Page 59 of Keeper of the Flame: Orrick

“You have no idea,” he told her, spinning her around to the music.

“Oh, I’m afraid I’m dizzy. The wine must have gone to my head,” she said, holding on to his arm.

“Perhaps we should step outside for a breath of fresh air,” he suggested.

“I would like that,” she said, letting him lead her from the hall.

When they walked out into the courtyard, the warm breeze hit her in the face. She closed her eyes and turned her face upward, drinking in the warmth of the sun, taking a deep breath of the fresh air.

“That feels so good,” she told him. “I love the outdoors.”

“You do?” he asked. “Then I have a suggestion. Let me take you for a ride.”

“A ride? To where?” she asked.

“It’s a surprise.”

“All right. Let’s go.”

“Meet me in the stables,” he said. “I just need to get something first.”

“I will.” She headed to the stable, stopping inside the door when she saw Lord Irwin leaning against the stable door with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Where are you going, Lady Hope?” he asked her snidely.

“It doesn’t concern you,” she spat.

“Oh, but it does. You see, I am your escort while you’re here so I am responsible for you.”

“That’s a lie. You are only here because you want my help in finding the Eternal Flame. I am Lord Corbett’s ward, not yours.”

“I have a feeling you know where the flame is, but you’re not telling me.”

“I – I don’t know what you mean,” she said as he came forward.

“I heard Sir Rick and Lord Corbett talking. That boy, Noah, has stolen the flame. So if we find him, we find the flame.”

“Oh,” she said, feeling her heart beating heavily in her chest. For a moment, she had thought he knew that she was the new Keeper. “You stay away from Noah,” she warned him. “He is just a boy.”

“An immortal boy, by the sound of it.”

“Lady Hope?” Orrick entered the stable in his young form of Sir Rick. “I thought I heard you two arguing. Is anything the matter?” He strolled into the stable with a travel bag slung over his shoulder.

“Nay, everything is fine. Isn’t is, Lord Irwin?” she asked the man.

“Just fine,” he growled, pushing past Sir Rick on his way out, purposely knocking into him.

“What the hell,” growled Orrick, looking like he was going to fight the man.

“Orrick, let’s go,” she begged him.

“Orrick?” Lord Irwin turned to face him. “You’re somehow that old sorcerer, aren’t you?”

“Well, if I am, mayhap you’d better be warned. I might just turn you into a toad or perhaps a pillar of salt.”

“Let’s go,” said Hope, grabbing on to Orrick’s arm and pulling him toward the horse while Lord Irwin left the stable.

They rode together on the horse, Hope sitting in front of Orrick. His arms were wrapped around her, holding her securely atop the steed. She liked the feel of his body pressed up close to his. She also liked the fact he’d admitted to having feelings for her.