by Jen Wylie
"Help with what?"
She turned in surprise, a smile coming to her face as the blacksmith sat down beside her. Leaning over, he gave her a careful and quick embrace, pulling back with reddened cheeks as Bo chuckled.
Thank you, for helping Bo and Garen, she said sincerely.
It was the least I could do, he answered in quiet sadness.
Reaching over, she squeezed his hand. It wasn't your fault.
Shrugging a shoulder, he smiled faintly.
She and her boys filled him in on her idea and he agreed to work with them to make their home safe enough for her return… if she could get away from Roan.
Their conversation wore down and returned to more mundane topics, such as how Elaina had taken the news of her disappearance, and Bo's surprise at her support of him being away most of the time to search for her. Out of the corner of her eye, Aro caught sight of movement and cursed under her breath.
Raythe had stood and moved closer to the door. When he caught her eye, he tipped his head, indicating it was time to go.
Hale grimaced and looked down at her. You need to leave now.
Do you know them? Are they of your pack?
No.
She wasn't sure what to make of his short reply. "I have to go back now," she told her boys. Her words only waivered a little. Raising her chin, she tried not to make an issue of it. "We'll keep in touch, and I'll see you again as soon as I can."
They all rose and she gave Bo a secret look. Did you bring it?
He grunted and kicked one of their old packs over to her from its hidden place under the table. I hope that's good enough. Going through your clothes was not what I expected to do today.
His annoyance made her laugh out loud, and she gave him another tight hug before bending and giving Garen a squeeze as well. Slipping an arm through the pack's straps she paused and then gave Hale an awkward hug as well. It was the least she could do.
When she reached Raythe, his eyes narrowed as he saw the pack. "What is that?"
"Clothes." She didn't protest when he took it from her as they walked out the door. Her thoughts remained with her boys. She looked back once and gave them a brave smile before they disappeared from sight.
Silas flipped up her hood and took her pack as Raythe once again put his arm around her.
A sputter from her other side made her turn. She couldn't help laugh as she watched a red-faced Silas quickly stuff some of her underclothes back into the pack.
Chapter 21
The Unexpected
Her mirth did not last long before a deep melancholy settled over her shoulders. Roan's men took her on a roundabout way home once more, so the long walk gave her plenty of time to think too much.
She missed her boys. She missed Kei, even with his constant quiet presence within her. Most of all, she missed Prince. Too easily she could invent his inclusion to their conversations, his stern looks, his lectures and advice. Perhaps a quiet smile just for her.
A growing urge to see him again, to hear his voice, grew within her. Perhaps Roan could give her a stronger dose of riath, just this once, so she could dream of him again.
The thought brought her up short and only Raythe's arm around her kept her upright as she tripped. "Sorry," she muttered, as they continued on again.
Shaking such stupid thoughts away, she clutched her cloak more tightly around her. She had to get better so she could go home.
By the time they returned to the house, she'd managed to panic and calm herself again more than once. Keeping her chin up, she ignored all the other men as the two Were escorted her back to Roan's room. Taking her pack from Silas, she turned and stopped once in the door.
Thank you for today, she said to both, and then closed the door on their startled faces.
You are welcome, they chorused a moment later, voices laced with confusion and surprise.
Roan hadn't yet returned. She took the time to quickly go through what Bo had packed at her request. Her own underclothes, a nightdress, a few shirts and a pair of pants, and tucked at the bottom, her new second belt of small throwing knives. Grinning, she left the nightdress out and tucked everything else under the bed.
She busied herself hanging up the cloak, putting the nightdress in the bathroom and cleaning up. Hopefully Roan would return soon…and with dinner. The sun had been setting as she'd returned, and her stomach rumbled. It'd been a while since she'd done so much walking and her legs ached.
Her entire ordeal had taken its toll on her physically. She'd not be wasting any more time and would focus on getting back into shape and practicing again. Spring might still be three months away, but time tended to go by much too fast.
Rubbing her hands together absently, she suddenly looked down at them and grimaced. A vague twitchy feeling ran through her fingers.
Looking toward the door, she wondered if Roan would return soon. She hated being dependent on him. How would she physically get better if these episodes continued every few days?
By the time Roan came through the door she'd fallen into a foul mood. Luckily he brought a tray of food. Setting it on his desk, he motioned for her to bring a chair over.
"Good evening to you," she snapped, dragging over the closest heavy chair.
His eyebrows rose as he sat. "I'd thought to find you in a better mood. My men tell me your meeting went well enough."
Sitting as well, she leaned back and crossed her arms. "Did you know Bo was alive when we made our bargain?"
Examining the plates of food, he didn't seem concerned at the anger in her voice. "Yes."
"I'm quite certain you were aware I wasn't exactly awake or thinking clearly at the time either."
"Do you have a point, Arowyn?"
Apparently not. She didn't know why she'd brought it up. Obviously he'd used her weakness against her to get what he wanted. With him being a pirate, she didn't know why it angered her so much.
