by Marie Hall
She wasn't incompetent, and he didn't want her dead.
"Lady Io?" Roth called then slapped his hands together in front of her face. The sound was startling. Enough so, she shoved aside the fear and let the anger out.
"I told you," she screamed at them as she worked to pull free of the hands that held her. "I told you. I cannot ride this thing," she yelled again as she pushed through the group. Picking up her skirts, she ran for the wagon, which had moved some distance back in anticipation of her being mounted today. It took several tries to climb inside, given the steps were stored and the flaps secured, but once in, she made her way to the bed and let go the sobs she'd held back. Not just the ones caused by fear she'd be trampled, but the ones caused by fear what the prince said could be true.
Maybe Xavier was happy with her, but only because he knew he was no longer in the king's esteem and she was the best he might hope for. And what if she was found to be as incompetent as the prince suggested? If Xavier wasn't out of favor, would another royal also see she was hardly someone worthy of a man like Xavier?
She pulled the furs in closer to smother the sounds she made. Why was she on this trip? She'd been happy at the house. Happy believing all was good and right with life. Now she was, in fact, not seen as capable of doing as much as relieving herself without a full escort. Who was subject to such treatment, but for the imbeciles of the world?
"Io, are you hurt?" Xavier's deep voice rolled over her. "Come, sit up."
She shrugged off his hands when they settled on her shoulders, and when they came back for a second try, she rolled to her back and slapped at them. "Get off, leave me alone."
"Io, stop. Settle." This time, he grabbed her, holding on until she was out of breath and unable to resist. He pulled her to a sitting position and then brushed the hair from her face. "Are you hurt?"
"I told you," she snapped. "I told you I cannot ride that mare. I told you. Do you just want me dead to keep forcing me to try?"
"Io, are you hurt? Were you stepped on?" Xavier asked, ignoring her question.
Swallowing down the bile, she sniffed and shook her head. "No." She managed to lift her head and catch his eye, but she couldn't hold his stare. "No, I was not stepped on… this time."
"All right," he said softly, then used the heel of his hand to wipe at her face. "Come on," he said as he pulled her off the bed and then back toward the end of the wagon. He brought her to the very edge before jumping down and turning so he could lift her down. "Come," he said again when she hesitated to follow him.
He was headed right back to the roan. And the animal was saddled and ready to ride. Io stopped in her tracks and was about to turn back when Xavier caught her elbow and forced her to stay. As they approached, Samuel stepped around with a small cloth in his hand. There was a good amount of blood on that cloth.
"Not sure what it might have been, my lord," he said, pulling on the reins to make the mare turn her body and drop her head. "It is a small cut but deep."
Io looked now where Xavier was running his hand over the mare's chest. The small wound oozed blood, but the horse barely trembled when Xavier touched it directly. "Did you hear anything, Io, before she became upset?"
"Hear anything?"
"A branch snap or… anything?" he pressed.
"No." Was the sudden infliction of pain the cause of the horse going wild?
"Well, it is not too grievous; she is sound," Xavier said, moving around the horse but keeping his hands on her at all times. He checked the saddle cinch then the bridle before turning to hold his hand out to Io. "I'll give you a leg up."
"I am not riding that," Io said, taking a step back, only to have Xavier match her. "No."
"Io, its growing late. We need to be on the road."
"No." Was he mad? She rather thought so when he reached out, grabbed her arm, placed her beside the horse and, without so much as a warning, lifted her into the saddle. He thwarted her attempt to get down and stilled her with just a glare as he forced her leg over the horn and her foot into the stirrup. But he held the reins as Liam stepped up and boosted him on behind her. The mare gave some protest at the added weight, but Xavier brought that under control.
He put the animal through a few maneuvers, and once satisfied, he gave the reins to Io and settled behind her.
"Let us be on our way," he said, indicating Io should bring the horse around and start them down the road, which she did, Xavier shifting around behind her. "This horse is not dangerous, Io. But it does seem to have the misfortune to be near you when it is injured."
