Page 96 of Once upon a Summer Night

“He loves you, Ellie.”

Ellie shook her head. “Maybe. I don’t know. He’s scared ofwhat’s between us, because there is definitely something between us.”

Gwen raised an eyebrow. “I saw him charge out of here without a backward glance, only to return hours later with you in his arms. I don’t think fear is in the man’s vocabulary.”

“Maybe I’m misreading everything. But, after tonight, I have to try one more time.”

Gwen’s tone softened. “It’s frustrating, being in love with someone without the other person loving you back. For years, Reilly’s kept me in the friend zone. Years, El. I’ve thrown myself at him a few times, and they all end up with a gentle, ‘Lass, you’re too good for me’ or ‘Our friendship means too much to me to do this.’ And, Reilly being Reilly, he refuses to let me lick my wounds over his rejection. Oh no, he has to keep on being amazing and kind and wonderful. I get it, the idea that he’s afraid. But at some point, it’s time to move on.”

“I didn’t realize it was like that,” Ellie murmured, surprised. “You never told me…”

“I never told anyone,” Gwen admitted. “It’s too embarrassing, to be rejected time and again. But there comes a point when we have to move on, and accept the words they are saying to us. Firsthand experience here, El. It’s not easy, but it’s better than being lonely.”

“I have to try one more time, Gwen.”

“I know you do, Ellie. Anyone who’s said men are simple have never met time travelers.” She chewed her lip. “Reilly mentioned the Fates, said they control everything—that they’ve laid out his destiny, and all around him. Do you think all this is destined? The walk, the lightning storm, even your terrible adventure tonight? Do you think it’s destiny? That whoever these Fates are, they planned all this?”

A feeling of deep exhaustion overtook Ellie, and she lay down on the bed, her eyes getting heavy. “I don’t know. But if it is the Fates pulling these strings, then they can go straight to hell.”

Chapter 16

The next day, Gwen gently shook Ellie awake. “Rise and shine, cupcake.”

Rubbing her eyes, Ellie fell out of bed, then stumbled to the armoire to grab a dress. Gwen, dressed and perfectly coiffed, watched with ill-concealed amusement. “You know, Colin did sleep outside our chamber, though he’s gone at the moment. Last night when he told me to bolt the door, he also told me he ordered ten guards to be stationed outside in the hallway with him. His bed has to be more comfortable than the stone floor.”

“Ooh!” Ellie exclaimed as she shimmied into a deep garnet gown. “Do you think he’s ready to take us home? What time is it?”

Gwen snorted. “Half past some point after the noontime meal?”

“Ha,” Ellie retorted. Smoothing the dress down her legs, she hurried over to the small window and looked out. “Mid-afternoon, Gwen. See where the sun is? It’s—”

“You know I’m never going to remember, much less listen.”

“Fair point.” Ellie hastened to grab the very moderntoothbrush and toothpaste left in a discreet wooden box near the washbasin. Around a mouthful of bubbles, she asked, “Have you seen Reilly today?”

She shook her head. “But I haven’t been looking, either. I’ve been catching up with Bri. I can’t wait to show you what she showed me in the lists.”

Ellie rinsed her mouth out. “I’d rather go home.”

Gwen frowned. “And miss out on this? Ellie, there are medieval warriors training there. It’s like the medieval version of Thunder from Down Under!”

Ellie dropped her toothbrush back in place. “That was quite the hen party, if memory serves.”

Gwen wagged her eyebrows. “All those sweating, gyrating men—but this time, none of it is scripted. All abs, all the time. With swords.”

“Tempting, but I’d prefer to get back to running water and hot coffee.”

“Coffee,” Gwen moaned. “Oh, how I miss thee…But not as much as I would if we skipped the eye candy.”

Ellie sighed. “Oh, you are ridiculous. Come on. A quick stop at the lists probably won’t delay us that much.” She smoothed the full skirt of her dress one last time, patted her braid, and opened the door.

Colin’s somber face stopped her cold.

“Is everything all right?” she asked. Quickly, she added, “And good morning. I mean, afternoon.”

“Walk with me?” came the solemn reply.

Gwen scooted past them. “I’ll catch up with you later, Ellie. You know where to find me.”

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