Paine stood where he was. “The King looks for the truth.”
“The truth is all I have to tell.” She stopped in front of him and gasped when his hands shot out and clenched at her waist, lifting her to quickly deposit her on the table. She cringed, knowing she sat where suffering and death took place.
His fingers dug in at her waist. “No, you hide something and I want the truth.”
Anin was quick to lay a hand on his arm, needing to feel for herself what he felt. The room spun from the barrage of feelings that assaulted her. The emptiness she had felt when she had first touched him was there, warring with the part of him that cared deeply for her. It took a moment for her to understand what had happened to him.
“Anin!”
She shook her head as she fought her way past all his mixed and potent feelings, past the spinning to be able to open her eyes that she had not realized she had closed and look at him. It was all too much what she had felt, what he had felt, and what the King expected of him, and her head fell against his chest.
Paine wanted to hold her tight and protect her, but he had only so much time if he was to see her kept unharmed and to do so, he had to make her think she was no longer safe with him.
He grabbed her chin and lifted her head off his chest prepared to squeeze hard and when he looked into her soft green eyes and saw no fear only caring, he did what he never expected to do... he kissed her.
Anin felt her heart soar. He cared for her much too deeply for the emptiness in him to win the battle. As soon as his hand fell off her chin, she quickly slipped her arms around his neck and savored the hungriness of his kiss. It overwhelmed her and all she wanted to do was get lost in it.
Paine thought of nothing but the taste of her, sweet, warm, and giving. She gave of herself more deeply to him with every kiss. He could only imagine how it would feel when they joined. His thought startled him and made him realize that it was not Anin who was being tortured but himself, for they would never join as one.
He abruptly pulled away from her, shaking his head. Time was drawing near and if he did not have answers, she would suffer for it. He stepped back in front of Anin. “I need you to be honest with me.”
“I have been.”
“No, you harbor a secret. Do not make me force you to tell me.”
“You would never harm me,” —she raised her hand when he went to argue— “but the King would and you would defend me. I will not see you harmed. I will tell you, though my mum has repeatedly warned me against telling anyone, but you are not anyone. You are the man who holds my heart and always will.” She did not wait for a response, though he did take hold of her hand and that pleased her. She was concerned of what he would do and how he would feel when he learned the secret she had kept for so long.
He squeezed her hand as if reassuring her and she felt a tug to her chest. He had given his heart to her as well, whether he realized it or not and she had nothing to worry about. They were one and nothing would change that.
“It all began when I was young and would follow my brothers into the woods. They did not want me there with them and would run off and leave me on my own. I was too small to catch up with them and I would sit and cry until one of them returned for me and dragged me home, warning me never to follow them again.”
“I am going to beat your brothers.”
From the angry look on his face, Anin believed he would. “One day, when they had run off without me and I was in desperate need of comfort, I hugged a tree and—” she hesitated.
“Do not be afraid to tell me. It will change nothing between us,” he said, though wondered how it would change her.
“The tree whispered comforting words to me and told me I was in no danger, I only needed to reach out to the trees, the foliage, to the animals and they would help me, protect me. I was so excited to tell my mum, but she scolded me and told me it was nonsense and I was not to tell anyone. But the trees continued to whisper to me and I continued to listen.
“Then one of my brothers had an accident. I grew upset upon hearing him cry out in pain and I went to him and placed my hand on his shoulder to comfort him. I suddenly found myself feeling his pain. It tore through me and I cried out, telling him I was so sorry he suffered so badly. My da yelled at my mum to get me away while they tended his wound. While she dragged me away I told her how I could feel my brother’s terrible pain and how frightened he was and they had to hurry and help him. She shook me hard and warned me never to say such nonsense again. I did not know what I had done wrong, but when it happened again and she punished me again I knew I had done something terribly wrong. After that I was careful of touching others, but then I met you.”
“What difference did I make?”
“You made all the difference. When I touched you, it was as if something opened in me and it grew stronger and stronger each day I spent with you, every time I touched you. It was as though you freed me. That is my secret, all of it.”
Paine reluctantly stepped away from her. He could not let her feel what he was feeling, not take a chance of her realizing that there was more to her ability. He needed to talk with her mum. She was the one keeping the true secret.
“I have told you everything. There is nothing more I keep from you,” Anin said and hopped off the table. “What happens now? Am I to be punished?”
“You did nothing wrong,” Paine said, walking to the door and opening it before Anin could question his actions.
The guards stepped in.
“Take her back to the room where she waited,” Paine ordered.
Anin walked over to Paine. “I can only assume you do what you do to protect me so I will not question it... for now.”
“I will come for you as soon as I can.”
“I am pleased to know that.”
Paine left after them, going to the practice arena where he knew the King would be. It was an enclosed area and the only ones permitted to enter were the King’s personal guards and those he invited. Paine was allowed in anytime and when he entered he stopped and watched as the King stepped into the sparring circle naked to fight two of his personal guards. It did not matter that it was a chilly day, the air crisp. The King made his guards fight naked in all different weather. He wanted them prepared for anything.
