Page 16 of Turret

My heart fluttered at the possibility…before I gave my head a rigid shake. Of course he hadn’t meantme. I wasn’t the slightest bit interesting and thus wouldn’t warrant such attention. Any he paid me was solely due to his duty to guard me as one of my father’s most trusted knights. It was ridiculous to think otherwise.

I ducked behind my book, signaling an end to this strange conversation before it’d even fully begun. Even without looking at him, I sensed Quinn’s flare of distress and silently cursed his observation that made himnotnoticing that something was troubling me utterly impossible.

He hesitated a moment before slowly approaching to stand beside me. I sensed his worry but tried to resist looking at him. As before when I’d bound his hand, I felt a strange thrill at his nearness, a feeling which both warmed me and frightened me.

Quinn finally spoke. “Are you well, Princess? Did I say something to upset you?”

I tried to resist, but his voice drew my gaze to him beyond my control. I shyly peeked up from my book to take in his sweet concern. A strange flutter filled my stomach and I couldn’t help but stare at him—his serious but handsome features, his large hazel eyes, the sweet way he looked at me. I sensed something shifting between us, a change which had been occurring for quite some time; it was only just now I was beginning to notice.

My heartbeat escalated in fear, just as it did whenever I considered leaving the safety of the tower. Exploring what was happening between us would force me to tumble into the unknown, a thought that terrified me beyond all others.

I wasn’t strong enough to face it.

Desperate to escape the unfamiliar feelings occurring between us, I snapped my book shut and hastily stood, only to be overcome by a wave of dizziness. I swayed, but before I could lose my footing, Quinn’s firm arms wrapped around me, holding me steady.

I was unprepared for the emotions that filled me from his touch, far more powerful than the ones I’d experienced when touching his hand to tend his wound. My breath caught and I tentatively peered up at him. He studied me with deep concern. “Are you alright, Gemma?”

The tender way he looked at me, the soft way he spoke my name…it was so different from how it used to be between us…or perhaps for the first time I was seeing it for what it really was, a thought which only escalated the terror encasing my heart. If only I could turn back time to before this moment, for now that I was experiencing these emotions they’d be impossible to ever forget.

As if suddenly realizing how just how close we stood and how long he’d held me, Quinn hastily released me, but not enough for me to lose my balance. Even after stepping back he didn’t pull away completely, as if, like me, he couldn’t bear the thought of distance.

“Are you alright?” he asked again, his tone more uncertain.

It took me a moment to find my voice. “I’m fine. Just…a little dizzy.” I regretted the admission the moment I gave it, for Quinn’s expression immediately shifted to his fierce protectiveness, the look that usually preceded his fretting. “Please, Quinn,” I hastily pleaded. “There’s no need to worry.”

He hesitated before reluctantly nodding. I released a relieved sigh and finally stepped fully away from him, not realizing how warm his enfolding presence had been until we were no longer close. I shivered and wound my arms around myself. Quinn immediately retrieved my shawl, which lay discarded on the settee, and wrapped it tenderly around my shoulders.

I settled back in my seat and watched as Quinn went to the hearth to stoke the fire. The flames grew, bringing additional warmth, but it was nothing to how cozy I’d been while standing so near him. My heart gave another strange twinge.

He finished tending the fire and turned to face me. “Is there anything else I can help you with?” His look was almost desperate with eagerness to be given a task.

My cheeks flared with heat once more. “Actually…I was hoping you’d converse with me. Though you’ve served me for years, I realize I know little about you.” The desire to remedy that was stronger than mere curiosity, an emotion that I still had no name for.

He shifted nervously on his feet. “As it should be, Your Highness; my duty is solely to guard you.” He noticed the hurt filling my expression and had the sense to look contrite. “Please be assured that I want nothing more than to converse with you. I’m just afraid…that deepening our friendship will cause me to falter in my duties. I can’t afford any distractions.”

I sighed. “There’s little need to worry about protecting me; the tower’s enchantments do that job well enough.”

He frowned, even as his gaze darted around the room almost suspiciously. “I’m still unconvinced the tower can be trusted.”

Apprehension squeezed my chest as my own attention went to the walls that surrounded me in their protective cocoon, just as they always had. I sat close enough to reach my hand out to stroke the stone; magic caressed my palm, assuring me of our friendship and its devotion.

“There’s nothing to worry about concerning the tower…unless you suspect the furniture is plotting to go rogue.”

I hoped for a smile, but his serious expression didn’t even falter…though by the amusement in his eyes I sensed he wanted to. “I shall promptly begin a thorough investigation of each piece of furniture to discern whether or not they can be trusted.”

I fully smiled at that, and after a moment’s hesitation, he returned it. “See?” I said teasingly. “It’s not so frightening talking with me rather that vigilantly watching me.”

His smile faltered slightly, but thankfully not completely. “Forgive me, I never meant to give you the impression I don’t enjoy conversing with you. In truth, it’s one of my favorite things.”

My heart swelled at his words, and once more my confusing feelings stirred to life. But rather than trying to push them away as I’d done before, I found that this sweet moment with Quinn was stronger than my earlier fears, making me yearn to explore these new emotions further.

But before I could even begin, Quinn shifted uneasily and his gaze darted between me and the door. I recognized that look, for this was an inner battle he experienced several times a day.

I bit my lips to keep back a smile. “As diverting as watching me for hours on end likely is, you’re allowed to take a break, Quinn.”

He sighed. “I know, but…I hate leaving you without protection even for a few minutes, even when you have Melina’s presence, especially since there’s something I need to look into that could keep me away from you longer than I want.”

My brow puckered with feigned confusion. “You mean there’s something more pressing than continuously watching me for hours on end? You must tell who my competition is for your coveted attention at once.”

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