Whispers of a Throne

by Victoria Pinder

  Delott then circled me and I smelled vanilla and lavender on his skin. Thor never wore a fragrance. My heart beat picked up its pace. "Why are you putting your hands around me?"

  This was not acceptable and I struggled. Then he held the crossbow at my chest and waited for me to grab hold of it. I wrinkled my nose and followed his orders. I wanted to hold Light Redeemer again as he said, "I will guide you as you aim the crossbow."

  I didn't believe him, but it didn't matter. This was the right thing to do. I had to learn. I held on firmly and aimed. "Like this?"

  He sniffed my neck and my skin prickled. "You smell like lavender."

  Only girls were supposed to smell nice. I kept my retort of his vanilla and lavender smell to myself and stared hard at the bull's-eye. "It's the castle soap as you clearly know. Now help me or let me go."

  Delott directed my hands on how to hold the crossbow and I shot the target. I swallowed and then threw myself out of his arms. "Thank you. Let me handle this on my own."

  Thor's voice called out in the distance, "Gwen."

  My entire body awoke and I shook my head. I didn't want Thor to see me with Delott again. Then Delott stepped into the shadows and disappeared from sight.

  Thor's footsteps grew louder and I turned back to him with a smile on my face. With luck, he'd not seen anything. I inhaled and sucked in my cheeks. Everything depended on Chaus right now, but at least I had a witness if he did see that I'd done nothing wrong.

  My heart echoed in my chest. I didn't want to deal with Delott anymore. I glanced at Chaus and hoped he kept his mouth shut that the Green Knight had been here.

  Chapter 20

  I batted my eyes and gave a distracted nod toward Thor. I held Light Redeemer and aimed for the center again. My heart beat wildly, but I wanted Thor to see I could learn this. I held my breath and stared at the black center and released the lever. The arrow flew.

  I exhaled as it hit the red circle near the black. This was part of who I'd be here. I swallowed and realized I'd accept my fate tonight. I'd have to be a queen. He was a king.

  Thor smiled as if he didn't have a care in the world. "Do you need my help still?"

  The tightness in my chest was replaced with the thump of my heart beat. I turned my head away from him and nodded. "Yes."

  "We have a few more minutes until we have to be inside."

  My entire body pulsed and I was almost shaking from the power generating within me. I picked up the arrow, but dropped it with trembling fingers. He picked it up and handed to me. "Thank you."

  The second he stepped close I smelled the testosterone, metal and that extra scent that was just him.

  Thor said, "Show me you can repeat what you just did."

  I'm an idiot, not that I said that out loud. My hands shook wildly, though I loaded the arrow, and followed what Delott showed me in how to hold the bow. Delott and the smell of vanilla made him so different than Thor.

  Thor smelled of the forest and home. As he drew closer to me now, I remembered how to be still.

  I released the trigger and froze. As the arrow flew, my heart began to race. I could hear the distant birds chirping and they sounded louder as the arrow went further. This time I hit the outer end of the bull's-eye.

  I jumped. It wasn't perfect, but I did it. I dropped Light Redeemer and threw myself into Thor's arms. My laugh bubbled out of me. I wrapped myself in his embrace and he petted my hair as he said, "Good job."

  The laughter in my body turned into something else and I was sure my eyes glowed with joy. I stepped back to regain control. "Any word from Sir Wain or Rex's approach?"

  Thor straightened and placed his hands behind his back. "Wain doesn't believe he'll get here by morning. He's two possibly three days away, but he's coming."

  "Then it's up to us if Rex's force gets here first."

  "Yes."

  I held open my fingers so he could take my hand if he wished. "There is nothing we can do now. Let's go into dinner."

  Tonight I'd make it official. At least an engagement would ensure Thor had the assurance that all possible queens thought of him as King. I had to stop holding back, but all I let out was a sigh.

  He bumped my shoulder to get my attention, and his fingers laced with mine briefly. He pulled back. I stared at him as he said, "I'll walk you inside. I need to change. Then please meet me in the dining hall."

