Henry dropped to his knees at the other man’s feet, closing his eyes. “Kill me now. ’Tis better than what the master would do to me if he found out that I’d said so much to his enemy.” He took a deep breath. “Before I die, may I know the name of my executioner?”
“I’m Charles Nobilis, brother of Roland, the Norman who married the eldest sister. And I myself married the youngest sister just a few hours ago.”
Henry dropped his head. “I will not plead for my life, because it will not be worth living if my master hears of this.”
Charles considered for a moment letting the man live and return to his master in ignominy, but he knew better. Henry had to die if Charles wanted to keep his wife safe. He made it quick, using his sword to stab through the man’s heart. He wiped off his blade on the man’s back and headed back to camp. Marina would insist the man get a proper burial, evil or not, so he went to one of the men on night watch and described where the villain was.
As he walked back into the manor, he thought about all the deaths he’d seen in the past couple of days. He was a fighter, yes, but only by necessity. Like his brother, he fought for lands, because he wanted a peaceful existence. He’d thought once or twice of pretending to be a peasant and working the fields rather than living by his sword, but then his life would be nothing.
No, he would do as he must and continue to fight. Hopefully as soon as the master was defeated the fights would be over, and he could spend the rest of his days raising babies. Sweet little girls who looked like their mother. Strong boys who would someday defend the castle his brother was building. Soon.
He stopped at the kitchen to request a small meal and a bath be taken to his bedchamber. He had killed a man and dealt with a magic sword in the past few hours. He didn’t want to go to his wife for the first time covered in blood.
Charles opened his bedchamber door and saw his wife under the covers, sound asleep. He assumed she’d tried to wait up for him, but had been too tired. Such was life.
A moment later the servants carried the large wooden tub into the room, and set it on the floor, bucket after bucket of water carried in. When it was just full enough, the last servant brought in his meal, and a tankard of ale. He sank back against the back of the tub, eating while he soaked away the blood and grime of the past hours.
“I didn’t expect you to be gone so long,” Marina said softly.
He looked over his shoulder to see her sitting up in bed, the covers tucked under her arms, but her shoulders were bare. “Christiana wanted the pieces of the sword scattered, and then I ran into a man sent by the master to kidnap you, so I had to dispatch him. I planned to be back to you long before now.” He held the food up. “I had a meal brought up to us. Are you hungry?”
Marina smiled, shaking her head. “You take my potential kidnapping so lightly, calmly announcing you’ve dispatched my would-be abductor. Did you send him back to the master?”
Charles laughed. “I sent him to his true master, the devil.” He quickly scrubbed, using the soap provided by the peasants. “The sword is now in pieces scattered all through the woods and even in the stream that runs on the edge of the woods.”
She sighed. “I know the stream well. It’s only of my favorite places to hunt. I want to go hunting soon, Charles.”
“We can’t go without the whole army, and I don’t think we should be divided. Roland needs to be well before we can hunt again.”
Marina frowned, her fingers toying with her cover. “Will we always be guarded so closely, milord? My sisters and I are used to a great deal of freedom.”
Charles smiled. “You don’t think I know this? When we first came here, you, your sisters, and your servants were guarding the manor. You made us believe you had a full army guarding you as well, if I recall correctly.”
Marina let out a giggle. “It was fun to see your army turn tail and run away as they did. I will always remember what a sight that was.”
Charles groaned. “You bested us. You would have bested us again if Roland hadn’t been paying as much attention as he was. How he knew to shoot at the three of you and not at the army in front of us, I’ll never know.”
She sighed. “He told Christiana if there had been an army to protect the manor, the ladies of the manor would not have been on the parapet defending as they were. And no arrows would have been shot from so high up. He knew because he’s smart.”
“He’s always been very smart.”
“Does it ever bother you how close Roland is to Hugh? He’s your brother.”
Charles stood up in the tub, drying his body unashamedly with a drying cloth left out for him by the servants. “It does. I always wanted to go everywhere with Roland and Hugh, but I was frequently left behind. Only in the past few years have I been old enough to go where they went and see what they saw.”
“They seem extraordinarily close.”
“They are, but with good reason. You know the story?”
Marina nodded. They hadn’t been there long when the story had come out that Hugh had been raised a peasant, but he’d saved Roland’s life when he was but a boy himself. From that day forward, he had lived with Roland’s family and been given a nobleman’s life and education. “I do know the story. It happened before you were born?”
“My mother was big with me when Hugh saved Roland’s life. She was told she could not help in the search for Roland, and she was very grateful to Hugh. He’s been a member of my household for as long as I’ve been alive.” Charles dropped his drying cloth, picked up the plate with the food on it, and got beneath the covers with Marina. “Our wedding feast, milady.”
Marina giggled. “Only you would consider eating in bed a wedding feast.”
He shrugged. “It’s the only kind of wedding feast I want. I like being naked with my beautiful wife.”
She blushed. “Oh, Charles. I’m nervous about what we’ll do together, but I’m so glad I’m doing it with you and not with another man.” She took a piece of cold meat from the plate and popped it into her mouth. “Marriage is not going to be boring. Not with you for a husband.”
