by Sakwa, Kim
Greylen made love to her again, as if proving his point before leaving with his men. Gwen still continued to watch them every morning, calling out playfully as they stood in the doorway. Today, however, she realized she forgot to tell Greylen something and ran downstairs. When she’d opened the door, they were exchanging coins. They looked guilty as hell.
“What’s this?” she asked, hands on her hips.
“These are called coins, Gwendolyn,” Greylen said, holding one up. “We use them to purchase things.”
“I know what frigging coins are, you idiot. I meant, what in the hell are you doing with them?”
“She has the foulest mouth,” Greylen said to his men, like she wasn’t standing right in front of them.
“Answer me, husband,” she hissed. “We’re trading them.” He grinned.
Gwen’s eyes narrowed. “Do I look like an idiot? Because I’m not.”
He laughed.
She gasped as it hit her. “You’re betting on what I ask for in the mornings, aren’t you?”
“Ah, Gwen, don’t be angry. You’ll be happy to know, I always win.”
“And you’ll be happy to know, I’m gonna kick your ass.” She came at him no-holds-barred, and he wrestled her to the ground seconds later.
“Give,” he said, smiling above her.
“Like I have a choice?”
“You always have a choice, Gwen. You can either make nice or I’ll make you make nice, for all the world to see,” he warned suggestively.
“You’d touch me and make me beg in front of your men?”
“I’ll kill them after. Then we’ll put an ad in the paper and hire new ones.”
“I’ll give,” she grumbled, knowing she’d surprised him by conceding so quickly.
Greylen shook his head. “Too easy, love.”
“I swear, Greylen.” Gwen took great pleasure in lying to his face. “I give. Now help me up, you overgrown bear.”
He stood, taking her with him. Gwen kissed his cheek as if nothing had happened and then told his men to have a nice a day as she walked away. “Greylen, can I see you for a moment, please?” she called without looking back. She knew he’d feel at least somewhat contrite and would oblige her request. She was already on the steps when he reached her, and she turned so that they almost touched, her face just before his.
“Do you remember making love this morning, Greylen?” she asked wistfully.
His eyes narrowed. “Aye.”
“I can still feel you inside me,” she purred, covering her breasts with her hands, “hot, thick…and so hard. I swear I’m wet right now.”
She took immense satisfaction in the hiss that escaped his lips as his eyes clenched shut. Well, that and the fact that her husband was rock-hard with six men standing directly behind him.
“Well, have a nice day,” she said cheerily before sauntering away and closing the door.
Seconds later the door splintered in Greylen’s wake, his roar sending her screaming up the stairs. He caught her at the landing. Her dress ripped down the back as he carried her toward their chamber over his shoulder. He took her against the wall, thrusting again and again as she cried his name, releasing with a shout that shook the very rafters.
He explained the wager he and his men made as they sat in the study, quite pleased with himself that he’d won every morn.
“Was it worth it, Greylen?” she asked him.
“Every frigging coin, love,” he admitted, kissing her.
Another week passed and as she sat on her perch, she heard Greylen and his men coming down the hallway. Though they still laughed and smiled as they took to the front doors, she knew that troubles were occurring more frequently. And of late, her only request was that they come home safely. It was really all that mattered now.
Somehow the realization changed everything, and she found herself enjoying life as she never had before. She was comfortable with the drastic changes, and confident that she and Greylen would be happy forever.
It lasted until dinner.
Playing music and sharing a meal with Greylen, Isabelle, Lady Madelyn, Gavin, and tonight, Duncan, she opened the can of worms herself, sipping coffee from an exquisite porcelain cup. Stupid frigging cup.
“Do you know people pay millions of dollars every year, just to have a cup of coffee?” she asked.
“Millions, Gwen,” Greylen argued, shaking his head. “It cannot be.”
She rolled her eyes. “There are people who are millionaires many times over.”
“In truth, Gwendolyn?” Isabelle asked.
“In truth.” She nodded. “And there are stores everywhere that sell anything you can imagine.” She decided not to mention the internet or Amazon.
“Do you miss your home, daughter, your family?” Lady Madelyn asked as they stared at her.
“Honestly, Mother, I don’t. I love it here…and my family is gone. My parents and my aunt were all that I had, and they died over two years ago.”
“The prophecy spoke of your mourning, Gwen,” Gavin said.
“You’d think”—Gwen glared at Greylen—“my husband would have told it to me by now.”
“You’d think,” Greylen growled, “my wife would know her place by now.”
“You’ve shown me often enough,” she muttered back. “Please recite it, Greylen,” Isabelle pleaded, then rolled her eyes for emphasis. “Or I may vomit from your love-play.” Gwen refilled their goblets as Greylen continued to glare.
It killed her to pretend indifference. But she’d be damned if she let him see it. Insufferable beast.
Greylen watched his wife. The woman was practically bursting at the seams. He finally laughed. “Sit, wench, you’ll have your words.” He waited until she took her seat again, then he touched their goblets together and began.
“To the greatest Highland clan he is born…” He winked at his mother.
