He snatched her hand into his to stop her, tossing her a wink. “Sounds like a challenge to me.”
She tugged her hand free and continued her hurried pace, crunching through the deep snow. “I’ll kick your ass again then.”
He let out a whine reminiscent of his pre-adolescent years and muttered, “You did not kick my ass.”
They walked in silence up the hillside, this time Nia sporting the big grin. When they reached a ravine near the top, Garrett held his side while he jumped the gap with no problems and turned toward her. “Need any help?” Leaning forward, he stretched an arm toward her, wiggling his numb fingers.
Instead of accepting his hand, Nia cocked her head to the side with a contemplative scowl marring her features. “What are we going to do once we get to the church and find it empty? You know as well as I do he’s already been there and gone.”
Carnal thoughts raced through Garrett’s mind, a smile snaking across his face. “I’ve already given you my suggestion.”
Nia shook her head. Staring at him, her face was void of emotion.
“Yeah, yeah, we’ll figure it out once we get there and get the hell out of this snow.” He wiggled his fingers again.
Nia reached for him, muttering, “Well, it’s not like we’re just going to walk up there and trip over Phineas.”
Her grip was weak and his digits numb from the cold. Garrett tried in vain to grab her wrist with his other hand as her fingers slipped away. Nia slid down into the chasm, landing at the bottom with a resounding thump.
He dropped to his knees, dangling his arm down toward her. “Sorry about that.”
Nia leaned against the protrusion she landed on and scolded, “Yeah, whatever. You were trying…” Her voice drifted off. Brushing the snow away, she revealed a man’s face frozen in fear and anguish. She turned, looking up at Garrett. “It’s Hairy.”
“Excuse me?” Garrett looked down at the man who was indeed excessively hairy then back toward Nia.
“He’s one of Phineas’ minions. The bastard tried to rape me!” She pushed the snow from the man’s upper body and leaned back for Garrett’s inspection of the gaping hole in his chest coated with frozen blood. “I think we know who we’re looking for now.”
Chapter Seventeen
Nia languidly stretched across the course wooden slats of the altar floor as she opened her eyes. The morning sun lit the church in an amazing array of colors through the stained glass windows. She rolled over onto her side in their makeshift bed, propping herself up on an elbow next to Garrett. Staring into his sleeping face, she briefly felt a flutter of regret for not giving into his many heated, passionate attempts at sex the night before. A feeling of peace filled her heart. She knew she did the right thing, yet it did nothing for the need and want she felt a bit lower than her rib cage. They were in a house of God, plain and simple. Regardless of Phineas’s many evil doings within its walls, it still remained a sanctuary. Even though Garrett had claimed in the night he’d die if she didn’t give in, the steady rise and fall of his chest told her otherwise. She tried to brush away the flutter in her heart, but it held fast. A grin curled her lips as his eyes blinked open.
He returned her smile for a brief moment before his face fell into a pout. He released an exasperated, painful breath. “I’m still feeling faint, you know.”
Patting him on the arm, she stood and stretched again. “I know for a fact that blue balls never killed a man. Suck it up, big boy. That wasn’t the first time I’ve turned you down and trust me, it won’t be the last.”
Garrett flung his arms wide and stared at the ceiling. “Really? You know that for a fact, do you? I have yet to pull out the stops on my many seduction techniques. I wouldn’t be so quick to use the word ‘never’ if I were you.” He rolled his head to the side, his face scrunched in a menacing look.
Nia pushed back the desire to drag him out into the snow, find another sturdy tree, and figure out what techniques he was talking about. “Oh, okay. So last night wasn’t your A-game? Whew.” She swiped her hand across her forehead, flicking imaginary perspiration from her fingertips.
Garrett rolled back and forth on the floor clutching his chest.
For a split second Nia panicked, her mind flashing back to when she found him in real pain. Instead, she pretended to stifle a yawn and batted her eyelashes.
Through squinted, pain filled eyes Garrett stared at her. His flailing came to a stop, his face turning somber. “Can’t you tell when a man’s ego is dying?”
