Alysa was happy over that fact, but she was still too angry to admit it. “But you said nothing after you learned the truth about me. Why did you and Giselde keep me ignorant for so long?”
“Until recently Giselde did not know about my secret meetings with you. When I did confess them to her, I said I was in love with Thisbe, as I truly believed you were the daughter of Piaras. Knowing who I was, Giselde tried to discourage such an impossible match, and she fretted over my possible slips to a servant who lived in Isobail’s castle and over my distraction from my mission. One day at her hut I was talking about you and worrying over how I could keep you or part from you. That clever woman suspected the girl I was seeing was not your handmaiden. She asked questions until she was certain it was you I was seeing, then she kept quiet about her amazing discovery for a time. Giselde grasped the depth of our relationship and did not want to confront you about it. She also thought you should be the one to enlighten me, not her. The same was true with you where I was concerned. Finally that sweet woman had to tell me that my Thisbe was actually Princess Alysa Malvern so I could save you from Moran’s pursuit. She confessed it to me the day Moran was knighted, the same day I found the pouch you left for me. Giselde realized we were perfect for each other and hated to see me mess things up for us,”
Alysa remained quiet, allowing him time to explain everything in his own-time and way.
“When I heard the truth,” he continued, “I assumed you were fooling me for the same reasons I was fooling you. I wanted to go to you and straighten out everything, but I did not want to draw you into more peril by letting you help me. I swear to you, m’love, I did not and do not doubt your wits; I only wanted to keep you safe. After you confessed all to me in the cave, I knew I owed you the same to prevent any misunderstandings. I can no longer bear to keep such secrets from you. I never want you to mistrust me again, or to allow you to fear you-would have to sacrifice all you are and possess to have me.”
Gavin sat up and pulled her with him. Gently grasping her forearms and staring into her troubled eyes, he pleaded, “Do not turn away from me, Alysa, I love you and need you. I want you to become my wife. If I have hurt you or angered you, I am sorry. I truly did what I felt was best for all concerned.”
Alysa could not deny that Gavin had the best interests of everyone at heart and had borne a heavy burden of responsibility. Clearly he loved her and was deeply troubled over causing a rift between them. They were perfectly matched, and soon the trouble here would end. A reality filled her: there was nothing to prevent her from having him!
Alysa smiled as her hand gently stroked the worry lines on his handsome face, and she told him, “You do not need these, my love. My shock is gone and my wits have cleared. I understand and believe you. A prince, the future King of Cumbria…” she murmured, her awe returning. “I should have known you were too unique to be what you claimed,” she teased, hugging him.
“And you,” he responded merrily, “a princess, future ruler of this land, and future queen of Cambria. And of Cumbria,” he added. “If we remain here to rule after we marry, how can I train to become king of my land? Once I am King of Cumbria and you are Queen of Cambria, where shall we live and rule? Their names are similar and they exist peacefully, side by side, but can we unite them into one land? There are ranks, locations, and dilemmas for us to settle later.”
“Yes, my love, much later,” the happy girl agreed. Their gazes fused and they smiled at each other.
Gavin clasped her to him and whispered into her ear, “How I have loved you so intensely since our first meeting, and I have missed you madly since we left our passion-filled cave….”
“It was good we shared that special time’together before we confront this battle ahead,” she replied. “From now on, Gavin Crisdean, we must share everything. I am glad Gavin is your real name, for it suits you well. ‘Hawk of the peaceful valley’… Yes, it is perfect for you.”
Calling to mind the meaning of Alysa and Crisdean, he replied, “As perfect as ‘Noble of the peaceful valley’ after we wed. That day cannot come swiftly enough for me. I want everyone to know that Prince Gavin has captured the greatest prize of any land, the most exquisite treasure in existence.”
“It is I who have the highest prize: you.” Alysa pressed him to his back and lay half atop him. She spread kisses over his chest and nibbled up his throat to his inviting mouth. Nose to nose, she grinned and murmured, “I love you more than anything in life, more than my life itself.” She sealed their lips.
They made love for hours, leisurely, tranquilly, swiftly, urgently. They shared soft laughter and countless kisses. They talked and embraced, then they planned and loved. It was as if a beautiful dream surrounded and protected them.
It was nearly three in the morning when Gavin told Alysa, “I must go to see your father, m’love. If he is alert enough, I will tell him what is happening and what is going to happen soon. It should put his mind at ease to learn his father is on the way with help.”
“You are thoughtful, my love. I only pray he can be awakened. I will go with you,” she said eagerly.
“No, you must remain here. Someone might come to check on you,” he said, gently refusing her company. “Your door is locked; if there is trouble, it would look suspicious if you do not answer a summons to it. If you leave it unlocked and someone arrives, it would look strange to find you missing, and we could be sighted returning. I will see you again before I leave,” he promised, hoping to appease her.
“What if someone sees you inside the castle?” she asked frantically.
“I’ll use the secret passage again. It would be safer and wiser for you to remain here. In case of trouble, I can escape easier alone. Please,” he urged.
