Blood Ward

Chapter 43

We stayed the night in the palaceand set off in the morning for the home I hadn't seen in over ayear. In the two weeks it took us to travel there, I grew excited. Iwanted to press on past the last village before Malourne, buteveryone else was exhausted. We stopped and stayed the night inGert's inn.

"Oh my goodness child, it'sbeen so long! I never thought to see you again!"

"How are things?" I asked,smiling.

"When I heard of Malourne, andthe war in the north, I thought of you and your knight. I see he isnot with you," she said.

"He was killed in battle," Isaid sadly.

"I'm so sorry, my dear. Hewas so in love with you. When you were hurt that night, I thought hewould lose his mind." She looked back fondly on Stefan.

I smiled, thankful for the happymemory. "I still carry him with me," I said.

She looked at meconspiratorially. "The babe... is it his?"

"No," I put a hand on mybelly. "We had our differences months before his death."

"Well, the least I can do isput up you and your party for the night, on the house. You must bestarving, let's get you fed," she insisted, even after I argued.

I didn't sleep through thenight. Waking early in the morning, I dressed and snuck out withBeast on my heels. "I see you haven't changed much," Gert saidfrom behind the bar. She had a smile on her face.

"Would you mind telling mycompanions that I rode ahead to Malourne?" I asked matching hersmile.

"Of course, child. Good luck toyou," she said.

"Thank you Gert." I left andwent to the stables to saddle Chaser.

I rode for hours, taking itslowly as Beast trotted along beside me. When I finally rode intoview of the city gates, I found them left open. Chaser trotted softlythrough the quiet streets as I was overwhelmed with memories. I mademy way toward the castle and the training grounds.

Climbing off of War Chaser, Itook his saddle and bridle off and let him run in the corral. Walkingback down toward the barn, I stopped, closed my eyes and breathed ina deep breath. "We're home." Stefan's voice broke thesilence.

"I wondered when you'd showup," I smiled, opening my eyes. I was actually glad to see him.

"I couldn't let this go."He shrugged.

"It feels good to be back in aplace with so many good memories," I said.

"I've waited a long time forthis," he agreed. "Come, I want to show you something."

I followed him to the knights'barracks where he'd taken me so many times before. "It's beenso long," I whispered quietly running my hand across the top of thewooden bureau.

He was standing in the doorwayjust watching me move around the room. "You should look under thebed."

I looked at him, and then down atmy stomach. "Really?"

"I would help, but..." he puthis hand throughthe door and shrugged.

I sighed and struggled to myknees then leaned down to look under the bed on the floor. I reachedmy arm under and pulled out the box that was tucked toward the headof the bed. "What is this?" I asked tracing my name which wascarved into the lid of the box. A layer of dust came away, tugging myheart in a reminder of how long it had been.

I propped my back against the bedand the nightstand, and crossed my legs underneath each other. "Thekey is in the nightstand."

I reached behind me and pulledthe drawer out, fishing for the small key. I opened the lock-boxslowly and pulled out a scarf I'd given him back when we'd firstbecome lovers. Underneath it was a pile of notes and letters thatwe'd exchanged during our time together at the castle. He sat downnext to me, leaning against the bed. I reached the bottom of the boxand saw our favorite book. One he'd read to me so many times as Ilay in his arms falling asleep. "You kept all of these?" I asked,feeling tears welling up in my eyes.

"I was devastated when I had toleave them behind," he said reaching toward one of the foldedparchments, and then sadly remembering he couldn't touch it.

I opened and read some of theletters, their contents pulling up happy memories and making Stefanand I laugh. Others made me cry, missing my Stefan. The old, happyStefan that I'd loved. I don't know how long I sat on that floor,reading those notes and crying, but I didn't notice when Stefanfaded away. I had just picked up the book and was looking at thecover when I heard a familiar and very welcome voice. "What's allthis then?" I looked up, still sobbing and Anders knelt in front ofme. He brushed a few tears from my cheek and smiled sympatheticallyat me.

"Stefan. He brought me here."I said. "This was his room."

Anders picked up one of the notesand skimmed its contents before folding it gently and placing it backin the box. "Come on, luv. Everyone's waiting." His voice heldcompassion. He helped me to my feet and hugged me tight. Then I saton the bed next to Beast as he gathered the notes, book, and myscarf, tucked them carefully in the box and handed it to me.

I clutched it to my chest as heled me back outside. I turned my head to look back once more at theroom. Stefan was standing, leaning on the windowsill. He was smilingas he said, "Goodbye, Ana."

That was the last I ever saw ofStefan. I suppose his purpose for haunting me was to bring me to hismost treasured possessions. His box now sat atop a shelf rightalongside the book I'd tucked all of mynotes and keepsakes in that had miraculously survived Compton'streachery. A week after our arrival, Master Kane arrived with mytroops. He had volunteered to uproot his business to move to Malourneand be my personal clothing maker. Six weeks after that, Anders and Ihad a beautiful baby girl with my black hair and his striking greeneyes. Both he and Reif doted on her and spoiled her in excess.

It wasn't soon afterStephanie's birth that Anders and I were officially married and hewas named Earl, much to his surprise. I went back to my constanttraining and riding, every chance I got, a habit our daughter pickedup when she was old enough.

Every once in a while, Reif woulddisappear for a month or so to check in on his kingdom, but he alwaysreturned with gifts and tales from the road which Stephanie delightedin. Life for me turned out very well after the rocky start. I stillmissed Stefan from time to time, but Anders was always there to put asmile back on my face, just as he'd promised.