The Eldentimber Series: Books 1 - 3

by Tapscott, Shari L.

  This is when a riding outfit like Pippa’s would be useful.

  I’ve ripped out a few stitches on the bottom skirt. I drop the fabric and stare into the cave. It’s dark, but it always is. It smells musty, but that’s normal too.

  I step in and walk until I can’t see anymore. I wait for my eyes to adjust to the dimness. Not far down, sunlight shines through a fissure in the rocks above. I make my way to the light and turn down another tunnel. This one is darker. Finally, I reach Adrinel’s empty lair. I didn’t expect her to be here, but finding her home empty still bothers me.

  Without the dragon here to provide light, I can’t see anything. I take another blind step. I’ve reached her coins, and they shift under my feet. I sit on the pile and wrap my arms around my legs. My hand skims over the treasure. I pick up a coin and run my fingers over it.

  If Adrinel had been here, she would have given me the gold I needed to pay for Marielle and Kara’s care. I flick the coin down. What has happened to her? Why hasn’t she returned? No dragon leaves their horde for this long. There are plenty of men that would be glad to take possession of their gold—and dragons know it.

  Not wanting to linger in the dark, I make my way out of the cave. I had hoped being in Adrinel’s lair would make me feel closer to her. Instead, it’s just further reminded me she’s gone.

  I step from the entrance and sit on a boulder. The fresh air greets me, and I breathe it in as I let the sunshine warm my shoulders.

  How far has Rigel traveled? It’s only been a few days, but I can’t help but worry. How long does it take to reach the frozen wastelands? Three or four days? A week? I have no idea.

  All I know is I want him back.

  I take one more glance at Adrinel’s cave and then make my way back down the side of the mountain.

  Once I reach the outer walls, I turn into the village. Peasants call their greetings to me, their spirits improved by the warm weather. I wave my hellos as I walk to Bea’s home. Both men and women have set up meager stands in the square with a few vegetables and flowers for sale. Children dart in the streets, playing games. For once, I don’t worry they will freeze to death.

  I near the cottage and see Kendal working a spade into the ground under the window.

  When he spots me, he lowers his tool and bows his head. “Pleasant afternoon, Your Highness.”

  I pause near him. “What are you doing?”

  “Rella mentioned she would like a garden, but Antone doesn’t have time with all the jobs he’s taken on.”

  “So you’re putting one in for her? That’s kind of you.”

  Bea steps from the front door, and her face lights up. “Seirsha! I didn’t know you would be by this early.” More quietly she asks, “Was she there?”

  I shake my head.

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  Bea has always been very understanding of my relationship with Adrinel even though she is terrified of the dragon.

  “How are Marielle and Kara?” I ask.

  Bea hands Kendal a mug of water, which he gratefully accepts, and then she turns back to me. “They’re doing much better thanks to Master Aimlin.”

  Bea beams at the physician, and he returns her smile before he drains the mug.

  I look at the freshly-tilled ground. “What are you going to plant?”

  Her eyes light up. “Master Aimlin traded the herbalist for all kinds of things!” She gives Kendal a chastising look. “You really shouldn’t have done that for us.”

  He hands her the empty mug and picks up the spade to begin again. “It was the least I could do for the free room and board.”

  Bea snorts, though somehow it’s a pretty sound when she does it. “We’ll never be able to repay you for your kindness.”

  He smiles at his project but doesn’t answer her.

  “Come on,” Bea waves me inside. “We’ll leave him to his task. I’m sure he doesn’t need us gawking at him.” She looks back at Kendal. “Do tell me when you’re ready to plant, though. I would like to help.”

  She gives him another bright smile before she steps inside.

  Is it my imagination, or does Kendal look a little bemused? He realizes I’ve caught him watching her, and his eyes snap back to his task.

  I can’t help but grin as I walk in after Bea.

  Marielle sits by the window with Kara in her arms. She smiles when she sees me. “You’re cheerful today.”

