The Crown of Anavrea (The Theodoric Saga) by Rossano Rachel

Author:Rossano, Rachel [Rossano, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Rachel Rossano
Published: 2011-10-11T16:00:00+00:00

Labren’s heart ached as he turned away from the door. He did not have much opportunity to dwell on it though. He was, at once, confronted by the frightened face of his young wife. Smiling to reassure her, he studied her face. Her green eyes, large with fear, overwhelmed her features. The ashen color of her skin made him wonder if she was going to faint on him.

“Come, we need to find the cupboard we are going to hide in.” Hopefully, getting her mind on something practical would be distracting.

With great caution, they made their way through the maze of covered furniture, boxes, and trunks crowding the room. Sunlight poured in from the window on the west wall.

With only a few whispered instructions, they found the cupboard that he remembered. A solid oak monolith, it stood against the wall farthest from the door. The body of the piece began a foot above the floor and rose to about Eve’s shoulders. The length of the front was twice the height and four times the depth. On the outside it appeared to be just like any ordinary cupboard anyone would find in a pantry, kitchen or basement. When Labren opened the doors and lowered the false back, a gaping hole appeared. The space inside went back into the wall behind. A clever catch was installed into the trim around the false back so it could be opened from the inside or outside.

Eve shot him a questioning look when the false panel obeyed his fingers’ command and revealed the small area beyond.

“Now would not be a good time to tell me you’re claustrophobic,” Labren joked.

Her horror answered his flippant remark. His insides clenched in dread as he watched fear tense the muscles in her hands, balling them against her skirt. She was going to panic on him if he did not do something. He pushed himself across the space between them. She fought him slightly when he first enclosed her in his arms, but then relaxed against his chest. He leaned against a nearby trunk, rubbing his hands up and down her back. They had to get inside, but how to tell her this.

“Do you trust me, Eve?”

The fair head bobbed slightly. Labren smiled.

“I trust you, too.” His voice was soft. “Darling, we have to do this. You know that.” He took a deep breath and smoothed her hair. “We can do this together, okay?” After a few moments, Eve finally nodded. He silently breathed a sigh of relief.

Deciding that she would probably feel less closed-in if she was closest to the door, he climbed in first. The area was too low to sit up in. Labren laid down full length and then slid sideways into the small space. Settling on the quilts spread on the rough wood, Labren finally motioned for Eve to come.

Her fear became tangible as she backed into the space toward him. Carefully, she latched the outer doors from the inside, and then she slid back farther so she could close the secret panel.

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