The carriages would arrive in the morning; Kai’s men were traveling behind them at a slower pace. She really wished she had a change of clothing and her toiletries. Staying in her room, with Nissa, she’d not feel comfortable sitting at a table with everyone. Riding all-day in her clothes, she smelled of horse and dirt.
‘Did you find any clothing when you were looking through the drawers?’
The corner of Nissa’s mouth pulled to the side.
‘There was only bed linen and drying towels. Some perfume and the hair slides. Sorry.’ She sighed.
‘Doesn’t matter, I’ll sleep naked just for once. But I need to wash, so would you ask for some freshwater please?’
‘I’ll ask whoever brings our food if we can have a few jugs of warm water, and see about a nightshirt.’
When they’d first arrived, she was so tired, she’d not thought about eating. But now, her stomach grumbled. They only had to wait a short time. A woman, from the kitchen arrived with a huge platter. Filled with cold meats, bread and pickles; the large plate was enough to feed a small army. Another woman followed, with a large jug of wine, and two goblets. Nissa asked for some fresh water, for washing, and something to sleep in; she explained they were waiting for their clothing to arrive. The woman smiled and nodded, and promised to return with everything she’d asked for.
They finished everything after a short time. Lying back on the bed and rubbing their full stomachs, both of them were clean, well-fed and ready to sleep. Unsure of what to expect in the morning, they didn’t have time to think about it too much as they fell asleep within moments of lying down.
Chapter 12
Caster watched Ellanor as she rode ahead of him next to Jace. Pleased that she’d insisted on joining them, after the previous night’s events, he knew he would have missed her if she’d not been here.
They’d set off at dawn; rising earlier than usual, they’d eaten a hearty breakfast to keep them in good stead for their first days traveling. Packed with enough food to feed an army, courtesy of Maisey, the spare horse was a good idea. Not only carrying food for the journey, but extra clothing and blankets; they would need a change of clothing once they reached Blackhill.
They’d all been chatty to begin with; excited about the trek, but now all was quiet; each to their own thoughts, at a steady pace.
Caster was still unsure if this was the right step to take. Yesterday, talking it over with Ellanor and Jace, it seemed the best outcome. Now he was on his way to meet Kai of Darkmide; he would be lying if he didn’t feel apprehensive.
Snapping out of his anxious state, he concentrated on the road and Jace and Ellanor ahead of him. He still hadn’t found out why Jace was quiet when he returned home yesterday. Something had bothered him for sure; he wasn’t his usually cheery self. Feeling sure he’d get around to telling him when he felt ready, he put it to the back of his mind and enjoyed the scenery.
Settling back in his saddle, Caster took a few lungful’s of air and drew in the scent of the heather. His eyes were drawn to Ellanor. She’d braided her hair that morning, which wasn’t usual; it fell against her back, reaching down to her waist. Recalling their first meeting, it was the second thing he noticed about her. The first, being her green eyes.
The first few days, after the accident, were hazy. He remembered little, other than pain in every part of his body. But the soothing touch from the beautiful woman that tended his wounds, made it bearable.
Ellanor’s smile greeted him every time he stirred. At his side constantly, he’d thought he’d died and gone to heaven when he first saw her.
Golden hair cascaded over her shoulder and rested against his body while she cleaned his face and the cut on his head. He’d stared for some time before managing to speak. When he finally broke the silence, and asked for her name, she’d smiled and gave it to him. Her whole face lit up, as if she’d been waiting for something. It was later; that she told him the doctor didn’t expect him to wake. Hearing him speak for the first time was a relief.
The recovery was slow, but Ellanor tended him without complaint. He knew nothing of his life, and had no idea where he was from. He’d remembered something after a few days; his name.
Through spending every day and night with Ellanor while she took care of him, it was after only a few weeks he knew he loved her. Afraid to confess his love, he kept it to himself; worried she’d leave him if he revealed his affection. They laughed about it later, when Ellanor told him she’d felt the same.
