It was his turn to flinch but he recovered quickly and smiled down at her. Not a smile of vindictiveness, but a genuine, comforting smile. He lessened his grip on her arms but refused to completely let her go.
“I understand your reluctance,” he explained. “But may I ask a favor of you?”
She swallowed hard and hoped she wasn’t about to make yet another mistake and then nodded gently.
“Yes,” she answered.
“Good.” He exhaled in relief. “I’ll provide you with some books and manuscripts from my father’s private collection. They are the writings of an Ancient One who converted to Modernism. Actually, he was the founder of Modernism as we know it today. If you’ll just promise to read them with an open mind, I will delay our mating ritual for a few days,” he explained. “If after reading them you still wish to follow the Ancient Ways, I’ll free you of our betrothal.”
Her eyes snapped to his and she searched for any sign of treachery. When she saw nothing but sincere questioning, she forced herself to see the sincerity of his request. She wouldn’t be committing blasphemy by simply educating herself on the two separate teachings. Surely no one would condemn her for seeking knowledge and understanding.
After considering his proposal for several moments, she finally nodded her assent. He sighed deeply as if he’d been holding his breath. She found some solace in knowing that he didn’t demand she instantly embrace his ways and softened somewhat at knowing he planned to present her with an alternative and allow her the chance to make up her own mind.
It wasn’t something the Ancient Ones would have accepted nor excused. If she wanted to ponder on it, she had to admit that it was very comforting and exhilarating to be given the chance to form her own opinion and have a say in what happens to her.
“Thank you,” he murmured softly. “Now, I’ll have someone show you to your guest quarters so you can freshen up and rest.” He released her and stepped back, bowing gallantly. “I’ll also have someone bring you those writings. Will you come down for dinner at eight?” he asked.
Inside, she squealed like a delighted child. No one had ever given her such consideration before. The Ancient Ones’ teachings decreed that women were under complete control of first, their fathers and then their mates. They were not allowed to speak in public nor offer an opinion.
She knew her father sometimes asked her mother’s thoughts on certain things, but always in the privacy of their bedroom. She only knew about them because her room was right next to theirs and sometimes she eavesdropped - not that she’d ever admit to such a heinous act.
Her mother always obeyed her father and followed his orders explicitly. Beth found a new sense of childish wonder at the Prince’s thoughtfulness and took a few moments to savor the moment.
After she’d drawn the silence out for as long as possible, she smiled and dipped her chin shyly.
“Yes,” she answered. “Eight sounds wonderful. Thank you.” He nodded, returning her smile and moved aside to allow her to sweep past him. A housemaid waited in the doorway, ready to show her to her rooms.
Chapter 4
Wesley waited for Elizabeth to exit the Library before he turned to face his brother.
“How in the hell did I not know of this?” he demanded harshly. “Father must have known of their standing when he betrothed us. Why did he allow such disobedience from his own Faction?” He stepped up before the fireplace and lit the kindling with a flick of his wrist.
Flames burst to life before his eyes and he drew the heat into his pours like a soothing balm.
Lance stepped up beside him and clasped him on the shoulder, his contact meant to soothe and relax. Wesley looked down at his sibling and exhaled softly at the look of utter trust and support he saw. No matter how badly things went, he always had his brother to lean on. He’d done his damndest to be there for Lance and now their roles were reversed.
“Why did you promise to let her go?” Lance asked after a few moments. “There are only three available females amongst our Faction and the other two aren’t nearly as beautiful as Elizabeth.”
Wesley stiffened at his brother’s declaration, but quickly dismissed it as the compliment it was. He wasn’t interested in his soon-to-be sister, he just stated a fact. She was the most gorgeous creature Wesley had ever laid eyes upon and he had no intention of letting her go.
Yes, he’d promised to release her from their engagement. But he knew, deep down, that once she read those documents of Phillip the Peaceful, her view on the Ancient Ways would never be the same.
