Foremost (The Lost Princesses, #2)

by Jody Hedlund

The harpy eagle circled overhead, her gray-and-white markings blending with the frosty winter sky. “She is beautiful today,”

Edmund was lost in silent communication with the mighty bird of prey. As a Fera Agmen—an animal trainer—Edmund had raised Sheba from the moment she’d hatched five years past, and the two had a special bond I’d always admired.

“I’d take care of you.”

The truth was it was getting harder for me to say no to anything Maribel asked of me.

Hardly. She’s got a mind of her own.” Wade paused in his effort to open the door and studied my face. “I wasn’t referring to Maribel. I was talking about Colette.”

you not feel the adventure waiting for us, Eddie?

I’d always loved Maribel and would forever.

he’d hurt countless people in his desire to create a united kingdom. Instead of making a stronger and greater nation with Warwick and Mercia as one country again, his cruelty had created only more darkness and despair throughout the land, and his steep taxes had drained the already stretched resources.

I smiled to myself. Edmund might be more reserved and careful than I was. But most of the time, we were of one mind and soul.

“What kind of dangers?” Maribel’s tone seemed nonchalant, as though she was asking about the weather instead of life-threatening situations.

“Barnabas is out.”

“How does Barnabas fare?” Maribel asked affectionately. “I pray all is well.”

“Barnabas.” I pushed to my feet. “What news do you have for me? Where is Edmund?”

With my hand still upon his cheek, I curled up next to him, closed my eyes, and let slumber claim me.

“You need to lie still, Edmund, or you will tear your wound open.”

“But you are important to me,” she said softly,

“I’ll walk into them and see if I come out alive.” I turned horrified eyes to him only to see him grinning.

“I will remind you of your praise next time you object to something I request of you,” he teased, starting forward faster.

I’d caught faint echoes of the creature’s language, a strange and ancient one.

“Oh, Edmund,” I whispered against him. “I cannot live without you.”

“I thought I lost you,” I whispered. Raising a hand to his face, I cupped his cheek and bent down to place a kiss upon his forehead.

All I could think about was Edmund, how much I liked being in his arms, and how I never wanted the kiss to end.

Coerce me? “I do freely give you my feelings,” I said, not exactly sure what I was giving him except I knew I couldn’t live without him.

I loved her too much to cause her misery.

I’d live close to her, protect her, and die for her if need be,

She stirred within my embrace. Wrapped together in my cloak, her face was burrowed against my chest.

determination. “Release him,” she said

with her sister to think of anything else. I could see it in her eyes—that childish look of excitement she got when setting out on an adventure.

“I held you when you were but a newborn,” Adelaide said softly.

“No!” Maribel cried out. “Edmund is my best friend. He would never compromise me.”

“I would die for her if need be.”

“Then you will marry her.”

they never seen a physician at work? Well, they would now. Again, I slipped my fingers underneath Edmund’s shirt and tugged at the drawstring of his breeches. He caught my hand more firmly within his, the red stain in his cheek creeping higher. “If you pull down my breeches,” he growled low, “your sister will have us married within the hour.”

“I am only tending your injuries,” I replied even as I withdrew. I didn’t like having to refrain from doctoring,

but these men wouldn’t understand why a young, unmarried woman had the license to touch a ma...

I didn’t want to do anything that might jeopardize her faith in me—especially coerce her into marrying me for her safety as well as the greater good of Mercia.

Her intense gaze met mine. There I saw a mixture of both compassion and kindness.

“But sometimes life chooses a course for us, and then we must make the best of what we’re given.”

“I’d hoped you’d learn to love me first,”

“I do love you.”

You are more important to me than anything, even more than my desire to be a physician.

But the other part of me wanted nothing more than to marry this woman I’d loved my whole life and finally make her mine.

I’d lost so much long ago, but I’d gained even more through the adversity I’d endured.

Starting today, I’d get to kiss her as much as I pleased and for as long as I wanted.