Paine ignored Conmar’s shouts to him and rushed to keep up with Bog, silently calling out her name again and again.
~~~
A strong wind suddenly swept through the forest, shaking tree branches, dropping some of the leaves to swirl around Anin and Dunnard as they walked.
Each leaf that swirled past Anin whispered her name and she had to stop herself from smiling upon hearing Paine’s voice. He was coming for her.
Dunnard stopped suddenly and looked around, then called out softly, “Areanis, are you here?”
“What delayed you?”
Dunnard turned, tugging Anin along with him, to see Areanis walk from behind a tree, a dagger dripping with blood held tightly in her hand.
“You killed without me,” Dunnard said annoyed.
“I had no choice. The warrior came upon me gathering the sack I hid for our escape. I had to get back here fast to meet you, so I took his life quickly,” Areanis said with disappointment, though a smile surfaced slowly. “What of her? We can enjoy her and leave her where the executioner can easily find her.”
Dunnard smiled as well. “True enough, and then it will be the executioner’s turn.”
Areanis’s smile widened. “Suffering has been his friend. I wonder what he will do when his friend turns on him.”
Areanis approached Dunnard, her smile fading when she saw Anin’s bloody lip and the swelling at the corner of her eye and cheek. “You have enjoyed yourself some with her already.”
“A little, but now we can enjoy her together,” Dunnard said and he Areanis both turned and grinned at Anin.
~~~
Paine ran, ducking to avoid branches, jumping over fallen trees and large rocks to keep up with Bog, though the animal kept far ahead of him. It was a matter of keeping him in sight and usually Paine had no trouble keeping pace with the wolf, but Bog was traveling faster than ever before and that could only mean one thing. Anin was in grave danger.
He had been a fool to leave her. Never again. Never again would he leave her side. He had known an unbearable loss when he lost his family. It was a horrible lingering ache he had never wanted to experience again. A hint of such a loss had struck after leaving Anin alone at the dwelling. It had overwhelmed him so much that he had almost turned back. Now he wished he had.
Paine, hurry!
Her frightened voice tore at his insides and he ran faster.
~~~
“This will be fun,” Areanis said, rubbing the bloody blade of her dagger on her tunic.
With Dunnard’s grip so strong on Anin, it would be impossible to break free, so how did she stop them from torturing and killed her before Paine got here to save her? She spoke hastily when a thought came to her. “You would be fools to harm me.”
Dunnard gave her arm a hard yank. “Why is that?”
Anin raised her chin, trying desperately to ignore the vicious pain in her arm. “I am to be Queen.” She was pleased to hear their loud laughter and pleased to listen as the trees carried the sound far beyond where they stood. Hopefully, Paine would hear it.
“I am Paine’s mission. He is to see me safely to King Talon.”
Dunnard sunk his fingers into her cheeks squeezing tightly. “It appears that the executioner is going to fail the King.” He released her face with a hard shove.
“That may be so,” Anin said, “but what do you think the King will do when he discovers the future Queen and his executioner were killed? He will send his warriors to hunt you down. There will be no place for you to go. No place for you to hide. Once you are found, you will know more pain than you ever thought possible and you will beg to die. Of course, the King will not let you die easily. He will see that you suffer a brutal death.”
“She is lying,” Areanis said.
“All knows the King searches for a new Queen, one who will give him many sons. My mother gave my father four strong sons before she birthed me. My father is Cathbad of the Girthrig Tribe, Lord of the Western Region, loyal servant of King Talon. My father will join in the hunt for you both and will not stop until you are found.”
“There has been talk that the King has found a woman to be Queen,” Areanis said, no smile on her face now.
Dunnard did not seem convinced. “Why not send his personal guard to bring her safely to Pictland? Why send only the executioner?”
“Who could protect her better?” Areanis argued. “And who would think that the future Queen would walk alongside the executioner, the man whose constant companion is death?”
“She could be lying.”
“Then do what you will to her, but I will take no part in it,” Areanis said. “It will be you the King hunts, not me.”
Dunnard gave Anin another hard shove and she fell to the ground. “We leave now together.”
Areanis shook her head and backed away from Dunnard. “I will not travel with you. When you laid your hand to her, you sealed your fate. The King will see you suffer.”
Dunnard paced in front of Anin, his hand frantically rubbing his head. “This is wrong. She told me she is a seer and that we—”
Anin spoke up. “I told you I am no seer, but you would not listen, so I told you what you wanted to hear.”
“The King would wed no seer,” Areanis said, taking another step away from him.
Dunnard reached her in two steps, grabbing her arm. “You will not leave me. We go together.”
Areanis shook her head. “I will not be hunted by the King. It is certain death.”
It happened so fast that Anin could not believe her eyes. Dunnard grabbed Areanis’s hand that held her dagger and drove it into her middle and yanked it up, splitting her open.
“No one leaves me,” Dunnard said then pulled the dagger out and ran it across her throat and let her drop to the ground.
Anin stared at Areanis as she laid there gurgling, her eyes wide as her life slipped away.
