My One and Only Knight

by Cynthia Luhrs

  She didn’t wake as he carried her up the stairs and put her in the bed, removing the pretty blue shoes and covering her. As he turned, she reached out, mumbling.

  “Stay, just for a minute. Don’t leave me.”

  “As if I could survive a day without your smile, love.” He stretched out on top of the blankets and gathered her close, stroking her hair, working out each tangle.

  “Penelope, I know you are sad you could not find a way to send me home, but…I am pleased. I wish to make a life with you, and will spend every day worshipping you. I love you with all my heart.”

  He looked over to find she was asleep and had not heard him. His family ring winked in the light from the hall, and he decided he would ask one of her friends where he could find a goldsmith to fashion her a proper ring, for he meant to marry her and make her his. Thomas had waited his entire life to find her, and he would never let her go. With a kiss on her forehead, he got up and went down to put the top up on the car.

  FOURTEEN

  “How long has Thomas been here? It seems like he’s always been a part of your life.” Rainbow waggled her eyebrows at Penelope as they stretched out on turquoise chaise lounges next to the pool and sipped sweet tea with mint. The endless summer days made her wish the warmth would never turn to fall and then to a time of renewal in winter, but Penelope knew change was the one constant in life, and she had to embrace it or risk becoming one of those people who ended up adrift in life, never growing or moving forward, stagnant and trapped in the web of life.

  “Mildred was complaining yesterday she hadn’t heard from me in weeks. Honestly, I hadn’t noticed how fast time had passed. It’s so much fun seeing Thomas experience the little things in life we take for granted. He spent hours at the marina last week talking to the fisherman about everything from rope to the ship’s engines. The zest and excitement he has for life is so refreshing.”

  The man in question was currently shirtless, tan and breathtaking as he gleefully knocked down the last of the rickety wooden fence surrounding the pool. The replacement fence, black iron with decorative finials, gleamed in the sunlight.

  “So let’s see: it was the day after the summer solstice, so he’s been with me a little over two months. Can you believe tomorrow is the first of September? And as hard as it is to accept, I believe he was sent through time for a reason—for what, I have no idea. I’m just happy he’s here with me.”

  Rainbow had always possessed a special sense, and was able to predict events. Many in town scoffed, but there were others who were afraid of her, believing she indeed had some kind of mystical powers, and on days like today, as the spoon in Rainbow’s iced tea kept lazily stirring without any aid from her, Penelope was inclined to agree.

  Inquisitive golden cat eyes turned her way. “He’s here for you.”

  Penelope almost choked on her tea. “Wait, you’re just going to leave me hanging?” She studied Thomas as he worked, the muscles rippling across skin. He looked happy enough, but not knowing what happened to his family, now long dead…it had to be a terrible burden on anyone, let alone a man who lived and breathed words like, honor, duty, and responsibility.

  She’d told him she’d hire someone to put up the new fence, but he said he enjoyed physical labor, and without his sword and opponents to fight against, he didn’t want to run to fat. As if. The man would give the Man of Steel a run for his money any day.

  “Thomas is fated for you.” Rainbow looked troubled as she ran a hand through pale blue hair. “But sweetie…you’re not going to grow old together. I don’t know what’s going to happen; wish I did. I only know your time together is special, and you both have to wring every second of joy out of life while you have each other.”

  Penelope turned to look at Rainbow, horror threatening to drown her. “Please tell me we didn’t cause this with the summer solstice celebration? He arrived the next morning. I wondered, but nothing has ever happened—well, except for that time the pelican landed on Annabelle’s head and refused to leave.”

  “No, honey, we may have added power to whatever forces were already in play—maybe we brought him to Holden Beach—but traveling through time…no, the universe did that of its own accord.”

  Penelope took her best friend’s hand. “Thank you for telling me. We’ve tried everything we could think of to send him home, and nothing worked. I guess I thought it meant he’d be here for good.” Penelope watched Thomas work. “I will enjoy every second, and no matter what happens, no regrets. After all, to truly love, we have to make ourselves vulnerable, and there are no guarantees we won’t end up flattened on the concrete in the end, but the fall…oh, the fall is glorious.”

