Jade smiled at him. “This is one of my favorite books. Father bought me a copy when I was young. I read it every winter,” she told him. She sighed and closed the book, setting it in her lap.
“Jade, I’ve been wanting to ask you…”
“About last night?” she finished for him. Aston looked away, but Jade still caught his nod. “I meant it.”
Aston turned to Jade. She looked beautiful, sitting in the faint light coming through the curtains. Her auburn hair formed a halo around her face. Her emerald eyes were locked on his. He leaned closer, not closing his eyes, and his heart leapt into his throat when he saw her moving too.
When their lips met, Aston allowed his eyes to close. It was different than the first time. Where that was unexpected and spontaneous, this was planned and simple. Aston leaned even further forward, pushing Jade onto her back and lying on top of her, supporting himself with his elbows. He never allowed their lips to disconnect.
As he deepened the kiss, he felt Jade’s hands go to his shoulders. He tried to hold back his small gasp when her hand rested on his wound, but Jade felt him go still. She quickly moved her hands to his stomach and pushed him back, standing and taking several steps away from the bed. Aston breathed heavily as he watched her, wishing she would come back and be beside him again.
“That was foolish,” Jade told him, turning around. Her face was flushed, her lips rosy. Her eyes had darkened. “We can’t get carried away, Aston. Not while you’re hurt.”
For the second time since he’d met her, Jade kissed him and walked away.
Aston leaned back on the bed as soon as the door closed behind Jade. He didn’t understand anything about this. He’d met plenty of women, women who were quieter and well-behaved. None of them affected him the way Jade did. Her eyes saw right through him. She was the only person, aside from Richie and Delgrab, who was willing to believe that he had a future. He’d known her for a week and already she was closer to him than so many others he’d had in his life for much longer.
Aston found his eyes traveling to the book Jade had left behind. With nothing better to do, he picked it up, turning to the first page.
The night was cold, the air thick with winter. She had lit a fire in the hearth and now lay curled by its warmth, folded in on herself in the midst of a cotton blanket.
**
Jade sat in the inn’s front room until the sun disappeared beyond the horizon and the moon took its place. What was this feeling? It was different from anything she’d ever felt before. She put a hand to her lips, remembering the way Aston’s had felt against them. She was smiling like a fool, she knew, but she couldn’t stop herself.
When did this become more than just needing someone to look after me? When did this knight find a way into my heart?Jade glanced at the stairs. Her knight was up there now, lying in pain from a wound her brother had inflicted.
Her heart sank as she remembered. Nothing could ever happen between her and Aston. If it did, she would be obligated to save him and she couldn’t hurt Ernst that way. She realized she was in an insolvable spot. The way she saw it, she had two choices: save her brother, or save her knight.
There was no way for her to do both.
“Not until we are lost do we begin to
understand ourselves.”
- Henry David Thoreau -
Sixteen
Aston awoke the next morning extremely satisfied. He had spent the night beside Jade, listening to her soft breathing. He wanted more nights like that one, more mornings of waking up beside her. Those days would have to wait. Jade had only paid for two nights; it was time to leave.
“I can pay for another night, Aston. You know I have the money,” Jade said. She wanted Aston to rest, not start going after Ernst again so soon.
“We need to return to Delgrab’s. I need to know if Richie has heard anything else from King Donn,” Aston said.
With a sigh, Jade followed after him as he left the room. He had his bag in one hand and hers in the other. She took hers from the knight, not wanting Aston to strain his arm.
After checking out of their room, Jade and Aston went to the stable. Jade tipped the boy working there to tack their horses while she and Aston waited.
“I really think we should stay one more night. Your Rogue won’t go after Talbot without setting a date, Aston.”
“You said that already, Jade. I know. I’ll feel better knowing I’m closer to him, that’s all.” Aston looked away, not wanting to discuss any further. He was a knight. He’d spent more nights wounded outside with no bed to lay in than he could count. Jade didn’t understand because she’d been brought up in a position where if she was hurt, or sick, she could lay down until she was better. Knights didn’t have that option.
