Ginny Hartman

by To Guard Her Heart

  When she finally reached the tower chamber, she pushed the door open and stumbled into the room and straight towards the large bed in the center. She felt for Millicent and immediately began shaking her. “Millicent, wake up, wake up.”

  “What's the matter child?” Millicent asked, becoming instantly alert. “Did you have a nightmare?”

  “I wish it was only a bad dream. Nay, I have done something horrible.”

  Millicent pulled Rosalind into her arms, but she was loathe to take the comfort she was offering. Instead, she pulled free from her grasp and explained frantically, “I transported to Peltis, to Terric, and we were caught. They accused him of treachery and have sentenced him to death. I need to help him. How can I help him?” Millicent appeared much more calm than Rosalind felt. How could she not be worried?

  “What do you mean?”

  “It was stupid of me, so foolish. I transported to Peltis the previous night because I wished to see him, to know that he was well. I should have stayed away, knowing for myself that he was safe, but I couldn't resist going to him once more. We were in his private chambers. I thought we would be safe. Asher found us and...” she couldn't finish, couldn't explain to Millicent the awful scene that she had witnessed.

  “Who is Asher?”

  “Darth's lead trajector. He accused Terric of treachery without even allowing him to explain.”

  “You must admit that you being in Peltis, alone with him in his chamber, could not have looked well. What was Asher to think? He probably assumed the worst of Terric, and rightfully so. King Cedric had trusted Terric with your life and has assumed that you were safely hidden away. When he learns of your appearance, he will only assume that Terric has betrayed him, lied to him about your whereabouts and has secretly hidden you in Peltis, where it isn't safe for you to be, and taken advantage of you.”

  Rosalind gasped, “Terric would never do such a thing.”

  “Aye, I know that, as you do as well, but that is the conclusion that everyone will come to.”

  “What have I done?” Rosalind dropped her head into her hands. “I've got to go to him, to try and free him before they kill him.” She was rambling incoherently, anxiety and fear suffusing her being.

  “You can't go back,” Millicent firmly scolded. “There's nothing you can do. You need to calm down and try not to fret...”

  “How can you say that? I can't sit here and do nothing knowing that Terric could be killed because of my foolishness, that his honor will be in question. His honor is everything to him, and I have taken that away.”

  Millicent reached for her and she tried, unsuccessfully, to pull away. Millicent gripped her wrist and held her firmly in place. “Terric is smart, he will take care of himself. I'm sure once he gets a chance to talk to King Cedric he can explain your appearance and all will be smoothed over.”

  “What if they kill him first?” She was growing more distraught by the minute. “What if he is never given a chance to explain?”

  “That's not the way the law works. There will have to be a trial first to determine if he truly is guilty of the offense he is accused of.”

  “Perhaps I should go to my uncle and explain everything myself. I can't sit idly by when I could help Terric.”

  “Rosalind, you must have faith in Terric and in the law. He has been your uncle's lead defender for the past three years, the king trusts him perhaps more than anyone in the kingdom. I agree that the situation does not look good, but give your uncle some credit, he will by fair when dealing with Terric. You have to believe that.”

  A tiny bud of hope planted itself in Rosalind's heart. Yes, her uncle was a fair man; he would make sure that everything was set to rights. Her body was shaking as she slumped into Millicent and let her pull her onto the bed next to her, her arms going around her soothingly. And this time, instead of pulling away from the comfort, she melted into it, allowing it to calm her rattled heart.

  Chapter 23

  A Risky Endeavor

  Asher trailed the defenders the entire way down to the murky, damp dungeon of Malton Castle. He couldn't help the sinister smile from spreading on his face, knowing that soon King Cedric would see the truth about his beloved lead defender. Surely he would be grateful for his noble act and would undoubtedly grant him Rosalind's hand in marriage.

  Thinking of Rosalind made his insides heat with lust. She looked so much like her mother had in her younger years and he couldn't wait to wed and bed her, like he should have done to her mother, but mayhap not in that order. He thought of her waiting for him in the chamber upstairs, and he quickened his pace, anxious to get back to her.

  He quickly explained the charges he was bringing against Terric to the dungeon guard, who then willingly opened the door to a small, depressing cell with the large ring of keys that attached to the belt around his waist. The defenders shoved Terric in, causing him to fall to the ground.

  “Strip him of his defender's tunic, he is no longer worthy to wear it, and shackle his wrists,” Asher instructed happily, then watched as the two men did as he instructed. As soon as the door was shut and locked, he turned and without another word, raced back up to where Rosalind was waiting for him.

  His mouth watered as he approached the barred door of Terric's chamber, thinking of the delicious prize that awaited him inside. He felt great anticipation as he removed the bar and pushed the door open, but a cursory glance around the chamber revealed that it was empty. Asher cursed as he dropped to the ground and called for her, looking underneath the bed to see if she was hiding from him. He rose angrily, pulling open the drawers of the desk and the dresser in an unrealistic hope of finding her therein.

