The shouting came again, this time louder and more angry-sounding. Rolling out of bed, she headed toward the window. The blue robe was draped across the end of the bed, so she grabbed it and yanked it on, wrapping the belt tight around her waist. Kneeling up onto the bench below the window, she peered between the panes of stained glass. Frustrated that she couldn’t see much, she found the latch and pushed the window open.
“It is my right to issue challenge!” All the blood drained from her face as she recognized Leon’s bellowing voice. “If you have taken Genita’s virginity, then she is no longer of much value.”
Hurt and anger flowed through her, making her feel slightly numb. She hated the fact he was saying such hateful things about her in front of Jarmon and Garrik and indeed the entire castle.
“I accept challenge.” The voice was so low and controlled she almost didn’t hear it. Her heart stopped and then began to pound furiously. He couldn’t. She wouldn’t allow it.
Forgetting that she was only wearing a thin robe, she raced from the room. The cold from the stone steps seeped into the soles of her feet, but it barely registered. Her hair fluttered like a banner behind her as she practically flew down the staircase and across the great hall toward the huge front door. Grabbing the large metal handle, she pulled. The heavy door slowly opened enough for her to slip through. Holding the robe together with one hand, she hurried outside.
Her feet had barely touched the outside steps when a strong arm captured her from behind. Before she could cry out a large hand covered her mouth. “Don’t say anything, Genny.” She didn’t know what was happening, but she did recognize Bador’s voice. She nodded frantically and he slowly removed his hand from her mouth, but kept his arm banded around her waist.
“What’s going on? I heard Leon issue a challenge.” It was hard to catch her breath from her mad dash down the stairs. She tried to see around the crowd that had gathered, but it was difficult.
“Your brother certainly does like to bellow.” As if on cue, Leon’s roar could be heard once again over the muttering of the crowd. Genny couldn’t quite make out the words, but there was no misinterpreting the anger.
There was a gleam of humor in Bador’s eye that made Genny furious. This was no laughing matter. Gripping the edges of his vest in her hands, she shook him. Or at least she tried to. It was like trying to move a large oak tree. “This isn’t funny. Leon has challenged and Jarmon has accepted.”
“Aye. Leon has issued a challenge, as is his right. Garrik and Jarmon claimed you without your family’s permission. They either had to accept the challenge or give you back.”
Maybe there was a way to avert this fight. She just couldn’t allow Jarmon to face Leon again. Her brother had almost killed him the last time they’d met. Although Jarmon had recovered, he was still at a disadvantage because of the injuries to his left arm and leg. She swallowed the bile that pushed up her throat from her churning stomach. “I could go with them.” The words were barely a whisper, but Bador heard them and froze. “Jarmon doesn’t have to fight.”
Bador shook his head slowly as he pushed a lock of hair out of her face. “No, little one. If you left with your brothers you might as well shove a sword through his heart. It would kill him.” She started to protest, but he ignored it. “I know what you are trying to do. It is a noble thing, but misguided. Have faith in both Jarmon and Garrik to see this through.”
“They are your brothers. How can you risk them like this? Especially Jarmon?”
“How can I not support them?” he countered. “They are my brothers and they are fighting for the woman they love.”
The negotiations had obviously finished as the people began to disperse. Genny whipped her head around, searching the crowd for her men. And they were hers. She loved them both more than she’d thought it possible to ever love any man. When she saw them striding toward her, she broke away from Bador’s hold and ran to meet them. Their older brother Zaren was beside them, but she only had eyes for Garrik and Jarmon.
She hesitated for the briefest of seconds before throwing herself into Jarmon’s arms. He caught her easily, lifting her high into his arms without breaking his stride. Continuing inside, he carried her over to the sitting area and lowered her into one of the chairs. She popped right back up again, her fingers twisting in the fabric of his vest. “What has happened? Why have you accepted Leon’s challenge?”
Jarmon’s face hardened, the scar pulling his lip up into a sneer. “Of course I accepted challenge. How could you expect otherwise?”