In a way, he regretted what he’d done to her. She grown up blindly believing in an obsolete way of life. She’d soon realize that the Ancient Ways were abandoned because of their hateful actions and murderous ways. He cursed her family for adhering to such an evil way of life.
He’d delay the ceremony for years if that’s what it took to make her realize that he wanted her more than anything else in this world.
“Because I had no other choice,” Wesley answered and turned to look at Lance. “I have no intention of letting her out of our arrangement,” he continued. “I mean, did you see her? She’s fucking gorgeous,” he declared and smirked. “I’ve never believed in love at first sight, but after meeting that beauty, I think I do now.”
Lance returned his smile and clapped him heartily on the back.
“Yes, brother, you’ve landed the perfect mate,” he agreed and then sobered. “Let’s just hope your little charade doesn’t backfire on you.”
Wesley clamped his lips together and merely nodded. There was much more than just his upcoming marriage depending on his little white lie. Were the opposition to learn that his mate-to-be was a Coffer supporter, there was no hope in hell that he’d keep her safe from either side. They would both want her: one would see her dead and the other would want her for a brood mare.
Shaking his head to dislodge the fear that surfaced at the thought of losing her, he turned and walked over to his desk. Taking the phone receiver in his hand, he dialed the number for the main library which was in the formal Royal House underground. Henry, the wizened old librarian took his sweet time in answering. Wesley filled Henry in on the Princess’s ignorance of their ways and requested the old documents be brought up from the vault for her to peruse.
“Are you sure that’s wise, Your Majesty?” Henry asked after a moment of silence. “Those scrolls are very fragile and very valuable. I’d hate to see anything happen to them.”
Wesley smiled at the old man’s concern. He was, for all intents and purposes, a true bibliophile. Henry loved his book as if they were his own blood-born children. He’d probably throw his life on the line to protect them.
“You have my word that nothing will happen to them Henry,” Wesley consoled. “Both Lance and I will keep a close watch on them. Besides, if you’d met the Princess, you would see that there’s not a deceitful bone in her body.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Henry hastened to agree. “I didn’t mean to insinuate otherwise, please forgive me and my eccentric ways,” he pleaded.
“No apology necessary,” Wesley said and then paused as a brilliant idea flashed through his mind. “Henry, may I ask another favor of you?”
“Anything, Sire,” Henry readily agreed.
“Perhaps you could make yourself available should the Princess have any questions about the manuscripts. You know them better than anyone else and you are a wonderful teacher. I imagine you would provide a more comfortable study companion.”
Henry inhaled sharply on the other end and Wesley had a brief moment of panic. He hadn’t considered that Henry didn’t like to come above ground. He was an old dragon and the lack of extreme heat took its toll on him. He instantly felt guilty for asking so much of his friend. He opened his mouth to say such when a pleasant laugh echoed over the phone line.
“I would love to,” Henry exclaimed exuberantly. “I haven’t been above ground in decades. What better way to spend some time than with the lovel
y future Queen?”
Wesley laughed at the man’s haste in agreeing to keep the company of a young dragon.
“For all you know, she looks like a grotesque beast,” Wesley quipped to which Henry merely laughed harder.
“I remember her as a child, from when you were betrothed. She was a fetchingly serene girl, I’m more than sure she grew into quite an exquisite young woman,” he said.
Wesley’s smile dimmed instantly. He’d momentarily forgotten his newest obstacle.
“I should tell you Henry, Princess Elizabeth’s parents are followers of the Ancient Ones, that is the reason for my request,” he explained. “I want her to read the writings of Phillip the Peaceful and make up her own mind about Modernism.”
“Ah, yes,” Henry agreed. “If anyone can convince her of the misconceptions of Modernism and the barbarism of the Ancient Ones, it will be Phillip. I will do my absolute best to help her understand Sire, you can count on me,” Henry declared.
“I knew I could,” Wesley praised and said his goodbyes.
