Once again, eeriness crawled over her. Suddenly she felt like she wasn’t alone.
TWELVE
He almost had her where he wanted...
And yet, Ryder had felt this way before, too. Once he’d lowered his defenses, she’d led him to an abandoned tower and chained him to the wall. What could be worse?
He cringed and rubbed a sore wrist. He didn’t want to imagine that she could think of anything worse. It was hard enough to believe she’d done this to him.
Talking to her earlier, he wondered if she might have a little remorse for her actions. At times today, she had appeared guilt-stricken, and she certainly had tried to speak kindly to him. Definitely different from yesterday when she had spoken with such malice in her voice.
However, this time was different. Her expression was different. The way she had looked at him told him that he just might be able to change her mind about keeping him locked up until her wedding.
Frustration shot through him, and he hit his fist into the thin mattress of the cot. He couldn’t let her marry Prince Ormond. Somehow, some way he had to get her to listen to him...to believe him. Ryder wondered if the spell she was under wasn’t as strong this morning, and that was why he had seen the guilt written on her face.
He could only hope.
The echoing screech of the door opening and then footsteps rushing up the stairs made his heart a little lighter. One way or another he would convince her to release him—and most importantly, to not marry Prince Ormond.
When he noticed her carrying a bucket of water and a cup, he sighed disappointedly. He’d hoped to convince her, once she came back empty-handed, that leaving him here without water was going to kill him, and it would be easier to just let him go rather than to try and find a way to bring him some. Apparently that plan hadn’t worked.
“I see you found something for the water.” He pointed to the bucket.
Clarissa held up a cup. “Yes, and something to drink it with.”
“Where did you find them?”
“Believe it or not,” she placed the bucket by the basket of food, “there was an old, abandoned cottage not far from here.”
His luck hadn’t been good lately, that was for sure. “How fortunate for you.”
“And for you.” She smiled. “I’m just relieved I didn’t have to travel very far before I found it.”
Her expression changed, and she absently rubbed her arms. His instinct as a king’s guard—and a friend—kicked in. “What’s wrong? I can see something is bothering you.”
“I don’t rightly know what is wrong.” Slowly she paced in front of him, closer than usual, but still careful to keep out of his reach.
“Why? What happened?”
“Well,” she murmured, “when I went into the abandoned cottage, everything was still there—furniture, dishes, bedding. Dust covered everything, but it was a thin layer.”
“So the place hadn’t been deserted for very long,” he concluded.
“Yes. That’s what I thought.”
“What has you so concerned?”
She rubbed her arms again. “Just a feeling I had while I was there, especially when I was in the bedroom. I felt like something evil had happened there. I also felt as though I’d been there before, but I don’t think that’s right.” She shivered noticeably and lifted her gaze to his. “And then before I left, I thought someone was in the house with me.”
“Was someone there?” he asked.
“No. I thought I heard footsteps, but it must have been my imagination.”
After her comment, something niggled at the back of his mind. “Strange you would say that. I’m wondering if this section of the forest isn’t cursed with a spell or something.”
Her eyes widened. “Why do you say that?”
“Well, because of your experience, and...” he cleared his dry throat, “because early this morning I thought I heard voices in this tower.”
She stepped closer to him. “What kind of voices?”
“It was more like one voice—a woman’s. When I first heard it, I thought she was crying for help.”
“Oh dear.” She wrung her hands, stepping closer. “Have you heard the voice since?”
“Not yet. I convinced myself I hadn’t heard a voice, and that the sound I heard was actually a bird.” He shook his head. “But truly, I believe it was a woman’s voice.”
“In this tower?”
“Yes.”
She released a chuckle. He could tell it wasn’t real. She probably did that to try and ease her nerves.
“I don’t think the woman’s voice would be coming from this tower. You are the only one here.”
He moved closer to her, hoping she wouldn’t withdraw. If he could just get close enough to grab her hand... “You don’t suppose ghosts are haunting the tower—or the forest—do you?”
“Ghosts?” Her voice quivered.
“Do you believe in ghosts?”
“N—no.”
“I do.” He took another hesitant step toward her. “I believe there are good ghosts, and they are called spirits. But then there are bad ghosts. They are the ones who haunt abandoned places like that cottage you found.”
“And like...this tower?”
He nodded. “Exactly.” He was almost within arm’s reach of her, but the chains around his wrists and ankles grew tighter as he strained to move farther. Soon, he wouldn’t be able to take another step.
“I don’t know, Ryder. It’s still hard to believe.”
“If only you would sit with me for a while, I’m sure you’d hear what I did, and then maybe you’d believe me.”
Her gaze shifted and moved around the room as she looked up at the ceiling, then over to the stairs. She continued the nervous gesture while wringing her hands together. He couldn’t rush her. If he talked calmly to her and didn’t get her upset with him, perhaps he could get her to stay long enough to talk some sense into her.
“Well, I...” she swallowed noisily, “I don’t need to be home for a few more hours. I suppose I could stay a little longer.”
