Flames of Auriel (A Caeles Adventure Book 1) (8 page)

Garrett climbed up on the bed with her and played with the folds holding her towel together, “Well, I’d like to think the reason you hadn’t burned the entire castle down is because I was there for you to torture instead.” He chuckled when she slapped his arm.

“I do believe you tortured me, not the other way around. The day you found out I was ticklish you were relentless in your assaults.”

He shrugged his shoulders, “What did you expect? I was a rowdy boy looking for any reason to touch you.” His eyes darkened in memory as he scanned her exposed legs that had become even more visible when she shifted on the mattress. He moved closer to her and leaned toward her, “Now I don’t need a reason.” He slid his hand up the inside of her thigh as his mouth hovered over hers. “Let me have you, Zo, even if I can’t have your heart.”

She cupped his face in her palm and murmured against his lips, “I can’t. You’ve already had it all along.” She squealed as he threw her back against the pillows and covered her mouth with his. She knew she was setting them up for heartbreak, but she let herself be lost in his kiss anyway, even with the painful image of Asher at the back of her mind.

***

Zoe kept a wary eye out for her nurse as she walked toward the armory. She would never hear the end of it if Alice saw her walking the halls in tight leather breeches and a loose tunic. Auriel help her if she ran into Asher. She in no way wanted to deal with him anytime soon.

She was still in shock by the rush of emotions he had invoked in her by their kiss and a little guilty for taking off on him afterward. She knew he had been trying to get her to confess that she cared more about his affairs than just being dishonored in front of the help, but this time her pride was not the only thing stopping her from saying yes.

She could not very well tell him she did not want him sleeping around when she was been basically doing the same exact thing with Garrett. Well, not exactly since they had not actually slept together, but she doubted Asher would see it that way. Asher would never know she was being a hypocrite, but she would never be able to live with it. If they ever did end up walking down the aisle, Zoe did not want to ruin his opinion of her by telling him she was unfaithful as well.

She sighed when she stopped in front of the armory door. She turned the knob and wondered when things had become so complicated. As she entered the room, all guilty thoughts were washed away by the scene in front of her.

The man plaguing her current thoughts was splayed out in a chair, eyes closed and head thrown back. Asher’s fingers were twisted into the blond hair of the maid kneeling before him on the armory floor. The sound of the door opening made him look up, but when seeing who it was he kept his eyes locked onto hers as he let out a groan.

Dark fury filled her as she narrowed her eyes and straightened her back. She was determined not to let him know he was bothering her. She kept her eyes fixed on the stand she needed on the back wall as she marched into the room. When she placed the sword on to the stand the sound of his voice caused her to still.

“Does it bother you?”

Zoe gritted her teeth as she glared at the wall and willed the emotion building in her eyes to go away. “Why would it?” At his groan, she turned and almost took the stand with her in her haste. She needed to get out of that room. She rushed for the door, but as she walked past him he caught her wrist and pulled her to his side.

He tugged on the blonde’s hair gesturing for her to stop, “Zoe, look at me.” When she did not respond and only stared more intently at the armory door he squeezed her wrist harder. “Zoella, look – at – me.” His heart clenched at the shimmering in her eyes and wished he had not been the one to have put it there. “Tell her to leave.” Zoe looked at him in confusion. “If it bothers you for me to be with her, tell her to leave – now.”

At his commanding tone, Zoe’s anger washed over any broken feelings. He knew she did not like to be commanded to do anything. Armed with her rage, she grabbed the petite blonde by the hair and closed a hand around her throat as she slammed her against the wall.

Zoe growled into the girl’s shaking form, “If any of you come near him again, I will gut you in your sleep.”

She released her when the girl nodded her head and she watched as the blonde ran out of the room. She turned back to Asher as he chuckled and tucked himself back in his breeches. He watched the emotions running over the princess’s face. It looked like she wanted to skewer him through the heart for what he had done, but it had to be done.

“Now, was that so hard?” He smirked as he beckoned to her with a finger.

The blinding rage Zoe had been in started to disperse when she realized she had been doped. “You knew I would be here.” Asher only gave her a look and drew her toward him again when she got close enough.

She tried to fight his tugging, but ended up sprawled in his lap. When she moved to push away from him, she found her arms pinned to her sides by his muscular limbs. “I didn’t want to hurt you.” He soothed as he cupped her cheek in his hand when she turned her face away from him. “You know you would have never shown your true feelings otherwise.” She glowered down at him and wondered how he knew her so well. She continued to wiggle in place, trying to dislodge herself from his lap.

