He stopped in the passageway and reached into the pouch at his waist. The ring glittered. Mayhap he was not whole, would never be whole again, but the sapphire reminded him of Melinda, so he slipped it on his finger. For the first time since his injuries, the ring slid over the crooked finger on his left hand.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Melinda and her sister spent the rest of the afternoon and evening talking. She and James were in separate chambers. ’Twas the first night he’d slept apart from her since she’d been sick. He was finding it difficult to be away from her.
The next morning, Renly met James in the bailey. The men were uneasy.
“There are riders in the distance.”
“Tell the men to be ready. I will talk with Lord Blackford, but if he will not listen, I will end him.”
His captain looked unsure. “Mistress Melinda will be angry if you kill her sister’s husband.”
“Perhaps you are right, though the man may not give me a choice.” What else could James say?
He was still thinking on how to stop William from drawing his sword when Lord Blackford himself rode into the bailey. James watched as William dismounted, counting the number of knights. It would be a fair fight.
He knew the moment William recognized him. The man’s face transformed into a look James had seen many times.
“The Red Knight dares send a spy to infiltrate my household?” William roared. “Know you this: the man’s blood is on your hands.”
James shook his head at Renly and the men, standing there ready for the blow as William stalked over to him.
James heard the sound of Melinda and Lucy’s voices. ’Twas the last thing he heard. He returned the blow with one of his own. James admitted that William was a fierce fighter. He took a blow to the side that sent him to his knees. He reached out, grabbed William’s foot, and pulled him to the ground. As they rolled across the lists, William gained his feet, unsheathing his sword.
James unsheathed both swords. The clang of steel filled the air. James and Williams spluttered and cursed as a bucket of icy-cold water landed on their heads.
“Bloody hell, woman,” William roared at his wife.
“You two are acting like schoolboys, fighting over some stupid toy.” Lady Blackford stood with her hands on her hips. James wanted to smile but knew ’twas a bad idea. He only had to look at the two women to tell they were kin.
“You wouldn’t listen,” Lucy said sweetly.
Melinda put a hand on James’ arm. “Talk to him. For my sake.”
James bared his teeth. Melinda’s tear-filled eyes undid him. He sheathed the blades.
William snarled at James, “’Tis only for my lady, whoreson. It seems we must talk or incur the wrath of our warrior women. Why are you here, Lord Falconburg?”
“Melinda Merriweather showed up alone, on my lands with no escort.” James left the rest unsaid.
Understanding crossed William’s face.
“Did you believe her?”
“Not until we arrived here and she found her sister.” James looked in the direction of the two women. Both stood there watching them.
William spat blood and sat on a low bench tucked into the corner of the wall. He gestured for James to join him.
As James sat down, a raven landed on the wall above his head. Melinda let out a soft gasp. James looked at her, concerned.
“Is aught amiss, lady?”
“Ravens make me nervous.”
“Me too,” Lady Blackford said.
The bird cocked its head, as if the creature were listening to them. Then the bloody raven cawed and flew away. Both sisters let out a sigh of relief.
“I was captured by the masked outlaw of the wood.”
“And that is what led you here?”
“No, we were already on our way here to see if Lady Blackford was indeed Melinda’s sister. On the way, we encountered trouble.” James paused, looked to Melinda, saw the look of hope on her face, and turned back to William.
“I heard a tale while I was there. About my family’s massacre. Seems we have much to talk about.”
William didn’t say anything, simply nodded and waited for James to continue. As James watched Melinda and Lucy go inside the hall, he swore.
“I’d rather meet you in the lists again.” James sighed. “Seems I needs beg your pardon.”
The sound of thunder filled the air. William looked up. “Join me by the fire for a drink?”
“Aye.”
William looked over his shoulder.
“I should add another scar to your pretty face.”
Just when James thought they had reached an accord, William brought up his disfigurement. He swung, catching William under the chin. Neither man reached for a blade. They used fists, taking out all the anger and hatred they had felt toward each other over the years.
It started to rain. Thunder and lightning filling the sky. And neither man would yield. They hurled insults back and forth. James dealt William a vicious blow to the face. William cursed and unsheathed his sword. James and William fought on through the morning. The garrison knights gathered to watch, calling out advice and hurling insults.
“You fight like a girl, William.”
“Mayhap I should cut out your tongue, Jamie boy.”
They fought on, neither man willing to concede, both exchanging slurs and blows as the morning gave way to afternoon, then to evening before William said enough. James, drenched in sweat, leaned over, hands on thighs, his bad leg shaking, to catch his breath.
William wiped sweat from his brow.
James walked off the field, then Melinda screamed.
“Look out!”
He turned his head, and that one moment cost him. The knight’s sword came down. James heard the sound of the sword striking metal, felt warmth across his hand. With his right hand, he thrust upward with the sword, skewering the man.
William cursed. “My apologies. He was one of Clement’s friends. I took him in when he had nowhere else to go.”