Dunnard turned to Anin. “The pleasure of a good kill leaves me hard and ready for a good poke. Since Areanis is not here to satisfy me, you will have to suffice.” He yanked her cloak off him and tossed it aside. He stroked his aroused member and smiled. “This might be more pleasurable than I thought. I can do more painful things to you than Areanis had allowed me to do to her.”
Anin scrambled to her feet, reaching for anything that she could use to defend herself. She grabbed a good-sized rock.
He laughed. “That will not stop me.”
She glared at him as she released a scream that echoed through the forest, the leaves and trees carrying it far and wide.
Dunnard charged at her and she threw the rock, hitting him in the chest and sending him tumbling back, but remaining on his feet.
A sneer tore across his face and he scooped up the dagger off the ground. “You are going to beg me to die.” He charged at her again.
Anin went to run when suddenly Bog jumped in front of her, snarling and snapping at Dunnard, forcing him to back away.
“It is you who is going to beg me to die,” Paine said from behind him.
Chapter Fifteen
Dunnard turned, dagger raised, and Paine knocked it from his hand with his battle axe then delivered a vicious blow to his face, sending him sprawling to land flat on his back.
“Keep your sword at his throat until the others get here to tie him up,” Paine ordered one of Conmar’s warriors who had managed to keep pace with him.
Anin did not wait for Paine to come to her, she ran to him. He caught her in his arms and tears threatened her eyes. His arms welcomed her with such caring and concern that it was as if she had come home. She refused to let go of him, hugging him tightly, and resting her head on his solid chest. She did not want to be separated from him. She belonged there with him and he belonged to her just as she belonged to him and nothing would change that.
“Anin,” he said softly. “I must look at you and know you are unharmed.”
Her muffled voice was not easy to hear. “I am well now that I am with you.”
“Anin,” he said more forcefully and eased her away from him.
She shook her head. “I will not be separated from you.”
“I will not let that happen.” His own words surprised him.
“I will have your word on that.”
He gave it without hesitation. “You have my word.”
Anin reluctantly raised her head to look at him, though she did not let go of him.
Paine winced when he saw her face. Her lip was split and swollen, though it no longer bled. Her eye was swollen as was her cheek and both were turning dark.
“It is nothing,” Anin said. “I am well.”
“You are not. He dared to lay his hands on you.”
“I am alive, you saved me and that is all that matters.”
“He harmed you and that is what matters.”
Anin was surprised to feel such strong anger within him.
“He will suffer for this,” Paine said, running his hand down her arm.
Anin gasped when his hand touched where Dunnard had squeezed repeatedly. She gasped again when she felt rage take hold of him. “He squeezed my arm too often,” she explained, hoping it would calm him. It did not.
Paine remained silent for a few moments, then he asked, “Did he harm you in any other way?”
Anin shook her head. “I am still fit for the King.”
He leaned his brow down to rest on hers. “I do not care if you are fit for the King. I care that he did not harm you.”
She raised her hand to rest on his cheek. “I am not harmed. I am safe here in your arms.”
He asked the question that plagued him. “Was he waiting for you in the dwelling?”
Anin nodded.
Fury filled Paine’s eyes. He was angry with himself for having left her alone, and he would see Dunnard suffer for all he did.
Conmar burst upon the scene, tearing Paine and Anin apart.
“You found him,” Conmar said, looking upon Dunnard who had yet to revive. He turned wide eyes on Areanis’s body, shaking his head. “Not before he killed again.”
“They killed together,” Anin announced, keeping close to Paine as they approached Conmar.
Anin told Conmar all about the couple and what they had done to his tribesmen.
“I am forever grateful that you and the executioner happened upon us. I will send a message to King Talon, letting him know how his executioner saved the Corsar tribe.”
“Time to finish it,” Paine said. “We will drag Dunnard back to the village and there in front of all I will free you of the demon.”
His warriors shouted their approval.
Dunnard began begging for his life after a short time of being dragging over rocks, fallen branches and through leaf and twigged filled ruts. No one paid him heed.
When they reached the village, Dunnard was hauled away and a horn blew, letting the people know they could safely come out of their homes.
Paine walked Anin to their dwelling and entered with her. Once he looked about, he turned to her. “Do you want to see what I do to Dunnard?”
She shook her head and could not stop a shudder that rant through her.
Paine went to her, looking over her wounds. Under her eye was turning dark and around her mouth was caked with blood. He wanted to stay and tend to her wounds himself. He had the skill, many times having to heal prisoners only so that he could continue torturing them. But he had Dunnard to see to. “I will leave Bog with you, having him with you is like having me with you. He will let no harm come to you.”
The wolf stood away from the door he sat braced against and walked over to sit pressed against her leg.
She reached down slowly and when he made no move to stop her from touching him, she patted his head. “I feel safe with Bog and eagerly await your return.”
“I will not be quick.”
Anin shuddered again, knowing he intended to see Dunnard suffer and knowing the tribesmen would want it that way. “It will give me time to see to my wounds.”
