by Kara Griffin
Rhyder bellowed and his shoulders shook with mirth.
“What is comical about this? My father misled you and you have a right to be angry. You have every right to want to annul our marriage. I’m certain Father Matthew would be honored to see to the matter if you asked it of him.”
Rhyder sat back and grinned. “Your father did me a great service. I cannot imagine being wedded to your sister for she’s a hellion and hasn’t your sweetness. I almost sympathize with Wulfar for she’s too strong-willed for my liking. And besides, I kind of enjoy being married to you. Listen to me, lass, you will heal and when you’re well enough, we will go home.”
She didn’t understand why she couldn’t sense his aura even though she pressed her hand in his. The Gods really had abandoned her. She got no inkling of his emotions. The notion of losing her gift saddened her. Before she agreed with Rhyder, she needed him to acknowledge his feelings.
“Do you love me?”
Rhyder shot to his feet and stared at her a long minute before answering. “What is love? I cannot declare it if I don’t comprehend.”
Katriona tried to remember what Heloise said about love. Her sister said she couldn’t live without Wulfar and she felt the same way about Rhyder. Life without him would be a bane existence. She tried to move off the bedding and huffed at the pain throbbing in her leg. He was at her side in an instant.
“Be still, Katy. If you need me to declare it, then I shall. You’re important to me and I—”
“You will declare you love me one day. Until then, I shall be content that you would rather be wed to me than my sister.”
He chuckled and stroked her cheek with his thumb.
“There’s only one more thing I must ask before I agree to return with you.”
Rhyder raised his brow in that skeptical manly way of his. “Aye?”
“Is it true that you have a pet dragon? You cannot deny it. Olor spoke of the great woe.”
He groaned and nodded.
She laughed and settled back against the pillows. “Good, because I was certain I was going mad. I saw her…Shrisy. It was as if she protected me when that woman accused me of being a heretic.”
“Not many know of her existence. I only told Sawyer, and of course, Merrion knows because all those born of Pendragon blood are told the history of the dragon’s coming. It is said that the dragon, once she claims you, will bring good fortune to man and land. Only if she is ill-treated or harmed, will she leave the land. She is tied to me for all my days and I cannot disregard her, otherwise, my land will lay in ruin. Since Shrisy has shown herself, my followers fear her. I am concerned for her safety.”
“She is the great woe. Olor told me there is despair for you. Why does your dragon bring you such grief? I’m not afraid of her. I’m more afeared of you.”
Rhyder scoffed. “Something ails her and I deem age might be the cause. I haven’t figured out what’s bothering her, but she hasn’t been as amiable as she once was. And I told you I don’t want you to fear me.”
He was quite insulted, and she flashed him a brilliant smile. “I jest about fearing you. But there’s something that does frighten me. Those men who attacked me… I got the sense they needed me gone and intended to blame Wulfar for my death.”
“I will protect you, sweet lass. We will find them and they’ll pay for their betrayal.”
Katriona sniffled. “Lloyd tried to protect me and died because of my foolishness. I don’t want you killed like him if those men are set at my demise.”
Rhyder appeared agitated by their discussion and fisted his hands. He sauntered alongside her bed and studied the floorboards. “It is not you they wish to harm, but me. You are not to blame yourself for Lloyd’s death. Those men killed him, not you.”
“But they followed me from your holding.”
Rhyder ceased pacing. “How do you know that?”
“I got a sense they followed. If they wanted to harm you, why would they follow me? They could’ve stayed behind and…”
“Killed me?” Rhyder growled and his footsteps heavy as he continued his pace.
“I heard them. They said all Pendragon cared for would be abolished. But they didn’t bespeak of harming you. Why wouldn’t they do away with you and only abolish all you cared for? It doesn’t make sense.”
“They mean to bring me down by abolishing all I hold dear. I wish I knew why.”
She nodded. “We shouldn’t return.”
