Sitnalta (Sitnalta Series Book 1) by Goldenberg Alisse Lee

Author:Goldenberg, Alisse Lee [Goldenberg, Alisse Lee]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Pandamoon Publishing
Published: 2013-10-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Aud and Gerald had decided not to discuss the incident in the library again. Gerald understood that she was under a great deal of stress, and so her little outburst was forgiven and forgotten. They had resumed their meetings in the library, and were trying desperately to come up with a new plan for saving the Princess. As of yet, their attempts had been in vain.

Gerald wanted his men to continue searching the forest in secret. But Aud felt that was too dangerous for everyone involved. Should Supmylo’s men encounter Gerald’s during the course of their search, the consequences would be devastating.

The two of them had been meeting for a few weeks now, both in the library and in the gardens, where they would walk for hours. They would talk both of the Princess and of the most random things. Gerald found himself regarding Aud with the utmost admiration. He felt he had known her for years, and did not know how he would be able to leave her when the time came for his return to Sarrin. For Aud, the feeling was more than mutual, but she dared not express it.

One such day, Aud was standing among the roses with King Gerald. She bent to sniff at a particularly beautiful flower and when she rose, she found him watching her, a pensive look in his eyes.

“What is it, Sire?” she asked.

Gerald sighed. “We have been meeting, planning, talking, doing everything together for nearly a month now,” he began. “I feel we have reached a place of mutual trust, and even friendship. Is this true for you as well?”

Aud swallowed hard. She tried to look away from him, but could not. If she disagreed with him, she was sure it would hurt him, but if she agreed, she feared it would encourage him in a direction she dared not go.

“I suppose so, Sire,” she finally replied.

“You suppose?” he asked.

“Yes, Sire,” she said.

“Well, if this is the case,” he went on, “Why don’t you call me Gerald as I call you Aud?”

“You only call me by my name because I objected to ‘My Lady,’” Aud reminded him.

“But if we truly are friends, why should you not call me by my name?” Gerald asked.

“It would be most inappropriate, Sire,” she persisted. The man would not see reason!

“Why?” Gerald asked. He did not understand. “Most of what we are doing is inappropriate! We are plotting against a king. We are meeting behind his back to keep him from his daughter. Is this not inappropriate?”

A small smile played on Aud’s lips. “I suppose . . .”

“So, in the spirit of all this clandestine planning, will you please call me Gerald?”

“If you wish it—Gerald.”

“I wish it,” he told her.

Aud returned to her room feeling quite scandalous. The entire situation between King Gerald and her was a tricky one. She sat down on her bed, mulling over the entire afternoon. She really enjoyed his company. This was true. She found him a kind, gentle, humorous man possessing intelligence and wit.

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