Page 38 of Once Upon an Enchanted Kiss

Fear clenched her gut. “I can think of a better one.”

“What’s that?”

“Not getting dead,” she said. “Don’t you think this dragon will be guarding it’s treasure?”

“Of course,” he replied, nonchalantly. “That’s what makes it a grand adventure.”

“You’re crazy.”

Still peering down at the map, he answered, “I’ve been told.”

She pushed back from the table and rose, though she hadn’t any idea where to go. Realizing that, she sat once again and huffed out a breath. He lifted his head, finally, and met her gaze. His shoulders slumped as his determination melted away.

“Do you not wish to go then?” he asked.

She fiddled with the spoon she’d placed on the table by her bowl, her soup forgotten. Apprehension swept through her. It was the same feeling she had when she decided to run away from the castle. Yet she’d done it anyway. She pushed aside the fear and took the risk and made it away from the keep without anyone noticing.

Wasn’t this much the same thing? She was taking another risk. If she agreed, then it would be one more step further away from her old life. One more step away from being the princess she’d always been.

“I have a suggestion,” he said, his voice soft. “Sleep on it.”

Her gaze drifted back to his. “Sleep on it?”

“Yes. When I have a difficult decision to make, I like to sleep on it and decide in the morning.” He rolled up the map and sat back in the chair. “What do you say?”

Slowly, she nodded. “All right.”

Just as she said it, Olga bustled back inside. “Horses are fed. Och, ye must be tired from yer travels. Come on, then. I’ll show ye to yer room.”

“Room?” Rosamund asked.

She gave a toothy grin. “’Fraid I only have one.” She waved for them to follow.

Edward clutched the rolled-up map in his hand. They both got to their feet as she led them to the winding staircase at the back of the cabin.

“Up here,” she said, pointing. “Two beds. One fer each of ye. Be gone before daylight.”

“Why?” Rose asked, suspicious.

“Why, to find the treasure, o’course. Good night!”

Then she was off, disappearing into one of the other rooms of the cabin and closing the door with a snap.

They stood there, each of them in stunned silence, until at last he motioned for her to take the first step.

“After you, my lady,” he said.

She started up the stairs, trepidation following her.

Chapter 16

Upthewindingwoodstaircase she went and stepped into the loft that was shrouded in darkness. Edward followed and halted next to her. He fumbled in his pocket and a moment later, she heard him strike a match.

True to her word, there were two narrow beds with a table between them. On the table, an oil lamp. He went to it and lit it. The yellow light illuminated the small loft in a soft glow.

“Well, it’s not much, but she did say she had beds for us,” he said.

He removed his sword belt and dagger and placed it on the floor by the bed, then perched on the one closest to the staircase. She took the one near the wall with the one window covered by shear curtains. She pushed back the material and peered out through the window but saw nothing but darkness and trees.

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