Winter of Solace (The Executioner Knights Book 5)

by Kathryn Le Veque

  He understood now. Truth be told, he was a little fearful that perhaps she was having second thoughts about the marriage and he was pleased to see that wasn’t the case.

  He was quite thankful, actually.

  “It is right that you should grieve for your father and brother,” he said. “I expect you to. I shall make sure that both of them are buried next to your mother, properly. As for the rest of it… sometimes terrible things happen unexpectedly. But sometimes joyful things do. This happened to be a joyful and unexpected event, and if it makes you happy, I do not think anyone would begrudge you that, Emelisse. You have a right to be happy, especially when so much of your recent life has been so terrible.”

  She pondered that before resuming drying off her neck. “I do believe you are correct,” she said. “I do have right to be happy. So do you. Are you happy, Cai?”

  He nodded, flashing those big teeth. “Surprisingly so.”

  Her smile vanished. “You are surprised that I could make you happy?”

  He started laughing. “Clearly, I do not say the right things to you,” he said. “I tried to tell you once that you smelled good and ended up suggesting that you stank otherwise. And now, I tell you that I am surprisingly happy, but not in the sense that you have taken it. Surprisingly as in I never believed I could feel like this.”

  A smile played on her lips as she set the drying cloth down. “Feel like what?”

  He lifted his big shoulders as if he had no idea how to describe it. “Joy,” he said. “Such joy. I have a beautiful wife, one I am utterly enamored with, and I could not be happier about it.”

  She studied his face as he spoke. “You said it again.”

  “Said what?”

  “That I am beautiful.”

  “Hasn’t anyone ever told you that? Christ, Woman, you are exquisite.”

  Her cheeks mottled a faint shade of pink as she turned away, heading back to the satchel that Lady de Wrenville’s maids had packed for her.

  “I’ve heard it from men I did not believe,” she said. “My father is supposed to say those things to me, and men who want to court me say it only to get into my good graces.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Who has courted you in the past? Tell me now and I will find him and burn his house to the ground.”

  She started laughing. “That is not necessary, I assure you,” she said. “I chased them all away. I suppose I knew there was someone much better in my future and he would find me when the time was right.”

  Caius dipped his head as if to thank her. “And he did,” he said. “A seasoned knight who is the only one worthy of you.”

  She looked at him rather dreamily. “But I am concerned that I am not worthy of you.”

  He made a face at her, one suggesting she was speaking nonsense. “Emelisse, you are the only one worthy of the title Lady d’Avignon,” he said. “I have seen you at your worst and you were strong. I will see you at your best and you will be stronger still. Whether or not you know it, you are a remarkable woman, and to express my esteem for you, I have something.”

  “What?”

  He pulled out the ring that William had given him. She gasped in delight as he slid it easily onto her finger. She held it up in the weak light, inspecting it carefully.

  “It is beautiful,” she said.

  “Does it fit well?”

  “It fits very well.” She brought her hand down, looking at him. “You cannot know how much it means to me. How much you mean to me, Cai. Thank you for this token. I shall honor it always.”

  He took her hand, kissing the ring, all the while looking into her eyes. She seemed truly happy, jubilant in fact, and that only made him smile. What he saw in her eyes was exactly what he was feeling inside.

  Joy.

  He eventually released her hand so that she could dress, watching her pull a garment over her head that he hadn’t seen before, one of two Lady de Wrenville had loaned her. It was wool, undyed, so it was slightly off-color white, but the moment she smoothed it down her body, he could see how beautifully it fit her. She had an astonishingly lovely figure with a narrow waist and generous hips, and the fabric draped over her beautifully. He continued to watch as she cinched up the ties on the side of the dress, conforming it to her figure even more, before digging into the satchel again and pulling forth a comb.