He groaned at the feel of her bottom moving over the top of him. “Zoe, if you don’t stop moving I’m going to take you here on the floor, virtue be damned.”

She froze at the new hardness beneath her. She felt disgusted at what he had done to get her confession, but also felt a small amount of satisfaction in knowing she had such an effect on him. Zoe dug her nails into the material at Asher’s sides and smirked when he winced.

“Then let me go and we can avoid such things.”

When he pulled her tighter against him, she repeated her earlier movements. Tired of her relentless wiggling, Asher grabbed the back of her head and pulled her mouth to his. He groaned when she squirmed even more, but did nothing to remove his mouth from hers. They both knew she was far more skilled than he at hand to hand combat and Asher had no doubt she knew all kinds of brutal ways to free herself from his grasp.

When Zoe began to push her bottom harder against him, her purpose set more to tease than to escape, Asher had enough. He scooped his hands underneath her, lifting her up enough to place her legs to either side of him. He grinned against her mouth as she let out a moan at the sudden contact at their centers.

All thoughts of teasing him flew from her mind at the feel of him against her. She closed her eyes at the burning need that began to form where they touched. Asher grabbed the back of her thighs pulling her harder against him and thrust his hips up to meet hers. She gripped her hands in his hair when a particularly hard thrust had her reeling. Zoe let her mouth be drawn down to meet his in another scorching kiss as she pushed herself against him in return.

“Zoe, you still in there?” At Garrett’s voice, Zoe’s eyes snapped open. She pulled her mouth away from Asher’s, who placed his mouth on the junction of her neck and shoulder. The threat of Garrett walking in on them taking precedence over her body’s needs, she shoved off him, her body still tingling as she made a beeline for the door.

“I’m coming!” Zoe smirked back at Asher’s rumbled form before she disappeared through the door.

After she was gone, the prince looked down at himself, still excited from their short-lived encounter, and smiled. Though, she had not said it out loud, Asher had finally proved she was affected by his dallying. That knowledge was only overshadowed by the fact that he affected her physically. Today was without a doubt a good day.

The last few days had been heaven for Garrett. When the king had sent a messenger assigning him to be the princess’s bodyguard, he could not have been more elated. Garrett had loved the princess for years now and their time apart had been torture. Of course he had jumped at the chance to see her again, but what he really could not believe was that he was allowed to touch her as well. It gave him the chance he needed to try and win his princess’s heart.

Garrett had it all planned out. He would use his position as her bodyguard to get close to her again. They had been friends for years so it should not have been too hard to get back into her heart. She herself had admitted to having feelings for him. The one thing he had not planned on though was the prince himself. Who knew he would have such an effect on Zoe? The last he heard they could not stand each other, but now Garrett was not so sure.

Zoe had never been very good at hiding her feelings, especially from him. He could read her like an open book most of the time, but when it came to the prince she was locked down tighter than the priestesses of the Auriel temple. Yet, the way she gaze at Asher when she thought he was not looking made him worry.

Every once in a while Garrett would catch her sneaking a glance at the prince in what he thought was longing, but then it would be followed by a snide remark and Garrett would breathe a sigh of relief. He did not understand how she could stand to be around him when all they did was fight. Even she knew they could not stand each other, so why did she put herself through it?

Garrett banged his cup onto the table, the noise startling the scullery maids. He gave them an apologetic smile and then laid his head down on the table. He wondered if it would be better to find someone less attached.

“You need to give up on her, boy. She is not yours to win.”

Garrett jerked up at the princess’s nurse who had taken a place across from him at the table. Looking away from the grey-haired woman, he grunted and took a drink of his mead.

“But she already loves me.”

Alice shook a finger at him, “A child’s love for her best friend is just that and it is not what she needs for her or her kingdom. I did not ask the king to assign you to this position for you to steal her away.”

Garrett crossed his arms and glared at the woman across from him. “How do you know what she needs?”

“Boy, I’ve been caring for her long before she even knew you existed. Don’t think to tell me I don’t know what she wants.” Her eyes softened at the poor lad before her. “I know you love her, but she needs a challenge, excitement.” She waved her hand at him, “Not some silly love sick boy who agrees with everything she says.”

“I don’t agree –” He promptly closed his mouth at her stern look. “I’m just supposed to let her be with someone she hates?”

