by Nikki Landis
Up ahead was a dim light. I ran toward it, bursting into a large cavern, and gasped. All around me, floor to ceiling, were hundreds of blue glowing rocks. It was like the stars and constellations framed by the moon in the dead of night, only more mysterious, and beautifully eerie.
I spun around in a circle, three hundred sixty five degrees, and from every angle the blue algae glowed, clinging to the rocks, in some spots heavier and cloistered together, and in others sparse but equally stunning.
I smiled.
“Don’t touch them,” a voice whispered behind me. Right behind me. Close enough that I could feel his heated breath on the back of my bare neck. “The algae are poisonous.”
I did not answer. Words seemed wrong in this amazing silent place. I stayed where I was, watching, for long minutes that continued to stretch by, unending, one after another.
A wet plop fell to the ground next to me. Then another. I lifted my hand, palm side up, as a clear drop of liquid splashed in the center. My hand trembled.
I am unsure why, but my rescuer lifted his hand, placing it under my own, and steadied it. His other hand rested against my waist, gently, only the hint of pressure as it stayed, determined and fixated. Neither of us moved. I cannot be sure but I thought I heard him inhale, more than once, the fragrance of my hair and skin.
I slowly turned, facing him, as a hundred questions formed on my lips. His hand held mine even tighter and the other refused to break its place, remaining on my waist. Taking a deep breath I let my eyes raise from the wide and muscular body in front of me and meet his intense, focused gaze. “What is your name?”
Standing here, like this, so close and intimate, felt wrong without knowing who he was.
“I dare not say.” He refused me.
“Please,” I whispered, “I must know.”
“Why?” Amusement danced at the corners of his eyes. His mouth lifted in a smirk.
“In case I want to thank you properly,” I answered with mild sarcasm.
He tilted his head back and laughed. “Do you want to see me again milady?”
I blushed, dying a thousand deaths under his scrutiny. “I, uh…I don’t know,” I stammered.
He grinned, ridiculous. Even through the bandana I could see it. The corners of the material would lift whenever he smiled. I amused him, certainly, but there was something dangerous and wild, wholly unpredictable, and entirely masculine in his eyes that made me want to know more about him.
He opened his mouth to speak when a shout from somewhere in the cave drew his attention. He frowned, pulling me with him, his strong lean fingers holding mine as we once more entered the dark cavern. For a moment he stopped, spinning around, and lowered his lips to mine, so fast, so quick, I almost thought I imagined it. I don’t know how he moved the bandana so fast and replaced it but he did. Before I could react he led us back to the campsite, dropping my hand before anyone could see.
Five men, dressed all in black, bowed to him. One pulled him aside and whispered in his ear. I felt four pairs of eyes landing on me as I sat down by the fire and picked up the now cold plate of meat and potato. I placed it closer to the fire, hoping it would heat it again for me, and awaited my rescuer.
Watching the fire, I did not notice his presence for several minutes.
“Milady?” He asked, slipping into a formal and detached sounding voice. “The danger has passed.”
I knew he awaited my reaction. “I’m hungry,” I finally answered.
My response seemed to satisfy him. We let the food warm up and ate in silence. His men, and I knew they were his men after they bowed to him, lingered at the front of the cave. They were out of earshot, far enough away that none of our conversation would be overheard.
“Are you a noble?” I asked, peering at him over the mug of wine he passed to me.
He smiled. “Something like that.”
I arched a brow. “Royalty?”
A brief look of surprise crossed his face but he quickly hid it. “In a way.”
“Is there nothing I am allowed to know of you? Or do you prefer secrets?”
He inched his way closer, lowering his head, until his face was within a fraction of mine. “What I prefer…” He paused and looked at my lips directly before raising his eyes again, “is of no consequence to you.”
What did that mean? Frustrated I narrowed my eyes. “Isn’t that convenient? I guess it’s a good thing you aren’t a Guardian.” I let the bait sit and he snatched it up.