"I did not do this," Io said, hurt he might think such of her.
"No, you didn't. But I think your clear dislike of her, your distrust, makes her an easy target to use against you. You must be willing to ride her, more now than before, or next time someone acts to hurt her, you might again be hurt as well."
It made sense. The groom who'd put spikes under the saddle knew Io hadn't trusted the mare. Knew too, she thought Xavier was going to use the horse to try to kill her. In fact, that was exactly what Io believed, even now, if she was honest with herself. At this moment, the horse was walking easily down the road without a twitch of the ear. Xavier promised her he'd selected only horses he was sure she could manage.
"Who here would—" Was there some real danger to her out on this road?
"Io, the only reason Artus… the prince, "Xavier corrected himself, "is with us is because he found himself at the wrong end of someone's sword. The disruption caused when… have you named this animal yet?" he asked, and Io only shook her head. "You should. You cannot keep calling her the bad horse." For a moment, only his tone was a bit teasing, but then he was serious again. "The disruption caused everyone to look away, look toward you. It left us open to ambush or even his assassination."
"You do not sound as unhappy about the latter." Io guessed the longer those men were with them, the more disliked they became. No one in Xavier's ranks was anything less than dutiful, behaving as expected and required. But it was all done grudgingly. Something she pointed out to the man herself.
"It would be a slight blight on my reputation if something… unfortunate happened to the dog before he is returned to his family."
"A slight blight?" Io quarried, only to feel him shrug before he wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"His father has three sons to replace him." Again, Io pressed her lips together to prevent a response. "Show no fear to these people, Io. Showing fear will signal their attack." He placed a kiss on her cheek then urged her to move to the front of the procession. He rode behind her until they stopped at midday, then he allowed Wednesday to be saddled. Io was ready to put what was said this morning behind her. The prince, not so much.
Chapter 2
"Well, well, well."
Io went still, ending her struggle to get free, and listened. Whoever it was who'd entered the space where Io was being held was new to the group. She didn't recognize his voice. She also didn't like it.
Clearly, this was about to become worse than a bad prank played on her by the prince. And even more clear was Io was a complete fool to give in to his taunts. She should've trusted Xavier when he'd said the man wasn't better for his bloodline.
Io listened to the man comment on her lack of freedom for more than a week. Every day, he'd remark her husband must find her a complete incompetent to not allow her to go to sleep without a full escort.
He said several times the king would be disappointed finding his favorite knight unable to join him on any adventures planned because Xavier needed to play nursemaid to his wife. Io's lack of skill on horseback was mentioned. Seemed the queen would take new ladies at court on long rides to get to know them. But the queen was a very skilled horsewoman, and Io's childish ability wouldn't be able to keep up
Io tried to ignore him. She went several times to Xavier to ask his opinion, but his answers were less than satisfactory and he was quick to move on to other matters. Io made to show she w
as indeed capable. She started conversations about matters that would need to be seen to when they returned; she borrowed a book from Mark and read out loud, making comments about the passages with anyone who might be inclined. She stepped up the care of her mount and tack.
Still, the man found nothing about Io redeeming. Io worried more and more Xavier's king would find the same faults. And while the prince couldn't do more than make Io doubt, the king could strip Xavier from her.
If he felt he'd done Xavier a disservice, he could dissolve the marriage. Xavier wanted her as his wife, but it was his want. How did his wants stand against his king's command? Her husband gave his entire life in service, defied the will of his family to follow the crown. Could he now stand against that crown if the only thing he was left with was her? The uncertainty made her weaken and when the prince offered a way for her to "prove" she was capable… well, it sounded simple. That alone should have alerted her to the danger.
"Just do something, anything, out of sight of your nursemaids," he'd said.
