“Don’t tell me you are modest Kainan, but of course if you prefer I shall turn my back.” She turned around and began squeezing the water out of her under dress. Picking up her cloak she placed it around her shoulders. Kainan slipped on his trousers and shirt, pulled on his boots and put on his sword, popping the vial of oil into his pocket. Watching her as she finished gathering her belongings, he then sneaked up behind her and planted a kiss on her neck. She jumped.
“Kainan!”
“Sorry, I couldn’t resist it. How is your shoulder, does it still hurt?” he asked, picking up her dress off the bush.
“No, it’s fine now thank you. You have a very good touch.” She meant that in more than one way that was for sure, his touch set her on fire.
He had noticed earlier when she had taken off her boots that she no longer had her dagger, the Gorzars, he presumed must have taken it. He did not like the thought of her not having anything to defend herself with. He put his hand on his dagger, and then pulled it out.
“Here, I have a gift for you.” She turned and looked at him puzzled. “Well it’s not really a gift as such, but I want you to have it, just in case.” He handed her the dagger. She took it, smiling at him. Kainan watched as she placed the dagger into the pocket in the side of her boot. “There slots in perfectly.” She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you,” she said gratefully. He took her soft hand in his and rubbed the back of it with his thumb.
“Come on then, let’s go and get some dinner, it looks like the storm will be here soon.”
They set off back to camp; the others having already gathered around the fire were eating. The sun had set and the moon was hidden behind the darkening skies, their only light being that of the roaring fire in front of them.
“I hope there is some left, you greedy mongrels!” Kainan joked as he and Arweyn sat down on a fallen log which had been pulled in close to the fire. Drew laughed and dished up the stew with a grin. He handed a bowl to Arweyn who thanked him; then handed a bowl to Kainan.
Kainan sniffed and raised his eyebrow. “Drew, I love your rabbit stew you know that right?
Drew nodded with a grin.
“But how about just for a change you shoot a deer?” Kainan pursed his lips together so as not to laugh at Drew’s disgruntled face. Then Drew, grinning from ear to ear when he saw Kainan’s nose screw up and realised he was teasing him, bowed his head humbly.
“Yes my Prince. Roast Venison with all the trimmings tomorrow it shall be!”
“Excellent!” Kainan replied, giving him a wink. Arweyn laughed at their boyish banter, those two really had become quite close. Kainan’s smile grew as he turned to her and giving her a wink. It was the first time he had felt happy in a long while. She was here with him, and she had returned his affections. She felt the same for him as he did for her, and he was ecstatic. It had gone from being the worst day in his life to being one of the best. He had kissed her, touched her, felt her warmth. He looked at her, and then he grinned to himself.
“So let us all think shall we, what have we faced so far on our epic journey?” He looked across at Pernash.
He pointed to himself. Kainan nodded. “Oh my Lord, do you have to remind me of that awful creature in the forest.”
Rufas nodded. “Yes bloody evil thing, I chopped its head off.” Kainan grinned as they bantered between themselves.
“What about that creature in the mountain Kainan, now that was a close call.” Drew piped up.
Kainan nodded. “Yes that is right Drew. It nearly killed you, now we never did give it a name. Come on what shall we call it?” He looked around at everyone’s blank faces. Rufas scratched his head then went to speak, but then changed his mind. Kainan groaned at them.
“You lot are useless!”
“Well what about you then, what name have you thought of?” Drew quipped clapping him across his shoulder.
“Well if you must know,” he replied sarcastically, turning to Drew and then stopping he pulled a face. “If you must know absolutely nothing!” The other’s all roared with laughter shaking their heads at him. Kainan turned to Arweyn. She drew her knees up and folded her fingers together, throwing her cape around her shoulders.
“What about that wolf Arweyn, he was pretty scary!” He raised both his eyebrows at her.
She squirmed. “That wolf was enormous.” She looked at the others as they listened.
“Go on tell them, how did it howl again?” She flung a look at him.
“What do you mean?”
“You know the noise it made when it came charging towards us.”
