A Dark Guardian

by Donna Grant

  “Mina, we saw the stone on your bed while you were at the ruins. Where is it?”

  “I already told you I don’t have it. It was stolen from my chamber. I walked in here that day to find it on my bed. I immediately went in search of you when I encountered Theresa and she said.…”

  “What?”

  he

  prompted.

  “Her usual insults,” she lied. “And I went to the ruins for solace. When I returned to my chamber it was gone.”

  “The mystery deepens,” he said softly. “Will you help us find the stone?”

  She watched him for a moment. Despite her heated words to him, she still longed to feel his lips and hands on her body. He had hurt her, but she would forgive him in a heartbeat if he but asked.

  He was asking her to spend time with him, and even though he still thought her the one controlling the creature, he was giving her a chance to prove him wrong.

  “I’ll help you.”

  * * * *

  Hugh searched Mina’s chamber again with her directing him from the bed. He found hiding spots he knew that no one had discovered earlier, yet there wasn’t a blue stone to be found in her chamber.

  He straightened from looking through her chest. “The stone isn’t here.”

  She gave him a look that said ‘I told you so’ but she didn’t utter the words.

  “The castle is a very big place with lots of hiding places. It could be anywhere.”

  “The best time to search is at night when everyone is asleep,” she said as she swung her legs over the bed.

  In two strides he was beside her. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “You don’t know this castle like I do. If you want to find this stone, then you’re going to need me.”

  He clenched his jaw and was saved from having to answer by a knock on her door.

  “Enter,” she called out while still staring at him.

  Gabriel and Cole walked into the chamber. “What do you think you’re doing getting out of bed?” Gabriel asked as he rushed to her and pushed her back onto the bed.

  “I’m fine,” she said.

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  Hugh shook his head. “I don’t think you realize how close to death you were.”

  “Oh, I know exactly how close I was, and I was content to be there. You should have left me.”

  He was stunned by her words. “’Tis not your time to die.”

  “And who are you to decide that? Only God has that authority.”

  “Actually,” Cole started, but Hugh quickly interrupted him.

  “Where is Theresa?”

  “She’s locked herself in her chamber saying that she can’t trust anyone anymore, and she refuses to come out until that creature is dead.”

  “We’ll have to find a way to get her out to search her chamber,” Mina said.

  “That will have to be for last,” Hugh said. “There are many other chambers to search first. If we are lucky we’ll find it before there is a need to search her chamber.”

  “Whoa,” Cole said. “What is going on here? Why are we discussing searching chambers?”

  Gabriel cocked his head to the side. “I’m thinking it’s the blue stone.”

  Mina gave him a bright smile. “Correct. I’m going to prove that I don’t have the stone by finding it myself.”

  “With me by your side,” Hugh stated. His protectiveness toward her was growing, and all he could do now was pray that she was innocent and that his plan to get her involved in the search to keep an eye on her worked. His heart couldn’t take another betrayal.

  “Great. Where do we start?” Cole asked.

  The men looked at Mina as she tried to stand. Hugh reached her before her knees gave out. “You aren’t ready yet.”

  “I can show you places to search,” she pleaded. “You need me. We have a pact.”

  Hugh clenched his jaw tightly. He and his men could move easily throughout the castle, but they needed Mina to guide them which would be doubly hard since she was still weak.

  The ear-splitting scream of the creature ricocheted around the chamber.

  “I don’t think we have time to think of that right now,” Cole said as he looked down the hall. “The castle is already filled with the villagers.”

  Hugh turned and looked at Mina. “We’re going to need parchment and a quill, Cole.”

  “On my way,” said the black-haired warrior.

  “And tell no one where you are headed,” Mina called after him.

  Hugh looked up at the window. “There will be no hunting the creature tonight.

  We need to plan for tomorrow and tonight.”

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  Chapter Sixteen

  Mina shuddered and drew the blanket around her waist. The weakness from almost dying had taken its toll on her, but she was determined to fight it. She wanted to be there to prove to the Shields she was innocent.

  Hugh, Cole, and Gabriel sat around her bed as she described the castle in detail and Cole drew. They examined the completed drawing a few hours later after Gabriel had returned with food. They munched on cold meat and bread with the platter of food balanced on her legs.

  Though she knew each of them held reservations about believing her, it was nice to have them listening to her as well as willing to take her help.

  “Where is Bernard?” she asked.

  “He had some castle business to see to,” Hugh said.

  Then an idea struck her. “Are you going to bring him in on your search?”