Paine had to laugh. The two guards did not stand a chance against the King. There were none who stood taller than the King and he was stronger than most. He was skilled in all weapons, though his prowess with a sword was unbeatable.
Today they used no weapons, only their hands.
Paine joined Wrath where he stood removed from the other warriors. He was naked as well, his body dripping with sweat. He had already battled the King.
“The King bested you again,” Paine said with a grin.
Wrath shook his head. “I thought I had him this time.”
“Paine!”
He turned at the King shouting his name.
“Come fight me. I have no worthy opponents today.” The King pointed to the two fallen warriors on the ground.
One warrior struggled to his feet and hobbled over to the other warrior to help him up and holding on to each other they stumbled out of the sparring circle.
“Come fight me!” the King shouted and waved Paine over.
It was not a request and Paine stripped off his garments.
Rarely did the King call his executioner to fight him, so all the King’s guards gathered to watch in eager anticipation.
Paine approached the King slowly. The King’s courage was well know, his body lean and taut with muscle and he possessed strength that far exceeded most men. Paine had seen the King snap a large man’s neck with little effort and watched him swing his sword with even less effort and he did so because of his keen mind. He was wise in the ways of battle strategy and wise in taking stock of his opponent. When his anger raged all fled and when he spoke with wisdom all listened. He was a true King, and Paine was proud to serve him.
Paine entered the
sparring circle, all eyes on him. It was not often others saw all his body drawings. And once he began to fight they would stare even more intently, each drawing appearing as if it moved of its own accord. It caught the eye, mesmerized, and distracted.
“Do not hold back, Paine.”
“You are the King,” Paine reminded.
The King circled Paine as he spoke. “Not at the moment. I am your enemy, for I hold the fate of the woman you care for in my hands.”
“And I hold the truth of Anin in my hands.”
The King’s nostrils flared with annoyance. “I am not your King while we fight.”
“You mean like the day we met, before you were King, and I pounded you into the ground?”
The King’s dark eyes flared. “I was too far into my cups.”
“You would call that a poor excuse.”
“I say you talk too much instead of fighting.”
Paine nodded, waiting, knowing the King would lunge any moment and when he did... Paine ducked and slipped his arm between the King’s legs to lift him high and slam him down on the ground.
Silence fell over the practice area.
The King lay sprawled on his back, his eyes wide, staring up at Paine. “Damn, I misjudged you.” He stretched his hand out to Paine.
Paine shook his head. “You never give your opponent a hand.”
“I am going to beat your arse,” King Talon said, getting to his feet.
Paine shook his head. “You would need your guards to help you do that.” Paine was sure that smoke would spew from the King’s flaring nostrils. The King lunged at him once again.
This time their body’s locked and no one could take their eyes off the two large men tossing each other around like they were nothing more than sacks of grain.
It went on for some time until the King stood panting opposite Paine and said. “Enough! One day I will beat your arse, but today is not that day.”
Paine nodded. “I am here to serve you, my King.”
King Talon held his arm out to Paine.
Paine reached out and they gripped each other’s arm just below their elbows. Cheers went up.
The King stepped closer to Paine. “Your word you will always fight me to win.”
“I have beaten you once, I will beat you again.”
“One day. One day your arse is mine!” The King turned to his warriors and shouted. “You are dismissed. You know your duties, see to them.”
All left but Wrath. He joined the King and Paine on the one long bench outside the circle. It was only when the three were alone that Wrath and Paine sat beside the King as nothing more than friends. It brought back memories of when the three first met and were young warriors fighting to drive the Romans out of their land. But Wrath and Paine always knew that Talon was meant for greater things. They fought beside each other and when Talon became King, they pledged their fealty to him and once again fought by his side in uniting the tribes.
“So tell me what you learned about Anin,” King Talon said.
“I believe Anin is from the Wyse Tribe, though I need to confirm her innocence, since Anin is not aware of the deception.”
“You believe she is Wyse but does not know it?” the King asked as if not believing it himself.
“After meeting the Wyse I have no doubt. She can feel what others feel with one touch and the forest speaks to her.” Paine went on to detail what Anin had told him and Esplin as well. And whether it was out of duty or the need to protect Anin from herself, he let the King know of her curious spirit. “She is inquisitive to a fault, asking far too many questions.”
“I have no need of a curious wife and with her strange abilities, she would not make a good mate for me. I would not want her knowing what I was feeling, though feeling what others feel could benefit me.” King Talon stood and slipped a cloth around his waist. “Who deceived me?”
Paine stood. “Anin’s mum, Blyth of the Girthrig Tribe, though I do not believe it was intentional.”
“If she kept something from me when I entered into the agreement with Girthrig for his daughter then she deceived me. I will send for her and you will get the truth from her.”
