Page 55 of Enamored
“The isolation of the farm and the lack of connection with neighbors or a community kept Lis from anyone who might draw a conclusion regarding her true heritage.” Although I’d easily connected all the information to figure out who Lis was, I hadn’t yet begun to understand why Blanche had left her with the farmer and his wife. What had motivated her to do so?
The crunch of our horses’ hooves and our steps echoed in the narrow ravine. A shower of gravelly rocks cascaded down as Halvard stumbled on the path above us. But he steadied himself and continued silently. If he’d heard our conversation, he gave no indication of it—the sign of a true and faithful servant.
“Please, Maxim.” Elinor’s voice was low, desperate. “Please tell me you are certain of this.”
I caught her gaze. Her eyes glimmered with a lifetime of questions and a need for a family she’d never known. I wished I could have another lifetime to look into her eyes, but I would have to take this moment, likely one of the last.
“The color of her eyes is identical to yours.” I returned my focus to the path ahead. Though we were nearing the bottom, the way was still precarious.
“Eye color is not proof enough that she is my sister.”
“Surely your mother left Lis something she could use to verify she is of royal blood.” Unless Blanche didn’t want Lis to know.
“And if she did not leave anything?”
“I have every faith you’ll find a way to prove her true identity.”
Though we’d had no more rain, a damp chill lingered in the air. And a strange silence, one that had begun to set me on edge more with every passing moment.
“Then you really are leaving for the north?” Her question was soft, tentative, as if she hadn’t meant to ask it.
If I lived through the battle ahead, Rasmus would never stop searching for me. If he didn’t kill me for my rebellion against him, he would bend me into doing his will somehow, someway, likely by threatening to bring harm to Elinor. I couldn’t let that happen.
“I will bide my time until Rasmus is gone. Perhaps then I’ll be able to return.” Since Rasmus only seemed to be growing in power, I might have to wait for years. ’Twas the very real possibility I might never be able to return.
As though she sensed the same, we were both quiet the rest of the descent, and when we reached level ground near the river’s edge, we remounted and began the wild dash to Norvegia’s camp.
With each pounding step we drew nearer to the fighting, the harder I prayed that I would be able to reach the king in time. As the first tents of the Norvegian encampment came into view, I nudged my horse alongside Elinor’s. “We must be wary of everyone until we know who is working for Rasmus and who remains loyal to the king.”
Her face was pale, likely from cold or weariness or both. But her eyes radiated determination. “I intend to deliver the message directly to the king myself.”
“No.” The word came out strong and harsh.
She flicked me a look and arched one of her delicate brows.
“No.” I gentled my tone, but only with great effort. “If Canute realizes you’re here, he’ll stop at nothing to capture you and will marry you on the spot. Besides, ’tis much too dangerous to ride into the midst of the battle. If something should happen to the king, you must stay safe.”
“I have not yet been named the king’s successor.”
“’Tis only a matter of time.”
“Perhaps. But I shall end up being wed to the man of Rasmus’s intention, not the sword’s. Any man who chooses deception to better himself will forfeit his greatest asset, his honor.”
She was quoting an old Norvegian saying, one I knew well but hadn’t wanted to consider. A man’s greatest asset was his honor. And I’d lost that with Elinor. Once lost, it might never be found.
“You must think about Norvegia,” I insisted. “If you die trying to save the king, then you’ll give Rasmus more control.”
Elinor hunched lower against her horse. Her hood had fallen, and her hair tangled in the breeze. From the hard set of her chin, I knew I hadn’t yet convinced her to stay back.
“You must remain strong, Elinor.” My declaration rose above the pounding hooves. “You may be Norvegia’s only hope against falling into darkness.”
Holy Scripture in Proverbs cautioned:“Keep your heart with all diligence. For out of it spring the issues of life.”
Letting down one’s guard came with a little compromise here and a little there. The darkness would creep in, subtly and unnoticed at first, until too late it pervaded one’s soul and crowded out the light of goodness. The darkness of the soul then spread its influence, seeping over into the nation itself.
As we darted past the first of the tents, Elinor tugged on her reins. “You know I have never wanted to be Norvegia’s hope.”
“But you will do your duty. You can do no less.” I slowed my mount. I would also do my duty, for I, too, could do no less. And if I needed to tie Elinor up and hide her in a tent, then I would.