Once the horses were ready, Aston wasted no time mounting Sterling and leaving town, Jade close behind him. In two days, they would reach Delgrab’s cabin. Aston still intended to ask Del if there was a place he and Jade could spend the winter. He didn’t want to drag her around through the snow all season.
Already, the air felt colder. The harsh wind whipped at his cheeks, quickly reddening them. He looked over his shoulder and saw Jade hunched down in her saddle, letting her horse block the wind. Aston smiled. If only the princess knew how ridiculous she looked, her hair blowing everywhere, peeking out from behind her stallion’s head. Aston found himself laughing then, his sour mood lifted.
Jade scowled at him. She quickly ducked back behind her horse, not used to the cold wind nipping at her face.
“You’ll get used to the wind once your face goes numb,” he called back to her.
“I’d rather hide and keep my face warm,” she replied. Aston stopped Sterling and pulled his satchel onto his lap. Reaching in, he pulled out a thick cloak.
“Wrap this around your shoulders and over your head. It will help,” he told Jade, who had stopped Edward beside Sterling. She did as she was told, reveling in the warmth the blanket offered.
“Thank you, Aston,” she said, her cheeks rosy. Aston nodded and started forward again, the princess right behind.
**
“Father, we tried!” Talbot exclaimed, wishing his father would look at him. He was currently on the floor at his father’s feet. He glanced up, but Donn only looked away, staring past his son.
“I want results, Talbot, not excuses! You brought an entire unit with you and brought back only half of that. What happened?” The king turned his eyes back to Talbot, his grey pupils burning with his fury.
“The Rogue Royal was there, Father. I never saw Aston. He might not have been there after all. I sent half of your men in to get your knight, but none of them came back,” Talbot explained. He moved to stand, but Donn pushed him back to the floor with his foot.
“You’ll stay down there until I tell you otherwise,” he ordered. “What do you expect me to do now, Talbot? Hope that whoever The Rogue goes after next decides to send me a letter asking for help? The only reason I knew about this attack was because King Roland and I were close friends. Now he is dead, too. What’s it going to take for you to bring Aston to me?”
“Shouldn’t we worry more about the The Rogue Royal targeting one of us?” Talbot asked. Ernst’s words were still foremost in his mind. With his father angry at him, Talbot stood no chance against The Rogue should he decide to target him next.
“I don’t care who that man kills now, Talbot. My closest friends are all dead. If it weren’t for Aston’s foolishness, they would both still be alive.”
“How could Aston have saved King Roland?” Talbot asked, confusion evident in his voice.
“If he hadn’t failed with Duke Aeron, I would have sent him to protect Roland. As it is now, I’m stuck with knights half as strong as him and a dimwitted son to watch over my army,” Donn exclaimed. He stood from his throne and strode down the red carpet. At the door, he turned. “You can stay there for now, Talbot.”
“Father!” Talbot cried, but Donn did not turn around. His footstep
s gradually became softer, and soon Talbot could not hear them at all.
The prince looked around himself. He’d never paid much attention to the throne room; it was always just the room he went to to order people around. Now, he realized it really was beautiful. Tall, marble columns were spaced throughout the room. Each one had the country’s roaring lion emblem engraved into it right where the column met the ceiling. The golden thrones were kept polished, gleaming in the light let in through the floor to ceiling windows that took up the entire left wall. Burgundy curtains were pulled to the side and held in place by thick, gold tassels.
For the first time, Talbot realized how lucky he was. He had a father who loved him most of the time. His mother was kind and always put others before herself. He had an army that would put their lives on the line to protect him and a country full of people who knew one day he would rule them and respected him.
What had he been doing with his life?
He looked up as the sound of shuffling feet approached. Turning, he spotted Aston’s little servant friend, Richard. The boy glanced at Talbot and bowed slightly before proceeding to the thrones. He carried a bucket that was sloshing with soapy water in both hands, a towel clutched tightly between the handle and his palms.
