Second Chance (13 page)

“Excuse me?”  Carrick was utterly flabbergasted.

“Carrick,” Selena chided.  “Please don’t play me for a fool.  I see how you look at my daughter. I see how my daughter looks at you.  And, I hear how my daughter talks about you.  I don’t think I can be around Ava for ten minutes without her mentioning you.”

Hearing this, Carrick sat a little straighter.  “Really?”

“Really.  So why is Prince Baynor out there paying attention to my daughter, and you are in here with a sour look on your face?”

“In all honesty, Selena, I am not sure that I am good enough for Ava.  I didn’t know how you and King Jaron would feel about it.”

Selena gave a musical laugh. “My dear boy.  You have been around us enough to know that Ava is our pride and joy.  And we want her happy.  If Ava wants you, and I assure you, she does, then we would love you just for making her happy.”

“But I’m only of Warrior caste, not Royal,” Carrick pointed out.

“You know that royals do not have to marry of royal bloodlines.  Besides, your magic is strong and you are very important to this kingdom.  One day, you will be the leader of all those who protect us.  I can’t imagine my daughter being in better hands.”

Carrick glanced at the doorway to the gardens, but couldn’t see Ava and Baynor.  Selena stood up and Carrick rose with her in a gesture of respect. 

“You’re a good man, Carrick.  Don’t you forget that.”  Selena stretched up and kissed him on the cheek.

“What are you doing kissing my wife?” King Jaron said playfully as he came up behind Selena and wrapped his arms around her.

“Oh hush, Jaron.  I was just wishing Carrick good luck on a new endeavor he has decided to undertake.”

“And what is that?” the King inquired.

“Come darling, let’s dance.  I’ll fill you in on it.”

Carrick sat back down at the table and finished his ale.  He watched the King and Queen dance and he could tell that Selena was telling Jaron about her conversation with Carrick.  King Jaron looked over at him and gave him a reassuring smile. 

Carrick’s heart felt lighter than it had in, well, forever.  He had Ava’s parents’ approval.  Now all he had to do was get up the guts to let Ava know his feelings.  That is, if he could figure a way to get her away from Baynor.

Just then, Ava and Baynor walked back in and went straight to the dance floor.  Carrick didn’t wait another minute.  He got up and strode over to them.  “Mind if I cut in, Prince Baynor?”

“Well, I have been taking up all of Ava’s attention, but I can assure you it has been time well spent.”  Baynor graciously took Ava’s hand and kissed her knuckles lightly. “I hope to have another dance soon.”

Carrick wanted to punch him in the face.  Instead, he took Ava and gathered her in for a dance.

“This is a nice surprise,” Ava said.  “I didn’t even know you danced.”

Carrick sailed across the ballroom with Ava in his arms. “It’s part of our training in the Warrior caste.”

 “Really?” Ava asked, her eyebrows shooting straight up.

Carrick rolled his eyes at her with a grin. “No, not really.  We have better things to do with our time.”

Ava chuckled.  “Good one.”

Suddenly, Carrick was overcome with nervousness.  What if Ava didn’t want him?  What if she really wanted Baynor?  And how in the hell was he supposed to tell her his feelings?  He felt foolish and lost all at the same time.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Ava asked.

“I was just thinking…”, Carrick began.  Could he do this?  Would this forever change their friendship?  Trying to push past his own doubts, Carrick looked into Ava’s eyes.  She stared at him with calm strength.  And all his doubts fled.

“I was just thinking simply… that I love you.”

Ava’s eyes widened in surprise and she stumbled.  Carrick easily caught her and they were once again dancing smoothly across the marbled floor.  He was looking at her, waiting for a response.  Yes. No. Go to hell.  Anything but silence. 

And then Ava said, “It's about damn time, Carrick Dunne.  I’ve only been in love with you since I was eight years old.”

Carrick and Ava had arrived at the Conclave Hall.  Laina was not there yet so they waited.  Carrick thought again back to that day on her eighteenth birthday.  He and Ava were practically giddy with their newly proclaimed love.  Of course, Ava had to talk to Prince Baynor who, as it turned out, had genuinely liked Ava and wanted to court her for marriage.  He seemed to take her rejection well though.

Ralina, on the other hand, was pissed and used every opportunity that she saw Ava or Carrick to let them know.