“Meaning?”
“Guardians are held to a high standard from what I gather,” I replied, shrugging my shoulders.
“Meaning what exactly?” His voice had lowered, almost to a growl.
I met his unwavering stare. “They live by an oath of chivalry. I doubt they would treat a lady like this. In fact,” I paused and caught his scowl, “I know Kellen would never do so.”
It was the first time I had thought of him. The last couple of hours he had never entered my head.
“Is that why you love him?”
I gasped, shocked. How did he know that? “Who I love is of no consequence to you.” I used his own words against him.
He leaned closer. “I would be careful of my choice of words.” Was that a threat? A promise? What did he mean?
His words made me angry. “I’ll choose whoever, whatever…whenever…I want to.”
“You need taught a lesson milady,” he whispered, his eyes darting to my lips again.
My breathing accelerated with his closeness. “A, a…lesson?” I managed to squeak out.
“Oh yes,” he leaned so close I got lost in those ebony orbs, intense and fierce as they held mine, “and your Guardian…is not the right one to teach you.”
He said it with disdain again. “I can teach myself.” I pretended I sounded more confident than I really had.
“Not this type of lesson,” he argued, “and I think you know it.”
Arrogant man. I narrowed my eyes. “I suppose you think you are the right person for the job.”
He laughed, a deep chuckle that rumbled his chest. “Princess, there are many lessons that I could teach you.”
I had no idea what he was talking about. “Um…”
He caught my discomfort and naivety. At his perusal I blushed. “I hope you will remain in the dark for a long time.”
I could only stare. His eyes softened as they scanned my face. Confused I lowered my gaze and looked toward his men. Nothing of this encounter, with this strange and attractive man, made any sense to me. I sighed.
“Milady, Rhiannon…it is time to go,” he whispered, hauling me to my feet. I locked eyes with him, his hands on my waist, and wondered, for the twentieth time today, who he was.
He raised a hand, letting it brush feather light up my arm, across my shoulder, and slowly up the column of my throat until he placed his palm against my cheek. “A chéadsearc.”
What did he just say? Was that another language? Gaelic? Celtic?
“Come, follow me.”
Chapter Fourteen
My rescuer took my hand and led me from the cave, not letting go until we heard voices. People were looking for me and calling my name. A search party.
“Rhiannon!” Kellen’s worried voice penetrated the thick and dense trees and foliage.
I turned, ready to say good bye and thank you, but I was alone. No trace of my rescuer, who I really could not say was a stranger any longer, or his men. I scanned the tree line, looking for his dark cloak. He must have known I wanted to see him.
The exact same moment Kellen emerged from the trees so did the man dressed in black. He stood his ground, nodding to me and I raised my hand and waved, while Kellen drew his sword. They stared, open hostility on both of their faces, until my rescuer vanished with a light flap of his ebony cloak in the wind.
Kellen pulled me close, his mouth descending on mine, as he trembled slightly. His hand intertwined with my fingers, leading me through the trees, and back toward the party of searc
hers. I was surprised when I saw so many men, most of whom were strangers, bow to me when we approached. I let go of Kellen’s hand, slightly embarrassed, as Ralen ran to me and fell to his knees.
“Milady, I’m so happy to see you safe and unharmed.”
“Rise, Sir Ralen. Thank you, I was rescued by a friend,” I acknowledged, noticing the frown on Kellen’s face.
Ralen backed away slowly and joined the other men, some who were teasing him quite openly. He blushed but his eyes lingered on my face. It was kind of cute. I think the boy had a crush on me.
Later, once Kayleigh and Kellen switched rooms, I sat on the bed prepared for a confrontation, at the very least a discussion. I knew Kellen was upset. I knew he was frustrated. What I did not expect was the ferocity of his reaction or his anger.
He entered the room with a determined stride. For five whole minutes he said nothing. Then he turned to me. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“Excuse me?” I asked, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. Why was I anxious?
