“If I wanted to inflict pain upon you, I need only to whisper in the ear of my future husband.” I rolled my eyes and after a moment, continued. “Would it be easier to turn into an overly large rat?”
He lifted one brow. “What is this obsession with vermin?”
“Humor me.” I forced a smile, wondering if I should tell him about the rat in the king’s chamber.
“Size does not make it easier in that case, since two-hundred-pound rats do not occur in nature.” He faced me again. “We can squeeze our weight into something smaller, but we have to change back sooner. If we shift into something which approximates our own weight, in theory, we could stay in the shape forever.” Eli’s eyes darkened. “But being human is much of what we are and if we stray from that too long, we will become weaker.”
Eli could shift into a small animal, then sneak into the room, change into his human from and free his sister. But if she was quite weak, how would he get her out without endangering them both? He certainly could not leave the king’s chambers in his human form. How else would he carry her out?
“How long have you and your sister been here?”
“My sister was sixteen when she was brought here. I was eighteen.” His jaw tensed. “That was three years ago.”
“Are you able to speak with her through thoughts?”
“We used to, but we’ve not been able to do that for some time.” He shook his head and shoved a hand into his pocket. “She is too weak now.”
“When she was stronger, she did not tell you where they kept her?” I asked.
“She did not know. When they moved her, they covered the cage and she was unable to see her surroundings. I spent many evenings in other forms searching the castle.”
“But you believe her to be alive?” I studied him, his faith and loyalty overwhelming me.
“I occasionally ask the king a question only she can answer. Something to do with our childhood or secrets we told each other. She lives.”
Which I already knew. I desperately wanted to sneak into the king’s room and free her — if she was still there and had not been moved. But even if I succeeded, once the king discovered her missing, he and his guards would search the castle and grounds. Since Isabella was so frail, she would slow Eli down and they might both get killed. And it would be my fault. When the king caught my scent, he would know I was the one who took her.
There had to be another way. I pondered it and let the silence linger as I glanced up at the stars.
“Since she is too weak to answer the king with her thoughts, he must allow her to be human again, at least long enough to provide the answer he needs.” He drew in a deep breath. “Sometimes I fear I shall run out of questions for her, then he will kill her and I shall never know.”
“I envy you to have that kind of love in your life.” I lowered my head as tears burned my eyes. I cleared my throat, needing to change the subject. I could not think about the love he had for his sister and her fate. Or Eli’s. “Why are there no guards here in the woods?”
“They watch farther out, on the other side of the forest. Now and then, someone from the king’s court will roam these woods. Sometimes even the king himself. The king feels it is impractical to waste his resources watching those who have no desire to leave. But if they find anyone out there,” Eli jerked his head toward the unfamiliar part of the forest, “they assume he is a rogue.”
I nodded, unable to get his sister off my mind. “Where is the rest of your family?”
“I have not seen them since I was ten.” His lip curled in disgust. “Shape-shifters are prone to vanishing when werewolves are around.”
And I was one of them.
We lapsed into silence again. I wanted to stay but I knew I could not. I pushed myself off the boulder and straightened my shoulders. “I must go.” But neither of us moved as we watched each other. I offered a small smile. “Thank you for the conversation.”
“Meet me here tomorrow and I will teach you how to shoot the bow.”
Though I craved his company, I wanted him to know I was not completely helpless. I lifted my chin. “I am already proficient.”
His brows rose. “And how, pray tell, did you manage to learn? Surely, the men in your village did not allow this.”
“No, they did not. My mother sent me out to pick wildflowers and I snuck away with my father’s bow. I learned enough.”
The corners of his mouth lifted. “After tomorrow, you will be even better. Bring that sword, and I shall teach you how to use it as well.”
“Thank you.” So he had known all along that I had stolen his sword. And he had still come to meet me tonight. My insides warmed and I gave him a shy smile. “Until tomorrow.”
At full speed, I rushed toward the granary and slipped into the tunnels. At the bottom of the stairs, I took my first step down the corridor and a rat rustled at the hem of my robe. A common gray rat. Those same rats were all over the castle and its grounds.
Something tugged on a memory and a vision of the king’s chamber swam before me. The rat in her cage looked like the one I had just seen. If they appeared the same, could I replace Isabella with a common rat?
My stomach sank. No, of course not. The king would immediately sense the new rat was not a shape-shifter as easily as I had sensed that it was. He would know at once he had been betrayed. Everyone would be watched more closely and I would never escape. Even if he never noticed the shape-shifter had been replaced, I would leave my scent and he would know I had been in his room.
Saving Isabella was impossible. Eli would never leave and he would be a slave forever. I could not save either of them. My throat burned in frustration.
† † †
After breakfast the next morning, the king and I strolled arm-in-arm outside the castle. Guards kept close, which afforded us little privacy. For that, I was grateful.
In the distance, a crowd gathered to watch a game of shinty. I had zero interest in watching a bunch of men hitting a leather-wrapped ball back and forth across a field. When the prince joined us and we began to move toward the spectators, I realized I had little choice in the matter.