  Seeing them out of bed lifts my spirits considerably. I kneel in front of them and stroke Kara’s cheek with my finger. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better.” Marielle's eyes are tired, but her cheeks have some color today. “Thanks to you.”

  I visit with them for a little longer, but Marielle’s tired. She and Kara both need rest. Eventually I say my goodbyes and leave Bea to tend them. With the evening meal approaching, Rella will be home from the kitchens soon. To relieve Marielle, Antone has taken on additional work with the castle’s blacksmith. He likely won’t be home until very late.

  I close the door behind me and survey Kendal’s progress. “It looks like you’re almost ready to plant.”

  The physician nods at the patch. “I think it’s ready.”

  “Thank you—for everything.”

  He meets my eyes. “They’re good people. I can see why they mean so much to you.”

  “There’s little I wouldn’t do for them.”

  “Such as planting gold in the flower pot?” He gives me a knowing smile.

  “They found it?”

  “Rella discovered it this morning. A neighbor woman dug a cluster of field daisies from her garden as payment for a poultice I prepared. I gave them to Rella, and she planted them.”

  Smiling, I shake my head. “You work for daisies?”

  “I’ve worked for less.”

  I cross my arms, studying him. He meets my approval. “Bea likes daisies as well—but she’s partial to roses.”

  Kendal rubs the back of his neck. “Is that so?”

  While nodding, I walk away. Over my shoulder, I call, “Good day, Master Aimlin.”

  ***

  I glance over when Bea opens the door to my bedchamber.

  Her brow knits with concern. “Why are you awake already?”

  “I couldn’t sleep.” I set my head against the upholstered headboard.

  “You’re not ill, are you?” She sits next to me.

  I shake my head and stare at the light peeking through the heavy draperies. I’m not ill, but I am sick with worry. I know it solves nothing, but it’s hard to think of anything else, especially at night when I’m still.

  Bea pulls her legs up on the bed and crosses them under her skirt. “He’ll be fine. Have you ever met anyone as capable as Lord Rigel?”

  “No. There is no one.”

  She nods. “That’s right. Remember it. If you must dwell on something, dwell on that.”

  I know she’s right, but it’s easier in the light of day. It’s at night, when I’m trapped alone with my thoughts, that it becomes infinitely more difficult.

  Bea gives me a reassuring look, and then she starts her morning duties. “Do you want a fire?”

  “Not today.”

  She opens the draperies, welcoming the light in. A dragon flies in the sky, and for a moment my heart leaps. The dragon swoops low, and the sun catches her scales. They shimmer emerald in the light. I look away from the window.

  Bea tugs at my hands. “Come on, get up. Join the living.”

  I give her a wry smile but let her pull me to my feet.

  “I’ll order a bath to be brought up,” she says. “That will help.”

  She scurries off to call for a kitchen boy to bring up hot water. Soon I’m soaking, and she’s chattering about village gossip. While we talk, she mends the stitches in the gown I tore yesterday.

  By the time I’m done with the bath, I do feel a little better.

  Bea’s combing through my wet hair when she finally blurts out, “Master Aimlin brought me roses ye
sterday.”

  I look at her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks are bright pink, and she won’t meet my eyes.

  “That was kind of him,” I say.

  “He’s nice, isn’t he?”

  “He’s very nice, Bea.” I take her wrist and twist in the chair so she has to look at me.

  She gives me a nervous smile. “He’s too far above me. I shouldn’t let myself get all aflutter over him.”

  Before I can argue, she cuts me off, saying, “Oh, keep it to yourself.” She softens the words with a small smile. “You know it’s the truth.”

  I scowl at her.

  Her smile falls. “You of all people should know what it’s like to fall for a man you can’t have.”

  “He’s a physician, Bea. It’s not like he’s a prince.”

  With her hands on either side of my head, she turns me so I face forward again. She continues to slide the comb through my hair. “I’m a lady’s maid who should have been a kitchen girl.”

  “And I’m a princess who wishes she were a kitchen girl.”