They had the Inn keeper’s wife to thank for their married life. If she’d not embarrassed them into confession they might never have married. She’d been watching them from the beginning. It was obvious they were in love, but neither of them would admit it; she would huff each time she saw them together. Shaking her head in frustration, she’d been unable to keep quiet any longer, and said if they didn’t get married, she would throw them out. At first, Ellanor and Caster thought she was serious, afraid of gossip of them living under her roof. But they laughed when she’d said, that if her husband loved her as much as Caster loved Ellanor, she’d be the happiest woman to ever live. Caster declared it was true, and proposed to Ellanor, who quickly accepted. They married the next day, and remained at the Inn until Caster was well enough to work.
‘What are you thinking about?’
Caster blinked and looked up to see Ellanor smiling at him over her shoulder. She was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, and would love her until the day he died.
‘You look miles away.’ She continued.
He gave her a wide smile and stared for a moment. ‘I was my love, but I’m back now.’
Ellanor frowned, but seeing he looked happy smiled before turning back to watch the road.
Chapter 13
The carriages from Brightstone arrived safely, escorted by Saul, Maika and the King’s guards. Because it was late when they arrived, they’d only shown Dori the cook, and the soldiers where they would sleep, left the unloading until the morning.
Sabe sauntered into the courtyard, stretching and yawning. He’d only just finished eating breakfast but seeing Leon by the carriages, with Saul, he thought he’d lend a hand unloading.
‘I see you finally made it.’ Sabe nodded to Saul. ‘Is everything in order?’
The muscular warrior nodded his head and continued handing the baggage to Leon, who placed it in piles on the cobbled ground. Pressed by Nissa at first light, he’d promised to take over their bags before anyone else's. After he was sure he’d recovered Eloise and Nissa’s baggage, he asked Saul if he’d help him take it to their room. Again, Saul nodded and started to pick up the bags. Leon stared at him for a moment then addressed him.
‘Thank you for your help, I expect it was uncomfortable riding in the carriage?’
Saul shook his head from side to side and grinned. Once he was sure he couldn’t carry any more items, he marched towards the guest rooms. Leon turned to Sabe and frowned. Glancing to the side, making sure Saul was out of earshot, he spoke.
‘Did I do something to offend your friend? He didn’t want to talk to me.’
Sabe pursed his lips spoke in a quiet voice. ‘He can’t speak, he’s mute.’
‘I had no idea.’ Feeling embarrassed, he placed his hand on Sabe’s shoulder. ‘I apologize.’
‘No need, you weren’t to know.’ Sabe picked up a bag and handed it to Leon.
‘An affliction from birth was it?
‘No, his tongue was cut out when he was a boy.’
Picking up the final piece of baggage, he was ready to make his way to the guest rooms, but Leon blocked his way.
‘May I ask why? Do you know?’
Staring at Leon, Sabe wasn’t sure if he wanted to know out of curiosity or concern. Either way it didn’t matter. He began to tell the incident, as it was told to him, from Kai.
‘He and Kai were owned by the same slaver. Saul was holding two bowls of broth, their evening meal. He stumbled, and it spilled over the flo
or. The slaver told them to eat off the floor and he refused.’
Not finishing the story, he knew Leon could guess what happened after Saul refused to eat from the floor. He must have also realized that Kai had eaten from the floor, to save his tongue.
‘I’ve been a free-man all my life.’ Leon spoke quietly. ‘On occasion, I’ve complained about my duties as the King’s aid. But I promise you Sabe, I won’t complain anymore.’
His words were sincere.
‘I won’t pretend to know what horrors people like Saul and Kai, and you have gone through. And I hope I’m never unfortunate enough to experience any of them’
Leon shuffled the large bag in his arms and headed towards Eloise and Nissa’s room, he was upset that he’d asked about Saul. Being ignorant of certain facts sometimes had its advantages.
***
Kai had slept soundly. He’d woken up later than he’d wanted; thankful to Sabe for sorting out the carriages, he’d watched them carry the baggage to the guest quarters. Picking at the sweet buns on the table, he was still full from the previous night’s meal. Relieved the supper had gone without incident, he’d noted how quiet everyone was. Garlan and Roulan hardly spoke; the only conversation was between himself, Sabe and Leon. After everyone had eaten their fill, and drank a few bottles of wine, they were ready to retire. When his guests apologized for their early retirement and left to find their beds, Kai had assured them it was no matter.
