A Dark Guardian

by Grant, Donna

  They had much to do before nightfall, and she doubted if all of it would be accomplished. The kitchen was alive with women cooking while men gathered what they could and began stacking it in the great hall to be moved down once the dungeons were clean.

  She had no idea how long she had been hunched over cleaning, and when someone came to offer her water she gladly accepted it. But when she tried to rise she cried out from the pain in her back.

  Immediately strong hands came around her. She looked up to find Hugh holding her.

  “Drink,” he ordered.

  When she had drunk her full and replaced the ladle, Hugh straightened her into a standing position.

  “You should take more breaks.”

  “There isn’t time for that,” she said.

  He stared at her a moment. “Take more breaks,” he said and walked off.

  She watched as he went to stand with some other men who were carrying up the bundles of old rushes. It amazed her at how he helped them.

  A movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. She turned to find Theresa at the top of the dungeon stairs looking down at everyone. She wasn’t surprised to find her sister as far away from work as possible.

  She bent down to pick up more rushes and glanced around for Bernard. Sure enough, he stood with some other men cleaning. Her brother had made a drastic turn-around. Too bad Theresa couldn’t do the same.

  Sweat poured down Mina’s face and her hair clung to her face and neck and rolled between her breasts making it itch. She promised herself a nice long bath once the dungeons were clean. That bath might not be until tomorrow, but she would have one.

  “Hello, milady,” an older woman said as she came to work beside Mina.

  “Hello,” Mina said and offered her a smile.

  The woman smiled in return. “’Tis good to see you smiling, milady. For many years we all despaired of ever seeing the light in your beautiful eyes again.” Mina sat in stunned silence as the woman worked. Had it also been a lie when she had been told that no one in the castle wanted to have anything to do with her? That no one would be her lady’s maid? Since it had been Theresa that had told her, Mina seriously doubted if any of it had been true.

  Anger began to well inside her because she would never know the answers. She had always thought her parents good, kind people, but now she didn’t know anymore.

  Suddenly, the dungeon walls began to close in on her. She could barely catch a breath as her world began to spin around her.

  From a distance, she heard someone call her name, but all she could think of was the lies she had believed. She grabbed hold of the wall and not even the sticky damp stone could snap her out of her anger.

  She ran for the stairs and fell as she started up them. Theresa’s mocking laughter only spurred her anger more. She slowly rose to her feet and faced her sister.

  “What’s the matter,” Theresa taunted. “No one to help you? ‘Tis no wonder looking the way you do.”

  Mina pushed past her and ran for the castle doors. She needed some air. Once she was in the bailey, all she could think about was the ruins. She needed their warmth and compassion, but someone blocked her way.

  “Move, Gabriel,” she said.

  “Nay.”

  Tears welled up in her eyes, but she refused to allow him to see them. “I need to go to the ruins.”

  “It isn’t safe, Mina, and you know it.”

  “Mina,” Bernard called out as he reached her. “Are you all right?” She turned away from her brother. “I’m fine,” she said and hurriedly wiped the tears away. When she raised her face it was to find Hugh staring at her.

  “What happened?” Hugh asked.

  “Nothing,” she lied. “I’m just tired, and I needed some air. The dungeon is very hot.”

  Before they could question her more, she turned and retraced her steps back to the dungeon. She would cry later, but her village needed her, and she would finish what she started.

  Hugh watched her departing back. “What did she want?” he asked Gabriel.

  “She wanted to go to the ruins.”

  Bernard sighed. “She only wants to go there when she is upset.” Hugh waited for Cole to join them. “What happened between Theresa and Mina?”

  “The usual,” he said. “Theresa taunted her and Mina ignored her. Nothing different.”

  “Something happened in the dungeon,” Hugh said. “She looked ready to faint one moment, then the next she was racing up the stairs.”

  “Was it something you said to her?” Bernard asked. “I saw you talking to her while she took a drink of water.”

  Hugh shook his head. “I only told her to take more breaks.” Bernard shrugged. “I’ll keep an eye on her while we are down there.” Hugh nodded and followed him back to the dungeon. He wanted to know what had happened, but if he pressed any harder Bernard would begin to wonder why he was interested.

  [_Why are you interested? _]

  __

  [_Because I can’t stand to see anyone upset. _]

  __

  [_If that’s not a lie, I’m a donkey’s hairy arse. _]

  __

  It had been a long time since he hadn’t been truthful with himself. So, why was he so concerned?

  I made love to her.

  __

  Another lie. He groaned silently. God help him, but he was in way over his head.

  * * *

  Finally, it was done. Mina helped place the last bag of belongings in the dungeon as families gathered into the open cells. She stretched her back and walked up the stairs.