Genita prayed for patience. Were all men this dense? She gentled her voice, not wanting to insult him. “After what happened last time . . .” She trailed off, not quite sure how to continue.
His entire body jerked as if she’d struck him. “You think that I cannot defeat him. You think he will beat me.”
“Yes. No. I don’t know!” she wailed. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Every muscle on his body was tight and the vein in his temple pounding. “I see.”
“No, you don’t see.” She whirled around to look for Garrik. The entire family and some of the servants were watching them. Some of the men looked insulted, others amused. Jane’s face was pale but composed. Several older women shot her a sympathetic glance, but said nothing. “Why do you have to fight? Why does he have to fight?”
A part of her knew she was acting irrational. She knew the laws of the land as well as any of them did. It was her brothers’ right to challenge, and as the oldest, it was Leon’s choice of who issued challenge. The only reason he was doing it himself was because of his hatred for Jarmon. “He’s going to try to kill him,” she whispered. Why didn’t anyone else understand?
Jarmon caught her chin in his hand and turned her face back to him. His scar was white against his slightly flushed cheek. His pale eyes bore into her, calm and cold. “I will not lose. You will be free.” He dropped his hand, turned and walked away without a backward glance. And what did he mean by that? She would be free?
She started after him, but Garrik stopped her. “Let him go, Genny. You have hurt his pride and gravely insulted his honor.”
She bit her bottom lip so hard that it began to bleed. She’d never meant to insult him. Tears pricked her eyes. What was she supposed to do? Let him face her brother, who’d already maimed him in battle?
“Genny.” Garrik’s soft voice, filled with understanding, almost made her lose her composure totally. She swallowed convulsively. She would not cry in front of all these people.
Pulling away from his grasp, she raced back toward the stairs, her bare feet slapping against the stone. She held it together as she dashed back up the steps and into the bedroom where she’d known such joy and happiness only hours before. Throwing herself onto the bed, she buried her face in the pillows and sobbed.
Her head pounded and her stomach hurt. Her actions had started something she couldn’t stop. How would she be able to live with herself if something happened to Jarmon? She knew that Garrik would act as his second, but it was Jarmon who would have to face Leon.
She cried so long and hard that she began to gag. Slapping her hand over her mouth, she raced to the small bathing chamber, where she knew there was a bucket. She knelt on the stone floor, supporting herself on shaking arms as she heaved. When it was over, she lowered herself to the floor, letting the coolness seep into her perspiring body.
Calmness descended upon her. There was really nothing she could do. These events were unfolding and all she could do was watch them and pray. No, that wasn’t quite true. The one thing that was in her power to do was to show both Jarmon and Garrik that she supported them no matter what happened.
Jarmon was laying down his life for her. For that alone she owed him her respect and her loyalty. Because she loved him, she needed to be with him, needed him to know that she believed in him. She didn’t want him facing Leon thinking that she didn’t have faith in him or his abilities.
After pushing her
self to her feet, she stumbled over to the washstand, where there was a pitcher of fresh water. It was cold, but that didn’t matter. Pouring it into the bowl, she grabbed a washcloth and cleaned away the evidence of her fears. Quickly, she combed her hair and braided it, fastening it with the leather thong that she’d removed yesterday during her bath. She took another moment to rinse her mouth before heading back into the bedroom.
Her satchel lay near the table and she scooped it up and laid it on the table. Her other clothing was gone, but she still had her older dress. Her fingers closed around a familiar piece of cloth. Unable to resist its lure, she pulled the tapestry from the cloth bag. Unrolling it, she laid it on the table. The vibrant colors seemed to dance in front of her and she traced her finger over the faces of the warriors. Her warriors.
A knock came at the door, but before Genny could answer it, the door opened. Jane peeked inside. “I thought you might need some clothing.”
“Come in.” There was no way Jane wouldn’t notice her red eyes and know she’d been crying, but thankfully she made no comment on them. Genny was extremely grateful to her for that. She was also glad she wouldn’t have to wear her old, threadbare dress in front of everyone.
