Bridget struggled in the arms of the man who had picked her up. I fought and kicked and squirmed with everything I had.
I began to pray—and to cry. I couldn’t help it. I wanted to be so brave, but when it came right down to it, I was terrified.
The water was flowing fast, churning and bubbling in a race down its banks. I was given a moment to take a deep breath before Bridget and I were thrown into the water.
The shock of the ice–cold water nearly made me lose the breath I had just taken, but I held it tight. It was ridiculous; there was no way I would be able to hold my breath forever. And right now, it looked like it might just be that long before I came out of this river.
As we sank to the bottom, I struggled against the bonds that held my hands tied behind my back. Desperately, I hoped the cold would make the ropes slack. I did seem to be able to turn my hands more easily, but still the ropes were too tight to allow my hands to come free.
Bridget squirmed next to me. She must have been trying to free her hands as well.
The stake we were tied to hit the bottom of the river with a bump. Still, I twisted this way and that. I wasn’t going to give up. Bridget’s squirming seemed to have slowed down or stopped. I couldn’t feel her moving next to me anymore.
Terrified that she was just going to give up, I opened my eyes and was trying to turn toward her when something slid along my leg. I jerked myself away in fright and looked around.
A fish bigger than I had ever seen in my life had swum up next to me. It was enormous with sharp teeth. Bridget had seen it, too, and was watching it with huge eyes—that was why she had stopped moving.
The two of us watched in horror and shock as the fish took hold of the end of the rope that tied us to the stake—and swam away with it.
As it did so, Bridget and I were dragged downstream. Within moments, the fish stopped and then nudged its mouth right up against the ropes around my leg. Razor–sharp teeth scraped against me, cutting the ropes with a snap. I was free! The fish did the same to Bridget. We both kicked for our lives to the surface.
It wasn’t easy reaching the surface without the use of my hands, but somehow, with nudging from the fish, I made it.
I took a huge gasp of air, before sinking back down. But the fish was right there. I could feel its body along my arm and then my hands were free. It must have bitten through those ropes as well.
Using my arms, I pulled myself up to the surface once again—and that’s when I heard Sir Dagonet yelling my name. I caught sight of him standing in the water only about twenty feet away, holding out his hand for me. I was so tired I could barely stretch out my arm to him.
I forced myself to paddle toward him. My feet touched ground just before our fingers touched, but I was too tired to even try to stand. I grasped his hand just as Bridget reached for it as well. Somehow, the old man managed to pull us both out of the water. We all tumbled back onto the shore.
A splash at my feet had me turning in time to see the fish that had saved us jump out of the water onto the little beach, changing into Dylan’s form as it landed next to me.
“Dylan!” I screamed his name in my mind too tired to even speak. “Thank God you’re here. Oh, thank you, thank you.” He was here. He’d saved us.
“It’s all right, Scai, it’s all right.” Dylan’s warm, soothing voice entered my mind, blowing free all of my fears.
“What...? Dylan?” Bridget asked. Lying on her stomach, her back heaving as she took in deep breaths of precious air, she turned her head so that she was looking in my direction.
I couldn’t stop shaking. I was cold. So cold. And soaked through.
“It’s okay. You’re safe.” Dylan’s soothing voice warmed my ear.
Relief eased through my body, relaxing my tensed muscles, letting me breathe, finally. But I still couldn’t stop the tears from coming. I hated to cry, but I’d been so terrified. I’d been so certain I would drown. That I’d never see Dylan again. Never... It had been too close. If he hadn’t.... But he had. He’d come back and saved me.
I rolled over, snuggling closer into his arms, letting his soothing words calm me. He was warm and he held me tightly.
He smelled of the water—ever so slightly fishy, but clean and fresh. I loved his smell, and right now there was nothing so comforting. I rubbed my cheek against his soft skin, against the strong muscles of his chest.
“I didn’t think you would come,” I said, trying to stop the sobs that were still shuddering through my body.
