by Alice Wade
Ryan patiently watched her from across the room, concerned that he saw that sadness reappear again. He felt the strong impulse to dash to her return, and this time it nearly overwhelmed him. From somewhere, he once more found some hidden strength to refrain.
What saved him was that Tillian found her own courage and spoke, breaking the spell her silence wove. “The people of Folkyn are sheltered, but I’ve heard of you through my Father.” She snorted. “Well, the stories he chose to tell that is. I would have thought you had red hair? The stories he told have a nickname of Flame Thrower, so I assumed without reading the full account of how you earned that name, it meant the color of your hair.” She spoke more to change the subject away from her.
This made Ryan chuckle, “Red hair? Is that so? Sorry to disappoint you, Princess.” He shrugged. “That nickname has to do with something else entirely, and not related to my coloring. That is a tale for another time, however.” He chuckled again to himself as his hand subconsciously touched his short cut blond hair.
Tillian became bolder in her appraisal. He wasn’t forcing anything from her or forcing himself on her as her captors did. It was very strange to sit conversing with someone and not fear they would coerce her to unknown vile acts.
She guessed since he was on a hunting trip, all the fanfare of court was left behind, because this legendary king sat before her in casual tight leather breeches, riding boots and an untied tunic which exposed his muscular chest. Tillian couldn’t help but appreciate the view and felt a heat spread through her body. She let her gaze play across his frame, finding little fault. The shame that followed generated a brilliant blush, because she shouldn’t have such a reaction.
When her eyes finally traveled back up to his face, Tillian frowned suddenly. He’d read her sensual appraisal and smirked knowingly without shame. He didn’t even try to hide his amusement behind his thin beard and mustache as his smirk turned into a wide smile.
“What’s so amusing?” she challenged. She immediately winced for she had not intended it to come out so harsh. He just caught her off-guard and it was unnerving the way he affected her. After what she’d been through, the amusement and desire she read in his eyes should be repelling her. They had the opposite effect, actually. The interest pulled her to him like a beacon.
“You. You’ve caught me off-guard, I must confess Princess.” Before Ryan could add anything more, the door of the cabin flew open, allowing entry of a large man wearing a sword at his hip and a bow over his shoulder. He wore a heavy cloak fit for travel, which he tossed over his shoulder when he entered.
Ryan’s eyes flew from the rude intrusion back to Tillian and witnessed her flinch away. His eyes narrowed dangerously when an intense protective need flashed through him. He felt that increase when she quickly turned from the door with a look of pure terror on her face. Her body language screamed panic, but she was trying to be brave. He could only guess at the intense emotions that most likely rolled through her at the moment. Ryan’s chest vibrated with a low rumble before he slowly turned to glare dangerously at Wallace.
“What?” he said in a tone that threatened punishment.
“Your Highness, I have the healer,” the man announced. Wallace took in the two in the room. The woman was obviously awake and currently sat before the stone fireplace, huddled in Ryan’s cloak. She stared everywhere but at him, which suddenly made Wallace feel as if he just intruded on some intimate moment. The waves of annoyance rolling off Ryan further supported that train of thought.
“Give us a moment and then please bring Edda in,” Ryan said more softly. He returned to watching Tillian with concern. She had not yet recovered from Wallace’s arrival and it was clear his presence was disturbing. Wallace had not moved so Ryan added, “That will be all.”
Ryan watched his Captain leave and waited until the door was closed before he approached and knelt before her. She didn’t even look at him. Ryan reached out to gently turn her face to his, drawing her out of whatever hell she’d tumbled into. “Tillian, no one here will harm you. You have my word. That man is Captain Wallace and he ensures your safety even as we speak.”
She continued to stare at the wall blankly. The fear still gripped her with a firm hold and he began to get nervous. “Tillian,” he tried again. He failed at resisting a caress of her cheek and saw her eyes flutter a few times before she blinked. Those green irises focused on his face and he saw the fear in her eyes. This was too much for him to bear, and she found herself quite ensconced in his arms when he wrapped them around her in a strong embrace.
The moment his arms hugged her securely, Tillian lost her own battle to control her emotions and fell apart. The room filled with the sounds of her uncontrollable weeping.
The depth of her despair told Ryan just how broken her spirit really was, regardless if she put on a brave front.
“Shh, it’s all right to cry. I’ve got you.” His heart broke with each tear and Ryan was willing to do just about anything to make her stop. He knew she needed to let it out though, and he wanted her to feel safe enough to around him. “Tillian, please tell me what I can do to help you,” he whispered against her ear, letting his lips graze her lobe lightly. “Please.”
Being right here, in his arms the world seemed safer, less painful. Tillian felt a need to be near this man and against her better judgment she voiced it. “Don’t leave me alone. Please,” she moaned against his chest. “You are the only good thing that has happened so please don’t leave.”
Ryan growled deeply in his chest and pulled her tighter. “I won’t.” He placed another gentle kiss on her ear and whispered, “You have my word.”
The gesture was so simple, so tender, but it didn’t go unnoticed by Tillian who gave up all pretense of being strong. She sobbed and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself up so she practically crawled up his body. She burrowed her face in the crook of his neck and pressed against his skin. She leeched as much comfort as that little contact would allow.
