“There iss a tale to tell about that, Masster Arnulph.” Magnus gestured. “I think you have met Ssir Kenrick of Rathbourne?”
Arnulph peered downward and saw Kenrick and Ariane. “Didn’t think I’d see you again, Sir Kenrick. I thought you’d vanish with all the other knights who set out to challenge Lord Magnus. Give me a moment to get dressed and I’ll join you.”
He was downstairs and outside in record time, with his solid, no-nonsense wife by his side, both of them wearing heavy cloaks. “So tell us this tale!”
Kenrick described Lord William’s treachery and their capture of the mercenaries. Arnulph and his wife were horrified by their lord’s betrayal of his own people. When Kenrick finished, Lord Magnus said, “I told Ssir Kenrick that the common men of Penruth will stand at hiss back when he challengess Lord William. Did I sspeak true?”
The bailiff and his wife exchanged a glance. His wife gave a slight nod. “You did indeed, Lord Magnus,” Arnulph replied. “Lord William has never been popular, and he has not treated the people of Penruth well. Word of this final betrayal will set tinder to flame, if there is someone to lead the challenge to his authority.”
“I am willing,” Kenrick said. “My great concern is how I might force Lord William to confront my challenge when he can so easily ignore me from within the safety of his castle walls.”
“Three mornings from now, Lord William and his entourage will ride out from Penruth Castle to journey to the king’s Christmas court,” Arnulph said thoughtfully. “If you appear at the right time, when he is outside his walls, he will be unable to avoid you, and there will be many witnesses to your charges.”
Anticipation rising, Kenrick rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. “I shall be there!”
“If you are, you will find a goodly number of the common men of Penruth at your back,” the bailiff said. “We shall spread the word.”
Ariane suggested, “Let them wear their plainest garments, and perhaps hoods over their heads if they fear being identified.”
Kenrick nodded approvingly, for common men would rightly fear challenging their lord no matter what the provocation. “Then we shall face Lord William, and may God choose the right!”
After their informal council discussed Kenrick’s plan, Lord Magnus flew Ariane and Kenrick back to the island. “It hass been a good night’ss work, younglingss,” he said as they landed in the library. “Resst now, for the next dayss will be bussy.”
Ariane lit two globes of light, handing one to Kenrick before she led the way through the narrow tunnel that led outside and along the path to the main living quarters. With the villagers of Penruth behind Kenrick, the odds of success had improved. She hoped they had improved enough.
Kenrick escorted her through the kitchen and living area. When they reached the tapestry flap that covered the door to her bedchamber, she hesitated, reluctant to end this exciting night. Never had she felt so alive.
Nor had she felt so lustful. She ached to reach out and touch Kenrick. Broad-shouldered and irresistibly masculine, he fulfilled every romantic dream she’d ever had. And unless her intuition was sadly mistaken, he yearned for her also. But yearning wasn’t enough. She must know something of his mind as well. “Well done, Sir Kenrick! Not only will you do justice, but you may end up as the lord of Penruth yourself.”
He frowned. “I’m told that Penruth has an heiress. If Lord William dies, she has the legal right to the demesne.”
Wondering how much he knew about the heiress, she asked, “Are you thinking to marry her to solidify your claim to Penruth?”
His gaze shifted away. “What I am thinking…is how much I want you, Ariane. I am not a great lord with land or position to offer, but I do love you. If you will have me, I can surely find a position that will allow me to support you. Or I could live here, if that is your preference. Anywhere, as long as I’m with you!”
She stared at him, not daring to believe. “How can you love me when I’m not even fully human? You’ve seen me in dragon form. Don’t my lizard scales repulse you? Do you want dragon blood in your children?”
He turned and met her gaze, his eyes blazing. “Your dragon blood is part of what makes you rare and precious! You are charming and alarming in your dragon form, but certainly not a lizard. It is…is as if you’re wearing a different gown, but your heart and soul are still Ariane.” Tentatively he reached out to take her hands. “You may be part dragon, but you’re all woman. The most wonderful woman I’ve ever known.”
