“An attendant, if you so prefer a different label for him. Someone to see to your needs and to ensure your safety. He has trained hard for his station and I believe you will be quite pleased. He—”
“He? A male attendant?”
“I want to afford you the best protection possible—my weapons master.”
She scowled in embarrassment, snatching her hands back as she stood. “And I am sure he is thrilled with his new assignment of playing nanny to the lady of the house.” Keeping her back to Merivic, she stepped closer to the fire.
“Please, do not fight me on this.” He came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, rubbing them lightly. “He has trained for nothing else over the last two years.”
Her eyes widened as she spun. “Since you met me?”
He reached for her, but she jerked away. “I know, it was presumptuous of me. But I wanted to be prepared for every possible outcome. Besides, I was just as prepared to grovel for your hand as I was to simply ask for it.”
Anya could not stop the smile at his teasing tone, and he took the opportunity to reach for her again, pulling her close. With a kiss to her forehead, he continued, “You would not have resisted me for long, having taken pity on me and my broken heart.”
She issued a short laugh, but grew sober at once. “It is positively humiliating, Merivic. You must know that.”
“No, I do not believe it is. It is a dangerous world out there, and it is up to me to protect what I hold dear. Nothing I do to that end would be considered too much.”
“That is sweet, but—”
“Excuse me, Sire?” Gerhard stood in the doorway of the great hall, bowing to them graciously.
“Gerhard. What is it?”
The soldier straightened. “It is about Drak of Silktree.”
“Yes. He was to deliver some documents from their kingdom. Has he arrived?”
“He was found dead, My Lord, just outside the city walls. I believe we were meant to find him—a warning, perhaps. There were no documents on his person, and he appears to have been tortured. His face…” Gerhard trailed off, losing his composure for a moment.
Anya’s breath caught and she leaned into Merivic’s arms as they wrapped protectively around her shoulders.
“Gerhard! You do not need to go into such details in a lady’s presence,” Merivic hissed, staring down the soldier.
Gerhard’s deep green eyes narrowed as he squared his shoulders in defiance, full well knowing Merivic would forgive his attitude in light of the situation. “Forgive me, My Lord, but perhaps Lady Anya should be made aware of the threats surrounding her. It may ensure her to be more mindful of her sentinel’s warnings.”
Anya’s temper flared while Gerhard spoke as if she were not even there. But in the same moment, she thought back to the men in the alley.
“I am well aware of the threats around me!” She pushed off Merivic’s side and took a step closer to Gerhard. “Just this afternoon I saw it! Men watching us, biding their time. I would imagine they are very capable of the atrocities that happened to Drak.” Each word she shouted drained away a measure of anger, and by the end of her tirade she was choking back a sob.
Merivic roughly grabbed her arm and spun her around, his eyes flaring. “What men?! What did you see?”
Her voice shook. “Men, in an alley, preparing to attack us…attack you.”
Gerhard looked at Merivic. “It is a safe bet they are aware of her arrival.”
“Go to the alley! See that the area is secured!”
The outrage in Merivic’s voice had Anya’s head reeling as she turned to Gerhard. “It was the alley before the castle road. They did not get into position fast enough to target Merivic, but they watched him…watched everyone.”
Gerhard eyes locked on hers. “They are not after him, they are after you.”
Her palms suddenly felt cold and clammy, fear seizing to squeeze her chest.
A deafening roar filled the hall as Tajvek materialized in front of Anya and surveyed the scene. Merivic stumbled back a step in surprise before lurching forward to grab Anya and tuck her trembling form behind him. Gerhard took a step toward the cat and held out his hand.
Satisfied there was no real danger, Tajvek lumbered over to the soldier and sniffed his hand. Cocking his head to the side, he cast a long, lazy stare at him with icy-blue eyes. Gerhard crouched down and stroked the massive cat’s head.
“You smell something there?” Gerhard glanced to Anya as she eased from behind Merivic’s stance. “It is a comfort to know that thing really works.” He gestured at her amulet, punctuating his point.