Chewing angrily, she tried to ignore him…and the urge to get up and pace. The restless feeling drove her crazy, but at least she wasn't nauseous yet. Knowing it was coming though, she didn't eat very much.
"You're in quite the foul mood this evening," he commented. "Eat more," he commanded absently when she didn't reply.
"When can I see him again?"
He wiped his mouth with a small cloth. "It wouldn't be a good idea."
"I shouldn't even have to ask your permission!" She stood abruptly.
"You agreed to our arrangement."
"Which you seem to be adding to. You said you'd keep me safe, not keep me locked up here."
"Here is safe."
"We did not have any problems today," she insisted, glaring at him over the desk. "You've plenty of hired men if you don't want to follow me around, but I will see my family again!"
He rose so swiftly she took a step back.
"You are in no position to give me orders." Though he didn't raise his voice, his tone indicated he'd had enough of the conversation.
Straightening her shoulders, she jabbed a finger toward him. "You are not my Captain, or Lord, or anything else."
"Perhaps not," he answered in a deceptively quiet voice. "Yet I am the one who protects you–"
"I don't need protecting!"
"I disagree. Your human friend can do little against your current enemies, and you are in no condition to fight, are you?"
Since he was correct, she could only silently seethe and clench her fists together.
"I am also the one with the riath," he continued. "If you'd like to stay sane, and alive, then you will do as I say."
"Or what? You'll let me die?"
"I'll throw your troublesome little arse back out into the streets."
They locked eyes, staring each other down. The coldness in his left no doubt he was quite serious. Trembling in anger, she fought to not back down.
It wasn't him she fought, but herself. The abduction and drugs had left her weak, both physically and mentally. He gave her little choice. True, with Bo an
d Garen's help she might survive the Elves, but not the riath. Not yet.
"Sit down," he ordered.
Her eyes narrowed. "Stop ordering me around. I'm not one of your men."
"That is quite enough," he said more loudly.
"No, it's not. I–"
"Enough!" He moved around the desk, not breaking eye contact. "Do not press me, little girl. You don't know what I'm capable of."
"Don't threaten me, you rotting bastard."
His jaw clenched and for the first time she saw him become truly angry. "Watch your tongue."
She quickly saw she would not win this battle. As he took another step toward her, she turned on her heel and bolted to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
Clenching her fists together, she screamed in frustration and anger. Would she ever learn to control her temper and stop saying such things?
The door flew open, banging against the wall. As Roan strode in, she stumbled away from his fury.
"Do not run from me. Do not slam my doors."
He continued to advance on her with each word and she soon found her back up against the wall.
Her mind spun, trying to think of what to say to defuse the situation. He kept coming, even when she raised her hands. They pushed against his chest but he continued forward, despite all her strength, until he had her pressed tight against the wall. Resting his forearms to either side of her, he leaned his face close to hers.
Heart racing, she struggled to breathe. His closeness was in no way sexual, but a total act of intimidation.
"Are you afraid of me?" The quietness of his voice didn't fool her. The pale eyes boring into hers still flashed with anger.
Tipping her head up, she fought to keep her voice even. "No."
"Then you're a foolish girl."
"I am not," she snapped immediately.
"You cannot fight your way out of this, now can you?"
Pushing her hands against his chest again she knew he was right. He didn't budge…at all. He'd trapped her too close to the wall. Shifting from side to side in what little room she had, he swayed with her, keeping her blocked in. She couldn't punch, elbow, or kick him. Likely stomping on his foot would have little effect. There was no way to get him to back off.
At least not by fighting.
Moving quickly, she slid her hands up to his face and pulled. Rising up on her toes bridged the remaining distance between them as she locked her lips over his.
Closing her eyes, she put everything she had into kissing him.
The moments ticked by in agonizing slowness.
He froze…returned her kiss…and then reared back, pushing himself well away from her.
Smoothing down her dress to hide her shaking hands, she smiled sweetly up at him. "There is more than one way to fight," she said softly. "Do the unexpected."
He stared at her for a long moment… and then laughed. "Well done." Still chuckling, he turned and left, closing the door behind him.
Leaning back against the wall, she closed her eyes and let out a long breath.
"I can't believe I just did that," she muttered under her breath. Eventually finding some calm, she moved to the side table to wash her mouth out with soap.
∞ ∞ ∞
Life is never fair.
Aro soon realized she couldn't hide in the room for long. With her growing twitchiness and discomfort she wanted her dress off. Though Roan had laughed, he'd also made a hasty retreat. She would have to do her best to make amends between them. Soon she'd be needing more riath and didn't want to have to beg for it.
"I can do this," she whispered, and pulled open the door, striding out purposefully.
Roan stood by shelves holding his liquor, a small glass in one hand.
She stopped a short distance away by the corner of his desk and struggled to think of what to say.
Turning slightly, he took another glass from the shelf, already filled, and held it out to her. "Truce?"
"Do I get to see my family again?"
A rare, wry grin twisted his lips before he tilted his head in agreement.
Stepping forward, she accepted the glass and raised it toward him. "Truce."
They clicked glasses and she downed the burning amber liquid. Sucking air in through clenched teeth, she blinked rapidly to clear the tears forming in her eyes.
