Rowena Through the Wall: Expanded Edition (24 page)

That's what did it and I knew it would. Thane couldn't resist actually seeing the portal, knowing where it was and experiencing the travel through the wall. It was
knowledge
that Thane thirsted for, not power.

"I will need to bring some men with me," he said. "For safety. Trusted men, who are loyal to me rather than Sargon. Is there a place close to the portal―but not within sight―where they can wait?"

"By the river. We
'd be within calling distance, yet hidden by the trees."

Grinning, he jumped to his feet. "Give me a half hour to get the men. Be ready by the stables. Don't speak to Sargon. I'll talk to him."

I watched his muscular body stride from the room. For an intellectual man, he certainly was well built. To be a man and survive in this world, he had to be fit. Even more so, since he was the king's brother and that king was Sargon.

Kendra was busy with Logan today, marking out the various tournament fields, so I didn't have to worry about her.

The bedroom was empty. I went to the wardrobe and pulled out the pink backpack. I emptied everything from it and placed the contents on the floor of the wardrobe. I'd wear the jeans under my dress, and the cowboy boots. I put the T-shirt in the bag for later.

When I reached the stables, Lightning was ready. This would be the first time I rode her with the new saddle. I swung up, elated.

"See how easy she is to mount with the horn?" I said to Avery.

The old man nodded.

"Where's Thane?"

"He told me to tell you he's by the gate, m'lady."

Sure enough, Thane waited on this side of the iron gates, a smile on his face and anticipation in his warm eyes. Four men sat on horseback not far away.

"I told Sargon you would be under my watch today," Thane said. "He seems to be busy with defensive matters. He thought it wise to keep an eye on you."

I smiled. It wasn't a lie. Thane would surely watch me.

We caught up with the other riders and Thane introduced me. Most of the men were his age, close to thirty I gathered, and all looked tough but respectful. They were well armed and observant.

Our ride to the river was uneventful. To attract little attention, we moved fast and as quietly as possible.

I led the way to the riverbank, where the men and horses could hide. To Thane, I said, "The portal is there, in the trees."

Before we left, he spoke to his men. "If I call, come immediately. You know the signal. If we aren't back in two hours, go into the forest and look for us. Stay until dusk and use caution."

He followed me up the hill to the forest. Seconds later, we rode into the clearing.

Thane cursed. "I should have reasoned it was here."

Of course! Thane had been here the day Logan and I had come back with Kendra.

"Not exactly here, but not far," I said. "We'll leave the horses and go on foot. But first…Thane, in my world you aren't allowed to carry swords and daggers. It could mean trouble for us. And it is a dead giveaway that you are from somewhere else. I don't think we want to advertise this. Can you leave your weapons behind with the horses?"

Without hesitation, he removed both weapons and strapped the belt to his horse.

"Thank you. I appreciate this."

He grinned. "Have no fear. I can fight well without them."

I almost groaned
.

Sliding from the saddle, I started down the path. Thane was right behind me.

"See here where the path turns and you can see the valley down below?" I said. "And see that oak with the split trunk?"

Thane nodded.

"It's through there." Grabbing his hand, I smiled. "Come."

Li
ke two children on the verge of a great adventure, we ran hand-in-hand.

Then I pulled Thane through the wall.

The classroom was empty. Light streamed through the windows, illuminating the tables and chairs―and my desk.

I looked at Thane's stunned expressi
on and giggled."Isn't this exciting? We made it, Thane. We're here in my world.
Arizona.
This is my classroom, where I teach."

I made a beeline for my desk and retrieved my car keys from the drawer.

Thane remained rooted to one spot, staring in wonder.

"Come here," I said. "Let me show you things."

With tentative steps, he walked toward me.

"Here are some of my teaching texts." I pointed to the heavy books on my desk. He was awed at their size.

"This is called a white board," I said, picking up a blue marker. "I can write on this to demonstrate things to my students, then erase the writing later. Look."

I wrote
THANE
.

"This is your name in English. And here is mine." I wrote
ROWENA
.

He smiled deeply. "I am enjoying this adventure."

I remembered something. "Hand me the pink backpack. I want to change into my T-shirt." I moved to the side wall. "Can you stand behind me so no one can see through the windows? I'm going to take off my dress and put on this T-shirt."

He did as told. I don't know how much he could see from behind, but when I whipped the dress over my head and reached down for the T-shirt, I heard him suck in a sharp breath. I slipped the T-shirt on, then rolled the dress into a ball and stuffed it in the backpack.

"There," I said, turning. "Now I look like I live here."

His eyes went to my chest. "What you wear here is…different. Quite pleasing in fact."

I blushed.

This was an irony that I couldn't quite get my head around. In Land's End, the dresses were cut so low that I almost fell out of them. Here in Arizona, I was completely covered.

We hurried to the parking lot. At one point, Thane stopped in his tracks and surveyed the scenery. I had to go back, take his hand and lead him like a child.

"The sun is so bright and hot here," he said, shading his eyes.

"Isn't it gorgeous? It's May. Arizona gets even hotter in summer."

I found my car and punched the lock release. I opened the passenger door, but Thane made no move.