  Bea laughs under her breath. “We’re a sorry duo, aren’t we?” She grabs my hand and squeezes it.

  Our conversation ebbs as she continues with my hair. Once it’s braided, she coils the whole thing up with pins. When Bea’s finished, I turn to her. “Don’t overthink it, all right?”

  She takes a deep breath and then nods. “I’ll try not to.”

  I bump her shoulder with mine. “He’s handsome.”

  She meets my eyes and finally laughs. “I expected you to bring some old man back with you. I was overwhelmed when I saw him standing on our cottage step. It was like a white knight stepped right out of my dreams to save my family and sweep me off my feet.”

  “You deserve a white knight, Bea.”

  A shadow crosses her face, but she chases it away with a smile. With my hair finished, she gathers the laundry and goes about her other morning tasks. My mind takes advantage of the lull in our conversation and wanders back to Rigel.

  My fingers itch to run over the missing pendant, but I keep them still. It will be a hard habit to break.

  I go to the window and look out at the courtyard below, not really seeing anything. There’s only one place I feel I should be, the only place that will soothe my nerves.

  “Are you almost finished?” I ask.

  Bea flounces around the room, pausing only to tuck an escaped strand of honey-colored hair behind her ear. “Almost.”

  “Leave it for now,” I say. “I want to go to the kitchens.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  It’s been a month since Rigel left.

  The days have warmed, and summer is at its peak. I’ve always loved these two short months of sunshine. The valley meadows are blanketed with small, hardy pink blooms. They’re tiny, cheerful things that don’t mind the occasional summer snowstorm.

  A rabbit hops across our path, and I pull my horse back so I may watch it bound away. It disappears into the grass, its little white tail twitching as it goes. Not far away, a herd of iktar forage for tubers.

  Pippa turns her face to the sky, soaking up the sun. It’s rained the last three days, and this is the first we’ve been able to ride. If the princess had been forced to idly pass another day away, I think she would have gone mad. As it was, she almost sent me over the edge with her pacing and boundless energy.

  Bea tilts her face to the sun. “It’s a lovely day.”

  Bea doesn’t usually ride with us, but I decided that should change. She’s my maid. She can come wherever I ask.

  Kendal smiles at Bea. “The company is fair as well.”

  Bea’s cheeks pink at the attention, and she turns to face the trail in front of us.

  The physician is still here, staying with Bea’s family. Marielle and Kara have completely recovered, but now he’s doing what he can for the rest of the village. And he’s fallen head over heels for Bea. She certainly has for him.

  Like I’m so prone to do, I rub the empty spot on my collar. The pendant is gone, but habits die hard. So does love.

  I miss Rigel.

  No one knows how long it may take to find the ancient fortress. They could be gone a month; they could be gone four. They might not come back at all. Father isn’t bothering himself with details. He is, however, eager for news. His precious sculpture is out there, sitting in some cold, dank room, waiting to make him a human god.

  Heaven help us all.

  Waiting is the hardest part because that flicker of hope refuses to die. No matter how I smother it, knowing the chance of Rigel returning is slim, the flame continues to burn. It haunts me at night when the castle is dark and quiet. It’s then that I wait for the death bells to toll.

  “You’re brooding again, Seirsha.”

  I glance at Pippa. “I’m not.”

  She rolls her eyes and tosses her braid behind her shoulder. “Archer, is she brooding?”

  Archer glances my way. “I’m afraid so.”

  I don’t argue, and eventually they leave me be. Pippa and Bea dominate the conversation, but Kendal doesn’t do too bad keeping up.

  The weather is nice, but it feels wrong to be enjoying the sun’s warmth when Rigel, wherever he is, is likely freezing. I’m relieved when Archer tells us it’s time to head back.

  I part from the party when we reach the stables. Pippa stays with Archer, and Bea lingers with Kendal. I walk back alone.

  Not hungry, I decide to spend the rest of the evening in my chambers. If Father can pick and choose what meals he wishes to attend, I don’t see why I shouldn’t be granted the same honor. Normally Bea would return to help me dress for dinner, but I very much doubt I will see her again this evening.

