“Your brothers?”
Genny ignored Garrik’s question. She had to finish her story before her courage left her. “The fact that you recovered from adversity. The fact that there seemed to be good men in the world, men of courage and honor, gave me hope.” Unconsciously, her hand moved to her shoulder, echoes of past beatings rippling over her flesh like a phantom pain. She saw Jarmon’s eyes narrow and quickly dropped her hand when she realized what she was doing.
“So you see, the tapestry did bring me to you in a roundabout way. It isn’t the magical tapestry, but it did give me courage and strength enough to leave my own home. If I hadn’t left, you would never have stumbled across me in the woods.”
“Who are your brothers, Genny?” Jarmon’s voice was as hard as steel, his eyes a blaze of anger.
There was no thought of denial now. She owed them the truth no matter what happened. “My name is Genita Craddock.”
Garrik swore long and pungently. Jarmon took a step toward her and she flinched away. Steadying herself, she sucked in a deep breath. “You can understand why I didn’t tell you that I was the sister of your greatest enemy.”
“Why? Why didn’t you tell us once you’d been with us a while? You knew we would not hurt you.” Hurt and anger were both mixed in Garrik’s voice.
“That is why.” She held her hands out in front of her in mute appeal, the tapestry falling from her nerveless fingers. “You are the finest men I have ever met. You treated me in a way that I had never been treated in my life, with care and respect. You taught me that there are good men in the world, to whom honor is more than just a word, but a way of life. I learned that sexual relations don’t have to be something to be afraid of, but can be something of profound beauty. You gave me so much.” She couldn’t keep the plea for understanding out of her voice. “How could I repay you by telling you something that would hurt you so?”
“And you think that your slinking off into the night doesn’t hurt us?” No more than a tight, angry whisper, Jarmon’s words flayed her skin wide open, drawing blood. She had indeed hurt them and that was the last thing she’d wanted to do.
“I’m so sorry.” They were only words, but they were heartfelt and all she had to offer. “You have no idea how sorry.”
When Jarmon turned away, as if disgusted by the very sight of her, she felt her heart break. She hadn’t admitted to herself that she’d still had hope. Hope that they might still care for her regardless of her family connections. There was nothing left for her to say or do. They would do what they would and she would accept whatever punishment they meted out. Numbness crept over her limbs, gradually engulfing her body, and she was glad for its comfort. In her mind, she drew away from the pain surrounding her, the pain that she and her family had created by their actions, and sought blessed numbness.
• • •
Jarmon’s hands shook he was so angry. Never had he experienced the kind of rage he felt at this moment. The same waves of fury flowed from his brother and he knew their thoughts were of a similar bent.
There was much the Craddock brothers had to answer for. His fingers itched to wrap around her older brother’s neck and choke the life’s breath from his body. Turning away from Genny, he took several deep breaths to regain his control. He had even more reason to hate them now. He’d seen Genny’s back and knew that Leon Craddock had inflicted many of those scars.
Like him, she knew what it was like to be scarred and maimed. At least his had come from an enemy and not a family member. The thought of either of his older brothers beating him bloody was obscene. Considering the kind of family she’d grown up with, it was no wonder she hadn’t trusted them with the truth. He was amazed that she’d given herself to him and to Garrik, taking them both into her body. She was so sensual and open, giving all they’d asked for and more.
It still hurt that she hadn’t trusted him, but he swallowed back the hurt and disappointment. He would have to live with it. Right now, the important thing was Genny. There were questions that he needed answered.
“Why did you leave? How long have you been gone?” He turned back to her as he fired off his questions. “Genny?” Her pallor shocked him. She seemed to be swaying on her feet and her eyes appeared unfocused. Worry replaced hurt and anger as he reached out, caught her in his arms and pulled her close. She was stiff and unyielding in his embrace and oh so cold.
He rubbed his arms over her back. Before he could ask, Garrik was there with a blanket, tucking it gently around her shoulders. “What’s wrong with her?”
“Shock, I think.” He lowered them both to the ground and cradled her against his chest. Her head lolled back against his arm. “Genny.” He stroked the side of her face with his hand.
Garrik settled himself next to them and added another blanket to Genny’s chilled form. He picked up her hand and began to stroke it, all the while talking softly to her. It took a while, but eventually she began to stir.
Jarmon heaved a sigh of relief when her eyes became focused once again. She stiffened in his arms, but he continued to rub her face and neck, soothing her with his touch rather than with words.
He wanted to spend the next few days doing nothing but loving and reassuring her, but that would have to wait. If there was the possibility her brothers were searching for her, then they had to head straight for Bakra Castle. Genny’s safety took precedence over everything else. He hated to have to question her. Knew the anguish it would cause her. But he didn’t really have a choice. “Genny, why did you leave home and how long have you been gone?”
She swallowed. Her soft brown eyes appeared huge with fear as they darted from him to Garrik and back again. He hated the fact that she now seemed afraid of them and barely bit back a growl of displeasure. That would do nothing to calm her. He almost groaned when she licked her lips. The bottom one was swollen slightly as if she’d been chewing on it.