  Caius went to don his own clothing but, all the while, he watched Emelisse as she finished dressing. Her beautiful blonde hair became a single braid, draped over one shoulder, and she pulled on the leather boots that Lady de Wrenville had loaned her. By the time Caius had his mail and Richmond tunic on, she had packed the green traveling dress, and everything else, back into the borrowed satchel.

  As Caius strapped on his sword he watched his lovely wife as she wandered to the window and open the shutters to admit a new day.

  A new day, a new life.

  As he reached out for her and brought her hand to his lips again, kissing the ring once more, there was a knock on the chamber door.

  The food had arrived.

  Young William was carrying a large tray full of steaming bowls, bread, and creamy white butter. Behind him, a serving wench was carrying warmed wine and boiled fruit juice. Caius was impressed that the inn had remembered about Emelisse’s intolerance of alcohol.

  Emelisse quickly cleared off the only table in the chamber which had the remains of last night’s meal. The serving wench took away the old bowls and the fresh food was put upon the tabletop. As William ushered the serving wench out of the chamber and shut the door behind her, Caius was about to take a seat and start grabbing for the food when he suddenly remembered his bad manners from the night before. Chagrined, he looked to Emelisse and politely indicated the most comfortable chair.

  “Lady d’Avignon,” he said graciously. “Please sit and allow me to serve you.”

  Emelisse, too, remembered Caius’ manners from the night before and she fought off a grin as she took the seat. The skirt of the eggshell-colored dress fanned out when she sat, giving her the appearance of a regal queen. Caius took a moment just to look at her, thinking that there was a thousand years’ difference between the woman he’d met on his first night at Winterhold and the woman before him.

  He wanted to think that he had something to do with it.

  Everything had changed, for both of them.

  The three of them finally sat around the small table as Caius served his wife personally. There were small bowls of stewed fruit, porridge, and several little bowls of hollowed out bread that were filled with baked eggs and cheese. They were quite delicious, but Caius and William were only able to have one each because Emelisse decided that was her favorite dish.

  Caius watched, amused, as William looked longingly at the egg dish as Emelisse devoured three of them. When she would reach for something that William was also reaching for, Caius would step on his foot under the table and the lad would yelp and retract his hand until the lady was finished. It seemed that the squire needed some lessons in manners also, and Caius was more than happy to deliver them.

  But he was amused the entire time.

  By the end of the meal, however, everyone had eaten their fill and were quite satisfied. The sun had risen and the melting snow from the storm two nights before was nearly gone. The streets were full of dirty slush and water, and both Caius and Emelisse stood by the window for a few stolen minutes, watching the streets below and discussing their intention to depart. At least, Caius was discussing his intention to depart and when Emelisse went to her satchel to prepare to leave, he stopped her.

  “De Wolfe,” he said to the squire packing up his saddlebags. “Go and collect your horse and mine. I will meet you downstairs.”

  William dropped what he was doing and fled as Emelisse looked at Caius with great concern.

  “Why did you tell him to only collect your horse?” she asked. “I am coming with you.”

  Caius put his hands on her arms, a gentle smile on his lips. “I have been thinking ab
out this since last night,” he said. “I do not think it is wise to take you back to Hawkstone today, at least not until I can move The Marshal’s army there. That will take me at least a day and I would like for you to remain here, safe.”

  Emelisse was shaking her head before the words were even out of his mouth. “I will not stay behind,” she said firmly. “I will not let you face de Wrenville alone with what we have done. Let us face him together, to show him how strong we are.”

  Caius squeezed her arms. “I understand your perspective, but I do not agree with it,” he said. “You must understand that he still has an army and in moving The Marshal’s troops to Hawkstone to defend it, I am violating a direct order from William Marshal. But I feel that it is necessary. I fear what will happen if de Wrenville discovers we have married. His anger may force him to do… impulsive things. I do not want you to be the target of his rage more than you already are. Let it be me.”

  Emelisse knew that, more than most. This was the moment they were both anxious about – informing Covington that Emelisse was no longer an unmarried woman. Caius didn’t particularly care about Covington’s reaction towards him, but he did care about his reaction towards Emelisse. He was concerned that the man’s venom, and madness, would take flight.

