A Quest of Heroes (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring)

blush.
    “The rear courtyard is through
those gates. Hurry. She’s known to change her mind quickly,” Reece smiled as he
looked at him. “And I’d love to have you in my family.”
     

CHAPTER
NINETEEN
     
     
    Thor
tried to follow Reece’s directions as he wound his way through the crowded
castle, but it was not easy. This castle had too many twists and turns, too
many hidden back doors, and too many long corridors that seemed to lead only to
more corridors.
    He
ran through Reece’s directions in his head as he descended yet another small
set of steps, turned down another corridor, and finally stopped before a small
arched door with a red handle—the one Reece had told him about—and pushed it
open.
    Thor
hurried outside and was struck by the strong light of the summer day; it felt
good to be outdoors, out of that stuffy castle, breathing fresh air, the sun on
his face. He squinted, his eyes adjusting in the bright light, and took in the
sight: before him sprawled the royal gardens, stretching as far as the eye
could see, hedges perfectly trimmed in different shapes, forming neat rows of
gardens, trails winding amidst them. There were fountains, unusual trees,
orchards ripe with early summer fruits, and fields of flowers, of every size
and shape and color. The sight took his breath away. It was like walking into a
painting.
    Thor
looked everywhere for a sign of Gwendolyn, his heart pounding. This rear
courtyard was empty, and Thor assumed it was probably reserved for the royal
family, set off from the public with its high, stone garden walls. And yet, he
looked everywhere and could not find her.
    He
wondered if her note was a hoax. That was probably it. She was probably just
making fun of him, the country bumpkin, amusing herself at his expense. After
all, how could someone of her rank really have any interest in him?
    Thor
looked down and read her note again, then rolled it back up in shame. He had
been made fun of. What a fool he was to get his hopes up like that. It hurt him
deeply.
    Thor
turned and prepared to head back into the castle, head lowered. Just as he
reached for the door, a voice rang out.
    “And
where are you going?” came the joyful voice. It sounded like a bird’s
song.
    Thor
wondered if he was imagining it. He spun, searching, and there she was, sitting
in the shade beneath a castle wall. She smiled back, dressed in her royal
finest, layers of white satin dress with pink trim. She looked even more
beautiful than he’d remembered.
    It
was her. Gwendolyn. The girl Thor had been dreaming about since they had met,
with her almond, blue eyes and long strawberry hair, with her smile that lit
his heart. She wore a large white-and-pink hat, shading her from the sun,
beneath which her eyes sparkled. For a moment he felt like turning around to
make sure that there was no one else standing behind him.
    “Um…”
Thor began. “I…um…don’t know. I…um…was going inside.”
    Once
again, he was finding himself flustered around her, finding it hard to collect
his thoughts and articulate them.
    She
laughed, and it was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard.
    “And
why would you be doing that?” she asked, playful. “You just arrived.”
    Thor
was flustered. His tongue was tied.
    “I…um…couldn’t
find you,” he said, embarrassed.
    She
laughed again.
    “Well,
I’m right here. Aren’t you going to come and get me?”
    She
held out a single hand; Thor rushed over to her, reached down and took her
hand. He was electrified by the touch of her skin, so smooth and soft, her
frail hand fitting perfectly inside of his. She looked up at him and let her
hand linger there a moment, before slowly rising. He loved the feel of her
fingertips in his palm and hoped she would never take them away.
    She
withdrew her hand, then placed her arm in his, locking arms. She began to walk,
leading the way down the series of winding trails. They walked along a small
cobblestone path, and soon they were inside a labyrinth of hedges, protected
from outside view.
    Thor
was nervous. Perhaps he, a commoner, would get in trouble, walking like this
with the King’s daughter. He felt a light sweat break out on his forehead, and
did not know if it was from the heat or from her touch.
    He
wasn’t sure what to say.
    “You’ve
caused quite a stir here, haven’t you?” she asked with a smile. He was grateful
she broke the awkward silence.
    Thor
shrugged. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
    She
laughed.