Rhyder knelt on the floor by the bedside and took her hand. “I will confront these adversaries, but I agree you cannot return with me. You’ve been put in enough danger.”
“I will not be left behind now that I know how you feel—” Katriona ceased her thought in midsentence. He hadn’t admitted he loved her, but in her heart, she trusted he did. “My father is on the way to Wulfar’s holding. Perhaps he will have a notion of who this adversary is. Promise me, you’ll ask him.”
“I will discuss it with him. You need to get rest. I’m gladdened you are recovering.” He pressed the covering around her. “Try to sleep and don’t fret.”
Katriona motioned him forward and pressed a kiss on his mouth. He took her face in his hands and returned her passion. She whispered, “I need your favor.”
“Aye, anything, sweet lass.”
“Don’t allow my father to murder Wulfar.”
Rhyder closed his eyes and grinned. She shoved him and he laughed. He nudged her nose with his. “I’m not sure that favor is possible lest you forget your father is my ally and Wulfar is not.”
“They may come to blows. Please, promise you won’t let my father hurt Wulfar. Heloise would never forgive our father and I hope they make amends.”
“Why would your father want to hurt Wulfar?”
“Because Wulfar stole Heloise.”
Rhyder laughed and his mirth infectious. She had to laugh at the situation as well. He kissed her fervently and set his forehead against hers. “I’m gladdened he did.”
Chapter TWENTY-ONE
Wulfar spent most of the evening outside attending to his hamlet. That left Rhyder sitting alone by the fire contemplating the conversations he’d had in the last two days. The crackle of the wood and warmth from the fire did little to soothe him. He ate and left Katy to rest. It took a good bit of persistence from Heloise to get him to leave Katy’s side. The solitude gave him an opportunity to ponder his discussion with his wife. He needed to find out who wanted to do him in. Who within his hamlet had ties to either Wulfar or Cenwahl? None were related to either man as far as he knew. None of the elders claimed to suspect anyone. Yet two of his men tried to murder his wife.
As much as anger simmered within him, he was relieved at their incompetence. From what he grasped from Katy’s accounting her sister interrupted their attack. Rhyder held deep gratitude to Heloise for coming to Katy’s aid when she did. If Wynn hadn’t found Heloise, Katy would be dead.
The door opened and Wulfar trotted in. He seemed agitated, frustrated more like, and stomped to the table and poured a hefty cup of wine. “I need this drink. Damned me, Baldach is here. I have no idea what I’m going to say to him.”
He wanted to laugh at Wulfar’s despair, but his peril was at hand. “Baldach won’t take it well that you married his daughter without his permission.”
“My only excuse is that I love the woman. Is he sentimental?”
Rhyder shrugged his shoulders. “You’re asking me? He’s a king and one with a large army. I doubt sentimentality plays into his daily life, except he is married and has children. Katy says he loves her. That’s reassuring. He must be sentimental.”
Wulfar groaned. “You’re not helping to placate me.”
The door opened again and an older man strolled in. He was alone and stood by the table peering at them with his hands braced on his hips. His body covered with mail and his helmet appeared heavy. It sounded so too when he took it off and placed it on the table with a bang.
Rhyder gained his feet and greeted the
man. “Lord Baldach, it is good to see you again.”
“Lord Pendragon is it true my lass was almost killed because of your inability to protect her?”
Wulfar snickered under his breath and ceased abruptly when the man’s gaze shot to him.
“And you, Lord Wulfar. I should take my sword to your gullet or mayhap shove it up your arse. Where is she? Your wife…my own sweet daughter, who you defiled…who betrayed me and broke her father’s heart?”
Baldach was riled. Rhyder kept quiet for he wasn’t about to irk the man further. And Wulfar had done much more disservice to the lord than he had.
“These old legs are tired for I rode hard to get here. At least be hospitable and offer me a drink and it best not be watered-down mead for I want a strong cup of wine. Aye, and not too sweet.”
