For the first few moments of silence, guilt crept upon her. Should she apologize for kissing him so boldly? Yet, she really wasn’t sorry. She quite enjoyed the closeness they had shared, and for as long as she lived, she would never forget that incredible kiss.
She sneaked a peek at him. Instead of a happy expression, he wore a scowl. Her heart dropped. Oh, no! He was regretting their kiss, she just knew it. Or was he just upset about their uninvited and unknown visitor? She didn’t dare ask for fear she wouldn’t like his answer.
They traveled for a few more grueling minutes without saying a word. If he didn’t say something soon, she would go mad.
Her mind drifted back to what they had discussed so far today. For some reason, one question hung heavy on her mind. Although he had answered her when she questioned him about working for her father, something just didn’t ring true.
She released an audible sigh, and he turned his head and looked at her. She smiled, and thankfully, he returned the gesture.
“Ryder? I’ve been wondering something about you since this morning.”
“What could that be?”
“You went to college to further your career, and yet when you returned, you became a king’s guard. Why?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Is being a king’s guard a lowly career? I think not, my sweet. I’ve known other men who wanted to work for your father, but they were not selected. And women adore men who are guards.” He winked.
He was such a tease! “Yes, you are correct; however, I know you...or at least Iknewyou. I thought you wanted to be something more than what your father and grandfather had been.”
He nodded. “Once upon a time, I did feel that way.”
“What changed your mind?”
His hesitation made her more curious. There was definitely something he didn’t want her to know. Would he trust her enough to tell her?
FIVE
Ryder really didn’tknow how to answer. He wanted to be honest, but telling her the truth would certainly frighten her.
She was correct in assuming he wanted more out of life. Being a king’s guard was good, but it wasn’t what he wanted to do. Most of his adolescent years, he yearned for an intense mystery, only because he loved solving them. He loved putting his mind to good use and figuring out problems no matter what they were. He wanted to become an investigator of sorts, even if it meant he had to leave the kingdom and wander the world to find some place that would need his knowledge and expertise.
It wasn’t until he had returned from college and discovered his father was on his deathbed, that his instincts had come into play. The signs his father had shown—pale face, loss of hair, vomiting, and being in a confused state—pointed to only one thing: he’d been poisoned.
Ryder began asking questions around town and to the other guards of the king. Suspiciously, three other guards were also so sick with a stomach ailment that they had to quit their positions with the royal court—all within a six month period.
It was obvious to him that someone was out to kill the king’s guards. This was why he’d decided to become a guard himself. He’d figure out this mystery before another man died.
