Free Web NovelChapter 15: Find It In Your Heart
SOPHIA
Nathan led the way as we hurried through the maze. Every time we came to a decision point, he would stop and ask, "Which way do you want to go?"
We had a fifty-fifty shot each time to make the right choice, so I simple alternated picking directions.
Several times, we hit a wall and had to back-track. We sometimes shared walkways with other teams. Since we had already formed a team, we were relatively safe. However, Nathan wasted no time using his paint gun to pick off unmatched hunters and prey.
The less competition we had, the better our chances at winning.
We came upon the first puzzle about an hour into our journey.
"It’s a riddle," I said, studying the posted sign. "I am always behind you, but you can never see me."
Nathan and I looked at each other and grinned. "Back," we said together.
"We need to pick the other direction," said Nathan.
We returned to the original fork in the pathway, and headed in the opposite direction. For the next fifteen or so minutes, we simply followed the path. There weren’t any choices to be made.
"I think we’re getting closer to the center of the maze," said Nathan.
"I wonder what the prize is."
"I already have the prize," he said.
"What? Where?"
He took my hand and pulled me to a stop. Smiling, he looked at me tenderly. "You, Sophia. You’re the prize."
I blushed to the roots of my hair. My entire face and scalp felt like I’d dipped them in fire. "Sophia?" I teased. "You’re quite forward, sir."
"I am." He pulled me into his arms and gripped my waist. "Call me Nathan."
For a moment, I couldn’t get my mouth to work. I looked down, trying to get ahold of myself. "Nathan," I whispered.
"What was that?"
I lifted my head and met his gaze. "Nathan."
He put his thumb against my lip, his eyes darkening with intent. He wanted to kiss me? My heart leapt to my throat, and I pulled back. "No," I said. "We can’t. I’m not divorced yet."
"I will always wait for you, Sophia. No other woman exists for me." He released me, obviously reluctant to part with me. I felt the same. Even when I thought I loved Jace, I hadn’t felt this way. Like I was on a carriage ride through hills and valleys, racing, racing, my heart aching for something just out of reach.
Nathan.
Duke Stonehart.
"Come, Miss Pagemoore. Let’s continue. We have a prize to win!" freewёbnoνel.com
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JACE
"This maze is awful," complained Penelope behind me. "The Flowerbys’ maze was much better." She grabbed the back of my jacket. "Could you slow down? My feet are killing me."
"Take off your shoes."
"And walk barefoot on this rocky ground?" She huffed in irritation. "Why are you so mean to me?"
I stopped. Inhaled a deep, calming breath. Turned. "You wanted to team up with me," I said. "The only reason you can is because Duke Stonehart got to my wife first."
And I was still upset about it.
How could Sophie, who loved me so much, go off with another man? I clenched my fists as I thought about Duke Stonehart hand-in-hand with my wife.
She should be with me, damn it.
"I can’t breathe," said Penelope. She put her hands on her waist, rubbing her sides. "This whalebone corset keeps stabbing me." She sighed, and held out her arms. "Jace, carry me."
I looked at her as though she were insane. "In that dress? No way."
"I can’t breathe! And my feet hurt!"
"And my head hurts from all your caterwauling."
Penelope’s mouth dropped open. She pointed at me. "You ... you..."
"I ... I ... what?" I glared at her, waiting for her to complain. Again.
Her eyes welled with tears. Her bottom lip trembled. "I’m sorry. I’ve been horrid, haven’t I?"
"Yes," I said. "Very."
Tears rolled down her cheeks, smearing what was left of her makeup. I couldn’t help but think about the clean, clear skin of Sophia. Just the softest pink on her cheeks and lips. Those sparkling purple gems near her eyes.
My gaze traveled across Penelope’s elaborate wig, and I felt dissatisfaction curl in my gut. Compared to the soft, thick natural hair that draped Sophia’s back like a flowing silk, Penelope’s wig looked crass and ugly.
The difference between Penelope’s look and Sophia’s were miles and miles apart. It had been obvious from Sophia’s style of dress that she wasn’t wearing a corset, and she still had such a tiny waist.
A waist I might’ve been able to see and touch, along with the rest of her, if I had stayed for our wedding night.
"You’re thinking about her again, aren’t you?"
"You have no right to be jealous. We are not lovers, Penelope."
"You dare say that? You know very well my heart is with you. And until tonight, I would say yours was with me. Sophia wears a skimpy dress and you sniff around her like a dog."
"Don’t say such things. She’s my wife, Penny. You are not."
"I’m your savior! I nearly died to take that arrow for you. And I am plagued by illness because of it. I’ve been by your side for more than seven years. How dare you treat me so cravenly!"
Her words clawed at my heart the way they always did when she talked about how she saved me. I remember the day well. She had been delivering a tray of tea to my resting place at the military camp. She saw the arrow flying toward me. She dropped the tray and jumped in front of me.
The arrow pierced her, very close to her heart. She collapsed in my arms, her blood staining my clothes. I carried her to the medical tent. Three doctors worked to remove the arrow and save her.
I had sworn to her, in front of witnesses, that I would care for her for the rest of her days.
I hadn’t intended for that to be a romantic promise.
After all, I was supposed to marry Sophia. Even though I had never truly liked my fiancee, I knew how important the marriage was to our families.
But...
Penelope became a part of my life so inherent that not having her around was much like not having one of my arms.
How could I discard her so heartlessly?
"Don’t cry," I soothed, taking her into my arms. I hugged her tightly. "I owe you my life, Penny. I won’t forget my debt to you. I promise."