As we watched the game, King Mortimer slid his arm around my shoulder. I clenched my jaw and forced myself not to flinch as his fingertips made little circles on the fabric of my dress.
Just a few more days and he would leave for two whole weeks.
Suddenly, he spun around, his gaze dropping to my mouth. “I want some time to get to know you before our wedding.”
I blinked, uncertain what he meant by that. We were spending time together now. How was it not sufficient? I prayed he did not expect me in his bed.
The sound of chainmail clanged as one of his guards bowed before us. “Your Majesty, I must speak with you regarding a pressing matter.”
Struggling to conceal my urgent need to get away from the king, I smiled. “Would you excuse me a moment? I must see Mrs. Benton regarding my wedding gown.”
“Of course, my dear.” He leaned forward to brush his lips against my cheek then straightened and winked. “I will see you tonight,” he whispered for my ears only.
My stomach churned at the implication. As soon as I turned, I located Mrs. Benton and began making my way. Feeling myself begin to speed up, I forced myself to slow my pace so I would not appear too eager.
I would definitely be retiring early to my chambers. If the king tried to visit me there, I would most certainly pretend to be fast asleep. I prayed that would be enough to deter him.
~~~
Chapter EIGHT
That evening, the servants helped me with my bath. While they brushed out my hair, I commented on my fatigued state, hoping the king would overhear. When they left, I made sure the adjoining door was locked, then crawled under the covers.
A few minutes later, King Mortimer tapped lightly on our door and I concentrated on breathing deeply and steadily, as though I were asleep. Moments later, his footsteps receded and I relaxed. No doubt, the mysteri
ous woman would visit him in his chambers shortly and I would be forgotten. But if the king decided to unlock my door and sneak into my room before she arrived, I could not be missing. I waited until I heard his other door open and shut, then feminine giggling, before being sure he would not pay me a late night visit.
After slipping into the tunnels, I stopped by his room and heard the woman’s voice. They were both laughing. When the night’s entertainment was over, very likely he would have little use for me. I shivered in relief.
Perhaps Isabella had been removed from his chambers. If she was still in his room, I would not envy her for being witness to everything going on with the king and his mistress. I grimaced at the idea as I made my way to the granary and then out the window toward the woods. When I slowed from my sprint, I did not have to search for Eli. I could smell his sweet, woodsy scent — so unlike the earthy scent of a werewolf. He was already waiting for me.
He stepped out from behind a tree, his blond hair tousled from the day and his shirt stained from the hours working with metals.
To me, he had never looked more handsome.
“Being here and helping you is dangerous. I mustn’t stay long.” He scanned the woods. “The king has ordered new swords for his journey and I have only a few days to make them.”
I eyed the bow on the ground beside him. “I am sorry to keep you from your work.”
“I have taken it upon myself to prepare you so that you may survive.” He shrugged, then a wistful smile curved his mouth. “I long to see the king’s face when his guards are unable to bring you back.”
We both knew the king’s guards never failed and the chance of surviving more than a matter of days was slim, but I did not correct him. At the very least, I hoped to be a source of great frustration to the werewolves as they tried to capture me. “Then we should get started.”
“We can use this one.” He bent over and snatched the bow near his feet, then strode toward the clearing. “I have already set up targets for practice.”
He stopped at a fallen tree and swiveled to face me. “I shall like to see your form first.” Eli handed me the bow, then pointed to a tree branch with a red ribbon. “Go ahead.”
Facing the target, I positioned the arrow against the curve of the bow, then raised it.
“Aim with your shoulder.” Eli moved behind me and nudged me until I stood sideways, my shoulder pointing at the branch.
My skin tingled where he had touched me and my stomach fluttered.
“Raise the bow and pull the arrow, but do not release it yet.”
I glanced over my shoulder, but turned away when I realized how close we were. Close enough that his scent wafted up my nose, making me dizzy. My right arm trembled and I lowered the bow.
“Are you okay?” His breath tickled my neck and sent chills over my skin.
“Yes, but a demonstration might be helpful.” And it would allow for some much needed distance from him, so I could think again.
Eli stepped back, taking his heady scent with him, and my limbs steadied. He took the bow from me, aimed his shoulder toward the red ribbon and demonstrated each action as he spoke. “When you are ready, raise the bow, nock the arrow, pull. Keep your elbow high.”
His fingers gradually straightened and the arrow shot dead center of the branch. He turned to me and relinquished the bow. I accepted it and grabbed another arrow from the quiver. Raising the bow, I positioned the arrow, then pulled.
“Three fingers.” Eli moved behind me and, with one hand over mine, he kept the bow still. He reached around my other side and his chest brushed my shoulder, sending a tingle down my arms. His fingertips grazed the back of my hand and my breath caught.
I needed to concentrate on the task at hand, not fall for a shape-shifter I could never be with.
“Touch your thumb and pinky together so they stay out of the way. Use the other three to pull.” He tapped under my arm. “Elbow up. Pull, aim and shoot.”
I looked down the arrow, pulled a little more, then let the arrow fly. It grazed the side of the branch.
