To Capture Her Heart (12 page)

The room was deathly silent as everyone awaited his response. He finally spoke, with foolish bravery marking his words. “I will agree to return home, but I cannot agree to never speak to Gwendolyn again. You ask too much.”

“Then I cannot agree to allow you your freedom.” Terric's voice was firm.

“Jarin, just agree to it,” Gwendolyn pleaded, unwilling to see Jarin sacrifice his entire life with his stubbornness.

“Do you truly wish it?” he asked, pain filling his face.

“Aye. 'Tis the only way, Jarin.”

“Very well, then I agree.” His head dropped to his chest with sadness as guilt and sorrow ripped through Gwendolyn's breast. She had never meant to hurt him so.

“Very good.” Terric continued, turning to Gwendolyn, “I can see that you are being irrational about all of this and that you are determined to go to this blasted festival regardless of how any of us feels about it. So, I've decided to let you go.” Gwendolyn's head snapped up so fast she thought her neck might break.  

“But,” Terric paused long enough to let the enormity of what he was about to say sink in. “you must agree that no matter the outcome, no matter if you come away from the festival with a gift or not, you will cease this madness. You must agree to stop being so irrational in seeking out a gift you may or may not possess, and you will stop being so selfish.”

Gwendolyn let his words settle into her mind. Truthfully she wasn't sure she could believe what she was hearing. Terric was going to allow her to go to the magic festival?

Before she could fully process his terms, he was speaking once more in that commanding tone he had acquired since becoming king. “Gavin will accompany you to the festival, acting as your personal defender. You will also take Brigit with you for a chaperone or I will not, under any circumstances allow you to go. Can you agree to all of this Gwen?”

Her heart softened slightly at the use of his nickname for her. She knew he was being considerably obliging, but Brigit and Gavin! Brigit was Rosalind's lady in waiting, and she was much too stern and uppity for Gwendolyn's taste. Combine her non-indulgent manner with Gavin's clear dislike for her, and she was determined her brother meant for the trip to be the most unenjoyable excursion of her life. Mayhap it was his way of punishing her.

“With all due respect, Your Highness,” Gavin's voice was low and gravely, yet tight and controlled, as if he was trying hard not to lash out in disrespect. “My obligation to Talbot precludes me from being able to attend to your sister on her journey. Mayhap it would be best if you find another defender to tend to her.”

Gwendolyn seethed. She wasn't a child that needed a nursemaid to tend her.

Terric rubbed his chin, looking all of a sudden exhausted. “I'm not asking you to tend her, but to defend her and protect her—no easy chore where she is concerned. And if you are truly concerned about your duties with Talbot, then I suggest you take him with you.”

Gwendolyn groaned, sending a scathing glare Gavin's way. If that filthy beast was allowed to go on the journey, she'd definitely reconsider her desire to go.

“I think it best that he stay. He hasn't been feeling well since eating the rotten pork from the kitchen.” It was the smartest thing she'd ever heard Gavin say.

“Then it's settled.” Terric returned to his bed, sitting with a huff on the side, taking Rosalind's hand into his own. “You can leave first thing in the morning. Jarin, Gavin will take you to the stables where he will instruct one of my men to see you safely home. Remember our agreement.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” he mumbled, his head still drooping as he spoke.

“Now be on your way. I find I'm utterly exhausted.”

The three of them turned to leave as Terric swung his legs up onto the bed, but Gwendolyn couldn't resist trying to beg for one more favor.

She turned sharply just as Terric's head sank into his pillow, and spit out her request before she lost her nerve. “Can't mother come along as my chaperone instead of Brigit?”

“Nay,” Terric breathed out, barely loud enough for her to hear.

“But...” she dared continue.

“If you make one more request on my generosity, I will rescind my offer completely and lock you in the dungeon until you are thirty.”

Gwendolyn stuck her lip out in a pout, then, turning on her heel, fled his chambers as fast as she could before he could change his mind.

