The Black Raider

  Six months ago at Prent Castle: 

          The words echoed in Aidan’s mind. 

            She stared at the ring, speechless.  It was gorgeous.  The small band was made of solid gold.  Vine designs of white gold were intricately etched into the band.  Small elegant diamonds dotted the circumference and it sparkled with diamond powder.  She bit her lower lip to keep the tears of happiness and love from flooding out.  She had never truly admitted it but she too had loved Zacarias. 

            Her face suddenly burst into a smile and she flung herself forward onto him.   Wrapping her arms around his neck, she placed her lips over his as they toppled backwards onto the grass.   

            Shocked at her reaction, he slowly wrapped his arms around her and held her close reveling in the moment of their brief kiss.  When she pulled away he said, “Well, I’m guessing that’s a yes.” 

            “Yes!” Aidan almost cried ecstatically her hands bunching up in his hair as she kissed him again.  “Yes,” she whispered once more as a tear slid down her cheek. 

            Zacarias easily slipped the ring onto her ring finger and then sat up, taking her into his arms and setting her in his lap.  He knew it was inappropriate but didn’t care.  There was no one else in the gardens to observe their actions.  He cradled her against him; enjoying her company. 

            “Have you asked my father?  Have you even mentioned it to your father?” she asked looking up at him excitement dancing in her eyes. Her hand trailed over his chest, absently clutching the silky material in her fist. 

            “No, I haven’t breathed a single word of it to either.  I wanted to make sure you wished to go through with the marriage before I got their hopes up.  Plus, I didn’t want them to pressure you into doing anything you didn’t want to do.” 

            Tears burned the back of her throat and threatened to spill over.  “Thank you for thinking of me,” Aidan whispered meaningfully warmed by the knowledge that he wanted her consent before the pressure was on. She kissed Zacarias’s shadowed jaw. 

            He tightened his arms around her as he burrowed his face in the slope of her neck.  He placed a gentle kiss against her soft skin and whispered, “I was planning on following you back to Chaton to ask your father for your hand in marriage.” 

            “It would not be proper for you to ride with me,” Aidan responded softly, her hands playing absentmindedly with his hair and caressing the back of his neck. 

            “That is why I aim to follow you a few days later—riding there as fast as I possibly can so I can make a dramatic entrance.  You’ll see what I mean,” he winked as she looked up at him with curiosity in her eyes. 

            “Whatever you say prince charming,” she whispered, tucking her head under his chin.  She could hear the slow steady beating of his heart. 

            A day later she was on her way back home, leaving behind her Prince with the knowledge that he would soon follow her and claim her as his wife.  However, that was never meant to be . . .  

Present

            Aidan blinked back tears as she remembered what had happened to cause her dreams to shatter.  And why she was still fighting for her life. 

            She had made it back home. Days later, her Prince Charming came as dramatically as he proclaimed and proudly exclaimed their soon to be nuptials. Everything had been perfect and had proceeded accordingly. Zacarias stayed for several months with her while she aided her father with their kingdom.

            Unfortunately, Zacarias couldn’t stay because he too had obligations that needed to be seen to. Another couple months passed before Aidan set out for Prent. Zacarias was supposed to meet her convoy at the border, however she never made it.

            Three days after she had left Ven Holding, her guards decided to attack her with the intent to kill because they were under the corrupt power of her father’s steward, Memnoar.  She remembered vividly, before she was flung off the cliff and into the raging Apex River, the guards telling her how the steward was going to take over Chaton by making her father’s death look like heart failure and her death an accident. 

            She had been enraged but was helpless as they threw her into the rapids where she fought for her life.  She had been found on the shoreline by the Goodwife Renkin and here she was still, a month later, bed ridden. 

            Soon, when she recovered from this waltz with death, she would seek out the steward and all of his demented followers and kill them for the treason they committed and the pain they caused her and the grief they made her father suffer. 

            She just hoped that she would get there before they killed her father and laid waste to her kingdom.

            Suddenly a round merry, yet tired face appeared over her.  “Are you alright my dear?” 

            Aidan smiled reassuringly at the Goodwife.  Renkin had once served in the castle but had been given her own land once Renkin’s father passed.  She now worked with her husband on the farm they owned.  “I’m fine Goodwife.  Just a bit thirsty,” she answered hoarsely. 

            The Goodwife quickly retrieved a small cup of cool water and helped Aidan drink.  “Thank you.”  The Goodwife laid Aidan back down and tucked her in. 

            As the Goodwife left, Aidan felt the drowsiness overcome her and she drifted off into a restless slumber.