  “Of

  course.”

  She touched Hugh’s arm to get his attention. “You know I love my brother?”

  “Aye. What are you getting at?”

  “’Tis because I want to prove my innocence that I have a suggestion.”

  Hugh leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his bulging chest. “I’m listening.”

  “Search what you can tonight, but only go by yourselves. If you don’t find it tonight, we’ll search more tomorrow. But, the point is, if you find it, it was by my help.

  If you don’t, you only have me to blame.”

  “With Mina being the only one knowing we’re searching it would make sense that she would be the only one to keep moving it,” Gabriel said. “Good logic.”

  She smiled at Gabriel, but she waited for Hugh’s reply. She wrung her hands and bit her tongue to keep from asking him to answer her now instead of making her wait.

  Finally, he leaned forward and said, “It does make sense. I agree with her. We keep it between us.”

  “But with us gone, she could easily call someone in here and have it moved,”

  Cole said.

  Gabriel sighed. “Aye, that she could.”

  She looked from one warrior to another. “I wouldn’t. I swear.”

  “What you don’t understand,” Hugh said, “is that magic is being used. It wouldn’t matter if we tied you up, gagged you, and locked the chamber door. If it is you, magic can undo all of that.”

  “Then what do you suggest?” she asked.

  “Bring her along,” Cole said.

  Her eyes brightened. It was just what she wanted.

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  “She’s still injured,” Gabriel pointed out.

  “If I can walk to the hearth and back without falling can I go?”

  Hugh leaned his head back. “I’m going to regret this.” He turned his gaze to her.

  “If you can walk to the hearth and back, without stumbling, you may go.”

  After Gabriel removed the platter and Cole had moved the drawings, she shoved the covers off her legs and swung them over the side of the bed.

  Hugh was within reaching distance, and it took every ounce of Mina’s willpower not to reach out and touch him. She managed to get to her feet without weaving, but now Hugh was so close
she could feel his heat.

  It brought back powerful memories of their night together, and she felt moisture between her legs. He had done that to her. She glanced his way and found him watching her intently.

  She raised her chin and lifted her left foot to begin walking. Her right leg trembled and almost buckled, but she refused to give in to the weakness that consumed her. She would make it to the hearth and back. She wouldn’t stumble. She would go with them this night.

  There wasn’t any other choice. She couldn’t be left behind.

  One step at a time, she walked steadily to the hearth. When she reached it, she was out of breath and sweat covered her body. All she wanted to do was reach out and steady herself, but she wasn’t about to do anything that would show them she hurt.

  She took a deep breath and slowly turned to face them. She focused her gaze on Hugh and began the trek back to her bed that seemed as long as the road to London. In order to keep the pain and weakness from taking over, she kept her eyes locked with Hugh. She became lost in his dark gaze recalling how they deepened and blazed when passion consumed him.

  The next thing she knew, she was standing in front of him as he looked up at her.

  He reached up and touched a strand of her hair that had fallen over her shoulder. Slowly, he stood until it was she looking up at him.

  Their bodies were just a breath away from touching. His heat surrounded her, and her loins ached to feel him touch her again. His gaze darkened as his eyes fell to her lips.

  Her breasts swelled, and her nipples hardened.

  Her lips parted as she waited to taste him again, to be pulled out of her world into a world where only she and Hugh existed.

  “You did it,” he said softly.

  “I

  did.”

  Still they stood together not moving. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw his hands rise toward her. He was going to touch her, kiss her. The wonderful pleasure would once again sing through her veins.

  But Cole cleared his throat before Hugh could touch her. “Sorry to interrupt, but we don’t have a lot of time.”

  Hugh stepped back and lowered his arms. “Do you need help dressing?”

  She almost asked if he would be the one to aid her if she said aye. Instead, she shook her head and reached for the poster of the bed to keep her standing. When the door shut behind the men, she collapsed on the bed and shut her eyes.

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  A fool she had almost made of herself. Again. Then her eyes opened. She had seen the desire in Hugh’s dark eyes, she had seen his breathing quicken.

  He had wanted her.

  A smile pulled at her lips. Maybe he did care for her a little. With that thought, she rose and began to dress. It proved difficult, especially since she had used almost all of her energy just to walk to the hearth and back. But her life hung in the balance as well as proving her innocence. She could rest tomorrow. Tonight they would find that cursed blue stone.

  Holding on to anything she could grab, she hastily pulled off her nightgown and reached for a gown. Thankfully, the first one she came to could be fastened in the front.