And now, Carrick felt like they were starting all over again.  Except this time, they would be on Sorin’s turf, and there was no doubt in his mind that Sorin would want Ava as part of the deal.  How had things become so complicated lately?

Transference to Sorin’s palace was easy. Ava, Carrick and Laina had all been there on various occasions in the past.  With their grounding objects firmly in hand, they each cast
evanesce recreo
and appeared together in the Common Hall.

They were greeted by the Chief of the Sorin Conclave, Ranulf Centara, also descended from the magical line of Scrinia.  Ranulf and Laina knew each other well and they greeted each other with a warm hug.  Ranulf led them into the library and offered them refreshments.  He assured them that Prince Baynor was attending to another matter, and would be in soon.

While waiting for Baynor, Laina and Ranulf sat down at a large round table that looked like it could seat ten and began talking.  Ava walked along the bookshelves, looking at the various titles.  It made her sad to think of her library back in Kestevayne.  Ralina had probably torched all of their treasured books and histories. 

She glanced over at Carrick and saw him standing by the glass double doors, looking out over the library garden.  Even from behind, Carrick was the most physically perfect man she had ever known.  He stood with his feet apart and his hands clasped behind his back.  His back was ramrod straight and his head was held high.  She admired how his blond hair fell softly to his massive shoulders.  Her fingers itched to run through it again.

“Ava!”

Red in the face for the train of her thoughts, Ava turned toward the library door.  Baynor Sorin had entered and was walking straight to her.  He was still as handsome as ever, with his close-cropped black hair and gray eyes.  He was holding his arms out to her as he walked forward. 

Seeing no way out of it, she graciously accepted a hug from him.  He pulled her in close, very close and held her tightly.  “I’m so glad to see you safe and healthy.  I had just recently heard of your return to Vyronas.”

Stepping backward out of Baynor’s embrace, Ava said, “It’s quite wonderful to see you too, Baynor.  And thank you for inviting us to your home.  We have much to discuss.”

Baynor smiled and nodded.  He motioned to the table and said, “Please… sit.”  It was then that he noticed Carrick and the smile dropped off his face. “Commandant Dunne.  I didn’t expect you to be here.”

“Sorry for the imposition, Sorin, but Ava’s protection is my top priority.  Wherever she is, I’m right beside her.”

Ava had to hide the smile that came to her face.  Shame on Carrick.  First, it was improper to address Baynor as “Sorin” but Carrick had clearly laid down the gauntlet that Ava would not be an easy target.

“Yes,” Baynor said while looking warmly at Ava. “Her safety should be a top priority indeed.” 

After everyone was seated at the table, both Laina and Ranulf each took a moment to update the other on any new knowledge that had been obtained.  Ava was surprised to learn that Sorin’s Conclave really didn’t know much at all.  Or at least, that was what they were saying.  Ava wanted to delve a little deeper into that thought.

“Baynor, how is it that you have managed to stay so far removed from this over the past four years?”  She hoped her question was tinged with genuine interest and not reprimand.

Baynor did not seem to take offense.  “Ava, you know Croyden sits far away from Kestevayne.  Ralina has been comfortable sitting inside her palace walls and has made no advances toward us.”

“My palace walls.”

Baynor looked confused.

“You said ‘her palace walls’.  Don’t you mean my palace walls?”  Ava’s voice took on a slightly glacial tone.

“Of course,” Baynor hastily replied. “My apologies.  I am in no way giving deference to Ralina being the proper ruler of Kestevayne.  The throne is rightfully yours and I wanted to meet with you to see how I could help you achieve that.”

“I am, of course, overjoyed you have chosen to support us—” Ava began.

“Spit it out Sorin… what is it you want in return?” Carrick interrupted.

Ava gasped.  This was not a humorous slight, but outright rudeness.  “Carrick, that is not very diplomatic and completely uncalled for!” 

Carrick didn’t look shamed in the slightest.

“Actually,” Baynor said. “There is something I want.  I would like your hand in marriage and to rule Kestevayne with you when we end this war with Ralina.”

Well, Carrick had called that right.  Still, Ava was a tiny bit surprised and more than a little curious.  “I’m flattered Baynor, and beyond honored.  Let’s assume I would entertain your proposal, when would this marriage take place?”

“I would like it to take place as soon as possible.  You could then live here with me in Croyden where you would be completely safe.”

