Propose To Me

by Caroline Andrus

  Guardian that lives within the dale,

  Protect our goal so we won’t fail.

  Allow this gift to timely leap

  Into the warden's hand to keep.

  No harm shall come, nor any strife,

  A promise kept upon my life.

  Anticipating the split second between shimmer and flash, Hannah tossed the necklace like a Frisbee through the glass. Straight into an upraised hand on the other side.

  Chapter Ten

  Clitheroe Castle: 1543

  Theodric opened his fist as soon as the three spirits disappeared. The old woman, Gwen, he knew well. He assumed the other two were the now grown children she spoke of so often. The new generation, she called them.

  The necklace seemed the exact replica of the one Wynter had crafted by his request. He opened the trunk set in the back corner of the pavilion and took out a small bag. Pulling on the drawstring, he tipped the jewel into his palm before comparing the two pieces side by side. He felt the pull of magick in Wynter’s creation, weaker in the other. He shrugged. He’d take care of it. There would be sufficient magick when he finished. It was enough they appeared identical.

  He contemplated the spell spoken by the young witch. Warden. He liked the name, for he fully intended to take control of his witch, as well as guide the descendants. At least Gwen agreed the circle of power should not be broken, which is why she planted Wynter’s artistic seed within the conception of her granddaughter. The boy’s presence and abilities strengthened the bond. Theodric looked forward to the day he would tell Alvin of his own blood descent and role within the circle.

  “Theo! Are you ready to ride? The day grows late and our people are restless!”

  Ambrose sounded anxious to get to Lancaster and for once, Theodric didn’t blame him. He tucked both necklaces securely in the pouch.

  “On my way, cousin,” he called back. “On my way.”

  ~ * ~

  Lancaster Castle

  The instant she had packed away the finished necklace a fortnight ago, Wynter felt more herself again. Gone were the longings for Theodric, the memory of his kiss. His scent evaporated, and she spent most of her time close to the queen, intent on keeping the advisors aware of her presence and protection.

  One afternoon, a courier announced a large entourage due to arrive at the castle. Giddy as young girls, Aurelia and Wynter ran upstairs to the top of the ramparts, anxious to see new faces. They peered into the late afternoon sun, searching for a pennant.

  “There!” Aurelia pointed and then grasped the key that rested on her bodice.

  She didn’t recognize the pennant, but the queen’s gesture wasn’t lost on Wynter. As the column rode closer, she searched for Theodric and then squinted again, stunned. He rode at the very front, conversing with another man, both covered in helmetless armor. That meant the rest of the men were ... his. Wynter saw women and children well-guarded on all sides by scores of warriors. He had brought his entire household.

  She waited for the familiar ache in her chest, present whenever he came to mind. Perhaps the months of absence had finally broken his hold on her. Then Theodric looked up, as if he knew her thoughts. Even from that distance, their eyes met. Her heart fell deep into the pit of her stomach and then leapt back again, beating hard.

  By the Goddess.

  “Look, Wynter. My future husband is here. Would you relay my command to ready the castle for guests?”

  Wynter glanced at Aurelia. A smile curved the queen’s lips, but her flushed cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes belied her calm exterior. Wynter’s throat closed; she could not utter a sound. Before Aurelia noticed, she embraced her queen and stepped away, bowing low.

  By the time she blindly made her way to the bottom of the stairs, she had decided to immediately return to her cottage in Clitheroe. No magick or potion on earth could help her now. Quickly, she relayed the queen’s orders and ran to pack her things. Aurelia would forgive her for leaving without permission. She would be occupied with Theodric and his people.

  Wynter tried for over an hour to escape the castle, but servant after servant detained her for instructions, “my lady this” and “my lady that.” She finally exploded, “I am not a lady, I am a witch!”

  Wynter swung around at the slow clapping that sounded from across the room.

  “True words, my dear.” Theodric chuckled and inclined his head in her direction. “You see, Ambrose? I did tell you we had a witch in residence. She’s delightful once you get to know her.”

  She ground her teeth. “You seem to forget I am not here on any person’s command except my own.”

  He crossed the room, hand extended, and smiled when she hid her fists behind her back. “I would never forget. Come. I have someone I wish for you to meet.” He waited patiently for her to comply.