“From a different time, first she must mourn…” He squeezed Gwen’s hand, then stood playing the grand storyteller. “Two souls forever joined, still so far apart…” Hand over his heart he looked to his audience, caught in the words himself as they came from his lips.
“Yet the reason is clear, she mends his broken heart…
“A great storm will rage, the eve of his thirty-third year…
“On her twenty-eighth, when the path is then clear…
“Once they touch, ’tis forever, their bond is the key…
“Once together, they shall remain…for infinity.”
Isabelle stood, clapping in excitement, while Greylen bowed before looking back to Gwen. His eyes narrowed as he noted her demeanor. She sat completely still, a blank stare on her face. Then she reached for her goblet and drained its contents.
“Again, Greylen,” she said, looking to no one, her tone flat and her voice tight. She clearly braced herself for the retelling.
He had no idea what upset her, but he’d never seen her as such. He began again, less boastful this time, and watched her intently with each word he spoke.
Her face remained impassive until he recited, “Yet the reason is clear, she mends his broken heart…”
Gwen stood so quickly the chair fell. Her goblet empty, she reached for his and drained it. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said.
Then she was gone.
She was halfway up the stairs when he caught up to her. “Gwen, what’s wrong?” he asked, taking the steps three at a time to keep pace.
“I…I—” She stopped only a second to look at him. “Oh God, Greylen, I can’t.”
“Can’t what, Gwen? What’s upset you?” he yelled as she continued up the stairs to their chamber.
She paced the floor, wringing her hands. Then she stood in the center of their room and stared at him in a way she never looked at him before. She began shaking her head again.
“I’m going for a run,” she said, looking to the floor. “’Tis dark, Gwen, and you’ve had three glasses of wine,” he reminded her. “You’ll go nowhere.”
Good God his wife was going to blow.
He kept his voice calm and made no move to approach her. “Gwendolyn, come by the fire, love,” he called softly. As she walked past him, he shouted, “You’re not leaving.”
“Watch me!”
Afraid to upset her further, he followed her to the steps. He realized she meant to go outside. “Gavin,” he bellowed, “the door.”
Gavin jumped to his orders, barely in time. Gwen moved quickly, but Greylen was just a second behind. He watched in fascination as Gwen stood before Gavin, fixing him with a stare Greylen had seen before—his. Good God, but if looks could kill. She spoke then, words Greylen knew she meant for him but were thrown in Gavin’s face instead. “Fine, I’ll use the stairs.”
Furious, Greylen entered the great hall. “Come, my wife provides entertainment.” He clapped. Then he sat in the entryway with his mother and Isabelle while Duncan and Gavin stood sentinel at the doors. The entire time, Gwen never looked at him. She raced the stairs at least twenty times, all but trying to kill herself, her pace was so fast.
She knelt when she reached the landing that time and banged on the stone with her hands. She came down the stairs again and looked only at Gavin. Breathless, she walked to him and reached for his hand. Then she backed him to the open foyer, begging him with her look.
“Gwendolyn, nay.” Gavin shook his head at her. “Not now—not here.”
Gwen shook visibly, her eyes pleading. Greylen watched intently, at least clear in this, Gavin knew whom not to serve.
Confirming his thoughts, Gavin looked at him as if silently beseeching forgiveness. For what, Greylen knew not.
“NOW,” Gwen shouted, obviously angered that Gavin wavered.
Gavin shook his head, not in refusal it seemed, mayhap just to rid his confusion. He brought his hands before him where they remained in wait. Gwen made no move, then Gavin’s eyes narrowed, and he began to circle her. She followed with her head, her hands finally fisting.
Greylen’s head tilted to the side, his own eyes narrowing as he took in the scene before him. His wife, in a stance clearly meant for battle. His first-in-command displaying the actions he himself had begged for on countless occasions. Yet this time, ’twas his mistress whom he served.
Unsure, he stood, his mother pulling him back. “Let her find some solace, Greylen,” she pleaded. “She’s so like you.”
’Twas those words that finally broke through. His wife was in fact like him. Strong and determined. She used her body to work through the things which plagued her most. From the corner of his eye, he saw Anna at the end of the hallway and motioned with his hand for her to prepare their room. She’d swiftly see to a bath by the fire. His full attention on the center of the entryway, he waited, his own hands fisted as well. Gavin began to circle his wife, taunting her with a stare, moving his arms as he readied himself. And still Greylen knew not what for.
Then it began, and the display took his breath away.
His wife engaged, hitting Gavin’s palms with quick punches, straight, and then from below. She grunted as she delivered each blow, while Gavin threw her hands back, harder after each assault. They became embroiled in a game, the likes of which he’d never seen before. And he almost smiled with pride.
She was amazing.
She kicked at Gavin’s arms from the side now, turning to deliver more from behind. Gavin’s defense was harsh, throwing aside each of her blows, and now both made sounds as they battled. It continued for endless minutes, no finish in sight. Finally, he could take no more.
“ENOUGH,” he shouted, standing to move before her. He grabbed Gwen’s arm and led her from the room. They spoke not a word as they ascended the stairs and entered their chamber. He led her to the tub and removed her clothing before lifting her into the water. She remained silent, staring into the fire as he washed her. Then he wrapped her in a towel and placed her on the hearth.