Hearing footsteps enter the room, Kai turned. Greeted by Kiera, he smiled and pulled out the chair next to him for her to sit. Promising Sabe he’d speak to her, and while he wished he didn’t have to do it, he knew it was for the best. He’d be lying if he said he’d not thought about Kiera, naked and in his bed, many times, but out of respect for his friend Sabe, he’d never indulged his desires. If she’d been bold enough to throw herself at him, he might have struggled to resist. Kiera had many admirers and seeing her often fight them off, and on occasion wounding them, he thought it best to put her out of his mind. It didn’t stop him gazing at her though, or thinking about her.
As Kiera leaned back in the chair, she rolled her head to the side and looked at Kai’s worried face. Hoping he was having second thoughts, she gave him a smile.
‘You don’t look very happy. Are you worried about something?’ Kiera tossed the hair from her face.
She always looked stunning, no matter what she wore. Kai had never seen her in a dress. Loathing anything so feminine, she wore full-length pants, either leather or suede. Feeling his stomach churn, he prepared himself.
‘I always look like this.’ He arched a brow and grinned. Wiping the palm of his hand over his unshaven chin, he took a deep breath. ‘Would you do something for me?’
Kiera’s skin flushed as she thought about what she’d like to do for Kai. His intense stare, as he rested his face on his closed hand, brought sinful images into her mind.
‘You know you can ask anything of me.’ She said brightly.
Shuffling in his seat, Kai smiled tentatively. Clutching his hands together, he slid them between his thighs while his shoulders tensed. The boyish expression he carried, aroused Kiera’s suspicious mind. She raised a brow.
‘I want you to help Eloise and Nissa. I mean, show them around and make sure they have everything they need.’
He sucked in his upper lip. He knew this wouldn’t go down well, especially since what was coming next.
‘You and Sabe are like family; you’re almost my sister…’ Kai stressed the word ‘sister’. From the look on Kiera’s face, it was working, he continued. ‘So I thought you and Eloise would be friends, and you’d take care of her.’
The silence was unnerving; Kai watched Kiera’s face as it turned red. He braced for a slap.
Kiera couldn’t decide if she was angry or upset. She’d not expected Kai to refer to her as his ‘sister’, and as soon as he said it, she knew she’d never be anything else to him. Her chest rose and fell as she breathed harder. Teary eyes started to fill but she held them back. After lowering her head and wiping the back of her hand under her nose, she sniffed.
‘Yes, I can do that.’ Holding back the tears wasn’t working and she started to shake.
Closing his eyes slowly, Kai drew in a deep breath. He’d never do anything to hurt Kiera. Despite her tantrums and snippety manor on occasions, he enjoyed her company. Kiera and Sabe would drive him crazy when the bickered, but he cared about them.
Reaching for her hand, he held it and thought about what to say.
‘You’re beautiful Kiera, and if you weren’t Sabe’s sister, and we’d met in a different situation, I think we would have been more than friends.’
Tears flowed down her cheeks. Wiping her face with her free hand, she took deep breaths and wished she was somewhere else. Kai was deemed heartless and cruel by many, but these people didn’t know him. He was sincere and honest; no one would believe he was capable of speaking softly, or be gentle. But she knew; she also knew he needed affection; needed someone to love him, and heal the pain in his heart. She’d always wanted that person to be herself.
Feeling Kai’s breath against her ear, she leaned towards him.
His words were a soft, husky whisper. ‘Please don’t hate me for marrying someone else.’
When Kiera woke up that morning, she could never have imagined this scene. Her heart was ready to burst. From the first day she and her brother met Kai, she’d wanted him. She’d never looked at another man in four years the way she looked at Kai; always in her mind, she hoped one day, they’d be together. The realization that it would never happen, was here.
