Phantom of the Heart (4 page)

A soft clearing of the throat, startled her out of her morose thoughts. Orla peered at her from behind a thin curtain. It was too dark to see her face.

“I would like to speak to you,” she swallowed. “Please.”

For a long moment, Orla stood looking at her before the curtain fell back. Sterling’s heart raced. She inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. She had faced bloodthirsty Hurians and pulled arrows out of her own body, yet the thought of having to tell another woman she loved her, made her break out in a cold sweat. She heard the soft footfall behind her and clenched her jaw, before she turned to face Orla. Her eyes traveled slowly over Orla’s face. The blacksmith looked openly confused and there was a sliver of fear in her eyes as she stared back at Sterling.

“Did you come to tell us to leave the kingdom?”

Sterling blinked. “What? Why?”

Orla inhaled deeply. “Because of what happened in the stables earlier.”

“No.” Sterling held up her hand. “That is not why I am here.”

“Then I do not under…”

Sterling took a step which brought her within touching distance of Orla. She looked up into those ghostly eyes. “I came to…to tell you that I love you and would like to court you.”

The silence was loud. They stared at each other; Sterling with nervous anticipation and Orla with blank amazement. Sterling swallowed her nerves and reached out, her hand shaking slightly. She gently cupped Orla’s cheek.

“I might not be what you want right now, but I promise you that I can change. I can be better.” She needed desperately to make Orla understand that she was not the same person she was before she had met her. Orla still stared, and Sterling pulled her hand away, only to have it grabbed by Orla midair.

Orla blinked, once…twice. “I do not know what to say.”

“Just say yes.”

“But I…” By now Orla was trembling a little. “You are a princess and I am…”

“…the woman I love,” Sterling added quickly. She leaned closer and sighed softly when her head came to rest against Orla’s chest. She dared to step closer still until her whole body brushed against Orla’s. “I count myself so lucky to have found you.” She looked up at Orla. The blue eyes were dark with emotion. “So many of my men…friends…have died, not having known what it felt like to truly love someone.” She slipped her arms around Orla’s waist, pressing closer as she inhaled her scent. There was no way that she would leave here tonight without Orla’s consent to court her. As the silence stretched, she simply held on. She could stand here the whole night, holding Orla, if that is what it would take. She listened to the solid beat of Orla’s heart, so strong and steady. Just like the woman herself. Thus, when she heard it skip a beat, she knew Orla had come to a decision. She slowly leaned back to see Orla’s face, hating the loss of heat.

“We can give it a try. Just remember that it is you who asked for this, I…”

“I know you do not love me now, but…” Sterling rose on her toes and brushed her lips over Orla’s. “I promise to love you with all my heart, if you allow me to be the one to own your heart,” she whispered against the soft lips before she kissed Orla again. She poured everything into the single kiss, her desire for this gentle giant and the hope that she, too, would feel the invisible link between the two of them, their destiny.

They both came up for breath, gasping as they leaned into each other. Sterling stepped away from Orla and stared at her with dazed silver eyes.

Her heart dropped when the dark head lowered. She held her breath as the woman just stared at her feet for a long while, her broad shoulders heaving as she breathed deeply. Just when she thought the woman was never going to speak, the dark head lifted.

“I have only tasted cake once in my life, milady. I have never been outside the walls of this city, and I have never been kissed before…before now. I am a very simple woman, Your Highness. I have never wanted or craved for more in my life, because I have never known better than what I am used to. I am too simple to be more than what I am now, Your Highness.”

Orla stared straight into Sterling’s eyes; the meaning behind the words could not be mistaken.

“Let us give it a try, Orla. Allow me to come over to your home to ask for your mother's permission to court you.”

The blue eyes widened. “My…my mother?”

“Yes. Will there be a problem?” The silver eyes narrowed dangerously. “Has your mother already been approached for your hand?”

Orla quickly shook her head. “Not that I know of, Your Highness.”

Sterling smiled warmly, her eyes glowing. “Do I have your permission to meet with your mother, Orla?”

