Once Enchanted

by Marie Higgins

  He led her to her horse and helped her mount before running to his. After he pulled himself on the animal’s back, he rode side-by-side with her until after they left the palace grounds. A small lantern was attached to her horse.

  “Where are we going?” he asked.

  She gave him a teasing grin. “A place where nobody will be able to find us.”

  “I like the sound of that.” He winked.

  They didn’t talk much as they rode along an out-of-the-way trail. She acted as if she knew the place well, but not knowing where they were going made him a little unsettled. But he put his trust in her and continued to follow her lead.

  His heart softened as he watched her. She was such a fine horsewoman, and very accomplished. Every once in a while, she’d glance back at him and flash him her charming grin. Excitement and happiness had a race inside of him for which one wanted to be in the lead. He didn’t care, just as long as the end result would bring him and Clarissa closer together. And to think he had worried over nothing...

  After they rode for at least thirty minutes deeper into the east forest, doubt filled him. “Clarissa, should we not find a place closer to home? How about the wood where—”

  “No, I assure you. I have the perfect place.”

  He couldn’t imagine where she was taking him. He didn’t know this part of the kingdom very well, and so his instincts were keenly aware of everything. Each and every night sound, every owl’s hoot, startled him. He kept one hand over his sword just in case.

  Finally, up ahead he could see the outline of some tall and narrowed structure. What could possibly be clear out here? But whatever it was, it had to be abandoned, since he hadn’t seen any civilization this far into the forest.

  As they neared, the structure became more recognizable. A tower? How interesting. And more interesting was that Clarissa knew about the location as well.

  Why was she bringing him here—at night? Unease spread through him, and he whipped his attention around them, searching for anything out of the ordinary, and listening for any odd sounds. Shadows gathered all around them, which made him that much more fidgety.

  She slowed her horse, and he copied. He studied the tall, four-story tower. Vines grew all over it. How long had it been since someone had taken care of the place? Yet, curiosity tugged at him; he wanted to see inside and, even more than that, find out what connection Clarissa had with this place.

  When she stopped her horse, he quickly jumped off his and assisted her down. Keeping her hands in his, he gazed into her shadowed face and smiled. “I’m dying to know why we came clear out here just to be alone.”

  She shrugged. “It’s like I mentioned earlier. It’s the only place I know about where we won’t be disturbed.”

  “I’m taking it that you have been here before.”

  She nodded. “A few times in the past couple of years.”

  “Nobody lives here?”

  “No.” She looked up at the tower. “It’s been abandoned for at least fifteen years. Maybe more.”

  “Then I should go first to protect you from anything that might be living in here.” He placed his hand back on his sword.

  “Oh, Ryder.” She laughed and hugged his arm. “Always my hero.”

  He grasped her hand, pulling her behind him as he walked to the tower. He unsheathed his sword and cut a few hanging vines that were in his way before getting to a wooden door. As he slowly opened the door, the hinges squeaked, echoing through the abandoned structure.

  Clarissa held up the lantern. When the light shone inside, Ryder half expected bats to come flying out, but so far, nothing like that disturbed their entrance. Once inside, the lantern illuminated the small room. Not a stitch of furniture was in here, but against the wall climbed a steep staircase, leading higher into the tower.

  “We’ll take those stairs,” she said.

  He glanced at her and frowned. Nothing but shadows stood in their way. Where exactly was she taking him that was so important? They could have found many private places to meet during their journey here. “Are you certain?”

  “Ryder,” she replied with a laugh, “will you trust me? I promise, I’ve been here before.”

  “I don’t know. Something doesn’t feel right.” The unease flowing through him turned into something deeper. More fearful. Yet Clarissa acted as if this place was familiar to her, and that nothing was amiss. Perhaps he shouldn’t worry.

  She playfully elbowed his mid-section. “Do I need to lead the way, then?”