“That is not for you to decide.” Alice placed her hand on his, “She will love him, Garrett, if she doesn’t already. Otherwise, they wouldn’t affect one another so.”

Garrett shoulders slumped, “What am I supposed to do?”

Alice patted his hand, trying to comfort the heartsick squire. “The only thing you can do. Let her go.”

“But how do I do that?” Garrett’s heart ached. He knew what she was telling him went alongside what he himself had been thinking, but how did he let go of the only woman he ever loved?

“You need to make her believe that there can be nothing between you and for that to happen you need to believe it yourself.” She stood up from the table, “I know you don’t want to believe it now, but it really is the best thing for her and for Aurelius, and maybe one day for you.”

He knew she was right but part of him still had hope for them to be together, and he was having a hard time letting their potential future go. Garrett’s eyes focused hard at the table as he fought with himself on what had to be done next. He should never have come.

***

“I’m going to take my leave now, your highness.” Garrett moved toward the door, avoiding Zoe’s gaze.

“Your highness? When have you ever been so formal when we are together?” Zoe cocked her head to the side.

“It is only proper to call you as such. I wouldn’t want anyone to think that we break propriety.” He turned his back to her, so she wouldn’t see the lie on his face.

She stared at him, her mouth a gaped. What the hell was he thinking? How could he even say such a thing?

“Propriety? Screw propriety! When have you ever given one thought of propriety?” She walked around the bed to pull him to look at her. “What is your problem?”

Garrett moved away from her, he could not think when she was touching him. He let out an exasperated breath and turned back to her. “Not everyone has the same carefree outlook as you do
your highness
. Some of us have to remember our place.” He glanced down at the exposed skin her nightgown provided and spun back around.

Garrett had been acting weird all day. What had happened? When had she become so repulsive that he could not even bare to look at her? Part of her wondered if he knew about what happened in the armory. Did he know what Asher and she had done? She admitted she let things get a little out of control and she was more confused now than ever, but being with Garrett usually helped clear her head. Her voice was so low she could barely hear it over the pounding of her own heartbeat.

“I thought your place was with me.”

Garrett twisted around and pulled her into his arms. “I would love to say my place is by your side and to be able to say that you are mine, but the reality of the situation…” He trailed off, before he turned her face up to his, “Zoe, you don’t belong to me. You’re his and it is about time for us both to remember that.”

“Everyone keeps saying that!”

She pulled herself away from him grabbing her dressing gown off of the hook by the bed and pulling it around herself like a protective shield. Zoe was getting tired of being told who she belonged to. She was not a possession to be given away at will.

“I no more belong to him than I do to you, but if I had my choice at a master it would always be you.” Zoe tried to control the shaking in her voice as she placed a hand on his arm. “I thought you felt the same way. Don’t you want me anymore?”

“I’m not saying that at all.” He sighed and pulled a hand over his face. He let his frustration seep into his voice. “We just need to be careful. Take a step back. We both need to remember this is an arrangement of convenience. To help you release your frustrations, not for me to steal you away.” He repeated the word’s Alice had said to him that day, even though he knew they would break her heart.

She jerked away from him with narrowed eyes. “Convenience? This has never been just convenient for me! However, if you feel that strongly about it perhaps you are right.” She discarded her dressing gown and ducked under the duvet, her back to him. “Your services are no longer required. Please leave.”

Garrett gazed after her with a forlorn expression. He knew this was going to happen. Zoe always went from one extreme to the other in a matter of minutes. Her hothead was bound to be her downfall one day.

“Zoe, please. Don’t do this – I’m just trying to protect –” He tried to explain himself, but she would have none of it.

“Did you forget your place? I do not want nor do I need your protection.” She sat up to give him an icy stare. “You have been dismissed or have you forgotten
your
propriety?”

Garrett found his shirt and pulled it over his head. With one last longing look at her he walked to the door. He grabbed his boots along the way before he closed the door behind him. He felt like the door was closing on more than just one thing that night. He just hoped she would forgive him one day.

As soon as the door clicked shut Zoe let her despair consume her. Racking sobs filled her body and kept her from seeking quiet oblivion. She felt like her heart had just been flung back at her, but she realized he was right. It was never hers to give. In that moment, she hated herself even more than Garrett for it.

***

The castle halls never seemed colder than when he stepped out of Zoe’s room. Garret leaned his head back against the princess’s door, blowing out an unhappy breath. He glared at the stone wall across from him and willed every crack in it to close over. Maybe then his heart would not feel so broken. The sound of a throat clearing brought him out of his dejection.