Wulfar shuffled forward and poured wine from a craft into a cup. “My lord…”
“Fill it to the rim.” He flapped his hand in the air for him to appease him. “Aye, that’s it. I need it for my head still pounds from my wife’s discourse. She will not have me yell at either of the lasses, but be assured they will hear my affront. And before I start on you both, I made no such promise not to yell at you.”
Both he and Wulfar sat silently across from Baldach. Neither wanted to retort to his confession of promises made.
“The woman berated me, her lord and husband, about my fatherly duty. Can you imagine? I never heard my sweet Clarisse raise her voice in all our days of marriage. She was full of vigor. There is nothing worse than facing a woman when she is riled. Aye, for I’d rather take my army to face my greatest foe. Right now, Wulfar, that is you.” Baldach took the cup and drank down the wine. He swiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “You see, my wife is privy to all. I know not how she learned of all the happenings, but I was given a command to welcome you into the family, Wulfar. She says my Heloise loves you. Is that so?”
Wulfar nodded.
“She claims Heloise had to refute her father or her heart. I suppose her heart won this round. And there are children from your union to consider…” He raised a brow as if he expected an answer.
“Aye, my lord, four. Two daughters and two sons.”
“Good. Good. You are expected henceforth to bring them to meet their grandmother. I wouldn’t await long for she will be displeased. And trust that if you do not take them to visit her, she will be here pounding on your door within a fortnight.”
“As soon as I am able,” Wulfar said.
“Your problems are a wee bit more perilous are they not, Lord Pendragon? Tell me of the happenings.”
Rhyder explained the situation with Cenwahl and the spies within his clan. He named the men killed in his hamlet and the fact that no suspects were considered. “There are none within Cenwahl’s walls that are related to me or mine.”
Baldach held his chin in reflection. “Have ye considered the womenfolk? Mayhap your enemy belongs to a woman who was wedded to one of Cenwahl’s men. Och, the man must’ve been a close relation for the wrongdoer to take such retribution.”
“But why retribution? We didn’t do anything to cause any strife betwixt our clans.”
“Not that you know of. I’d speak to the elders again and present these questions. Find out if any woman is connected to Cenwahl’s clan.”
Rhyder hadn’t considered that sort of connection. Many questions plagued him, but they’d have to wait until he returned home.
“Now, before I go to see my sweet lasses, I want your assurance that our three kingdoms will remain in an agreement to come to each’s aid. I will not have my grandsons taking arms against one another for any reason.”
“I have wanted such an alliance. We must be prepared to fight off any invasions and if our three kingdoms are united, we will be more secure.” Wulfar clasped his hand. “Are you in agreement, Pendragon?”
Rhyder gripped his arm and then took Baldach’s. The treaty settled. He was now in a union with Wulfar and continued his connection with Baldach. The only thing that bothered him was how Cenwahl would react. A fight might be imminent with his neighbor to the west.
As if Wulfar read his thoughts, he said, “Now you only have one problem. Cenwahl.”
“Nay, I have two. Cenwahl and my adversary.”
“They might be the same.” Wulfar turned at the sound of the door opening.
Heloise entered the home, holding a small lad in her arms. She stopped upon seeing her father. When he approached, she handed the lad to Wulfar.
“Father.”
“Daughter,” Baldach said.
Heloise threw herself into her father’s arms and wept. “I’m sorry I deceived you. I prayed daily for your forgiveness.”
“Och, lass, you’re a grown woman now. Don’t weep. All is forgiven.”
Rhyder retreated through the longhouse and entered the small chamber where Katy recovered. He closed the door and leaned against it, happy to be away from the tense situation.
Katy sat against the bed pillows and held out her arms. “Come.”
He sat beside her. “Your father is here.”
“No wonder you appear troubled. And you left him alone with Wulfar?”
He took her in his arms, content to hold her and careful not to hurt her shoulder. “Your father forgave him, but I deem that was your mother’s doing.”
“She can be persuasive. I feel well enough to leave this bed.”