“What do you mean?” Merivic demanded, still shaken by the sudden arrival of Tajvek.
“He responds to her fear.” Gerhard nodded once. “That is good. You should be afraid.”
Anya kneeled beside Tajvek as he leaned into her. “How do you know that? How this works?” She touched the necklace with her fingertips.
Gerhard straightened up and cast a cold stare, but uttered no response.
Merivic sighed in frustration as he approached the pair. “That will be all, Gerhard.”
“Very well, My Lord.” He bowed and started to turn away.
“Wait. Is the weapons master nearby? Or is he already tending to this matter with Drak?” Merivic scrubbed a hand over his shorn hair as he asked, a sure sign of his frayed nerves.
“He was on his way when I last saw him. I will see what the delay is.”
Gerhard took his leave as Merivic hooked his arm under Anya’s, pulling her to her feet.
“Are you okay?” His soft, hazel eyes searched her face.
Anya merely shrugged, unsure anymore exactly how she felt.
“Sit with me.” He eased her down on the couch next to him, keeping his arm around her shoulder. “I regret that you were frightened so. I am sure my own actions did not help the matter much.”
She rested her head on his chest, snaking her hand up and around his neck. “They want to harm me to get to you. I was stupid not to see it. You warned me about this.”
“No, my precious Anya. I should have been more mindful of the situation. You are my responsibility, and mine alone. I should have been with you, but…”
When he did not continue, Anya urged him on. “But, what?”
“I thought I took the appropriate measures to ensure the secrecy of your arrival, including an attempt to draw any attention to me as I lead the caravan to the castle. I sorely underestimated my enemies and their apparent resources.”
Anya watched Tajvek as he stretched out in front of the hearth.
“It is no fault of yours, Merivic. And please know, I was completely safe in that carriage. Besides the soldiers surrounding me, I had Taj to assist.” She lifted away to look into his eyes. “True, I was afraid when I saw them—who would not be?—but I knew I was safe. That was why I did not let Taj appear to me then.”
Merivic glanced at the white tiger, then her amulet. “You have that measure of control over him?”
“Taj can appear at my beck-and-call, and when he senses my fear. If it is overwhelming, like this time, I cannot control his arrival. But if the fear creeps up on me, like in the carriage, I am able restrain him if I have a mind to.”
He leaned in to kiss her cheek. “You have no idea the relief I feel knowing you are so protected.” He kissed her other cheek. “I do not know what I would do if something happened to you.” His voice choked off as he steadied himself against the mere thought.
Anya took his face in her hands. “I cannot be without you, as well. Never forget that. Just as you worry for me, I worry for you. No pain inflicted could be worse than having you taken from me. Protect yourself and know that by doing so, you are protecting me as well. I expect you to remember that.”
His mouth curved with her stern instructions. “Yes, Milady.”
“Or…”
He arched a brow.
She bit her bottom lip, drawing his attention. “Or…you will hav
e to be appropriately punished.”
“Maybe you should show me what you had in mind. Then you can rest assured that I know exactly what is in store for me, should I fail.”
“Very well, if that is what I must do.” She brought him closer. “Now pay very close attention.”
“Oh, I—”
His words were cut off as she pressed her mouth to his, taking it with a hot urgency and fierce need. He grabbed at her waist and pulled her against him as he took the kiss deeper. Whimpering lightly, she arched into him, igniting a deep hunger as she gripped his shoulders. Breaking the seal of their lips, he traveled down her jaw and into the crook of her neck, his hands sliding up to cup her breasts.
“Merivic,” she whispered, a rush of emotions slamming into her. “I cannot be without you.”
He lifted his head and stared into her eyes, moving his hands to cradle her face. “You never will be.”
She studied his eyes as tears welled up in hers, and then, blinking them away, tipped her forehead against his. “Never,” she repeated, softly.