  Her playfulness reminded him of when they were in school together, and he grinned. Yet, at the same time, he really didn’t feel right. He didn’t know why, but...perhaps they should leave. He’d learned to always follow his instincts.

  “Rissa, darling, I think we should—”

  “Oh, come on.” She walked ahead of him and started up the stairs.

  Maybe he was being too skittish. She had a surprise planned for them, and with any luck, he’d find a moment to propose to her. He couldn’t stand the thought of her being with any other man, especially Prince Ormond.

  He bit his tongue and didn’t say anything, but allowed her to show him the way. When they finally reached the top floor, he sighed and leaned against the wall. Once the lantern brightened the small room, he frowned. Apparently she hadn’t planned a surprise because just like the other floors, there was nothing that appeared to be out of the ordinary. But unlike the other floors, this room did have one single chair and table, and a cot up against the wall.

  He switched his attention back to Clarissa, who placed the lantern on the ground before looking up at him with wide eyes. “Well,” he began, “is this what you brought me all this way to show me?”

  Her smile stretched tight across her face. “Yes.” She took his hand and pulled him toward one of the walls. “But there is more.”

  “More?”

  “Yes.” She pushed him up against the wall, straightening his arms and pressing them by his sides. She took his sword away and dropped it to the floor.

  Shock was a mild word for what he felt right now. Why was Clarissa acting so boldly? Was she trying to seduce him? This definitely wasn’t like her at all.

  “Close your eyes,” she whispered as she brushed her fingers across his eyebrows.

  He might as well follow her instructions to see where this would lead. Hopefully, she didn’t have seduction in mind. He couldn’t allow that to happen. Not until after they were married.

  “Come on, close them.” She rose on her tiptoes and placed a tender kiss on his cheek.

  He chuckled and did as she requested. “All right, my dear Rissa. So now what are you going to do?”

  She didn’t speak, but he heard the rustle of her dress and light footsteps moving close by. Then another sound came. He was sure he was wrong, but it sounded like chains.

  Within seconds, cold steel slid around each wrist. Panicked, he jumped and tried to move out of them, but she clamped them hard in a lock. He gasped and looked at her, then moved his focus to his arms. Each wrist had a thick band of steel wrapped around them, hooked to chains that connected to the wall.

  His heart sank. What had she done? Was she insane?

  “What’s this?” He yanked his hands, but the chains wouldn’t budge from the wall.

  He swung his gaze back to Clarissa. No longer did she wear a beautiful, playful expression. Instead, she glared at him in the same disturbing manner she’d done earlier today. He was peering into the face of a woman he didn’t know. How could he talk to her when she was in this condition? But more importantly, would he be able to talk her into releasing him?

  “Clarissa? What is the meaning of this? Take these things off me now!”

  She gave him a pathetic smile and shook her head. “I can’t, Ryder. You are now my prisoner.”

  TEN

  Clarissa couldn’t be more pleased. Her plans had gone smoothly, and she had Ryder exactly where she wanted him.

  “What do you mean I’m your
prisoner?” he huffed.

  “Well you see,” she shrugged and moved away from him to the only window in the tower, “I couldn’t have you around bothering me any longer, so I decided to bring you here and lock you up.”

  “Bothering you?” His voice rose. “Why would you think I was bothering you?”

  She scowled and folded her arms. He couldn’t be serious! He knew very well he was bothering her. “You are trying to stop me from falling in love with Prince Ormond. I just don’t know why you want me to be unhappy. Can’t you see that Prince Ormond makes me happy?”

  He shook his head. “Clarissa, you don’t understand. You’re really not in love with him. You’re under a spell—”

  She gasped. “How dare you tell me I don’t know my own feelings! Of course I’m in love with him. Do you think I’d want to marry him otherwise? You know I didn’t want to get married in the first place, but now that I’ve found him, I cannot figure out why you and my parents can’t see what I see.”

