When the kind-hearted and efficient Leitis completed her task, she smiled at Alysa and approached her. The young princess asked if they could find a place away from others’ ears to speak. Leitis guided Alysa to one of the storage rooms, then waited for the girl to explain what was troubling her.
Alysa paced the dim room before turning to meet Leitis’s eyes. “I do not know where or how to begin, Leitis.”
The older woman placed an arm around Alysa’s shoulder and coaxed, “Tell me what is in your heart, my sweet child. Whatever you reveal, I will hold your words secret, and I will try to help you. Surely you are guilty of no terrible offense.”
“This is no girlish matter. What I need to ask of you is dangerous. Perhaps you will think me daft.”
Bubbly laughter spilled forth as Leitis affectionately embraced the princess. “Never could madness or deceit take root in this lovely head,” she teased. Turning serious at Alysa’s worried expression, Leitis said, “You can trust me with your life, my child. Do not fear to speak, of things which torment you. It cannot be as bad as you think.”
“It concerns my father, Leitis,” Alysa hinted.
“What of Prince Alric, my child? Does he grow worse?”
Alysa spoke slowly. “I believe he may be ill because … someone desires it to be so. I do not think his sickness is natural. Perhaps someone wishes Father confined to his bed and chambers.”
Leitis looked aghast. “Who would—” Her mouth dropped open and her hazel eyes widened as she grasped Alysa’s implication. “Why would she do such a wicked thing?” the woman asked, as if fearing to speak Isobail’s name aloud. “Would she dare? It is certain death.”
“Not unless she is caught.”
Even though she had promised Giselde not to interfere with the evil plaguing Damnonia, Alysa knew it was her responsibility to set things right in her land once more. Alysa explained her suspicions that harmful herbs were being added to her father’s food and drink, no doubt with the aid of Earnon and Ceit. If, during the ten days while Isobail was away from the castle, they could insure that only wholesome food passed his lips, he might begin to recover. Leitis agreed to oversee all food served to the prince. The two women hugged then parted, Leitis returning to the kitchen and her chores while Alysa headed for the stable.
Guinn, the handsome green-eyed blond, studied one retreating back then the other until both women vanished. He suspected that something was afoot, and the guileful bard wished he had been close enough to hear their words; his fetching mistress would still be intrigued by such a curious meeting.
Since meeting her, Guinn lived only to make Isobail happy. The regent was a demanding lover with many tastes and desires. Some people would call her wanton; to him, she was the most exciting and enslaving woman he had known. She was like a fever that caused him to burn with obsession for her, to burn fiercely and continuously without being consumed. He would die if she ever cast him aside for another lover, or returned to Prince Alric’s bed.
When she was away, he wrote passionate poems and songs for her, then whispered or sung them into her ear during lovemaking. He wanted and needed her desperately; yet he could never have her openly, for he was a simple bard and she was a princess. Perhaps he should go and sing to his gullible ruler, he mused. Who could tell what he might learn from a groggy-headed victim, an unsuspecting fool…
Alysa mounted Calliope and rode toward the forest to see Giselde. Keeping her eyes and ears alert to any danger, she left the animal in his hiding place and hurried to the hut. Once inside, she argued with the old woman, who protested her dangerous return so soon after her last visit.
“Please, hear me first, Granmannie; then I will leave. I know how dangerous our area is these days. I was more than cautious today.”
Quickly Alysa explained her suspicions about the village raid and her father’s condition. She told Giselde what she and Leitis were doing to thwart Isobail and to help her father. “You must give me medicinal herbs, Granmannie,” she concluded, “a potion to make Father strong and well again.”
Giselde considered their predicament, then agreed. “I cannot promise my herbs will heal your father, since we are not certain he is being poisoned. And even so, there are many poisons. Without knowing which one is being used, it is hard to guess the right herb to defeat it. Surely Earnon must have many poisons. But if Leitis keeps the poison food from Alric, and you give him these herbs, perhaps he will get better before Isobail’s return.”