“And in return for my agreement to marry you, Kestevayne would get what in return?”

“You would have full command of my Army.  It totals twenty thousand men.”  Baynor shot a smirk at Carrick.

The entire Army?  Ava was surprised.  The House of Sorin had one of the largest forces in Vyronas.  They could practically overrun Ralina with sheer numbers if they had Sorin’s army.  Ava’s mind was racing.  Could she honestly marry Baynor when she didn’t love him?  Could she give up on Carrick?  But with twenty thousand men, the war could be ended fairly soon. 

Ava glanced over at Carrick and saw that he was sitting on the edge of his seat.  He looked like he was going to practically leap out of it if she said the wrong thing.  His eyes were glaring at her in warning.

“Twenty thousand men is an immense resource, Baynor.  While I am not in the market for marriage, I have to admit that your offer makes your proposal quite enticing.”

Ava heard Carrick’s chair slide back from the table and watched him get up.  He walked over to Ava and said through clenched teeth, “I need to speak with you in private.”  Carrick grabbed Ava’s elbow forcing her to stand.  Baynor and Ranulf stood as well.

“Is everything okay, Ava?” Baynor asked as Carrick was pushing her toward the door.

“It’s fine,” Ava called back over her shoulder.  “We’ll just be a minute.”

Once outside the library, Carrick was pushing Ava with the grip on her elbow.  He stalked down the hallway with large strides. 

“Stop walking so fast, Carrick,” Ava complained. “I’m going to break my neck trying to keep up with you in these heels.”

Carrick didn’t seem to hear her or didn’t care, because he kept moving swiftly.  He came to a door on the left and opened it up.  It was a formal sitting room.  He pushed Ava into the room and slammed the door shut behind them. 

Turning her around roughly, he grabbed both of her shoulders, and said with menace, “What the fuck are you playing at Ava?”

Ava brought her arms up in an effort to break Carrick’s hold on her.  “Get your damn hands off me, you brute!”

Carrick just gripped her tighter, leaning is face near hers.  He spoke very deliberately. “You. Will. Not. Marry. Sorin.”

“I can marry whoever I damn well want to, Carrick,” Ava retorted. She was staring into his eyes and they seemed to glow with rage.  Trick of the light she was sure.

“You are the most frustratingly annoying woman I have ever met,” Carrick ground out.  Ava would have thought he wanted to strangle her by the tone of his voice but instead he moved both hands to her face and brought his mouth down on hers. 

It was a punishing kiss, but Ava met it eagerly.  She knew Carrick was trying to brand her and she was going to let him.  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she opened her mouth and gave him full access. 

Carrick started walking her backward and with just a few steps, had her flat up against a wall.  Carrick reached down with one hand, keeping the other on her face, and grabbed her ass, lifting her up. 

Ava’s legs automatically parted, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.  Thank the gods that she wore this dress with the long slit up the middle. 
That came in pretty handy!
  The move put his erection in full contact with her core.  Carrick pushed his hips against her and rubbed.  Ava groaned into Carrick’s mouth as her hands wandered down over his shoulders, kneading his muscles. 

Carrick was holding Ava up with one arm and his hips pinning her to the wall.  He moved his other hand to the back of her head and grabbed her hair.  Pulling her head to the side, Carrick moved his mouth slowly down her neck and back up again.  He stopped at her jawline, nibbling lightly.  Ava felt goose bumps break out over her entire body.  All the while, Carrick was grinding his erection into her, and Ava’s hips were answering with a rhythm of their own.

Carrick lifted his mouth from Ava’s neck and looked her in the eyes.  He then leaned his upper body back a bit and let his gaze travel slowly down to her chest.  Releasing her hair, he lightly ran a finger along the edge of the plunging neckline of her dress.  The move caused his finger to caress the inside of her breast.  Ava shuddered at the contact.

“I really didn’t want you to wear this dress today, but now I see it has some merits,” Carrick murmured.

Ava’s insides were coiled tight, wondering what Carrick would do next.  He turned his hand over and lightly grazed his knuckles over the top of her breast, hitting her nipple through the material of her dress.  It instantly pebbled hard and Ava groaned, “More.”

