“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You put that mouthy bastard in his place. And why didn’t tell me you snuck him out of the Prince's bath?”
“I didn’t want you to worry. I also didn’t want you trying to follow me.”
“You know me well Ms. Roslyn.”
She went over the details of the night, downplaying the part where the Royal Guard confronted her. In reality, she fought off three men, all while dragging the drunken culprit to the forest.
“Is that the night you came to my house all bruised and battered.”
She nodded her answer. “It was no big deal though.” She performed a pirouette in the middle of the street. “As you can see, I’m fine.”
Wade grabbed her by the shoulder, his face rigid with concern. “Don’t you ever do that again.”
Roslyn shook him away, brushing his comment off with a laugh. “What, are you, my father, now?”
Wade swallowed hard before letting her go. He waited until she was five yards away to begin following, his eyes to the ground. The rest of their ten-minute walk was quiet, the rustling leave and pieces of garbage scattering along the cobblestones comprised a majority of the background noise.
Upon reaching the small tavern, Roslyn stopped at the door, stepping to the side. Her jaw dropped when he opened it and walked past her.
“You’re a strong woman; you can open a door yourself.”
“You seriously can’t be that mad,” she called after him. “Wade…”
He dismissed her with a wave of his hand, twirling his index finger in the air. The barkeep acknowledged him with a smile and a nod. Less than a minute later, the mind numbing booze spilled from the sides of his mouth. He used the back of his arm to wipe his mouth clean and slammed the mug on the counter, the barkeep refilling it on cue. He downed the drink in equal speed.
Roslyn grabbed both sides of his face, examining his dilated pupils, his half open eyelids covering most of the flying saucer sized blots. She felt his muscles relax, his features taking on a softer appearance. As she stared at him, memories of their time together ran through her mind. She stifled a chuckle as she recalled the time she was teaching him how to wide; he had fallen off his horse five times before successfully mounting.
He shook her off. “Stop laughing at me.”
“How do you know I’m laughing at you?”
“Because you’re staring right at me.” He shrugged off another push and downed his third drink of the hour. He nodded at the barkeep. “This is some top of the line brew.” He turned his head to find Roslyn’s face less than an inch away from his. He jumped back, the chair rocking back and forth before settling.
Her features drooped. “What are you trying to say? I’m ugly.”
“No, you just scared me is all. Why were you so close?”
She scooted her chair back before gulping down the drink the barkeep set in front of her, letting out an impressive belch.
“Very lady like,” Wade joked. He waited for her to finish her second drink before reposting the question.
“No reason. I…” She shook her head and waved her hand. “Never mind.” She didn’t move as Wade carefully tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
He turned his chair to face hers, their knees brushing against one another’s. He supported himself with his elbows on his thighs, his chin resting on his fists. He wore a goofy smile, half his upper teeth exposed. His eyelashes teased his cheeks as he blinked one time after another.
The sound around them disappeared as they gazed at each other. An unfamiliar feeling knotted her stomach. She chalked it up to a bad batch of drink. Wade, who she had considered to be her good friend, her brother began to take on a different appearance in her mind. Her eyes fell to his fingertips which were softly stroking her thigh. Though his lips moved, she didn’t hear anything he said. Roslyn began to swoon, following the sway of his eyes. Several minutes passed until she realized her legs were wider than they started his knee the main cause. She didn’t protest. Without thinking, she ran her fingers through his hair, allowing her fingers to trail along his jaw line and down his neck. She cupped his face and closed the gap between them until she could smell the sweet scents of the hops on his breath. Her drunken state mistook the widening of Wade’s eyes as a sign of approval to continue.
“We need to go.” His words sounded as if he were yelling from 100 yards away, each one hitting her eardrum individually.
She continued smiling, her eyes trained on his lips. She licked her own.
“Roslyn.”
The violent quake that followed snapped her out of her trance. “What?”
“Get down.”
Crash.
Roslyn looked behind her to see the last remnants of a bottle and its contents sliding down the wall. She turned around just in time to duck the first flying in her direction. She couldn’t avoid the man that swung into her.
Thud.
The cobblestoned ground forced the air from her lungs, stars flowing in and out of her vision as she tried to make out which side was right. “Wade,” she gasped, gripping her chest. “Wade.” She tried to make out his red leather boots. She scanned the floor, pulling herself through the sea of legs. A hand wrapped around her after she found the top of the bar, a swift pull helping her to her feet; a fresh breath of air soothing the burning in her chest. She limped around to the other side, glass crunching under her feet. Safe, she watched the massive fight in real time.
The barkeep offered another drink and settled in next to her.
“I take it this happens a lot,” she said between sips.
“At least twice a week. You come to expect it. The drink makes people forget who they are.”
She took in the scene, enjoying the talk and free beer until she remembered she didn’t come there alone. Her anxiety caused her to slam the mug on the counter. “Where’s Wade?”
Feeling the same concern, the barkeep began sifting through the ever-moving bodies. “He’s in the corner. Over there.”