Alysa hugged the woman tightly and laughed with joy Giselde warned, “Do not smile yet, little one. I will give you the herbs only if you promise to do nothing more than help your father. Swear you will not provoke Isobail by spying on her.”
“How can I spy on her when she will be gone from the castle? No doubt she is away duping the peasants and charming the lords. I swear, Leitis and I will be careful.”
Giselde glared sternly at the young girl, then snorted. She went to her work bench and fetched herbs, tying them inside a clean cloth. Alysa knew she should tell Giselde about Gavin, but she did not want to upset the old woman further, and surely it would distress Granmannie to hear that she was chasing a strange man, and that she had been at the plundered village. To her, Giselde looked older and weaker each time she visited.
Giselde did not meet Alysa’s gaze as she handed the neatly bound cloth to her and explained how to use the herbs. “One more promise, little one,” Giselde pleaded. “No matter how much I love you and shall miss you, promise you will not risk coming here again soon.”
“But, Granmannie, how can I tell you what I hear at-”
“There is no need, for others will watch and reveal all things to me. If Isobail and her men are not watching you now, they will be soon. By coming here, you will lead them to me. Need I tell you what Isobail would do to me, child?” she asked, using the only excuse she felt Alysa would accept.
“I would never do anything to hurt or endanger you, Granmannie,” Alysa declared.
Giselde caressed the young woman’s warm cheek. “If I need you or there is danger, I will send someone to you with this object.” She opened her fist and revealed a ring with a dazzling light purple stone. “Whoever places this ring in your palm, come swiftly and without question with that person, be it woman or man. If anything happens to me, my precious child, the person who gives you this ring can be trusted as you would trust your mother or Granmannie, or the gods.”
Alysa took the ring to study it closely and memorize its lines and features. “See the letters inside,” the old woman pointed out to her. “Even if someone tries to fool you with a matching ring, no one knows of the message inside the band.”
“What do the letters say, Granmannie? I do not recognize them.”
“It says, ‘I command Thor to protect my love forever.’ They are Viking words. The ring was given to your grandmother by Rurik. It is to become yours on the day you marry.”
Alysa held the precious ring tightly as she struggled not to weep from the intense emotions tugging fiercely at her heart and mind. The ring was very old and exquisite, and priceless to her. It was a tangible link to her past, a bond to her deceased grandparents. In a strained voice, she said, “I am glad you took this treasure with you when you left the castle. No doubt Isobail would have found it and taken it. When all is settled, you must come to live with me again at the castle, and you must tell me all there is to know about my grandmother and grandfather.”
“Yea, when all is settled, I will live with you again, and I will leave nothing untold about your family and its history. We shall find such happiness and victory one day,” Giselde murmured, then wiped at her damp eyes as if annoyed by the moisture that had gathered there unbidden. “Go now, little one, and keep your promises. Do not lose hope if the herbs fail to heal Alric. Perhaps his illness is true, or it requires more time for the poisons to leave his body.”
Alysa handed the old woman the amethyst ring and embraced her. After kissing Giselde’s cheek and hugging her once
more, Alysa left.
Giselde slipped the ring on her finger and pressed. it to her dry lips. Tears rolled down her cheeks and dropped to her soil-stained kirtle. “Oh, Rurik, my Rurik, my only love, I would give my soul to the Evil One if he could steal you from Valhalla and return you to me. Hear me, my love, and speak to my heart. Tell me what I must do to win this battle. I can no longer decide what is right and what is wrong, for my love for Alysa and my need for vengeance sway me.”