Io had chosen her opportunity when they stopped at large tavern to let a heavy rain pass. She'd sulked and glared and refused to eat until Xavier suggested she eat from what she'd collected. But that bag was out in her saddle. She refused to let any of the men be disrupted from their meal or forced back into the rain, and Xavier, in exasperation, gave in, told her to go fetch it herself. She could only hope now, he'd kept close measure on her time gone, because while he'd warned her to be very quick, she was grabbed before she was halfway to her goal.
Hours passed, the sun was going down. Xavier was looking for her, but if he'd not started before the rain and darkness covered the trail… Her only true comfort was the belief, with no doubt at all, he was coming for her. But as she listened to the men arguing, she wasn't sure he'd get to her in time.
"Because I am out of favor enough, to add taking a ransom from one of the richest men in the kingdom, one my cousin keeps in his favor…" the prince was raging on. "And if I fall for this, I swear I will not go alone."
"And you are sure she will fetch the price?" Io could hear both resignation and intrigue in the stranger's voice. "You owe me twelve hundred gold."
"She will fetch that with ease," the prince said, again stepping closer to Io. Before she could act, he'd whipped the hood off her head. Still gagged, Io could only manage muffled protests as he stepped behind her, leaned in and brushed his fingers down the side of her face. Io tried to jerk away, but he pulled on the bonds holding her hands behind her back and the sharp pain in her shoulders stilled her. "Yes, she will fetch that price, probably double it if you're daring enough to ask. Her lord has a…. fondness for this one."
Io wanted to say Xavier would have more a fondness for killing them all, but again, she was gagged. It suddenly occurred to her, at no point Io knew of, had Xavier's name been mentioned. The prince and his men only spoke in general about her husband and lord. She did wonder then if she might take advantage of that in some way. Like when Lord Gaston grabbed her during the game. Not knowing who she was played to her advantage, and in the end, to Xavier's as well. Io inhaled deeply and willed herself to find calm. She needed to use her wits.
"Send word to her husband; ask any amount that pleases you, but you will not seek me out again after tonight. My father is ready to reconcile with me, and I very much tire of living like a beggar in the streets," the prince stated flatly before shoving Io toward the man she was being handed over to. She stumbled forward, then turned and glared back at her captor. The dog had no idea what it was like to beg in the streets. To go without food, shelter, and protection. He was weak, and knowing that only brought more shame to Io, for she'd let a weak man best her.
Nothing else was said as the prince and his party mounted up and rode away. A few men from the new group started a fire, and Io turned back and watched warily as her new foe stepped up.
"Well, you are quite the beauty; I can see the fire in you burns high. Is that what your lord likes so much about you?" he said as he reached behind her head and pulled at the knot holding the gag. "Scream, and while no one will hear you, I will still make you regret it," he warned, and the gag came away.
Io licked her lips, but her mouth and tongue were dry. She didn't refuse to take a sip when the wine skin was offered. "Untie me, let me go," was her first demand.
As happened the last time she ordered the same from her kidnappers, she was laughed at. "Oh, I will let you go, when I am paid. I do hope you are worth the amount bragged about, because if not, I will take it out of your flesh." The look he cast her explained his meaning clearly.
"How much are you owed?" Io asked, pulling back her shoulders and lifting her chin. Now the game began.
She watched the man thinking about his answer, knowing he didn't have to but knowing he was trying to gauge his chances of becoming richer than he currently was. "One thousand, five hundred gold," he said, and Io made sure to not react. Already, he was reaching, three hundred more now than what he claimed only minutes ago. His greed would be his undoing.
Io tilted her head to the side, catching and holding his stare. "My husband would spend that on me in an hour, should I ask him." The man's reaction was exactly as she expected. He jerked back, his eyes went wide, and for a moment, the color drained from his face. He knew now, she was someone of some importance. Io took quick advantage of the man's shock. "I am sure, as long as no other scratches and marks are placed upon me in your… care," she paused to make sure he was listening, "you might ask fourfold that amount and receive it for my safe return. But six thousand gold, such an odd, unruly number. I think better you ask for ten thousand," Io said as easily as she could. She'd no idea if Xavier carried such wealth on him, but she was sure he wouldn't need it, for he'd know how to get her back and end these men.