  I sit in front of my mirror, pull the pins from my hair, and run my fingers through the braids to separate the strands. Then I yawn and lay my head on the dressing table. Wearier than I realized, I feel myself falling asleep. Perhaps I’ll sleep better here than I do in my bed.

  I let myself drift.

  Something wakes me, and I scrunch my eyes. Someone’s near, murmuring my name. I blink. Dark hair, dark eyes.

  “Rigel,” I whisper.

  He’s here. He’s truly here, kneeling in front of me.

  Rigel slides his hands around me, pulling me to him. “I’m back.”

  I slip from the chair and settle on his lap. He holds me tight, and neither of us cares that we’re on the cold stone floor.

  After quickly wiping away the tear that threatens to run down my cheek, I rest my head on his chest. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I lock him close. The scent of lavender and cedar clings to his tunic, a reminder of the time it spent in a chest while he was away. He strokes my hair.

  “Did you find it?” I finally ask.

  “We found the fortress, but we were unable to enter it.”

  He found it. He truly did the impossible.

  “Why?”

  Rigel angles his head back and looks at me as if he’s drinking me in.

  “It’s guarded by a colony of feral dragons,” he says and then kisses me, his lips soft and gentle. “I can’t tell you how I’ve missed you.”

  My heart breaks—but in a beautiful way. Like it’s always been made of ice, but now it’s melting and reforming into something human. I hold him closer, wishing I could spend my entire life tucked in his arms.

  “Don’t leave again.” I run my hands over his freshly shaven jaw. “Please, promise me.”

  He leans into my touch. “You know I can’t make that promise.”

  My hands drift to his hair, and my fingers explore the dark, short strands. “I just knew you were gone. Every night I waited for the bells.”

  I close my eyes, remembering.

  Rigel kisses me again, coaxing me to open my eyes. When I do, he smiles. “You have such little faith in me, Princess.”

  While shaking my head, I say, “I have all the faith in the world in you. But the world is so empty when you are away.”

  I reach for m
y pendant again only to remember it’s gone.

  Rigel’s eyes drift to my neck. His expression shadows. “You’re not wearing the pendant.”

  Tears well in my eyes, and I try to pull away from him. He doesn’t let me.

  “Why aren’t you wearing it?” he asks softly.

  I wrap my arms around his back. I can’t look at him while I tell him what I’ve done.

  “Seirsha,” he says once I’ve finished. He gently tucks his finger under my chin, drawing my face toward him. “You think I would be disappointed with you for that?”

  His mouth curves into a disbelieving smile. He laughs quietly and kisses me again.

  “I love you,” he says as he studies me, his eyes dark and warm. “I don’t know why I didn’t tell you before, and then I didn’t have the chance. I pledged if I returned, I would take the first opportunity.”

  I close my eyes, letting the words soak in. “And I love you.”

  “The bishop returned to Glendon,” he whispers into my hair.

  I mumble an acknowledgment. I already knew the man left.

  “If you’ll still have me, I’ll see if I can find someone closer.”

  “I wish it were tonight.”

  He sighs at my words. “I need to leave.”

  I want to argue, ask him to stay. I want him to stay. But I know he won’t, and truly, I don’t want to be the person Father thinks me to be.

  Rigel kisses me before he leaves, and I hold him tight, not ready to let him go. The bell rings, chiming the hour. It’s very late.

  “I promise you this,” he says. “I will still be here in the morning.”

  “I’m worried this is a dream,” I say against his tunic. “I’m worried if I let you go, when I wake, you will still be gone.”

  Rigel wraps his arms tighter around me. “Just a little longer. I swear to you.”

  I nod and let him go. The room feels cold in his absence, but sleep comes easier than it has in a month.

  ***

  “He’s convinced himself he’s in love with me,” Bea whispers.

  I look at her in the mirror. “Why do you sound as if that is a death sentence?”