After watching the girl until her eyes could follow her no farther, Giselde went to her work area and covered the clay jar from which she had taken the herbal mixture. “Forgive me, my precious granddaughter, but I cannot allow Prince Alric to heal. I know my deceit will cause you to doubt Isobail’s guilt, but it must be so. My herbs will thwart the poison that eats slowly at his body, but they will not rejuvenate him. As much as I hate Alric, I am sorry he must die at Isobail’s hand, for his blood runs within you, and my daughter loved him. But if I helped him to get well during her absence, Isobail might be provoked to worse evil. I must protect Alysa and Prince Gavin. I cannot allow our discovery. Revenge must be mine for my murdered child.” She removed the ring and locked it in the chest with her other possessions, knowing no thief would risk being cursed for robbing a witch.
To prevent leaving a trail to Giselde’s hut, Alysa headed in the opposite direction from where Calliope awaited her. After a lengthy distance, she slowly began to make a wide half circle back toward the ravine. Coming to a stream, she removed her leather boots, lifted her skirttail, and stepped into the rushing water, thus concealing her tracks. It was not long before she ducked to pass under a broken limb, and nearly fell into Gavin’s arms when her bare foot snagged between two rocks and caused her to stumble.
The handsome warrior chuckled as he eyed her with delight. His voice was mellow as he murmured, “So, we meet again, m’lady.”
Alysa stared at him in surprise, and warmed with pleasure. His white teeth were revealed slightly by a playful smile, and his green eyes danced with mischief. His hair and body were wet, as if he had just finished a bath and donned his pants hurriedly. As if shyly concealing his naked flesh, she noticed that he was clutching a dark tunic to his golden chest. He seemed to read her mind, for he grinned, turned his back, and pulled it over his head, amusing her with his action.
When he faced her once more, his hands grasped her wrists and he murmured huskily, “I shall not release you this time until I learn your name and where you live. You are far too swift and cunning for even a trained warrior such as myself to catch you in this dense forest.”
Alysa laughed and her eyes glowed. “I am called Thisbe and I live at Malvern Castle,” she replied dreamily, pretending her words were true.
Their eyes locked, and tingles shot through them at their contact. Their surroundings and wits seemed to vanish as their bodies irresistibly moved closer.
Six
Within a few feet of them, a buck and three does bounded loudly across the stream and dashed into the trees on the other bank. At the startling intrusion, Alysa struggled to clear her head. Whatever was she doing? she asked herself, rolling about in the grass like a loose-thighed wanton. This was only the third time she had seen Gavin, and all three times she had fallen uncontrollably into his arms! Whether on love’s or passion’s wings, he had carried her to the heavens and soared wildly with her there. She seemed to crave him desperately. What was his mesmerizing effect, which overshadowed her upbringing and morals, stole her wits and willpower? Whatever power or charms he possessed, they were dangerously enticing!
Alysa scolded herself, I am Princess Alysa Malvern, future ruler of this land; I cannot behave this way. I must restrain myself before it is too late and I have lost what should belong to my husband alone.
If only Gavin’s lips and hands were not so enticing, so insistent, so stimulating as they teased over her mouth and flesh. Knowing she must stop this behavior, she could not help but enjoy it for a few moments longer, until she realized her wits were spinning away from her again. Even as she pushed Gavin aside and breathlessly commanded, “No, we must not do this,” she trembled at the flames of desire which raged within her body.
Gavin was intoxicated by desire for her too, but he read panic in her dark blue eyes. She looked as if she were imploring him to save her purity because she lacked the will to do so. Her eyes pleaded, “Help me! Be strong for me. Not today, not this soon…” His body ached to possess hers, and his ragged respiration was almost painful. He could not even imagine from where his control came, but it gradually strengthened, and cleared his head. If he had been a conquering warrior, or less of a man, he would have the brute strength and hunger to take what he wanted. But Prince Gavin Crisdean could never rape any woman, particularly this one.
The son of King Briac sensed how much she wanted him, but was afraid to yield to desire’s calling. It was too soon; they were near strangers, and she was pure of heart and body. That realization thrilled him, as he wanted to be the man to teach her about lovemaking. She was a special prize, and it had been a long time since he had sated his desires within a woman, but he could wait to woo her and claim her gently “Have no fear, Thisbe; I will not harm you, even though my body burns with a curious fire only you kindle. Never has a woman so dazed my head and so easily stolen my control. I must watch you closely or you will be leading me by a yoke,” he teased her.