Paine reached out, not able to help himself from running a tender hand over her darkening cheek. “I will have the healer sent to you.”
Anin cherished the gentleness of his touch and could not comprehend how soon his touch would bring such pain.
“Dunnard deserves what he will suffer.”
She nodded, though wondered how he knew her thoughts. She took hold of his arm as he went to turn away. “We will stay another night here?”
He moved his arm so that her hand softly drifted down along it until their hands met. Once they did, he threaded his fingers with hers. Her hand was warm and soft and he never wanted to let it go. But he would have to and the thought pierced his chest like a mighty sword. “It would be wiser and safer to renew our journey in the morning.”
She nodded again, wanting to leave this tribe and the memories behind, but he was right. They would be safer here for another night.
“Besides having the healer brought to you, I will also have food brought.”
“I will wait for you to eat.”
He looked about to argue, then simply acquiesced with a nod. He went to the door, turned and looked at Bog. “Guard!”
Anin felt safe when the door closed behind him. She told herself to be grateful for another night of shelter and food. Her only thought though was of her being alone with Paine. No thoughts of tomorrow or what it would bring, only her and Paine alone together. She was caring for this man more than she ever thought possible and she could not understand why.
He was not someone she would have ever thought she would feel so strongly for and yet the thought of never seeing him again left her feeling—frightened.
What was happening to her? Why was she feeling this way?
Be who you are. The answers will come.
Surely, there was something wrong with her, hearing her mum and the Giantess so clearly in her head.
She jumped, terrified when the first agonizing scream penetrated the walls. Bog followed her as she paced around the room, hugging herself more tightly as the subsequent screams grew more horrifying. Finally, she could take it no more and dropped down beside Bog and hugged him, planting her face in his fur.
He did not growl or show his teeth, he simply rested his head against her.
The healer did not arrive until after a loud cheer rang out. Anin knew then that Paine had taken Dunnard’s head. Bog growled when a tap sounded at the door and, try as she might, Anin could not get Bog to stop nor would he allow her to open the door.
She finally gave up and called out to the woman to get the executioner.
Paine’s command had Bog moving away from the door. When he entered he looked to Bog. “The healer is here to help Anin. Guard them both!” He then looked to Anin. “I will return shortly.”
When the door closed behind him, the healer, a spry elder, said, “It is good the executioner found someone who cares so deeply for him. Not many women can care for a man whose hands bring so much suffering and death.”
Anin thought to correct her, tell her what a good man Paine was, but she did not. She remained silent. It was better to say nothing then say something that could possibly be harmful to them both.
The healer left as Paine entered, Conmar following in behind him and servants behind him.
“Are you sure you do not wish to join in the celebration?” Conmar asked. “Everyone would be pleased to have you there.”
“I am sure. Anin needs rest after the ordeal she has suffered and before we take our leave in the morn.”
“You are welcome to stay as long as you like. We would be pleased to have you both,” Conmar offered.
“We must be on our way,” Paine said curtly, ending the exchange.
“I will have food ready on the morrow for you to take on your journey.”
“The King is grateful for your support.”
“We owe you much, executioner, and I will let all know how you brought peace to our tribe.” With a respectable bob of his head to Paine, Conm
ar left.
A small table and two benches had been brought into the room and in the middle of the table laid a large fish split open resting upon flat bread. Two fine bone horns rested in antler holders and a full drinking pouch sat there as well.
As soon as the last servant left, Paine went to Anin. He ran his hand softly along her chin. “You are well?”
“Some small discomfort, though not enough to complain about.” She went to rest her head on his chest and he stepped away from her.
“Sit and eat, he said, turning and walking to the table.
“We cannot ignore what is between us,” Anin said as she went to join him.
He swerved around and brought his fist down on the table hard. “There is nothing between us.”
“You cannot deny the truth.”
“The truth is that you are promised to the King. I serve the King and my task is to bring you to Pictland and that is what I will do.”
“You gave me your word we would not be separated,” Anin reminded.
“I will always be there to serve you.”
Anin took a step toward him with her hand pressed to her chest.
“Stop!” Paine ordered sharply. “We will speak of this no more. I do and say what I must to get you safely to the King. I feel for nothing or no one.” His arm shot out from his side, his finger pointing at the door. “I am no different than Dunnard. I gutted him like he did to the others, though I did it slowly, knowing exactly what to rip out of him so he would not die quickly, so that he would beg me to end the pain, would beg to die.” He held his hands out to her. “These hands are evil.”
Anin shook her head. “No, they are not and you are nothing like Dunnard.”
“I am worse than Dunnard.”
“You are not,” she insisted.
“I am far worse.” He held up his hands. “Look at them. These hands bring no caring only suffering and death. I will never take a wife, for I would never submit a good woman to my evil touch.”
“That is nonsense. You care,” —she tapped her chest— I can feel that you care.”
“Enough!” he yelled and pounded the table once again. “We will speak of this no more. Sit and eat.” He sat and pointed to the other bench. “Now!”
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