  The simmering rage he felt was beginning to boil up inside of him as he searched the entire room over. When it became perfectly clear that the girl was nowhere to be found, his hands clenched angrily into his hair and he let out a frustrated scream.

  “What is the meaning of this?” King Cedric hollered behind him, not sounding pleased in the least.

  Asher forced himself to calm as he turned to the king. “Where is she?”

  “Who?”

  “Your niece, Princess Rosalind.”

  “I told you before, that information will remain private as of the moment.”

  “Is she here at the castle?” Asher refused to give up.

  “Absolutely not. It wouldn't be safe for her to be here.”

  “Then you have been kept as clueless as the rest of us.”

  “What do you mean?” King Cedric asked, confusion marring his face.

  “It would seem that your lead defender has been keeping secrets from you. I came across him just this eve having his way with Princess Rosalind.”

  “Rosalind? How can that be, she's nowhere near Malton Castle.” Anger seeped through his words, delighting Asher.

  “Apparently you have been lied to. Terric has been keeping her here, with him, for his own gratification.”

  The king's nostrils flared much like an angry bull ready to charge, his face turning a violent shade of red. “Where is he? I will have him killed.”

  “I have already sentenced him to death for his treachery. He has just been delivered to the dungeon.”

  “How soon can his execution be arranged?” The thought of his dear niece being taken advantage of was clearly not sitting well with the king.

  “According to the law, he will have to first be tried and found guilty. We are looking at a minimum of a week.”

  “I'll override the law,” King Cedric growled. “He will be executed in two-day’s time. Where is my niece?”

  “That I don't know. I barred her in this very chamber when I escorted Terric to the dungeon. When I came back, she had disappeared.”

  “Find her,” King Cedric roared. Asher had never seen the normally even-tempered man so incensed.

  “Aye, Your Majesty.”

  ***

  Aeden clenched his fists angrily at his sides as he listened to Asher announce to the entire castle t
hat his brother had betrayed the king and was now awaiting execution in the castle dungeon. The entire castle staff, as well as all of King Cedric's defenders, were tasked with the job to search the princess out. As Aeden listened to the charges against his brother, he knew they couldn't be true. He was sure that Terric had delivered Princess Rosalind safely to their mother, that this all had to be some terrible mistake.

  As soon as Asher dismissed them to begin their search, Aeden marched up to him, “Where is King Cedric?”

  “Tis none of your business,” Asher snapped back, perturbed that someone dared speak to him.

  “Of course it is my concern. These outrageous charges are brought against my brother, and I insist they are false.” His pleas on Terric's behalf fell on deaf ears. Asher turned and hastily walked away from him without saying another word.

  Aeden began searching, but not for the princess as everyone else was doing, but for King Cedric instead. He had to talk to him and convince him that the charges brought against Terric were false. He knew he was being out of line going to the king's personal chambers, but a desperation like he had never known before compelled him onward.

  He knocked roughly against the king's door and impatiently waited for a response. When the king finally answered, he appeared shocked to see Aeden standing there. “I came to talk to you about my brother.”

  “I do not wish to speak of that traitor.”

  “He is not a traitor. You must believe me when I say that he did not do that with which he is being accused.”

  “Asher saw him with my niece in his bedchamber. Are you meaning to say that I should not trust Darth's lead trajector?” His voice was condescending and Aeden knew he had to be careful with his words.

  “Nay, but I am suggesting that there is some other possible explanation. Let me go to Terric and speak to him about this.”

  “Nay, I will not grant that request. For all I know, you are in on the treachery as well.”

  Aeden stepped back as if he had been delivered a blow. The king had never spoken so harshly to him. Aeden had never given him reason not to trust him. Trying to ignore the anger his accusation caused he asked, “Have you spoken with him?”

  “I refuse to speak to the traitor. I put my highest trust in him, and it seems my trust was grossly misplaced.”

  Discouraged, Aeden stepped back from the king. And, not knowing what else he could do, he pulled his defenders tunic off over his head angrily and threw it at King Cedric's feet. “I refuse to defend a man that cannot find it in him to treat one of his closest friends with respect. He put his life at risk for you every single day and this is how you thank him?” he hissed before turning and fleeing the castle.

  Aeden sprinted to the stables. He refused to think about what he had just done, knowing that if he did he might regret the way he spoke to the king, or the way he had just turned his back on everything he had worked his entire life for. But all he had to do was think of Terric locked up in the dungeon and he knew that he would never regret coming to his aide.

  Though he had rode through the night, Aeden didn't feel the least bit tired when he finally approached is family's home. He was anxious to see if Princess Rosalind was at Emerson Castle and even more eager to formulate a plan to free Terric. He would not let his brother be executed while he sat back and did nothing.

  The morning dawn was just beginning to break as he crested the knoll that led up to his home. He kicked his destrier in the flank and pushed him into a sprint, not stopping until he was at last in the inner courtyard. As soon as he had dismounted, he ran into the house and called out, “Mother, Gwendolyn, where are you?”