Without looking at Talbot again, the boy began to clean the thrones. He started on the king’s, making sure to get every inch gleaming in the late morning sun. When he was finished with King Donn’s, he moved on to the queen’s. Talbot continued to watch the boy, and Richie sent sideways glances at the prince every once in a while. Finally, the boy stopped what he was doing and turned to face Talbot.
“Is something wrong, Your Highness?”
“Nothing. Just a conversation I had with someone recently.” Thinking over the idea, Talbot decided to test his theory on Richie. “Can I ask you something?” he asked the boy.
Richie shrugged. “I suppose so.”
“Do you think The Rogue Royal would ever think to come after me?” Talbot asked.
Richie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Where did you get that idea, Your Highness?” he asked.
The prince sighed. “It’s nothing. Just something I’d been thinking about. Run along. Go…clean something,” Talbot ordered. He stood, despite his father’s orders, and left the throne room.
**
Richie shrugged and turned back to Talbot’s throne, remembering the dream he’d had the night before. Talbot had been sleeping, and The Rogue Royal was standing by his bedside, dagger in hand. He wondered if that had anything to do with the prince’s sudden burst of kindness. As he finished washing the prince’s throne, he noticed a letter sitting on the floor by the king’s. He looked toward the door to make sure Talbot really was gone before picking up the letter. It took him a while, but with Aston’s reading lessons, he was able to struggle through the letter.
Donn,
I thought I should let you know that I received word from The Rogue Royal today. He says he sent word to every kingdom, letting them know their royalty was safe until winter is through. I suppose even blood thirsty murders don’t like to travel in the winter.
I also received word from the Queen of Northsbury. She says the death of her husband will not put plans for the winter ball on hold. She says her husband would be dishonored if they did not celebrate as usual.
I suppose I will be seeing you and Talbot there next month.
Any news from Aston about my dear daughter?
Your friend,
Aric
Richie didn’t understand what most of the letter was about, but one thing did stand out to him. The Rogue wouldn’t be killing anyone else until after the snow left.
Smiling, Richie left the room and went to the stables, talking to Vernon for a bit before climbing on Vernon’s old mare and leaving the palace. If there was one place Aston would always go back to, it was Delgrab’s cabin. If he hurried, Richie could make it there and back before dark. He would leave the letter with Delgrab and hope Aston made it back before the first snow.
**
Night found Aston and Jade halfway home. It also found them camping out in the middle of the forest, winter upon them. The first flakes of snow had fallen right as the sun was setting, and Aston had quickened their pace, hoping they would be able to reach Delgrab’s cabin the next day before the snow started to stick.
As the sun finished its descent, Aston forced Sterling into the forest and off the main road. He wanted to be able to build a fire without worrying about someone seeing it.
“Stay under that blanket until I get this fire started. Stay by Edward. You can share his body heat until I’m done.”
Jade nodded, and Aston noticed her teeth were chattering. He worked faster, knowing the princess wouldn’t be used to the cold. It took him only a moment to create enough friction to start a fire. He put the flint back in his satchel before grabbing Jade’s hand, pulling her close to the fire. He’d taken his own blanket and draped it across the ground; as long as it didn’t snow much more that night, they would be able to keep warm enough beneath the shelter the trees offered.
“Lay down on that blanket, Jade, close to the fire,” he instructed. Aston was used to the cold; he was worried about the princess. No doubt she’d spent every winter’s night in front of a fire with a steaming cup of hot tea in her hands. Being out in the extremes like this would be hard on her.
Once Jade had lain down, Aston covered her with the wool blanket he’d given her as well as the blanket from her pack. When he was sure he’d made her as comfortable as he could, he disappeared into the woods to find food.
