The Black Raider

            Aidan gasped and woke with a start. 

            She was in a cold sweat and shaking uncontrollably in the warm air.  Her heart pounded against her ribs.  Swallowing against the dryness in her throat, she looked around the room before plopping her head back down on the pillows and pressing her hand over her eyes wincing as her sides screamed in pain.  She wished to groan, but knew if she made any noise the Goodwife Renkin would come running to her side to make sure she was faring well.   

            Spreading her fingers, she peaked out to see the goodwife sitting in a rocking chair next to the fire sound asleep.  Aidan smiled softly, glad to see she was finally resting.  Renkin had watched over her day and night, aiding her in her fight for life. 

            Aidan tried to slowly turn on her side, but the pain in her ribs was too great.  She gave up her attempts and decided to stay on her cramping back.  She had never been one for laying cooped up in bed for long and cabin fever was in her blood.  She longed to be outside of the small cabin, she longed for the freedom of horseback riding, and taking walks whenever she wanted to. 

            Even though she didn’t want to, she closed her eyes, but after a few futile tries she gave up on sleeping.  She reasoned it was virtually impossible to go to sleep when all she dreamed about were nightmares.  For her, it was so much easier to stay awake. 

            She stared at the wooden ceiling, watching the shadows dance as the fire crackled on.  As she lay there, Aidan let herself think back to the last time Zacarias and her had seen each other . . . 

Six months ago at Prent Castle: 

            Slowly, Aidan made her way through the castle gardens, heading for the heart of the maze.  She had slipped out of the castle, unable to sleep because she was troubled.  Something was not right at her home in Chatan, but she didn’t know what.  Her father sent her reassurances that everything was well, but everything wasn’t.  She knew, as did her father, that someone was corrupt in his court and was waiting for the right moment to attack them yet again.  The only problem this time was that they didn’t have a clue who was behind the attacks. 

            She paused in a small clearing and looked up at the sky.  The stars twinkled merrily down at her.  She couldn’t wait to start home tomorrow, even though she hated leaving Zacarias, the Prince of Prent, behind.  She wouldn’t be at ease until she knew her father was well. 

            “Aidan,” someone quietly called out to her. 

            Startled, she searched the dark shadows.  When she didn’t see anyone, her hand went immediately to the dagger she carried in the folds of her skirts.  “Who’s there!” she demanded.   

            A movement from her left caught her eye and she turned to face the intruder, her dagger halfway out of its hilt, but she paused when she saw who it was.  She sighed in relief.  “Zacarias,” she whispered, “what are you doing here?” 

            Zacarias slowly walked out of the shadows to confront her.  He was a head taller than she, which was impressive since she was tall for a woman.  Dark stormy blue eyes caressed her face from under long black lashes.  Thick, wavy shoulder length hair framed his angular face.  He mocked her by bowing and smiled his most charming smile, the one that always made her heart race.  When he straightened Aidan noted that he wore a pair of black pants, boots, and a thin white silk shirt that cut in a V down half of his smooth muscular chest.  Around his neck he wore the ruby stone she had given him a long time ago.  His arms and legs were corded with muscle but hidden from sight.  However, she could still see the power he held and easily controlled through the thin layer of material he wore.  “I would ask the same thing of you, but I know you love walking through the gardens at night,” he whispered slyly, leaning in close his lips pressing against her ear.  She felt his mouth curving up into one of his most devious smiles. 

            Aidan placed her hands on her hips in a gesture of pure agitated innocence and retorted, “Well you’d better!  I only dragged you out of bed a thousand times while you played at being my personal guard.” 

            “Played?” he scoffed sounding offended.  “It was a full time chore!” 

            “So you never had fun following me around?” she chided, a bright smile adorning her face at their light banter. 

            “Nope, never.” That smirk was back in place, those eyes of his glinting in mischief. 

            “You’re telling me you never had fun star-gazing?” 

            “Nope.” 

            “Or the time we almost gave the steward a heart attack because we were playing at swords and knocked a most expensive vase into his arms?” 

            His smile widened at the story, yet he still shook his head.  “Nope.” 

            “Not even when we had a mud fight that one spring afternoon by the river?” 

            He pursed his lips as if in thought and then deliberately shook his head.  “Not even then.” 

            “Tsk tsk tsk,” she clucked, shaking her head.  “That’s such a shame.  Guess it’s a good thing then that I have an interested suitor awaiting my arrival in Chatan,” she smirked as she turned away from him and continued her walk in the garden. 

            Before she got far, Zacarias took hold of her upper arm and brought her to a halt, his expression grim.  “There isn’t anyone waiting,” he growled, but his voice held a bit of uncertainty. 

            Aidan knew Zacarias had been afraid that in his absence there would be someone else to come along and steal her heart.  Fortunately for him, he’d already successfully stolen it.  She tilted her chin in thought and remarked playfully, “You’ve been spying on me again haven’t you, prince?” 

            His features visibly relaxed knowing she had been teasing the whole time.  However, he kept his face straight, an innocent look plastered to his face.  “I would never spy on you my dear princess.”   

            The smile that should have graced his lips was sparkling from his eyes.  Aidan scoffed and with a sweeping gesture of her arm continued, “Right my dear prince you haven’t been following me around this whole castle like a little lost puppy!”  And with that, she was off and walking towards the heart of the maze. 

            Zacarias easily kept pace and, within a few footsteps, he’d looped his arm through hers and matched their footsteps, though he didn’t have to adjust much.  She was a tall woman, about as tall as the average man and her daunting appearance could sometimes make a man fear her before he even came to know her soft, bubbly personality.