Seal of the King Read Free Page B

with a forceful and commanding tone.
    “I’m smiling because I’ve known you my whole life , and I never thought I would have the pleasure of your company. I’m smiling because just seeing you standing there is enough for me. And if I were to die in this moment, I have no regrets.” He said. His smile gone now, replaced with the look of sincerity he felt in those words. She fidgeted uncomfortably, and he could see the turmoil building inside her. He knew she wasn’t going to kill him, but wasn’t sure what she was thinking.
     
    ***
     
    Her head was spinning. She had almost given up all hope, had thought she was racing to her death, and now she found herself face-to-face with him. She swayed slightly trying to keep her balance. She had been reaching out for the strength he always gave her, and here he was instead. It was almost too much to comprehend. Out of thin air he had clutched her from certain death; she had seen the fireball too late, she knew by all rights she should be dead.
    He wore the kind expression she had seen countless times before. She knew in her heart who he was. He was strong, gentle , and caring. The one man, above all others, she felt she could trust, even though they had never met. He was the only one left who had been with her through her entire life. He was the only who knew who she truly was. He knew her before everything changed, and knew the woman she had become.
    Her instincts that had been forged during ten long years of fighting were colliding with her emotions in a way she had never experienced. She never let her guard down , and yet her heart told her she should. The conflict raging inside her overwhelmed her. It was all too much for her to understand.
     
    ***
     
    He could see her chest rise, and fall as she tried to take in calming breaths. Then the last thing he expected happened. She fell to her knees, dropped her bow, and began to weep. She lifted her hands to her face to hide her embarrassment.
    He quickly got up , and knelt beside her. He reached over to take her hands in his. “It’s Ok you’re safe now,” he said as she looked up into his eyes, her deep dark beautiful eyes full of tears running down her face. Now instead of the strong confident woman of purpose, he saw the vulnerable little girl who, no doubt, had been locked away for a long time. His heart ached for her, he wanted nothing more than to comfort her, and take away her pain.
    “Is it really you?” She asked, “I’ve seen you my whole life too , but never thought we would meet.”
    He smiled at her again, “I never dared to hope that we would meet either, yet you’ve always been with me.” She began to sob , and he put his arms around her as she pressed her head to his chest to hide, and find comfort. He sat there quietly stroking her head to calm her, waiting patiently for her to regain her composure. The truth of it was he felt as though he could sit there forever, feeling her against him and it would be enough.
    Finally , she pushed away from him, “I’m sorry. I haven’t cried since I was a child. I don’t know what came over me,” she said wiping the last of her tears from her face.
    “It’s all right you were in a lot of trouble when I found you,” he said. Standing up, he reached out his hand, to help her to her feet. She hesitated a moment then took his hand. Her skin felt warm, and soft, yet her grip was strong and firm. Once on her feet she gathered up her bow and arrow, and replaced them on her back.
    “I ... I thought it was the end for me,” she said softly, looking down . “Those men have been chasing me for weeks, and they had me on the run all day.”
    “I see,” he said, “that does explain some things.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “The last time I saw you there was a flash of light , and the hair on my arm was singed. As a matter of fact, that was earlier today.”
    She stood tall , and said, “oh yes, I was almost more than a little singed that time.”
    He smiled at