Intelligence Part Two
Welcome to the second part of the story. I hope you enjoy and feel free to leave any comments about your thoughts=)
Intelligence Part Two
“Half of remaining safe is being unpredictable,” he said and finally offered his arm. “Shall we walk.”
He waited for the yelling, maybe the stomping of feet but they didn’t come. Her scowl disappeared.
“Unpredictable… I like it.” Kicking off her shoes, she picked them up in one hand and held the other out to take his arm.
Walking side by side for a bit in silence, she finally spoke up. Zackary had wondered how long it’d take.
“So officer, what’s your name?”
“Zachary Ulster Ridden the 4th.”
“Kind of hideous.”
“Isn’t it though?”
“Then why do you say the middle name?”
“Because Zachary Ridden is a notorious thief from Seattenburg.”
“I see.”
Silence again. She truly didn’t see, Zachary was sure, but it didn’t bother him. Few did ‘see’ when it came to the way his mind worked.
Thankfully, Commander Santell understood.
The palace appeared ahead. As they passed through the gate, Zachary handed his invitation to the steward.
The man raised a brow but with the Commander’s seal on the invitation, he wasn’t questioned.
“What else helps keep me safe?” Miss Santell asked when they paused for her to put her shoes back on.
“Not walking alone with strange men… or riding in a man’s coach without knowing him.”
Melanna paused. She grasped his meaning instantly and Zachary was a little surprised to see goose bumps on her arms. She didn’t respond, so he simply followed her into the great hall.
He trailed her as she danced and ate and conversed. She didn’t offer to dance with him and he didn’t ask but instead kept to the crowd, watching. The Commander wouldn’t have approved but he wasn’t present. Zachary was beginning to wonder if that was part of the problem. Miss Melanna didn’t seem aware of the risks behind her behaviors.
Catching the flash of her purple dress as she exited the hall, Zachary shook off his thoughts and followed. He found her sitting on a bench in the gardens, gazing up at the star ridden sky. A slight smile pulled up one corner of her lips.
Moving to join her, Zachary paused as another man appeared and sat beside Miss Melanna. The man handed her a glass.
Slipping back into the bushes behind him, Zachary watched as the sandy haired man introduced himself. Miss Melanna returned the gesture and then drank from the glass as the man drank from his own, like he was encouraging her to drink up.
Zachary suppressed a groan and then held his breath as a sneeze threatened to reveal him. Stupid bushes were getting to him.
The man stood and bowed to Miss Melanna before returning the way he’d come. It was several moments before she moved to follow him back into the palace.
As she stood, she wavered and sat down again. She held a hand to her head.
“Come, Miss Melanna, I’ll take you home,” someone said. Zachary looked to the side without moving his head to see a squat but heavy shouldered man.
Miss Melanna stood, surprised. She wavered and the man grasped her arm
“Not sup..shouldn’t ride with someone I don’t know.” She tried to pull away but the man’s grasp only tightened.
“Miss Melanna.” Zachary called out, stepping forward. The stranger turned and it was just enough distance for Zachary to insinuate himself between the two.
Melanna smiled , collapsing against his shoulder as he offered an arm for support.
The stranger glared before spinning away and disappearing down the path.
“Don’t worry,” Zachary mumbled, “I’ll find you and your friend later.” Then louder to Melanna he said, “close call.”
He guided her from the palace as she mumbled a response against his shoulder.
“What was that?”
“You knew that might happen?”
“You father may have mentioned the possibility.”
She swore softly. “No one tells me these thing.”
Getting her into the coach, Zachary propped her against the window as she passed out. She wasn’t purposefully careless…just free spirited. He liked it. She wanted to learn.
“Daddy’s not home enough to realize,” he mumbled to himself. It was sad the other officers who escorted her hadn’t struck upon the simple solution.
“No worries, Miss Melanna, I’ll pass along the message.” He watched her until they reached the house, head slumped and hair mussed from leaning against him. She really was beautiful.
“The Commander’s gonna hate me.” Zachary grinned.
***
“Teach her?” Santell’s brows were raised at the report.
“Yes Sir. She’d be a lot safer if she knew the situation.” Zachary picked up a small cup from the Commander’s table.
“Don’t pocket anything,” Santell said off handedly as he considered.
“Wouldn’t dream of it, unless maybe it’s your daughter’s heart.”
“What’d you say?”
Zachary grinned. The Commander glared.
“You no good thief, I hired you to find the security leaks in my ranks, not create issues in my family. Now get out and enjoy your holiday. I see you near my daughter, you don’t get paid.”
Zachary bowed and left, still grinning. He was, after all, Zachary Ridden, the famous thief, and Miss Melanna’s heart was a worthy ‘find.’ The Commander was going to hate him indeed.
The End.
Blessings and have a wonderful weekend,
Jennifer