  Rainbow laughed. “Yes, it is. The fall of love is what keeps the world from imploding.” She took a drink of her tea, and the spoon went still. “Did you see there’s a renaissance faire this weekend? Bet he would love going.”

  “That’s a great idea. Maybe we can find him a sword there. Wouldn’t that be a sight to see…him practicing his swordplay in the mornings on the beach while I do yoga?”

  They both laughed, soaking up the sun, though Penelope kept stealing glances at Thomas, hoping he wouldn’t disappear before her eyes. Then she shook her head. No, no worrying and no regrets.

  FIFTEEN

  The renaissance faire was located about an hour from Holden Beach, out in a field. It was Friday, the beginning of the holiday weekend, with Monday Labor Day, so there were still lots of vacationers at the beach, but after next week, they’d have the beach to themselves.

  “Many people attend the fair?” Thomas wove in and out of traffic like he’d been doing it his whole life, and Penelope was content to be a passenger, soaking up the sun as they turned onto the road leading to the entrance. Cars were parked along the side of the road, but he wasn’t having that.

  “Nay, we will procure a place to park close to the gates. I will not have my car left on the side of the common road where someone might crash into her.”

  “I like how you and my car have such a deep understanding.”

  He laughed, patting the dash. “She is a fine machine.”

  Penelope had never been to a renaissance faire, and seeing it through his eyes made it entertaining, especially as he sneered at several exhibitions and told her “’twas not the way it was done.”

  “Come one, come all, we have one spot in the joust for a lucky ticket holder. Now check your numbers, ladies and gentlemen…ready? The winner is number 25421. Make your way to the red and gold tent to compete.” The announcer paused. “And if you do not wish to compete, we have a lovely gift for you.”

  When no one came forward, Penelope pulled out their tickets and checked the numbers for the third time. “Thomas. You won.”

  “Truly? I can compete?”

  She nodded, and he bent her backward, his mouth capturing hers, his lips firm and warm as their tongues met and danced together. When he finally let her up, she was breathless.

  “Goodness.”

  He wore a look of supreme male satisfaction, especially when a group of college guys applauded and cheered.

  “Now that I’ve had a proper send-off from my lady, sit and watch me win.”

  The arrogant tone and stride made her all giddy as she made her way to the stands, where they had a front-row seat for her, since Thomas was the lucky winner.

  “Wine or champagne?” A guy dressed in green tunic and hose held out a tray.

  “Bubbly would be divine. Thank you.” She accepted a glass, glad they had fans going so it wasn’t so stifling under the tents.

  After a few matches, she was getting fidgety. When the announcer came back on, she leaned forward to get a look at Thomas, though she needn’t have bothered—he stood out, making the others look like they were playing, which they were, but he looked deadly serious. She could see how he’d won so much gold in tourneys over the years. The bell sounded, and she found herself clutching the railing, wishing him success.

  There were a rio
t of colors surrounding her, from the tents, to the costumes everyone was wearing, to the horses. Thomas wore silver and black, a great choice to match his eyes, and his horse was black and wore the same colors. His opponent was a bear of a man, dressed in green and orange, the reigning champion of the fair—not really an even match, in her opinion, but the crowd seemed to be thrilled.

  Boys brought out incredibly long lances and handed them to the men, who wore silver helmets with a slit to see through. Penelope drained the bubbly, accepted another glass, and thought she would levitate out of her seat from her nerves. They galloped toward each other, the lances lowered, and in an instant, Thomas struck the man, sending him flying backward, tumbling off the horse. He landed on the ground with a thud and didn’t move. The young men ran out to help the man up as he shook his head, and the crowd went wild.