“Is that what that was? I figured if that were the case, you’d be clutching your blue balls, not your chest.”
Sprawling out again, he uttered, “You win.”
“Shall we venture our way to the castle, my red hot, talented lover?” She dropped one hand to help him from the floor, blowing him a kiss with the other.
“Now you’re just patronizing me.” He jumped up without her help, a small hint of pain squinting his eyes.
“Whatever gets you moving.” She tried to retain her nonchalance as he tugged her into his arms. The feel of his body brushing against hers bullied her conscience into looking the other way while snippets of the previous night’s kisses flashed in her mind, flooding her with sensual warmth.
His eyes were nothing more than passionate slits when he lowered his lips to hers and whispered, “Lead the way.” His gaze turned ornery, complete with a waggled brow and wink, before he smacked her on the butt and turned to load their pack.
Nia released an exasperated breath, mumbling, “Guess we’re tied now.”
Bundled up and ready for the cold wind, Nia was pleasantly surprised when they pushed through the church doors. The sun twinkled on the fresh snow, giving the hills an essence of a magical wonderland, with not even so much as a breeze. For a second Nia let the sun’s warmth permeate her soul, enjoying the seemingly peaceful setting.
Nia knew better though.
Beyond those hills was a castle, undoubtedly harboring Hairy, Phineas, Caine, or whoever he was impersonating these days.
They trudged along the path. Cold slush made its way into Nia’s borrowed shoes. Her toes became numb except for a stinging ache; she pushed on. The flags from the turrets appeared above the tree line in the distance, the sight pulling her thoughts from her feet. Their pace doubled, winding through the trees as not to be noticed by any of Nia’s former lynch mob. They found their way to the moat, the stench stopping them in their tracks.
Nia plugged her nose and turned to Garrett. “I’m not swimming across that cesspool. Plan B?”
Gagging, Garrett finally uttered, “Where’s your sense of adventure?”
“Okay, you go first then.” She waved an arm toward the half frozen river of sewage surrounding the castle.
“No, you’ve already refused. I guess we’ll go with plan B.” He bent at the waist and gagged again.
“And what might that be?”
Garrett tucked Nia’s red curls behind her ears, sliding the hood of her cape over her head, covering her eyes. “I doubt they’ll remember me, so I’ll lead you in.”
Nia pushed the cape back enough to look at him. “Do you remember what Hairy looks like?”
“Yup.” He kissed her on the nose and draped the hood back over her face.
She swallowed back her pride and remaining trust issues, laced her fingers with his, and allowed him the lead. A crowd of villagers were making their way into the castle as they exited the safety of the tree line. Nia kept her face hidden, staring down at their shuffling feet. They made their way over the drawbridge, through the curtain wall, and past the guards into the castle without a word.
Peering from under her hood as they entered the courtyard, Nia was amazed at her surroundings. The marketplace was alive, in full swing. The entire area was bursting with villagers who had set up stands to peddle their wares—everything from livestock to linens—while others milled about browsing the items for sale.
Nia swallowed back something a bit chunkier than pride when she stopp
ed to watch a man slit a pig’s throat and gut it for a customer at his stand. She was in awe at the nonchalance in everyone’s eyes as the saying “bleeding like a stuck pig” came to life.
To them, this was normal.
Garrett tugged at her arm, whispering, “This bothers you? A woman who has undoubtedly killed more than once has issues with livestock?”
Snapping her mouth shut, she hadn’t realized her shock had made it to her face. “Well, the only time I’ve taken a life is when my own is on the line.”
Garrett tugged her along the path. “So you’re a vegetarian then? I mean, the way you downed that dried meat says otherwise.”
“Just because I eat meat doesn’t mean I want to know every single detail of what happens in the butcher’s shop.” Her mind searched for the perfect analogy to help him understand. She released a wicked giggle. “You like sex, don’t you?”
He came to a halt in his tracks, causing her to run right into him. He turned, staring down into her face with a befuddled look. “What do you think?”
