Page 59 of Once Upon an Enchanted Kiss

They rode all day until the sun started to dip toward the horizon. He kept a good pace, only slowing the horse over rough terrain. When exhaustion from being up most of the night finally caught up to her, she managed to doze.

“Rose, look!”

Her head snapped up, her neck aching. She stretched as tall as was possible to peer over his shoulder as he brought the horse to a halt.

Though the trees were still dense here, there was a break where there was stone rockface. At the sight of it, her breath hitched in surprise and a gasp escaped her lips. A jolt of excitement skittered down her spine, sending shivers of anticipation dancing along her skin. The sight of it ignited a fierce eagerness propelling her forward with her continued determination.

“The cave?” she asked.

“Let’s find out.”

His voice quivered with a mix of enthusiasm and anticipation. He slid out of the saddle, then turned with his arms outstretched to help her down. She swung her good leg over but didn’t quite calculate the distance correctly and practically fell off the horse. Phillip was there, though, catching her in his arms.

They came nose to nose. Her breath caught in her throat as she peered up at him. It was as though there was an eager anticipation emanating off him. It was difficult for her deny she felt the same. She could not deny the yearning sweeping through her, trying to melt away her resolve.

“This is the second time you’ve landed in my arms.”

His voice was low and dark and floated over her, sending her senses reeling. He was so close his breath fanned her face as he spoke. So close, his lips were a breath away from hers.

“I’ll try not to make a habit of it.” Much to her dismay, her voice trembled.

The smile in his eyes contained a sensuous flame.

“Pity.” Then he released her to turn toward the rockface. “This has to be the dragon’s cave, don’t you think?”

Was he nervous? Did she knock him off kilter as he did her? She smiled to herself as he spoke.

“As you said, let’s find out,” she said, nudging him with her elbow.

There was a spark of elation in his eyes as he looked at her and nodded. “Right.”

He took her by the hand, making her heart soar with delight, and led her toward the rockface.

Overhead, there was the unmistakablewhump, whumpof wings. They both paused to look up as the shadow moved across the illuminated sky. The sun had not yet set. Her heart picked up speed.

“We better hurry,” he said.

He released her hand and jogged toward the rockface. She hurried after him. As they approached, though, they both saw it was nothing more than rock. No cave. But Rosamund saw there was what appeared to be a well-worn trail to the left and took it.

“I think it’s this way,” she said.

He followed her. “Don’t you think I should lead?”

“Why? Just because you’re the man?” she said.

“Well—”

“I’m perfectly capable—”

Her words were cut short by a creature leaping out in front of her. She squealed and stumbled backward, her weak ankle protesting at the sudden movement. The small, big eared creature with a long nose bared its teeth at her, lifting his hands with sharp pointy nails, and then growled.

“Och, did I frighten ye?” he said.

Phillip moved around her, pushing her behind him in a protective gesture. The creature’s ears drooped and his face fell as he looked up at Phillip with big, black eyes.

“I didn’t mean to frighten the lady. Honest. I thought she was something good to eat.”

“Be gone, goblin,” Phillip said with a wave of his hand. “There’s nothing to eat here.”

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