Page 51 of Christmas Magic

Cora wandered into the boutique. The sense of wrong-ness taunted him again `as he studied the nearby items for sale. Images of a crowded outdoor market flickered in his mind. Townsfolk and peasants wandered down rows of stalls, while merchants, some standing on wooden crates, yelled to folk to come and browse their leather goods, vegetables, and pottery.

The items hanging on the nearby white metal rack weren’t from the market that somehow seemed from olden days and a place rife with criminals. The goods gleaming in front of him were keychains. The small glasses lined up on a shelf just inside the boutique entrance were shot glasses. The colorful garments made of thin cloth were T-shirts.

Why, then, had he recalled the market? What importance did it hold for him?

“Aren’t these adorable?” Inside the store, Cora held up a small replica of a building. Her fingers, though, covered part of it.

“What is it?”

“Coquina Castle.”

He recognized the name. Excitement raced through him. “That’s close by.”

“Coquina Castle? It’s still just down the road, where it has always been.”

Castles were places where knights gathered. At such fortresses, knights of the realm paid fealty to noble lords. Had Lucian been one of the loyal men of Coquina Castle? He couldn’t recall. His memory seemed to be useless today.

Perhaps visiting the fortress would enlighten him. Worth a try.

Cora indicated the two little ships and the castle she held. “I’m going to buy these.” She disappeared from his view, as though someone farther into the boutique would help her with her payment.

Lucian raked his hand through his wind-tangled hair. He resisted the impulse to say goodbye as soon as she returned and then head to the castle. He couldn’t just abandon her—not after insisting he needed to watch over her. His knightly reputation would be irrevocably tarnished if he rushed off and she came to harm from which he could have protected her.

He must stay at her side until she told him his services were no longer needed. At some point, however, he’d like to retrieve his sword—

“…go to the castle with me?” Cora asked. She tucked a paper bag with handles into the larger satchel that hung from a strap over her shoulder.

“You want to go to Coquina Castle?”

“Are you too tired, Lucian? Have I worn you out?”

Knights did not get worn out, especially from an activity like shopping.

“I am far from tired or worn out, Fair Maiden.”

“Good.” Her red lips curved in a sly smile. “There’s someone at the castle I’d like to see. I want you with me.”

Judging by her expression, this someone was a person of significance. Anticipation tingled through him. “Is this person a man or a woman?”

“Man.”

Ah. Was he a fellow knight, or even the lord of the castle? If Lucian didn’t already know the person in question, he must see about an introduction.

“Have I met this man before?”

“I don’t think so. He hasn’t lived in this area for a while.”

That meant the fellow had perhaps recently returned from a quest. Or, if the man happened to be the castle’s lord, he might rule several fortresses and had decided to stay in Coquina Castle for the festive season.

Cora slid her arm into Lucian’s again.

“How do you know this man?” he asked.

Her fingers tightened on his arm. “He and I…were friends long ago.”

“I see.” Not just friends. Her words had held too much emotion for the relationship to have been merely friendship. Jealousy entwined with Lucian’s excitement. While he didn’t want to pry, he had to know what this man meant to her, especially if he was to be somehow involved.

As they started back up the Boardwalk, Lucian asked: “What was he to you?”