  Since he won, Thomas was offered the chance to fight with a sword against the current champion. She wanted to tell him to be careful, but then she thought it was his opponent who should take care, as he was fighting a living, breathing medieval man. The first sword, Thomas sneered and handed it back, and the same with the second. She laughed as she saw the resignation on his face when he accepted the third sword. The competition was over almost as fast as the joust, and Thomas split the man’s shield in two, sending the guy to his knees. The crowd were on their feet, screaming.

  He came to stand in front of her, and she leaned over the rail to kiss him. The cheering rose to a deafening pitch, and when she sat back, her cheeks burned. Thomas grinned.

  “I needs see to my winnings.”

  “Go ahead, then find me at the stalls over there. I want to do a bit of shopping.” She’d had the best idea for his belated birthday present. Sure, she’d taken him to dinner and made him his favorite chocolate cake with chocolate raspberry icing, but she wanted to do something special for the man she had fallen hard for. Wandering through the offerings, she spied a booth with silver glinting in the sun. There were all kinds of wicked-looking knives and daggers.

  “Looking for anything in particular, my lady?”

  It was odd to hear others call her “my lady”—that was what Thomas called her, and it made her smile every time to hear his accent and the affection behind the words.

  “Birthday present. I was thinking two daggers.”

  “Excellent choice.” He laid out several for her, but they weren’t quite what she was looking for, and she shook her head.

  The man’s eyes lit up. “I have two I finished recently.” He knelt and brought out two cloth-wrapped bundles, and when he pulled out the blades, she gasped.

  “They’re exquisite.” One had flowers and vines etched along the steel, and what looked like a ruby in the hilt. The second had writing on it, and a green stone that looked like an emerald in the hilt.

  “What does it say?”

  He chuckled. “It’s French, but it’s Dr. Seuss. It says, You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”

  They were outrageously expensive, but perfect for him, and she’d seen him reaching for the lost blades whenever he sensed danger.

  “I’ll take them. Thomas will love them. He won the joust and sword fighting today.”

  The man’s brows went up. “Everyone’s talking about him, where he studied. He is gifted.”

  Boy, you have no idea. “He is. Do you know where I might find him a pair of boots that he could keep the daggers in?”

  This time the merchant grinned. “Like these?” He stepped out from behind the table, and she saw knee-high brown boots, which he pulled a dagger out of.

  “Exactly like those.”

  She paid him for the daggers, and he pointed her to the merchant a few booths down for the boots. The man there was also helpful, and had boots made in Thomas’s size in a soft, buttery brown leather. With her packages wrapped, she happily wandered around until she felt a hand on her arm.

  “You were amazing!” She kissed him on the cheek, happy to see his eyes shining. “You’re not even sweating. I saw the guy you fought with the sword. He looked like he jumped in the water with his clothes on.”

  “’Twas merely a bit of sport. I have talked with several men—they train nearby and asked me to train them, offered me your paper money. It isn’t as good as gold, but I have accepted.”

  “That’s great. I bet they’re going to be sore and tired after you’re done with them.”

  “They are only fair and require much work, but ’tis my duty to see them trained properly.”

  She laughed.

  He took the packages from her. “Did you buy more books?” He peered into the bags.

  “No looking. Late birthday presents for you.”

  With a glance at the bag by his feet, he patted the pocket of his jeans, which he’d insisted on wearing. “They gave me money for winning today, and I too purchased gifts for you…and a proper tunic and hose to train the whelps, though I do not have boots.” He veered toward the stall with the boots, and she knew she had to tell him about one gift.

  “Nope, that’s one of your gifts. I found boots for you. But the other gift is a surprise, so no more shopping or you’ll figure it out too.”

  He took her hand, twining their fingers together. “As my lady commands.” Then he lifted his head, sniffing the air. “Shall we eat? I am powerfully hungry.”

  “You’re always hungry, my bottomless pit. Come on, wait until you see all the choices.”

  SIXTEEN

  Even the people around them were impressed with the amount of food Thomas consumed. He’d grinned sheepishly and said he was hungry after the tournament. They were walking back to the car when she spied a tent selling crystals and soaps.

