"The answer is simple." Arwydd spread his hands.
“This is a different kind of magic than before. This magic is masculine only. We go to fight a war. Therefore, you must stay away from the woman."
Stay away from... every fiber of his being rebelled at the thought.
"No." Though he kept his voice low, Kenric's agonized cry came from his very soul. "I tell you, I cannot."
Arwydd frowned, his normally dour expression becoming even more morose. "If you must go to her, then you must not love her with your body. That is the only way."
Astounded, Kenric could only stare. What Arwydd asked would be torture. To hold Megan, to caress her skin, touch her hair, taste her lips, to become fully aroused and then... nothing.
Arwydd pressed his advantage, laying a knarled hand on Kenric's shoulder. "There are other ways you can pleasure her, which is allowed, but you must deny yourself release. This is important. You must win this battle. The entire fate of Rune rests on this."
The rest went unsaid. If he did not do as Arwydd, nay, the magic demanded, he risked not only the fate of Rune, but the fate of the entire world as well.
So he, no stranger to discipline, would have to learn to control his raging desire for Megan. And, in doing so, he would experience the greatest sexual frustration he would ever know.
"It will make you stronger, help to build up power." This time, the knome-like man actually laughed, a dry gurgle of sound that had Kenric wanting, irrationally, to punch him. He found nothing amusing in the situation, nothing at all.
"Fine." He snarled, uncoiling his legs and rising. "I
will do as you say I must. Now, since it is apparent that I am no good to you for the rest of the day, let me take my leave and go in search of Megan. I must tell her of this, to make certain she understands."
This he deemed imperative. God's blood, Megan could tempt a saint if she set her mind to it. He didn't want her turning those feminine wiles on him. What he had to do would be difficult enough without her tempting him further.
Arwydd inclined his head. "Until the morning then."
Kenric bowed stiffly. "Aye. Until the morning." Then he spun on his heel and went in search of the woman that drove him to distraction.
He found her in the gardens, seated on a white marble bench that gave off the glow of freshly created magic. One shining tear rolled down her cheek, making his heart stutter in his chest.
“What is wrong?” he asked, dropping to his knees and gathering her to him. “Sweet Megan, are you hurt?”
"Kenric," she murmured in a broken whisper, burying her head against his chest, "I never want to leave you."
He took a deep breath. He knew she wasn't talking about their brief separation while he trained. She fretted about being forced to return to her own time.
"Leave me?" The thought seemed untenable. "Never. I will not allow it."
Even before he finished speaking, she shook her head, sending her raven hair flying about her face. Her entire body trembled, making him curse under his breath. “You will not be able to stop it. Even Rhiannon is powerless against such magic. I am so afraid that I will close my eyes and wake up in the future.”
“This cannot happen,” he vowed. He breathed in the floral scent of her, closing his eyes against the forbidden desire that rose in him like some untamed beast. He would leash it; he had no choice. Grimly, he wondered at what cost.
"Kenric."
Her broken voice made him pull back, searching her face. "Aye?"
"I don't want to go back to my own time." Lifting her chin, she made her announcement firmly, the hint of defiance making him wonder if she truly believed that he would ever let her go.
"Megan--"
"Wait." Regal as any queen, she held up one hand, "I want to stay here with you, forever. We must find a way to ensure that this is so."
Relief and pride warring within him, Kenric hugged her close. Was it this that had made her cry? The mistaken belief that he would send her packing into the future as soon as the outcome of the battle was assured?
"Of course, my dear." Tenderly, he kissed the top of her head. "All we must do is tell Rhiannon, and she will find a way to make certain that you stay."
"That’s not enough." She pulled away from him, leaving him staring at her back. "I’ve already spoken to Rhiannon. She doesn’t know how to send me back or how to make sure I stay."
Kenric shook his head. As long as he lived, would he ever understand the female mind? "She is a Fae Queen and has much magical knowledge available to her. Already she has people scouring the hall of records, searching for the proper spell. Once it it found, there will be no problem."