  She sat on her trunk and pulled on her shoes. When she was finished, she shook so roughly from her effort she could barely stand.

  But stand she would.

  She slowly walked to the door and opened it to find all three men waiting for her.

  “I’m ready,” she said as she tried to tie her annoying hair back out of her face with a navy ribbon that didn’t come close to matching her worn, faded navy gown.

  “Let me,” Hugh said and took the ribbon from her. When he was done his hands fell to her shoulders, and she had the urge to lean back against his chest.

  “Ready?” he asked and held out his arm for her.

  She ignored it and walked past him. “I think we should start in the upper levels first where we are less likely to run into anyone.”

  “And by the time we reach the lower levels everyone will be asleep,” Gabriel finished.

  “Exactly.” Mina stopped as a thought took root. “What if Bernard comes to check on me?”

  “He won’t,” Cole said.

  Mina turned to him. “How do you know?”

  Cole looked uncomfortable in the torches lighting the hallway. “He…ah, he has company tonight.”

  “Company?” she repeated. “We have no guests this night.” She looked to Hugh.

  “Did guests arrive today?”

  “Cole is speaking of a woman to warm your brother’s bed.”

  “Warm his bed? It isn’t even cold outside. What would he want with a woman to.…” She stopped and lowered her head. “I see. Shall we continue on?”

  “By all means,” Hugh said, his eyes twinkling.

  She made it to the end of the hallway without collapsing, but her steps had slowed. She waited for Hugh to comment on it, but he continued to keep his silence.

  When she came to the stairway that would lead them up to the top levels and the two towers, she leaned against the wall to catch her breath.

  Hugh had seen enough. He knew it had been a mistake to allow Mina to come, but he had to give her credit. She had courage. Loads of it.

  He motioned Cole and Gabriel ahead of him. Once they had started up the stairs, he reached down and picked Mina up in his arms.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

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  “You wouldn’t make it up the stairs, and we both know it.”

  “Fine,” she said. “Once we reach the top, set me down. I’ll walk from there.”

  He didn’t answer her. He knew what strength she had was about gone, and they hadn’t even begun to search the castle. They would be lucky to finish the search of the upper levels by the time dawn arrived.

  Try as he might, he couldn’t ignore the soft curves and warm woman in his arms.

  He was already hard and wanting from nearly kissing her in her chamber. How she had this affect on him, he would like to know, but he knew he wouldn’t get an answer even if there was one.

  At the top of the stairs, he found Cole and Gabriel waiting for him. He looked around. To the left was another hallway, shorter than the one below them that led to a few chambers. To the right was the stairway that led to a tower.

  “Is there anyone in these chambers?” he asked Mina.

  “With the villagers here, I would assume so.”

  Cole stepped toward the hallway. “Then I suggest we search them before they make their way up here.”

  Hugh nodded. “How many chambers, Mina?”

  “Four.”

  “Let’s hurry then.”

  He didn’t set her down as she had requested, but he noticed that she didn’t ask him to either. Not that he minded. Actually, he liked having her in his arms. She fit comfortably there, and with her arm wound around his neck and her fingers playing with his hair, it seemed right.

  They came to the first chamber. He stood with Mina still in his arms against the wall as Cole knocked on the door. There wasn’t an answer. Cole tested the latch and found it open. They left Gabriel to stand watch as they hurried inside.

  “I’ve searched these chambers many times as a child. There are no hidden rooms or moving stones. If the stone is here, it will be easy to find,” Mina said.

  Hugh sat her on the bed as he and Cole quickly, and effectively, searched the chamber.

  “Nothing,”

  Cole

  said.

  Hugh whistled to Gabriel who went to the next chamber while he gathered Mina in his arms. Again, they got lucky and found the chamber empty.

  “I wonder where everyone is,” Mina said. “Usually they have retired for the night by now.”

  “Listen,” Gabriel said from the doorway.

  They stilled and heard the beating of the creature’s wings as he circled the castle.

  “Why isn’t he calling out?�
� she asked.

  “The same reason there isn’t anyone in the bailey to eat,” Cole said.

  Hugh sighed. “If we don’t come up with a plan, I can almost guarantee the creature will find a way into this castle tomorrow night.”

  They searched the chamber but again found nothing. The other two chambers also came up empty. Hugh tried to pick Mina up, but she was already walking down the hallway. He stopped beside her as she stared at the darkened stairway that led to the top A DARK GUARDIAN