“How could you run off with a complete stranger? You had no idea who he was. He could have hurt you!”
I sighed. I knew his anger came from his worry and concern for me but I did not like or appreciate his tone. “I was not thinking at all actually. I was frozen in fear and terrified I was going to die.”
Kellen started pacing, reaching one end of the room, turning around, and walking in the other direction. “Who was he?”
I assumed he knew. The way Kellen and my rescuer eyed each other I had the distinct impression they were familiar with one another. Was I wrong? “He did not tell me his name.”
Kellen looked relieved. “I guess that is just as well.”
Why? “I’m not sure I understand your meaning Kellen.”
“Did he say he was going to see you again?” He demanded, not elaborating or even acknowledging my words.
“I know nothing of who he is, what he wanted, or if I will ever see him again. Does that answer all of your questions?” I was sarcastic and more than a little frustrated.
Kellen spun on his heel and pulled me from the bed, holding me against his chest. I felt his heart racing. What was the matter? “Why are you so upset?” I asked, trying to understand his thought process.
“I could have lost you today. Do you understand that?” He shook me just a little to emphasize his words. “When I couldn’t find you…” He didn’t finish.
“I did what I needed to in that moment to stay alive Kellen. Surely you understand that.”
He shook his head. “No. I am your Guardian. I make those decisions. I am the one who carries you away to safety. Not some…stranger.”
Oh, I got it. Was he jealous? “Are you worried about the time I spent with him?”
“You were gone almost half the day Rhiannon. You scared me to death.”
“I did not mean to worry you but at the moment I only wanted to escape those arrows, which now that I think about it, is much more important than someone else saving my life besides you,” I added pointedly.
Kellen frowned. “I should have been there. It was my job…alone…to save you.”
“I see. Well, next time I will tell my assassins to wait until you are ready!” I fumed.
“Dammit Rhiannon, that’s not what I meant.” He ran his hand through his dark hair in frustration. “I am looking into it. I will find out who targeted you and why. I promise you that.”
I climbed into bed and rolled over. “I’m tired.”
“Rhiannon…don’t go to bed mad at me, please,” he begged.
I did not respond. I felt the bed dip as he lay down and then his strong embrace as he held me close. “I love you my darling rose. Good night.”
In my frustration and anger I let the silence stretch between us for several minutes.
“I love you too,” I finally whispered back. He was so quiet I thought maybe he did not hear but then he squeezed me tighter and I felt the gentle pressure of a kiss on my shoulder.
The next morning I awakened alone. A single blood red rose lay on my pillow. I smiled, thinking it was incredibly romantic that Kellen left it for me, until I saw the note beside the pillow and opened it. The smile on my face disappeared and was replaced by a look of surprise.
“You shine more beautifully than any star, your eyes are more gorgeous than any cavern full of blue light, and I shall always remember the tender softness of your lips as they met mine. Until we meet again, a rose for the loveliest woman I have ever beheld.”
I gasped. It was not from Kellen at all. How did he, not Kellen, get into my room? And when?
Something about the handwriting was familiar. I tried to remember where I had seen it before but nothing surfaced. A strong and bold script. Distinct. Masculine but elegant.
My heart leapt into my throat as the door opened and I hurriedly stuffed the note into my bodice. Kayleigh and I hugged, ate a quick breakfast, and spent the next hour beautifying ourselves for the final day’s activities.
After the attack yesterday the competition had resumed. Tristan won the archery final. Today the main event was the joust, which would take a good portion of the day. I wrapped my long sheer crimson scarf loosely around my neck. My dress today was red satin and gold, with crisp white Queen Anne’s lace on the bodice and sheer sleeves which ended at my elbow and almost reached the ground, complimented by a golden tiara.
