by Sher Dillard
Taking a deep breath, Rachel followed Gwyn, but not before taking a look over her shoulder to make sure Thad was with them. Even now, the thought of facing this alone terrified her. Knowing that he was there with her enabled her to face what was to come.
What would she do in the future? she wondered. When he was not there. When his wide strong shoulders were not available to lean on. What would she do then?
She didn’t know this world. Didn’t know these rules. What did she know of queens and dragons? What did she know of strange new worlds? Her only experience had been in books. Stories.
Sighing, Rachel followed Gwyn through the tunnel and emerged on the far side to look out over a valley.
She gasped at the beautiful sight below her. A lush green valley with a waterfall on the far side, a small bucolic village. Peaceful, tranquil, safe.
This would be her home if she but asked.
Her soul called for her to stay here. This was where she belonged.
Thad coughed slightly behind her. She turned to see him studying her.
“The valley of Perralt,” he said. “Your new home.”
“It is beautiful,” she replied. “Like a magical Kingdom, safe from the world.”
Thad nodded, “Yes, but only as long as we protect it from those who would ruin it. Those who would take and destroy.”
Her hand instinctively went to the coin around her neck.
“Come on,” Gwyn said, “Mother will be waiting.”
Rachel swallowed hard and began to follow Gwyn, giving the valley below one last look. Her heart broke at the thought of leaving it. But she couldn’t stay. Not for long. Not knowing that Thad was here in his castle. The pain would eat at her soul until there was nothing left.
“I will leave you,” Thad said as he turned down a corridor.
Her heart jumped.
He smiled. “Don’t worry, I will be there when you meet my mother. I wouldn’t let you face her alone.”
“Oh, Thad,” Gwyn said. “Mother isn’t that bad.”
He laughed, then smiled weakly to Rachel, before walking away. Rachel took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She must get used to this feeling of being alone. This feeling of his absence.
“Your room is just down here,” Gwyn said, as she led Rachel away from the departing Thad.
The room was huge, richly furnished with a window cut into the thick stone walls. It looked out over the valley. Rachel found herself mesmerized as she stared out of it.
Forcing her eyes away from the view, she examined the room.
Thad’s family was rich, she thought, very rich. As rich as the King of Carster, maybe more so. Everything was of the highest quality. The bed clothes were finely woven fabric. The table and chair polished Cherrywood. Candles burnt in sconces in the middle of the day.
Her insides turned over. Thad had grown up here. He was steeped in this wealth and power. She was but a librarian’s daughter. A penniless librarian’s daughter without any books. What did she have to offer such a man?
But, it doesn’t matter, she told herself. None, if it matters, because he has not forgiven you and he never will.
What of you? she thought. Had she forgiven him?
She had, she realized. For some reason the sight of the valley had changed everything inside of her. She now knew why he had kept his secret. She understood the danger and the importance of his actions.
While she might not agree with his actions, she could understand.
But, it didn’t matter, she thought again. He would never forgive her. Besides, he was a prince. A dragon.
Taking a deep breath, she began to get ready to meet the Queen of Perralt. Gwyn had left her for a few minutes. Promising to return shortly and escort her to her mother.
Rachel scrubbed the dirt from her hands and face. Brushed out her hair, and changed into her cleanest dress.
She looked at herself in the small mirror sitting on the dressing table and sighed heavily. She wasn’t very impressive. Not the kind of clothes one would wear to meet a queen, she thought.
But, the coin around her neck would have to do. That was the important thing she reminded herself.
The effervescent Gwyn breezed into the room like a breath of fresh air. Her obvious happiness pulled Rachel from her depression. The woman seemed to be shivering with happiness.
“You look wonderful,” Gwyn said, as she studied the new arrival.
Rachel retuned her smile and nodded her acceptance of the compliments.
“Should we go?” Gwyn asked.
Rachel took a deep breath. Ran her hands down her dress to try and remove the wrinkles, and smiled.
As the two women walked through halls, Rachel tried to keep track of where they were going. The turns and twists off the castle. It had been carved out of the mountain, but windows and open walkways provided light and a breezy airiness to the hallways. Rachel never felt pressured or tight.
Just like the valley below, it was an open, welcoming place.
“So?” Gwyn said, as they turned another corner. “You and Thad?”
Rachel gulped and shook her head. “No, it is nothing like that. Thad is just helping me.”
Gwyn stopped for a moment and studied Rachel as if she didn’t believe her. Then, seeming to come to some kind of understanding, she nodded and continued on.
“Oh well,” Gwyn said. “Things change.”
Rachel was about to argue the point. For some reason it was important to her that people not get a mistaken idea. The last thing she wanted was anyone pushing her and Thad together. The thought of his eyes cringing at the mere idea of them as a couple sent a cold shiver down her spine. No. She would not allow it.
“Here we are,” Gwyn said at last, as she stopped before an ornate, oaken door. “My mother’s parlor. This is where she likes to greet guests.”
Rachel gulped again as she rubbed her palms across her dress to dry them. She was so nervous, but she didn’t know what terrified her more. Meeting the Queen, or meeting Thad’s mother.
Gwyn gave her an encouraging smile, then opened the door and motioned her in.
