Page 35 of Once Upon an Enchanted Kiss

A twig snapped. He sat up straighter, his hand still clutching the hilt of his dagger as he peered into the shadows. She heard it, too. Her head snapped in the direction of the noise. Even the horses seemed restless.

“What was that?” she whispered.

Another twig, which could only be that of another person. He handed her the dagger. She gave him a wide-eyed look of surprise.

“In case,” he whispered.

He got to his feet, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

An old woman emerged from the shadows, her back hunched as she stumbled into their makeshift camp. She wore a black gown, tattered at the hem and the edges of her sleeves. The cloak she had over her shoulders didn’t fare much better. Her nose was hooked and large. Her face a map of wrinkles. Her black hair was tied back away from her face at the nape of her neck, but sprigs of wiry hair sprung out from her head in all directions.

She paused by a tree, her gnarled hand on the bark to steady herself as she peered at them with squinting eyes.

“Ah, so ye’re the source of the fire in me forest,” the hag said in a roughened voice.

He relaxed his stance but kept his hand on the hilt. Next to him, Rosamund gripped the dagger. The old woman’s beady gaze landed on it. She cackled.

“Ye can put that away now, dearie. I mean no harm.”

“Are you lost?” he asked.

“Lost?” She cackled again. “Nay, my good man. You two appear to be needing shelter for the night. My cabin is just there.” She pointed a gnarled finger over her shoulder in a direction behind her.

Phillip extended his hand to Rosamund for the dagger. Reluctantly, she handed it over and he sheathed it. Peering at the old woman, he wasn’t sure he trusted her. And why should he? It seemed odd the old woman appeared out the shadows with an offer of shelter for the night.

A glance at Rosamund told him she had the same thought.

“I have a nice warm fire and a couple of cozy beds for ye both,” she said. “I can even feed ye a better meal than that. Bring yer horses. I can feed and water them, too.”

Rosamund met his level gaze. Question burned deep within those emerald eyes of hers.

“I see yer hesitation,” the woman said. “I mean ye no harm. Truly. I’ll give ye a moment to discuss.”

She melted into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as she had appeared. Phillip moved closer to her, his sleeve brushing hers.

“What do you think?” he asked, his voice low. “Can we trust her?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so, but for the chance at a nice bed and a warm meal…” Her words trailed off.

“Indeed,” he agreed. “All right, then. We follow her. I’ll stay on my guard and we can leave at first light.”

She nodded agreement. He kicked dirt on the fire, snuffing it out. It plunged them in total darkness. She drew in a sudden, sharp breath. Another cackle from the old hag and suddenly a ball of blue-white light appeared between two trees.

“Come along, dearies.”

He untied the horses, handing her the reins of her mare. As he passed, he was aware of the skeptical look on her face. Even so, she fell in step beside him and, together, they followed the old woman through the trees to her cabin in the woods.

Chapter 15

Thecabinwaslargewith yellow light glowing in the windows and a chimney that had gray smoke curling upward into the night sky. As they approached, apprehension swept through Rosamund. Her gut clenched. There was no explanation for that reaction since the old woman seemed to want to help.

She looked at Edward to gauge his reaction, but it was difficult to see his expression in the shadows. She shoved away those irrational feelings and decided to accept the help from the old woman for what it was—a kind offer.

At the cabin, the woman shoved open the door. Light slashed from the doorway, outlining her hunched silhouette.

“Ye can leave yer horses here.” She pointed to the left of the door. Then she waved them inside. “Come in, come in. Warm yeselves by the fire.”

She bustled inside and waited for them to enter before closing the door with a snap behind them. Inside, a fire blazed in the hearth, warming the room and chasing the chill from Rosamund’s bones. The furniture was well-worn but looked comfortable. Two chairs were on either side of the fireplace. A near threadbare rug was on the wood slated floor. Toward the back of the cabin was a loft with a narrow, winding staircase leading upward.

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