Suddenly she squealed at the top of her voice jumping up grabbing her back.
“Yeah that was it!” Kainan laughed as he pulled his sword back behind him, having just placed the cold steal of the blade onto her naked back.
“Kainan!” Arweyn screamed at him, then eyeing his impish grin and his wrinkled nose she laughed.
“You are impossible!” she cried, as he fell about in hysterics. She turned to the others, and they sat mouths tight trying to fight back their laughter until they could stand it no more and they too fell about laughing. She shook her head at them. Men!
A heavy gust suddenly tore through their camp and the rain began to fall hard and heavy. Overhead a streak of lightning crackled through the night sky lighting up the entire camp, and an enormous clap of thunder followed, shaking the ground. The impending storm had arrived. The young Prince lowered his head humbly to her as the others quickly began gathering their belongings.
“Forgive me?” he begged, looking up at her with big sad pleading eyes. She shook her head at him.
“Stupid!” then she smiled. “Of course I do.” He took hold of her hand and kissed it.
“My Lady, I guess this rain means it is time for some shut eye.” Drew, who was quickly gathering in the plates and cups, stopped what he was doing.
“The three of us can take turns on watch tonight, Kainan. You just watch over Lady Arweyn,” he offered. Kainan nodded, he was not going to argue with that.
“Yes, thanks Drew. I appreciate it,” he added, patting him on his back.
Tolwein stood scowling, looking across at Kainan. He had separated them once, now he needed to do it again. Stepping forward to Arweyn he leaned in towards her.
“You’re not letting him sleep with you!” he growled angrily. Arweyn looked at him, her face showing the shock at his accusing voice.
“No of course I’m not. He is sleeping on the floor, by the fire.”
He lowered his voice. “What kind of Lady are you allowing a man into your room, what would your uncle say? He would be disgusted with you.”
Arweyn swallowed hard, not knowing what to say. She sucked her bottom lip. Before she could react Kainan grabbed his shoulder, having heard everything, and he was fuming. Tolwein’s eyes glared at her as he felt Kainan’s firm hand grasp him from behind.
“I think you and me had better take a walk.” It was not a request. Tolwein turned sharply and followed him. When they were a distance Kainan stopped.
“What is your problem Tolwein?” Kainan’s dark eyes bored into his.
“Her uncle would not like this, he would not want you to be alone with her,” he spat angrily. Kainan breathed deep, he could feel his knuckles clench.
“Well her uncle is not here and I will not leave her alone.”
Tolwein glared. “Be careful my Prince.” He looked over at Arweyn, their eyes met, and she looked away, he scared her.
“Are you threatening me Tolwein?” Kainan’s face moved in closer, he was not intimidated by Tolwein, not in the least. If anything he just needed an excuse to knock him senseless and be rid of him.
“I’m warning you, that is all to be careful. Her uncle is a powerful man.”
“So am I Tolwein or have you forgotten who I am? What concern is it of yours anyway?” Tolwein hesitated before replying.
“Her uncle has asked me to watch out for her, to make sure she remai
ns safe and untouched by preying men.”
Kainan glared at his audacity, and then raised an eyebrow at him questioningly.
“How did he know to ask you to watch her, she shouldn’t even be here?”
Tolwein’s eyes flared like a mouse caught in a trap.
“He knew she would try to follow you. He asked me just in case she got by him.” He quickly came back. Kainan wasn’t convinced there was something mighty suspicious about all of this. The young Prince stepped forward and waggled his finger at him inches from his face.
“You will stay away from her do you understand Tolwein. I will be staying with her tonight and every night we are out here for her protection. I will not leave her alone for you or her bloody uncle, do you understand? What Arweyn and I do, or do not do is of no concern to you. Do you get what I am saying? I am a higher authority than her uncle and what I say goes. If you do not like it you can leave.” His voice was firm, angry. Tolwein just stared as he thought about it, and then looked back at Kainan.
“I see then you are only there to guard her and that is all.” Kainan frowned at him.