“I’ve been gone over a week. This is the tenth day.” She lowered her eyes and plucked at the blankets with her free hand.
“Why did you leave?” Garrik leaned forward as he spoke and Genny shrank closer to Jarmon. He could see the same frustration in Garrik’s eyes as he sat back, giving her some space.
“For years, they’ve used me to form alliances, dangling the possibility of marriage in front of their friends and potential allies. That all changed after the fighting started with your family.” Genny shifted and sighed, still not meeting their gazes. “My brothers hate your family, not only for the deaths of our two brothers, but for the fact that you defeated them and emerged triumphant and stronger. Leon expected Jarmon to die, or at least be an invalid, a broken man.” A tiny smile played at the corners of her mouth. “Then word reached him that not only were you recovered, you were actually stronger than before, in spite of your injuries.”
“That still doesn’t tell us why you left.” Garrik brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. She froze and then her entire body jerked, an unreadable expression crossing her face.
She swallowed several times before continuing. Jarmon was pleased to note the color was starting to come back to her face. “Because of their defeat, some of their allies abandoned them, not wanting to take on the combined wrath of the Bakra and Garen families. That left them in a weakened state. To form a new alliance, they promised me in marriage.”
“To who?” It made his blood curdle just to imagine what kind of monsters her brothers would choose.
“The Luther brothers.” She raised her head and met his gaze unflinchingly. “I refused and Leon, well, Leon did what he does best. He reacted in anger.”
“He beat you.” Jarmon saw no reason to temper his blunt words. If there was ever a man who needed killing, it was Leon Craddock. What man would hand over his only sister to animals like the Luther brothers? Rumor had it that they’d already killed one wife. Most people wouldn’t have anything to do with them.
“Yes, he did.” The matter-of-fact way she spoke of it told him that it was a common oc
currence. “I had already planned to escape, but I had some help.”
“Who?”
“My youngest brother, Radnor. He surprised me actually.”
“How so?” Now that he had her talking, Jarmon wanted to hear the entire tale, as distasteful as it was.
“I always thought he’d hated me like the rest of my brothers. Actually, he’s ignored me for the most part my entire life. It was a shock to find out he’d done it for my own protection. Any hint of sympathy from him toward me always brought out Leon’s anger. By ignoring me, he was protecting me in his way.”
“He should have killed Leon to protect you.” These harsh words came from Garrik, who had been quietly listening up until now.
“Leon was much older and stronger. Besides, it wasn’t just Leon. Radnor would have had to kill the others. Maybe not all, my brother Sednar mostly ignores me as well.” She shrugged and continued. “I was suspicious at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that Radnor had deflected Leon’s anger from me many times, sometimes taking beatings himself, especially when we were younger.”
Jarmon grunted. Perhaps he wouldn’t kill this younger brother when he met him on the field of battle. Maybe. There was no doubt in his mind that a day of reckoning was coming with the Craddock brothers. And soon.
That thought spurred him to action. He stood, Genny still cradled in his arms. “Your brothers will be searching for you. We must get you back to the safety of the castle.”
“No!” Genny struggled in his arms and he reluctantly released her. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she whirled to face them. “Are you mad? I will not bring my problems to your doorstep. I will not allow my brothers to hurt your family any more than they already have.” With each word she spoke, she came closer until she was poking both of them in the chest with her fingers to emphasize her point.
In spite of her angry tirade, Jarmon met his brother’s gaze and grinned. Garrik looked just as pleased by her outburst. It was good to see the feisty woman they’d come to know and love. And love her, he did. He would do whatever it took to protect her. If that meant killing every one of her brothers, so be it. If he had to sacrifice his own life to protect hers, it was well worth it.
“Genny,” he began, only to be cut off as she backed away from them, her arms crossed and a look of pure disgust on her face.
“What are you thinking to even suggest such a thing? What would your family say if you brought me home with you and my brothers retaliated by burning out your farms or trying to steal your women? They would hate me and rightfully so. It could damage your relationship with your brothers and your mother. I cannot and will not allow that to happen.” Turning her back on them, she strode away from them, stopping long enough to grab the tapestry and her pack and sling it over her shoulder.
Both brothers loped after her, flanking her on either side. She stopped and huffed. “You have to let me go.”
“No.” Leaning down, Jarmon finally did what he’d wanted to since he found her again. He kissed her. She whimpered when his tongue swept inside her mouth, reclaiming it, reassuring himself that she was safe and back in his arms where she belonged. Her pack slid from her shoulder and hit the ground with a thump, but he ignored it, wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her right off her feet.
She slanted her head, her hands cupping his face as she kissed him back. A knot in his belly released as she opened herself up to him, giving as eagerly and as openly as she always had. She still wanted him. A small part of him had wondered if she’d left simply because she hadn’t really wanted either of them for a husband. They were both gasping for breath when they finally broke away from the kiss.
He lowered her back to the ground, only to have her swept from his hands as Garrik hauled her into his arms and kissed her. He couldn’t blame his brother for needing to strengthen the bonds between them, to remind her that they were there, as strong as ever, and weren’t going away any time in the future.
