Sooo... where in the world has this week gone? Is it really Friday already? Sheesh! I'm going on a little trip this weekend to see my family, but I will try to post again before Monday. That being said, please don't throw things at me for this chapter.

;) Linny

Two Worlds

Chapter Twenty

He straightened his disheveled vest and brushed an imaginary strand of hair from his shoulder as he examined his appearance in the gilded mirror that hung in the corridor that separated the King's chambers from the throne room. He slicked back his hair with a bit of spit and straightened his spectacles. No longer did he look like the frightened patsy of the King, but his usual persona that dominated above every servant and guardsman that roamed the castle grounds. He planted the idea into Edward's head and now, all he needed to do is wait and see what develops.

Attacking the man's love for his daughter had been a stroke of genius. He was so proud of himself for creating such an evil and undermining plot. With the sudden reappearance and just as sudden disappearance of the Hudson heir, it was obvious that Edward was suspecting that she'd run away with him. Running away with him or being kidnapped by him, either way, it would get the man out of his hair until he accomplished his goal. He just needed one final piece to be set into play and he could say "farewell" to the meaningless life he'd concocted underneath these turrets.

Randall Pitts was going to be rich and powerful, just like his family deserved. Now, all he needed to do was get his mitts on the map so he could go hunting for the lost treasures of James Hudson.

A crooked smile graced his reflection as he watched the dark shadow approach from behind him. "It's about time you showed up. I've been waiting." He turned to see the man, his smile now transformed into an angry sneer. The longer they stood in this corridor, the more likely they would be seen.

"I needed to make sure I wasn't followed. I could have sworn the Princess's maid was behind me, but I lost her when I turned into the chapel." He couldn't resist weighing the chain of the gold cross he'd plundered from inside in his palm. It was light weight, but could fetch quite a price at market.

"Keep your sticky fingers to yourself, Frederick. We don't want anyone to become suspicious of our plan before we can even attempt to grab the map," he scolded and watched as the gold cross was shoved into the leather wallet at his belt.

"Is everything set," Frederick asked as he straightened the waistcoat he wore to hide his bulging side blade. He would not be using it on the King, for the instructions were clear about that. Just get in and out, quietly with the map. Edward would never suspect.

Randy nodded and dropped his voice low just in case there were some stray ears listening in. The curtains by the window were rustling in the wind and their voices would carry outside if they talked any louder. "His defenses are low and the tea should be taking affect. Move silently, though just in case the full potency hasn't reacted."

"I know what I'm doing," Frederick growled low in his chest as if challenging the much smaller and weaker-looking man. Pitts was not a man to be reckoned with, though and knew when he received a glare of fiery daggers to shut his mouth and just do what he was told.

"I'll meet you at the southern wall. We leave immediately," was the last thing Frederick heard before Randy disappeared down the length of the corridor.

Grunting something under his breath, Frederick took slow, steady steps toward the King's chambers. He listened outside of the door and was greeted with the soft snores of slumber. He sneered with delight. This was going to be easy as pie.

Glancing around to make certain he wasn't being watched, he quickly disappeared into the room, the door making a soft thud behind him as it closed.

The heavy fabric of the curtain moved aside and a small young woman stepped out. Autumn couldn't believe what she'd just heard. She needed to tell someone; she needed to alert the guards. Pitts needed to be stopped. She turned to run and then skidded to a stop. Pitts.

His eyes were drawn together in a maniacal glare, his fists set at his sides and he fought not to strangle the servant. She could hear his breaths coming out in angered huffs and fought not to scream. "Just where do you think you're going?" he demanded before lunging at her.

Music had softly begun to play, the gentle melody wrapping about Jack's heart as he lead his beautiful companion upon their makeshift dance floor. It wasn't as breathtakingly decorated at the palace ballroom, but the nature that surrounded them was still just as beautiful—if not more so.

The lute player was playing a song about a man finding his one true love in the one woman he'd never expect. It had happened almost too quickly, but Jack had found his true love in Sue. A lopsided grin graced his face as he held her in his arms and let her along to the melody. He was amazed by her grace, despite her hearing being lost to the land of silence.