"I find you very frustrating," he said quietly, eyes set on his glass as he twirled the remains of his drink. "We have both been distrustful of each other for our own reasons." He paused, but she remained silent, wondering what he was trying to say. "You are disrespectful and have, at times, quite the temper. Occasionally I forget you are but a child."
"I'm not a child."
He chuckled at the vehemence in her voice. "Compared to me, you are. There is still an innocence about you despite all you've endured. In some things, you are quite innocent indeed."
She frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"I had made some assumptions, which I now believe incorrect." As she stared at him in bewilderment, he continued, "Your kiss was not one someone who'd had multiple lovers, or even one, would give."
Oh, that. Part of her wondered what she was doing wrong or hadn't learned yet. Shifting from side to side, she scratched at her wrist and shrugged. At least she didn't blush.
"Though an interesting tactic, it's not one you can use often. Next time don't get in such a situation. Don't retreat."
Since he was completely right, she nodded solemnly. Another thought occurred to her. "Do you have a mate?" She certainly hoped not. That would make things quite awkward.
"That's a rather personal question."
Rolling her eyes, she gave him an exasperated look. She'd just told him her life story.
"Not anymore," he answered quietly, staring down into his glass.
She'd heard how painful losing one could be and wished she hadn't asked. The pain of loss etched around his eyes and mouth made him look older and so dreadfully full of sorrow she wanted to cry.
"I'm sorry," she said sincerely.
After regarding her for a long moment, he set his glass down. "Feeling the effects?"
Since she couldn't keep still, and trying to keep her hands from twitching had started to drive her crazy, she grimaced and nodded again.
"I've some paperwork to do. Let me know when you need it."
"I will," she answered quietly. Though not exactly cold this time, she still couldn't quite get used to his lack of caring. Maybe she'd spent too much time with her boys. Of course, he'd apparently lived quite some time, perhaps he was the one with issues. Maybe the loss of his mate had made him so frigid.
While he worked, she paced, tried to read, and spoke to her boys, letting them know she'd not be able to talk to them for a day or so. Eventually she gathered the nerve to ask Roan to undo her laces. Returning in her own long, simple nightdress got a frown, but he didn't ask where she'd gotten it. Apparently his men kept him well informed.
After getting sick a few times she eventually crawled into bed to curl up into a tight, shaking ball of misery.
Roan eventually joined her, and what felt like days later, got up grumbling how he couldn't sleep. She didn't fight him when he returned with drug-laced wine. The rainbows, as always, were a welcome relief.
∞ ∞ ∞
Don't touch me.
The words went nowhere. The rainbows continued to fade away as she fought to gain control of her body. She couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't even open her eyes.
Once she could move, she was going to give Roan a good thrashing. Apparently the kiss had changed his feelings toward her. Fingers caressed her cheek, brushed hair from her forehead.
A gentle slap on her cheek startled her.
Quiet sounds teased her ears, but she couldn't make out the words. When waking up, she hated the riath, how helpless it left her.
Finally she managed to force her eyes to flutter open.
It wasn't Roan who sat on the bed beside her.
> "Well, finally!"
She blinked, trying to focus on the man staring down at her. Well dressed, his hair looked like tarnished gold in the faint lamplight. Her vision wavered. Pointed ears.
Unable to even turn her head, her eyes darted from side to side as she strained her ears. Where was Roan?
"You've been a difficult woman to find," the Elf continued merrily. His fingers slid down her cheek again. "After all I've heard, finding you in your lover's bed is quite unexpected."
He regained her attention with that. What? Oh…rot.
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. You are human." Taking hold of her chin, he moved her face from side to side. "Pretty enough. A few more years and I can see you being quite lovely. And those eyes…" His gray ones bored into hers. "Like a Fey."
He chuckled, the naturalness of it startling her. Unlike the other Elves she'd met, his face didn't have the coldness she'd become accustomed to. His grin brought life and emotion to his face.
The panic growing within her faltered as too many questions bobbed about in her foggy mind.
"You're so very quiet, and I've come all this way. Where is your love, little one?"
Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Where had the stupid pirate gone off to?
When he frowned, the direness of her situation came over her again. Her heart and breathing sped up. Letting more of her power out, she hoped it would quicken her ability to regain control over her body. He could kill her now, and she wouldn't be able to fight, to protect herself. She wouldn't even be able to scream.
His fingers toyed with a lock of hair at the side of her face. "You're frightened. Do you think I've come to kill you?" He let her hair slip from his fingers and moved his hand to gently cover her mouth. "Will I steal away your breath, so he thinks you passed in your sleep? Or perhaps I'll make a ghastly mess?" His hand slid down to trace a line across her throat.
Eyes widening, her breath hitched. Her fingers twitched. Tears of frustration welled in her eyes and she squeezed them shut. Move! If only she could move…
"Are you well amused?"
Roan! Her eyes snapped open. Blinking to once more clear her vision, she finally saw him standing by the now frozen Elf, his sword resting against the stranger's neck.