Breathless with excitement, she blocked his strike, deftly twirling her body and blade, disarming him in a sudden, surprising surge of strength.
Long red tresses whipping wildly in the wind, a triumphant smile illuminating her sun kissed cheeks, she reveled in the glorious thrill of victory.
His Viking Princess of Finistère.
“It’s exhilarating!” she cried exuberantly, her dark green eyes ablaze. “I’ve regained my strength and skill… enough to disarm my chivalrous royal guard.” She bent to retrieve his weapon, handing it to him as he sheathed the returned blade. “Thank you for allowing me that. I know it was a gift to restore my pride. Perhaps one day…I’ll be able to do it on my own.”
She gazed out at the sea and inhaled deeply, then whirled toward him with an impish grin. “I’d love to walk on the beach. Let’s ride up ahead, through the forest. We can tether the horses and leave them with the guards at the edge of the cliff, while we follow the path down to the shore. It’s such a beautiful day, I have no desire to return to the dismal castle and my dreary duties as princess. Will you escort me, my loyal royal guard?” She laughed freely, raced to her magnificent gray horse, and slid effortlessly into the saddle, as if she had been born to ride across the wild, windswept moors of the craggy Breton coast.
Bastien dashed after her, mounted his robust stallion Drach, and barked commands to the awaiting royal guards. Soon, he was galloping through the dense forest in pursuit of the impetuous princess, followed by a dozen armored knights ofle Château de Beaufort.
They arrived at a clearing near the edge of the woods on top of the precipice overlooking the expansive sea. A narrow path led from the forested ledge down to a secluded, sandy shore sheltered by the protective jutting curve of the jagged, rocky cliff.
Tethering the horses to graze with the dozen royal guards who dismounted to rest their chargers, Bastien took Gabrielle’s hand and led her down the long, narrow, winding path to the white sandy shore of the beach far below.
Pounding waves crashed against the rocky outcrop, the turbulent surf reduced to a gentle inlet which lapped upon the sandy shore. Fluffy clouds scattered across the cerulean sky, seagulls squawking in the saline spray as Gabrielle sat down upon a large rock.
“Please, allow me.” Bastien unlaced and removed her pointed leather boots, sitting beside her to remove his own.
She stood and stretched, extending her arms above her head. Eyes closed, she raised her face to the sky, as if savoring the warmth of the mild, late autumn sun. “The sun feels good,” she hummed, “and I love the crisp, cleansing scent of the sea.” Lowering her beautiful, blissful face, she beamed at him.
And took his breath away.
“Look!” she cried, pointing toward the curved cliff. “There’s a sea cave up ahead. Let’s explore!”
Drawing his sword, Bastien insisted on inspecting the cave before allowing Gabrielle to enter.
Inside the limestone grotto, which was burrowed into the curved face of the cliff, sand covered one side of the cave floor, forming a path—with seawater flowing along the other wall into a brilliant turquoise pool. The back of the cave, which curved deeper into the foundation of the bluff, was dry sand and solid rock, the hollow walls echoing and reverberating the roar of the pounding surf.
“This is magical!” Gabrielle exuded when Bastien beckoned her to enter and join him. Arms extending out from her sides, she spun in a dance of delight as she absorbed the astonishing raw beauty of the hidden sea cave. Pearlescent walls, laden with moisture, glistened and reflected the aqua luminescence of the pool like sparkling, glittering gems.
Bastien ventured into the dark, twisting tunnel as Gabrielle walked up behind him. “There’s a passage here, leading beyond the back wall. It curves to the left—deeper into the cliff.”
“Let’s follow and see where it leads.” Her eyes were wide with wonder, her breath hitching with excitement.
“It’s too dark without a torch. We’ll come back tomorrow. I’ll bring one to light the way.”
“An exciting adventure. I cannot wait!” Gabrielle threw her arms around his neck and exuberantly kissed his cheek.
Her scent, her touch, her full lips… Bastien’s body surged in response, his limbs shaking with want and need. He retreated abruptly from her embrace and spun away, scorched by the flames of desire. “We must head back now. It’s time to return to the castle. Come, my princess.”
Was that hurt he glimpsed in her downcast eyes? He swallowed a sorrowful lump of guilt. She would soon be wedded to another man. She could never be his. Scowling at himself for his undeniable, unchivalrous lust, he gallantly led his princess out of the hidden cave.
They walked in silence across the secluded beach, back to the stone where he seated her and brushed the sand from her bare feet. As he gripped her ankle, her gown fell away, revealing a long, lithe white leg. Painful, throbbing desire forced him to step back and adjust his braies as he reached for her leather boots.
She looked up at him, her inquisitive eyes filled with sadness and confusion. “Is something wrong, Sir Bastien? You seem angry. Have I displeased you?”
Not you, my princess. Never you.I’m angry at myself for the impossible yearning which sickens my soul.“No, not at all, Your Majesty. Quite the contrary. I am merely preoccupied with the many duties that await me this afternoon. That is all.” He forced a polite smile as he tamped down his shameful lust. Swiftly donning his own boots, he extended a chivalrous hand to help Gabrielle to her feet.
And escorted his beautiful princess up the path to the forested ledge where their horses and royal guards awaited.
****
“It is most unbecoming behavior for a future queen.”
“Indeed, Béatrice, the entire Parisian court is ablaze with scandal. Princess Gabrielle, galivanting across the moors like a heathen. Bow and arrows strapped to her back, a sword sheathed at her hip. It is absolutely deplorable and utterly unacceptable. You must stop it immediately.”
Gabrielle overheard the scathing remarks as she approached the royal solar to greet her great-aunt’s guests who had just arrived from Paris, ostensibly for a friendly visit. But Gabrielle knew the real reason the vicious vipers were here.