  One look out the window showed her she had time for a bath before she would need to return to the dungeon for the night.

  She retrieved a clean gown from her chamber and hurried to the bathing chamber.

  Fortunately, it was empty. She stripped and climbed into the hot water.

  A sigh escaped her as she lowered herself into the water and submerged. She rose and wiped the water from her face. Without pause she picked up the soap and began to scrub the grime and sweat from her body. She washed her body twice and her hair three times.

  She was just about to leave the tub when Hugh walked into the chamber. He stopped in mid-step, water dripping from his hair and down his shirtless chest. He must have gone for a swim in the stream before coming here.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “I didn’t realize you were in here,” he said.

  She smiled. “I was just about to leave.” Although she knew he didn’t want to have anything more to do with her she couldn’t stop the desire from throbbing in her body.

  “It must be Fate that we continue to meet here.”

  “I should go,” he said.

  She rose from the water. “Stay.”

  Hugh knew he was a fool. But knowing it didn’t make it easier to bear. He dropped his boots and shirt and in two steps had reached the tub. He grabbed hold of Mina and lifted her from the water.

  Her legs wrapped around him as he sat her on a table beneath the window. He leaned back and looked into her blue-green eyes. “No matter how hard I try, I cannot stay away from you.”

  His body hungered for her gentle touch and her sweet mouth. He jerked her against his chest and leaned down to devour her mouth. He swept his tongue inside and explored every nuance of her mouth.

  A surge of pure desire rushed through him as she sighed into his mouth. His hands moved toward her buttocks and squeezed. She moaned and broke the kiss.

  “Hugh,” she said as she kissed his neck.

  Ripples of pleasure raced across his skin. It had been so long since he had allowed himself to bed a woman. But it wasn’t just any woman in his arms. This woman gentled him in his most volatile moments, and she didn’t even know it.

  He leaned his head back and closed his eyes as her hands roamed over his chest.

  His stomach quivered in anticipation when her fingers slid into the wais
t of his trousers.

  But it was her hot mouth on his chest that was nearly his undoing.

  With a flick of his wrist he unlaced his trousers and quickly shed them. Her welcoming smile only intensified his desire. He moved between her legs and felt the wetness against his rod. She was ready for him.

  He moved his hands to either side of her head until he cupped her cheeks. He leaned down and tasted her mouth wanting to go slow and gentle, but her hands reached down and wrapped around his rod. He moaned and whispered her name as she slid him into her.

  A hunger like he had never known consumed him once her flesh surrounded him.

  He wrapped his arms around her and thrust into her tight, hot sheath.

  “I need you,” she whispered into his ear.

  He leaned back, wanting to look into her eyes. “You have me.” Her smile was bittersweet, but he didn’t allow that for long. He held onto her with one arm while his other hand came around to cup her breast.

  Mina held onto him as if her life depended on it. The desire began to throb and grow with each of Hugh’s thrusts. He thrust long and slow, then quick and short, but with every movement her body climbed higher and higher. She squeezed her legs tight around his waist to bring him closer to her. He was never close enough for her way of thinking.

  His fingers skimmed over her nipples, wringing a cry of pleasure from deep inside her. Her breasts were full and heavy as they eagerly awaited his touch. Each roll of her nipples between his fingers ignited her already heated sex until she was mindless with need.

  But when he raised his hand to his mouth and licked his finger before moving between their bodies to touch her clit, she nearly climaxed right then. He must have sensed it, because he stilled and held her tightly. After a few moments, his thumb found her swollen clit and moved back and forth across it as he thrust inside of her.

  Her hands gripped his shoulders, ready to reach the pinnacle, when he removed his hand and pulled her tight against him. His thrusts became slower, longer as his hands roamed over her back to her hips and across her buttocks. Mina’s mouth had found Hugh’s neck and placed kisses on his flesh as his hands roamed over her bottom. When his finger dipped between her plump cheeks, she jerked.

  “Trust me,” he whispered.

  Mina knew he would never hurt her, that he had only brought her pleasure, so she gave in the delicious feel of his hands on her. And even when his finger touched the tight blossom and his thrust quickened, she relaxed her body and reveled in the sensations of his finger as he entered her. Her head fell back as the release came hard and intense.

  She didn’t complain when his lips silenced her moans as he thrust into her then held on tightly as his climax engulfed him. She buried her head in his neck and sighed.

  “Hugh,” Cole said as he walked around the corner into the bathing chamber.

  She instinctively hid her head, but she knew Cole could see her legs.

  “What?” Hugh snapped.

  “Ah,” Cole stammered. “Nothing. It can wait.” When they were alone she smiled up at Hugh.

