One of the other guards cleared his throat. Ryder’s gaze jumped up to meet him and his cheery expression quickly disappeared. When he met her gaze again, he nodded. “We should be on our way now. The king is waiting for you.”
She didn’t say a word as Ryder walked behind her to his horse and mounted. Two guards rode in front of her, two in back. Thankfully, her childhood friend was within talking distance.
“Tell me, Ryder,” she began, aiming her words at him from over her shoulder. “When did you start working for my father?”
The smile she’d seen on his face a few minutes ago returned and made his eyes sparkle again. He urged his horse a little faster to trot beside her. “I’ve been with the king for six months now. I don’t know if you remember, but my family has always worked for the king. My father and grandfather were guards as well.”
“I must have forgotten. How very fascinating. How is your family doing? Your older sister married right before I left, correct?”
As he answered her questions, she studied his handsome face—full lips and square jaw covered lightly with a goatee and soft, coffee-colored eyes that danced with excitement when he spoke. He’d always had such a charming personality, and as kids, he’d made her laugh too many times to count. They’d gotten into mischief as well, which made her memories all the more enjoyable.
Why hadn’t she ever thought of him as someone she might want to know better? True, he wasn’t royalty, but he did come from a good family. She’d always thought he was handsome, so why hadn’t she been interested in him as marriage material? Probably because she hadn’t wanted to look for a husband back then, and because she didn’t know if her parents would allow someone who wasn’t of royal blood to court her.
It took only ten minutes to arrive at the medical facility. Clarissa could have listened to Ryder’s deep, soothing voice all day. Thankfully, he was the first one to jump to her side to assist her dismount. She clutched his wide shoulders as he lifted her from the horse. Heavens, he was strong. It took all of her willpower not to sigh aloud.
His kind eyes held her gaze the whole time, causing pitter-patters in her chest. She could have melted in his arms, but once her feet were firmly planted on the ground, he released her and stepped back.
When the warmth from their touch disappeared, she felt empty. “Thank you, Ryder. We shall have to finish catching up later.”
He nodded. “I look forward to it, Princess.”
Memories crept in her mind of those times when they were young and used to cause mayhem in the classroom. She’d begged her parents to let her go to regular school like the other children her age instead of being privately tutored. Reluctantly, they’d agreed. In school, she’d wanted to feel like a normal child instead of royalty. Ryder had always treated her like a good friend, while the other children acted as if they had to bow or curtsy every time she walked by. She’d hated that. Then the years seemed to go faster, and they grew into adults. That’s when her childhood crush had turned into a great, binding friendship between them. Their adventures hadn’t been as fun the older they became. She had been given more responsibilities as a princess, and he had wanted to further his education by going to Woodmist University. That was when things changed, and they slowly drifted apart. She missed those lost years.
When she entered the children’s ward, some of the children cheered and waved. The head nurse rushed to her and curtsied. “Welcome home, Princess.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Meyers. Is my father around?”
“He is still in a meeting, I’m afraid.”
Clarissa grinned. “Good. That means I can spend more time with the children.”
There were many new faces but a few she’d recognized from a year ago. These were the terminally ill children that came in regularly for treatments. Her heart went out to them, wishing she could cure them somehow. But for now, her friendship would have to suffice.
Charlotte, the sickest of all of them, lay in bed. Her gaze followed Clarissa. When the princess moved closer to the girl’s bed, Charlotte smiled widely.
“It’s so good to see you again.” Clarissa patted the girl’s hand tenderly.
“I have missed your stories, Princess.”
Young voices chimed in agreement, and Clarissa laughed. “Do you want me to tell you a story, then?” The chimes turned into shouts of excitement, which made her laugh harder. “All right, I will.”
Mrs. Meyers brought a chair for her as the children gathered around...well, those who could get out of bed, anyway. “What story do you wish me to tell?”
The children were silent as they looked from one to the other. Finally Charlotte straightened slightly in her bed. “I would love to hear the story about the man and the Rapunzel flower.”
Clarissa had always told the children stories, making them sound as if they were fictitious. They’d be surprised to know that most of these stories were true. But it was more fun to tell them as though they were not real.
“Once upon a time,” she began, and the children hushed, “there was a man who was to become king, and he fell in love with the most beautiful girl in the kingdom. He wanted to win her love by doing something no other man had ever dared to do. He wanted to obtain for her the most beautiful of flowers: the Rapunzel flower. But the only place the flower grew was near a tower in the east forest where a wicked old witch lived as a recluse from the rest of the kingdom.”
She paused, linking her fingers together and resting them on her lap. Before she continued, she noticed a man walk into the room, wearing a familiar uniform. It surprised her to see Ryder here, but then, he was probably assigned to keep watch on her today. Secretly, she found herself hoping he was there for her because he wanted to be, and not only because it was his duty to watch over her. He smiled at her as he leaned against the wall, folding his arms over his muscular chest.
“Nobody else had dared enter the witch’s gardens,” she continued, peering back at the children. “But this man was different. He was the bravest in the whole kingdom, and he would do what was necessary to win the fair maiden’s love.” She lowered her voice for this next part. “So one night, he scaled the large rock wall that separated the witch from the rest of the kingdom and entered her gardens. Cautiously, he crept to the Rapunzel flower and plucked it from the ground.”
She paused, trying to create a suspenseful moment. The children seemed enthralled with the story so far, as they all leaned forward and remained silent.
“But before this man could leave, the witch jumped in his path, stopping him.” Some of the children sucked in their breath. “She wanted to cast a spell over him for stealing her flower, but he convinced her not to harm him. He told the witch of his great love for a fair maiden, and how he wanted to impress her with the loveliest flower in the kingdom. The witch was taken with this man’s devotion, so she promised to let him go on one condition.”
Once again, she paused for effect. But the children became restless and asked, “What was the condition?” She sneaked a peak at Ryder, and he appeared eager to hear the rest of the story, too. She bit back a laugh and focused on the children.