As I approached the box thunderous applause erupted, started by Ralen who stood front and center, awaiting my arrival. I smiled and waved at the people, and especially my admirer, and took my seat. The procession of knights, many of them in Guardian armor, wove through the crowd and stopped in front of the box, bowing to me, and then forming a long line.
In tradition, I stood with Kayleigh and every other eligible maiden, and removed the scarves from our necks. I dangled mine and caught Kellen’s wide grin as it split his face, his adorable dimple appearing in his cheek. He strode forward with purpose, fully prepared to grab it before anyone else, when it was snatched from my hand.
My eyes met the gaze of a man garbed entirely in black armor. His dark eyes bored into mine and I opened my mouth in surprise. My rescuer. He was here. Right after that rose this morning and the note. I blushed, knowing that he knew, and swore I saw a smile through the slit in the helmet. He tied my scarf quickly to his lance and spun, brushing past Kellen who glared at him.
The note was still tucked into my bodice. I felt the paper against my skin, snug next to my breast, and I blushed again in the rising sun. I sat down in my chair and gripped the wooden arms as I watched the first wave of competitors. It was a breathtaking show of speed and courage. Each knight setting off, lance in hand, ready to smash it into the steel armor of their opponent.
The goal is to charge and knock the other knight from his horse. Guardians and nobles joined with peasants to practice their skill, show off their abilities, and establish their rank in the community. The lances were made of hollow wood, with blunted ends, and consisted of soft woods that would not pierce or injure the other competitors, easily breaking.
The winner of the joust was decided based upon a simple scoring system. Striking your opponent on the chest with your lance earned the most points. The only other option for scoring points was striking the center of the opposing knight’s shield in a single blow. Each round of contestants, or knights, had three passes to defeat their opponent. Elimination rounds continued until a final showdown between the two knights who had earned the most points. Only a single victor would emerge.
The victor would claim his prize from the reigning royalty, usually a kiss from the maiden who had given her scarf, and property deeds among other spoils. A small treasure chest of jewels and gold pieces, a pair of chestnut stallions, another chest of fine cloth, and the renown of his skill and ability. These prizes were highly coveted. Every man here desired the fame, fortune, and glory that would accompany the victor.
Tristan, Kellen, and Seasnan were all entered in the jous
t. One by one men charged, defeating their opponent and moving on, until the couple of hundred men entered had been reduced to about forty. The four men I knew, the three Guardians, and the man in black, were among the final group. The day had grown warm. The sun was high overhead when the midday meal was announced.
We retreated to the tents, where a light breeze blew through the open spaces, allowing some of the intense heat to pass over the crowds. Ralen and his group was back to entertain. This afternoon they were juggling, wrestling, telling jokes, and making light of the long day. Every now and then applause would fill the air.
I was already on my third cup of wine. It had been chilled especially for me and I found it refreshing, unable to resist the fruity flavor of the red grapes. Our table was full of friends, family, and nobles. Kellen entered the tent with Tristan. Seasnan entered with a few different Guardians whose names I did not know. All were standing in the vicinity, waiting for the servers to enter with the first course.
A hush came over the crowd when the man dressed in black, my rescuer, whose name I still did not know, entered the tent. He was ushered in by servants and his men. The bandana was carefully placed about his face, hiding his features. Somehow, that made him more mysterious and handsome. I was not the only one who thought so. Women all over the pavilion were openly assessing and admiring him.
He cut quite the figure, tall and muscular, towering above most of the men, and a noble by his bearing and the way he held himself. He strolled into the tent, pulling off his black gloves, and searching until he landed on our table, courtesy of the raised dais in the center. Or more specifically, me. With purpose he walked in my direction, his eyes landing on my face, until he stopped and bowed briefly.
Ralen danced in front of him and bowed first to me and then to the man in black who regarded him with a quirk of his eyebrow and humor. Were they familiar with one another?
“Milady, may I introduce Lord Baylor of Summerfell. Milord, her majesty, the Lady Rhiannon.”