She spun on her heel, shocking him with the terror bright in her amber eyes. "But what if she doesn't find it soon enough? I have this feeling, this terrible sense that once it's over, once we have accomplished what I was sent her to do with you, I will have to leave. And no one, not even Rhiannon, will be able to stop it from happening."
Narrowing his eyes, he set his chin. "I will not allow it. Do not worry so. Now come with me." Capturing her small hand, he held it firmly within his. "Let me show you Rune."
Reluctantly she nodded. “What of your training?”
“I have finished for today. On the morrow, I must return. Therefore, let us enjoy this rare time off and spend it together. I would that you were happy.”
Wiping her eyes, she sniffled. “Then I’ll put this worry to the back of my mind. I’m always happy to be with you.”
“Good.” He spent that day showing her a Rune he himself barely remembered. Odd how much of it came back to him; the lush tropical foliage, the fresh scent of rain that seemed always to hover on the air, the wild beasts that knew no fear and so wandered close, lowering their heads willingly to be caressed.
Her eyes grew wider with each new and hauntingly lovely place they visited. "How could you - how could anyone - bear to leave this place?"
“I had another I loved more.”
“In the human world?”
“Yes.” He swallowed. “Despite the bleakness of its name, Blackstone Keep lay in the midst of fertile fields of rolling green. There, a sparkling stream rushes over rocks as black and as shiny as some undiscovered gem. The air contains more of a bite than this, to be true, and the days were more often misty than bright, but to me the place was every bit as beautiful - and more of a home - than this one.”
She smiled up at him. “I see.”
But it was his home no longer, thanks to the evil invaders who had destroyed everything he held dear. He would have to make a new home, some place else. With Megan. The thought brought him such happiness that he impulsively kissed her neck.
Exploring Rune together, the day passed quickly. Before he knew it, night had fallen and it was time to return to the palace.
The evening meal was eaten in a small room off the dining hall, with only Rhiannon and her grim-faced council of three. Despite having Megan at his side, Kenric earlier lightheartedness had passed. He felt edgy, on guard. Worry gnawed at his mind. This battle troubled him because it was not a normal battle.
Of his skill as a swordsmen, he had no doubt. So far he had yet to meet the man who could best him. But of late, each time he fought with the sword, he had found himself battling his magic. Always, it had threatened to overwhelm him, to turn him into the kind of mindless killing machine some called a berserker. Such a thing would be his worst nightmare.
Thus he had known he would lay down his sword and take up a plow. He would be done with killing and magic both. He wanted to become a simple farmer, raising crops and children.
In the blink of an eye, all that had changed.
Now this final task had presented itself, this task that had made him learn to use the one thing he feared above all others. Magic.
Magic. Ethereal as the wind. He could not fight that which he could not see or sense. Yet he must. According to his sister and her solemn council, the fate of the entire world hung in the balan
ce.
He did not want this. All he wanted was to be left alone with Megan.
His stomach clenched. He wanted Megan by his side for the rest of their lives. Yet, by her own admission, and that of his half-sister, she did not belong here. Not in this place nor this time. What if her fear was true, if after the battle had been won she would be returned to her own place and time? He didn’t know how he would survive. And, without the knowledge of how to stop it from happening, he would be helpless to fight against it.
God's teeth, if it happened while he was fully occupied by the great battle, he most likely would not even realize it until it was too late. Until she was gone.
Gone.
He shook his head. He could not imagine such a thing. Without Megan at his side, life would feel like a giant whirlwind had sucked all the color from the world, leaving it in muted shades of gray.
Glancing at the petite woman seated at his side, he reached out and took her hand.
"I will let nothing take you from me." Kenric swore, hoping he would be able to keep this vow. "Nothing."
"How can you stop it?" Fear flashed into her velvety eyes.