  Still… they would have to face it sooner or later.

  “Caius, I know you are trying to protect me and I love you for it,” she said softly, “but I feel strongly that this is something we must face together. Let me return to Hawkstone with you, but I will stay locked up in the keep. When it is over, you can retrieve me. Please, Cai… I do not want to stay here, waiting and wondering what is going to happen. It is my right to face this situation with you.”

  He was looking at her strangely. “Say it again.”

  “Say what?”

  “Tell me you love me.”

  It was her turn to look at him strangely because she had no idea what he meant until her words came back to her. I know you are trying to protect me and I love you for it.

  She’d just told the man she loved him.

  Shocked that it had come out of her mouth so easily, she very nearly denied it. How was that even possible after only knowing him a few days? But somehow, in her heart, she knew it was true. There was so much about him to love, a sprout of a love that would grow into something strong and tall someday, like a sycamore tree.

  Unbreakable.

  A smile spread across her lips.

  “Mayhap I do, just a little,” she said softly. “How can I not? You are a fine and true and noble knight, and a kind and considerate husband. Love has sprouted, but I promise you, it will grow. I can feel it in my heart and in my soul. It was only meant for you.”

  He stared at her, a thousand words upon his lips and a million emotions rolling through those black eyes. The first thing that came to mind was the first thing he spouted.

  “I think I loved you before you were born,” he murmured. “Mayhap even from the beginning of the world and most certainly until the end of it. People would say that we are mad and impetuous to say such things to each other, having known one another for only a short time, but all I know is that when I first looked at you, I could feel something happen, deep down. And when I look at you now, I feel as if I have been born anew. You have made me feel things I’ve never felt before, Em.”

  It was a sweet thing to say. Emelisse smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck as he embraced her.

  “It is true,” she said. “I have felt the same thing. It will always be like this, Cai, I swear it. If there is breath in my body, I will always strive to make you happy and content.”

  He leaned down to kiss her, his heart racing, feeling such happiness that he swore he could walk from the window and walk right onto the air. Walking on clouds. He was about to kiss her again, more lustily, when something out on the street caught his attention.

  A Pembroke tunic.

  It was Kevin.

  “Christ,” Caius hissed, releasing Emelisse. “What in the hell is he doing here?”

  They would soon find out.

  “He’s what? He’s dead?”

  They were standing out in the middle of the muddy, slushy street. Caius had run all the way down from his second-floor chamber, out into the street as the village begin to come alive, to intercept Kevin. The knight had been paused in the intersection, looking at the buildings around him, including The White Bear, when Caius had emerged from it. Once he saw the man, he headed straight for him.

  “Aye,” Kevin said grimly. “As near as we can tell, he was drunk and slipped on a spilled pitcher of wine, breaking his neck when he fell. Servants found him before dawn this morning, purple and stiff. Covington de Wrenville is dead, Cai.”

  Caius couldn’t help it; his mouth was hanging open in shock. “What of Marius?”

  Kevin’s expression darkened. “That is why I had to come and find you,” he said. “He’s screaming about the fact that he is now Baron Darliston and he demands the use of William Marshal’s army. We thought we had convinced him last night to wait until you found the lady, trying to buy you some time, but he is no longer willing to wait. He wants Hawkstone and he wants it now, using his father’s death as a rally cry. He has his army greatly worked up about it. Because of this, Maxton has moved The Marshal’s army away from Winterhold.”

  Caius was listening closely. “Away where?”

  “North,” Kevin said softly. “He is moving them to Hawkstone, Cai.”

  Caius frowned. “Why?”

  “Because he is preparing to defend your property against Marius.”

  Caius grunted, extremely unhappy. “That was not his decision to make,” he said. “The Marshal told us directly that we cannot use his army to defend de Thorington.”