Chapter 15

Her Mother's Approval

Rosalind awoke as the first rays of sun were beginning to shine through the narrow slits of the outer wall of her chambers. She was wrapped tightly in Terric's strong embrace. She snuggled closely into his chest, inhaling his masculine scent. Her poor husband had slept fitfully after his argument with his sister. She knew it troubled him greatly that he had been so harsh on her, for he truly loved her dearly, but her bold and foolish actions had rightfully concerned him.

She sighed, thinking about her dear friend Gwendolyn. She loved her like a sister, but had to admit that her childish immaturity was going to get her in more trouble than she desired if she wasn't careful. Twisting so that her back was towards Terric, she felt his arms automatically tighten, bringing her close into his embrace. One hand found its way to her abdomen where it tenderly gripped the cotton folds of her nightgown. Rosalind smiled. She had slept much deeper than Terric, but not because she was any less troubled by the night's event than he. Nay, all the signs as of late pointed to the fact that she was with child, Terric's child.

Her heart beat wildly against her chest, so happy and full she thought it just might burst. Mayhap when she told Terric the news, it would lift his spirits and distract him from his surly mood brought on by Gwendolyn. But she wouldn't wake him. Nay, she'd let him sleep on while she visited Gwendolyn before she left for the festival.

Sliding carefully from his embrace so as not to wake him, she wrapped her robe tightly around her, tying it at the waist before grabbing a vile full of bright magenta liquid from her chest on her dresser. Then, closing her eyes, she imagined Gwendolyn's bedchamber, and, in an instant, had successfully transported there.

***

“Good morning.”

Gwendolyn startled when she heard Rosalind's voice behind her. Turning, she beheld her friend standing in her robe in the center of her bedchamber.

Putting a hand to her chest to still her racing heart, she said, “You haven't done that to me for quite some time. I wasn't expecting you.”

“Nay, I suppose you weren't. I forget how fun it is to surprise people. Terric has gotten so used to it, he hardly flinches when I appear unsuspected. That takes part of the fun out of it, I admit.”

Gwendolyn eyed Rosalind wearily, unsure if she was there to scold her. She waited in silence, hoping that she would reveal her purpose for her early morning visit sooner rather than later. Rosalind did not disappoint.

“I wanted to speak to you before you left for the festival. I brought you something.” Rosalind scurried over to Gwendolyn and stretched forth one hand, revealing the vile of magenta liquid.

“What is it?” Gwendolyn asked curiously.

“It's cudworth tonic, the first and only batch I've been able to make. It takes an astronomical amount of berries to get this small amount, but it's very potent. It's the most powerful healing agent there is.”

“I don't understand. Why are you giving it to me? It must be very valuable.”

“Aye, 'tis true. But I want you to take it with you, just in case.”

Gwendolyn raised one eyebrow. “In case what?”

Shoving the vile into her hand, Rosalind said impatiently, “In case something happens to you, or to Gavin, or to Brigit. The forest is a dangerous place and you never know what can happen. I'm hopeful that all will be well, after all Gavin is a splendid defender and more than capable, otherwise Terric would not have ordered him to protect you, but one can never be too sure.”

Gwendolyn clasped the vile in her hand reverently, for truly it was a rare thing to possess. “I promise to be careful with it and only use it if necessary. Thank you.”

Rosalind nodded her head. “Be safe Gwendolyn. I understand why you feel compelled to go on this journey, and I hope you find what you are looking for.”

“You are not going to get mad at me or lecture me for my impulsiveness?” Gwendolyn asked, surprised.

“Nay, for I know it wouldn't do any good. You are stubborn and will do as you wish. Your brother knows that and that is why he finally relented.”

Gwendolyn placed the vile of cudworth tonic gently in the little leather pouch hanging from her waist. She was grateful beyond belief that Rosalind wasn't mad at her or that she hadn't come to try and persuade her to stay.

The draft that swirled around their ankles was the first indication that someone else had joined them in the room. Turning, Rosalind and Gwendolyn watched the heavy door open and Millicent walk into the room. She held her head high, but it was clear by the red blotches on her face that she had been crying. Gwendolyn cringed at the thought that she had caused her strong mother such sorrow.

“I will let you two speak in private,” Rosalind said as she quickly disappeared from the room.