He smiled, leaning down to kiss her. “Nor with you for a wife, milady.”
Chapter Six
Charles put the plate onto the floor, and turned toward his wife. He’d had women before, but never an innocent, and never one who meant anything to him. Before they’d all been dalliances, women he forgot about the next day. Marina meant everything to him, though, and he found he was nervous at the prospect of bedding her.
Marina moved closer to him, her hands going to his bare chest. “Christiana explained how this is supposed to work to me, but it seems strange, and I’m not sure if she was joking with me or not.”
Charles laughed. “Well, how ’bout I show you how it’s done, and afterward, you can tell me if she was joking with you or not.”
Marina considered that for a moment. “I suppose that will work.” She pressed her lips to his. “I know I enjoy this part of things.”
He smiled. “Yes, we’ve spent more time than we probably should have kissing, haven’t we?”
“Never enough time spent kissing, husband. Mayhap we should do it again?”
Charles didn’t need to be asked twice. His lips came down on hers, and his hands roamed over her bare back. “Your skin is so soft.”
“It’s not as soft as Eva’s. Her skin feels like butter—” Her words were cut off as his mouth descended upon hers again.
“Let’s not talk about your sisters or my brother or anyone else we know or who may be at this very moment trying to sneak into the manor to take you from me. Let’s just enjoy being in this bed together.”
Marina nodded. “I can do that. I think.”
“From the first day I met you, I knew you would bring me joy.”
She frowned at him. “You were annoyed with me the first day, because I fainted at your feet after healing your brother.”
“But you did heal him. You healed him after he was injured in battl
e by your sister. How could I fault you for that?”
“I wouldn’t have healed him if Christiana hadn’t told me to. I may have wanted to, but I wouldn’t have done it.”
He smiled at that. “Of course you wouldn’t have. You would never do something to upset Christiana. Though, I know it pains you to see sick or injured people.”
“It does. But if my sister inflicts the wound…”
He laughed, drawing her closer, his lips drifting across her face to her neck and then across her shoulder. “You taste good.”
“I can’t tell you if one of my sisters tastes better than me, because truth be told, I’ve never licked them or bitten them.” She frowned at that. “I may have bitten Eva once in anger, come to think of it.”
He pressed his lips to hers again, effectively quieting her. Did the woman never stop talking? He cupped her buttocks in his hands, pulling her closer to him. He needed her. He’d needed her from the moment he’d first laid eyes on her, but until yesterday, he’d truly believed she was forever out of his reach.
His hands stroked over her back, shoulders, buttocks, and breasts, trying to bring her body to the same fever pitch his had been at for weeks. Soon she was moaning softly and pressing against him, her hands exploring him the same way his explored her.
When she was ready, he rolled her to her back and knelt between her spread legs. “Relax, Marina. This will only hurt for a moment.”
“How do you know? What if it hurts longer? What if it breaks me?”
He shook his head, laughing. “It won’t break you. I promise.”
Marina decided to take him at his word, her hands going up to pull him down toward her. She kissed him even as he thrust forward, burying himself inside her. She gasped, but not with pain. It didn’t hurt as he’d said it would. Instead it felt good…wonderful even. “I think I’m going to like this part of marriage,” she whispered against his lips.
Charles laughed softly. “That’s a good thing, because I’m going to want to do this often.”
“I think I will be a willing participant in that!” She gasped as he began moving inside her. “I didn’t know there was more!”
“Yes, and you talk too much!”
Marina hmphed, lying back and enjoying the things he was doing to her. Just when she thought she couldn’t bear another moment of his movements, something inside her broke, and she felt pleasure wash through her.
Charles let loose when she finally climaxed and a few more plunges within her and he was finished. He rolled to her side, gathering her close to him. He kissed her forehead, and lay spent, holding her tightly.
It was a long while, and she was certain he was already asleep when she whispered, “That was nice. We’ll have to do it again sometime.”
He chuckled, kissing her cheek. “We’ll do it lots and lots. I promise.”
She sighed contentedly. “Good. Sounds like something I’ll enjoy.”
As she was drifting off to sleep, she heard Christiana in her head. “Roland’s pain is worse. Are you sleeping? Or…er…busy?”
Marina sat up and reached for her nightgown and dressing gown. “I’m coming, sister.”
Charles sat up. “What are you doing?”
“Roland needs me.”
Charles was up in a moment, pulling on his clothing. “Christiana asked you to come?”
“Yes. She told me she would try not to disturb me tonight, so I know it must be bad.” A tear escaped her eye and she brushed it away with the back of her hand. “I’m worried I won’t be able to keep him alive. What will I do if I lose him like I lost Mama?”
He gathered her close, hugging her. “You’ll do it, because you’re strong and smart. You’ll do it because your sister needs you, and you won’t let her down. I’ll be with you.” He kissed the palm of her hand and the two of them went together to Roland and Christiana’s bedchamber.
Marina hurried to Roland’s side, her hand hovering over his left kidney. “He’s worse still. Is Eva awake? I’ll give him as much as I can without rendering any of us unconscious.”
Christiana looked at Charles, who nodded. “Marina’s just eaten. As much as she can do. I don’t want my brother in pain.”