  He knew that logically, they were probably still asleep, but his information could not wait. When he received no answer, he sprinted up the spiral steps leading to the bedchambers. He reached the tower and threw his mother’s door open, letting in a small stream of early morning sun. Laying on the bed, illuminated in the light, was his mother holding Princess Rosalind in her arms. His body flooded with relief, knowing that Asher's claims indeed were false, for the proof was laying before his very eyes. Princess Rosalind was not in Peltis.

  His mother stretched herself awake, rubbing her eyes to see what had intruded on her slumber. Aeden walked towards the bed, “Mother, Terric is in trouble.”

  She surprised him by saying, “Aye, I know.”

  “How could you possibly know?”

  “Rosalind told me everything.”

  Aeden was dumb stricken. “How could...how did she know?” He was suddenly tempted to shake her awake so he could question her himself. How could she sleep so soundly if she knew that Terric was set to be executed?

  For a minute he wondered if he had spoken aloud, for the princess slowly roused, turning her hazy violet eyes on him. It took her a moment to register what she was seeing, but when she did she bolted up in the bed and gasped, “Aeden? What are you doing here? Is Terric...” she couldn't finish her sentence.

  “He's locked up in Peltis. The King has ordered him killed in two-day’s time. I came to see if you could help.”

  Princess Rosalind started hyperventilating as she backed herself up against the wall. Aeden ignored her and turned to his mother, nearly shouting, “How did Rosalind know he was in trouble?”

  “Remember how your grandfather Richard could transport?”

  “What does he have to do with anything?”

  “Rosalind shares his gift; she's a transporter. She had gone to see Terric when Asher caught them in his chambers. She transported back here when Asher locked her in Terric's chamber while they took him to the dungeon.”

  Aeden reeled back, “So she was in Peltis?”

  “Aye, but tis not what they think. It was only the second time she had gone to see him, and nothing inappropriate happened.”

  “Why would she go to him?” Then turning to her he asked, “Why did you put your life in danger like that? And my brother's as well?” He was trying so hard to understand.

  His mother stood up and pulled his attention back to her because the princess was in no position to answer him. “Aeden, tis a delicate matter. She and Terric have fallen in love, and she only longed to see him and know that he was well.”

  “In love?” he asked lamely. Of course, he had teased Terric about being in love with the girl. Why was he surprised by the confirmation?

  “Aye. Has King Cedric spoken to Terric? Has everything been set right?”

  “The king refuses to speak to him. He thinks he's a traitor who took advantage of his niece, he will not be reasoned with. I went to him myself to try and persuade him of Terric's innocence, but he refused to listen. I resigned my post as defender and raced through the night to get here so I could find out what is going on. We have to save Terric.”

  Finally, Princess Rosalind spoke, “How? How can we save him? Time is running out.”

  Aeden sat on the bed and scooted close to her, “Can you transport to him and somehow bring him back with you?”

  She looked to his mother expectantly, “Can I?”

  “Tis not the way it works. Your gift can only be used by you. I know this because I used to always beg my father to take me with him when he transported, and once he even tried just to prove to me that it couldn't be done.”

  “But wait!” Princess Rosalind exclaimed excitedly, “I failed to tell you that Terric is a transporter as well.”

  “What?” Both Aeden and Millicent asked in dismay.

  “When I told him how I had come to be in Peltis, he recalled a time when he transported once, several years back. I tried to get him to attempt it again, but he wasn't successful.”

  Slowly an idea started forming in Aeden's mind. “Mayhap he can transport himself out of there, free himself from the dungeon and avoid being executed.”

  His mother was thoughtful. “Assuming he could do it, where would he go? He would forever have to live in hiding. For, if the king ever found him, there would be no leniency.”

  “Nay, there would not
,” Aeden agreed. “But wouldn't a life in hiding be preferable to being executed?”

  Princess Rosalind chimed in, “I don't think he can do it. He hasn't transported since well before he became lead defender for my uncle. That was years ago, and he wasn't even remotely successful when I urged him to try it again.”

  “I can think of no other way to save him,” Aeden cried desperately.

  The three sat in worried silence before Princess Rosalind spoke, “Mayhap I can transport back to him and urge him to try harder to do it. If it is the only way to save his life, perhaps he'll put more effort into it.”

  Millicent looked at her, horror filling her eyes, “Nay, I cannot allow you to go there again.”

  Aeden turned to his mother. “It could be Terric's only hope.” Then turning to Princess Rosalind he warned, “The entire castle is searching for you. You cannot allow yourself to be seen by anyone but Terric. If they find you at Malton Castle, it will only substantiate Asher's claims. Your uncle is not in the right frame of mind to be reasoned with right now. He believes what Asher has told him and holds no trust for Terric. If you try to convince him otherwise, he will just think you are in on the deceit.”

  “He truly has no faith in Terric then?” the question was asked in a shaky voice and he knew, without answering her, that she felt betrayed by her own uncle. Her face said it all.

  “Very well, I see that it must be done,” his mother said to dispel the awkward silence. “Rosalind, you have to promise you will be as cautious as possible. If there is no way to save Terric, your own safety must be your primary concern.”