Page 9 of Promises Made at Midnight
“I don’t know how I could wish any harder. A man like that,” Bridgette said, pointing again at the statue, “is the stuff dreams are made of. I’ve never had the pleasure, I’m sorry to say, or ever even come close to finding true love with someone of his kind. I don’t think men of his integrity exist in today’s world and chivalry is long since dead, unless you’re like me, trying to find it at events like this one.”
The woman gazed at her as if mulling over her answer. She nodded her head as if she had answered her own question…whatever that would be.
“Let us put ye tae the test, shall we, my dear? If ye are truly worthy, yer wishes can and will come true.”
Bridgette wasn’t sure what the woman had in mind but she figured, what the hell did she have to lose? Her attention continued to focus on the old woman’s hands as they went to a pouch that hung from the belt of her dress.
She fumbled inside, her brows drawn together in a frown. “Now where has it gone? It has tae be the right one,” she muttered more to herself than for Bridgette’s ears. Her smile finally widened. “Ha! Here we are…”
Bridgette squinted as the sun hit the gold object the woman held out for her to take. She obviously meant for Bridgette to toss it into the fountain to make a wish, as she had done as a child on numerous occasions. “Oh, I can’t take money from someone I don’t know. Besides, I could just run back and get my purse to get a penny to toss.”
The woman shook her head, objecting to such a thought. She opened Bridgette’s hand to put the gold coin in her palm before closing her fingers around it. “No need, Bridgette. This coin is special and has been with my family fer generations. ’Twill bring ye luck. Now make a wish.”
“All the more reason for me not to accept it,” Bridgette replied trying to return the coin to the woman. She peered down at it and almost gasped at what she was holding in the palm of her hand. For God’s sake, it looked medieval in origin.
“I will not hear of it. Please, take it and make a wish before ’tis too late,” the woman advised, nodding toward the fountain.
“Before what’s too late?”
“Time…she is fickle, so ye best make the most of what ye have been given.”
“I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.”
“Ye will find out once ye make yer wish. Make it a good one and say it out loud. Spoken has a better impact, no matter that people tell ye that ye should keep yer wish unto yerself,” the woman urged again.
Bridgette laughed again, hoping she didn’t offend the kind lady. “This is crazy,” she said and turned to try once more to return the coin but the woman was gone as though she had disappeared into thin air. What the hell? She turned the coin over and over again in her hand before rubbing her thumb across the smooth metal.
Hurry, Bridgette!Time will not wait much longer fer ye tae decide yer fate.
Bridgette almost dropped the coin when the woman’s voice came inside her head. Deciding to get rid of the coin as fast as she could and return to the fair, Bridgette took one last look at the coin before arching back her arm.
“I wish to find a truly chivalrous and honorable man just like the knight before me,” she said aloud.
Swinging her arm forward, she tossed the golden coin and watched it flip end over end as it sparkled like starlight through the air. Waiting for the sound of the money to hit the water, she became dismayed when, instead, it ricocheted off the knight statue in front of her. She quickly stood to catch the errant coin, afraid she’d lose such a costly gift from the old woman if it happened to land in the bushes behind her.
She jumped up, for it sailed through the air higher than anticipated. It landed in her hand and she grinned, feeling triumphant. But as her feet hit the ground, that elation abruptly halted. A trail of stars began circling her body, moving upward and disappearing over her head. In awe, Bridgette wondered what was happening to her and then she had her answer. Nothing could have prepared her for the unknown force that slammed into her, knocking her to the ground. Her eyes blurred and she swore she saw the statue of the knight come to life to gaze down upon her.
Yer wish be granted, my dearest Bridgette.She heard that same faerie-like voice inside her head an instant before her eyes began to roll back into her head, darkness descended, and she knew no more.
CHAPTER7
Ulrick watched Godfrey land flat on his arse… again. Bare chested with his body slick from oil, his anger once more got the better of him. He rose and charged like a raging bull at his opponent who reached out his arm and caught the angry young knight unawares. The lad somersaulted in the air, landing this time on his stomach. Raucous laughter rang out through the circle of men and women who had watched the wrestling match. Godfrey smothered an animal-like growl when Drake’s foot held the youth down in the middle of his back.
“Yield,” Drake demanded pushing harder to get across his point that he would be the victor of this set.
“Nay,” Godfrey muttered, trying to rise, and failing despite his best efforts.
“I said yield, lest you wish to be further humiliated and allow the crowd to make you a laughing stock of the entire faire.”
Godfrey’s fists hit the ground. “Aye!” he bellowed. “I yield.”
Drake released his foot and the boy furiously got to his feet, rejecting Drake’s hand and offer of assistance. He clearly did not know how to graciously accept defeat. “One must learn humility in order to also enjoy the riches of victory,” Drake forewarned. “’Twould be wise to learn such a lesson early or you will never make it into Lord Dristan’s personal guard.”
“I shall make it,” Godfrey retorted, before storming off to clean himself.
Ulrick held out his hand and a coin was pressed into his palm. Chuckling, he put the tenure away in a pouch at his belt. “My thanks for the wager, Bertram.”
“Bah! I thought he would at the very least put in a fair showing with Drake. Are you sure he will make it another se’nnight?” Bertram speculated.
