Tethered (The Avenlore Series) by Tasha Van Der Hyde Page B

nausea rolled through me.
    Without knowing how I got there, I realized all at once that I was seated on the ground.  To my left a pond as still as glass sat mirroring the purple moon and thousands of twinkling stars above, beyond that only trees.  To my right the trees stretched out endlessly, their thick foliage quiet as the dead.  Even the night held its breath.
    Lost in my own mind, I hadn’t noticed that Nikolas had erected a small tent , well, lean-to really, and had a warm blue fire glowing close by.  I also noticed a thick, gray blanket was wrapped around my shoulders, something I knew he was responsible for.
    I watched him tether the horse to a tree and provide it with a bucket of water.  When he was done, he glanced to me but stopped dead in his tracks when our eyes met.
    His tense body relaxed and he crossed the space between us and dropped to his knees in front of me, only inches away.  He reached out a hand, but stopped it just short of my face.  The compassion in his eyes startled me.  For all his confidence and angry glares, I wouldn’t have thought him capable of producing such a look.  When he spoke to me, his words were soft and kind.  “There she is.”
    My fingers sought out my birthmark and he glanced down at it, but said nothing.  “Those men…people died…to protect me?”  Tears brimmed in my eyes as I stared at him, awaiting his answer.
    His eyes stared back at me, pools of blue that had no end.  Reaching to take my hand in his, he spoke tenderly to me.  “Gladly, they did so gladly.”  The familiar tingling soothed me as his bare skin touched mine, there was something therapeutic about his touch.
    The tears streamed down my cheeks now, pent up emotions hitting me like a ton of bricks.  “I didn’t, I mean…I didn’t want them to…they didn’t have to die for me.”  I choked out between sobs.  
    Like it was second nature to him, he scooped me into his arms, tucking my head beneath his chin.  One hand delicately cradling the back of my head, the other working in comforting circles at my back.  For a moment he didn’t speak, when he did, I could feel the words rumble through his chest.  “It is our duty, it is our honor to protect and if need be, die.” 
    “I don’t want…people to die…for me.”  I managed between ragged breaths. 
    “I know.  And…that is what makes it an honor.”  His words were quiet and thoughtful now.
    “What if more die?  What if…my father…and Liam…”  I trailed off, unable to complete the thought out loud.
    His hand on my back stilled and he carefully guided me back until he could see my face.  “I think you underestimate them.” 
    I felt a twinge of hope stir in my belly.  If he believed, so could I.  “You think there’s a chance they’re okay?”
    I saw confidence flicker across his face once more.  Carefully, he lowered his arms to give me my space, pausing slightly to make sure I didn’t fall apart again.  “I think it’s much more than a chance.”  Then he smiled.  “Have a little faith.”
    That brought a small smile to my face and I settled myself, legs crossed Indian style beneath my dress.  I willed myself to have the faith he’d suggested, pushing back my doubts to the edge of my mind.  I tried to think of other things, another direction in which to take the conversation and it wasn’t so difficult…I did have a multitude of questions.
    Nikolas leaned back, propping himself on his hands, legs stretched out in front crossed at his ankles.  He watched me pensively for a moment before I broke the silence.
    “Will you tell me about my father?”  I asked as I doodled absently in the dirt.
    “What would you like to know?”  He asked, a small smile playing on his lips.
    “Everything.”  I said.
    His face was thoughtful as he nodded, then he began.  “He is an excellent King.  Our history has taught us that power often corrupts, leading a man who was once good to become someone even