He was thinking about what Maddie had just told them, the sun and wine at lunch perhaps loosening her tongue.
However, it was more likely that she had just become comfortable enough with them to share. It was impossible on a long ride such as theirs not to bond with those around you, spending day in and day out with them. And they’d had quite a number of days together, and adventures.
But with Maddie, the way she was, the sadness constantly lurking in her eyes, the joy she allowed to show openly coating it, it was impossible not to bond.
There was something about her which made a man wish to watch over her. There was something else about her that made a man wish to get to know her, prod under a veneer Achilles was certain she thought was a shield, but didn’t understand it was flimsy. It made a man wish to dig dipper and discover what lay beneath.
And she’d just gifted them with some of what lay beneath. Her story of how she got there, running from her husband and why, being found, beaten and Apollo and the witch with the green magic from the other world saving her.
That was the end of her story.
But what she’d shared was enough.
Achilles tore his gaze away from Maddie, feeling his mouth tight, and looked at Derrik. With one glance, he knew Derrik was feeling what he was feeling.
Maybe more.
He turned back to Maddie. “You’re here now, little bug, safe from that.”
She lifted her lovely brown eyes to him, eyes he’d looked in a million times before he’d even met her. Yet not.
And looking in them now, he knew definitely not.
It had been jarring at first, Maddie looking like Ilsa, but they got used to it. And then the Ilsa they saw in Maddie had faded away and it was just her.
Now, after that story, it was only her.
“I know,” she whispered.
She said I know.
She meant, Thank you.
He grinned at her, pushed away from the tree and bent close to kiss the side of her head.
When he pulled away, she tipped her head and grinned back.
“Thank you for trusting that to us,” he said gently.
“Thank you for being trustworthy enough to get it,” she replied.
He winked.
Her eyes twinkled.
“If you lazy cusses are done being lazy, we need to be away,” Remi called from his horse thirty feet away.
Achilles pushed up to gain his feet and when he did, Derrik was there, offering Maddie his hand.
“Let’s get you up,” Derrik muttered, his tone tender.
She took Derrik’s hand and he pulled her up, unnecessarily sliding his other hand partly around her waist to steady her when she gained her feet.
Achilles looked over Maddie’s head and saw Laures. His cousin’s gaze was on Maddie and Derrik. He felt Achilles looking at him, caught Achilles’ eyes and shook his head.
Achilles shook his back and moved behind Derrik and Maddie as Derrik led her to her mount.
* * * * *
Derrik
“I’m a ramblin’ wreck from Georgia Tech and a helluvan engineer,” Maddie sang, swaying her tankard side by side as Derrik and all the other men sat watching and grinning.
Suddenly, she slammed the tankard down and leaned toward them.
“Actually, I’m not. I went to the University of Oregon and I didn’t study engineering.” She shook her head. “Nooooo. I studied medieval history but don’t let that fool you.” She leaned deeper. “It’s hard.” She leaned back and announced, “But it also doesn’t put bread on the table. Thus, I should have listened to my father and studied something that could actually lead to a job.”
Derrik had no idea what she was talking about.
What he did know was that Maddie was so deep in her cups she’d wake up tomorrow and still be swimming in them.
“That said, in my world, you’re supposed to sing that song when you’re drunk,” she went on. Abruptly her eyes rolled up, the irises shot back and forth and Derrik grew alarmed before she looked back at the men and remarked, “Or maybe it’s just me who sings that song when I’m drunk. I hope that doesn’t offend anyone from Georgia Tech.” Suddenly she shrugged and emitted a soft giggle. “Though, it doesn’t matter. It’s safe to say none of them are here.”
At that, she burst out laughing as did all the men, even though they had no earthly clue what she was on about.
Then again, Maddie’s laughter was infectious and it was thus because it was clear she hadn’t done it very often.
Not until the last four months.
And she made it clear in those four months she was grateful to have it back, which was something that heartened every single man at that table.
Derrik included.
It was as if he’d given a gift he didn’t know he was giving, but it was treasured beyond compare. And that was far from a bad feeling.
She pressed her hand flat to the table and looked around, her body swaying in a circle, noting, “Ships rock, like, a lot.”
Thus giving him the sign she was done for the night.
He got up and moved toward her, murmuring, “Let’s get you to your cabin.”
They were through the Vale and had boarded a galleon, halfway through their journey at sea to Lunwyn.
They were also off schedule. Their arrival would be two months later than when Apollo wanted them at the Ulfr stronghold of Karsvall.
But as Maddie took in her new world, and enjoyed every minute of it with abandon, he, nor any of the men including, eventually, Achilles, had the heart to rush her. So they’d stopped at games (and entered), festivals, fayres, cafés, shops, altars, churches, museums and anything else that caught Maddie’s eye, teaching her all they could about her new world as they did.
Apollo, Derrik knew, would not be best pleased.
But experiencing his world through Maddie’s eyes, listening to her stories of her own world as they rode and noting just how significant the differences were, and sharing in her excitement and laughter, he didn’t care.