The man before her jerked back again, but then he burst out laughing, as did the men around him. "What a braggart you are. No man pays so much for a wife."
Io worried now she might have exaggerated too much, but she was on this road, she couldn't turn back. "My lord would pay this, though." She took a moment to carefully choose her words. "He might be paying more to hold his pride. He does not care to have his possession stolen from him. I am sure you will be told you cannot boast of your strike against him."
Those words, he seemed to consider more seriously. His next action, though, again put Io in doubt she'd made the correct steps. For he stepped so close, their bodies touched, and as his hand slid like a snake up her arm and around the side of her neck so that he could rub his thumb over her bottom lip, she saw his lips curve up in an evil grin. "And what, my fine lady, might he pay for me to be silent also about how fine a fuck you are?"
She was in this now. But she'd one last weapon. She'd use it now, and sending up a prayer Xavier was closing in, she met his eyes and gave the warning, "The last man who asked that of me died before we could find out."
"Did you kill him?" he asked softly and dropped his hand and his eyes from her neck to her breast.
"No." Io refused to move from his touch, and she too kept her voice low. "My husband did. After, of course, he killed two men standing too close and not before that man lost his arm, his shaft, and an eye, I believe. My lord cut out his heart." Io didn't know that for a fact; she'd been swept out of the dingy tavern long before Xavier finished exacting his vengeance for touching her.
The man chuckled softly as his hand moved down the side of her breast and his thumb stroked her nipple through her dress. "A rich and powerful warrior, this husband of yours. And might you give me his name that I should know who to thank for tonight's pleasures?"
Io swallowed hard, called up her courage and leaned in close as she whispered, "Xavier Brice."
The man's hand jerked back, and his entire stance became stiff. Io knew she'd played this right. She could almost smell the man's fear. But then she saw his doubt and then anger. "Lord Brice has taken no wife," he snarled.
"He did, two years now," Io countered, us
ing the date the king's message arrived telling them they were wed, rather than the day they took their vows." But the man looked unsure. One more risk, one last play. "You doubt I belong to him? I wear his… collar." She couldn't think what else she might call it to hold the intensity. "Soft as it might be. Look at the ribbon around my neck." She dropped her eyes to where it disappeared between her cleavage. "Lift it; it is all the proof you will need." He did, and when the medallion came free, it caught the light of the fading sun and the glint stuck him in the eye. "You see the name there, center? Io. That is I. And look now before it grows too dark for you." She again selected her words to allow more meaning than they might. "That name encircling mine. Xavier Brice. I am his wife, his possession, and he does not care for his things to be taken from him."
She saw the man's hand tremble as he held up the beautiful gold and silver medallion Xavier had created for her. Other than the band on her finger, she wore no other jewelry. "I might guess, by the way you shake, you had no idea His Highness was setting you up to be murdered." His eyes flashed up to meet hers before again dropping to that small circle at the bend in the ribbon. "I do wonder if he did not ride straight back and claim he saw you take me. If he has not already set my husband and his army toward you. Think you want to waste time…" She kept her voice flat for all of that. "…trying to fuck me?" She spat the last and prepared for whatever the man whose eyes seemed a bit crazed might do.
"You lie," he snarled and shoved Io to the ground. Unable to brace for her tied hands, she hit hard but rolled quickly to her side and pushed into a mostly sitting position.
"What reason have I? I do not know you. I have nothing to gain. The only one I can tell who will win in this will be His Highness, as either his debt to you will be paid by my husband, or when you are found to have me, you will be murdered. Either way benefits only the prince and leaves you the loser."
The man gave an angry cry before spinning and pacing a few steps away. When he turned back, his face was a mask of rage. With a second yell, he fell over her and forced her back to the ground. "Well, if I am to lose, perhaps I will take one last pleasure in you." He forced his knee between her legs.