“I will always be there for you. You know that,” he murmured into my wet hair.
“But you were gone!” I’d been so hurt, felt so guilty when he’d left, but perhaps I’d been wrong. Perhaps he hadn’t truly left me? Perhaps I hadn’t run him off.
“I felt your pain. You cried out to me. How could I ignore that?”
So he did care?
“I did?” I looked up into his warm green eyes, my sobs finally quieting. “I didn’t even realize it.”
He laughed, caressing his fingers down my cheek. “Whether consciously or not, you called out to me and I came back for you, as I always will.”
Relief surged through me. There was hope for us after all.
“I’m so glad you did,” I breathed, as his lips descended onto mine. His mouth was sweet and hot, warming me like sunshine. I reached up and ran my fingers through the soft, dark curls that fell to his shoulders.
“I can’t lose you, Scai. I... can’t.”
I didn’t know why, but I suddenly found myself shaking. My whole body trembled and I could do nothing to stop it.
“Oh!” Bridget said. “Er, yes, thank you, Dylan.”
Dylan pulled away and looked over at Bridget, his cheeks turning bright red. Clearly he’d forgotten, as I had, that we weren’t alone.
Bridget rolled away from us and managed to gain her feet. “I’ll just, um, go and get dry.”
“Fine idea, wot, wot?” Sir Dagonet said. “I’ll go find firewood and, er, make a fire to warm you all. We’ll camp here tonight. Or, er, perhaps further in the woods. Yes, further in the woods. Wouldn’t want to be seen here on the bank of the river by anyone from the village.” He stood up and started to go but then turned back to us. “You’ll just find us a little ways in, right? Right, right!” He turned and scurried off in Bridget’s wake.
I couldn’t help but giggle at both Bridget’s and Sir Dagonet’s discomfort.
“I’m so glad you’re all right,” Dylan said, caressing my cheek.
I just closed my eyes in bliss and pulled him closer. It felt so good to be pressed against him. He was warm and comforting. He even smelled good—sweet and spicy, fresh and so very...Dylan. I rubbed my face right up against his chest.
And then jerked away from him in surprise. He was naked! That had been bare skin I’d just nuzzled! I dared take a peek down and was relieved to see that he had his leggings on, although they were soaking wet and clung to his form, making it clear just how happy he was to see me.
I swallowed, looking back up into his eyes. He opened himself up to me, allowing me to “hear” what he was thinking, showing me that what his body was displaying was at the forefront of his mind as well.
“Your clothing is hiding about as much as mine is,” he said, his cheeks flushing once again, although not quite as red this time.
I looked down to see that he was right. My shift was clinging to me and had become so transparent I might as well have been completely naked. I looked up again to see his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat.
“I think it might be best if we got out of these wet clothes so that they can dry,” he said.
I could do nothing more than nod. I was sure that it wasn’t merely my face that was flushing, but perhaps my entire body. I felt the heat all the way down to my toes.
Dylan shifted then managed to stand up and peel the leggings from his lower body. I could do nothing but stare. I’d never seen a naked man before. He was beautiful—and fascinating.
Dylan’s pack was nearby. After laying out his clothes to dry on the ground, he pulled his blanket from his pack and spread it on the ground away from the water.
It was my turn, but my modesty was so fierce I could barely bring myself to move, let alone pull off my shift. I reprimanded myself, though. Even though I had something on, it didn’t do anything to cover me. I might as well be as naked as Dylan and have a chance to get warm and dry.
My legs were still shaky as I stood, but they managed to keep me upright long enough for me to pull my soaking wet shift from my body and lay it out next to Dylan’s leggings.
I joined him on his blanket snuggling up close in the hopes that he wouldn’t look down at my nudity. Naturally, he did.
Pulling away from me, he ran his hand down my body. “You are so beautiful,” he said, a note of awe in his voice.
Again, I was certain I was flushing furiously, but the feel of his hands on me felt so good I didn’t want him to stop.
