FAZER LOGINWhen morning dawned, the village brimmed with vitality, bearing none of the eerie silence that had plagued the previous night.Before the row of humble cottages was an endless field of rippling golden wheat, and the verdant beauty of the Forest was visible just beyond.Amelia stepped out of the barn and washed her face with ice-cold water from the nearby brook and with wet hands, she combed out the vine-like tangles from her long tresses of hair.A cool breeze chilled her damp face, raising a trail of goosebumps down the length of her back.After wiping herself dry with her sleeves, Amelia returned to the barn. The knights had already finished packing, and they were assembled in front of the carriage. “Don’t wander around alone,” Ryder scolded when he noticed her approaching.“I’m s-sorry.” she rushed to his side, apprehensive of the sternness in his voice.Ryder frowned and lifted her into the carriage. “Monsters are frequently sighted in this forest, so never wander alone.”She flin
If she had been born with her sister charming features, would things have turned out differently?The thought of her half sister, delighting in all the gifts and love letters brought to her by the knights who frequented Whitmore Castle, wilted what little confidence Amelia had.She was only pulled out of her self-torment when Ryder left the fireside and approached her. She raised her head to a bowl full of freshly cooked potatoes, burned brown here and there from roasting in the fire. “Careful. They’re still hot.”Ryder ignored his own warning. He grabbed a potato with a large, calloused hand and swiftly took a bite. Amelia followed suit, gingerly wrapping one in her sleeve and peeling off its burnt skin to reveal the soft yellow flesh beneath.As she took a small bite, she was overcome by a wave of hunger that anxiety had been keeping at bay.The roof of her mouth burned from the heat, but she continued to chew, swallowing bite after bite of the steaming potato even the chewy half-co
The carriage left the village and passed through vast swaths of farmland, moving slowly over the unpaved dirt roads.It was dark when they reached a smaller village near mashow forest and Ryder disembarked to identify himself at the village entrance.Amelia had never traveled so far by carriage, and she was drained. “We’re staying the night here,” Ryder said when he returned, retrieving a bedroll and lamp. “It’s cold outside, so bundle up.”Amelia fastened her cloak and pulled the hood over her head before stepping out of the carriage. Ryder put an arm around her shoulders and strode toward his men, the dirt crunching beneath his feet.The knight who had been talking with the village guard turned as they approached. “There aren’t any suitable lodgings here, Commander.”Ryder raised the lamp in his hand and quickly scanned the area.Four or five unlit cottages stood clustered at the end of a winding dirt path and following Ryder eyes, the knight hastily added an explanation.“Those fiv
Amelia opened the door just enough to receive a dress through the gap.It was rose red and embroidered with gold thread as she unfolded it, a girdle, a sash, and a thin piece of cloth that resembled an undergarment fluttered to the floor.The undergarment was not that different from the one her nursemaid had given her. She blushed. How had he managed to find such salacious clothing in this backwater? And surely there was some mistake. He did not think this was her taste in clothing, did he?She covered her face and was whimpering in dismay when another series of knocks interrupted her. This time, it was Ryder.“Amelian,” he called through the door. “Did you get the clothes? Have you changed?”“N-Not yet…”“Hurry, we must leave soon.”“One m-moment…”At his urging, she hastily put on the flimsy undergarment and feeling no less naked than before, she threw on the white chemise and pulled the extravagant red-and-gold dress over her head, tugging on the flowy skirt until it grazed her ank
Ryder threw a fierce look toward the door as if he could see through its thick wood. “Didn’t I tell you, I’d kill if you disturbed me again? Do you have a death wish?”“Can’t you contain yourself until you’re back home? We must leave again for the capital as soon as we reach the estate!”“Delaying things by a day or two won’t be the end of the world! Stop whining!”“Commander!”“All right! I’m coming, I’m coming! You ruined the mood, you little bastard!”Ryder ran a hand through his hair, and Amelia stiffened as he spat out a string of creative expletives that she had never heard in her entire life. He sprang up, his face tense with annoyance. “Get the carriage ready! We’ll depart soon.”In response, the man behind the door stomped away to obey the order and Ryder let out a deep sigh and looked down at the floor. “I shouldn’t have brought those bastards with me….”Amelia watched him silently. “Wait here,” he said.“I’ll find something for you to wear.”She nodded, her pale face peekin
Amelia awoke to something pressing down on her chest and feeling suffocated, she blinked her eyes open, only to find that a tanned, muscular arm completely blocked her vision.She raised her head slightly and Ryder was fast asleep, his head buried in her hair and memories of the previous night came rushing back and she blushed.Under the blanket, they were tangled in a naked embrace, his long and sturdy legs intertwined with hers. He hugged her tight, like he might a favorite pillow.Amelia had never known such an affectionate embrace not even her own mother had held her with such warmth.As her eyes roamed uneasily around the room, it occurred to her that she should find something to wear before he woke up because if he found her like this, he might…Burying her face in her hands, she recalled how she had writhed in his arms. How could she face him again?She would rather throw herself out the window because a proper lady would never have acted the way she had.Her nursemaid had made