  A please from a king was good. Despite that thought, a sinking feeling in my stomach grew. I should tell him now, but I couldn't. The words didn't come out. I finally said, "Of course."

  He offered his arm and I gladly took it. Thor truly was an honorable person. The "what if" questions in my head kept going back to the fact I'd have to be some role model of goodness like he was. He was born into the position and he intended so much betterment in the world. I smiled as I shook my head. He must think I'm half-crazy.

  I glanced at him, but he seemed content to walk beside me. I should tell him I'd marry him right now. I opened my mouth, but then I pressed my lips together. A headache was forming behind my eyes. Tonight would be better, in the dining hall.

  He walked me to my room and as we reached the door, I stood on my tip toes and kissed his cheek. My face grew red when he didn’t kiss me back, and my entire body heated hotter than flames. Thor didn't say anything, and I rushed into my room so he didn't have a chance.

  The quietness of the room struck me as odd. Nel usually came to greet me. Right now I didn't want to see her or anyone. The door closed behind me, and I rushed toward the bathroom. Tonight I had to be beautiful. I would tell him yes. If our wedding helped him win the hearts and minds of men then this was my destiny. I'd not let him or anyone down.

  I dried my hair with a towel and peeked out of the bathroom. No one was here. It was strange. Where was Nel? I shrugged. She must be busy. The moment I agreed to the royal marriage then my life would change.

  The moon appeared in the dark sky. After I fixed my hair to how Nel had styled it earlier, I chose the finished red dress from the gown maker.

  The stillness in the air cracked against my skin and left me dry. Anxious, I walked to the windows and stared out at the ancient burned buildings that reached toward the stars. I rubbed my arms and told myself this was it. I stared at the moon and wondered if my mother would have made different choices if someone like Thor had been an option. My father was amazing, but the amulet around my neck reminded me that she must have had a much different choice.

  Nothing would stop me from saying yes to Thor now. He was the best man I'd ever met. I squared my shoulders. It was time.

  I swallowed as the door behind me opened and closed. I turned, expecting to see Nel, but instead it was Morgana. Her two different eye colors highlighted how wild her gaze was as she pushed on the door. Her blue-gray dress wasn't nearly as bright as mine. I clutched the door handle. She seemed to need a moment to catch her breath as I asked, "What's wrong?"

  I had never told Morgana to stay out of my room. She had been kidnapped and forced to marry Rex. My gut churned as she clutched her own stomach. "Are you going to say yes to my brother's marriage proposal tonight?"

  I stepped away from the window. I refused to be intimidated in my own room. I needed to tell her and I lifted my head. "I don't see how that's your concern..."

  She stood straighter and barged inside. "Of course it's my concern, he's my brother."

  My insides twisted with nausea. I wished there was a way to walk past her, but she blocked the door. My fingers and toes tingled with apprehension. "I won't come between you and your brother, if that's what's bothering you."

  She shrugged and her gaze judged me. My skin prickled as she said, "That's not it. The truth is I don't truly care who Thor marries."

  I rubbed the back of my neck. If she told the truth, then nothing else mattered. The empty pit in my stomach played with my mind, which screamed run. My heart had palpitations as I tried to play it cool. "Then we're good."

  Morgana pressed against her belly ag
ain like she was in pain, but then she shook her head. "No, we're not. We can't be good."

  Butterflies escaped out of mine, but I had no idea why Morgana clutched hers so much. I wondered if something happened to her stomach. I brushed my hair behind my ear again. "You just said you didn't care."

  She crossed her arms now and circled me like I was the prize. "Back in London I was forced to marry Rex. I had no choice, but I wasn't who he wanted."

  My gaze flew to her different colored eyes. "Did he hurt you?"

  Morgana stopped in front of the door, which prevented me from walking by. "No. The medical procedures he had done to me, Merlin undid. I'm fine now."

  I had no idea what she meant. I pressed my lips together and decided whether or not to ask. If I befriended her, perhaps I'd stop wishing to run away from her. "I'm happy you're good then. I should probably get going."

  She crossed her arms and circled back to the door. "Don't be happy for me. I wish I didn't have to do this."