Rachel took a deep breath and stepped into the room. The first thing she saw was Thad standing next to a striking, older woman, with gray hair, and eyes that looked like they could see through brick walls.
Thad’s brother, Flint, stood off to the side with another young woman holding a baby in her arms. Was this the adventurous Laila? she wondered.
Thad smiled at her encouragingly and held out a hand to call her forward.
“Mother,” he said, “may I present Rachel Hopson of Carster? Rachel, my mother, Her Highness, the Queen of Perralt.”
Rachel dropped into a deep curtsey, keeping her head lowered until she received some kind of signal as to what she should do next.
“Welcome,” the Queen said, as she held out a hand. “You are most welcome here, Miss Hopson.”
Rachel slowly rose, her knees shaking, and looked at the Queen. The two women studied each other for a brief moment, then the Queen’s eyes drifted to the coin hanging around Rachel’s neck.
“Your Highness, I believe this belongs to you,” she added, as she removed the necklace up over her head.
The Queen’s eyes locked onto the coin for a second. Rachel could see the longing and want in her eyes, but the older woman did not reach out to take the coin. Instead, she folded her hands in front of her and smiled at Rachel.
“My dear,” the Queen said, “Thad has told me of your struggles and loss. I am so sorry. But, rest assured we will honor our ancestors’ promise. What can we do for you in return for the coin? Thad mentioned that you hoped to find a safe haven. A new home? If so, we would love for you to join us here. Either in the castle, or in the valley below. I promise you. Your wish is our command.”
Rachel swallowed hard as her fingers gripped the coin. Her family’s heritage. Everything she had been told had been true. Everything that she had ever wanted was hers for the asking. A home, safety
.
But, she couldn’t. Not with Thad here. She would die a thousand deaths.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Rachel said, then paused for a moment as she gathered herself.
“The coin belongs with you. I can’t think of it falling into the wrong hands. It is yours. ... All I ask is enough to start a new life somewhere else. Perhaps Lushcany. Enough for a small cottage enough to keep me going until I can start a new life.”
Thad coughed and stepped forward. “But ...”
His mother reached out a hand to stop him. She looked at Rachel for a long moment, then nodded. “Of course, my dear.”
“Mother,” Thad said, his eyebrows rising in concern. “You can’t send her off somewhere else. It wouldn’t be safe.”
The Queen looked at her son for a long moment.
“We don’t have a choice. A promise is a promise. Miss Hopson has named her price and we must pay it. She wishes to live somewhere else. We must accept her request.”
“No, you don’t understand,” Thad said, as his face began to turn red.
Rachel was taken aback for a moment, he looked so upset. What was he mad about? This was what he wanted.
“I understand perfectly,” the Queen said, giving her son a stern look.
Thad clamped his mouth shut and stepped back, but not before Rachel caught a hint of pain behind his eyes. Why? she wondered. Why was he so upset?
Once the Queen saw that her son had calmed himself, she returned her attention to Rachel.
“Of course, you will have whatever you may need, my dear. I promise you. But, I do hope you agree to stay with us for a few days. I do so want to hear about your travels and the land of Carster. Besides, at the moment, I can’t afford to send an escort with you. Not with the Gray Dragon in the area.”
The Queen shot her other son, Flint, a knowing look.
He seemed surprised for a second, then brought his brow together in a crease. “Yes,” he said, “both Thad and I will need to patrol and can’t be away from the Kingdom at the moment. A week I should think?”
Rachel felt an undercurrent of mystery going on, but couldn’t exactly confront them about it. Besides. She liked the idea of staying for a few days. It would delay the sadness she would face when she left.
Nodding her head, Rachel held out the coin to the Queen.
“Very well, we have an agreement. Please accept the coin. It is back where it belongs.”
The Queen of Perralt gently took the coin from Rachel’s hands and stared down at it for a long moment.
“Thank you, my dear. My family is indebted to you. If you ever change your mind, you will always have a sanctuary here in Perralt.
Rachel swallowed hard and fought to keep a tear from her eye. She glanced over at Thad for a quick moment. He looked like he was about to explode. His eyes refused to meet hers. Why? she wondered again. Did he hate her because she wasn’t a dragon? It couldn’t still be about her keeping a secret from him.
Why?
The sadness threatened to overwhelm her. Dropping into a quick curtsey, she turned, and rushed from the room before she broke down in front of him.
Chapter Twenty
Thad watched Rachel hurry from the room. His heart ached with a burning pain. She was upset, she hated everything about him, and couldn’t get away fast enough.
Her demand to live somewhere else had struck a deep nerve inside of him. The thought of her alone, unprotected, had awoken the beast inside of him. He could not allow it, would not allow it.
“A remarkable young woman,” his mother said with a raised eyebrow, as she studied him.
Thad ignored her comment and continued to stare at the door Rachel had fled through.
His mother shook her head, then opened a small box. Three coins were already placed into carved receptacles. Smiling gently, she placed Rachel’s coin next to its brothers.
“One more,” his mother said. “One more and the family will be safe.”
“We will find it mother,” Flint said, as he looked down at his new born son. “Both Drake and I have people searching the Twelve Kingdoms.”