He stood before her now, arms crossed over his chest as he waited for an explanation. She finally looked at him.
“I—” She shook her head.
“You’ll tell me, Gwen, now.”
“I—”
She started crying, silent tears at first, but then she became consumed, head on her knees as her body shook. And still he didn’t understand, but he knelt and wrapped her in his arms.
“I—” She still couldn’t finish.
“Your knowledge of letters needs work, love. Shall I employ a tutor?” he joked softly, pulling back to look at her.
She gave a laugh. “’Twould be very generous of you.”
“I’d give you the world, Gwen. You know it to be true.
Please talk to me,” he pleaded, unsure what else to do. “Greylen, I…I—”
“Good God, Gwen—we’ve gotten that far already—you what?”
“I mend broken hearts,” she whispered.
“I know, Gwen, you’ve mended mine already.”
“No, Greylen, that’s not what they meant.”
“What who meant?”
“The prophecy,” she shouted. “I truly mend broken hearts, Greylen.”
“You’re an enchantress,” he accused. “How many hearts have you soothed—and how?”
“Greylen, you’re not listening. The reason I’m here is to mend your heart—literally.”
“But you already have, Gwen.”
“No.” She shook her head. “Greylen, I have the knowledge, the ability, to fix a heart. ‘From a different time… the reason is clear, she mends his broken heart’—Greylen, I was sent here to fix your heart!” As if unbidden images reeled through her mind, her fingers tangled harshly in her hair.
Her entire body shook as she walked to the window. She stared at the blackened sea as Greylen stood behind her. He divested her of her towel and wrapped her in her robe. “You’re shaking,” he said softly, pulling her against him.
“I won’t be able to help you, Greylen.”
She began crying again and he turned her. “If what you say is true, then—”
“I have no instruments, Greylen. Even if I had my bag, it wouldn’t be—” She gasped as he tensed. “Where is it, Greylen?” she demanded in a shout, hitting his chest with both of her hands.
He walked to the trunk at the end of the bed and withdrew a key from his pocket. He removed the lock before lifting the lid. “I feared ’twould change what happened,” he offered, raising the bag and holding it out to her.
Gwen hesitated, then she grabbed it. She hugged it to her chest and knelt on the floor, rocking back and forth. He sat before her, then wrapped his legs around her and tilted her chin. “You truly mend broken hearts?” he asked.
She nodded cautiously.
“Explain,” he asked, feeling more ignorant than he ever had. “Please.”
“I…” She released a breath as if wondering where to begin. “I’m a surgeon, Greylen, a doctor who operates on people.” She stopped, it seemed, to gauge his reaction but continued when he remained expressionless. “I’d just completed my residency and signed a contract”—she must have realized he didn’t understand and explained—“to become a doctor you have to go to medical school, it’s a four-year program after you’ve completed another four-year program. Then you work at hospitals under the supervision of other doctors until you complete your residency.”
Greylen nodded and she continued, “I always knew what I wanted to do, from the time I was just a little girl.” She smiled. “I was obsessed with being the best at everything.”
Gre
ylen was so overcome with pride. As he listened to her talk of her past, ’twas rather difficult not to pull her into his arms.
“I finished high school early. Usually you’re eighteen, but because of my birthday being early and…” She paused a moment and shrugged. “And I guess this consuming drive I had, I was sixteen when I started my undergrad program. I finished that early, as well, and then went to med school.”
“My God, Gwen. How did you accomplish so much, so quickly?”
She shrugged in an attempt to remain indifferent, but her voice held a quality of despair when she quietly answered. “School was all I had, Greylen.”
Greylen saw the tears in her eyes, at once suspicious of what she left out. “What do you mean ’twas all you had?” he asked, determined to understand what she wasn’t saying with that admission.
“I had my aunt Millicent,” she said quickly. “She was wonderful, Greylen.” Her eyes lit up as she spoke about her. “We took trips together, and she always told me how proud she was of me.”
“What of your parents, Gwen?” he insisted as she continued to avoid the issue. It took her so long to answer, for a moment, he thought mayhap she wouldn’t.
“My parents were…busy.” The last word was spoken so low, and, worse, to her hands.
“Busy,” he nearly shouted, outraged on her behalf.
“It wasn’t their fault,” she said defensively. “They were trained just as I was. They were the leaders in their field, Greylen. I was poised to take their place.”
“But what of you, Gwen?”
“I…I…worked hard,” she stammered. “I—” “Did they never praise your efforts, Gwen?”
“They…they expected me to be the best,” she finally said. “I don’t think they ever realized…”
He lifted her chin so she would look at him. “Realized what?” he prodded gently.
“I just wanted them to be proud of me, Greylen. I tried so hard to make them notice.” She choked on a sob. “I—I’ll never let our children feel so alone and unloved.”
He cursed, pulling her into his arms. How could she have been treated so badly? She gave of herself so completely, she loved with her entire heart, ’twas a wonder she’d not been permanently damaged by their neglect.