  I should have run the moment I had the chance. She blocked the door, and my escape, again. My mouth went dry as I asked, "What are you saying? Let me leave now."

  Morgana, a head taller than me, stepped toward me and my muscles twitched. She stared into my eyes. "He wanted you."

  Rex? My skin crawled. He had seemed familiar, but that wasn't enough. I bit my lip. "It doesn't matter. I want to marry Thor."

  She shrugged, but her eyes seemed to dig under my skin as she said, "I promised him I'd send you to him if I was allowed back here."

  I had no words. Some man lost his head on that broadcast we all saw.

  Morgana hadn't stabbed Rex and raced to her freedom? My entire body went cold as I processed. Getting her out of London had been easy. No one fought with us. A chill raced into my bones and I shivered. Delott and Rex were probably in this together. I parted my lips to speak. I had to help Thor. This couldn't happen. I'd find a way to stop her. I'd not go quietly because someone tall and skinny told me what to do.

  I blinked and shook my head. "Sir Wain and Thor's entire army is on their way here. We're going to fight his forces. Whatever you promised to be free doesn't matter now. We can win. Together."

  She came closer and I stepped backward as she said, "I love my brother and I will help him. I don't want to do any of this, but like you, I have no choice."

  "There is always a choice." If I could get out of here, I'd tell Thor what happened. He'd protect me. He was my only chance. I should have run away much earlier. I leapt for the door. "Even now, you can get away from the door, and wait to see how the battle plays out. I mean, what if Thor finds out what you intend to do to me?"

  Perhaps mentioning Thor finding out wasn't a good idea. She'd know I'd tell him. Morgana stalked me. She stayed right on my heels as she said, "If Sir Wain gets here in time. If I can stall this and give my brother and his general a fighting chance then I will still do what I promised."

  I backed into the wall. I cringed and stared to my right. I was so close to the door. "What will you do?"

  Morgana smiled and opened the door. My heartbeat quickened as she said, "Tell my brother you ran off with your lover."

  "I don't have one."

  Then Delott walked into the room. His eyes were almost black and his skin was pale. His huge muscles would overpower me. I screamed, but Morgana's hands covered my mouth. A moment later, everything went black.

  I lost.

  Chapter 21

  My hands couldn't move. Rope scratched my skin. I swayed back and forth on a horse and my legs were tied on both sides into stirrups. My ankles brushed against the rope tied onto the saddle. My body would be raw from rope burn if I lived through this.

  The warmth on my back told me it was daylight. I kept my head low, but opened my eyes. Delott, also mounted, held a rope that led my horse. I turned and saw we were in the forest, my forest. I knew this place.

  Morgana had kidnapped me. She wasn't here though. It was just Delott and me, until he delivered me to Rex. I had to do whatever I could to get back to Thor. I called out, "I thought we were friends."

  He slowed the horses until we stopped near a small stream of water. We were deep in the forest, halfway to my home. He dismounted. Without direct orders my clearly well-trained horse went right beside his stopped one. My body trembled as he said, "I hoped to be more than just friends with you."

  He petted the horse and gave it a treat. The kind action made my skin clammy with the cold sweats. It was all an act. I told myself to be nice to him, but then I said, "I don't see how that's possible since you're delivering me to Rex."

  I needed to clamp down on my sarcasm. That wasn't good if I wanted him to release me. He blinked his brown eyes. His massive shoulders told me he was strong and formidable. Sweat formed on my brow. He said, "Let's rest here. I didn't know where else to take you."

  Where else to take me? He could have left me in my nice bedroom and let me go to Thor. I held still. My arms and feet were bound to the horse. It's not like I had a choice. Then without a word, he untied my foot from the stirrup. My ankle itched as he walked around and released my other foot. I flexed both feet.

  Stopping might be worse than continuing on to see Rex, depending on the sort of man Delott was. As Delott helped Merlin destroy the tracks, he had to be taking me to a ship bound for London. My heart beat picked up its pace and I refused to look at him. "Aren't we heading to the river? Surely you have a ship?"