He took in a deep breath, the scent of lilac—her scent—bringing a fog to his mind and sending his mind reeling through utopia. The silence between them was perfect, the tension that once existed between them was no longer and they finally got the chance to dance. Not as Lord and Lady, but as simply Jack and Sue. This was the perfect moment in time.

"So, I'm curious…" he began, but was unsure how to continue. He wanted to know so much about her, but was afraid he would offend her again and send her into another tirade. One was bad enough; he wouldn't be able to bear another; especially if she hit him again. "To look at you, I wouldn't have known you were deaf… why do you hide it?"

The light that had been shining in her eyes dimmed slightly, but it never lost its sparkling sheen. She became rigid in his embrace, yet she didn't pull away or fight to change the subject. She was proud of what she was and her stance told him so, but that didn't mean others would feel the same way. She moved seamlessly until her lips were mere centimeters away from his ear. She felt a tremor run through his body and one surged through her as well.

"Because I have to," she stated, solemnly. She pulled away just enough to see confusion written across his face. She couldn't resist smiling at how adorable he looked and bit at her lower lip to prevent her lips from curling. "Jack, if you would have known I was a deaf princess, would you want me to rule?" This time, she didn't dare leaning into him for fear of how her body just might betray her. His lips looked delicious under the moon and she dared for one simple taste. Instead, her tone was only loud enough for him to hear.

He didn't spend a lot of time thinking about the answer to that question and he felt proud of himself that his feelings for this remarkable woman had done nothing to sway him to choose between lying and telling the truth. "Well… it would depend on how you rule," he answered honestly and little did he know, like a true Lord would. The right side of her mouth quirked into a miniature smile. He was like his father in so many ways, but he couldn't even realize it. "Just because you can't hear, it doesn't mean you're not able to. You're human, just as the rest of us. And you…" he paused as his feelings were finally allowed to help him form a response. "You are going to make a great queen some day."

She blushed under his heated scrutiny. His dark eyes had darkened shades more at that statement and for the first time, she'd realized that they'd stopped dancing. Swallowing past the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat, she felt like she needed to pull her gaze away from his, but at the same time she knew she couldn't. "You're just saying that."

Jack wasn't sure when the air had become so thick and warm, but he didn't dare pull his hands away from where they now rested upon Sue's waist. It just felt so right to have her safe and close and with him. That was where he always wanted her to be. Dumbly, he shook his head as his brain sought to form real words. "No… I'm not."

And he really believed it. Her gentle heart could be just what the kingdom needed since there were still a few provinces that were recovering from the war. He knew deep down that she would be the one to make the changes needed to help them. "Paradise won't be so far away with you at the helm."

She ducked her head modestly at the compliment. She'd barely spent an hour with this man and he already had so much faith in her. Was this what love did to a man? Was this even love?

She silently admonished herself for thinking such a thing. Of course, this was love. It was a sort of love that isn't seen everyday. She smiled. It felt good to be in love. "Jack…" she whispered breathlessly when his strong finger crooked under her chin and raised her eyes back to his level.

No more words were shared as his head slowly lowered. The pink tip of her tongue darted out to wet her suddenly dry lips and he groaned inwardly before his head descended at a faster pace.

Here it was, the moment they'd both been waiting for. Their bodies trembled in anticipation. Their hearts sung out into the night's sky as one, each one finding the mate it had been searching for, their souls waiting to be joined into one with this kiss.

It seemed like forever until his lips could touch hers. Sue's small hand bravely took the route up his arm. It traveled across his broad shoulder and teased at the nape of his neck, willing his lips to hers. She could almost taste his sensual lips and leaned up for a sneak peek.

Her eyes fluttered closed as his sweet breath danced across her cheek, his nose lightly brushing against hers. This was it…

But, it never came. She felt his hands relax from about her waist and his breath exhaled sharply onto her neck. She opened her eyes to see his gaze turned away from her and aggravation clearly written on his face. Her eyes traveled the same path as his to see who had interrupted this perfect moment.