A dark blush came over the blacksmith's face. Charmed beyond words, Sterling kissed her again. This woman had the capability to enthrall her forever, she told herself, as she gently delved into the soft mouth of the woman who was soon to be hers. She could not wait for tomorrow. For she would not let another day pass before she asked for Orla’s hand.

Chapter 4

Cybralle gently helped her wife off the horse, her hands lingering longer than necessary. They had not had much time alone of late. Even in the quiet of their bedchamber, the kingdom still intruded. If they were not discussing problems in bed, they were roused early to hold counsel with the Senate to diffuse potential outbursts. Tonight however, their daughter had invited them along on a very important mission. A smiling Sterling had cornered Cybralle in her office earlier and revealed her plans. Knowing her daughter well, she was aware that whatever she felt for this humble blacksmith was genuine. When asked to accompany her tonight, she had agreed quickly and knew that she wanted her queen there to witness a very important occasion in their daughter's life. Now here they were, standing before the humble mud hut of the future mate of the future queen of Karas.

“Why are we here? Where are we actually?” Mesmeria's eyes were clouded with confusion.

Cybralle bowed her head and gently caressed her mate's lips. “You will find out soon enough, dearling.”

“But…”

“No more questions. Trust me on this. You will find out soon.” Hoofbeats sounded, and she turned to face the rider. She smiled when her daughter flew out of the saddle of the still moving horse and landed gracefully before them.

“I am so sorry for being late, but I had to run a quick errand.” She walked over to her mother and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. Turning to Cybralle, she grinned. “Thank you for coming, Umah. I really need your presence here with me.”

Cybralle pulled her daughter into a tight hug, her heart swelling with love. She still remembered when the small, redheaded toddler had followed her around on the training ground. Even then she could see that her daughter was going to be a strong, fearless warrior. There was one time when she found her daughter in the stables, asleep on the straw in the stall of Eragon, the fiercest horse in the kingdom. The horse stood watch over her, his powerful hooves bracketing the toddler from anyone who wanted to get to her. Eragon only relented when Cybralle stepped in to pick up her sleeping daughter, but before they had left, the warhorse had gently pressed his snout against the sleeping toddler's cheek. Girl and beast were inseparable ever since. Looking over her daughter's shoulder now, she looked at the huge stallion stomping the ground. Orion was Eragon's progeny and Sterling's most trusted steed.

“Come on now. We do not want to be rude and be late.”

“Will you please tell me what we are doing here?” Mesmeria stepped in between the two warriors.

Before she could be answered, the door to the hut opened and soft candlelight beckoned. Sterling looked at her mother with a broad smile.

“We are here to ask for Orla's hand in marriage, Mother.” At Mesmeria's shocked look, Sterling's eyes warmed. “She is the
One
, Mother. The one I have been searching for all my life.”

“But…but…”

“Please come and meet her first before you judge her, Mother. I want you to meet the gentlest soul ever to grace the earth. She will be a great mother to my children and the best spouse ever.” When her mother still looked doubtful, she looked at Mesmeria pleadingly. “Please, Mother, just give her a chance. She is shy and very anxious about all of this, but I cannot afford to let her slip through my fingers. I will never be able to recover from the loss.”

Cybralle left them staring at each other and walked over to the opened doorway. She smiled at the nervous woman.

“Greetings, Orla. I believe you have been expecting us.” She smiled at the dark blush that covered the woman's handsome face. Oh, this one would definitely keep her daughter's head in the clouds for years to come.

“I would be honored if you would grace our humble home with your presence, milady.” She stepped back and bowed low as she waited for the warrior to enter. She fell to her knees when the blonde queen stepped closer, followed by her daughter. “Your Majesty, welcome to our home.”

Mesmeria looked down at the dark woman, before she nodded and stepped passed her. At the entrance to the common room, she turned around, curious to see how the two supposed lovebirds interacted. She found that the blacksmith was still bowed low as she greeted her daughter. Her own lips fell open when her daughter went down on one knee before her kneeling subject. She saw the woman stiffen at the uncharacteristic action by the Royal Princess.