Replacing the receiver in its cradle, he turned back to his brother who still stood by the roaring fireplace. It had to be over a hundred-fifty degrees in his office and yet he still felt a slight chill. He hoped that Elizabeth wouldn’t take long to convince, his dragon needed the warmth only the Earth’s core could provide. He also needed the comfort only his mate offered.
“Everything will work out,” Lance reassured.
“Let us hope,” Wesley stated. “Should the other side learn of a royal supporter, there won’t be a safe place anywhere on earth for her to hide.” He narrowed his eyes as fresh anger welled within him. He wished he’d sent for her sooner.
Chapter 5
Beth had barely managed to put the majority of her things away before a slight knock heralded a visitor. The housemaid who’d escorted her to her suite had offered to stay should she need anything, but Beth politely refused. Alone in a strange home with people she’d been taught to fear, her emotions were all over the place, not the mention the fact that her flight instincts demanded she flee out the nearest window.
“Come in,” she called and smoothed out the slightly wrinkled cotton t-shirt and yoga pants she’d changed into. Since there was still several hours before dinner, she wanted to get as comfortable as possible and let this newest development settle. Now she wished she’d stayed in her more sophisticated outfit.
She stood in the small entrance-way, back firmly erect, hands clasped loosely in front of her and tried her best to provide the picture of Royal stature in order to greet her unexpected visitor.
She taken aback when an old man wearing a long brown robe pushed through the door pulling a very large book cart behind him. He saw her standing before him and immediately bowed his bald head.
“I’m Henry, the royal librarian and scribe,” he introduced himself and waited for her to respond.
“Please, make yourself comfortable Henry,” Beth invited. “I’m Elizabeth Henderson, but my parents always call me “Beth.”
Henry’s wizened, wrinkled face lit when he rose to look her in the eye. Beth had never met a dragon of his age and wondered just how old he was. The majority of their species showed no physical sign of aging until they were well over a thousand years old. His warm, brown eyes all but disappeared in a tidal wave of wrinkles when he smiled.
“I remember you my dear,” he replied. “Before Wesley and Lance’s father passed on, I was constantly at his side. He was my greatest friend,” Henry bragged and turned to pull the cart further into the room.
“Shall I set this in the sitting room?” he asked and motioned to the adjoining room to the right. Unused to so much room for only herself, Beth didn’t quite know what to do with it. She hadn’t ventured any further than her bedroom or the bathroom. Moving toward the open door of the room in question, she peered in and let out an involuntary squeal of delight.
The room wasn’t as large as her bedroom, but almost. It was filled with plush, inviting furniture in a colorful array of reds, browns and oranges. An open fireplace crackled with a small simmering fire and large, double-paned, floor-to-ceiling windows adorned the far wall. Upon closer inspection, she saw a small balcony just behind the windows and realized they were, in fact, french doors. The wallpaper was a soft, butter yellow and the drapes a chocolate brown.
Her dragon felt more comfortable in here than anywhere else she’d ever been. It was as if the room had been made for her and her alone.
“Should I take that as a yes?” Henry chuckled from where he stood behind her.
Beth blushed and moved aside to allow him room to get the cart through.
“I’m so sorry,” she apologized. “I haven’t been in there yet. It’s absolutely breath-taking in there, I don’t think I ever want to leave,” she decreed and followed him across the threshold.
He pushed the cart over to the low-sitting, coffee table and began unloading the contents, handling them as if there were the most valuable treasure in the world.
Curious, Beth moved toward the large chair facing the table and lowered herself into it, moaning when the cushions molded to her body. She hadn’t realized how tense she was until the pillowy softness cocooned her. Her body sagged deeper into the cottony abyss and her eyelids grew heavy with sleep.
“Shall I leave you for a small nap before dinner?” Henry asked softly, his voice jolting Beth back to reality.
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “I don’t know what’s come over me. I’m not usually so informal and rude. May I offer you something to drink?” she asked and started to get up. Henry stopped her by placing his gnarled hands on her shoulders.