Ryan stifled a groan because in this position, he could feel every full curve of her body pressed against his and it was enough to tempt his desires. She really was quite stunning and tempted his control. This wasn’t the moment to do something stupid and betray her trust.
They remained like that until the moment was shattered by a throat being cleared from the doorway. A short sturdy matron entered and purposefully approached Tillian with a watchful eye. She had a young woman on her heels, carrying two stuffed bags over each shoulder who barely made eye contact with either of them. Ryan detangled himself, but didn’t go far. He chose to keep a watchful eye on Tillian to evaluate how she reacted to this new situation.
Ryan’s Captain leaned against the weathered door and watched, but that was as far as he came. Again, he noted the odd attachment these two shared, and made a mental note to discuss this with Ryan when they were alone. He still didn’t trust the situation and it was his job to ensure his liege was kept safe. That also included keeping his heart safe. Falling in love with this woman was a bad idea. He dipped his head when Ryan approached, every muscle tense with pent up worry. Wallace read the danger and chose to remain silent on the topic. Now wasn’t the time to set Ryan off. Through experience and time, he knew this false calm he showed was his exertion to control the powerful magic that boiled just beneath the surface. The slightest thing could unleash it.
Tillian paled and stared at Ryan. His eyes radiated his concern at the same time they urged her to trust him. I’m safe, she said to herself over and over. She flinched when the older woman gently grabbed her chin and turned her head to the right and to the left, never taking her eyes from her face.
Edda saw something of concern in Tillian’s green eyes and took charge. She pointed at the door with the issued order. “Men, wait outside.”
Tillian broke away from this woman’s grasp and turned to Ryan with an outstretched hand pleading for him to stay. He failed at restraint and flew back to her side, gripping her hand tightly. “Sh
e needs to examine you.” He searched her face for any reassurance and found little. Raising her hand to his lips, he placed a kiss to her palm and exhaled before looking deeply into her eyes. “You can trust her. Will you be all right?”
Tillian gulped and stared at him in blind panic. She really didn’t have a choice. She knew the alternative was worse. She couldn’t handle Ryan being exposed to all the healer would find. Because he was the one safe thing in her world at the moment, she was still close to asking him to stay regardless.
“I won’t go until you tell me you’ll be fine,” he added.
Tillian swallowed her fear and finally nodded firmly. “I’ll be fine.” Her voice trembled but relayed enough confidence that he smiled.
“I won’t go far. I promise you that,” he whispered, kissing her palm one more time.
Ryan waited for a moment longer, watching her with a growing unease. He loathed to leave her presence and didn’t want to be the cause of any more fear this glorious woman felt. If his leaving meant that, he’d stay. Ryan looked at the healer and found her glaring at him. She clearly was annoyed he’d not heeded her order to leave and delayed her evaluation. “I’m going,” he added and rose. He walked halfway to the door before turning, ready to override her.
“Out,” the healer ordered without shame. Ryan laughed at her boldness and with one final look to Tillian, he departed but true to his word, he didn’t go far.
The woman snorted in amusement. “He is taken with you, my dear,” she said. She and the younger woman helped Tillian to the larger of the beds in the room. Edda frowned at how weak the woman was. Both healers had to support her to get her there as she shuffled her feet across the wide planked floor.
It amazed Tillian that even with that little effort, she was short of breath and felt as if she’d run a fast sprint. While she waited for the healers to get set up, she dangled her feet over the side of the bed and searched the windows for any sign of Ryan. Her nervous eyes kept scanning each pane, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Soon she was too distracted to care, however when Edda finally set to work.
The matron healer watched her closely with crossed arms. “I would wager to say you are equally taken with that man as well, no?”
Tillian’s head snapped to meet the old woman’s milky stare and couldn’t hide the blush that spread across her cheeks, announcing the truth of that statement.
“Yes, I think you are,” the matron added matter-of-factly. “Are you tired?” she continued and while she waited for a response, she introduced herself. “I’m called Edda. This young girl is my granddaughter, Girdie. We’re the healers for village Horge down the road.”
Tillian realized it was her turn to introduce herself and said, “I’m Princess Tillian.”
“From Folkyn?” The older healer looked truly shocked. “The very one that has been missing?”
“Aye,” Tillian replied demurely and with a mocking half bow from where she sat.
“You’re a long way from home, dear,” was her only reply on that topic. Edda was swift in her craft and had her belongings spread out on a blanket in a matter of moments before she descended on Tillian.
Her hands were warm and gentle as they removed the cloak the king had her wrapped in and displayed her naked body in order to search over every inch for broken bones, cuts or any other injury that only healers seemed to find. While this examination took place, Girdie collected water from the pitcher and placed it near the coals to warm for a sponge bath.
Tillian felt very exposed and vulnerable as she sat naked on the bed. The air was rather warm since Ryan recently added fuel to the fire, so the feeling wasn’t entirely unpleasant; rather it wrapped her in comfort. However, she still hugged her arms shyly around her upper body to try and hide. It was an absolute contradiction for the drugs in her body drove her to be aroused by the warm air that brushed across her nipples. All of this made her even more shamed that she felt pleasure from that.