Melinda ran to him. “Your hands.”
Lady Blackford handed Melinda a cloth. “A storm is coming. We need to go in. I’m so sorry, Mellie.”
“Not your fault, sis.”
“I’ll have hot water and clean rags ready when you come in. Hurry. I don’t like the look of the sky.”
James and William spoke to the men. The knights went to the garrison to take shelter, and William followed Lucy inside. Melinda took the cloth and wiped the blood off his hand.
His ring slid off into her palm. Thunder crashed, making her jump.
“We should go inside, love.”
It was as if she didn’t hear him. She wiped the blood off his ring and looked at him, her green eyes glowing in the twilight.
“I’ve seen this ring before.”
“Aye. ’Tis my family ring.”
She shook her head. “No. In the future. I found it in the rubble of Falconburg.”
The air shifted. Melinda’s hair stood out from her head. The wind started to howl and thunder boomed across the sky, shaking the ground. Lightning flashed so close to Melinda, James smelled something burning.
“We must go. Now.”
Melinda screamed.
Chapter Thirty-Five
There was no way James had been wearing the ring. She would have noticed it immediately. It was the same ring she’d found in the ruins at Falconburg Castle. Was it possible? Did the ring bring her back? Because when she arrived in the past, it was gone. And now here it was. When did James start wearing it? It was incredibly important she know the answer.
Melinda felt itchy all over. She could hear voices again. Rainbow-colored flashes of light obscured her vision.
And she knew. In this moment she was faced with a choice: stay here in the past with James and Lucy or go back to her own time and her sister Charlotte.
Where was her future? James had kissed her many times, but hadn’t said those three little important words. Such small words.
Eight letters in all.
Yet they meant more than an ocean of words. If she stayed she’d be saying goodbye to Charlotte forever, leaving her sister alone. Melinda loved James. With all her heart. If he didn’t love her and she stayed…
She would have Lucy, but would it be enough to balance the loss she would feel every time she saw a man with dark hair? If she went back…she would have Charlotte but lose James and Lucy.
The voices were louder, insistent. Melinda’s lungs seemed to be constricting. It was hard to breathe. She had to make a decision or the voices would make it for her.
Melinda closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and made the only choice she could.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Why was Melinda overcome at the sight of his ring? Before his eyes, she started to fade. Panic rose up in James at the thought of losing her. He could see the castle through her form. The storm raged, and James saw the crimson blood, stark against her pale flesh, as she clasped his ring in her hand, blood dripping onto the ground to be washed away by the pounding rain.
She was disappearing before his eyes. He could not lose her. James reached out with both hands, bellowing to the heavens. “I beseech you, do not take my heart. I will gladly remain a beast forever, if only you let her stay.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Melinda came to. She was in a soft bed in a richly appointed room. It was warm, and the smell of wood smoke and cloves filled the air. A fire crackled in the stone hearth, the mantel carved with flowers and vines. Where was she?
More importantly, when was she? She sat up, putting a hand to her head to stop the spinning.
“Please don’t let me barf.”
When Melinda opened her eyes again, Lucy knelt beside the bed.
“I thought I’d lost you, Mellie.”
“The voices told me the choice was mine.”
Lucy hugged her so tightly, Melinda squeaked.
“Okay, let me go, you’re choking me.”
Both of them had tears streaming down their faces. At least she didn’t have to worry about looking like a raccoon. No makeup, no mess.
“Saints be, what happened?”
Lucy helped Melinda sit up then moved away from the bed. Melinda looked to James. His hand shook, his normally golden skin pale as hers. He fell to his knees, threw his arms around her waist, and rested his head against her chest.
“Do not ever do such a thing again. I thought I lost you to the future.”
She sniffled. He looked wavy through her tears.
“I saw you reach for me through the voices and the lights.”
Melinda glanced up to see Lucy quietly leaving the room.
“I kept you from returning home.”
Melinda pulled him up to look him in the eye. “You are my home. I wanted to stay.”
“You are certain?”
Anger rose within her. She slid off the bed, looking for something to throw. But it was Lucy’s room, and she’d feel bad if she broke anything, so she’d settle for yelling.
“Why would a woman as intelligent, kind, and beautiful as you want the beast of Falconburg?”
Melinda turned and punched him in the stomach. It was like hitting rock. “Ouch, that hurt.”
His head jerked up.
She would try to make him understand. To see the man she saw so clearly. Put it in words he could relate to.
“Why do you hide in shadow and darkness? Come into the light.” Melinda took his face in her hands. “Can’t you see? All your life, you have used your looks as a shield. Something to hide your true self behind. Now that shield has been broken, cast into the dirt. And you must rely on what is inside.”
She pulled him to the bed, sat beside him, taking his hand in hers.
“As your face is your shield, your actions are your sword and the code you live by. Powerful and sharp. We use what we are given in this life. If something is lost, we use the other tools given us. Can’t you see how much others look to you, value you?”
His insecurities had become a crutch. She kicked it out from him.