He knew just what I wanted, and I realized he was probably reading my emotions just as I had been able to read his the last time we’d been intimate. His hand found my most intimate place, and his lips my breast. His sucking at my nipple had me arching my back wantonly. I swallowed my shyness and reached out for him, feeling his need for me to touch him.
A soft moan escaped from his lips as I touched his manhood. The sound grew into a steady purr as I caressed him as he’d shown me before. I wanted to do more, but too soon he gently took my hand and moved it away from his penis. I didn’t understand. I knew he liked what I was doing. I couldn’t have been doing it wrong.
I looked askance at him, but he only smiled and moved on top of me. Holding most of his weight on his arms, he used his legs to separate mine. My mouth fell open as I became aware his intent and his feelings. He wanted to be inside of me with a desperation beyond anything I’d ever felt before.
The tip of him pressed against my heat. Did I want to lose my virginity? But then I looked up into his eyes and knew that this was right. He was right. Dylan was definitely the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I didn’t know how short or long my life was going to be, but whatever it was, I wanted it to be with him.
I reached up and pulled his head down to mine, kissing him as he slowly entered my body. There was one sharp tinge of pain; then the rest was pure pleasure. I could hear the sound of the sea rushing in my ears. Fell the warm breeze against my skin. I felt as if I were floating free. I was the air. I was the water. Never had I been so happy. So full. So complete.
I felt too good. I climaxed quickly and expected him to follow, but instead he pulled himself from my body and came in his fist.
And at once I was alone in my body and in my head. I was bereft for a moment but recognized that it had had to end. I let out a soft sigh.
As he rolled over onto his back, I couldn’t help but ask, “Why did you do that?”
He looked at me and caressed my cheek with is free hand, the other still wrapped around his penis. “I don’t want you to become pregnant. It would make things awkward and difficult for all of us, I would think.”
“Oh!” I hadn’t even thought of the possibility of conceiving a child, but of course, he was right.
He got up and went back to the river to clean himself. It was cold without his warmth next to me. Cold and lonely.
When he came back he pulled the blanket around me. “I’ll get dressed and then get your things so that you can do the same. We should sleep the night closer to Sir Dagonet and Bridget.”
I nodded. He was right. It really wasn’t safe for us to be separated like this. Both Dylan and Sir Dagonet were fully capable of defending Bridget and me individually, but still, having us all together would be safest.
<><><>
We rode as fast as we could through the whole of the next day, with hardly a word shared. We were all eager to get as far away from the village—any village—as possible.
Even after a day of hard riding, I just couldn’t sleep that night. I tossed and turned and couldn’t stop fidgeting.
As I stared restlessly at the dying embers of our campfire, I saw a shadow rise behind it. I inhaled, ready to scream—then I saw Dylan’s wan face in the dying firelight.
I released my breath. I could still barely believe he’d come back.
And I wondered what had made him come back. Was it me? Or was it because he’d realized that he couldn’t find the chalice without Bridget and me? After the previous evening’s activities, I hoped it was me, but I was worried about getting my hopes up too high.
He knelt down and put another log onto the fire and poked at it until it caught.
I stood, shoving aside my fear of finding out the truth.
Dylan looked up, startled by the whisper of my blanket on the ground. But his lips turned up into a smile as I came around and settled myself next to him.
He cupped my face in his hands, kissing me, nipping at my lips with his teeth and being so playful I felt bad about pulling away. But I had to ask. I had to find out why he’d come back. And I had to know if I could trust him not to do so again.
I pulled away, trying to think of a way to start. What could I say? How could I ask this without hurting him?
“I’m sorry,” Dylan said with a sincerity that dispelled any and all doubts. He looked deeply into my eyes. “I shouldn’t have left.”
Had he read my mind? My thoughts? He was looking at me with a seriousness I’d never seen before.
“It was stupid and selfish,” he continued before I could say it for him.