“Greetings, precious dearling. Unless you get up and greet me like your soon-to-be betrothed, I refuse to accept your welcome.”

Mesmeria watched as the blacksmith shot to her feet and held out her hand to Sterling to gently help her to her feet. Before her stunned eyes, her headstrong daughter melted into the massive arms of the blacksmith. With a gentle hand she lifted the blacksmith's face and placed a soft kiss on the blushing woman’s lips. Having seen it all, Mesmeria turned away, feeling as if she was intruding on a very private moment. She walked over to where Cybralle was speaking softly to a very nervous Lima. The chambermaid fell to her knees the moment the queen entered the warm, clean common room.

“Your Majesty, welcome to my humble home.”

“Please, Lima, rise.” She put a soft hand on the older woman's shoulder. “We are here for a very joyous occasion. Just for tonight, let us meet as equals.”

Lima's eyes were wide as they met the queen's, but she nodded slowly. “As you wish, Your Majesty. We…we have made a rich stew and fresh nut bread. Would you honor my daughter and me by accepting our meager offering?”

Cybralle chuckled. “I am well aware of what a great cook you are, Lima. Of course I would be honored to dine with you.”

Mesmeria looked at her mate and smiled warmly. Cybralle was not born of royalty and many times had been invited to dine with her subjects. Not even after twenty-eight years of wealth, had her mate forgotten her origins. Mesmeria had indeed chosen well and so, it seemed, had their daughter. The royal house had been strengthened by Cybralle's presence, and it seemed that Orla would do the same. They would keep their royal partners in touch with the common man and break the walls erected generations ago. The dark head turned, and laughing silver eyes met her emerald ones. Aware that Lima was waiting patiently for her acceptance, Mesmeria did the one thing she had never thought she could ever do in public. She walked over to her beautiful mate, pulled her dark head down and kissed her deeply. When she pulled back a few seconds later, she found that Sterling and Orla had joined them and they were all staring at her in stunned surprise. Looking up into the eyes of Cybralle, she saw love and a hint of desire. Right there before their audience, Cybralle moved in for another kiss. This time the others looked away quickly to give them a semblance of privacy. When the Supreme Royal Couple pulled apart, the others were talking in hushed tones.

Cybralle led Mesmeria over to the crude wooden table and waited until the others joined them. Orla and Lima quickly served their guests and nervously sat down to dine. A soft groan sounded from the head of the table and all eyes snapped to where the queen sat with her eyes closed, a dreamy look on her face.

“Lima, this is simply delicious. I was unaware that you could cook so well.”

Lima blushed as she lowered her eyes. “I am sorry if I misled you to believe that I was the cook. In fact it was my daughter, Orla, who prepared dinner for us.”

Orla's face was covered by a deep, red blush, as she looked down into her bowl of stew.

“You have so many skills, Orla,” Cybralle noted in a gentle tone. “Not only are you the best blacksmith and sword maker in over four kingdoms, it is obvious that you are also an excellent cook. My daughter surely is a lucky woman.”

The silence following the remark made Cybralle quickly look at her mate. “Maybe we should not let this delicious meal go to waste by talking about why we are here. We have enough time to do so afterward.”

Once the meal was finished, Orla helped her mother to clear the table and serve their guests a warm spiced wine. Once the women were seated again, Cybralle turned to her daughter.

“Sterling, as the future queen of the largest kingdom in the realm, you have already exceeded the official age where you are expected to introduce your life mate to the Senate and the public. We have been lenient with you because of your position as Commander of the Royal Army. You will make a great queen, a warrior queen, who will make your mother and I very proud. You have bestowed a great honor upon us, your parents, by asking us to come here with you tonight to beseech Lima for the hand of her daughter. What can you offer Lima in exchange?”

Cybralle watched with pride as her daughter came to her feet and went down on one knee before the chambermaid. She reached under the table and took her mate's hand in a gentle grip.