“I love you. People age, looks fade, and all that remains is what is inside. You are no beast.”
Melinda touched his face, tracing the scars with a finger.
“You see me for who I am. Why can’t you believe I see you for the man you are?” She held her hands up. “Look at me. I have no title, no money, no lands. You should not want me. I would make a poor match.”
A fierce look crossed his face and something flickered in his eyes.
“I would be the most fortunate man in all the realms to have you for my own.”
“So why can’t you believe I feel the same?”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
James discreetly wiped dust from his eyes. The servants should be dismissed for not doing their duties. He did not weep. ’Twas merely something in his eye. Before him stood a great warrior queen. Melinda loved him for the man he was. Not for his looks or gold. She truly did not see his scars. Only the man.
“I will love you the rest of my life. And beyond. Through whatever lies waiting for us after death. Will you be the Lady of Falconburg? Marry me and make me the happiest man in all the realms.”
James pulled her into his arms. As he did, his tunic ripped, the hastily mended garment giving way. He shrugged out of the tunic, turned, and threw it in the fire. Melinda gasped. Doubt crashed down on him.
She walked around him, touching each scar. James stiffened. He knew what his back and chest looked like. A mass of scars. Old white lines crossed with faint pink lines, marred by angry red slashes.
“Do not pull away. You are an amazing warrior and beautiful to me. I do not care how many scars you have. Your skin tells the story of what happened to you on the outside. Others carry their scars on the inside, hidden from everyone but themselves. We all have scars. They make us who we are. I swear I will love you for the rest of my life. And if you will have me, I will marry you, James Rivers.”
He gathered her in his arms. A drop of wetness dripped from his face onto her hand. He didn’t think he’d cried since his family died. With Melinda he was reborn. A new man. His scars no longer held sway over him.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Lucy breezed into the solar, a crochet hook and yarn in her hands. “Where are the men?”
“They’re out in the stables. James said they needed to discuss horses.”
Lucy rolled her eyes. “They’ll be out there all day.”
Melinda couldn’t stop looking at her sister. She was still pretty; it was just startling to see her twenty years older. Melinda kept expecting her to look the same as when she’d disappeared less than a year ago. In time, she’d get used to the change and no longer notice.
“You look good with silver hair.”
Lucy touched her hair and laughed. “And the wrinkles around my eyes?”
“Laugh lines are always beautiful.”
They sat in front of the fire, eating lunch. While Melinda had less than a year of her life to catch Lucy up on, Lucy shared twenty years worth of news. Talk about a lot happening.
“Thank goodness I saw the merchant at the market wearing one of your scarves. Have you been teaching everyone to crochet?”
“I’ve taught a few of the serving girls. Just think, my scarf is what brought you to me. Though you would’ve made your way to Blackford and found me eventually.”
“I’m not sure. The man described you—well, let’s just say he said you were older and had silver hair. I would have thought it was someone else.”
“You were going to call me old. Go ahead and say it.”
“It’s a lot to take in.”
“Who would’ve ever thought we’d be living in a castle?”
“I still can’t believe you have five children. And went through childbirth at home, not in a hospital. And without drugs.”
“At the time I couldn’t believe it either. You should have heard me screaming. But if I were back home, I would
’ve been one of those women other pregnant women hated. All of my pregnancies were easy. I was sick for the first month and that was it. Otherwise I felt great. When I went into labor, the midwife came, I pushed five or six times, and out came baby.”
“Some of those pregnant woman, like that awful Caroline Smith with the fake boobs, would’ve strung you up by your toes.”
Lucy’s eyes filled with tears. “What are we going to do about Charlotte? By now she’s gotten the news you’re missing or presumed dead. She’ll think she’s lost us both, and she doesn’t even have Aunt Pittypat anymore.”
“She knows about the painting. I told her when I found it. We can hide a letter, but if we do, we need to make sure we seal it in wax or something to protect it.”
“I’m so happy you’re here, Mellie. The only thing that would make me happier would be if Charlotte were here too. Could you see her in medieval England?”
“She’d have everyone doing yoga at sunrise, meditating in the afternoon, and giving up meat.”
“I’m not sure she’d survive without her high-powered blender.”
They laughed, and Melinda felt her throat close up. She’d been so lost without her sister, missed her so very much. It was wonderful to be reunited, and yet bittersweet, for now she and Charlotte were separated by an ocean of time. It was hard to let go.
“So…what’s the deal with James?”
Melinda scooted her chair closer to Lucy. She leaned in, and Lucy leaned in too, so close their heads almost touched.
“He’s wonderful. Actually asks what I think. Listens.”
“I always hated that about Carl. It was like he couldn’t see past your looks. What happened to James?”
“He’s enemies with some family named Bolton in the south. He said it happened during a battle. From how awful the scars are, I think they did it on purpose.”
Knight Moves: Merriweather Sisters Time Travel (Merriweather Sisters Time Travel Romance Book 2) Page 15