“The men will be assembling in the yard in a few moments.” Jane hurried forward, holding out the clean clothes. She stumbled to a halt when she saw the tapestry. “Oh, my God.” Her eyes flew to Genny’s. “Did you make this?”
“Yes.” Genny stepped back as Jane moved forward like someone in a trance, the tapestry luring her toward it. The other woman reached out a trembling hand and traced her fingers over the fabric.
“You said you made this?”
“Yes. It took me three years, but I made it.”
Jane shook her head, as if in disbelief. “I have seen the magical tapestry.” She turned to stare at Genny, speculation in her eyes. “It is almost identical to this one.”
It was Genny’s turn to stare in disbelief. “I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I,” Jane answered. “Maybe you are more of a tapestry bride than you think.” A roar reached them through the open window, reminding them of the fight to come.
“Then I’d better hurry.” Genny grabbed the garments and hurried back into the bathing area. When she emerged a minute later, the robe was gone and she was decently dressed again.
However, the clothing was unlike any she’d ever worn before. As promised, Jane had provided her with a pair of leather pants that were a bit baggy on her, but she laced them tight. The tunic laced up the front and covered her to her knees. Its long sleeves fell over her hands, but she rolled them back until they were about two-thirds of the way down her arm. They didn’t fit properly, but they were extremely comfortable. At this point, Genny didn’t care what they looked like. They covered her. That was all that mattered.
Jane was still waiting when she went back into the bedroom. Genny found her short boots and yanked them on. “I’m ready,” she announced.
Jane stared at her for the longest time, then toward the tapestry again, before nodding decisively. “I think you are. Follow me.” The two of them hurried back down the stairs and outside the castle.
The noise and the crowd gathered in a lower area of the grounds, near the outer wall, left no doubt as to where the fight would be. Genny began to scan the large group of people, searching for Jarmon and Garrik. With Jane in the lead, the crowd parted easily, letting them pass. Her feet quickened as they ate up the distance. She had to talk to Jarmon before the fight began.
Suddenly, he was before her, but it was a Jarmon she’d never truly seen before. This was the warrior. The one who’d not only survived a near-fatal injury but had risen above it, becoming stronger and more powerful than ever.
His hair, locks of white and blond, practically glowed in the sunshine. Pale blue eyes were grim and steady. His chest was bare, muscles gleaming with a fine sheen of perspiration. Heavy metal bands wrapped around his upper arms and wrists. Leather pants hugged his strong calves and thighs. A sword belt was clasped around his thick waist, holding his huge sword at the ready. Leather boots covered his feet, and she expected that he had a knife tucked into one of them.
But it was the expression on his face that proclaimed him a warrior. He was confident in his abilities, ready to meet his opponent. He wasn’t cocky, as several of her brothers were, but self-assured. This was a man who knew his capabilities and knew them well. She only hoped that they were enough to defeat her eldest brother.
Garrik was similarly attired and standing just beside and slightly behind his brother. But she only had eyes for Jarmon. It was him that she had hurt. Shoving her doubts aside, she slowly walked toward him. His expression gave no hint as to what he was thinking. She was used to seeing warmth in his eyes. Now, she saw nothing.
“I’m sorry.” She had to glance away from his penetrating gaze. Scuffing the toe of her boot in the dirt, she gathered her courage and forced herself to continue. “I didn’t mean to imply that you couldn’t win. I’m just worried. Leon won’t fight fairly. I know he won’t.” Now that she’d started, the words kept tumbling out.
She turned toward Garrik. “Don’t trust Harmid. I assume he’s Leon’s second.” Garrik nodded, confirming her assumption. “He may try something, so don’t take your eyes off him.”
“Genny.” Jarmon’s voice was low, but she ignored it.
“I’m not sure if my two youngest brothers will do anything, but you should have Zaren and Bador watch them. Did they bring any of their men-at-arms with them? They will need watching as well.”