He pressed back her face and peered at her eyes. “Aye, you’re a fussock to be sure, a lazy lady having us all waiting on you.” He chuckled at his jest.
Katy closed her eyes and sighed. “I want to go home.”
“But—”
She pressed her dainty finger on his lips. “You need to return and I must be the one to tell Luella about Lloyd’s death. And you need me.”
“I do need you. Yet I worry for your safety. Someone tried to kill you. They may well try again.” He tensed at the thought.
“I was safe at the hamlet. No one tried to harm me there.”
“That’s true, but what if the foes are there within the walls and try again?”
“If they are there, I can tell you, for I saw them and know their faces.”
He caressed her hair and shook his head. As much as he wanted her by his side, her well-being outweighed his want.
“I’m just as persuasive as my mother.”
He scoffed then sobered. “Your father was quite rattled by your mother’s lecture. I’d forgotten you said you beheld the men who harmed you.”
“I got a good look at their faces when they stood over me. I heard their voices and discussion. One had an odd laugh. His mirth sounded not joyous. I’m certain if I saw them again I could point them out.”
Rhyder groaned. “You’re going to want to get your own way.”
“I do so there’s no sense arguing with me. We will leave at the soonest.”
He kissed her lips and couldn’t stop. He’d missed her, missed her touch, her smile, and her body. “We will leave when you are fully healed and not a moment before.”
“Goddess, help me. You’re a difficult man.”
He grinned. “I suppose I am.” Rhyder got off the bed and opened the door.
“Where are you going?”
“To have the men ready for our return home. Sawyer asked to see you, too. He worried. I’ll bring him for a short visit.” Before she could stop him, he closed the door and passed the Baldach’s reunion and left the house.
Outside the night air warm. He reached the gate and his follower’s encampment and found Sawyer. After giving him the latest happenings, he bid the men to ready to leave in the morning.
“I am gladdened Milady allowed me to visit her. I wanted to make sure she fared well.”
“She seemed pleased that you traveled with me.”
“If what she says is true, then you need looking after,” Sawyer said, “as does she.”
“They tried to kill her once. They’ll likely try again. I want to leave this place,
but she won’t let me leave without her.”
“Worry not, Your Grace. I will make sure no harm comes to Milady. I’ll guard her on our journey and at home.”
“That would relieve me.”
They reached Wulfar’s house and his comrade followed him inside. He made a quick introduction to Lord Baldach, Wulfar, and Heloise.
Wulfar approached and clasped Sawyer’s hand in greeting. “You look familiar. Have we met before?”
“Not that I recall,” Sawyer said.
“You are the exact image of my da when he was your age. Baldach, doesn’t he resemble my father?” Wulfar stared at his comrade and nodded.
“Aye, he’s the spitting image of him,” Baldach said.
Rhyder thought it strange, but since he didn’t know what Wulfar’s father looked like, he couldn’t comment.
Wulfar shouted a curse and drew a reproachful glance from his wife. He stood close to Sawyer and eyed him. “Where do you hail from?”
Sawyer shrugged his shoulder. “I know not. Rhyder’s uncle found me when I was a babe near a bog, and he took me home and raised me as his own.”
Wulfar sat on the nearest chair. “A bog you say?”
Rhyder set a cup in front of him. “You need a drink for your face lost its color. What ails you?”
“My brother was taken when he was a babe. My parents were meeting her family who lived on a farm near our borders. When my ma went to fetch the babe from his nap, the babe was gone.”
“It can’t be.” Rhyder shook his head in disbelief.
“You must be he.” Wulfar stared long and hard at his comrade. “My da searched for you for years and my ma was brokenhearted. She wouldn’t have any other children.”
Rhyder poured himself a drink. “Why would my uncle take him? He was an honorable man. If my family caused yours—”
Wulfar shook his head vehemently. “We don’t know if your uncle took him. Mayhap it’s as he said and he found the babe.”