Alysa realized she could accompany him if she insisted, but she decided against it. Besides, it was doubtful Gavin could arouse her father, considering Alric’s recent relapse. Too, she refused to endanger her love’s life. She smiled and yielded. “I will wait here for your return. Will you tell Father about us?”
A broad smile brightened Gavin’s features. “Yea, m’love, if he is reachable. Do you know how much I love you and how lucky I know I am to win you?” he said proudly and happily.
“Yes, for the same is true for me.”
Green eyes locked with blue ones, and love flowed between them like a peaceful river. Each confirmed the powerful bond between them, and was thrilled that it was shared. Each realized it was more than a physical attraction, much more. Each knew it would last forever.
“If I tarry much longer, it will be too late to visit your father,” he said mirthfully. He finger-combed her brown hair as he gazed longingly and possessively at her, as though he could not absorb enough of her beauty.
“The day will come soon, my wandering warrior, when you no longer have to leave my side.” She laughed and stroked his jaw. “I forget, you are not a wandering warrior. Besides being a prince and future king, are you a knight? A lusty dragon? A rogue?”
“I must confess to being all of them, m’love, and I shall be a greedy and demanding husband,” he added, a playful grin tugging at his lips and glimmering in his eyes.
His eyes… She gazed into them. “You have the most striking and bewitching eyes of any man alive,” she murmured dreamily.
“As have your, my blue-eyed goddess. When I look into them, I am lost to all but you. Surely they have enchanted me.”
“We are fated, you and I. Granmannie told me so.”
“She is an amazing woman. I can see why you love her. She has powers I never knew existed, and find hard to believe. Yet she has proven herself to me.” Gavin told Alysa about most of the premonitions, and which ones had come true. He told her other things the woman had revealed to him, and about the removal of his royal tattoo.
“I have never doubted her powers, Gavin,” she replied. “I have seen them work too many times in the past. I missed her terribly after she vanished years ago.” Alysa quickly explained her past to him. “
You must hurry, my love,” she warned him, aware of the passing night.
The entire time Gavin was gone, Alysa paced and worried about his safety. When he finally returned, she embraced him in relief.
“I aroused him enough to speak with him, Alysa. He knows he is being drugged, but somehow he has been overcoming the potion’s force for the last few days. When anyone enters the room, he pretends he is unconscious or very groggy to fool them. But he is very weak because he eats or drinks very little. He said to warn you not to use the passage to visit him because he is watched closely and you might get caught, then both of you would be in grave danger.”
Gavin did not tell his love what the prince had told him about the scene in his room with Earnon, Trahern, and Isobail; he knew how that news would distress her. It added more evidence against Isobail, but caused Gavin to be deeply concerned about the man’s safety. If Alric’s ploy was discovered… Gavin did not want to think about that possibility. Hopefully King Bardwyn would arrive soon and end this madness. Gavin also did not tell Alysa about Moran’s true identity, a fact that the prince divulged but had begged him to keep secret.
“I must leave now while I still have the cover of night to shield my escape. I will return in three nights to let you know what is happening everywhere. Be on guard at all times, but do nothing to provoke them against you,” he cautioned.
They embraced and kissed before Gavin left, then Alysa watched him disappear down the spiral steps. When all light from his torch was gone, she closed the panel and unbolted her chamber door. She returned to bed and snuggled into the spot where earlier he had lain.
Just before sunset on Saturday, Prince Crisdean met with Skane. When the bandit assumed Gavin was challenging him for his rank, a bitter fight ensued. The two argued, then fought with swords, then with bare hands, then with knives. Being warriors, both were strong and skilled, and knowing this struggle was to the death, both fought savagely. They circled, slashed, and struck, yet, neither was injured seriously. Then Skane began to weaken. Finally Gavin was able to subdue his adversary, throwing Skane to the ground and slaying him.
Later Gavin met Trahern and turned Skane’s body over to him, and shortly afterwards he entered the brigands’ camp and declared himself their new chieftain. The men were pleased, and easily accepted Gavin and his orders, which were to split into small bands and raid in different parts of Damnonia. What Gavin had in mind, however, was to use his men and trusted peasants to attack and kill the raiders a few at a time. Meanwhile Piaras would keep his eyes and ears open at the castle so he could pass along information about the castle’s soldiers’ whereabouts. Gavin knew he could plan raids that would throw the bandits into the soldiers’ paths, thus making use of them to destroy the outlaws. A stroke of luck placed Giselde’s stolen jewels in his possession; when Gavin went through Skane’s belongings. Later he could return” them to Giselde, as he had done earlier with her wedding ring. Tonight everything seemed to be going perfectly for him and his side, and he dreamed of victory and Alysa.
Sunday afternoon things did not go well for Prince Alric. Feeling better, he tried to sneak a walk in his room. Isobail’s guard saw him and reported to the princess. Earnon solved the mystery of Alric’s recovery when he hypnotized Leitis and questioned her. Discovering he had unwittingly broken the spell, he promptly put her under another one, again ordering her to administer tainted food and wine.
Isobail, the guard, and Earnon then forced another herbal potion into the struggling prince. Afterwards, the guard returned to his duty. Before Alric was subdued by the drug’s power, Isobail scoffed, “Thought you could escape me, you worm! You have seen your last light of day. When next your eyes open, you will be with your barbarian wife. I will slay you with pleasure, like I killed her long ago. I no longer need you to help me obtain my desires. I will rule this land and others as my ancestor Queen Boadicea did.”