She had seen desire in men’s faces, but never had it been blended with such tenderness. Wordlessly she stood on her toes and kissed him. He made a rough sound and his arms came hard around her, pulling them together while their kiss exploded like dragon fire. She clutched him, wanting this moment to last forever.
When kisses were no longer enough, she whispered, “Come inside with me, Kenrick.”
He stepped back, his body tense. “Will Lord Magnus eat me if I take advantage of you?”
She laughed wryly. “He has been praying for a strong man to protect me so he can fly into the west with a clear conscience. He will be glad to give me into your keeping.” She ran a hand down his chest, wanting to peel his hauberk away so she could feel his hard body against hers. “In three days you will be risking your life. Don’t let us waste a moment of what time we have.”
Still he hesitated. “I want you as my wife, not my leman, Ariane. I have little enough to give you but my name, and that is shadowed by the bar sinister. But it is all I have, and I wish the world to know that we are husband and wife.”
“As if I cared for the bar sinister!” She clasped his hands hard. “Let us plight our troth together. I love you, Kenrick of Rathbourne, and I take you now for my husband in the sight of God. I swear I shall be faithful and true as long as we both shall live.”
His smile was radiant. “In the sight of God, I take you for my wife, Ariane, to love and honor and protect! I swear I shall ever be faithful and true, dearest wife.” He lifted her hands and kissed one, then the other. “Though we are now legally bound, I would marry you again in the church after the danger is past.”
Wishing she could be equally confident that their marriage would survive longer than three days, she tugged him around the tapestry panel that led to her chamber. “I will do so willingly, but now it is time to celebrate our marriage!”
This time he came into her chamber gladly. She tossed the globes of light against the wall, dimming the glow so there was just enough light to sculpt the shape of his beautiful body. He asked, “Can your magic remove my hauberk?”
She shook her head regretfully. “Not when it’s made of iron. But I shall remove it quickly enough.” The heavy metal garment weighed in her hands as she pulled it jangling over his head. She barely took time to drape it over the bench before she turned into his embrace.
They fell on each other with a hunger far deeper than mere desire. “Beloved,” he murmured as he tugged at her tunic.
“This magic I can do.” She gestured, and her garments vanished, coming to rest across his hauberk.
He laughed. “What a very useful skill! Can you do the same for my clothing?”
She gestured again, consigning his clothing to the bench, where his garments twined with hers. Her breath caught as he stood before her in all his male glory. Sky clad. Powerful. Burning with desire. She whispered, “Come to me, my dearest lord.”
“You look so fragile, yet you are so strong.” He rested his hands on her shoulders. “It is your differences that make you so special. I thank God that you can care for a man as ordinary as me.”
Tears burned her eyes as she raised her face for his kiss. He asked worriedly, “Is something wrong, Ariane?”
She shook her head, her heavy length of her hair sliding over her bare shoulders. “You’re not ordinary! Truly, I never thought to meet a man who would treasure my differences rather than condemn them.”
“Then I am lucky indeed that the other men you’ve met
were such fools.” He scooped her up as if she was a feather weight and laid her down on her low bed.
They explored each other with wonder and passion, laughing together at the awkwardness of becoming lovers. She had not known desire could be so fierce, nor that fulfillment would transform every fiber of her being.
After, as she lay contentedly in his arms, she thought that all the years of loneliness were redeemed by this one perfect night. “Fight well against Lord William,” she murmured. “I don’t want to lose you so soon after I have found you.”
“No need to worry.” He leaned forward and kissed her throat. “I have longed for a home, Ariane. In you I have found that home. I would die for you, but even more, I want to live for you.”
As his mouth moved down her body, her hands clenched in his dark hair. In a fair fight, she didn’t doubt that Kenrick would defeat Lord William. But from what she knew of Lord William, a fair fight was unlikely.