Cautiously, she watched the two healers work around the cabin and did her best to ignore the world just outside. That included the man who she knew lurked just beyond the door.
Edda watched though. She knew this woman desperately wanted to track King Ryan, but resisted the urge. Because her gaze was diverted, she missed Ryan’s nervous pacing. The man walked from window to window doing his very best to not protectively look inside and lost that battle. Obviously, he’d found it very hard to follow Edda’s order and showed his anxiety for what Tillian must be feeling. It slowly destroyed his ability to remain calm while the examination took place. For some reason, his behavior amused the matron healer
When Ryan paced past the window yet again, she couldn’t hold her peace. “King Ryan is worried. Let’s we get this over with, so our King can relax.”
Tillian’s head turned in her direction with a look of pure confusion. It wasn’t until she caught Ryan pacing back and forth passed the windows that a small smile lifted the corner of her lips. She nodded to Edda to begin.
Tillian knew the faster she completed this chore, the faster she could be dressed and under a blanket asleep. With Ryan at her side, no less. Her head turned to watch him again accepting unerringly that her mind craved the safe haven he offered. Ghostly memories of his arms holding her, raised her anticipation of feeling that again. When he paused at the window making eye contact, Tillian smiled to ease his worry. She would be fine, or so she hoped and her smile wasn’t as forced as she would have expected. His motion provided a sense of protection which caused more of her anxiety to fade. Taking a deep breath, Tillian returned her gaze to the healer. Edda was right. She should trust this man, for he did seem to honestly care.
* * * *
As Ryan paced, he checked inside each time he past the windows. On one such tour, he skidded to halt. What he saw had him growling in frustration before he was able to shake it off. Tillian sat there, slumped on the bed looking every bit as if she wished herself somewhere else. Vulnerable, terrified and alone. When their eyes met and she delivered a smile, his heart lurched painfully in his chest forcing him to pace away before he burst back into the room.
Who was this woman to steal my heart so fast? In a matter of hours, she claimed something so elusive that hundreds of other women tried and failed to capture. She didn’t try to impress him or use her status to lure him in any way. No, her charms were more subtle and innocent. He made a rude sound in annoyance. That is what he wholeheartedly reacted to.
His mouth quirked in a half smile thinking of her peaceful face. The memory of how she rested on his chest, or how animated her eyes were when she surveyed him earlier. All of those memories generated a burning arousal in response. She was magnificent and he knew he’d lost his well-protected heart the moment he laid eyes on her. What called to his soul more, however, was when he recognized her pain. Hell, he was lost to her even before he knew her identity so that wasn’t the cause. No, all his feelings were wrapped up in a tiny bundle of black hair and vibrant foreign green eyes. She needed him, and he was powerless to refuse her.
On another tour of the windows, he slowed to allow his eyes to roam over her while she sat patiently. He hissed when he saw her shudder in response to something Edda did. He felt his magic surge forth because he was again overcome with the protective urge to rush to her side. It was Wallace’s firm hand which halted him when his own landed on the doorknob. Ryan noticed he flinched back from that contact because the heat from within his own body, in response to his magic, burned him.
Wallace’s eyes pinned him in place. He was Ryan’s friend as well as Captain, choosing to be that friend now. “Leave her, Ryan. Let the healers manage this. You can return in a moment. She knows you’re out here and that should be enough,” he said with a shrug to soften the message.
King Ryan glared at his friend but remained frozen in place. Obviously he was undecided on his action for his head swiveled from the door to his friend.
Wallace didn’t release his gaze until he saw Ryan relax his grip on the d
oor and drop his hand.
“Fine, I’ll listen to your counsel.” He moved only as far as the nearest window and leaned on the frame. He cast caring glances inside and tried to appear calm.
Wallace sighed. “Ryan, she’s in good hands and not being harmed,” he added. He knew full well he should just persuade his friend away from this heartache, but after seeing the depth of Ryan’s reaction, he gave up any resistance. He decided to change tactics instead.
Ryan growled in frustration. “I’m not concerned about the healers.” Ryan paused turning to meet his friend and Captain’s face. “You didn’t see the fear in her eyes when I was asked to leave. I—” He paused again. “It affected me. It tore at my heart and is the cause of my anxiety. Someone has hurt her horrifically and I’m compelled to make it right.”
He turned from his Captain to resume his watch over Tillian. She appeared to be doing all right at the moment. Seeing that was a balm to his heart. She endured her treatment and sat quietly on the bed with her bare body exposed. Even though there was fire was roaring the large fireplace, she still shivered repeatedly regardless of the warmth those flames provided.
Ryan forgot to breathe while he sat staring, mesmerized by how perfectly shaped her curves were. Ryan normally enjoyed woman with a fuller figure; however her condition had her rail thin and showed the ladder of her ribs quite clearly. He wasn’t sure if she normally was thin by design or if her confinement forced this state upon her. Regardless, he couldn’t help the sexual desires building within his own body that demonstrated he wasn’t repulsed in the least bit.