Page 32 of Beholden
I straightened. “You shall either wear mine, or I shall carry you to the surface.”
“Neither—”
I scooped her into my arms. My motion was so sudden, it forced her to wrap her arms around my neck. “Lead the way, sir,” I commanded her knight as I started forward. I needed to move with haste before Gabriella protested and squirmed out of my arms.
As if sensing the same, Sir Lucan nodded and ducked into the opening in the rubble, but not before I caught the glimmer of curiosity in his eyes. No doubt he was wondering who I was and what right I had to carry Gabriella with such familiarity. Under other circumstances, I suspected he would have challenged me, but he didn’t want her to walk barefoot through the rocky tunnels any more than I did.
Though my head throbbed from my injury, I refused to slacken my pace as we traversed the winding tunnels. Curly aided Ty and offered to relieve me on several occasions, but I shook my head, unwilling to relinquish my hold on Gabriella even as I labored to carry her.
We didn’t speak, but somehow no words were necessary. She nestled her head on my shoulder in the crook of my neck as if to relish these last minutes together before our farewell. Her fingers rested at the back of my neck and combed through my long strands of hair. The barest touch served to remind me of her lips against mine, of the moment of passion we’d shared. And once more I wanted to bend down and steal another kiss—although with great effort, I refrained from doing so.
I could no longer deny my affection for her. It filled every crevice of my heart. She brightened the darkness of this place with her kindness and concern for everyone. Her sweet spirit made the difficult days more bearable. Her beauty made the bleakness fade.
Of anyone here, she deserved to be free. I lifted a grateful prayer for this rescue, that tonight she would be able to luxuriate in the bath she’d longed for with her scented soaps.
When we reached the final ladder that led to the surface, I had to release her. Placing her on the lowest rung, I watched her climb up, already feeling the loss of her presence. It was for the best. She was never meant to be mine anyway.
In fact, perhaps her leaving was better for my Testing. Henceforth, I could focus on proving myself worthy to the Lagting and my father. I’d no longer have feelings and thoughts of her distracting me. And I’d be able to put more energy into challenging myself.
Even so, as I reached the surface and watched her embrace and say farewell to person after person, a deep sense of loss stole through me, casting a pall over what should have been a time of rejoicing.
More knights waited and bore the official standard of the Duchess of Burgundy. None of the overseers or guards could question the validity of her release—not that any of them would have, not with how fond they were of Gabriella. Like everyone else, they smiled at her good fortune.
Though Alice was weak, Sir Lucan had secured medicine for her upon his arrival. During the long hours we’d been trapped, Alice’s fever had broken, and she’d had time to regain some strength. Thankfully, she was able to travel, though I doubted she’d be able to go far without tiring.
When Alice and Benedict were safely across the bridge and only Sir Lucan and Gabriella were left, she hugged her closest friends once more before she approached me where I stood to the side with Ty. Still wearing our bloody bandages, we hadn’t taken the time yet to doctor our wounds. I would have plenty of opportunity once Gabriella was gone. For now, I wanted to gaze upon her beauty for as long as I possibly could.
“My lord.” She curtsied, revealing the worn boots Sir Lucan had confiscated from the storehouse.
“My lady.” I gave her a formal bow, all the while wishing I could gather her in my arms for a final embrace.
“I shall never forget your kindness to me.”
“Nor I yours.”
“You are an honorable man, and I know you will eventually find justice and be restored to your family.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
She offered me a sad smile. “Though we only had a short time together, I do not regret a single moment.”
Was she referring to the kiss we’d shared? I tried to convince myself to regret it, but the memory of it would stay with me for days and weeks to come. Was it possible, after I finished the Testing and became king, I might be able to see her again, just as a friend? “Perchance one day we shall meet again under more favorable circumstances.”
“Perchance.” Her tone was wistful.
Suddenly the thought of never seeing her again filled me with dread. “If you’ll permit me, I shall call upon you in Rockland after my release.” I didn’t know what purpose that would serve. What could come of such a visit? Nevertheless, she hadn’t yet departed, and I was already missing her and couldn’t imagine going forever without seeing her again.
She dipped her head in acquiescence to my request—at least I thought it was agreement. When she lifted her head and turned away, tears glistened upon her lashes and melancholy filled her eyes. Deep, painful melancholy.
The kind that had no hope for tomorrow.
As much as I wanted to stop her and ask why she wasn’t rejoicing in the freedom she’d secured for herself and her two faithful servants, I suspected her sensitive spirit was likely grieving for all those she couldn’t liberate and must leave behind.
I stood silently with everyone else and watched her carefully step from slat to slat across the bridge. When she reached the other side safely, I allowed myself to breathe again, even if each lungful was tight in my chest.
She mounted one of the waiting horses before she turned and gave a final wave to all of us standing at the edge of Slave Town. As she rode from sight, I pressed a battered hand to my chest to ease the ache. Her leaving was for the best. If only I could convince my heart of it.
The other slaves dispersed to return to the mine pits and finish their daily quotas. I turned to go too but stopped at the sight of Ty staring intently in the direction Gabriella and her knights had ridden. His dark eyes were more serious than I’d ever seen them. Did he sense some kind of danger for Gabriella?