  “I want to get Rainbow and the other women a small gift for the upcoming fall solstice. You go on ahead.”

  He scanned the area before letting go of her hand. “I will not go far. You should have guards when I am not near.”

  “I’ll scream really loud. And we need to get you a phone for times like this—”

  Her words were cut off when he swept her into his arms, to the delight of passersby, and kissed her soundly, her arms twining around his neck. Penelope lost herself in him, and the sounds around them faded away until there was only Thomas and his mouth. By the time he put her down, she had to hold on to his forearm for a moment, not trusting her knees not to give out.

  She touched a finger to her lips as he chuckled and leaned close to her ear.

  “Now all know you are mine, and if they dare lay a finger on you, I will take them into the lists and give them a sound thrashing.”

  But all she could do was smile like an idiot and nod as he stalked off.

  “Wow, your man is hot.” The woman running the booth was watching Thomas walk away.

  “He certainly is.” Once he was out of sight, she turned to the woman and they discussed soaps and crystals.

  By the time Penelope had her purchases, an hour had passed. She went in search of Thomas, and was about to turn to her left when a commotion had her following the sound of ringing steel. There was a huge tent set up with a blacksmith working away. He had his shirt off and was banging red-hot steel and then quenching it with water, making it hiss. Mesmerized by the sight, she let out a gasp when he turned. It was Thomas.

  He jerked his chin up as if he could smell her, or they were joined by some invisible thread. Their eyes met, and he motioned her over.

  “I am fashioning my own bloody blade.”

  The blacksmith stood close, asking Thomas questions, as did several onlookers, while the women all watched him like he was a juicy cheeseburger and they’d been eating nothing but kale for a month.

  “I see that. I’m going to watch. Take as long as you wish.”

  The blacksmith walked over. “I offered him a blade in exchange for his knowledge. Is he a professor? The things he knows…”

  She shook her head. “Something like that. He grew up in England, live
d and breathed that history stuff.”

  “It will take him about sixteen hours to finish the sword. I told him he could come back tomorrow.”

  Thomas looked so happy that Penelope made a decision on the spot. “That’s great. I saw an information booth near the entrance. I’m going to make us a hotel reservation.” She called out to Thomas, “I’ll be back in a bit.”

  Absently, he nodded and focused on his work, and she went in search of rooms. Thank goodness he had a tunic and hose to wear tomorrow—she had a dress she’d purchased, and since she always carried a toothbrush and toothpaste with her, they’d manage. Ever since Mildred had eaten spinach quiche one day and walked around all day with spinach stuck in her teeth, Penelope was a bit paranoid, not to mention with all the kissing, she wanted to keep her teeth clean and breath fresh.

  Thomas had never been dependent on a woman in all his years. This was vexing, the time, place, and customs he found himself in, but he had earned money today. Winning the tourney, so not so much had changed since his time.

  With the money he won and the accord he’d come to with the blacksmith and his brother, a goldsmith, he had what he needed. Thomas looked down at his bare hand. The family ring had been on his finger since he was young, but he had needed the gold from it for the final charm, and he gladly traded it, knowing she would always have a piece of him with her. By tomorrow night he would have a fine sword so he could protect his lady, and… He held up the chain. It was gold, heavy, and he had four charms. A sapphire, a diamond, an emerald, which reminded him of her eyes, and a gold charm in the shape of a unicorn, her favorite beast. ’Twas an unusual betrothal gift, but she did not care for rings, and he thought the charms would be close to her heart, to always remind her of him.

  Carefully, he wrapped the necklace back up in the green cloth and put it in his pocket. He would ask her on the beach where they had first met, where she had found him and brought him back to life. So many years he had been alive but never truly lived. Penelope had changed his entire existence, and for the first time in forever, he would forgo duty and stay with her. Not that he had a choice to go back, but if he did…he would stay with her. She was the other half of his heart, and he could not go back to his old life, not without her. She was his world, and he would slay armies if they tried to keep him from her.