Champion

by Marie Higgins

  He pushed the men away and moved closer, wondering if the lovely vision of her face would disappear. But it didn’t. By the time he stood in front of her, happiness twinkled in her hazel eyes.

  “I...I can’t believe I’m here,” she said in a shaky voice. “Am I dreaming?”

  He laughed and shook his head. “I think I’m the one who is dreaming.” He touched her hair. Soft as silk, just as he remembered. Then he stroked her cheek. Skin so creamy and smooth. “Payton? Is it really you?

  My lord,” Little John asked. “Do you know her?

  Indeed, I do,” Archer answered without moving his gaze from her beautiful face. “This is the woman who holds my heart.

  Oh, Archer.” She reached out to touch him, and then stopped and looked at the gloves he’d worn when he was taken to her world.

  He laughed again and helped her remove them. Once they were off, he carefully helped her out of his armor. When that was removed and he was able to look upon her again, he held back another laugh. She wore the same clothes he had been wearing while in her time.

  “What is this, my love? Dressing like a man?”

  She chuckled and launched herself into his arms. When her body pressed against him, he groaned in happiness. This was no dream. She was real!

  “I missed you so much I decided the only way to get closer to you was to dress in these.” She cupped his face. “And then once I had everything on, I suddenly felt dizzy so I closed my eyes. When I opened them, I was in the woods. I saw a fire up ahead, so I walked toward it. That’s when these men stopped me.”

  Love for this woman grow stronger in his heart. Was it wrong to want her so badly that he couldn’t stand it? Was it wrong of him to want her to be with him instead of in her own time?

  “I love you Payton Fox, and I have missed you terribly.”

  Taking hold of her hand, he pulled her away from the gawks of his men and to a private alcove in the trees. When he knew they were far enough away from curious eyes, he wrapped her in his arms again and kissed her soundly.

  She threaded her fingers through his hair as she answered his eager kisses with passionate ones. It had been one very long week, and he didn’t want to think of ever being apart from her that long again.

  When he ended the kiss, a smile was on her face even though her eyes were closed. He caressed her cheek, loving that she was really here in his arms.

  “Oh, Archer. I’m dreaming, I just know it.

  No. Never again.” He kissed her briefly on the lips. “I wished upon a falling star, just as you had done.”

  She blinked her eyes open and her smile disappeared. “You did?

  Yes. I couldn’t stand the thought of you being away from me for the rest of my life. I need you by my side. Never before had I felt more like a man than when I was with you. I want to be your hero, your champion. Always.”

  Tears filled her eyes and she shook her head. “Oh, Archer. I..I don’t think I can be here. As much as I love you and want to be with you, there is just no way.

  Why?

  Because of Maid Marion.

  Who is that?”

  She arched an eyebrow. “You haven’t met a woman by that name yet?

  No.

  Well, you are going to meet her and fall in love. You’ll marry and have children. Two, in fact—a boy and a girl.” She sighed heavily. “With me in your life you’ll never meet her, fall in love, and have babies.

  But my love, I don’t want anyone else but you.” He kissed her lips again, but this time, she was the one to pull away.

  “It’s impossible. Can’t you see?” Her voice broke as tears streamed down her cheeks.

  “No, I cannot.

  Oh, my dear, sweet Archer. Just like when you come to my time and your story disappeared, if I stay here with you, Maid Marion’s story will disappear.” She shook her head. “Robin Hood and Maid Marion are a duo. They are supposed to be together. There is no other way.”

  Archer knew she still believed in the fictitious Robin Hood. He should believe as well since she knew the names of Little John and Will Scarlet. But he didn’t want to meet another woman. He only wanted to love Payton and no other. He also knew she wouldn’t stay with him because of that small matter.

  Suddenly, an idea popped into his head, and the more he thought about it, the wider he grinned. “Payton, do you love me more than life itself?

  Of course I do.” She twirled a lock of his hair with her finger. “I cannot see living without you, but it’s something I have to do. It’s something we both must do.

  Unless...” He chuckled.

  “Unless what?

  From this day forth, you will be known to me and to my friends as Maid Marion.” He tightened his hold on her. “If, by chance, there is another woman named Marion, well, she shall just have to find someone else, because I will have my own Maid Marion. If all the fiction readers want is a name, then you shall have it, my love. You, and none other.”