“Lima, your daughter was very honest with me earlier today. She told me that she comes from very humble beginnings and very gracefully tried to convince me to select someone more worthy to be a mate for me than herself.” Sterling turned to look at the blushing woman. “Her exact words were that she is too simple to be more than what she already is. But she was so wrong, Lima. She is destined for so much more. She is destined to be the woman I see every morning I open my eyes. She is destined to be the woman I bear children for. She is destined to be the one who will make my breath quicken by simply walking into a room. She is destined to be the keeper of my heart.” Sterling took a deep breath and wiped at her damp eyes. “The list is so long and it will take me the whole night to tell you how wrong your daughter is in thinking she cannot be more than what she is right now. I know she will need time to adapt to the changes of being the mate of a queen, but I will be with her every step of the way. She will be loved, Lima, and she will want for nothing. I promise you.”

Cybralle had to struggle to keep her composure as she looked at her daughter and then at the quiet woman sitting with her head bowed. She watched as Orla lifted her eyes, their paleness stark against her sun-darkened skin. A soft sniffle caught Cybralle’s ears, and she turned to look at her mate. Mesmeria's eyes were swimming in tears and, with her hand covering her mouth, she looked at her daughter before slowly turning to look at her mate.

“Dearling?”

“Please…” Mesmeria swallowed hard. “I want the two of us to talk with Lima…alone.”

Cybralle looked at Sterling and nodded. She watched as her daughter left the room followed by the towering form of the blacksmith.

***

The landscape was bathed in moonlight, and a soft breeze was rustling through the tree branches. Standing in complete silence, neither Sterling nor Orla were aware of how beautiful the night really was. They could not keep their eyes off each other.

“I meant every word that I said to your mother.”

Orla inhaled deeply before she closed the distance between them. For a long moment she just looked down into the silver eyes of the princess.

“Please, teach me how to kiss you, because I want to kiss you, desperately.”

A soft, crooked smile came over Sterling's lips as she looked up into the pale-blue eyes. She nodded.

“I would love to teach you how to do that, but could we find a place to sit first? You are too tall for what I have in mind.”

Orla looked around and noticed the small bench positioned against the hut. With a surprising move, she swung the princess in her arms and carried her over to the bench. When she reached the small bench, she lowered her bulk and positioned the princess on her lap.

“Well, that was unexpected, but I find that I liked it. I wish to see more of this side of you,” Sterling said with a crooked smile. Her hand reached out and gently cupped Orla's cheek, as she stared deeply into the beautiful blue eyes. “Now close your eyes for me and just feel what I am doing to your lips.” When the blue eyes fluttered closed, Sterling just stared at Orla's face for a moment longer, humbled by the instant trust the woman placed in her. Slowly, she leaned closer and planted a kiss on the cleft at Orla's chin. Her lips moved up farther until they encountered the plump lower lip which she gently sucked into her mouth. She heard a soft moan; her heartbeat accelerated at the sound, and she closed her eyes. Bringing her teeth into play, she raked them gently over the soft lip before she lapped at it with the tip of her tongue.

Opening her eyes, she was shocked to look straight into stunned blue eyes. She gasped softly but did not stop her gentle ministrations. Heaven forbid that Orla find out one day what the sight of her beautiful eyes did to her. That knowledge could surely be a very powerful weapon against her. While they held each other's gaze, Sterling pushed her tongue into Orla's mouth and it was her turn to moan at the spicy flavor she tasted on the blacksmith's tongue. Wanting more, she leaned her body into the broad, muscled chest of Orla as she savored the kiss. They both moaned at the same time, and Sterling felt herself being pulled closer as two strong arms wound themselves around her and held her tightly.

The lack of air made them pull away, their lips parting with a soft, wet smack as they stared into each other's eyes.

“That…that is how I like to kiss you, my precious,” Sterling whispered, her voice muffled from where her face was pressed into Orla's neck.

“That was very nice. Not that the other kisses lacked in anyway.”

They sat there on the bench, under the moonlight, and just held each other, quietly absorbing each other's nearness. It was Orla who broke the silence.