In a highly emotional state, Isobail raved, revealing all she had done and all she planned to do. “I even have that weakling daughter of yours in my power. She is to marry my son within the month, then Moran will control her for me.”
Horrified, Alric fought to recover his wits. His slurred mumblings about “sin” and “heir” and “son” and “justice” went past Isobail and Earnon. Alric wept bitterly until blackness encased him.
Near the Logris border on Monday, Princess Kyra ended her brief marriage to Sir Calum by taking her husband’s life. Unable to wait any longer to get rid of him, she used the herbs she had stolen from Giselde and brewed them in her husband’s wine. Calum appeared to have a coughing fit, and strangled before several witnesses.
Kyra wailed and grieved artfully, then told the castle guard to bury Sir Calum before escorting her to Malvern Castle. In her room alone, she rejoiced, eager to reclaim Earnon and to bring him here where she could learn more from him, learn all he knew. There was no way her mother could deny them Lord Daron’s castle and land grant, she thought, not after all she and Earnon had done to help Isobail. If her mother refused, then she would die too….
Twenty-one
Monday night Gavin sneaked through the secret passageway and visited Alysa and Alric again. His time with Alysa was spent loving and talking. He told her how he was foiling the bandits and duping Isobail. Alysa was delighted to hear that he had found some trustworthy peasants to help dispel the raiders. From village to village news of an imminent battle spread, and people prepared to join the King upon his arrival. Gavin had sent word to Lord Fergus, but he was reluctant to trust Lord Orin at this point.
Gavin’s second visit with Alric did not go well at all. Clearly the prince had been heavily drugged. Gavin prayed that the man had not revealed anything about him and Alysa to Isobail, or about Moran. “Only another week, two at most,” he reminded Alysa when she wept over her father’s sorry condition.
“What if he does not survive that long, Gavin?” she asked, her blue eyes red and wet with tears. “Isobail is getting bold.”
“If I could sneak him out of the castle, m’love, I would do so. He is too weak and ill to make it through the passageway and down the river, even with more help. Such an attempt could kill him faster than Isobail can. And you know we cannot get him through the gates and away before one of the guards on the battlement sighted us and sent out an alarm. We would all be captured and slain. We have no choice,’ m’love; we must wait for your grandfather.”
All of Tuesday Moran persistently trailed and wooed a nonreceptive Alysa. He would not even allow her peace and privacy in her chamber. When she could endure his irritating gropings no longer, she told him, “I do not love you and cannot marry you, Moran. I have tried to make a relationship between us work, but it cannot. The more you press me, the more I want to withdraw from you. Please do not distress me further by continuing this futile pursuit.”
“You are… rejecting me?” he stammered in outrage. His scowl melted into a look of fury which reddened his face. His green eyes became wild and cold. He glared at her, then turned and left without another word.
Alysa knew he would not let her off this easily. She wondered what he would do next. She had not meant to spurn him so soon or so frostily, but he had pushed her to a breaking point. Surely Isobail would know within minutes that she had rejected Moran.
Alysa quickly summoned Thisbe and related her action to the frightened servant. “If anything happens to me, alert your father at once and he will help me. Watch over me, dear friend, for I am in terrible trouble this time.”
While Alysa paced her room, Thisbe sought out not her father, but her betrothed, and informed him of Alysa’s possible dilemma. Squire Teague told his love, “If any danger befalls Princess Alysa, come to me swiftly. We will find a way to help her escape.”
That evening Moran came to Alysa’s chamber, carrying a jug of the castle’s best wine. He looked at her apologetically and asked, “Will your forgive me, little mouse? You are not to blame if you cannot love me as I do you. I will return home to Ahern Castle and
give you time to recover from those bandits’ cruelty. I am sure that is what has distressed you. I realize I have been too eager, and I have frightened you away. All I ask is that you rest easy and think kindly of me. If your answer is still no in a month or two, I will cease to court you. Come, let us share a parting drink as friends,” he coaxed, and filled two goblets.
Alysa understood her danger. If she declined to drink, he would try to force the drugged wine into her. If she accepted the goblet, she was doomed. She had to escape, now.
She pretended to sip the wine, then walked to the window and gazed at, the starry sky. To make certain Moran did not join her there, she asked him to hand her the cape on her bed. As he complied, she dumped the wine out her window but appeared to be drinking it when Moran approached her.
“Shall we go for a walk? It is so lovely outside tonight.”
“I prefer to remain here, little mouse.”
Alysa walked to a chair and took a seat, placing the empty goblet on the nearby table. “Will you be leaving at first light to make full use of tomorrow?” she inquired, sounding nothing more than polite.
The devilishly grinning Moran leaned against the window, watched her intently, and did not reply. His behavior told Alysa that he expected the drug to act quickly. If she could get him out of the room, she would lock her door. “I am tired, Moran. I will rise early to see you off in the morning. Will you excuse me so I can retire for the night?”
Wild Is My Love Page 36