“Yes, well. The coins you boys have retrieved will mean nothing unless we find that fifth. I fear the Gray is getting bolder. He knows this will be his last chance. He will do anything to retrieve it.”
Both Flint and Thad nodded in agreement.
“Now then,” his mother continued, “as for Miss Hopson. Flint, you will escort her to Lushcany in a few days. Once we know the Gray is no longer in the area. Introduce her to Drake and Elsbeth. Make sure she is safe. Help her get settled.”
“No!” Thad barked without thinking.
His mother looked at him with stern eyes. She was obviously not accustomed to her orders being countermanded by her sons. Raising an eyebrow, she silently asked her son to explain himself.
“Rachel will not be leaving,” he said, as if that was all the explanation she needed.
The Queen sighed and reached out to touch her son’s arm. “Thad, you can’t keep her here against her will. She is not a prisoner. And, the family obligation is to meet her demands.”
Thad looked at his mother and said, “She will not be leaving. And that is all there is to it.”
Turning he marched from the room. He didn’t care about promises, family obligations, or what Miss Rachel Hopson wanted. He was not going to lose her. All that mattered was that she was safe and happy, and that he was the one making it happen.
.o0o.
For two days, he moped and haunted the castle. All while avoiding Rachel. If he caught sight of her down a distant hallway, he would turn in the other direction. He took his meals in his room and made sure to leave for patrol long before anyone was up and about.
His mother tried to talk to him, but he ignored her and made up excuses to be away.
Gwyn invited him to join her and Rachel on a tour of the valley, but he declined.
Instead, he thought, and pondered. He roamed the halls at night unable to sleep. He remembered the sweet moments and feared what he was close to losing.
And, each moment he was away from her his body burned with want and desire. His heart ached with the thought of losing her. Any chance of happiness or wellbeing in the future was wrapped up in the woman from Carster.
As he lay in bed late at night, staring up at the ceiling, his hands folded behind his head, his mother’s words kept echoing through his mind.
“You can’t keep her here against her will.”
“Well then,” he said to himself in the dark, “I will have to change her mind.”
At least if he tried and failed, he would know the truth. He would have to let her go to her new life.
On the third morning, he awoke with a determination. He couldn’t put it off any longer. He couldn’t live under this cloud. It needed to be resolved. Maybe then he would be able to let her go. Let her find her own happiness. Even if that meant him losing any chance at his.
.o0o.
“Rachel,” a deep voice called to her from behind, stopping her in her tracks.
Her heart jumped and her body tingled. She would know that voice for the rest of her life.
Turning slowly, she watched as Thad approached. Dressed in a freshly starched black shirt. Black woolen pants and heavy boots. He was as handsome as ever. Those wide shoulders narrowing down to thin hips. That chiseled jaw and those tender eyes. The way his soft brown hair touched his ears and the kind smile that melted her heart.
Her stomach clenched up in fear and longing. The man was pure male. Everything about him screamed power, confidence, and sex.
She gripped her hands together and waited. He had been avoiding her for two days. Angry at her. Probably counting the days until she was gone. But, now he had called for her. Deigning to grace her with his presence.
“Yes?” she said, as she raised her chin.
He halted before her, studying her for a moment. She felt herself being locked in place by his stare. Unable to move, unable to think.
“Gwyn told me that you enjoyed the visit to the valley,” he said with a kind tone.
What did he want? she wondered. What was this all about?
“Yes, it was wonderful. You are very lucky. The valley is beautiful.”
He nodded, and she could have sworn that he wanted to kick at the ground like a little boy.
“I was wondering if you could help me with something,” he said with a frown, as if he was worried she might say, ‘no.’
“Of course,” she answerd. “What can I help you with?”
It amazed her that she was able to talk at all. The man stood right there. She could reach out and touch him. Her fingers ached to run down his arm. To tenderly caress those hard muscles.
Gritting her back teeth, she forced herself to remain calm. To remain in control, unless she do something to embarrass the both of them.
“I need your opinion about something,” he said, as he pointed down the hallway.
Rachel took a deep breath and nodded.
Walking next to him, she was reminded once again just how large and powerful a man he was. He made her feel small and feminine. A feeling that she held onto with a fierce passion.
“In here,” he said, as he stopped before a solid door cut into the castle wall.
Thad gave her a quick smile, then opened the door and motioned her in.
Rachel gasped. Books. Thousands of books. The castle library. A long room lined with shelves full of books. Each one labored over by a scribe. Each one holding priceless knowledge and wisdom. The only break in the shelving were for the windows looking out onto the valley. Letting in a glorious light.
The sweet chocolaty smell of leather, paper, glue, and heaven washed over her. Home, she was home.
She turned to stare at Thad, her eyes as big as saucers and her lips trembling with wonder. So many books. More than the Carster’s Library. More than all the books of Carster combined.
No wonder he knew so much about so many things. Oh, how he must have laughed at her father’s meager holdings.
“I want to expand,” Thad said, as if having the largest library in all of the Twelve Kingdoms wasn’t enough. “But, I want to be smart about it. I was wondering if you might have some ideas as to where I should focus.”