As she arched against her husband, she prayed to find a way to ensure that the battle would be just.
Kenrick had trouble keeping his eyes off his bride as they dressed the next morning. “You are as beautiful as the dawn.”
She grinned at him as she combed her hair into an apricot-colored silken fall. “I might say the same of you, my lord.”
He hadn’t known that he was capable of blushing, but then, he’d never known a woman who looked at him with such an expression. “Will Lord Magnus be in the library? I must tell him of our marriage.”
“We will tell him together. Truly, he won’t eat you. He used to tell me that humans gave him indigestion.” She stood and smoothed the wrinkles from her blue tunic. “When you go to Penruth, I will go with you.”
“No!” His objection was instinctive. “Lord William wants to kill you and your grandfather both. If I fail, you will be at risk if you are near.”
“I shall stay within the circle of the forest where he won’t see me, but I need to be there, Kenrick.” Her eyes were as blue as the summer sea. “I have some magic, as you know. Perhaps I might prevent an injustice.”
He frowned. He wanted to protect her from all danger, but he could do that better if he was alive, and she might be able to help during the confrontation with Lord William. Reminding himself of her strength, he said, “Very well, but please, take care when near the castle.” He offered his arm. “Now to announce our marriage to your grandfather.”
Kenrick’s concern about Magnus’s reaction proved baseless. The dragon lord was curled up on his feather bed in the library, but his drowsy eyes opened as soon as Kenrick and Ariane entered the great chamber. “Sso, Kenrick, you decided you’d rather have Ariane than claim the heiress of Penruth by killing Lord William.”
Once more, Kenrick felt like blushing. “How could I want an unknown heiress after I’ve met Ariane? I am deeply honored that she has accepted my pledge of marriage. Later we shall repeat our vows before a priest.”
Magnus shrugged. “If you like, but the bonding hass already happened. A blaze of light ssurroundss the pair of you. I could not assk for a better husband for my girl.”
“I will do my best to be worthy of your trust.”
“Then don’t let yoursself be killed by Lord William. I hear he iss considered a mighty knight.” Magnus tapped his claws on the stone floor of the cavern. “It will not do for you to arrive at Penruth Castle on dragon back. You will need horsess.”
Kenrick had been thinking about that, too. “It would be hard to issue a convincing challenge on foot. Do you know if Arnulph of Tregarth has suitable beasts?”
“Arrangementss shall be made.” Magnus closed his eyes and lowered his great head onto his crossed forelegs.
His arm around Ariane’s shoulders, Kenrick turned away, wondering what other preparations might be made. Now that he had someone to live for, he could afford no mistakes.
Chapter 12
On the second morning of her marriage, Ariane awoke with a luxurious stretch. She was discovering why marriage was so popular. Though it would be even nicer if her husband was still in her bed.
She closed her eyes and reached out mentally. Though she couldn’t do true mind speech, as she did with dragons, she’d found that she could sense Kenrick’s location and mood. At the moment he was outside the cave, concentrating fiercely.
Curious, she slid from the bed and dressed, donning a warm cloak over her tunic. Then she cut two chunks of bread and went in search of her husband. The morning was bright and bitterly cold, the sea smooth and icily silver.
She followed the sense of Kenrick’s presence and found him in the small meadow where they’d first met. He was practicing with his sword, moving with incredible swiftness and agility despite the weight of his weapon and hauberk. He lunged, dodged, then spun about, as light on his feet as a dancer.
Seeing her, he lowered his sword and smiled, warmth lighting up his dark face even though he was panting like a bellows. “Good morning, my angel bride.”
“Hardly an angel!” She tossed him a chunk of bread. “What are you doing?”
“It’s been only days since I was seriously injured. Though you healed the injuries, my strength and stamina are diminished.” He tore off a mouthful of bread with his teeth. Despite the cold morning, sweat ran down his face. “I am trying to rebuild my strength as much as I can before I meet Lord William.”
Her brows arched. “You don’t expect God to deliver justice?”