Using the arm that was holding her, he hoisted her body up higher.  Ava was bereft as she no longer felt Carrick’s erection.  But then Carrick used his free hand to pull the neckline of her dress aside exposing her breast.  He only had to lean down slightly and lightly flicked his tongue over her nipple.  Just that tiny move caused Ava to literally buck her hips against Carrick, and she heard him groan at her reaction.  Then Carrick leaned in again, and latched on to her nipple, lapping and sucking at it in turns.

“Carrick,” Ava panted. “I’m dying here.”

Carrick lifted his head and gave her a wicked grin.  “I think you’ll survive.  But I did want to explore a little farther south if that is okay with you?”

Yes, oh, yes, oh, yes. 
That was definitely fine with Ava because she was about to combust.

Unfortunately, there was a loud knock on the door.  It was Baynor.  “Ava?  Is everything okay?”

Both Carrick and Ava stared at each other for a moment, trying to get their breathing under control.  Ava took a deep breath and hoped her voice sounded steady.  “Yes.  We’re just ironing a few issues out.  Can you give us a few moments and we’ll be out?”

Baynor didn’t respond but clearly the moment was broken.  Carrick lowered Ava just a bit so she came back in contact with his erection, and her pulse quickened again.
 
He looked straight into her eyes. “I mean it Ava.  You are not going to marry Sorin.”

“Does that mean you are offering me marriage?”

Carrick didn’t hesitate.    “No. I’m not.”  His tone was cold.  Hard-hearted Carrick was back.

Ava pushed back at Carrick hard enough he lost his grip on her and she slid to the floor.  She was furious as she pushed her dress back over her breast. 

“Then you have no say in what I do, Carrick.  Get that through your thick skull.”  Ava pushed past him and stormed out the door.   Carrick could do nothing but follow.

When they returned to the library, Ava said, “I apologize for our absence.  Carrick was just making some of his concerns known to me which I have taken under advisement.  I was wondering though,” Ava said as she turned to Baynor, “if I could talk to you in private as I have some details about your proposal that I want to clarify.”

Baynor’s face lit up with a huge smile.  “Of course.  How about we walk in the gardens while we talk?”

“That would be lovely.”  Giving Carrick a sly glance, Ava linked her arm through Baynor’s and they headed out the double glass doors.

***

Carrick was pacing in the library, waiting for Ava and Baynor to return.  They had been gone for over an hour.  Laina and Ranulf were still at the table, talking softly.  They had a book of magic opened between them and seemed to be studying something.

Carrick was so angry right now, if Baynor looked at him the wrong way he would kill him.  When he realized that Ava was seriously entertaining Baynor’s proposal, his vision went red. 
She’s mine.
  Except… she wasn’t his.  He had repeatedly rejected her telling her that there was nothing inside him to give.  Yet that didn’t stop him from almost taking her right there in Sorin’s palace.  One minute he was ready to throttle her, and the next he was kissing her senseless. 

Carrick seriously thought he might be going crazy.  His mind was telling him that a relationship with Ava was not possible, his dick was telling him to get it on.  And his heart… he had no clue what his heart wanted.  He’d felt his heart was dead, but the mere idea of Ava marrying someone else caused it to hurt. 
What a fucking mess!

Carrick was jolted out of his reflections as the garden doors opened and Ava and Baynor walked in.  Ava was laughing at something Baynor had said and he noted they were holding hands.  It was almost as if Carrick was transported back five years to Ava’s birthday party.  Baynor had something that Carrick wanted.  And Carrick was back in the same position as he was five years ago.  He didn’t know if what he had to offer was good enough for Ava.
  I’ll think it again… what a fucking mess!

“Carrick.  Laina.  I’m ready to go.”  Ava turned to Baynor and gave him a hug.  “Thank you, Baynor, for everything.  I’ll be in touch.”

“The pleasure was all mine, Ava,” Baynor said as he returned her hug, smirking at Carrick over Ava’s shoulder.  Carrick clenched and unclenched his fists. 
I’m going to fucking kill him.  Plain and simple.

Baynor escorted Ava’s group back to the main hall, and from there they transferred back.  Laina went back to Conclave Hall, and Carrick and Ava transferred back to his house, right into his kitchen.  Bing gave a scared yelp when they appeared, apparently having been awoken from a nap.  Ava bent down to give him some calming scratches and all was well with Bing again.  His tail thumped steadily on the floor.

“Well?” Carrick demanded.

“You have your twenty thousand troops.  Make wise use of them Carrick,” Ava said as she walked into the bedroom.