“Genny.” This time a massive muscled arm wrapped around her, pulling her back against a hard chest. “Everything will be fine.”
She nodded. “I know.” And if she kept telling herself that often enough she might actually believe it.
Jarmon’s sigh was so deep it ruffled the hair on the top of her head. “What am I going to do with you?”
Affection and something else tinged his words and she tipped her head back to look up at him. “I don’t know. What are you going to do with me?”
Heat flared in his eyes as something hard poked into her lower back. Jarmon was aroused. “I can think of many, many things I would like to do, sweet Genny.”
She was suddenly hot and flustered. How could she be so aroused in a crowd of people and at a time like this? Her confusion must have shown on her face because he eased away from her. She grabbed his arm before he pulled all the way back. “Be careful. Promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I’ll be careful. After all, you haven’t given us our answer yet.” Bending down, he dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “We want to know which of us you’re going to marry.” In the blink of an eye, the indulgent lover was gone, replaced once again by the implacable warrior as he stepped away.
“Don’t worry, Genny. No matter what happens, you’ll be safe.” Garrik dropped a hard kiss on her lips before following his brother. Like Jarmon, his expression changed from one moment to the next and his warrior side emerged.
“But I don’t want my safety at the cost of yours.” Her whispered words were lost on the breeze.
Zaren stepped up beside her. “Come and stand over here.” He led her to the far side of the ring of people.
Leon and her other three brothers were at the far end. All of them ignored her, except Radnor. He gave her a quick nod before turning away. Situating herself firmly beside Jane and the rest of the Bakra family, Genny left no doubt as to where her allegiance lay.
Leon stepped forward, his sword drawn and bloodlust in his eyes. He was a massive man, who in spite of being a bit past his prime was a fierce warrior whose fighting prowess was legendary. He was also as vicious as a cornered animal and would do whatever it took to win. He glanced at her and sneered. Her blood ran cold, but she did not flinch away from him. Tipping her chin up, she squared her shoulders and faced him as he sauntered toward her.
“So proud,” he taunted. “That won’t last long once I get you h
ome. The Luther brothers still want you, hard as that is to believe.” The crowd behind her murmured restlessly.
A cold sweat broke out on her brow, but she met her brother’s gaze, refusing to back down. Quick as a snake, he struck, backhanding her. Her head snapped to the side and she tasted blood in her mouth.
“Craddock!” The bellow silenced everyone. Jarmon stepped into the center of the ring of people. “Do you always fight those who are weaker than yourself? Those you know you can beat?” he goaded.
Leon whirled away from her and stalked toward his younger opponent. “It is good to win. And I will win, boy.” He threw out the insult. “I beat you once. Thought I’d killed you. This time I’ll finish the job.”
Genny swallowed hard and felt Jane place a comforting hand on her shoulder. A movement caught her eye and she saw Garrik slowly easing over to stand near her brother Harmid. She gave a quick glance around the open field and found Zaren and Bador were already in position next to her two youngest brothers. Several other Bakra men were stationed near the half dozen Craddock Keep men-at-arms who’d come with her brothers.
Jarmon laughed at Leon’s insult. “You fought a boy last time, Craddock. Let’s see how you fare against a man.”
Leon lunged quickly, his blade sweeping upward. The move was deadly, designed to gut his opponent. Jarmon countered it easily, swiping the blade aside at the last second. Leon grinned. “At least this time you’ll give me a bit of a challenge. It was so boring last time we met.”
“Glad you’re enjoying yourself,” Jarmon replied casually before he brought his long blade arching downward toward Leon.
Genny’s breath caught in her throat as the fighting began in earnest. Sparks flew as their blades skated over one another. Metal flashed in the sun as the sound of the fight echoed around them. Dust filled the air as they circled around each other, Leon moving quickly with Jarmon following with his distinctive loping gait. They grunted with the strain of their blows. Over and over they struck at one another, each able to counter just in time to avoid being injured or maimed.
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