They remained as such while they each gathered themselves, and then, with a sigh, Merivic leaned back. “It has been quite a day for you, has it not?”
Her mouth twitched. “That would be a gross understatement.”
“Sire. Milady.” A deep voice sounded from the entryway, a voice that had the hairs on Anya’s neck suddenly standing on end.
She whipped her head to the side and jumped to her feet, her knees threatening to buckle beneath her.
Merivic stood to join her, oblivious of her shock, and gestured toward the tall, sturdy man before them. “Ah, there he is. I present my weapons master.”
Anya’s heart bounced as her belly slid into a slow quivering twist. Her voice was barely audible as she breathed his name. “Kael?”
Chapter 17
Anya’s first steps around the couch were slow and measured, her gaze never leaving Kael’s unfaltering expression. And when delight shoved her forward, she closed half the distance to him before coming to a sudden halt.
Kael held rigid as he did a quick derisive scan over her, and she saw not a flicker of recognition nor contemplation of remembrance of what they had once shared together. “Lady Anya.” He bowed low, then straightened, focusing on a point at the top of her head rather than making eye contact.
Merivic’s slight nod showed his approval with Kael’s manner as he came up to Anya and squeezed her shoulder. “Are you pleased?” he whispered.
She nodded stiffly, unable to find her voice—though what she could possibly have to say also eluded her. Her heart hammered as she stared at Kael, confusion clouding her mind.
Does he not remember me? she thought fleetingly, grasping for any rational reason for the palpable tension in the air.
She had her answer a moment later as Tajvek lumbered up to him. Rearing up on his hind legs, he slapped his massive paws onto Kael’s shoulders causing him to snicker and stagger back a step.
“Taj, my friend.” Kael scrubbed the tiger behind the ears as he nuzzled into his neck. “Easy, boy.”
Anya studied Kael as he smiled at the animal. His eyes and hair color were the same—as they would be. But everything else seemed a little different. He had a dark scruff on his face and his hair was a bit haphazard, but in an organized chaos sort of way. His face was more defined with rough edges, having lost his boyish appearance over the past couple of years. And he was definitely more built than he ever was before.
He seems taller, she decided. Is he taller?
Tajvek dropped and faded away as Kael’s gaze wandered toward Anya. His jaw set firm again as he straightened, averting his eyes once more.
No, he remembers me, she amended as her stomach knotted. And apparently his memories are not fond ones. But what does it mean, that he chose to come here? Did he not want me? Was this his only escape? To what end, though, for now there is no escape for either of us?!
“Kaelestis.” Anya jumped at the sound of Merivic’s voice, but he appeared not to notice as he stepped around her. “Let me get you a snifter of brandy before I leave you two to get reacquainted.” He strode to a cabinet next to the alcove.
Panic was seizing Anya’s chest and she did not care for it. This was Kael standing before her. Not some stranger, but someone she had grown up with, and had loved. It disgusted her to be afraid to talk to him, and she stubbornly decided she would be brave enough to seek the answers to her unspoken questions.
She took a step closer, purposefully moving into his line of sight. Or so she thought. “It is good to see you again.”
“And you, as well.”
“Yes, a perfectly polite reply. But you have not yet looked at me, Kael,” she pointed out quietly.
His distant eyes darted to her face, his brow creasing. “I see you.” He quickly looked away as his face smoothed out again.
Merivic handed Kael his brandy, then came back to Anya’s side, kissing her on the cheek. “I am pleased you were so surprised.”
Anya tore her gaze from Kael to Merivic. “How… I mean, why…”
Merivic chuckled, apparently believing her to be stunned by her happiness. He circled his arm around her waist and led her back to the couch, Kael trailing behind them. “I met with your father the morning after I met you, to profess my intentions and seek approval to court you. At the time I had also mentioned I was in need of a new weapons master, and for what purpose—to keep you safe should you decide to be with me.”