“Why what else did you think I was going to do to her? I am not a
monster Tolwein.” The man bowed his head; he was satisfied for the moment. “As you wish my Prince, I will say no more.”
“I mean it Tolwein, you speak to her again like that and you will have me to answer to.” Kainan’s hand gripped his sword, Tolwein nodded.
“Now I think you owe her an apology,” he raised his eyebrows towards her. Tolwein half bowed his head and began to walk over to her. Kainan breathed deeply as he watched him, Arweyn kind of half smiled as he said his apology, glancing over to Kainan. He could see she was still as unsure about him as he was. He scrunched his nose as he thought of Tolwein’s impudence, he would never ever dream of forcing himself onto her, not ever. There was no doubt what-so-ever that he wanted to love her, but she had to want him back, that was without question.
Kainan decided he best play it safe and made his bed on the floor. As it was now getting cold he built up the fire good and strong and laid Arweyn’s wet dress across a broken chair to dry by the heat of the fire. She brushed her hair as she watched him. It was probably a good job they didn’t have to share a bed that night. She knew for sure what would happen if they did.
Kainan took off his shirt and belt and laid his sword down beside him, then pulled off his arm cuffs, his boots and trousers. He fluffed up the leaves they had collected to sleep on and climbed onto the blanket. “Good night Arweyn.” He called across to her, hardly daring to look at her yet alone kiss her goodnight. “Good night Kainan,” she whispered back.
Eighteen - Deragan Sword
Arweyn sat up with a start, what was that noise? Quickly she jumped out of bed. Thunder! It was so loud, she was terrified. Her throat constricted with fear as the wind curled around the hut shaking it. She hesitated only for a moment and then crept over towards where Kainan lay asleep.
As the lightning flash she jumped; she could see him lying on the floor, he was lying on his back with one hand clutching his sword. A single blanket was pulled over the lower part of his body, the upper part was bare. She hovered over him for a moment watching him sleep. Suddenly Kainan’s eyes flew open and he gripped his sword.
“Arweyn!” he cried, surprised. Placing his sword down, he sat up. “What is the matter, are you okay?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to wake you it is just…..” she turned to the window. “I was afraid,” she trembled. She could feel his eyes looking at her longingly as she stood in her embroidered undergarment laced low revealing her ample cleavage. Slowly he pushed away the blanket offering her the warmth of his makeshift bed.
She slid into the space and shook; not from the cold but from the heat she could feel coming from his body. She stared at him, her heart felt like it was about to explode. The sight of his broad muscular shoulders and his almost naked body made her shake even more.
She caught her breath as he lowered himself back down, sandwiching her between himself and the wall of the hut. She could feel the warmth of his bare skin touching hers. He leaned onto his side propping himself up with his elbow. He could see she was nervous; he could see she felt the same hunger and desire he did. Her scent was intoxicating; he found it hard to control himself, especially after what had happened earlier in the pool.
“Are you sure you are okay?” he asked tenderly, moving a piece of hair away from her eyes. She nodded. For a long moment they remained that way; barely touching, their eyes locked on each other. He could see she was breathing heavily; she was so beautiful he wanted to take her there and then, but he wanted to wait until she was ready and willing to be all his; mind, body and soul. Gently he stroked her arm.
“You feel cold.” Kainan said, slipping back out of the makeshift bed. She watched as he threw another log on the fire. She quivered inside at the sight of his masculine body, at his strong muscles rippling as he stood and then walked back to her.
He slipped slowly back beside her. Her body felt electric; the responding emotion that swept through him was more powerful that just passion, she took his breath away. He wanted so desperately to wrap her in his arms and hold and protect her forever. Never had he needed a woman the way he needed to love her to hold her. When he thought he had lost her he felt his world collapsing around him, he would die for her in a blink of an eye. She raised her hand and gently stroked his cheek, then his lips; he pushed his face into her hand and kissed it gently.