“In my experience, God tends to favor the strongest right arm,” he said dryly.
She was about to reply when her grandfather’s thoughts touched hers. She frowned in concentration. “Lord Magnus says the horses have arrived. You’ll find them at the top of the bluff.”
Kenrick sheathed his sword. “I’ll be interested to see what Magnus has found. Do you suppose he stole a couple of beasts from a field somewhere?”
Ariane laughed as they fell into step together. “Brute force is not his way. He probably asked someone, who asked someone else. Even at the height of anti-dragon fears, he has loyal friends all across Penruth.”
Luckily the tide was low, which made crossing from the island to the shore easy. She loved the way Kenrick took her hand to help her over rough spots. Not because she needed the help on a path she’d walked a thousand time before, but because his care made her feel protected as she hadn’t since her father died so many years ago. Lord Magnus was certainly protective in his way, but this was different. She felt…cherished.
As always, the path up the bluff took all her breath. Even Kenrick was panting by the time they reached the top, but she was pleased to see that he showed no other sign of his recent injury. He had healed well.
A pity she couldn’t also mend his strength. He would need it.
At the top of the bluff, Kenrick scanned the area with narrowed eyes, then pointed. “Over there, by the old hut. Three horses are grazing.”
He took Ariane’s arm and they headed toward the hut. As they drew closer, he said with amazement, “That’s Thunder, my destrier! They’re my horses! How did Lord Magnus manage that?” His pace quickened.
A familiar blond youth emerged from the hut. “Sir Kenrick, it’s true! You’re alive!” He hurled himself at Kenrick. “I was sure you were dead!”
Kenrick hugged the boy, laughing with pleasure. “Alive and well, as you can see. Ariane, this is Giles, my squire. Giles, this is my lady wife, Ariane.”
Giles blushed when he realized his effusions had been witnessed by a beautiful young woman. “I’m sorry, my lady! In my excitement I did not see you.”
“No matter. I’m pleased to meet you, Giles,” Ariane said warmly. “You have been staying at the castle?”
Giles nodded. “When Sir Kenrick didn’t return from the island…well, I was sure he was dead. I took the horses and rode back to tell his lordship what had happened.”
“He probably shrugged with irritation and continued about his business,” Kenrick said as the destrier head-butted him. Thunder wasn’t the handso
mest of horses, but his heart and stamina were without equal. “I doubt he was much concerned about my fate.”
“Er, no, he wasn’t. He muttered something about unlucky thirteen, then granted me permission to winter at the castle if I made myself useful.” Giles made a face. “I hid your armor so none of the men-at-arms would be tempted to steal it. I’ve been working as a stable hand and sleeping in the hay while wondering where to go come spring.”
“How did you know to bring the horses here?” Kenrick asked, curious.
“Yesterday an old man sought me out in the stables. He said you were alive and in need of your horses and arms, but I must tell no one. It seemed unbelievable, but—well, there was something powerful convincing about the old fellow, so I decided to take the chance he was telling the truth.”
So Magnus had gone in person, and known exactly whom to speak to. Typical of the dragon lord. “You brought my armor?”
“Aye, sire. It’s in the hut. I smuggled everything out of the castle in a hay wagon so no one would suspect, then hid it again. Today I took the horses out for exercise, and kept on riding after I retrieved your armor.”
“You have done well, Giles! And just in time. Tomorrow I must challenge Lord William to judicial combat.” Kenrick moved to the doorway of the hut and looked inside. Sure enough, everything was there, topped by his scarlet shield with its slashing black bar sinister.
“Sir?” Giles exclaimed, aghast. “Why would you do a daft thing like that?”
Kenrick turned from the hut to his squire. There was much to tell the boy about Lord William. And about dragons.
The bailiff’s information had been confirmed by Giles: Lord William and his entourage would ride out this morning to attend the king’s winter court. After a day of swift messages between Dragon Island, the manor of Tregarth, and the villages of Penruth, all was in readiness.
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