“Well done.” Eli grinned. “Again. This time, make your motions fluid. Nock the arrow, raise the bow, pull, aim and fire. Your best chance of hitting your target is within the first few seconds, before your muscles begin to lose focus.”
Counting in my head, I raised, pulled, aimed and released. I did not hit the center, but the arrow had been closer this time.
Eli chuckled. “You are a natural.”
“I have an excellent teacher.” I grinned, but it slowly faded as I held his gaze. I wondered how our lives would have been different had he not been a slave and I not a prisoner promised to the king. If shape-shifters were accepted as equals, would we have stood a chance, maybe fall in love and perhaps one day marry?
He took a step toward me and gently took the bow from my grasp. He leaned over to set it on the ground, moving closer in the process. His eyes dropped to my mouth and I held my breath. Every cell in my body screamed for him to kiss me.
Shaking it off, he pushed backward and cleared his throat as he threaded his fingers through his hair. “You can practice with the bow after I leave. Now I want to see how you use a blade. Mind you, the sound will carry farther than our voices or the arrows. We must take care. Did you bring the stolen sword?”
Obviously, he had not inspected my hiding place or he would not have asked.
“Yes.” I quickly located the spot, retrieved the sword and scabbard, then held out the handle for him to take.
“Not my finest work.” Eli examined the narrow blade and minimal hilt, then pulled a sword from near the tree where he had set the bow. The cross guard was longer than any I had seen before, the blade slightly wider. “This one promises to endure long past your opponent’s.”
“It is beautiful,” I said, running my thumb along the razor-sharp edge.
“You must take this one instead.”
My eyes snapped to his. “The king will not miss it?”
One side of his mouth curved up. “He cannot miss what he has no knowledge of.”
I returned his smile. “I have spent less time with swords than bows. I am not very good.”
Eli picked up the other sword and held it ready. “Then we shall practice.”
† † †
I saw little of King Mortimer the next day, except during meals. Apparently, I had been presented, shown off and was no longer needed. The wedding plans and standing for the dressmaker kept me busy, though it was a terrible waste of time. I planned to be gone long before I would need it.
After supper, the king sat with the prince while the minstrels played music. Some of the court stayed, as did Mrs. Benton who sat with me. She prattled on, as though she had become feeble with age, flitting from one subject to the next. But I knew her wit was still sharper than ever when she skillfully sprinkled in details I might need to escape.
Mrs. Benton chattered on about a pig that had escaped a few weeks ago and how the guards on the north side of the castle had spotted it from the tower. She went on to tell me how the guards who held post on the other side of the woods had once caught a shape-shifter trying to infiltrate the castle as a common house cat. How I loved dear Mrs. Benton.
As I was laying down a card, a shadow fell over me and my shoulders tensed. I peered at Mrs. Benton and realized the king was speaking to her with his thoughts.
She rose from her chair. “Forgive me, milady, but I must attend to a matter immediately. May we continue this game another time?”
I gave her a polite smile, knowing the king gave her no choice but to leave. “Of course.”
As King Mortimer lowered to her chair, I caught the scent of rancid pork in his beard, and shuddered.
He leaned back, his gaze sweeping over my waist and back up to my chest before one side of his mouth curled up. “You are looking exceedingly handsome this evening, my dear Hannah.”
I mentally flinched, hoping he would leave it at that. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I am hono
red.”
He crossed a leg over his knee and I squirmed under his gaze a long moment before he finally broke the silence. “Some packs prefer to follow human law, but we are not bound by the same moral codes.”
I willed myself to keep from bolting and forced myself to smile. “Many human laws are useful in keeping peace among werewolves and humans alike. Surely, Your Majesty does not expect his court to behave in a manner that would bring shame into his home.”
“But many of their rules do not apply to us.” His eyes darted away for a split second before he lowered his voice. “For instance, female werewolves have no need to worry about bearing unwanted children since they are incapable of reproducing. You can rest easy knowing there are no repercussions to your indiscretions.”
His meaning could not have been clearer and I could avoid the subject no longer. Revulsion rose up in my throat as I pinned him with a stare. “I am sure there are plenty of ladies who do not consider themselves worth waiting for, but I am not one of them.”
His eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened. “Of course.” Without another word, he rose, his robes whipping through the air.
My hands trembled in both relief and fear. I had gotten out of it this time, but at what price? If he made another advance and I were to reject him again... King Mortimer expected to get his way and when he did not, those to blame fell into disfavor. For now, I was still alive, but I might not be so lucky next time.
~~~
Chapter NINE
That night, I read a book by candlelight until the voices in the castle died down. When the king’s mistress arrived at his chamber earlier than usual, I slipped out of my room and into the tunnel before running at full speed toward the woods. When I entered the forest clearing, Eli was already waiting for me. At the sight of his face, for an instant, I forgot about my dreadful day with the king, and that if I did not act soon, I might be forced into his bed.
Eli offered me a warm, generous smile then bowed. “Milady.”
Thrown to the Wolves: The Legend of Hannah & Eli (Shapes of Autumn) Page 5