Jade lay there, shivering, wishing Aston would come back. She didn’t like being out here by herself. It reminded her too much of the night outside Fridel when the wolves had been chasing her. She cowered under the blankets Aston had given her and scooted closer to the fire, hoping the flames would protect her until Aston returned.
She didn’t have to worry for long. Aston returned within the hour, carrying three dead hares. She used to cringe at the sight of them, but she was getting comfortable with Aston’s hunting. Now, she found it intriguing, watching the way he treated the dead animals as if they were still alive, still precious. He skinned them with such care, emptied them out like they were simply ill and he was helping them. When he placed them over the fire and washed his hands using water from his leather canteen, he came to her.
Jade didn’t have to ask to know what Aston wanted. She moved away from the fire, allowing him room to lie down. Once he was beside her, she unraveled herself from one of the blankets and tossed it over him. Seemingly unsatisfied, Aston took the blanket that was still wrapped around her and pulled it free, tucking himself in beside her before encompassing them both in the blankets.
Jade was surprised at how warm Aston’s skin was. With how long he’d been out in the cold, she’d been sure his skin would feel like ice against hers. Instead, he was like a warm hearth. His heated arms wrapped around her chilled flesh, causing goose bumps that were in no way related to the cold. Inside the cocoon of his arms, she almost forgot that she’d been nearly frozen only moments before.
“No use wasting body heat,” Aston said, jerking her from her thoughts.
“You don’t have to have a reason to hold me, Aston,” Jade replied, tucking her head underneath his chin. She buried her face in his shirt, noticing for the first time how he smelled. The knight smelled like pine trees and sweat. While it wasn’t a combination she would normally have thought of as appealing, for Aston it just fit.
“I wasn’t trying to give it reason. I was just stating a fact,” Aston told her, resting his chin on top of her head. Smiling, Jade leaned up and stole a kiss, loving the fact that she could make the knight defensive.
He returned her kiss wholeheartedly, moving his tongue along her bottom lip. Jade smiled into the kiss, and he took the opportunity to slide his tongue into her mouth, running it along her teeth before withdrawing again. He felt more than heard Jade’s disappointed moan when h
e broke the kiss.
Aston uncovered himself and slid from the blankets, settling them back over Jade. He looked over his shoulder at her once he reached the fire, smiling when he caught her watching him.
“What will you do, Aston? When you’re a free man again, where will you go?” she asked him, turning on her side, placing her elbow on the ground, and resting her head on her fist.
“I’m not sure. I don’t think I want to go back to Fridel. I love being a knight, but this journey has made me question so many things I thought I knew,” Aston replied, staring at Jade. The firelight was playing over her body, making her auburn hair dance with color. She looked beautiful.
“Where will you go, then? If I asked you to come to Adion, fight for my father, would you?”
Aston looked away then. He meant what he said; he loved being a knight, and he respected King Aric more than many of the other monarchs he’d met. Aric was the one king Aston always felt saw his soldiers as more than lives to throw away. However, he didn’t think he wanted to fight for him. He didn’t know if he wanted to fight for anyone anymore, other than himself.
“I like this freedom, Jade. I love feeling like I can go anywhere I want, do anything I want. I don’t know if I want to go back to being someone’s soldier,” he answered honestly.
Jade nodded in understanding.
“For now, I’m happy doing this. Travelling…with you,” he said.
Jade looked up at him and smiled. “I like this, too. It’s better than being a prize on Jacob’s arm,” she replied.
“What will you do when you go back to Adion? Your father will make you marry the marquess.”
“I don’t intend to go back.” Jade narrowed her eyes at Aston as his eyes widened. “What? You’re allowed to run away forever, but I’m not?” she asked him.
“I didn’t think you would want to leave your father forever. King Aric is a kind man,” Aston replied, turning his attention back to their dinner.
“My father is kind, but he doesn’t understand me. I can’t spend my life as a trophy. I want to be somebody, really matter to the world. I can’t do that as Marchioness of Summerslade,” she told him.
Knight's End (The Knight Trilogy) Page 11
