Chapter 11

R osamund sprinted up to the loft, her booted feet clumping on the wood steps. Her heart pounded in concert with her steps. When she made it to the top, she halted, her breath see-sawing in and out. Her hands shook.

What was she doing? Was she out of her mind?

She cast a quick look at the carnage she’d left behind to take him blankets and a pillow. The wardrobe in the corner stood open, the contents haphazardly tossed about as she looked for something to take to him. If only to speak to him again.

She was right about one thing. His eyes were the color of honey with such depth and emotion that it made her pulse skitter. She had never seen eyes that color before.

The way he looked at her made her heart sing. She didn’t know why she couldn’t bear the thought of him sleeping in that rickety old chair. But something deep inside her made her want to make sure he was comfortable. Her mind went into action as she pulled off the cushions and placed them by the fire.

When she glanced at him, he had an amused look on his face that switched to adoration. She shoved that thought aside, unable to believe he had such a thought about her.

She pulled the dusty coverlet off the bed and dropped it on the floor at the foot. Then she made her bed. In the wardrobe, she found more clean blankets and pillows. She fluffed the pillows and then sat on the bed, pulling off her boots. She sat a moment, thinking of the kind woman, Anne, and how she had helped her.

Not for the first time, she wondered if her father had sent his men to look for her. She found it unlikely that he wouldn’t, given she was his only daughter and princess.

She laid back on the bed and glanced at the one widow. Grime covered the surface, but she was still able to see the outline of trees. As she curled on her side, she wondered where she would go tomorrow. She and Edward would go their separate ways. Would she ever see him again? A sudden pang of longing went through her at the thought of never seeing him again. As she drifted off to sleep, she decided it was for the best.

The following morning, the first twitter of birds woke her. Sunlight illuminated the dirty window, waking her from her restless sleep. She laid there a long moment, listening to the sounds outside the cabin and straining her ears for any movement downstairs.

She heard nothing. It was silent.

Had he left?

She sat straight up, still listening and hearing nothing. Shoving off the blanket, she hurried down the stairs in her stocking feet and halted at the bottom. His cushions and blankets were still on the floor by the fireplace. Only embers remained in the hearth. The cabin door stood open, letting in the fresh morning breeze that still had a chill to it. She peered outside to see both their horses still tied up.

Then she heard the faint whistling of a tune she didn’t recognize. She waited until he came into view, carrying a bucket of water. She watched as he watered first his horse, talking to it in a low voice and patting the neck, and then hers. He went to his saddlebag and rummaged through it, bringing out a couple of apples. He fed both horses.

Her heart fluttered at the way he cared for the two animals.

When he was finished, he whistled again and then ascended the porch steps, the bucket still in his hand. He stopped whistling and halted when he saw her.

“Oh, good morrow,” he said and grinned. He held up the bucket. “You were right about the water.”

“You’re up early,” she said and realized it was the silliest thing to say.

“Couldn’t sleep.”

She glanced at the cushions still on the floor. “Was it not comfortable?”

“The cushions were fine.” He moved into the cabin, dropping the bucket on the table. “It seems I couldn’t turn off my mind.”

His gaze landed on hers, making her pulse quicken.

“How did you sleep?” he asked.

“The bed was lumpy but otherwise fine.”

An awkward silence descended between them. She backed toward the stairs. “I forgot my boots.”

Then she was up them in a sprint. At the top, she pressed her hand against her raging heart and closed her eyes, trying to calm her nerves. Her reaction to him was ridiculous. He was just a man, nothing more.

A very handsome man with an engaging smile and gorgeous eyes.

Now that it was light out, she noticed his clothes were fine which told her he was more than a peasant. Was he part of the nobility? And since they met in the forest that straddled both the Myst Kingdom and Woodhaven Kingdom, she wondered where he hailed from.

It was too early in their relationship to ask and, she told herself, it didn’t matter. She was never going to see him again.

She bent and picked up her boots, then sat on the bed to pull them on. Her cloak was draped over the end of the bed. She grabbed it as she headed back down the stairs. In the living room, she saw him replacing the cushions. He’d already folded the blankets and left them on the kitchen table in a neat pile.

Who was this guy?

He turned to her when she entered, a contemplative look on his face.

“I was thinking,” he said, choosing his words slowly. “I’m heading west through the forest. If you’re heading that way, too, it seems to me the two of us could travel together.”

She stared at him in utter shock, surprised at the unexpected offer. He had not mentioned going west last night. Had he decided to go that way since that was her named destination?

Before refusing, she heard herself say, “I would like that.”

“Great. I’ll be outside.” He motioned to the open doorway, then headed out.

Rosamund wrapped the cloak around her shoulders and hoped she wasn’t about to make a mistake. She left the cabin, closing the door behind her.

When she emerged, he stuck his foot in the stirrup and mounted. She walked to the other side of hers and did the same.

“Now,” he said, cutting her a glance with a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “Let’s go find that adventure.”

Together, they turned their horses from the cabin and started down the shadowy path.

Rowena watched through the All-Seeing Eye to see her plan worked. The two had come together and now appeared to be traveling together. Now, to make sure the curse she placed on the princess all those long years ago would at last be fulfilled. She had the perfect plan for that.