He’d explain to Apollo and if his friend didn’t understand, it didn’t matter.
It was done.
He helped Maddie off her stool as she looked up at him with her inebriated, but warm and exceedingly beautiful brown eyes, and she declared, “We should play tuble.”
“You need to be to your bed, Maddie,” he told her. “Not playing card games. In your state, you’ll fumble the cheat and pay the price.”
“But—” she began as he moved to push her gently toward the passageway.
“Bed,” he ordered.
“It’s annoying when you boys go macho,” she muttered.
He had no idea what she meant but this happened frequently, to him and all the men.
Sometimes they asked. Sometimes they didn’t. And sometimes when she answered, they still had no idea what she was talking about.
But whenever they asked, if they understood it or not, it was always interesting.
She didn’t protest further, looked around him as he guided her away, waved and called her goodnights.
She got the same in return.
He moved her into the passageway.
“This ship is a lot bigger than I would have expected,” she remarked as he pressed his fingers into the small of her back to move her before him.
“Mm,” he answered.
“It’s also way cool. I’m pretty much expecting Captain Jack Sparrow to jump out at any given time,” she went on.
He grinned, shook his head but said nothing.
She kept talking.
“And this would not be unwelcome. Johnny Depp is hot.”
Derrik stayed silent except for his chuckle.
They made the door of her cabin. There, she stopped and turned to him, lifting her eyes to his.
He no longer saw the Ilsa he’d known for years. The Ilsa his closest friend adored. The Ilsa who made them laugh in a dry way, not an exuberant one. Whose intelligence matched her husband’s,
therefore she frequently challenged him and all of them to battles of wits, amusingly and wholeheartedly, just as she frequently won those battles (even against her husband).
No. Now he only saw Maddie, who was not one thing like Ilsa, except in looks.
She tipped her head to the side and shared, “I know I’m drunk.”
Derrik smiled down at her and replied, “You’re not drunk, Maddie. You’re drunk.”
She smiled up at him, the smile lighting up her whole face and he felt his heart thump harder.
“Okay, I know I’m drunk,” she agreed.
He shook his head, still smiling.
“And when you’re drunk, the truth comes out,” she informed him.
He turned his eyes to the ceiling and joked, “Gods, deliver me.”
She smacked his chest and he looked down at her just as she said, “I’m being serious, Derrik.”
He rearranged his features and promised, “You have my full attention, Maddie.”
She rolled her eyes.
When she rolled them back, her face sobered and she held his gaze.
Then she said, “Apollo wished for my return, my twin’s return, really, but in being that, he sought bringing me here. And he got it. Or, I guess, me. And then he didn’t want it, it being, well…me. And that sucks. It hurt and then being here all alone scared me. And depressed me. Because I’d been alone a long time. A really long time. Losing my parents because they turned their backs on me when I picked the wrong husband. Running from him because he hurt me.”
She sucked in a deep breath even as Derrik pulled in a shallow one at her words.
“But I know we’re getting closer to Lunwyn,” she continued. “So I wanted to make sure I said thank you, to you and all the guys for turning a bad situation into a good one.” She smiled a smile that wasn’t her normal smile. It was smaller, slightly forlorn, but still warm. “No, a great one. And I’m starting with you.”
His heart didn’t thump harder at that.
It warmed.
“You’re more than welcome, Maddie,” Derrik replied quietly.
Her smile got bigger and she whispered, “You’re the bomb.”
He’d heard that before, repeatedly. So he knew it was good.
“And you are very sweet,” he returned.
“I am,” she agreed cheekily and finished, “When I’m not beating your ass in tuble, that is.”
At that, he tilted his head back and laughed and when he again looked at her, he saw she was doing it with him.
She sobered again and said softly, “Thank you, Derrik.”
His heart warmed further and he lifted his chin.
She gave him another smile and a wink before she turned to her door.
He turned to the passageway but something she said registered, therefore he stopped and turned back.
“Maddie, just to say,” he called and she stuck her head out the door. “Apollo left before you to get his children to safety. You should not take that as him not wanting you here.”
The forlorn went back into her face as she shook her head and returned, “Oh, he doesn’t want me.”
Derrik turned fully to her and started, “That isn’t—”
But she interrupted him.
“It is, Derrik. He said it to my face. ‘Be careful what you wish for, you might get it. And not want it.’ That’s what he said. Word for word. I think that says pretty clear he doesn’t want me, don’t you?”
Derrik didn’t answer. This was because he was concentrating on the blood roaring in his ears.
“Anyway, I’ve sorted it all out,” she carried on. “I’ve been thinking on it and I have a plan. I’ll have a word with him when we get there and it’ll all be good.”
He still said nothing.
“’Night,” she called.
“Goodnight, Maddie,” he forced out.
She gave him a small wave and shut her cabin door.
Derrik stared at it for long moments; his hands fisted, her words ringing in his head.
Then he moved in order to a get to a place where there was ale.
And whiskey.
* * * * *
Ilsa
It was freaking cold in Lunwyn.
Freezing.