“Yes, it was.” My tense muscles begin to relax. Could it be that he’d come to his senses? Dare I hope...?
His fingers caressed my cheek. My heart began to pound in my chest again, but this time I ignored it.
“But you came back,” I said, searching for an answer, for some sign that my dreams might just be founded in some sort of reality.
“Once I realized what an idiot I was.” He dropped his hands from my face. Shaking his head, he looked down at the ground. “It’s too dangerous for you and Bridget to travel alone with only Sir Dagonet to protect you.”
All of my muscles stiffened once again. “Is that why you came back?” I asked.
He nodded his head and lifted his eyes to mine. “And because I missed you.”
That felt good, but it still wasn’t enough. I didn’t say anything. I just waited, holding my breath and praying for more.
Dylan sighed, finally admitting defeat, although it was clear he didn’t like doing so. “And because the chalice is your destiny, too. Yours and Bridget’s.”
My breath came out as a gentle breeze, making the fire dance for joy before us. Now I allowed myself to smile and fully relax. “I’m so glad you realize that, Dylan. It’s important.”
He nodded.
“And I missed you, too,” I admitted, tightening my fingers around his.
He looked up. “Scai, I...” He paused, and leaned toward me, gently pressing his lips to mine.
I lost my breath as he deepened his kiss. In my mind’s eye, the sun came out shining, bright and joyful, and the wind danced around us, sending warmth all through me from my head to my toes. He did care. He did like me. Perhaps even as much as I liked him.
This was happiness through and through.
<><><>
After traveling north for two more days, the road we had been on turned eastward. I didn’t realize this until the sun came out from behind some clouds to warm my back late one afternoon. I turned around and squinted up into the sky.
“Sir Dagonet, shouldn’t we be heading north? Or west?” I called out from where Bridget and I were riding together.
We were a little distance ahead of Sir Dagonet, so he spurred his horse forward and called out, “What’s that?”
“North! Shouldn’t we be heading north?” Bridget repeated.
“North. Er, yes. Or west. We’ll need to turn west very soon, don’t you know?” he called back.
Dylan had ridden ahead as usual. I wondered if he was trying to scout out the route, because it was obvious we were going in the wrong direction.
Bridget brought our horse right up to Sir Dagonet’s and said with pained patience. “But we’re heading east.”
Sir Dagonet looked up at the sun. “Eh? Oh, er, yes, so we are. Well, I’m sure the road turns back north somewhere up ahead, wot?”
“Are you certain this is the right road?” I asked.
“Yes, yes. This is the road that will take us north, and then later we’ll head west.” I lost the end of his words, as he had turned back and continued heading east along the road.
Bridget turned to look at me for a moment. “I wish I could say that I have complete confidence in him.”
I just gave a shrug of my shoulders. I was beginning to worry as well. It had been a very long time since Sir Dagonet had traveled to Avalon. Some things might have changed—the direction of the road, for instance.
Chapter Thirty Eight
Father, I am very sorry to bother you,” Lord Lefevre said, coming into du Lac’s sitting room.
“Not at all, my lord, please have a seat.” Father du Lac stood up and went to a side table. “May I offer you some wine?”
“No, thank you. I’m afraid I am here with some unpleasant news.” Lord Lefevre sat down in the chair next to the one Father du Lac had just vacated.
Nimuë was not at all happy to have further bad news brought to her, especially from Lord Lefevre. This did not bode well. She poured herself some wine and drank most of it, bracing herself for the news. She would have to maintain a strong hold on her temper. She was Father du Lac and he never lost his temper.
She took a deep breath and then said with a priest’s calm, “What is it, my son?”
Like a child who has been forced to apologize for a wrong, Lord Lefevre stared at his hands for a moment before answering. He spoke to his hands, not even looking up into the priest’s eyes. “Those young people you asked us to look out for, the witches. They escaped again.”
Nimuë closed her eyes and prayed for patience. Another calming breath. “How did that happen?” she asked with deadly quiet.
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