Rich, earthy loam and the pine scent of the forest permeated the limestone walls as they followed the narrow, twisting tunnel which led deep into the foundation of the cliff at a steadily upward incline. Although there was enough width for the two of them to walk abreast, Bastien led the way, insisting on protecting his princess.
They encountered no animals or intruders, just tangled roots overhead, as if they were traveling beneath the forest. After a while, the incline of the path became quite steep, and Gabrielle sheathed her sword to accept Bastien’s helping hand while she hoisted the long hem of her gown with her other.
To their mutual surprise, they arrived at an impasse where a metal door appeared in the roof of the cave above them.
He handed her the torch and sheathed his sword. “Stay here while I try to open it.” Climbing up the side embankment of the walled impasse, Bastien stood, braced himself, and—arms overhead—pushed open the trapdoor. “Please pass me the torch, so I can see inside.” With the flame that she handed him, he peered into the opening of the entrance overhead. “I can’t believe it…” he gasped, looking down at her on the floor below. “This leads into the castle!” Returning the torch to her so that he could use both arms, he pulled himself up and looked down at her from the hole above her head. “This is the bottom of the keep. In the foundation of the castle. Pass me the torch, and I’ll pull you up.”
On her knees, she climbed up the side of the loamy embankment, stood, and gripped the sides of the hole above her head. As she pulled herself up, Bastien clasped one arm, guiding her into the cavernous chamber. She rose to her feet, dusted the dirt from her gown, and took in her surroundings.
They were inside a storage area where crates of goods were stacked along the stone walls at the base of a set of stairs extending up into the castle.
Bastien climbed the steps leading to the heavy metal door and attempted to open it, but it was locked from within. “When we return to the castle, we’ll come down here and open this door. What an amazing discovery—a means of escape, should we ever need it.” He grinned at Gabrielle, whose emerald eyes blazed in the torchlight.
He slid through the trapdoor, back down into the tunnel, and accepted the torch, which he stuck firmly into the ground at his side. As she lowered her legs through the opening, he clasped her waist and eased her to the ground. Closing the trapdoor overhead, he unsheathed his sword, picked up the torch, and led Gabrielle through the dark tunnel, back toward the cave.
As they followed the meandering path, Gabrielle pointed to another passageway, leading away from the castle in a different direction. “Bastien, look! Another tunnel.”
He held the torch to illuminate the path, which led away from the beach, deeper into the cliff.
“Can we follow it?” she asked breathlessly, her eyes wide with wonder.
Long red tresses cascading to her waist, smudges of grime on her eager face, her hands clasped together in anticipatory delight, she melted his hardened heart. And stirred his savage soul.
“If it pleases you, of course. But I’ll lead the way.”
Her dazzling smile took his breath away.
Once again, the path led in an increasingly steep incline, with thick roots overhead and the unmistakable pine scent of the forest. The dark tunnel twisted and turned, leading deeper into the base of the cliff, emptying at last into a vast cave which exited into a dense forest.
Bastien led Gabrielle out of the cavern and into the thick woods. At the sight of the familiar lake, his jaw dropped in astonishment. “That’sle Lac de Poulinoc, where we squires used to swim and fish. My brothers and I used to hunt in this forest. We’re behind the castle… about a half mile to the east.” Grinning at the discovery, he led her toward the edge of the lake where rays of the afternoon sun reflected on the rippled, shimmering surface, reveling in the sheer delight on her beaming, incredulous face.
“We’ve found a secret passage from the castle to the beach. And another leading into these woods.” She walked up to him, her eyes aglow, her face alit with pleasure. “Thank you so much, Bastien. For this adventure. For this taste of freedom—something I never have.”
Golden sunlight glittered in her deep green eyes like facets of rare emeralds. “I shall always treasure this day, this discovery. This secret we share, you and I.” She placed her slender white hand over his galloping heart and stood on tiptoes to kiss his scarred cheek. Her luxurious red hair smelled of roses, her lush lips so full and soft. His body throbbed; he ached to take her in his arms. To devour her lips, caress her porcelain skin…claim her as his own.
Instead, he bowed his head respectfully and backed away, tamping down his impossible desire. “I am pleased that you enjoyed our adventure, my lady. But we must return to the castle.”
“Could we come here again? I would love to practice archery in these woods.”
“If that is your wish. I’ll arrange for the guards to accompany us.”
“No…then I’ll be the royal princess again, under watchful, dutiful eyes. I want to leave that all behind—at least for a few hours. To experience the glorious thrill of freedom.” She glanced longingly at the lake. “Never before have I had the chance to swim in a lake. I wish it were summertime…”
I am grateful that it is not, for if I were to swim with you…with the gown clinging to your long, lithe body, your glorious hair floating on the gentle waves…It would be agonizing, unbearable torture.
“Could we please come here tomorrow? Just you and I?” Her large, limpid eyes imploring, he drowned in their emerald depths.
“Of course, Your Majesty. I am at your service. Always.” He bent at the waist in nobleobéisance. “But for now, we must return to the castle.”
****
“Come with us, Bastien. Sir Pontivy is guarding the princess tonight, and you have the evening free. A few of the knights are going toLa Galinette—we’ll eat our fill ofmoules,drink some fine mead,find a willing tavern wench. C’mon, it’ll do you good to tumble a pretty lass.” Gaultier grinned as he belted his sword, a lusty glint dancing in his dark, mischievous eyes.
Several knights lingered near the castle door, waiting for Gaultier to join them.
“Not tonight. I need to check on the horses. Go on without me. And have a good time.” Bastien heartily clasped his older brother’s shoulder as he exited the castle. Heading toward the stables, he chuckled softly. With his dashing good looks and chivalrous charm, Gaultier was immensely popular with the ladies.
But Bastien had no desire to bed a comely tavern wench.
