The Rose Stone by L. A. Kelley
Author:L. A. Kelley [Kelley, L. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sweet romance; fairytale; action/adventure; magic; alternate worlds; romantic fantasy
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2022-02-22T00:00:00+00:00
Chapter Ten
The rap at the door jarred me awake, and my heart raced. I bolted upright, clutching the sheet, searching for the malevolent spark. The faint rosy glow from the turret cast the only light in the room. The moment of disorientation passed, and I sagged against the headboard, weak with relief. I was at Stone Keep and hadnât been yanked back to the hospital. There was a second knock, louder this time.
âCome in,â I called.
The door opened, and Abril entered with a breakfast tray and leather saddlebags slung over her arm. âHi,â I said. âYouâre up early.â
Abril placed the tray on the table and lit one of the lamps. âI volunteered to wake you. Father wishes to get underway before dawn. Lady Emlyn will meet us downstairs with the Rose Stone.â She went straight to the armoire. âIâll pack for you.â
âI can do that. I donât want to make extra work.â
Abril gave a careless wave. âHave no concern. Preparing a proper kit for travel is part of guard training. Iâll be done before you dress and finish breakfast.â
While I ate, Abril took the clothes from the armoire. She set aside the riding gear on the bed and then began to fold the others and place them neatly into the saddlebags. Now and again, she shot me a hesitant glance as if wanting to speak and then thinking better of it. She filled one bag and buckled the fastening. âFather is concerned with your comfort.â
âHeâs been very kind to me.â
âIt is more than kindness. I have not seen him show such tender regard for another as he has for you.â
Sudden awkwardness overcame me, and I cleared my throat. âOh?â
âYes. You havenât spoken much of your life. Do you have someone pledged?â
âPledged? Oh, you mean a man. No, Iâm not involved with anyone. There was a guy recently,â I stammered. âBut we parted ways. We didnât suit each other.â
âThere have been women in my fatherâs life, but heâs never pledged his heart to another,â Abril said. âHe insists the life of a guard is enough, but I donât believe him.â She folded a shirt and tucked it neatly into the saddlebag. âItâs a wonder to me you saw a vision of him as a child.â
âI canât explain it either.â
âIf Father wished to pledge to another, Iâd have no objection,â she said cheerfully.
âUh, Iâm sure he appreciates your support.â The conversation had taken a sharp turn from awkward and nosedived into really-really-awkward. Time to make a hasty exit. Discussing my feelings for Griffin with his daughter was beyond weird. âIâll get changed now.â
I grabbed the riding gear and hurried into the bathroom. By the time I finished dressing, Abril was stowing the last few items. I poured a cup of tea and offered her one, but she declined, saying she ate in the aerie.
âWith the warbirds?â
âYes. I wanted to visit the new clutch. Racerâs mate, Tempest, has a female fledgling with a friendly manner toward me. She even takes meat from my hand.
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