Embrace The Dawn. Jackie Summers

saddlebags slump in the corner.

      “I didn’t expect you back so soon.” She poked at the embers until they burst noisily into hungry flames around the dry, peeling bark. The room brightened in a rosy glow.

      She heard a loud creak of the bed ropes. She turned and in the brightening fire glow, she noticed the dark circles of fatigue beneath his eyes, shadowing his face. Her gaze followed him as he swung his long legs over the side of the bed and removed his boots.

      “The king is missing,” he said finally, the words sounding like a death knell.

      Anne’s knees felt weak and she slumped to a chair. “What happened?” was all she could think to ask.

      “From what my cousin Tom said, a squad of Roundheads charged the inn just before dawn, looking for you.” He cast her a sharp look as he dropped the first boot to the floor. “After they left, Tom returned to the king’s room. His bed hadn’t been slept in and he’d vanished.”

      And you believe it’s my fault, Anne thought, but remained silent. “What are you going to do?” she asked instead.

      “I’ll strike out tomorrow, and God willing, I’ll find him. He might have seen the soldiers and hid in the woods until they left. In the dark, he may have gotten lost.” He dropped the last boot with a resounding thud.

      Surely he didn’t expect her to remain alone in this remote cottage while he traipsed all over the shire? “Before you leave, please take me to Jane Herrick. You can’t expect me to wait until you find the king—”

      “I expect you to shut up. I’m tired and I’m going to sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.” He gave her a black look that quelled any further argument before he fell back across the bed.

      “You can’t sleep in my bed.”

      He lifted his head and squinted one eye. “Whose bed? Damn it, wench, I was born in this bed.”

      Anne stepped back. “Very well, I’ll curl up on—” she glanced about the tiny room “—the settle.”

      “I’ll warn you, it’s damned uncomfortable.” She heard him chuckle as his dark head settled back against the pillow.