Garrik crushed his lips against Genny’s, his hands cupping her behind as he ground her pelvis against his. Jarmon’s leather pants grew tight as he watched the passionate embrace between his brother and their woman. The need to take her, right here, right now, and claim her pounded through his body, thickening his blood. His cock ached to thrust into her warmth over and over again until she screamed with pleasure.
He was so distracted he almost missed the small unnatural noise. He clamped his hand down on Garrik’s arm, ignoring the annoyance radiating from his brother’s eyes as they snapped open. He motioned with his hand and Garrik froze. Ever so slowly, he released Genny, placing his hand lightly over her mouth when she began to protest. Her eyes widened above Garrik’s hand as their tension began to seep into her awareness.
Jarmon quietly drew his sword as he strained to identify what sound his ears had caught. The slight scrape of metal announced that Garrik had also drawn his weapon. Keeping Genny safely between them, Jarmon led them into the thick underbrush. His mind worked furiously as he pinpointed exactly where they were and what was around them. Satisfied he knew where he was going, he kept moving in a southerly direction.
The sounds got closer and became easily identifiable as men on horseback. Who was it? It could easily be Zaren and Bador or some of the men-at-arms from the castle, but instinct warned him differently. Picking up the pace, he moved quickly and cautiously, knowing Garrik would help Genny if she needed it. All his concentration was focused on protecting her from whatever threat lurked.
The small cave he was leading them to was just ahead in the distance. The sounds of the men were getting louder. It would be close. They could just crouch down in the woods and take their chances, but they had a better chance of going undetected up in the cave. It was a gamble, but Jarmon decided it was worth the risk.
A quick glance assured him that Garrik and Genny were right behind him. Genny looked pale, but composed. Garrik’s expression was one of determination. Time was against them as they hurried forward. Climbing up the steep incline, Jarmon heaved himself up into the cave. Garrik gave Genny a boost and he caught her hands, pulling her into the dark opening. He hissed out a warning and Garrik practically flew up the slope. The cave was only about six feet deep and eight feet wide. It was a tight fit, but they all squeezed against the back wall just as the horses broke through the trees below them.
“I didn’t expect that stupid bitch to be so hard to find. She must have had help. And when I find out who it was, I’ll make them sorry they were ever born.” There was no mistaking the pleasant tones of Leon Craddock, Jarmon thought sarcastically. His fingers tightened on his sword hilt. The urge to just leap from the cave and impale Leon with his sword made his body twitch. But there was a time to fight and a time to retreat. With Genny’s safety at risk, this was definitely a time to retreat.
“Maybe she didn’t go in this direction at all.” The calm voice of reason was shouted down immediately.
“Of course she’s gone this way. Every time someone mentions the damned Bakra brothers, her ears perk up. She thinks nobody notices. Stupid bitch is half in love with them. Like attracts like, and dogs will sniff out other dogs.”
Beside him, Jarmon felt Genny flinch at her brother’s hateful words. He caught her hand in his and squeezed it tight. Her fingers slowly wrapped around his, returning the gesture. He risked a short glance in her direction and was glad to see that her head was resting against Garrik’s shoulder.
“Besides which,” Leon continued. “It’s the furthest direction away from us.” His cruel laughter echoed in the small cave, surrounding them. “She’s smarter than I gave her credit for, though. She was gone for two days before I even noticed. The dogs lost her scent in the river just beyond Craddock Keep, otherwise we might have found her before she got too far. Then we wasted even more time dragging the useless animals back home again before searching for her trail. I’ll teach the little bitch to run away. If she’s lame she won’t be able to run now, will she? The Lut
her brothers won’t care as long as she can lie flat on her back and spread her legs.”
Genny drew her legs up to her chest, burying her face against them. Yanking her hand from his, she covered her head, trying to drown out her brother’s words. Jarmon’s heart ached and the vein in his temple throbbed. How in the name of the gods had she grown up in such a vile household and turned out so good and kind? His estimation of Genny’s character grew even larger than it had been. He couldn’t imagine how someone as gentle as her had survived.
“Maybe we’ll get lucky and run into that Bakra bastard before we find her. This time I’ll make sure he stays dead.” The laughter faded as the horses moved off. No one in the cave moved for a long time.
When Jarmon figured enough time had passed, he turned his attention to the woman huddled in a tight ball beside him. He smoothed his hand over her hair before letting it slide down her back. “We have to leave.” He kept his voice pitched low as a precaution. No need to take unnecessary chances. He cursed inwardly at his inability to erase her brother’s words from her memory. She hadn’t needed to hear his vile promises.
She raised her head slowly. Her eyes had that faraway look they’d had earlier when he and Garrik had found her. He recognized it now as a survival mechanism, a way of removing herself from the reality of circumstances she couldn’t change. But now that the situation was past, her eyes cleared and she squared her shoulders. Nodding her acceptance, she scooted toward the edge of the cave and waited.
Jarmon met his brother’s determined gaze. As always, they were of an accord. They would protect Genny with their lives, and once they had her safely behind the walls of Bakra Castle, they would love her long and well, until she couldn’t even think of ever leaving them again.
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