Alysa’s body rebelled at being denied its cravings, and her respiration seemed to refuse to slow to normal as her chest rose and fell rapidly. Her cheeks burned hotter at his suggestive words, and she timidly pulled her gaze from his. How could she not want him even more when he was being so gentle, so understanding, so patient and caring? If he were a wicked rogue, or she meant nothing to him, he would be angry and insistent on having her. Surely he realized how vulnerable she was to him and how easily he could entice her into submission. She was naive, but not ignorant; she had heard of the discomfort and vexation a man suffered after being highly aroused then denied appeasement. Obviously Gavin was a rare and wonderful man, and her heart throbbed with love and gratitude. Hoarsely she murmured, “I am sorry, Gavin; I did not mean to… I do not know what possessed me to behave so wickedly.”
“Perhaps it is because I am as irresistible and enchanting to you as you are to me,” he replied, then chuckled when her gaze flew up to his.
Alysa felt heat spread from her cheeks, down her neck, and onto her chest. Yet she did not look away from him this time. Boldly she replied, “It seems your words are true, my wandering warrior, else we would not be lying upon the ground together in the forest. Your strength lies not only in your body, but also in your mind and honor. It pleases me greatly to meet a man such as you; I feared they were as extinct as dragons, or as rare as truth these days.”
Gavin stroked her fiery cheeks and silky skin as his leafy green eyes roamed her exquisite features. “You praise me highly, and I must do nothing to destroy such trust. I never wish to hurt you. I see desire in your eyes, and caresses which match mine; for now, that is enough for me. When you are ready to conquer the unknown, you will come to me. Only then will it be right for us to surrender to this potent force that draws us together. It is our fate to share such a unique passion, sweet Thisbe, else the gods would not keep throwing us together in such private and romantic spots as this one.”
Gavin’s wet hair caused its color to appear a darker blond, and she noticed how its drying edges curled mischievously in all directions. His damp tunic clung to his body. For an instant she wanted to rip it off to feel his bare skin against hers. She knew, if he pressed her… “How did you learn and master such self-control during moments like this?” she asked seriously, lifting her hand to trace her fingers over his full lips.
Gavin laughed heartily. “I cannot answer, for it is a new trait of mine, one which you inspire, my fetching maiden. Since we met, I have been obsessed with having you for my own. Yet I know I cannot take you until…” He hesitated as he searched hi
s mind for the answer. “It is strange, but I do not know the reason or words. I do know if we do not end our contact and speak of other things, I swear it will vanish. Why are you in the forest again today, and what is your rank at Malvern Castle?” he inquired as he pushed himself to a sitting position and helped her do the same.
As she straightened her clothes and finger combed her tangled hair, Alysa turned away, preventing Gavin from sighting her dismay at having to deceive him. Playing Thisbe gave her the freedom and ease to behave as she wished. If he discovered she was Prince Alric’s daughter and heir, there was no guessing how that news would affect him and their budding relationship. She had to allow them time to get acquainted before she intimidated him with her rank. She had to make certain it was she that Gavin wanted, for the price of his love and acceptance would be enormous for her to pay.
“I am the. handmaiden of Princess Alysa, and I live in the south tower near her. When I am not needed to attend her, she allows me to come and go as I wish. Here in the forest I find peace. I am free to say or do or be whatever pleases me. Since no one is allowed in the royal forest without permission, I have always been safe. Besides, my father and his friends taught me how to hunt and trap, and how to escape enemies. You see, my wandering warrior, I am an adventurer at heart, as you are in life. You are fortunate to be a man, and a powerful one at that, because you can choose your path and follow it. Even if I were not a servant bound to others, it would be dangerous for a vulnerable woman to seek out her dreams.”
Wild Is My Love Page 10