  She could no more deny him than she could breathe. Despair ate at her, knowing he belonged to another, but she obeyed by placing her hand in his. The instant they touched, she almost pulled away. It felt so right. His fingers closed around hers as he drew her across the room.

  “Wynter, this is my cousin Ambrose. He wanted to meet you before our audience with the queen.”

  The man equaled Theodric in height and coloring; he even sported the same twinkling eyes and slight smirk around his generous mouth. However, he was dressed completely in black, in opposition to the normal greens and browns of Theodric’s wardrobe.

  Ambrose claimed her hand from Theodric. He charmed her with a slight bow and a kiss on her knuckles, but he wasn’t his cousin. “You are as beautiful as Theo told me.”

  Wynter almost snorted before she realized the man offered her a genuine compliment. “Thank you, sir.” She remembered her manners and curtsied in return. “However, I would think your cousin should speak to you of his bride, rather than the resident witch.” She faced Theodric. “And you, my lord. You have been gone many weeks, which doesn’t bode well for you. The queen has been anxious but silent.”

  “What? My name has not been bandied about in my absence?” He grinned at Ambrose. “I am devastated.”

  Wynter rolled her eyes, bobbed another curtsy to them both and swung away. “I’m sure the queen will make up for it once you are in her presence, for she said nothing while you were gone. Just played with that key I created for you.” She had to leave quickly, unsure how much more time she could tolerate in his presence without throwing herself in his arms. She cursed under her breath.

  “Ah, but I am not finished with you, my dear.” Theodric moved in front of her and walked backwards when she didn’t halt. “You have something for me?”

  That stopped her. The snare. Without thinking, she put a hand on the satchel attached to her girdle. His eyes followed the movement, and she swore they lit up in anticipation.

  He had been gone for so long she hoped he would forget about the necklace. As much as she hated to admit it, her great-great-great ... descendent, Hannah Mackenzie, had been right. The necklace was gone. She had wasted too much time searching for it while she packed. Now the only man in the world she wished to avoid trapped her in this room.

  She stalled. “We never talked price, my lord,” she said slowly, allowing her lips to curve upwards. Her mind raced, trying to think of an excuse to explain the jewel’s disappearance.

  He stepped closer, until only a breath could come between them, and bent his head to her ear. His whisper sent shivers down her spine. “Minx. Trust me, we will talk price but not here and now.” He eased away as Ambrose joined them. “Show me, Wynter,” he demanded.

  When he spoke to her that way, when he was that close, Wynter forgot about everything—forgot about his forthcoming proposal, forgot that the queen held the key to his heart, literally, through Wynter’s spell. Forgot that the necklace was missing.

  She offered him the empty box.

  Wynter waited for Theodric’s anger to explode. When both men smiled and nodded, she seized the open case out of their hands. The necklace!

  Ambrose
bowed low to her. “It’s exquisite, Wynter. Theo told me much about your work, but his words didn’t do it justice. I hope you allow me to commission other pieces as well.” He plucked it out of the box. “Please, may I hold it up to you?”

  Still stunned, Wynter balked. “Um, that is not a wise thing to do, sir. It’s made specifically for one woman, and it would be bad luck for anyone else to wear it.” She glanced at Theodric. He watched his cousin, silent.

  “One woman?” Ambrose circled her and she turned, trying to keep pace with him, so he couldn’t place it around her neck. He stopped and cocked his head in question.

  As she took a breath to answer, Wynter saw a blur swing in front of her and something heavy struck her throat.

  She tried to turn, to bat it away, but it was too late. Theodric closed the clasp with an audible snap. The spider nestled between her breasts; the snare set. She twisted to look at Theodric.

  “What have you done?” she cried.

  ~ * ~

  Wynter spent an entire hour attempting to remove the necklace, reciting spell after spell to break through the snare. Impossible. What game was Theodric playing? Why had the necklace disappeared and then reappeared when he touched the box? What kind of magick did the man possess?

  She finally gave up trying to answer the riddles when a servant came to fetch her to dinner—an intimate affair in Aurelia’s apartments rather than the great hall.

