she forced herself to focus her thoughts long enough to recall the wisps—she had to get out of there as quickly as possible.

  The mattress of her bed absorbed her fall as she arrived back at Emerson Castle. She twisted in the covers struggling to get free. She tumbled out of bed and stubbed her toe, barely managing to squelch a scream in an attempt to not wake Gwendolyn. Her eyes watered while she waited for the pain to subside before making her way slowly across the room in the dark. She had to get to Millicent and tell her what she had done. Her heart pounded almost painfully in her chest as she impatiently made her way to the tower where Millicent's chamber was located. The going was slow in the dark of the night, but she was determined.