“I’m going with ‘yes,’ so my point is this: do you want to know all about the inner workings of the female anatomy or have your partner show you her cervix?” Nia cocked her head to the side, batting her eyelashes.
His gaping mouth answered her question.
“I think I’ve made my point.” She slapped her hands on her hips and made a weak attempt to keep the smugness she felt from her features.
Garrett yanked her hood back down over her face without a word and took off toward the galley. He grabbed her elbow, nearly tugging her arm out of socket, dragging Nia along behind him. After a few moments of silence he uttered, “I wouldn’t mind understanding how your brain works.”
“Why?” She was glad to have her satisfied smirk covered as she scurried to keep up with his large stride.
The only answer to her question was his shaking head and bemused expression.
They entered the dining area near the dungeon entrance in an attempt to sneak in between the curtain wall and the castle. Unfamiliar with the rest of Ludwig, Nia at least knew there was a way through in that area. Feigning nonchalance, they wandered hand in hand through the stragglers who mingled at the tables. Garrett shoved on the door they knew lead between the walls and Nia allowed her body to relax.
A booming voice startled them. “Halt!”
In a whirl, Garrett tucked Nia behind him, pinning her against the door. She pushed him in an attempt to dislodge herself, but he squished her against the rough wooden surface even more with each squirm. Finally she gave up and waited for her time at revenge.
The guard’s voice boomed again, “’Tis from whence you came that market folk belong. Be gone.”
Nia peered around Garrett. The guard was the same man she’d beat with the tray. Panic trickled down her spine, pooling in her gut. He would undoubtedly have backup during daylight hours. If they were anything like him, Garrett and Nia would be in trouble. Panic swelled from her gut to fill her entire body when the dungeon door swung open. Another guard appeared, an urgent look on his scruffy face, and mumbled something to the other. The behemoth glared at Garrett, pointing toward the market place.
Taking her hand, Garrett tugged her away from the door and slowly walked toward where the man directed. When the guards disappeared into the dungeon, Garrett sprinted back toward the other door, yanking Nia behind him. They made it through; Garrett leaned against the closed door.
Nia scanned the curtain wall making mental notes of all the guard stations. She pulled Garrett away from the inner wall where they would be spotted and hugged the smooth stones of the outer. They carefully perused the area for any sign of a window into the dungeon. They found several as they made their way around. They were all made of metal bars, not the glass they needed.
Nia’s hopes had faded when they came toward the other side of the portcullis wall. She clapped in giddy elation at the sight of a tiny stained glass window near the walkway glittering in the afternoon rays. “We need to get down there. The sun must shine through the window at the right angle to narrow the beam.” She pulled at his arm.
“We still need to find the sapphire. Without that, this is just a window that could potentially burn someone to a crisp,” Garrett grumbled.
A familiar, muddled voice wafted down. After he pushed a finger against Nia’s lips, Garrett motioned with the other hand toward a guard above them on the wall. They molded against the stones.
Nia turned toward Garrett and mouthed a single word. “Hairy.”
Garrett whispered, “Are you sure?”
Nodding exuberantly, hope filled her again. Nia jumped out into the open area and spouted upward, “Hairy, you scum sucking son of a bitch! You are a hard man to find.” She looked back at Garrett, who remained against the wall glaring at her, and winked at him. Turning her attention back to the nasty man near the turret, she found him alone, smiling down at her, his hit-and-miss toothed grin brown and caked with plaque.
Hairy’s top lip trembled as he replied, “My dear, you’ve now proven that you are not only lacking intelligence but also the good sense to live a long life.” With a blur of flesh, he was standing right in front of her. “A fatal lapse in sense, I’m afraid.” He yanked her by the front of her cloak, molding her to his body, wrapping his other filthy arm around her. The stench of his rotten breath drifted directly up her nose. “You see, I have no viable cover in this time now, thanks to your friend.” He released her cloak, whipping that arm around, extending his hand toward an advancing Garrett. Hairy’s claw-like grip was nowhere near Garret, but he was slammed up against the wall. His feet dangling several inches from the ground, he fought at the nothingness surrounding his neck, gasping for breath.