When the door clicked shut, Gwendolyn spoke, breaking the deathly silence that enshrouded them. “Mother, please do not be mad.”

“Gwendolyn, I'm not mad—I'm worried for your safety, I'm disappointed in your attempt to deceive us all, and I'm concerned that you are searching for happiness in something that is not tangible. You are looking so far beyond what is important in hopes of seeking personal validation. You are a beautiful soul with great qualities in your possession, but you refuse to believe that unless you have a gift.”

Gwendolyn felt as if she was two feet tall. Her mother's disappointment pierced her heart far worse than Terric's anger had. She had no words to try and defend herself, for it was clear that her mother understood her perhaps more than she did herself. She stood, her lower lip trembling, as she tried to will the ache in her throat to disappear. When her mother stepped forth and pulled her into her motherly embrace, she couldn't keep the tears from bursting forth from the dam she had tried to erect.

Her mother ran her hands down her hair, soothing her in a way that only she could. “Go ahead and cry my dear, let it out.” Gwendolyn gave in to her mother's gentle commands and sobbed heartily in her embrace.

She cried for letting her family down, she cried because she hated feeling like a reprimanded child, but she also cried for another reason, for her mother's words had hit upon a truth even she had never acknowledged.

Perhaps in her heart she had always felt unimportant, like she wasn't as good as the rest of her family. Her father had once been lead defender for the High King. Then her brother's, Aeden and Terric, had also followed suit. It wasn't enough for them to simply be defenders, nay, they had to be the best. Her mother had also once been the best healer in the Kingdom. Her family was ripe with greatness, they never did anything with half purpose, nay, they always aimed to be the best and they always succeeded. That is, all of them except for her.

Gwendolyn was never great at anything she did. Of course she had several talents, but she was only average in her abilities. She would never be as talented at healing as her mother was, nor save the entire Kingdom of Darth like Terric had done. Even her new sister-in-law Rosalind excelled at greatness. For without her, Terric would never have been able to save Darth. She felt like a weak link in an otherwise strong piece of chainmail.

When her sobs subsided into calm tears that rolled down her cheeks, she pulled back from her mother and said, “Mayhap I shouldn't go to the festival.” It was the first time she had ever doubted her desire to go.

Millicent looked into her eyes for several long seconds before finally speaking. “Nay, I think you need to go.” Gwendolyn was shocked. “I think you are on the brink of learning something very important about yourself and mayhap this is the only way for you to do so.”

“Go,” she said firmly, with gentleness in her voice. “Discover what it is you are looking for.”

Her mother's approval of her journey meant more to her than she could ever admit. Her heart swelled with love and gratitude for the wise woman she was lucky enough to call mother.

***

Terric was already awake and pacing the room by the time Rosalind transported back to their bedchamber. “Where have you been,” he growled, already aware of her presence, though he hadn't turned to face her.

“How do you always know when I am near?” she asked, exasperated.

“Intuition, my love.” He turned to her then, and she went willingly into his arms.

“I do hate seeing you so distraught. 'Tis not like you at all.”

Terric nuzzled his head into her hair, breathing in her warm scent. “I'm worried for Gwen is all. She's too impulsive for her own good.”

“Aye, that she is. But she's also lost.”

“What do you mean?” he asked, pulling back to look into her face.

“She isn't sure what to do with herself or who she really is. She feels as if possessing a gift will give her purpose, will increase her worth.”

“That's nonsense.”

“Of course it is, but that's how she sees things.  I think you were wise to let her go to the magic festival.”

“Truly, you do?” he asked, trepidation lacing his words.

“Aye.” Then looking at him flirtatiously she said, “And even with that scowl on your face, you're sill incredibly handsome. I hope that our baby looks just like you. Unless it is a girl, then mayhap it would be better if it looked like me, or at the very least a feminine version of you.”

Terric stilled, his expression turning intense. “You are, of course, speaking of the future children we will have, are you not?”

“The future, aye...” she trailed off. “Approximately nine months from now, I would wager.”

“What!?” Terric scooped her into his arms, twirling her around in a full circle before hastily putting her back on the ground.

“I apologize, I suppose I shouldn't have done that. Are you alright?”