He held her hand as she sat, but he remained standing. “Your father suggested Kaelestis. I thought the idea was intriguing and took it to Malik. He did some sort of spell and foresaw Kaelestis’ successful station as your sentinel.”
Merivic nodded to Kael as he stood beside him, then looked back down at Anya. “He was a perfect choice for my weapons master; he had the skills necessary, plus he grew up with that in which he is now sworn to protect—you. And because of your history, there is more at stake since you are like family to him.” Leaning down, Merivic brought her hand to his lips. “Besides,” he murmured. “I thought you would be at ease with a friendly face, someone you know you can trust.”
“I will have to extend my gratitude to my father when I next see him,” she muttered in a slightly sour tone, mild enough to escape Merivic’s attention.
But not Kael’s.
Kael locked his eyes on Anya for the first time, a hard stare as he cocked his head. He knew her well enough to recognize the infliction in her tone, but felt he could no longer accurately determine the source. But to be sure, he was damned curious to find out.
“I will excuse myself now so you two may catch up in private.” Merivic turned to Kael as he pulled Anya to her feet. “Perhaps you will show her around tomorrow. Starting now, Anya is your priority, above all else.”
“Certainly, Sire.”
Merivic lead Anya aside. “I must go and see to this situation with Drak. I know I promised we would be together, but I cannot let this go unchecked.”
“It is alright, I understand. I am afraid I would not be much company tonight anyhow. I am very tired.”
“Kael will show you to your quarters when you are ready to retire for the night.” He eased her close, pressing his lips to hers.
Anya held back from immersing herself in the kiss, keeping it light and innocent. She felt oddly ashamed and uncomfortable kissing Merivic in front of Kael, although she knew she should not—she had not even heard from the man in two years!
Merivic did not push her, sensing her discomfort and attributing it to a long and weary day. Instead he squeezed her in a tight hug as he murmured in her ear, “Welcome home.” And then strode away, leaving her alone with her sentinel.
She watched Kael from a distance as he walked to the hearth, then approached only after she had gathered the nerves to do so. He turned as he heard her footsteps and nearly flinched when she reached for him. She ran her palm against his stubbled face, the faint shadow across his lower cheeks and along hi
s strong jaw. His tense reaction did not go unnoticed by her. “Why the whiskers?”
“It is simply a preference.”
He smells like the wilderness, she thought, and looks like it too, with his rugged features and scruffy-but-clean appearance.
“I like it on you. Very…distinguishing, and yet…” She flushed, halting the word.
He arched a brow and waited patiently for her to continue.
“I was going to say dangerous.” She dropped her hand and backed away, turning toward the fire. “Are you happy here, Kael?” She wandered away from him, staring at the oil painting of the castle as she did.
“Happy enough. I work with good men, and I am pleased to state Lord Merivic is included in that grouping.”
“Your family misses you. I would see your mother from time-to-time at the market, and she would chatter on about how excited you were with your new apprenticeship.”
“She told you?”
“She did not mention where.” She glanced at him. “Until just this moment, I did not know she was aware of your placement. I thought my father was the only one who knew.”
“They are family. Of course I told them. But they were under strict orders not to mention it to anyone else. Especially you.”
A weight dropped on Anya’s chest as she studied his stern expression. She retreated another step as she studied the next painting on the wall. “Did you know what you were agreeing to when you spoke with my father?”
“I did. Lord Merivic was there, as well. There were no secrets.”
“Yes. It seems I was the only one subjected to those.” She shot a glare at Kael as he opened his mouth, then snapped it shut, apparently rethinking his response. When he did not seem inclined to continue, she did. “Why did you do it?” She looked to the painting again, trying to appear causal in her inquiry.
“Do what, exactly?”
“Why did you take the appointment?”
“My choices were limited. You were promised to a lord—or so I thought at the time. I could either spend the next couple of years with you, knowing you could never be mine, or I could come here and train to be your sentinel. So I chose the path of valor. At least this way I can be assured you are safe and well taken care of.”
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