  Kevin nodded. “I know,” he said. “But that is because he feared for Lady de Wrenville’s life. With Covington gone, the threat has been mostly removed. Marius hasn’t shown any interest in Lady de Wrenville as far as we can tell.”

  Caius didn’t like it; any of it. “Damn,” he growled. “What does Hallam have to say about all of this? Surely he is caught up in the middle of everything.”

  Kevin snorted unhappily. “He hasn’t left Lady de Wrenville’s side,” he said. “If Marius wants her, he’ll have to go through Hallam. And you know what will happen.”

  Caius rolled his eyes. “It will be a bloodbath,” he muttered. “Marius is greedy and ambitious, and if he seeks to use Alice against her uncle, the situation will go from bad to worse. In fact, I do not see Covington’s death as solving the problem. If anything, it has only made it worse. Marius wants Hawkstone and he wants William’s army, and he is far less rational than his father was.”

  “That is true.”

  “And he wants to marry Emelisse.”

  “He does, indeed,” Kevin agreed. “There are rumors that he intends to send his army out to search for her, though we’ve not heard it from him directly. But who knows what has happened since I have been searching for you.”

  That was the final nail in the coffin as far as Caius was concerned. Over Kevin’s head, he could see William leading two horses down the sloppy avenue and he motioned to the squire, who came running in his direction.

  “De Wolfe,” Caius said, taking his horse from the young man. “I want you to get on that beast of a steed and ride it as fast as you can south and find Maxton. Kevin says he is taking The Marshal’s army north, to Hawkstone, but I want you to find Maxton and stop him. Tell him that I command him to stop where he is. I will follow shortly and explain. Do you understand me?”

  William nodded quickly. “Aye, my lord,” he said. “He will be along the road between Winterhold and Hawkstone?”

  Caius looked at Kevin, who nodded. “Aye,” he said. “He will not be difficult to miss.”

  William, young and limber, deftly heaved himself onto the back of the horse and took off down the street, spraying mud everywhere. Caius and Kevin watched him go before Kevin finally turned to Caius. />
  “Do you truly believe that Lady de Wrenville is in such danger from Marius?” he asked.

  Caius nodded wearily. “I think any woman is in danger from Marius,” he said. “Now that he is Baron Darliston, he does not have his father’s calming influence, as weak as it was. I think there is going to be trouble. Come into the inn and wait for me. I must gather my things and convince my wife to stay behind and wait for me to return for her. She is better off here than in the middle of a tempest.”

  Kevin nodded, tethering his horse next to the trough that had a thin layer of ice over the water. He broke the ice so the horse could drink. He was behind Caius, nearly to the door, when he spoke again.

  “Caius?”

  Caius paused just short of the entry. “Aye?”

  Kevin took a deep breath, clearing his throat. “This may not be the right time to tell you this, but I have been wanting to speak with you and there has not been the time or opportunity. I fear if I do not do it now, I never will.”

  Caius came away from the door and faced him. He and Kevin had their differences, mostly regarding Kevin’s brother. They worked well together, but it was pure professionalism on both their parts. There was no real chummy friendship and that was Kevin’s doing. Because of the choice that his brother had made long ago, to spare Caius the horror of serving as the king’s bodyguard as the Lord of the Shadows, Kevin blamed Caius for Sean’s predicament.

  He’d never been shy about saying it.

  Caius knew this, of course, but out of respect to Sean, and to the professional relationship he and Kevin shared, he was at least willing to listen to the man. He seemed quite serious, whatever it was.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  Kevin took another deep breath, appearing decidedly uncomfortable. “Do you remember when we first met?”

  Caius eyed him curiously at the drastic change in subject. “Of course,” he said. “Seven years ago at Richmond Castle. Why?”

  Kevin didn’t answer him directly. “And we have worked together many times since then, in many different missions for The Marshal.”

  “We have,” Caius said. “What is this about, Kevin?”