  Ryder’s jaw tightened and he seemed to be breathing through his nose...slowly. That’s how she usually controlled her temper, too. Ryder really was attractive. No. Clarissa shook her head to clear those thoughts. No matter what tactic he tried, she just needed to remain strong and not let him sway her. She was doing the right thing by keeping him here. He’d only be in the tower until after she and Prince Ormond were married. And it’s not like she’d starve him. She’d bring him food—and books to read—during his stay. So it wouldn’t be like a prison. Not really.

  “Clarissa, I’m sure you are in love with him; however, I learned some information tonight that you might find very interesting.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “Is it about Prince Ormond?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I’m not sure I’ll want to hear it at all, especially if you’re trying to ruin his good and decent character. He is a true prince, and I won’t allow gossip to be spread about him.”

  Did she really see Ryder roll his eyes? She sucked in a quick breath. It was hard to see in the shadows, but she’d bet money he had made that irritating gesture.

  “Clarissa, the flowers he sends you are cursed—”

  “Oh, now I know what’s wrong,” she interrupted. “You are jealous that he sends me flowers.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry that you don’t do things like that for women you like, but you shouldn’t take it out on him. He’s a sweet man, and he’s showing me how much he cares.”

  “No, my sweet Clarissa, you don’t understand what I’m trying to say. If you’d cease from cutting me off—”

  “Will you stop telling me that I don’t know my own mind? I certainly know my mind. You, however, I have reservations about.” Huffing, she turned toward the stairs. When she grasped the handrail, she looked at him over her shoulder. “I’ll return in the morning with food and drink for you. I’ll also bring some books for you to read.”

  Sadness encased his expression, which tugged on her heart slightly. I am doing the right thing, she reminded herself. “Is there anything else you need me to bring you?”

  He arched an eyebrow. “How about a hammer and chisel?”

  She opened her mouth to ask him why he requested those particular tools, before realizing he wanted them to try and break the chains. “Absolutely not. Is there anything else reasonable that you’d like?”

  He glanced at the cot, and then back to her. “Is it too much to ask for a pillow and blanket?”

  She bent and picked up the lantern. “Not at all. I shall bring those as well.”

  “And will you leave some light for me?”

  She glanced down at the lantern in her hand. “I don’t know. I’ll need the light to find my way home.” She moved her attention back to him. “Besides, in a few hours the sun will be up, and I’ll bring your breakfast.”

  He continued to look at her with a frown. It wasn’t only his frown that bothered her, but the lack of luster lighting his once-dreamy eyes. She wasn’t sure she enjoyed seeing him in such a forlorn state.

  “Thank you, Princess. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

  Heading back down the stairs, she grumbled under her breath. She knew Ryder well enough to know when he was being spiteful, and by his tone of voice, he certainly was not appreciating her thoughtfulness.

  EVERY MUSCLE IN RYDER’S body ached. Of course, he’d been sitting on a cot in a cold room, leaning up against an even colder wall. His wrists were bound together with steel, and he couldn’t walk very far before reaching the end of the chain.

  He stretched the best he could and climbed off the cot. The sun peered through the only window in the room and slowly warmed the air. The window didn’t have anything to block Mother Nature’s elements from blowing inside, but as he stared at the hole in the wall that served as a window, he tried to think positive. Perhaps if he yelled, someone would eventually hear him since there was no glass to block the sound.

  Then again, he was too far into the forest. During their journey, he recalled not seeing a soul, or even a hint of any kind of human existence out here. So who would hear him if he screamed? It’s not like the birds could go for help.

  Ryder didn’t want to ponder too much about the future for fear he’d go stark-raving mad. It hurt to think Clarissa would chain him to the wall in this tower, and as much as he tried to convince himself she did it because she was under a spell, it didn’t stop his heart from breaking. It also didn’t stop his pride from being sorely injured.

