Page 88 of Under the Mistletoe
Astryn mounted her horse and nudged it toward the gate. She spoke to the first guard. “Which way did King Rand ride?”
“West, milady. But you shouldn’t ride out alone.” The pale green of his uniform was dulled by the gray sky. “A storm could arrive any minute.”
“I am a proficient rider.” She edged her way through the gate but looked back. “I won’t be gone long.”
Astryn dug her heels in and turned west and didn’t slow until she approached the river. She scanned the area. Nothing. She was certain this was where he’d go. Her horse sidestepped and jerked his head.
Astryn reached out a soothing hand. “What’s the matter, girl?”
A stick snapped behind her, but before she could turn and look, the horse twisted and reared as it belted out a shrill whinny. Her foot slipped from the saddle as the reins ripped free from her hands. Her backside landed with a bone-chilling smack in the thick mud. Astryn rolled away as the horse’s front hooves plunged into the mud, just missing her. There was another movement in the underbrush, and her horse hurried back the direction she came from.
Just great. She twisted in the mud, trying to right herself, as she focused on where the noise had come from.
Please let it not be a wild animal…or worse.
When Rand stepped into view, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to scream at him or cry with relief.
He took a step closer, offering her a hand. He scanned her over from head to toe as he helped her stand. No doubt she was quite the sight. He pulled a kerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. “What are you doing here?”
She wiped away the mud from her hands. “Me? What am I doing here? What areyoudoing here?” She stepped closer and poked him in the chest. “We’re finally here, safe in Kenthor, and yet you still won’t talk to me. I have a vivid memory of you saying you love me as we rode, and yet you don’t act like it. Was that a dream or is that real? Is it always going to be this way between us? Do you hate me that much?”
He grabbed her hand still jabbing his chest. He held it firmly, but she could have easily pulled away if she wanted to. “You have no idea how hard this is for me.”
“Being married to me?”
“No. Being married to you when you wish you were married to Orin.”
What in the world was he talking about? “I donotwish I was married to Orin.”
Rand’s golden eyes didn’t even soften.
“It is true. I’d give anything for Orin’s life to have been spared.” She clutched her pendant at her neck. “I wish I could have saved him like I was supposed to. But I never loved him. How could I? I was in love with someone else.”
“You love someone else?” Some of the wall he’d been keeping between them slipped.
“I am in love with a man who is strong.” Her free hand slid over his bicep. His eyes closed a moment, but she was talking now, and he was going to hear it all. “He is kind.” Her hand moved over his shoulder until it rested over his heart. He drew in a steadying breath. “He is brave, and wise, and?—”
“Handsome?” His lip ticced up on one side.
“So handsome.” Her hand traveled up to his jaw. And he released a ragged breath as her thumb passed just below his bottom lip. “And I have loved him from the moment he offered to build me a cottage by another river. And I need to know if there is any chance that man might love me.”
“I’ve been so afraid to love you.” Rand’s hands snaked around her waist, pulling her closer. “Everything I love, I lose. I can’t lose you too. But you have made it impossible.”
“So it wasn’t a dream?” She rose on her toes as he bent over her, pressing his forehead to hers.
“Not a dream, just a moment of weakness.” His warm breath dusted her lips as his hands moved up to cradle the back of her head. “But I’m done fighting it. My heart has always been and forever will be yours.”
“And mine yours.” She closed her eyes as she pressed her lips into his. His mouth was soft and welcoming. He smelled of hearth and leather. That was so Rand. He was now the king, but a part of him would always be a bit wild, and she loved that. As he deepened the kiss, Astryn’s hands gripped his sides, wanting—no needing—him closer. And as Rand claimed her mouth, it was as if right here in this moment, everything made sense. As if everything in her life had been leading to this point. All the pain, heartache, and strife she’d gone through had been worth it. And anything she had yet to face was possible. He was her husband, and together they could face anything.
His muscles suddenly tensed under her fingers, and she opened her eyes to find his intense eyes locked on hers. He moved his mouth to right above her ear. “We are not alone.”
He unwound his hands from her hair in a caress as if they were still in the dance of the kiss. His right hand skimmed along her body until moving to the hilt of his sword at his side. With his left hand, he traveled his fingers along her right arm, then captured her wrist.
A tremor flowed through Astryn as he spoke again. His voice was barely audible. “There are at least three of them.”
He slid her hand to his hip under his coat. When her fingers found the hilt of a dagger, she gripped it and gave a small nod.
“On three, get behind me. One. Two.” He brushed one last kiss over her forehead. “Three.” Rand released her and pulled his weapon at the same time. He shifted in the movement to stand between her and the three assailants. They had no doubt been on the road for some time, and their lack of hygiene testified to that. Another glance told her they were just meant to look like petty thieves. Their swords were too fine. Their stances too balanced. They were trained soldiers—or more likely assassins. Astryn scanned the area, looking for signs of more, but came up empty.