He tried not to grin. I’m almost there...
CLARISSA WAS TIRED of the mixed emotions rolling through her...and it had nothing to do with their discussion about ghosts.
Ryder seemed different somehow. Before she’d left to find a water bucket, he was cold and unfeeling. Now, he seemed to be more caring. The boy she remembered from school had returned. Well, sort of, anyway. He wasn’t fun and teasing, but yet, given the situation, she couldn’t expect him to be.
The concern he had for her shone through his eyes and in the tone of his soothing voice. Her heart melted, and a memory tugged at the back of her mind, reminding her of the afternoon when he had kissed her. She recalled loving the secure and safe feeling she had with him—and wanting it always. She had cherished the way he’d made her heart flip-flop and the silly way her stomach twittered with excitement.
“I would like it very much if you could stay and visit with me,” Ryder said, bringing her out of her thoughts.
“Why?” she asked timidly.
She studied his eyes, especially his facial features. She’d known him well when they were in school, and she’d be able to tell if he was lying to her or not. Then again, he’d rarely lied to her when they were friends. He joked with her quite a bit, and the only time he didn’t tell the truth was when he was trying to protect her from something horrible.
He arched an eyebrow. “I suppose it’s time you convince me that Prince Ormond is the right man for you.”
She sighed as another memory floated through her head. Flowers... Prince Ormond had given her the perfect bouquet. “I’m aware that you think I don’t know my own mind because I have fallen for Ormond so quickly, but you just don’t understand.”
“Help me understand.” Slowly, he reached out to her.
Her first urge was to grasp his outstretched fingers, but just as she began to stretch forth her hand, something in the back of her mind sh
outed at her to stop. She snapped her hand away and turned to walk to the window. Her heart beat frantically against her ribs. She wished she knew why she’d had such a strange reaction. Why did she feel so constantly confused lately?
“Remember when I told you about the Rapunzel flower?” She looked over her shoulder at him. “The one that my father picked for my mother before they were married?”
“Yes.”
“Well, when Ormond brought them to me on that first day, I felt a connection.”
“A connection with the flower—or with him?” He scratched his neck.
“With him, of course.” She shrugged and turned toward him, leaning back against the rock wall. “It was almost like destiny was speaking to me. I mean, my father picked this particular flower for my mother, and then Ormond picked them for me.”
“All right, I see things a little clearer now.” He walked back toward his cot and sat. The blankets and basket of food were on the cot, and he reached into the basket and withdrew an apple. “So tell me: what do you see him bringing to your marriage?” He took a bite of the fruit.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“For starters, you don’t even know him. What if he treats you with a harsh hand? Or what if he ignores you after you’re married, just so he can be with his friends all the time?”
She laughed and flipped her hand through the air. “Don’t be ridiculous, Ryder. He won’t do that.”
“How do you know?” He paused to finish chewing his food before swallowing. “I’ve heard of many marriages that turn out to be terrible. Some of my friends have married too quickly, and soon their love disappeared and they ended up resenting the other. That’s not a pleasant life to live, you know. Don’t you want a lasting love?”
Frowning, she folded her arms. “Of course I do. You know I do.”
“Then you need to get to know him better before you hurry down the aisle and say ‘I do.’”
Irritation grew within her. What did he know? He was just trying, once again, to talk her out of marrying Ormond.
“All I’m saying,” he continued in a soothing voice, “is that you should take a few weeks to get to know the real Prince Ormond. I want my best friend to be extremely happy when she marries.”
Although his smile wasn’t very wide, Clarissa could tell it was genuine. She might be upset at him right now, but it was obvious he still cared about her welfare. Indeed, he was and would always be, a true friend.
Clarissa sighed. “Perhaps you’re right.” She turned and leaned her elbows on the edge of the window, tapping her fingernails against the stone as she eyed the scenery of shrubbery and tall trees. “I have to admit that I’ve felt a certain urgency to wed him ever since we met, but I believe you are right. I do need to get to know him better. I certainly don’t want to be with a man I cannot love forever.”
“Have you ever asked yourself,” he continued, “why you feel this sense of urgency? At first, after returning from visiting with your cousin, you weren’t in any hurry to find the man of your dreams.”
“True.” She looked at him.
“So do you wonder why you are suddenly feeling this way?”
She shrugged. Ryder had done something to her mind, because she couldn’t stop thinking about his words...and because of that, her headache grew worse. Confusion filled her thoughts, and she wished it would disappear.
“Oh, Ryder. I just don’t know anymore.” She moved away from the window and toward the stairs. “I should head back home now.”
“Wait.” Ryder jumped off the cot and came as far as he could before the chains stopped him. “Will you do something for me during our time apart?”
“I don’t know. It depends.”
“Clarissa, all I want you to do is think about what I’ve said in regards to Prince Ormond. You owe it to yourself to dig deep inside your heart and really know what you want out of this marriage, and especially, what you expect from the prince.”
The pain in her skull pounded harder. “Fine. I’ll think about it.” She took two more steps before he called out her name, making her stop. “What now?”