The bodyguard turned his head to see Bryce standing in the hall. Great. Just what he needed. Garrett hardened his gaze at the young lord eying his untied breeches with an amused grin.

“Rough night?”

Garrett adjusted himself in his pants and tied them up. He bent down to pull his boots on before he brought himself back up to his full height. He gave Bryce a cold glare. He had never liked the fat lord and in that moment he wanted nothing more than to shove his fist through someone’s face. Not a safe combination.

“Nothing I can’t handle.” Garrett settled on instead thrashing the prince’s friend.

Bryce was more trouble than he was worth. Garrett resigned to take his frustrations out a safer way – with his sword. Maybe he’d imagine the dummy was the prince’s face. With a new goal in mind, Garrett brushed past a grinning Bryce to head back to his own quarters.

But the damned man would not leave well enough alone. Garrett could hear the laughter in his voice as he called out to him. He paused in the hallway and debated if the trouble he would be in was worth a fist in the fat lord’s face.

“I didn’t think bodyguard was a literal term. I will have to rethink my whole career path now.”

Garrett’s shoulders bunched up. He could hear the heavy footsteps coming up behind him. Garrett clenched his hands into a fist and the urge to punch something became overwhelming.

“Just tell me one thing. Is she as fiery in the bed as she is out of it?”

Fuck it. Garrett shoved Bryce’s face up against the wall, jerking his arm behind his back. Bryce let out a strained laughed.

“I’ll take that as a yes. I wonder if Asher knows that his betrothed is getting it elsewhere. Or, better yet, if her father knows.”

Garrett leaned into him. A nasty smile crawled up his face as the pressure against the arm caused Bryce to wince. “Mind your own business. You have no idea what is going on between us and it is going to stay that way – from everyone – or you’ll be begging the Dark One for death.” Garrett released him and stomped toward the training grounds. He was not going to get any sleep any time soon.

Bryce inched away from the wall and rubbed his strained arm. He glared at Garrett’s retreating back. He cared for Zoe as a friend and wanted her to be happy, but he would be damned if he would let Garrett ruin all the effort he had put into building her and the prince’s relationship for a crush. The lord turned from his previous destination and headed toward his prince’s rooms.

***

The
following morning Zoe was awoken by Alice who took one look at her red puffy eyes and ordered the chambermaid to draw the princess a warm bath. She burrowed herself deeper under the cover and willed the questioning gaze of the old woman away. She did not need an interrogation right now.

“You are sleeping your life away, Zoella.” Alice pulled the covers away from Zoe’s face to look at her. A frown covered the nurse’s face at the redness in her charge’s eyes. It did not seem like she had gotten a wink of sleep. “Have you been crying?”

Zoe groaned and rolled herself out on the opposite side of the bed. She headed behind the dressing curtain to disrobe. Clothing removed, she wrapped a towel around her body and walked up to the now full bathing tub.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

Alice took the towel from her and helped Zoe step into the tub. She took a seat next to the tub and waited with a mother’s patience for her charge to open up. After a few moments of silence, Alice prodded a little more.

“Is this about Garrett?”

Zoe’s eyes lurched up at the sound of her bodyguard’s name. Her amber eyes narrowed at the knowing frown on her nurse’s face.

“How do you know about that?”

Alice breathed out a sigh of remorse. She felt horrid that the princess’s heart had been broken, but she knew it was for the best. She had thought it a good idea when she had sent for the boy to relieve her charges frustrations, but it had been a mistake and an unneeded complication in the royals’ already shaky relationship. The older woman praised Auriel for helping Garrett to make the right decision.

She wet the princess’s hair to wash it. Her hands moved in soothing circles along Zoe’s scalp. “It’s for the best, my dear. You can’t risk everything for a crush on the first boy who sees you as a woman.”

Zoe opened her eyes, moving away from her nurse’s relaxing grasp. “You said something to him, didn’t you? He would never get that into his head on his own. He’s much too–too kind to intentionally hurt me.”

Alice turned her back to the princess and dried her hands on a towel. “Zoella, you should be happy your lad has a sense of propriety. We both know you do not.” She looked back at Zoe and the hardness in her eyes softened at the distraught girl. “My sole purpose in life is to protect you and your happiness. That boy could ruin everything for you. You must be careful. The Camelians are not the only enemies you have to worry about.”