So I was glad when we made the inn, or more aptly, inside the inn, where a fire was roaring and Derrik got me a room, ordering, “Get the fire going in her chamber immediately,” and the innkeeper’s son scurried off.
This was, of course, as the innkeeper stared at me in shock.
Clearly, he knew or had seen Ilsa.
I smiled at him and dipped my eyes.
“She’ll need wine, some cheese, bread, fruit, a hot bath and a ladies maid,” Derrik kept going.
The innkeeper snapped his fingers and his wife (who was also staring at me), started then she took off too.
“I’ll escort her to her room. There will be a guard in the hall and outside the inn. Seven men. After I take her to her room, I ride to Karsvall,” Derrik went on.
The innkeeper nodded.
“Her key?” Derrik prompted.
The innkeeper jumped, turned and grabbed a skeleton key with a massive heart at its top. He turned back to Derrik and handed him the key.
“Best in the house, top floor, end of the hall to the right,” the innkeeper told Derrik.
Derrik nodded, put his hand to my elbow and moved me to the stairs.
I moved with him, trying not to cry.
It was over.
My time with the guys was over.
No more ricken. No more tuble.
No more games that were like jousts but they didn’t have lances and charge each other. They had blunt swords and beat each other off their horses. At first, I thought this was a little brutal. But then I noticed Laures was really good at it and everyone around me in the arena (with actual bleachers and enormous colorful pendants flying from posts all around) was really into it. So I got into it too. In a big way.
Also no more delicious, herbed, roasted meat on a stick bought from venders at fayres.
And no more watching girls dancing with streaming ribbons and fluffy skirts at festivals.
Further, no more telling Alek made-up pirate stories while we lay on our backs on the deck of the ship, rough wool blankets under us, another one pulled up to our chins, as we stared up at the stars.
We were in Lunwyn, met by someone the men didn’t introduce me to who gave us a trunk with more stuff for me. This included boots, heavier clothing and capes, hats and gloves—the last three all made of fur or lined hides.
And off the horse I was, put in a sleigh (a sleigh! And a cool one!) with my trunk at the back and we’d ridden for three days across the icy landscape.
I had to admit, it was just as beautiful as the graceful exquisiteness of Fleuridia and the sumptuous splendor of Hawkvale.
It was just covered in snow and ice.
And freezing cold.
Now it was done and I’d had four months to come up with my plan, which I’d done.
It scared me but it also excited me.
A new beginning.
A new life.
A new me.
All of it mine. All of it made by my hand, my decisions, my work.
Or it would be.
I was terrified.
And I couldn’t wait.
But after we climbed the stairs, Derrik opened the door and handed me the key, I knew I’d miss the guys.
Badly.
I pulled in a very deep breath and got control as I let it go.
Then I looked up at him.
“Thank you again for everything, honey,” I whispered.
“Maddie, I’ll see you again in a few hours,” he replied, not whispering.
He wouldn’t.
I was going to take a bath, eat, drink wine, speak with Apollo (who Derrik was off to announce our arrival to and bring back to the inn for our chat).
Then I was going to leave.
I didn’t say that. Maybe because
of that time my father said it to me with such finality when I announced I was going to marry Pol. He was telling me I couldn’t because Pol was a criminal. I was telling him I was twenty-three and I could do what I wanted. Then I’d never seen Dad again, except for when I was forced to go back and he’d shut the door in my face (twice), but I didn’t figure those counted.
Yeah, maybe this was why I hated good-byes.
So I didn’t intend to say them.
I was just going to go.
I’d write them letters later (maybe).
“I’ll see you his evening,” Derrik murmured and moved to leave.
But I called his name and he turned back.
“Thank you,” I repeated.
“Maddie—”
I shook my head, lifted my hand and felt so much emotion I couldn’t speak in a normal voice. Therefore, what I had to say came out trembling and low.
But I forced it to come out.
“You know about him,” I stated and Derrik’s jaw went hard.
Over the months, the dinners, the long rides, the sitting in pubs or on the grass or out under the stars and talking, I’d told him. At first a little. Then a lot. He and Achilles, both of them, I’d told all about Pol.
He knew.
“I haven’t felt free in eleven years,” I whispered.
A muscle jumped in his cheek and his eyes bored into mine.
“Thank you for making me feel free,” I finished.
Then I swept into the room, closed the door and told myself one day I’d forget the love and tenderness that suffused Derrik’s face at my words.
But I was lying.
Chapter Six
Not Your Biggest Fan
Apollo drummed his fingers on the top of his desk, scowling at the papers there as his secretary droned on.
But he wasn’t listening to a word the man said.
He was staring at the stack of missives that reported the frequent delays—and the reasons behind them—of Derrik’s party arriving in Lunwyn.
From the last letter, he estimated they were to arrive any day.
And he had a damned war to plan. For the gods’ sakes, he had no time to sit around waiting for a troop of guards watching over a single woman to frolic through three countries, taking double the time it should to make the journey simply because a female from another world wanted to watch Laures win a challenge.
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