  Now he was just exhausted. He’d never been betrayed by a friend, and he couldn’t stand the pain tearing through his heart. Somehow, some way, he needed to put his emotions aside and make his mind work properly so he could figure out how to get out of here.

  After Clarissa had left last night, he’d tried for hours to free himself from the chains around his wrists, but to no avail. All it did was rub his skin raw. Now not only did his chest ache, but so did his arms and wrists. He was locked in here for good, and the key to unlock his bindings was the only thing that would free him.

  There was no way he could sweet-talk Clarissa into letting him go, since she was under the spell. Yet, he couldn’t give up hope. There must be some other way to talk her into freeing him.

  Deep down in her heart, she must know how wrong this was. He truly hoped that something inside of her would wake her out of this spell soon. But until that happened, it was up to him to find how to touch her conscience and make her feel guilty for what she’d done. If he couldn’t...he’d be in here forever.

  Yawning, he stretched away the kinks as he became fully awake. Last night the room was too dark to see much, but in the light, he realized not much had changed from his first impressions. Only one chair, one table, and one cot were going to be his companions. Against the far wall, something gleamed from where the sun’s brightness hit it.

  My sword! How could she have forgotten to take his sword? Perhaps if he could get it, he’d be able to break free from these chains, or at least cut them off the wall.

  He tried again to see how far the chain’s length would take him. He moved toward his sword, but the chain yanked him into submission about two feet from the weapon.

  Cursing under his breath, he walked toward the window, seeing how close the chain would allow him to get. But once again, the chain stopped him just short of his target.

  Anger rose inside of him, and a scream of rage threatened to come out. Instead, he marched back to the cot and kicked the leg. The makeshift bed moved slightly. Frustration built inside of him, growing hotter by the second. Finally, he could stand it no longer. Facing the window, he let his irritation out through his voice—and as loud as he could. He slammed his fists against the stone wall, so frustrated he barely felt the bruises already forming on his tense hands.

  In despair, he sank back to the cot and rested his forehead against his palms. Everything was hopeless.

  When an unfamiliar sound reached his ears, he sucked in a breath and sat up. As small as the sound was, he thought i
t might be a woman’s voice crying for help. As he strained to hear more, the sound must have disappeared. Either that or he’d been hearing things. Why were his ears playing tricks on him now? He was the only one in this tower. There were only three floors, and he’d walked up the stairs with Clarissa last night. After she had left, nobody else had entered.

  Frowning, he shook his head. Obviously, he was hearing things.

  As the sun rose a little higher, the chirp of birds filled the air, calming Ryder slightly. Although it was somewhat peaceful and relaxing, it was not enough to distract him from the cold chains clamped around his aching wrists.

  He tapped his foot against the floor, anxious for Clarissa to return and bring him food. He really wasn’t hungry. Instead, he was more apprehensive about seeing her and trying to talk some sense into that woman. How was he going to convince her not to smell those flowers again? The more she smelled them, the deeper she was put under the spell.

  Another question that swam through his head was why would Prince Ormond have a spell placed on the flowers? He was a prince. Wouldn’t that reason alone be good enough to win him the hand of any woman? Yet, he chose Clarissa, who was a princess in her own right.

  Ryder didn’t know much about the Kingdom of Edan where Prince Ormond was from, but by chance, could the prince and his mother be having money problems? Was that why they wanted to join the kingdoms? Nothing else made sense.

  Closing his eyes, he rested his head back against the rock wall and sighed. He was already bored. He didn’t want to think about being held captive for more than a day, especially if Clarissa didn’t bring him anything to do.

  The same muffled sound from earlier wafted through the air. He snapped upright, concentrating on the unexplained noise. Why did it sound as if someone were calling for help? Unless...there were peacocks migrating near the tower. Ryder couldn’t tell if the sound was coming from within the tower or outside.

  “Who is there?” he called out loudly. “If you can hear me, yell three times.”

  Silence lasted several seconds, and then many more. Apparently, he was hearing things.