“What?” he asked.
“I was just realizing that I’ve always associated you with the smell of horse...”
“What?!”
“I’ve never been this close to you without Blossom before,” she explained.
She felt a responding laughter bubble up in his chest.
“Do you like it?” He chuckled.
“Do I like Blossom’s smell?” She tried to twist her head back to see his face, but he dropped her hands and wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her in place.
“No,” he whispered. “Do you like being this close to me?”
She closed her eyes again, feeling the warmth of his body surround her. She nodded. “I think so.”
“I like it.” He grunted possessively and kissed the top of her head.
Her mind became fuzzy at the feeling of his soft lips and firm jaw against her head. The honest directness in his words melted her. “I want to stay right here forever,” she whispered. Her hands rested hesitantly on his chest, and she wondered what it would feel like to lift them around his shoulders instead, slip her hands around the back of his neck and gaze into his eyes. Maybe even stand on tiptoe to bring her face closer to his...
Heat flooded her cheeks, and she smiled. She did like being close to him. Just being near him made her calm the constant worries that flowed through her mind. She appreciated his gentle actions and comical words. His emotions were always clear and easy to understand. Even his expression was so open and honest that she never had to guess what he was thinking or feeling. She held her breath, wanting this moment to last forever.
“You went rigid. Is something wrong?” His question broke through her thoughts.
“I’m afraid that if I move, I’ll melt. Like butter,” she replied, her blushing face still buried in his chest.
“I won’t let you melt.” He leaned away just the slightest bit, positioning his head so he could see her better.
She leaned back to look up at him, keeping her arms around him. “I already have,” she whispered.
His gaze dropped from her eyes to her lips.
She opened them slightly, finding it difficult to breathe. Was he going to kiss her? Did she want him to kiss her?
The muscles in his jaw tensed. He released her from the hug and quickly moved his hands to hold her face, then dropped a quick kiss on her forehead before letting her go completely.
She swallowed, feeling lightheaded and a little disappointed. She did want to know what it would be like to kiss him.
He had turned slightly to face the tapestry. She did the same while trying to steady her breath. They were standing side by side. The little patch of blue sky that she had started to sew in the midst of the destroyed panel was bright and clear. The large, black needle lay next to it where they had left it.
“It looks like we have found some magic.” His voice was calm and collected, as though he were stating an everyday fact. But while he spoke, he reached out and brushed the back of her hand.
She slipped her hand into his.
Chapter 19
Onric swung his sword at the wooden shield. The small round disc had been attached to a post in the inner courtyard of the palace. The shield shuddered under his attack, but it did not break or fall. He swung again. His steel blade made contact with the center of the shield, and the impact rattled in his bones. The shield shook on its foundation, wooden slabs straining against the iron bands that held it together.
“It’s a strong shield, but I’m not sure how many blows it can take,” Onric said, turning to face his audience in the courtyard. “The wood is already beginning to flex under the pressure.”
King Frederich, Lord Munney, and a number of the king’s other advisors were watching him closely.
“This is just a basic shield.” Lord Munney stepped forward, speaking to the whole group. “One that could be created at any smithy in Chendas or here in Iseldis, I’m sure. A number of blows such as you just saw from the young prince would indeed shatter the wood.”
Onric rested the tip of his sword on the ground to ease the weight on his shoulder. From where he was standing at the center of the activity, he could clearly see the faces of Iseldis’s advisors as they listened to Lord Munney. Most of these men were seasoned warriors who had spent their lives patrolling the borders of their kingdom before serving the king in a more passive capacity. Telling these particular men about the capabilities of a basic wooden shield was like telling an adult how to use a spoon. A few of the advisors had raised their eyebrows at Lord Munney’s explanation, but most of them were polite enough to listen attentively to the Council member from Chendas.
“Now, Your Highness,” Lord Munney continued, “if you would turn your attention to the second shield.”