Kai felt Kiera’s body tremble as she leaned against him. Pulling his hand free from hers and sliding off his chair, he knelt by her side. Strong arms reached around her as he pulled her close. Twisting the top half of her body to his, she surrendered to his comforting hold. Crying uncontrollably, she wept and thought she’d never stop. Kiera would never break down in front of anyone, but today she couldn’t help herself.
Kiera could barely speak, ‘I could never hate you.’ She managed eventually, between sobs and sniffs.
Kai kissed the side of her head. ‘Thank you.’
Pulling her arms from between their bodies and looped them around Kai’s neck. She buried her face in the crook of his neck, inhaled deeply and let her slender fingers play with his soft hair; the gold beads on his braids, jingled against each other, making her smile.
Hoping the rest of the day, was going to be less stressful; Kai groaned and squeezed Kiera tightly making her squeal. Slackening his arms and gently pushing her away he smoothed a lock of hair from around her face.
Kiera wiped her damp eyes and runny nose with her sleeve then apologized. ‘Sorry for crying.’
‘You’re forgiven, this time.’ He scowled under hooded lids with a grin.
‘Don’t tell my brother, will you?’
‘Not… a… word.’
They laughed and Kai gave her a final hug before getting up off the floor. Daring to ask for another favor, he gave her sad eyes.
‘Don’t suppose you’d check on Eloise and Nissa, would you?’ He stared at her with a sad puppy dog expression and grinned. ‘And I need you to organize the wedding and find her something to wear.’
Seeing Kiera’s mouth gape at his cheek, he knew he was pushing it, but Eloise and Nissa didn’t know their way around, and it would be better if Kiera helped.
Receiving a slap on his arm, followed by a cheeky smile, he knew he was winning her over.
‘It’s going to cost you, you know that don’t you?’
Kiera rested her hands on her hips. She tossed her hair from her face and glared. ‘I think a new set of fighting knives would be a fair price.’
‘What? That’s robbery!’
‘I’m expensive, take it or leave it.’ Smirking, she shrugged her shoulders.
An outstretched hand greeted her.
‘Deal.’
Giggling, and feeling happier, despite
the letdown Kiera moved towards the door and almost bumped into Sabe. Avoiding his gaze she left without speaking.
Wandering towards Kai, Sabe leaned close to his ear.
‘That was perfectly done my friend.’
Scowling, and realizing Sabe had been in the hallway the whole time, Kai head-butted him. It wasn’t hard, but enough to let Sabe know he was in trouble.
‘I’m lucky I still have my balls between my legs and not wearing them round my neck.’ Kai growled. Brushing both hands up and down his face he blew out a sigh.
‘I think you’re the only man she’d never castrate.’ Sabe chuckled. ‘Thanks friend, you really did say all the right words.’
It was hard for Kai to express how he felt. Anger wasn’t an emotion he had trouble conveying, but anything else was a struggle. It wasn’t that he couldn’t do it, he just felt awkward. But Sabe’s praise made him feel a happier.
Changing the subject and wondering if the guests were happy, he questioned his friend.
‘I saw you unloading the carriages earlier, is everyone happy this morning?’
‘Oh yes, the ladies were especially pleased.’ Sabe grinned and wiggled his brows, making Kai frown at him. He wondered what made him grin so wickedly.
‘What did you do?’
‘Nothing!’
Kai’s brow arched. ‘You’re smug face doesn’t seem to agree.’
‘I think sweet Nissa is warming to me nicely.’ He touched his fingers to his cheek and chortled.
Kai rolled his eyes. ‘Better not let Roulan know.’ Slapping Sabe’s arm he moved into the hall, closely followed by Sabe.
Confused and chasing him. ‘Why? Have I missed something?’
Kai narrowed his eyes at Sabe as if he was an idiot.
‘Are you telling me you haven’t seen the way he looks at her?’ He shook his head in disbelief. Sabe’s usually the one pointing these things out to him; he must be losing his touch, or just be too smitten.
‘I can’t say I have. But she hates him; he treats her like a dog.’ Remembering he’d forgotten to tell Kai about Roulan’s early start, he tugged at his hair to make him stop.
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