Roslyn followed his finger to the far corner of the establishment, her legs moving before her brain had a chance to react. She slipped an errant punch and sent her fist into another man’s ribs. She twisted the hand that grabbed her shoulder, smiling at the cry the burly man let out. She continued contorting the man’s hand until she felt the bones snap, finishing him off with a boot to the chest, her sweat splattering the ground as she whipped back around. She fought everyone who was unfortunate enough to step in her path. She shoved away the men that were fighting in front of her target. The light gleamed on her ten-inch blade, giving the men a final incentive to leave her be.
A trail of blood traveled from Wade’s eyes down to his chin. His shoulder hung at an awkward height, suggesting it was dislocated. Dried blood crusted in the corner of his mouth. A streak of the liquid spanned the length of his bottom lip. Blood drips dotted his shirt, some fresh, others in the process of melting into his shirt.
She recited her breathing mantra as she watched his chest rise and fall.
In through the nose, out through the mouth.
In through the nose, out through the mouth.
“Keep breathing Wade. Stay with me.”
He sucked air through his teeth as Roslyn attempted to pick up his damaged arm.
“I’m sorry.” A grunt forced itself from her chest as she lifted him to his feet. She gave him a few light slaps to revive him. “Come on, wake up.”
His eyes fluttered open. “What was that for?”
“Tell, you later, we have to get out of here.” After he was sure on his feet, Roslyn led the way out of the bar, throwing a sentence of gratitude over her shoulder.
The cool air dried the sweat on their skin, the hairs standing on her arms. They staggered to a nearby bench, the old wood creaking as it adjusted to their combined weight. Wade rested his head on her shoulder.
“Thanks for coming back for me.”
“I wouldn’t leave you,” Roslyn responded.
He sat up, wincing as he touched the cut on his eyebrow. “To be honest, I wouldn’t have been surprised if you had.”
“What do you mean, you’re my best friend. I would never leave you.” She grabbed his hand. “I’ll always be here for you. No matter what.”
“What did I do to deserve you?” he laughed.
“Ask the stars.” She stood and offered him a hand, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, her arm around his waist.
*****
Shadows danced on the walls, sweet laughter mixing with the harmonious crackle of fire flames. Questions and drinks flowed back and forth. Inhibitions lowered as the moon traveled to its peak point in the sky. Starlight added an ambiance that could make even the worst of enemies contemplate being lovers for the night. The effect was amplified by the pair of longtime friends.
Roslyn held back a laugh as she swallowed her drink. “So where’s the strangest place you ever had sex?”
“You don’t want to know that.”
“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have asked.”
“Do I really have to answer that Rosie? I don’t want you to think differently of me.”
She nodded, withholding the cup from him as he reached for it. “Spill it.”
Wade scratched his chin. He observed her, one of his eyebrows raised. He closed his eyes, his lips spreading into a smile. “Do you remember that fort we made in the woods?”
“When we were seven, our secret hide out?”
“That’s the one,” he confirmed.
“You bedded some hussy in our fort?” Roslyn rocketed from her chair and headed toward the kitchen. “I can’t believe you.”
Wade tripped over the table leg in an effort to follow her. “I knew you were going to be mad.”
She returned with another mug, setting it in front of him. “I’m not mad Wade, I’m disappointed.” She filled the mug with her specially concocted brew. “We are no longer sharing cups.”
“This would have happened a lot sooner if you knew everything.”
Her mug hung suspended in midair, her mouth stretched to its fullest capabilities.
“I’m just kidding Rosie, calm down.” Wade took a sip from his mug, the drink inspiring a burst of lust within him. Seduction was on his mind as his tongue traveled across his top lip. He took his turn to ask a question, targeting her personal life, specifically why she hadn’t found a man.
She gave the standard of focusing on her career and not wanting to be distracted. The truth showed in her lack of eye contact and the beat she drummed on the desk. It showed in the fact that she kept her face away from the light, her hair casting a shadow across the majority of her face. She looked up, Wade already looking at her. She returned her gaze to the space between her feet.
Sensing her trepidation, Wade used his finger to lift her chin. “You’re beautiful.” He held her in place as she tried to turn away. “Any man would be lucky to have you.”
“All except the one I want.” The candles flames waved in his direction, pushing her to do what her heart was urging her to do.
“Who do you want Roslyn?”
“Y –
Bang.
Sharp blades were the first things to appear through the door, three gargantuan men following behind. Wade and Roslyn climbed to their feet, hands in line with their ears. One of the men shoved her back into her chair before another snatched Wade by the shoulder.
“Where are you taking him?” The blade halted her attempt to stand.
“It’s fine Rosie.” Wade kept his hands in the air as he followed the guard out of the door.
Roslyn tried to push past the guard’s tree trunk like arm as she heard a pained scream. She let out her own scream as she felt her skin rip open. Air rushed through her nose when the guard slipped his blade underneath her chin. She didn’t dare swallow. Her eyes drifted toward the ceiling as the blade ate into her neck. The blood trickling toward her chest made her itch.
In through the nose, out through the mouth.
In through the nose, out through the mouth.
“Where are you taking him?” she sniped.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but the King wants to see him.”
“For what?”