"Look, Thane, I've got a lot to tell you and I know you want to see more, but for now you need to sit in here." I pointed to the seat. "I'll explain everything."

A couple of students wandered by at a distance and I did my best to keep Thane out of sight.

When he managed to fold his long legs into the cramped seat, I closed his door and stepped around the car. Climbing inside, I secured my seatbelt and signaled for him to do the same. It took him a few tries, but he got it.

When I started the engine, he jerked and let out a curse.

"What kind of magical beast is this?" he demanded.

"Okay, here's lesson two. This is a car, not a beast. Remember? I explained cars back in the library. These are fueled by a type of oil we get from the earth. They move fast, but I am a good driver, so you don't need to worry."

I eased the car into reverse and slowly backed out of my parking space.

"There are lots of other cars on the roads. Almost all adults have one. But we have rules and we follow them so there aren't as many accidents."

Thane was mesmerized by the dashboard.

"What are all these?"

"They operate the heat and AC. And the music."

I turned on the radio. Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" was on and I sang along.

Thane stared at the dashboard as if waiting for people to appear. "Where do the voices come from?"

"Radio waves. From the sky."

I guess we did have magic in our world.

I sped up as we hit the main road. When I checked to see how Thane was handling the ride, he was grinning from ear to ear.

I answered about a million questions in the ten minutes it took to get to my townhouse. I parked in front and switched off the engine.

"This is my home," I said.

"There is sunshine in your voice when you say that."

I guess there was.

We walked to the front door and I unlocked it.

"I'm very proud that I have my own place. This is an expensive city to live in."

"You live alone here? Does not your father live with you?"

"Dad lives close by, but no, I moved out of his house three years ago. In this world, women can live alone until they get married."

We stepped inside and I switched on a light. Thane's eyes drifted to the switch, which he then tried. The light went out. He flicked it again.

I rolled my eyes. Men with a new toy.

"And you walk around wearing that…T-shirt." He shook his head. "I am astonished that men here have such restraint."

"
You
have such restraint," I blurted without thinking.

Silence.

My face blazed with heat. "Follow me up the stairs to my bedroom so I can get my supplies."

When we entered the room, I let out a sigh of relief. I had made the bed. And I hadn't left a bra draped over the footboard.

Thane froze in the doorway. He took in his surroundings, enthralled. I motioned him to come in, but he hesitated.

Finally, he stepped inside.

"Sit down." I pointed to the bed. "I need to make some phone calls. You can watch."

The answering machine was by the bed. I punched a button.

"Hey, it's Debbie. Got your message. Don't worry, I'll keep Piper for as long as you want. Have a brilliant time. And don't do anything I wouldn't do." Giggle.

"Radio waves?" Thane asked.

"Kind of."

The next message was from Steve. "You didn't call Tuesday. I'm worried. Call me back."

I cringed. Delete.

"Hi, Red, it's Dad. Have a wonderful time and let me know as soon as you get back. We'll do lunch at the Biltmore. Love you."

"My dad," I said to Thane.

Next message.

"Rowena, this is Ted. You didn't make the meeting on Wednesday. Give me a call. Anytime."

There were several hang-ups after that.

"What is that thing called?" Thane asked.

"A telephone or phone. We can talk to each other in different houses. If the person isn't there when we call, we can leave a message on an answering machine. I was listening to messages I've missed."

"Remarkable."

"I'm going to return some calls now. Watch me. Every person has their own unique number."

I punched numbers and waited.

Steve's home answering machine picked up.

"Hi, it's Row," I said. "I'm fine, honest. I've been in England. It's a long story and I'm going back there. I'll be in touch in a few weeks. Bye."

I didn't want him getting so alarmed at my absence that he called Dad or the police. And I did the usual ex-lover trick. I called his home phone rather than his cell because I didn't really want to talk to him in person. He'd figure that out.

"I need to call my boss now," I said.

Thane's brows gathered.

"My commander," I explained. "The person who oversees my work."

He nodded. "Ah, yes. Your commander."

"Hi, Ted," I said when my boss's answering machine picked up. "Sorry to miss the meeting. I've been in England on a family emergency. I'll bring you up to date when I'm back for good. Bye."

"Are you finished?" Thane asked, obviously eager to see more.

"One more."

The hardest one.

"Dad? It's Row. I'm doing great. My English relatives are wonderful. I have so many cousins. Grandfather, in particular, you'd like. I'm staying over for another week or two, so don't worry. For emergencies, you can call my cell phone. Love you."

I hung up and slumped into a chair.

Thane sensed my mood. "You miss him, and he you. You are conflicted about staying in our world."

His deep blue eyes invited honesty.

"I can stay in Land's End, but I need to get back here every once in a while to see my Dad. I need that option in order to be able to stay in your world. Can you understand that?"

He nodded. "I understand. I understand the words you
haven't
said also."

We were silent, uncomfortable in our closeness.

Would I really stay in Land's End? If I had to make a choice and if there was no possibility to return home, I don't know what that choice would be. There was a good chance I would choose home. And not in spite of the baby, but
because
of the baby. A child would be safer in my world. Even Thane sensed that.

For this very reason, I didn't entirely trust him. I had a terrible feeling that he would do all he could to prevent my leaving forever.