Nia plunged two fingers into Hairy’s esophagus, yanking down on his collarbone. With his attention turned back to her, she heard Garrett’s body slump to the ground. Relief filled her briefly until Hairy redirected his anger. Mind numbing, bone crushing pain assaulted her. The feeling of hot pokers being plunged into every pore of her skin tore a primal scream from somewhere deep in her soul. Nia fought to retain consciousness as the pain intensified. Her head drooped onto her shoulder when she thought she could endure no more. This afforded her a view of both the crystal lying against Hairy’s chest and Garrett drawing his sword. Nia drew upon every last shred of energy, directing it to her arm. She yanked the cord from Hairy’s neck and clutched it to her. Hairy’s attention turned away from causing her pain, shifting toward retrieving the crystal. Nia crumpled into a ball at his feet. His hand lunged toward her just as the bloody tip of Garrett’s sword appeared through his abdomen. Nia rolled out of the way when his body fell forward, his face contorted in anger and pain.
Garrett scooped Nia from the ground, shoving her past the guards at the portcullis through the same door they’d used before.
Strength slowly returned to Nia’s body. She leaned against the wall for support. Her legs felt like they were made from gelatin, jiggling as they attempted to keep her upright. A twinge of anger poked at her gut. “Why didn’t you cut his head off?” She turned toward Garrett who was also splayed against the wall.
A hateful look of disbelief sullied his gorgeous features. “You’re kidding me, right?”
Confusion and angst vied for dominance. “He wants to eat parts of me. Is there a problem with killing him?”
Garrett’s jaw clenched as he rolled sideways against the wall and stared directly into her eyes. “Did you not see him choking the life out of me? Funny, ’cause I’m pretty sure you did. I was lucky to actually get my sword pulled from the holster. I had to use my own weight for leverage to get it through his body. I’m a little weak here, too.”
Nia’s face scrunched in anger at his tone, but she quickly smiled. “Sorry.” She held out a wobbly hand, unfurling her fingers, exposing the sapphire to him. “At least I got this.”
Garrett’s eyes widened. “What the hell are we standing here for then? You’re going first.” He
grabbed her elbow, tugging her toward the guard.
Nia’s gut clenched as the monstrous man turned to face them. She wrapped herself around Garrett’s arm unable to fathom his plan when it included a man who had the skull thickness of a house footing.
Tapping the behemoth on the shoulder, Garrett cleared his throat. “We’d like to be put in the dungeon, please.”
The large man’s face puckered in bewilderment. Without uttering a word, he yanked the heavy door open and shoved them both down the stairs.
Nia tucked her head to her chest, allowing her body to roll and bounce down most of the expanse of steps; each jarring slam into the stairs heaved the air from her lungs and sent a bolt of pain through her entire body. Her only break was landing atop of Garrett at the bottom.
Squinting in agony, Garrett muttered, “You okay?”
Nia rolled off of him, groaning, “Never better. You?”
“Same.” Garrett turned onto his side then bolted to his feet, pointing toward the stained glass window and narrowing light beam. “It’s about time!”
Nia stood quickly, her muscles and bruised areas screaming at her, sprinting toward the light stream as the guards lumbered down the stairwell toward them. She held out the sapphire to Garrett. “You’re hurt so you are going first. I’ll hold the guards off and join you tomorrow.”
Grabbing the sapphire and her wrist, he thrust Nia into the light, kissed her roughly, and simply stated, “No.”
The beam narrowed on her through the gem. She felt a heavy emptiness in her gut and her heart, neither of which were from the light. The possibility of never seeing Garrett again tore at her soul. She realized at that very moment she was falling in love with him, and it took her breath away. As Garrett dangled the sapphire in the light beam, she grabbed him by the front of the shirt, yanking him against her. His lips met hers in a fiery kiss while the beam shredded her. The stinging loneliness in her heart helped to keep her mind from the searing pain as everything around her turned to white.
Chapter Eighteen
Secrets of the Sapphires Page 14