"If somehow you are sent back to the time and place from which you came, I will find a way to follow you." He looked deep within her eyes, to make certain she understood the seriousness of his vow. "I swear this on my honor."
With a slight smile, she relaxed and squeezed his arm. "Love is a powerful magic." She reminded him, her voice steady, her beautiful golden eyes serene. "Surely, we won’t be parted."
He kissed her then, unable to help it. "God's teeth, how I need you."
She leaned into his side, moving suggestively. "Tonight." Her voice was a throaty whisper. "You can show me tonight."
Instantly, his blood ran hot, like flames raced through his veins. Ah, in the midst of all this, he had somehow forgotten that he could not let himself make love to her. He could not slake this fierce desire. He could hold her, pleasure her with his mouth and his hands, but must forsake his own pleasure.
Torture. He sighed, closing his eyes and battling his
desire. Aye, it might be torture, but it was necessary.
When the shadows grew long and Megan smiled sweetly up at him, hinting that they should go to her room and retire, he reached for more wine instead.
"That is your fifth glass." She protested, her lovely eyebrows arched. "You will be asleep before we even have time to--"
Gulping the wine in one swallow, Kenric forced a smile. If only she knew. Though he attempted to dull his senses with the potent alcohol, still the need burned strong in him. He only had to look at her to want her. Touching her would be impossible.
Again he reached for more wine.
Her frown deepened.
He sighed, not wishing to explain with all the others watching. Arwydd in particular wore his inside knowledge with a smug sort of despondency.
Leaning close to Megan, he whispered, "I will explain in the privacy of our room."
She gave a jerky nod, reaching for the wine carafe herself. While she sipped hers, he drank two more glasses in rapid succession, the hurt on her heart-shaped face beginning to finally blur.
It struck him that she thought he didn't want her. If
only she knew. He wanted her too much. It would be the greatest test of his willpower that he had ever faced, holding her but not loving her with his body.
Again he reached for the wine. This time, Rhiannon's hand forestalled him. "Enough. Both of you."
The room went silent. The entire council watched.
Arwydd cleared his throat. "He will go with her to their sleeping chambers. I have agreed to allow this."
The council erupted, all talking at once.
Kenric waited, finally standing and pounding his fist on the table. "Silence." he roared.
Rhiannon smiled her approval. And Megan - he dared not look at her just yet. How he wished he could have told her in private, before this, when he must announce his self-imposed celibacy. And all for the very thing he'd once sworn he'd have no part of, the very thing that might save them now. Magic.
When he had their full attention, Kenric cleared his throat. To his shock, Megan slid her small hand underneath his, giving him her quiet support. He felt pleasure at her touch, pleasure and a warmth that had once seemed unfamiliar, but he now recognized as the depth of his feelings for her. In addition to being his lover, she was a true friend, perhaps the truest he'd ever known.
Keeping his face expressionless, he looked around the table at each one in turn. "I am aware of the limitations of my power."
"It is forbidden." Drystan intoned mournfully.
"I wish to remain with my soul mate." Now he let his gaze touch on Megan, tightening his hand on hers as he saw the love and support in her amber eyes. "Yet because of the battle to come, I will remain celibate."
He felt rather than saw Megan stiffen beside him.
"How is this possible?" Vychan the unbeliever, crossed his arms and glared at them.
To Kenric's surprise, Arwydd came to his support. "With a warrior such as he, used to discipline, it will be possible. Difficult, yes, especially since they are soul mates. But Kenric is strong. He knows the magic will leave him if he does not remain celibate."
Touched by the elderly Faerie's faith in him, Kenric inclined his head. "It is so."
"The fate of our people - and that of humankind too - rests on this battle." Vychan reminded them. "Do you really want to chance it?"
Lord Brighton, who had been allowed to sit in on this council meeting by virtue of his connection with Edmyg, stood. He addressed the entire room, careful to keep his gaze fixed on Kenric. "There is no need for him to chance anything. I would have the woman. I can keep her well satisfied."