“Arweyn,” he whispered gently. She smiled. “I cannot keep this to myself any longer. I have wanted you since the first moment I opened my eyes and saw your beautiful face looking down at me.” His hand gently began caressing her brow. “You know I would willingly give my life for you.” He moved in closer, their faces almost touching, “I love you.” Their lips met; Kainan kissed her with all the hope and longing, all the desire he had tried so hard to keep at bay over the last few days he had spent with her, the need burning inside him was intense, it overwhelmed him.
“I love you too,” she whispered; her breath shallow.
“I want you Arweyn,” he groaned kissing her neck slowly and gently. She was trembling, her eyes wide with passion and desire for him.
“Arweyn,” he whispered, pulling back and looked deeply into her beautiful eyes. “Arweyn, I do not want you just for now, just for this night.” Weaving his fingers through hers he clasped them near his heart. She looked at him her eyes wide, full of longing, full of need.
“I know we have not been together long, but I feel as if I have known you my whole life, it is as though we were destined to be together. I don’t just want this.” His dark eyes skimmed her face. She looked at him and frowned.
He grinned. “I mean obviously I want this, but I want it for always. I want you for always. Will you join with me and be mine forever. Join in the way of our ancestors?” He released her fingers, turned and picked up the Deragan Sword from beside him. It glinted in the firelight as he held it in both hands offering it to her; he wanted to do this properly. He didn’t know why or even how he knew the way of the ancestors, but every sense in his being was telling him this is the way it had to be done. He could not just take her, she was too special, she meant too much, she meant life itself.
She felt her heart tremble. “Yes, yes of course I will,” she whispered excitedly. She wanted him too, she had always wanted him. From the moment she saw the stranger in the market place, she knew he was her soul mate and that one day they would be joined. She could not deny her feelings for him any longer, knowing without any doubt that this was her destiny, he was her destiny.
“I wish for nothing more than to be with you for eternity.” She held out her hand. Kainan lifted the Deragan Sword standing it upright between them.
“You are sure and are totally and without any doubt, willing?” Nodding, her hand edged to the middle of his chest.
“Without a doubt, from the first moment I saw you
Kainan in the market at Malgar I knew you were the one. I know now that I followed you because my heart could not bear to be apart from you.”
“And when we return to Malgar we shall bond properly as man and wife.” Kainan insisted. Her eyes shone with happiness as she nodded her agreement. Reaching her hand forward she placed it onto the Deragan Sword, her fingers entwining with his.
“Arweyn I really don’t understand how I know what to do, or why I even feel that it has to be done this way, but the feeling is so strong that I know that it is right. Does that make any sense?” he questioned, looking longingly into her beautiful hazel eyes.
“Kainan I know exactly what you mean,” she took a breath. “I feel the same, I know what is to be done,” she smiled back at him. “But I don’t know how I know this.” Kainan leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the top of her head; her breasts rose and fell sharply with the anticipation.
“Then it must be the right thing for us to do.” He breathed deep, sitting back on his heels. “Are you ready?” She nodded; Kainan’s fingers squeezed hers gently, reassuringly. Together they held the Deragan sword; they both took a deep breath and instinctively both knowing the words they began their oath.
“Together we bind our love.
Together we declare everlasting love, honour and trust.
Rejecting all other souls and lovers
In this life and all lives that may follow.
We give our souls and our lives freely to each other for now
and for always.”
Arweyn released the Deragan Sword and held out the palm of her right hand. Kainan reached deep into the hilt of Deragan Sword and a flicker of magical light emanated from it as he pulled out a hidden dagger. Engraved on the handle was a dragon entwined with a unicorn. In one swift movement Kainan raised the dagger and with the tip he cut the palm of her hand, she felt no pain, but gasped as only intense pleasure flooded her body. Reaching forward she took the dagger from Kainan, he held out his hand as she too cut his palm. Kainan shuddered as the feeling of pleasure consumed him too. She handed Kainan back the dagger with both their blood glistening off the metal. As he replaced it back into the hilt of the Deragan Sword a bolt of light spread through the entire sword as it clicked back into place. They then held the Deragan Sword together in their left hands and placing their blooded palms of their right hands together they began to chant.
Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan Page 40