A moment later, Eva and Hugh joined them in the bedchamber. Eva moved to her sisters, one of her hands going to Marina’s shoulder. “You have all my power at your disposal, sister.”
Christiana looked at Eva. “Maybe that’s the answer.”
“What?” Marina asked. “If you have an idea, I’m all ears.”
“Let Eva exhaust herself. Don’t use any of your own power. Let hers flow through you. Then when she is better, use all my power. You will always be able to heal him again when necessary, and you’ll have one of us every day. Maybe you can get some of him healed that way.”
Marina bit her lip, considering. She looked at Eva and Hugh. “Are you both all right with that plan?”
Eva nodded immediately, but Hugh thought about it for a moment before agreeing, obviously a bit more reluctant. “I’m ready to catch you when you fall, love.” He kissed Eva’s cheek, waiting for the inevitable. He’d watched her drain herself too many times.
Marina put her hand on Roland’s side, and waited as she felt her sister’s power flowing through her. Then she focused all of her healing energy on the man in front of her, careful not to tap into her own power bank. It was an odd feeling, but the plan was a solid one. They couldn’t lose Roland.
She healed with more strength and longer than she’d have been able to do on her own, but when she felt her sister’s power waning she stopped. “I think I’ve done more good with this healing than previously,” she said, her hand hovering over Roland again, trying to determine if she’d made any real progress.
She felt rather than saw her sister fall behind her. She turned as Hugh gathered her into his arms. “I need to know how my friend is, before I go take care of my wife.”
Christiana frowned. “I’ve contacted Joan. She’ll be up with broth in a moment.”
“Thank you,” he said.
Marina ignored all of them as she concentrated on Roland’s injury, her eyes closed and her entire being focused on him. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. “I’ve healed him to the point he was after I healed him the first day. If we can do the same on the morrow, I believe we can at least keep him stable if not heal him completely.” She hugged Christiana tightly. “Your plan was a brilliant one as always. We may just be able to save him.”
“You’d better save him!” Christiana said with a smile, though tears drifted down her cheeks. “My babe needs his father.” Her hand drifted to her belly.
Marina’s eyes widened. “Are you healthy? I don’t know that we can have you help me with healing to the point of exhaustion with a baby within you.” She put her hand to her sister’s stomach, trying to ascertain both her sister’s health and that of the baby.
“I won’t let Roland die if I have even a small chance of helping him survive.”
Marina moved her hand to her sister’s belly, hovering above it. When she took her hand away, she nodded. “The babe’s heartbeat is strong and healthy.”
“Can you tell if it’s a boy or a girl?” Christiana asked.
Marina shook her head. “Perhaps if my powers were stronger, but not now. I’m sorry, sister. I wish I could.” Both sisters knew that if it was a boy, there was little chance Christiana would make it through the pregnancy alive. The women in their family did not survive pregnancies with boys, and rarely had more than one female. They had been special, as had been destined.
Charles put his arm around Marina. “Is there more for you to do here tonight, wife?”
Marina shook her head. “I’ve done what I can.” She looked at Christiana. “You must sleep. If you need me again, you have only to call. Your mental voice can wake me out of a dead sleep faster than a bucket of cold water.”
Christiana laughed. “If he’s better than he was, that’s all I ask. Thank you for healing him.”
“I would do anything for you and Roland. You know that.” Marina walked toward the door. “Goodnight. I will see you on the morrow.”
“Sleep as late as you can. I will wake you if there’s a change.” Christiana stood looking down at her husband, a half-smile on her face.
Marina walked down the hall to her bedchamber across the way. “I’m surprised Father didn’t wake with all the ruckus this night. First you staying out so late and then healing Roland again. Now the servants will be up and down with broth for Eva all night. Hugh will need to see to her.” She yawned behind her hand. “We had a very eventful wedding day.”
“We did. Let’s have a less eventful night.” Charles dropped his clothes on the floor and climbed under the covers on the bed, watching as his wife did the same.
“You’re not supposed to watch me disrobe, Charles!”
He laughed. “The only way you’ll be able to stop me is to blind me, but I’ll always have the memory in my mind.”
Marina snuggled close to him. “I hope we’ve done enough for Roland. Christiana can’t exhaust herself that way. Not with the babe on the way.”
Charles sighed. “I have a feeling your sister will do what she must to save her husband. Mayhap if she saved him, you could heal the babe.”
“I’ve never tried that, but I probably could.”
“So let her do what she needs to do for Roland on the morrow, and heal the baby afterward.”
Marina closed her eyes, liking the idea of healing her sister’s babe. Roland really did need to come first.
By the time Marina awoke late the next morning, she was worried she’d slept too long, and Roland would be worse. Eva was slowly waking from her exhaustion, but nowhere near ready to heal again.
When Marina went into Christiana’s chamber, she found her sister sitting in a chair beside the bed, holding her husband’s hand. “I need to help you heal him.”
“Charles suggested that you heal him, and then I heal the babe if something happens to him.” Marina held her hand over Roland. “He seems to be better than he was before we healed him last night, but he’s gotten worse during the night again.”
Seduced (Thrice Blessed Book 3) Page 7