  “You really need to put a lock on that door.” She laughed and kissed his chin. “I’ll speak to Bernard about it.” The smile left his face as he pulled out of her body. She longed to call him back, but she knew he had distanced himself from her.

  For the moment.

  She watched as he gripped the wooden tub and wondered what thoughts were in his mind. But she was likely to never know. She moved to get off the table, and in an instant, he was there to help her.

  His closeness was her undoing. She reached up and touched his sculpted chest, his heat scalding her. Her gaze rose until she stared into his dark brown eyes. “Don’t tell me you regret this.”

  “That’s the problem.” Sadness radiated from him. “I’ve enjoyed it too much.” She smoothed the frown from his forehead. “If this is your expression for enjoyment I would hate to see the one where you are sad.” He grabbed her hands and stepped back from her. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Then don’t push me away.”

  “We have so little time.”

  “Exactly,” she said and stepped toward him to touch him. “Don’t throw away what little time we have together.”

  When his hand came up to cup her cheek, she laid her head against his palm and closed her eyes. It was then she realized what could help ease his mind. She had to prove she was innocent by finding the blue stone and giving it to him. And she had an idea of just where to look.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Hugh’s thoughts were constantly of Mina. Even now as they were about to lock everyone in the dungeon, all he could think of was their time together in the bathing chamber.

  Dusk had fallen rapidly and the hall was filled with the sounds of cries from the children and the worried voices of their parents. Hugh hoped and prayed that the dungeon would keep the villagers safe.

  He and his men, along with a few of Bernard’s knights, were stationed in the castle to make sure the creature didn’t find the villagers.

  “Everyone is inside,” Bernard said as he walked up. “I’ve checked the castle twice.”

  Hugh nodded. “Good. We’ll see you in the morn then.”

  “I’d rather be out here with you,” Bernard argued.

  “The people need their baron. Keep your family and your villagers safe.” Bernard nodded sullenly and walked into the dungeon. Hugh nodded for Gabriel to lock the doors. It was a chance they were taking, but Hugh didn’t want to risk anyone trying to leave the dungeon.

  He walked to Cole and Gabriel. “Is she inside?”

  “Aye,” Cole said. “I watched her enter myself.” Hugh sighed. At least Mina was safe for the night. The scream of the creature let them know the long night had begun.

  “Take your places,” Hugh bellowed as he ran to his spot behind the tapestry beyond the dais. It gave him the perfect view of the front of the castle and the stairway to the dungeon.

  “Here it comes,” someone yelled from above.

  Hugh braced himself for what was to come. He readied his crossbow and fingered the dagger at his waist. He might not be able to kill the creature with his weapons, but he could slow it down.

  The flap of the giant wings could be heard as thunder rumbled in the distance.

  Lightening flashed, lighting the outside for a brief moment, enough that he was able to glimpse the creature flying toward the front of the castle.

  His heart raced with anticipation as his eyes focused on the door. He could just make out sounds above the thunder, but surely it couldn’t be the creature.

  The castle doors slowly opened and the creature stepped into the hall. Hugh blinked and rubbed his eyes to make sure he was seeing correctly. The creature’s red eyes looked around the great hall. Its hands clenched briefly before stretching its long talons.

  It walked toward the stairway that led to the dungeon. Hugh’s gut tightened in fear. But just as he was about to stand and get the creature’s attention, the creature turned and walked away from the stairway.

  “What the hell just happened?”

  Hugh glared at Cole. “What are you doing out of your spot?”

  “I was on my way to distract the creature when it stopped. What made it turn away from the stairway?”

  “I’m not sure,” Hugh admitted. “I think it doesn’t want to chance harming whoever is controlling it.”

  Cole snorted. “That’s the whole damn village.” Hugh held up his hand to quiet Cole as the creature turned toward them. Its long tail swished behind him, and its claws clicked on the stone floor as it slowly made its way to them.

  Then, just as suddenly as it had flown in, the creature screamed and flew out of the castle. Hugh and Cole came out from behind the tapestry.

  “That was close,” Cole said.

  “Very,” Hugh agreed.

  They raced up the stairs toward Gabriel. “It is flying away,” he said as they neared.
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  “Where?” Hugh asked.

  “Northwest.”

  “The forest,” all three men said in unison.

  “We’ll head out there tomorrow,” Hugh said as they walked back to the hall.

  “Unlock the dungeon, but we need to keep watch to make sure the creature doesn’t return.”

  The quiet hall vanished as the sounds of the villagers once again filled it. Hugh stood back and watched Mina and Bernard as they helped their people. Theresa sat on the dais with her arms crossed over her chest.