Page 21 of Chivalry in the Meadow (Hope Runs Deep #2)

Chapter Eight

M ia wandered to the far edge of the camp, and stood at the treeline, looking up at the moon while moonlight spread over her hair and shoulders. She’d needed a break from the noisy ball, and the riot of costumes and colors.

“Walking alone?” Sir Alaric’s voice came from the shadows, calm and low, but edged with concern.

Mia startled slightly but then smiled. “Just… thinking. The festival is… overwhelming at sometimes.”

He stepped closer, the torchlight catching the gold threads of his courtly garb. “It can be,” he admitted. “But danger likes the quiet corners. That’s where it hides.”

She glanced at him, feeling the pull of his presence, as strong as the pull to Sir Cedric had ever been. The pull to Sir Alaric was steady, protective, grounding. It did not make her feel she needed a break from him. “I suppose I’m lucky you’re here, then.”

Sir Alaric’s dark eyes softened, and for a heartbeat, the world narrowed to the space between them.

He extended a hand, not commanding, just offering. “Stay close. For your own sake. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”

He paused. “If you desire a quiet walk away from the party, I will walk with you.”

Mia hesitated for a moment, looking into his eyes. Then, seeing only kindness and caring, she placed her hand lightly in his.

The touch was brief, tentative, yet electric, surprising them both. Her eyes widened and his deepened, yet neither spoke.

She was aware of her pulse and the warmth of his skin, the strength of his calloused fingers. The hand of a warrior who would protect.

They began to walk together, side by side, through the quiet trees. Shadows danced around them, but she felt a curious calm with him. If there were anger lurking here, safety followed in his steps.

A woman’s shriek, followed by much loud laugher spread to where they were walking, and she turned her head. “No wonder I found the party to be loud.”

“The more they drink, the louder it will get,” he said.

“Do you ever wish for a life without all this…” she gestured vaguely toward the jousts, the magic, the chaos. “…drama?”

Sir Alaric lips quirked into a small, almost shy smile. “Sometimes. But then I remember why I’m here. And who I’m here for.” His gaze met hers, unwavering.

Mia’s breath caught.

The playful, teasing charm of Sir Cedric had its thrill, but Sir Alaric offered something entirely different. A certainty she could trust. He wasn’t dazzling with flare. He was steady, reliable, and undeniably present with her.

A soft rustle from nearby drew their attention. Alaric moved instinctively in front of her, shielding her, his hand still lightly brushing hers.

He watched and whatever it was moved away, further back into the darkness.

“See?” he murmured, eyes flicking to hers. “Courage isn’t the absence of fear. Choosing a companion means knowing who has enough to stand beside you when danger comes.”

Mia’s heart swelled, the tension of the moment melting into something warm and urgent. “Then I suppose I’m exactly where I need to be,” she whispered.

Sir Alaric’s fingers closed around hers, not in haste, but with deliberate care. “And I won’t let anything take you away from it,” he said softly.

The torchlight flickered across his face, shadows playing in his dark eyes, and for the first time, Mia could see what choosing him, in a world of chaos and magic would be like.

The great horned owl called from a nearby oak, it’s cry echoing over the meadow as if in approval, and Mia allowed herself to lean just slightly closer, a subtle closeness, tentative yet intimate, knowing that trust, and maybe something more, had quietly taken root under the moonlit sky.

She’d never in her life asked a man to dance. It had always been a wait for them to ask situation. For a date, for a dance. But she was getting the feeling that if she didn’t ask him, if might not happen.

Now she was working up the nerve to try to ask him.

Taking a deep breath, scared to ask, she dove in anyway. “When I came to this ball, I was hoping you would ask me to dance,” she said softly.

So soft, he had to bend forward to hear her. Which brought them closer.

Not a bad thing, at all. Though she hadn’t expected that, she’d just been feeling shy about asking him. Being closer was nice.

He gave her a big smile. “Milady, I would be honored to dance with you, if you’ll have me,” he said. “If you say yes, I will be the happiest of men.”

Oh my. So, he did have fancy manners when he wanted to use them.

“Thank you, Sir Alaric,” she said. “Yes, I would love to dance with you.”

“And I will most happily escort you back to the ball now, for our dance, if you’d like,” he said. “Unless you wish to extend our walk.”

“I would like to go back to the ball and dance now,” she said. “I feel most refreshed from our walk beneath the moon.”

He smiled and then turned to escort her to the ball.

Something about being around Sir Alaric had made her feel bolder. Bold enough to ask for what she wanted.