Suddenly, the blade slide across the thin skin, the butt of the handle smashing into her temple, knocks her out of her chair. The guard’s heavy knee threatened to crush her ribs. He brought his face down to hers. “Let this warning to the rest of your buddies in the resistance.” He fished a knife from his pocket and ripped her shirt open. She could have sworn she saw the devil in his pitch-black irises. He ran the knife down her cleavage. His hands slipped between her legs, his knee doing the rest of the work.
Roslyn turned her head, the combination of the dirt in his sweat and the musk of his breath causing her stomach to turn, bile burning her throat.
Her neck popped as he made her look at him. “Eyes on me.”
She held her breath as the blade ventured down her torso, inching its way toward her waist.
The guard applied weight to her stomach before slipping the knife inside her waistband. The thin fabric cried as it split, several pieces clinging to their counterparts, falling limp after having been separated. His calloused hands left red streaks on her inner thighs. He tore her panties, revealing her untanned skin. He chuckled to himself. “I expected you to have some hair.”
Her legs shook as she struggled to keep them together.
His breath was rough, his tongue dry. He propped her legs on his shoulder, giving himself full access.
Roslyn closed her eyes and did her best to sink into the deepest part of her subconscious. When nothing happened, she raised her head. Upon opening her eyes, she saw the man pacing back and forth, his flaccid member in his head. She made sure her laugh was silent as she watched the man frantically stroking himself.
“Come on. Not now. Come on. Come on.”
She inched toward the table, tugging at the table cloth until a knife fell in her lap.
“There we go,” the guard cheered. When he turned around, she was on her feet. His hands shot into the air. “You don’t have to do this. Let me leave and I won’t report it to the king.”
She matched each step he took back.
“The King will be suspicious if I don’t come back.”
She stopped when his back hit the wall. Just as he had done, she forced to look at him. She slid the blade just underneath his chin, pressing it into his skin until she saw a red bubble appear. She did nothing to stop the snicker that erupted from her throat. She stepped closer to him. She wanted him to feel her. She trailed the tip down his shirt, finding pleasure in the stiffening of his body as the cold metal traveled to his tip. Her grip was soft, her handling of him tender, almost as if she was a previous lover. She placed her lips next to his ear. “Seems like fear does it for you.”
“Please don’t. I – a tear flowed from the corner of his eye – you don’t…”
“Why should I stop – she placed the blade where his shaft met his tip – when you weren’t going to?”
“I’m sor –
Bang.
“Roslyn, don’t.” Wade’s chest heaved as he stood in the doorway. “Let him go.”
“But he’ll just go tell the King what happened and I’m sure he’ll cast himself in the better light.”
“I won’t, just don’t hurt me please.”
Wade took measured stepped toward Roslyn, part of him turned on by the power she portrayed. His hand wrapped around hers, carefully lifting the blade away.
The guard let out a sigh of relief, his tears flowing nonstop; he pleads spilling from his mouth at the same rate.
Wade kept his hand on Roslyn’s as they backed away. “I think this is a good time to start negotiating. Tell the resistance wants to speak. We would like to discuss our terms.” He instructed the traumatized guard on what he was to tell the Royal family, offering a small reminder of what would happen should anything go awry.
Roslyn held her emotionless face until the guard scurried out the door. As soon as they were alone, she wrapped her arms around Wade’s neck. Her heart thumped against her chest, his racing on the other side. She didn’t realize she was crying until a salty tear seeped between her lips. She squeezed tighter.
“It’s okay. I’m here.”
“I thought, I thought you…”
He broke the hug, sweeping the usual strand of her out of her eyes. “I’ll never leave you. You’re the most important person in the world to me.”
“I don’t know what I would have –
“Don’t even finish that statement. I’m here.” Wade’s lips found her forehead.
Her lips found his cheek.
“Roslyn, I lo –
“Oh my God.” A small flame quickly ascended the tablecloth, before traversing the table. They took turns slapping at the fire, opting that liquid might be a better extinguisher. Roslyn punched Wade in the shoulder after seeing him drinking instead stopping the flame.
“I had a fire in my stomach.”
“I bet.”
They were both quiet as they took time to determine where to take the conversation next. She spoke first, offering appreciation. “You’re kind of like a hero.”
He flexed his biceps and puffed out his chest. “Finally, you see it.”
“I’ve always seen it,” she whispered.
He led her to the couch, pulling her down after taking her seat. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, guiding her head to his chest. His free hand settled in the arch in her back, his fingertips resting just above her bottom. “What are you thinking about?”
“What happened, what almost happened?”
“It’s over. You have nothing to worry about Rosie.”
“I wish I was as strong as you,” she confessed.
“You are. You’re where I get my strength from.” He positioned himself so he could look in her eyes. “If you wouldn’t have been in trouble, I probably wouldn’t have been able to fight off that other guard.”
“Why not?”
“While I do value my life, I value yours more.”
Roslyn positioned her pelvis adjacent to his, demonstrating her enhanced mood. Her eyes lowered with the light from the candles, all extinguishing expect one, the single source of light providing just enough illumination to show the embers smoldering behind her green irises. “Do you really mean that?”
THE HEALING HEART: Military and Pregnancy Romance Page 12