“And Anin,” Paine asked.
“She may be of use to me yet. Have her brought to my sleeping chambers, I will talk with her.” King Talon turned and walked away.
Wrath grabbed Paine by the arm when he went to follow the King. “Let it be.”
“I will not stand by and let him have his way with her,” Paine said his fury mounting at the thought.
“If that is what he wishes, that is what he will do. She was to be his Queen.”
“So now she becomes one of the long line of women he pokes throughout the day?”
“Again that is his choice and if he finds no satisfaction with her, then he may just give her to you.”
“Give her to me!” Paine seethed.
“She is no more than chattel to him. Let it be before he punishes not only you, but Anin as well.”
“If he does this, it punishes us both.”
Wrath rested his hand on Paine’s shoulder. “Perhaps that is the punishment he intended all along.”
Chapter Twenty-five
Anin followed the two warriors through the large dwelling, wondering once again where they were taking her. Paine had told her he would come for her, so they would not be taking her to him. When they climbed the wood stairs to the second floor, she grew concerned. She had surmised this was the King’s private chambers. Why was she being brought here?
There appeared to be two rooms, once at the tops of the stairs, one to the left and one to the right, both with closed doors. The warriors took her to the right and tapped at the door.
Anin recognized the King’s voice as soon as he bid them to enter. The guards, however, did not enter. One opened the door and stepped aside and the other gave her a gentle nudge, letting her know she was to enter. The door shut behind her after she took a few steps in.
A sense of unease ran through her as soon as she saw that she was in the King’s sleeping chamber. The sleeping pallet was raised and looked large enough for three people. It was well dressed with coverings. Several pegs lined one wall, various garments hanging from them and beneath sat a long, narrow bench, folded garments on top. The fire pit sat in the middle of the room and cast welcoming warmth throughout. King Talon stood by a table with two short benches, beneath it, not far from the fire pit. His features were strong and sharp, and he held himself erect as only a King could. His long dark hair was braided at the sides and left to hang free. He wore a tunic that was spilt down the center and fell to just above his ankles. A braided leather tie wound around his waist holding the tunic closed and Anin was glad it did, since it was the only thing he wore.
King Talon wasted no time in asking, “Why was I not told of your abilities?”
“Why does it matter?” Anin cringed, realizing too late she questioned the King.
He approached her slowly.
She wisely lowered her head and said, “Forgive me, my King. I am prone to curiosity and asking far too many questions.”
“So I have been told. What makes you so curious, Anin?”
She raised her head. “I do not know, though my mum would be quick to say that my head is much too crowded with thoughts. Do you not wonder the why of things sometimes like why are some people good and others evil?”
“At least you can tell the good from the evil with one touch.” The King extended his hand. “Tell me, Anin, am I good or evil?”
That was a question, if answered wrongly, could prove harmful for her.
“Do you fear touching me, Anin?”
His voice was a soft whisper that embraced her much too intimately and though she laid no hand on him, she sensed his passion sparking. Fear prickled her skin and she wondered why had she been brought to his private chambers?
“Touch me, Anin.”
Her skin prickled again at his strong command, though it was only a mere whisper.
She forced herself not to tremble as she reached out and laid her hand on his arm. It hit her so hard that she gasped. The smoldering passion she had felt running through him when she had first touched him had taken control and consumed him, and it was born only of need. He cared not for who he joined with. He cared only for satisfying his insatiable need. The woman who would be Queen would know endless mating with him, but never, ever would he give his heart to her.
She dropped her hand off him and once again spoke before she gave thought to her words. “I could never mate with you. There is no tenderness, no caring. You wish only to satisfy your need. I wish for more.”
“Did you find more with my executioner?” he accused.
She raised her chin with false bravado. “I lost my heart to Paine, but we did nothing wrong. Paine would never betray his King.”
“Did Paine lose his heart to you? And do not bother to tell me you do not know. You touched him. You know.”
Anin had no choice but to answer, but then the King had been aware of how Paine felt the moment he refused to let her be locked away alone. She chose to respond with a single nod. She was glad the King turned and walked away from her.
“So the future Queen and my executioner lost their hearts to each other,” he said, turning to face her once again. “Whatever shall I do with the both of you?”
Anin understood he expected no response. The choice was his to make.
“Come here,” he ordered with the snap of his hand.
Anin preferred to keep her distance from him, but she could not deny the King. She went to stand in front of him, though not too close.
He bridged the gap between them in one easy stride and lowered his face to hers.
Anin’s breath caught, so fearful was she that he would kiss her. She wanted only Paine’s lips on hers. Though, his breath was warm and not unpleasant, she cringed when he brought his lips closer to hers.
“Go sit on the bench!”
Anin’s eyes shot open and she raced around him to do as told.
King Talon went and stood by the fire pit, staring at the flames as if in thought.
Anin sat in silence, waiting.
The King's Executioner Page 20