And now one of her wishes was going to come true.

He led her back to the party and at the edge said, “We’ll have to don our masks again to enter the ball area.”

“I don’t mind,” she said.

After placing their masks on, they entered the party and moved toward the dance floor.

People made way for him, and a small circle opened around them, so they began to dance. With her eyes looking up into his, she didn’t notice if there were any shimmers. In fact, she had forgotten all about the shimmers while she was with him.

As they danced it was like time and place and everything around them receded. There was only him and her and the music they moved to, as if in a dream.

When the dance was over, they stopped and she stood slightly breathless, only looking up at him. “I enjoyed this so much,” she said. “I feel like Cinderella at the ball.”

“You’re glowing,” he said. “As if lit from inside.”

She beamed up at him, feeling the happy glow inside of her.

“You’re a romantic,” he said. “I’ll bet you love fairytales.”

“Why yes, I do,” she said.

He smiled deeper. “Come with me, princess, and allow me to fetch you something cold to drink,” he held out his arm.

She was more than happy to hold on and let him guide her. She still felt like she was floating on air.

They met up with Lilly and Sir Elias who had just finished dancing. He went with Sir Alaric to get the ladies something to drink.

“Have you satisfied both your wishes?” Lilly asked. “And danced with both knights?”

“Yes, I have,” Mia said. “And it’s been wonderful. A magical evening.”

“I’m glad.” Lilly watched Sir Elias getting her a cup of something. “I told him I wanted to try the mead. But not to let me get drunk. I hear it’s made with honey and just want to try it.”

“Oh, I didn’t think to tell Sir Alaric what I wanted,” Mia said. “I guess I’ll be surprised.”

“They aren’t at the same bartender stand,” Lilly said. “So, we might be getting different drinks.”

The knights returned with mead for Lilly and fruit punch for Mia.

“It’s nonalcoholic,” Sir Alaric said. “I didn’t know if you drank alcohol, or what your preference are, so I erred on the safe side. But if you want something else, I’ll get it for you.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I usually drink wine or lemonade. Lilly is the one who likes to try all kinds of alcoholic beverages.” She took a sip. “This is good.”

“And how do you like the mead?” Sir Elias said. “Is it up to your expectations?”

“Way better,” Lilly said. “It’s sweet and smooth.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Sir Alaric said, then he turned to Lilly. “Mead can go to your head more than you think. So, sip on it.”

“Yes, this is a sipper,” Lilly said. “Want to try it, Mia?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Mia said. Then curiosity got the better of her. “Okay yes, let me try.”

Lilly gave her a sip.

“That’s good!” Mia said.

After a bit, Lilly danced with Sir Alaric and Mia danced with Sir Elias. They all got along quite well, and the ladies were happy about that.

Then Sir Rowan asked Mia to dance, and she said yes.

Sir Alaric didn’t seem to mind her dancing with other knights. At least he wasn’t displaying any signs of jealousy. That felt much better than him and Sir Cedric fighting over her.

Maybe it was just that he didn’t like Sir Cedrick.

He was talking to the blacksmith over in the corner when Mia finished the dance and was ready for a rest again, so she mingled and said hello to other cast workers she’d met.

But soon, she was ready for another walk. By nature, she was an introvert and needed to be away from crowds when her energy dropped low, to sort of recharge.

I won’t go far , she thought, as she stepped away from the party again. It will be fine.

She looked up at the moon, and then watched the stars for a few minutes before starting to walk. It was a beautiful night, and one she would always remember.

Still feeling that glow of happiness, she reviewed the evenings happening so far, in her mind and didn’t pay attention to how far she was walking or what was around her. She was too wrapped up in that happy glow.

Sir Cedric stepped from the shadows with the ease of someone who belonged to them, and she jumped, startled.

“I find you in the quietest places,” he said. “First the water fountain and now the trees.”

“They’re the only ones that feel real to me here in this place,” she said. “Everything else is make believe.”

His blue eyes pinned her, roaming over her as he studied her. “You want real, Mia? Or do you want the fairytale version that listens to your heartbeat and answers it?”

She hesitated for a moment from answering, not truly knowing what she wanted.

“Sometimes a fairytale can become real, when a white knight comes along at just the right moment.” He spoke before she’d had enough time to think and as he spoke, he stepped so close they were almost touching.

His hand skimmed her arm, a gentle brush across the tiny hairs which brought her arm awake and aware of his touch.

She inhaled sharp as her skin came alive with feeling. Then she shivered.