Free Always Darkest by Kimberly Warner Page A

you.   You get freshened up and I’ll see you downstairs.”   She got up and walked out the door.
    Tori bathed and dressed as quickly as she could.   She didn’t want to hold everyone else up.   She did take a few moments to smooth her hair and apply the make up Willa had thoughtfully laid out for her on the dressing table.   The dress Willa had selected for her today was very pretty.   It was a red sleeveless shirtdress with a brown leather belt.   The outfit was completed by an ivory cardigan.   It accentuated her curves perfectly and she was pleased when she looked in the mirror.
    When she went downstairs to the kitchen she found Margie doing the breakfast dishes.   “Good morning, Tori.   Did you enjoy the ball?”
    “Good morning to you too and yes I did.   It was amazing!   Thanks again!”
    “I thought you would have fun!   I remember my first ball like it was yesterday.”   She paused while she was drying a plate and looked wistfully at Tori.   “Oh, by the way, everyone just stepped outside into the carriage house.   You can get there quicker if you use the door at the back of the pantry.”   Margie said as she pointed the way.
    Tori walked through the well stocked pantry and sure enough there was a door at the end that led into what she would call a garage.   There was the nice carriage they had ridden in last night.   Mason was stroking one of the two absolutely gorgeous black horses and Justin, Willa, and Thomas were standing by the carriage door chatting amicably.
    “You have great timing.”   Mason said walking over to her.   He had on a leather belt slung low around his hips and it made him look all the more scrumptious.   Hanging from the belt was a sword and she wondered if he really used a sword.
    “I tried to hurry.” Tori said thinking she had taken too much time.
    “No really we just finished breakfast.   You are fine.   Okay this is how we are going to do this.   Justin, you are to ride up front with me in the driver’s seat.   Granny and Tori will sit in the back.   Thomas, you will be under Tori’s seat until we get out of Nathis.”
    Mason stepped into the carriage and fiddled with the rear bench seat of the carriage until it lifted.   “It’s not exactly the most comfortable, but it should do until we get out of the city.   I will let you know when you can come out as soon as is prudent.   Will this work for you?”
    “Yes, I’m not as flexible as I used to be but I think I can manage.”   Thomas got into the bench seat and Mason lowered the bench.
    “Ladies, your carriage waits.”   Mason helped his granny into the carriage and then he took Tori’s hand to assist her up as well.   She was going to miss those hands, but she had a little worry in the back of her mind.   What kind of man had a hidden compartment in his carriage?
    Mason and Justin got into the driver’s seat and Mason gave a yell to the horses and they were once again navigating the streets of Nathis.   Tori was struck once again at the beauty of the buildings and the resemblance to an older New York City .   Within minutes they were at the gate.
    The carriage stopped and Tori took in Mason’s ease as the guard approached.
    “Good morning Ernie.”   Mason said.
    “Good morning,” the guard said.   “I hate to give you any trouble, but did you hear about what happened at the castle last night.’
    “No, what happened?”
    “You know old Thomas, the king’s tinker. Well he overpowered the guards and escaped.”
    “Really, I thought he was an old man?”
    “Yeah, the guards were still drunk as hell this morning and that’s all anyone knows. The king is furious, says we got to check every single soul going out of the city.   Pain in the ass is what it is.”   He turned his head and spat something on the ground.   “I know you and your granny well enough, but who is it you got beside you, and who is that lovely creature in back with your granny?’
    “This is