  Slowly awareness shined on her face until her eyes twinkled and excitement lit her expression. She laughed and pressed her head against his chest.

  “Oh, Archer. You are one clever man.”

  He stroked her silky hair. “Does that mean you agree?

  Yes!” She raised her head to meet his stare. “Most definitely! That’s the best idea I’ve ever heard of.

  You will not mind if I call you Marion?

  Not at all, but make sure you call me Payton when we are alone. I love hearing my name from your lips.”

  Joy sprang inside him and he felt more alive than ever. Indeed, wishing on a falling star had come true. From now on, she would be his forever, and he would always be her champion...even if he had to accept the title of Robin Hood. He’d do everything in his power to make her happy.

  And starting tomorrow...he’d ask her to be his wife so they could live as one throughout all time.

  EPILOGUE

  Nothing was the same since Payton left, but Mary knew where her friend was. After all of the failed relationships Payton had to go through, Mary was very happy that she finally found someone to love. Even if it meant being in a different world.

  It had been two months since Payton had suddenly disappeared. But Mary kept her photography studio going full swing. For those who asked about Payton’s whereabouts, Mary told them Payton had decided to be with Archer who lived in England. There was no reason to tell those who questioned that Archer was in a different realm. Like they’d believe her, anyway.

  Mary hired another person to take over Payton’s job, yet it wasn’t the same. She missed her friend. Payton was better off being with Archer.

  Mary had found a few more models, that thankfully, were almost as good looking as Calvin and Archer. They fit right in with the rest of the group. This was her family, and she loved them all.

  Sitting down at her computer, she waited for the machine to boot up so she could check her email. Another photo shoot was scheduled, and the models would be arriving within the hour. Mary needed to check to see if any publishing houses had emailed her requests for certain model poses for their covers.

  Finally, the machine was up and running, so she logged into her email. Two different publishing houses had sent her an email. She clicked it open to see what sort of pose they wanted.

  We would like to request a single model pose. The female model must have curly brown hair with a touch of gold. We would like her to look like the Warrior, Marion who was Robin Hood’s wife. Please make sure to have her holding a sword or bow and arrow, and that she’s in complete historic attire for that time period. We have several stories about this great female warrior that will be published. Thank you!

  Mary scrunched her forehead. Were they referring to Maid Marion? She chuckled. That’s funny, because she’d never heard of Maid Marion being called a warrior.

  She clicked onto the next email, and surprisingly enough, they were requesting the same thing. Why had she never heard of this person?

  On impulse, she went to the
internet and did a search for Marion warrior. When several links popped up, connecting Marion with Robin Hood, Mary’s heartbeat quickened. She clicked on the first link and read the article. Apparently, Robin Hood’s wife was almost as famous as he was. Not only did she fight beside him, but she had protected King Richard once he’d returned to his throne after the Crusades.

  The more articles Mary read, the more her heart filled with happiness until it was overflowing. Tears swam in her eyes and her breath caught on a sob. It looked as if Payton had altered history—or at least the fictitious story about Robin Hood. Perhaps Mary’s friend was supposed to go back and be with the man she loved.

  Mary glanced over the drawings of the female warrior. A gasp sprang from her, followed by a laugh. The very outfit the female warrior wore was the very same one that Payton was wearing when she left this realm to enter Archer’s—minus the armor, of course. For certain, Mary could put together this costume easily. Now that she knew who this warrior was, she could create wonders with her models.

  Her grin stretched wider across her face. Thanks to Payton, their business would boom with clients who’d want these photos!

  She sighed and touched the computer screen. She’d never get to see her friend again, but at least it made her happy knowing Payton and Archer’s legacy lived on.

  Just as it should.

  THE END

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Marie Higgins is a best-selling, multi-published author of Christian and sweet romance novels; from refined bad-boy heroes who make your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. She’s been with a Christian publisher since 2010. Between those and her others, she’s published over 50 heartwarming, on-the-edge-of-your-seat stories and broadened her readership by writing mystery/suspense, humor, time-travel, paranormal, along with her love for historical romances. Her readers have dubbed her "Queen of Tease", because of all her twists and turns and unexpected endings.

  Visit her website / blog to discover more – https://authormariehiggins.wixsite.com/romance

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