  Aurelia paid no attention to Theodric at all, instead keeping her gaze and conversation with Ambrose. Wynter supposed it was only polite. After all—he was a king in his own right, a tidbit of information both men had failed to convey to her earlier in the evening.

  However, Wynter believed the queen’s constant caressing of Theodric’s pendant, in front of Ambrose, a bit tasteless. She wondered what Theodric thought about it. He ignored the queen in turn and kept his attention on Wynter.

  After servants cleared the last of the food, Lord Theodric grasped her hand and pulled her from the table, bowing a “by your leave” to the royals. Head spinning with all that had transpired, Wynter had no will to protest. Once past the door, he guided her to a shadowed area between the torches. He gently pushed her against the wall and leaned forward, hands flat on either side of her head. Just before their lips met, she averted her head.

  “Don’t.”

  He put his hand softly on her throat, over the necklace. “Why not? I think I’ve made my claim fairly obvious.” His eyes glittered in the dim light.

  She huffed out a laugh. “Oh, you didn’t need the necklace to stake any claim, my lord. Trust me on that. But how can you play with two women the way you do? One a queen, and one a ... a witch. Do you not fear the consequences of your actions?”

  He chuckled and nuzzled at her neck. She lifted her head to give him better access to the sensitive skin. Wynter wasn’t sure if the necklace took away her strength to deny him, or if she just used it as an excuse to gain what she truly wanted.

  “Does this feel as if I’m worried?” He lifted his head. “I know what I’m getting into, Wynter. You’ve beguiled me as much as this necklace has snared you.”

  Her fingers traced the contours of his face. “You didn’t need the necklace, Theodric. You had me the first time you approached my cottage. Although I denied your charms with every breath I took.” This time, she brought their lips together.

  A thought crossed her mind. “What of Aurelia?”

  He shrugged. “What of the queen? I gave the gifts to her in Ambrose’s name. As we speak, he’s probably proposing to her. They suit, don’t you think? I believe Ambrose and Aurelia will have their hands full with each other.”

  “What? Why didn’t you tell me?” Wynter tried to push him away, a difficult task since his body pressed fully against hers. He allowed her a few inches before she stilled, her mind racing. “You have magick of your own, don’t you? You countered mine.”

  He drew her near again. “Does that upset you? You’re not disappointed in the outcome, are you, my witch? That day, at your cottage, when you tried to hide your true self from me ...” He trailed his lips across her cheeks and forehead.

  “What about it?” she mumbled, turning her head so his mouth met hers.

  “Hmmm. Tell me more about not needing the necklace to bind you to me.”

  Wynter laughed. “You are impossible, my lord.”

  “But you love that about me, do you not?” He leaned back a bit to search her eyes. “Will you wed me, Wynter? Do you believe I will treasure and cherish you all my days? I want children with you, boys who will be wizardly lords and girls who will be lady witches. I want to spend eternity with you.”

  Wynter felt the spell of the snare working through her body as he said the words and realized the web worked both ways.

  Before she could answer, the door next to them burst open. Aurelia and Ambrose rushed into the hallway, hand in hand. “Wynter! You’ll never guess what just happened!”

  Around the queen’s neck lay an identical web. The one she had crafted.

  Everything fell into place. Earlier, when Ambrose took the necklace from Wynter, he always intended it to be for Aurelia, the queen he wooed from afar. Theodric, on the other hand, already had Hannah’s necklace in his possession. A fine piece of magick she intended to discover from her soon-to-be betrothed.

  She smirked and finally answered Theodric’s question. “Yes, my lord. I foresee many, many daughters.”

  He groaned.

  THE END

  About the Author

  If you discovered a sealed box with "Katie's memories" scribbled on the side, you'd find a lifetime of partially completed stories, plays and musicals. Katie Stephens has opened that box and writes both non-fiction and fiction, where she happily experiments with all genres. Although her grown children are scattered east and west across the country, she lives solidly in mid-America with two kitties and a husband who keeps asking when she's really going to retire.

  Connect with Katie at:

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/KatieStephensAuthor

  Twitter: @standardishue

  Website: standardishue.com

  Email: standardishue@gmail.com

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