Megan gasped at the insult. Kenric went still, one hand going to the hilt of his sword. Other men had died for lesser slurs than this.
Apparently unconcerned, Lord Brighton marked the gesture with a wary smile. "Wait before you run me through. At least let me have my say."
Glaring at him, Kenric tamped down his fury. "There is nothing to hear. She is mine."
No one spoke. All the faeries, Rhiannon included, watched to see what Lord Brighton would do.
"I have land." Lord Brighton said, his voice casual. "As you have seen. Miles and miles of fertile, untouched soil."
Kenric inclined his head in a stiff nod. "So you do."
"Though you are not her father, nor her guardian, I would give you much land in exchange for her. As a bride price."
Land. Kenric smiled grimly. Once his hearts only desire, the offer no longer tempted him. What good would the land be, without Megan to live beside him?
Worthless. He would have land of his own someday, but not like this.
He saw Rhiannon's gaze sharpen. She knew how badly he yearned to build his own keep. But the truth of it was that he yearned for Megan more.
Laying his sword hand on the top of Megan's head, Kenric stared at the pompous Lord Brighton. "Megan is not for sale, nor is she unpromised. She is to be my bride."
"What of this Lord Roger you mentioned before? Her betrothed?" The other man's smug tone further infuriated Kenric, but he would not waste his valuable energy punishing one as harmless and foolish as he. Lord Brighton, though tall and broad, had the soft body of a man of leisure. Kenric doubted he even knew how to defend himself, never mind using a sword.
"Lord Roger is no longer an issue."
"Ah, you have found him then?"
"Megan and I have settled this between us." Kenric held up his hand. "Speak of this no more. Megan is the other half of my soul. As such we cannot be parted."
Slowly the other man's smile faded. "This cannot be. It is because of her that I was able to escape the spell that kept me trapped in my keep. I love her."
"Nay." Rhiannon stood, making a queenly gesture of dismissal, "You only think that you do. Your own soul half waits for you, if you will but search for her."
"Fool
s." With a disgusted growl of protest, Lord Brighton stomped out of the room.
Kenric squeezed Megan's shoulder. "Thank you." Megan told him, her voice soft, her eyes luminous.
He thought about kissing her then, Lord Brighton and the council be damned, but he had this other thing to settle. The issue of him and Megan being together at night.
So he waited until the room had quieted, fixing each faerie there with his gaze.
"We cannot be parted," he repeated deliberately,
knowing they all listened and watched. "Even at night."
Rhiannon nodded her agreement. Arwydd and Vychan immediately resumed their argument. Again Kenric waited, while the talk eddied and flowed in murmurs around him. Through it all, Megan kept her hand firmly in his, though he sensed the questions that she longed to ask.
Finally it was Rhiannon who cut to the heart of things. "What choice do we have? They are soul halves, after all. If my brother wishes to do this, how can we deny him?"
Smiling grimly, Kenric settled a look upon his face that dared any of them to try.
It was Drystan the sorrowful who led them off into an intense discussion on the merits of temptation and how it could strengthen the will.
Kenric watched with amusement as, the original issue forgotten yet again, they clustered around Drystan, arguing fiercely.
Tugging gently on his hand, Megan stood, her ripe lips curving in amusement. "Shall we go?" She murmured.
Though he knew she had not meant the husky suggestion to sound, well, suggestive, still his body responded instantly. He groaned. It would be a very long night indeed.
Kenric growled his answer and, tugging her along beside him, made his way towards her room.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Megan had never heard of anything so preposterous. Not make love? What possible difference could that make? Maybe it was something like the restrictions placed on athletes. She'd heard they had to restrain themselves, though it seemed to her that they seldom bothered.
How would anyone know? Eying Kenric's broad shoulders and muscular arms, she knew she wasn't disciplined enough to lay beside him and not want to love him.
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