Armored Hearts Read Free

empty. The bed was made, and stark white sheets covered the rest of the furniture. He made his way to the next window. It too was dark, empty, and dust sheets covered all the furniture. The whole house was devoid of life.
    Was she a ghost after all? A phantom?
    He fingered the stone in his waistcoat pocket. It was still there. Gareth heard a rustling sound below and looked down. Fear gripped at his chest at the thought of being discovered, but it was only a dog. It looked like Tabitha’s speckled brown mutt.
    Gareth left the town and soared over open pastures and empty fields. It wasn’t until bats flew by and spooked him that he decided to go home.
    He flew through his balcony doors. Standing in the middle of his room was wide-eyed Tabitha. Her orange tabby cat circled her legs.
    “Gareth?”
    His eyes shot to the door. The chair legs had made two deep scratches in the hardwood floor, and the door stood open only six inches. Enough for Tabitha to squeeze through. He quickly made his way to the door and slammed it shut. The chair nearly struck the floor. He righted it before flying to Tabitha and setting his feet on the floor in front of her. Blonde ringlets framed her face and fell into her eyes. Gareth pushed them aside, revealing round baby-cheeks.
    “Hey, my favorite girl. Did you have fun in London?”
    Her pupils nearly swallowed the blue of her eyes. She whispered, “You were flying. Like in the fairy stories Sarah tells me.”
    Gareth calmed his racing heart. Would treating flying as normal be the best way to deal with this? “Yes, it’s a new trick I learned today. Want me to take you for a fly? It’s even better than a ride in my chair.”
    She nodded enthusiastically and raised her arms to him. A smile grew on her lips. He lifted his little aunt to his hip and cradled her. “All right. But just a short trip around the room.”
    He held her close as he buzzed around the ceiling a half dozen times. He reversed his path to keep them both from growing dizzy.
    She giggled wildly until he shushed her. “Now this must be our secret. You can’t tell Lord Gerald or Sarah or anyone.”
    “Why not?”
    Gareth lowered his feet to the ground and set Tabitha on the floor before sitting on the bed. He raised his brows causing his forehead to wrinkle for emphasis. “Because then it wouldn’t be our secret. I never tell Lord Gerald about the animals you find and bring home, now do I?”
    She shook her head. “No, you never do.”
    “So can you keep this secret for me?”
    Tabitha’s cat pawed and scratched at Gareth’s door. He flew over to it and quickly let it out. He turned back to face the blue-eyed little girl looking up at him. “Can you promise?”
    Her eyes were like giant blueberries. “Yes, I promise.”
    He patted her on the head. “Good girl. Now why are you back already?”
    “I told Lord Gerald, I missed you too much.”
    The words pulled that string in his heart again, making him feel sad and happy at the same time. Gareth took her in his arms and held the child to his chest. “I’m glad you’re back. I missed you, too. The house is empty with you gone.”
    A knock sounded at the door.
    “Yes?” Gareth called out.
    Sarah peeked in. “Have ye seen… oh there ye are, little missy. Come now. Time to get ready for bed.”
    Sarah stared at the grooves in the floor and eyed the chair sitting in an odd place. Her green eyes met his with a questioning glance, and he returned her look steadily. Neither said a word.
    Tabitha took the maid’s offered hand. Sarah dropped her eyes and lead the child out, closing the door behind her.
    For the very first time in his life, Gareth dressed himself. After pulling the stone from the pocket, he wadded his waistcoat into a bundle and threw it in a corner. He set the stone in a special place on top of his wardrobe where no one would find it. With a nod, he settled himself on his bed, lying down and pulling up the covers.
    A new sense of life filled Gareth.