“I just wanted to thank you for the food and water.”
Her heart clenched as guilt washed through her again. “You’re welcome. Is there anything special you need me to bring you tomorrow?”
“Books, perhaps? Reading would certainly help pass the time.”
Inwardly, she scolded herself for not remembering to bring those today. “Yes, I will remember to bring some books from our library.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Now, I must leave,” she muttered and turned toward the stairs, but a shining object on the floor caught her attention. It was Ryder’s sword. How could she have forgotten about it? She quickly picked it up before hurrying down the stairs. By the time she reached outside and was mounting her horse, tears stung her eyes. Not again! What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she remain firm in her determination to keep Ryder away from her until she was married? If she couldn’t keep her emotions in check, a doctor’s visit would be forthcoming very soon.
THIRTEEN
“Did you receive the flowers I sent you earlier today?”
Clarissa sat across the supper table from Prince Ormond and smiled. “Indeed, I did. Thank you, again. They are such a nice gesture.”
He nodded as he picked up his roll, and spread butter on it. “It delights me to know you enjoy them so much. And of course, they smell heavenly. Don’t you agree?”
“They certainly do. I’ve not smelled anything finer.” She quickly shoveled another bite of fish in her mouth. She didn’t want to tell him she hadn’t smelled the flowers today. When she’d returned from the tower, her headache kept her from doing anything productive for the rest of the day, and she feared smelling the flowers would make the pounding in her head worse.
She swallowed her food and looked up at him again, trying her hardest to keep a smile on her face—or at least to appear as if she were enjoying herself. She decided to take Ryder’s advice and try to get to know Ormond a little better.
“Prince Ormond? I realized earlier today that I don’t know much about your life. How did you grow up? Did you have a lot of friends?”
A blush spread across his face and his gaze shyly dropped to his plate. His hair seemed more red than sandy in the candlelight, and his face more pale. She found it odd that he’d act like this again. This was how he had behaved when they had first met. Where was the confident, handsome man she had seen since that first day?
Clearing his throat, he sat back and picked at the sleeve of his green and silver royal coat. As he began to talk, unease spread through her. Something wasn’t right. Why did his voice sound whinier than it had been before? She concluded that he must be catching a head cold.
While Ormond spoke, Clarissa’s mind wandered. She tried to pay attention to him, but her mind wouldn’t hold on to the conversation for very long. The only thoughts pulsing through her head were the things Ryder had said to her. The more she thought about their earlier conversations, the more her head throbbed. Yet, an odd feeling deep inside of her heart told her he was correct. She shouldn’t rush into marrying Ormond. She must see if she truly loved him—and if he truly loved her and would treat her kindly.
She tried to follow the conversation, but the strain on her faux smile was beginning to grow thin. The muscles around her mouth just didn’t want to function properly.
She laughed from time to time at what Ormond said, but waited for him to laugh first, just so she didn’t choose the wrong time to do so. As she studied his face, she wondered why his eyes weren’t as green or lively as she remembered. Even his smile wasn’t as bright as she had thought it to be when they had first met.
At times, she had to shake her head and clear her thoughts because he seemed like a completely different man. Groaning inwardly, she rubbed her forehead. What was going on? Why did she feel as if she were losing her mind?
When Ormond grew silent,
she snapped out of her thoughts, hoping she hadn’t missed him asking her a question. But the way his focus was on his food as he ate, she realized she hadn’t. She quickly took another bite of her rice and looked up at him. “Do you have any relatives here in Woodmist Kingdom?”
“No.”
His gaze met with hers briefly before moving back to his plate. She tapped her fingernail on the table. Why was he acting so strangely?
“So how did you know my father?”
“My mother knows him.”
Clarissa searched the recesses of her mind, trying to recall when her father had ever mentioned Queen Ruth—or the Kingdom of Edan, for that matter. Clarissa came up empty. “I find it odd that we were never introduced before, if our parents have met.”
“Indeed, that is odd,” he answered without looking up at all this time.
Sighing, she frowned. This conversation wasn’t getting her anywhere. She glanced at the clock on the mantel. Was it time for him to leave yet? Inwardly, she groaned. He hadn’t been here for very long, and she was already tired of his company.
“So tell me, Prince Ormond—”
“Please, just call me Ormond.”
She nodded. “So tell me, Ormond, do you have many friends in your kingdom?”
His forehead creased and his gaze narrowed, so she added, “You know, friends you see every day or do things with?”
“Actually, some of my best friends are my mother’s guards.”
“That’s nice.” She smiled. “Do you and these men go a lot of places together?”
He chuckled and leaned back in his chair, linking his fingers across his middle. “If you’re wondering if I go out drinking with my friends, the answer is, no.” His face reddened. “I used to, but that was when I was younger.”
Clarissa laughed and rubbed her finger along her fork. “I’m sure we both did a lot of things we weren’t supposed to do when we were younger.”
“Tell me about your childhood.”
Once Enchanted Page 10