Chapter Fourteen

T he night was brisk, and camp had at last quieted down. Annora held her hands out to the fire wondering if its warmth might seep into her heart. Once more her guard was up—as it should have been all along, for what had her days with Richard really gotten her but more heartache? She had known him but days and even those had been spent mostly arguing between them. How could that first kiss change everything? Apparently, she was not made of very stern stuff if Richard’s touch could so easily turn her into a moon-eyed bit of fluff.

She sniffed and ran her sleeve over her eyes. God’s blood ! She would never survive whatever life would bring her if she continued to torment herself by thinking about what might have been if she could have stayed with Richard Grancourt. ’Twas best to forget him. And yet, as a heavy sigh of sorrow left her, she knew ’twould not be that easy.

“You will do yourself no good to brood over the matter, Annora,” Merek said taking a seat next to her on the log she sat upon.

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” she said quietly.

“How many years have I watched over you, my lady? You do not think I am aware when something… or someone… is troubling you?”

She turned to look at the knight who indeed knew her well. There was no point in lying to the man. “Something has… changed in me.”

He gave a grunt of annoyance. “Something or someone?”

She shrugged. “Mayhap a little of both,” she said as she recalled her feelings and her memories for a man she barely knew.

He tossed another log onto the fire and Annora watched the sparks disappear into the night sky. “Let me guess… this change had something to do with Richard Grancourt.”

Annora picked up a large stick and began poking the limb further into the fire. “Aye.”

“He did not harm you, or so you said. Do you recant those words now?” Merek asked watching her closely.

“Nay. He did not harm me in any way. He treated me with respect, even as we argued for several days before he… well… let us say we came to friendly terms. ’Twas better to be amicable than to constantly spar with the man.”

“ Amicable ? From the looks between the two of you that I saw clear across the hall, I would say you became more than just being on friendly terms .”

“He kissed me,” she blurted out and waited for Merek’s temper to erupt. But he only waited for her to continue. “Nothing more.”

“And this is the change you spoke of?” he finally asked.

“Aye. I suppose it is. I have not been the same ever since nor can I get my mind off the man,” she replied whilst she continued to poke at the flames in front of her. ’Twas a meaningless distraction from the conversation she was having with a man who was acting like a protective older brother.

“Hate and love… there is a fine line between the two emotions that can wreck mayhem with a person’s mind,” Merek mumbled.

A short laugh left her. “How funny… Richard basically said the same thing.”

Merek harrumphed as though saying something almost identical to Richard was unpleasant to him. “I cannot discount his words, but I do remain concerned your head is not where it belongs, Annora.”

She frowned, well aware that there was truth to his words. “I know. But I am positive I shall return to normal once we reach our destination, wherever that may be.”

“’Tis mayhap best that you forget Grancourt. A man like that has but one thing on his mind and that is his duty to his Empress. He will not leave her side, much like yours must remain with King Stephen.”

“Why cannot life be different, Merek? Why must I follow a king whom I hold no respect for?” she grumbled finally tossing the stick into the flames.

“You know that answer better than anyone, Annora. You align yourself with Stephen for the sake of your son and for the opportunity to once more claim your home when this is all over,” Merek answered giving her a weak smile.

“Aye… my son and home. We are so close to the outskirts of Meregate, I swear I can taste the ocean mist on my lips. How I wish I could learn that Leif is well, and no harm has befallen him,” Annora proclaimed hiding her face in her hands.

“And that is what you need to hold at the forefront of your mind, my lady. Leif and your home. All else will only cloud your judgement in the months to come.”

She turned her head so her gaze could fall upon the man sitting next to her. “Perchance you are right, Merek. Thank you for reminding me of my responsibilities and why I must needs remain faithful to Stephen.”

A chuckle left him. “You must be tired if you agree with me so readily.”

“Clearly I am not of sound mind,” she teased.

“Then let us take our rest. The morn will be upon us before we know it,” he declared as he stood. He left her side but briefly, returning moments later holding two bedrolls that he immediately began laying out by the fire. “Sleep well, Annora.”

“And you, my friend,” she murmured.

She watched as Merek settled himself for the night before she too went to lay beneath the covers. And as she drifted off to take her ease for what remained of the eve, she was haunted in her dreams by a man with black hair and startling blue eyes. And in her slumber, he whispered words of love and what could be if only she would return to his side.