“No,” he argued. “I’d say you are extremely tired. After all, this is a very stressful situation for all parties involved. I imagine Wesley’s in the weight room right now pumping iron, as he calls it.”
Beth smiled and settled back into the chair.
“I’ll get us some tea and if you feel up to, I’ll show you my favorite piece and you can read for a bit,” Henry offered and reached over to get the phone. He called down to the kitchen for some refreshments and then turned back to sit in the chair opposite hers.
When Beth merely looked at him, Henry chuckled loudly.
“Forgive me,” he said. “Prince Wesley asked me to bring these and sit with you while you read, should you have any questions. If you’d prefer to be left alone, you only have to say so. I completely understand wanting solitude while you read.” He sat back and rested his hands in his lap.
At first, Beth wanted nothing more than to be left alone, but after meeting Henry, she’d grown unexpectedly comfortable in his company and wanted nothing more than to sit with him by the warm fireplace and discuss the writings Wesley asked her to read.
She smiled warmly and leaned toward the books, looking over the covers and in most cases, the protective film covering them. Should saw from the yellowed, cracked paper that they were incredibly old and snatched her hand back at the last minute to keep from touching them.
As a book lover, she knew not to touch the parchment lest the oil from her skin stain it.
“These are quite ancient,” she mused and tilted her head to read the title, Modernism - A New Belief System. Her eyes drifted down to the author’s name and she frowned.
“I’ve never heard of Phillip the Peaceful,” she observed. “Is this the one His Majesty wanted me to read?”
Henry smiled and gave a brief nod of his head. Leaning forward, he reached out and lifted the handmade tome gently in his hands. Caressing the leather worn cover, he smiled fondly as if greeting an old friend after years spent apart.
“Yes,” he finally responded. “This is the complete journal of Phillip the Peaceful as they refer to him. He was indeed a great man and an even greater dragon. If it weren’t for him, our species would have gone extinct many centuries ago.” He pushed it toward her. “I understand you’re a practitioner of the Ancient Ways?” he asked as she took the journal from him.
>
She nodded her head but couldn’t pull her gaze from the cover of the tome. It wasn’t smooth as she’d first thought, but worn smooth by the passage of time and use. It was actually fashioned out of a reptilian skin, covered in opalescent scales of green hue. The realization hit her hard and she almost tossed it back at Henry in disgust.
The cover had been made from a dragon’s hide.
“Yes, your observation is correct,” Henry answered as if she’d asked a question out loud. “That is dragon hide, in fact, it’s the hide from the very last dragon that Phillip killed in combat. He used it as a reminder of the beliefs he wanted to change and the violence he wanted to end.”
Strangely the explanation made perfect sense. Disgusting, but perfect. It served as an icon to the author. She couldn’t fault him that.
“Well, in that case,” Beth mused. “I suppose I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.” Henry chuckled lightly and gave her a quick nod of agreement. Carefully she pulled back and began reading. She briefly asked the Ancients for forgiveness and knew if her parents were here to see her do this, they would have peeled the flesh from her bones as punishment.
Chapter 6
At precisely eight o’clock, Wesley stood at the bottom of the grand staircase and watched his lovely bride-to-be descend as gracefully as a swan swims. She wore a rich green, floor-length dress that looked to be made of chiffon as it lifted and danced around her ankles.
The neckline sat just slightly off her shoulders and Wesley couldn’t stop the saliva from drying up in his mouth. Her hair was pulled into a low side-ponytail, the ends curling around her neck. The contrast of her fiery hair against the green fabric was simply breathtaking.
“I hope I’m not overdressed,” she observed.
Wesley glanced down at the same slacks and shirt he’d worn earlier and wished he’d dressed up a bit more, or at least changed clothes. But no matter how well he dressed, she would always outshine him, that’s just how beautiful she was.
Cowboy's Barmaid: A Small Town Military Romance (Lucky Flats Ranchers Book 2) Page 62