  He held out both hands and grabbed hold of my hips. I grimaced as he tugged me down to the ground with him. He said, "Yes and no."

  I didn't want to ask him what he planned to do with me. I held my head high as I regained my balance. "Answers are difficult for you."

  Seriously, my temper would be my undoing. I had to be like Thor at least some of the time. Delott didn't say anything. He untied my arms. Did he think that by freeing me I would trust him? I kept my mouth shut. I could hide in the forest until I made it back to Avalon. To Thor.

  He caressed my bruised skin. "I came through the forest because this was your home."

  My lips curled. I wasn't born yesterday. Sure our camp was close, but I had no intention of going there again. I'd not get on that train of thought only to have him lead me to the water. "So?"

  He let go of my arm. "I wanted to see where you grew up."

  There had to be a reason he untied me and I didn't believe for a second he wanted to see my old home. This had to be some sort of new torture. My gaze narrowed. "Why?"

  He smiled like he had every time I met him, with no cares in the world. "I'd like to understand you more."

  I didn't believe a word. This was stupid. I intended to stay quiet, but then my mouth opened. "You and Morgana knocked me unconscious last night. My head still hurts, and I don't tend to trust people who hold me hostage."

  I clamped my mouth done like I made my point, and then it hit me. My stomach felt hard as rock. I shouldn't provoke him.

  His smile faltered. "That's a lot of issues all at once. Give me a minute."

  I tried not to flinch so I crossed my arms and stepped back. He didn't follow. "You're so easy in conversation. Start with why are you doing this?"

  He should kill me now and have done with it. I sounded foolish.

  But then he nodded his head. "I never wanted to hurt you and I don't think Morgana does either."

  I rubbed the back of my neck. I had to decide if he was lying or trying to butter me up or if I should believe him. My thoughts swirled.

  If I let him think all was forgiven, maybe he'd let me go. It was a long shot, but if I stood here and accused him of treachery then I was no closer to my goal. My mouth would get me in serious trouble. I swallowed and then tried to match his slick smile. "No problem. You'll be forgiven if you take me back to Thor right now. We'll just forget all about this."

  His eyes brightened and he took my hands in his like he believed what I just said. My hands felt like dead fish that still hung on a rope about to get skinned. He continued, "Morgana
did this because she wanted to save Thor. It seems he has everyone's loyalty."

  Delott sounded jealous. Thor deserved for everyone to believe in him and help him. My skin prickled as Delott came closer and we shared the same air to breathe. I lowered my gaze. "I never expected to pick sides in this war between them, but Thor's a good person. He cares about everyone. In time he'd forgive you too, if you brought me back."

  Delott's fingers stiffened as he held me. "Rex was born into the ruling family. I simply want to use my sword in a fight, and I don't think about anything beyond that."

  A hired sword was too easy for who he was. He also lied to himself. I coughed. "You should care. The side of justice should win."

  He knelt down on one knee, lifted his sword with hands on both sides and said, "I'd swear my loyalty to you and protect you. For that to me is a noble cause."

  I widened my stance. "Why? Because I'm pretty?"

  He lifted his sword to me again. A gift. "Unlike everyone else who claims the throne, you don't want what your blood test says. You grew up away from all forms of nobility and deserve to rule."

  His loyalty was questionable. In London the people had called the Green Knight one of their own. My lips trembled but I managed a sweet answer. "I accept. Now do your duty and take me to Thor."

  He stood up, sheathed his sword and nodded. "Seal this deal with a kiss, my lady."

  I stepped back, but bumped into the horse. I waved my hands in front of me like a shield. "That's not necessary."

  He took my hand and this time his grip was stronger as he said, "It is for me, if you wish me to take you back and risk my neck."

  I stumbled forward to get away from the horse and him, but I couldn't get far enough. If one kiss brought me back to Thor, then I'd be stupid not to. "If I kiss you once, you will take me back to Thor?"

  He shifted closer and the smell of vanilla washed over me. "I swear it on my honor."

  Now I didn't believe a word. I rolled my eyes. "Your honor?"