Micah longed to crawl in bed with her and hold her close. He wanted to wrap himself around her and make her terrorized mind understand she was safe. He wanted to kiss her and soothe her awful fear. But most of all, Micah wanted to hear Kate speak his name again, he wanted to hear her sweet laughter and see her gray eyes spark with happiness. He wanted his chérie automne back.
Chapter Eight
A thick blanket of fog wrapped around her mind and obscured her vision. At first, Kate welcomed it because it kept her safe, she could not see her terrible prison, and she did not feel MacLeary’s torture.
Sometimes, her vision would clear just enough to catch a glimpse of a man who was not her captor.
Micah…
Then pain would again cut through Kate’s skull, making her want to scream. The fog would then return, keeping her safe from the agony.
But with Micah she was safe. She had felt his strong arms around her, holding her tenderly. Twice now, he freed her from her prison…hadn’t he? There had been brief instances when the fog cleared slightly, when she heard his deep voice and felt his gentle touch. But Kate could never push it back long enough to know for certain. Deep within, she was terrified if she succeeded, she would discover herself back in the black tomb. Yet her heart screamed that Micah had kept his promise. She was once again at home, warm and dry, with her friends and family around her.
Pain blazed through Kate’s skull, blinding strong. No, her family was dead, murdered by MacLeary. His maniacal laughter resounded in her head. Fear clawed, driving her deeper into the fog. Kate tried to find the sweet peace that sleep brought her.
But MacLeary kept laughing…
“Ma chérie?” Micah called, his voice faint and distant. He held her hand, and his fingers brushed through her hair with wonderful gentleness.
Yet Micah’s actions did not silence MacLeary’s laughter. Why didn’t the fog keep her safe from this? Why did her head hurt so terribly? Kate wanted to scream. She wanted to get out.
A new terror threatened to possess her. Kate had thought the fog a haven, a peaceful place to find refuge. She failed to push it away. The fog trapped her just as effectively as that black prison. It closed in on her, threatening to crush her.
She had to escape.
***
Micah lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling. He had slept little the past two days. Most of the time he spent with Kate, talking to her, but she had not roused from her stupor. The priest had arrived from Byland but instead of performing a wedding, he now said prayers for Kate’s soul. The priest believed Kate damned by an evil curse.
Micah had never been one to give much credence to superstitions. God and Lucifer stayed in the realms of the church. Now fear and superstition surrounded him. Should he simply ignore it?
Dawn’s light brightened the room and Micah needed to rise. He did not wish to get up. Guilt nagged at him. Micah spent as much time as he could with Kate since he was the only one she would acknowledge but it nearly tore him to shreds to see her state. She had said she wanted to marry him but he couldn’t even protect her. Appleby should have been hers alone. Kate shouldn’t be forced into a marriage to keep her home. He shivered and hauled himself out of bed.
Micah dressed and stopped by Kate’s room to check with Marjorie but there was still no change. With a heavy heart, he went downstairs, his thoughts still tangled. John and Hubert sat alone at the table, breaking their fast.
“Good morrow, Micah,” John said and handed him some bread and cheese.
“Aye,” Micah said tightly.
Hubert studied him for a moment. “The lady’s condition—”
“Is the same,” Micah snapped then rubbed his eyes. “Blast, Hubert, just ignore me.”
Hubert’s lips twitched. “If you insist.”
Micah felt his sour mood ease slightly.
“Something else troubles you,” John said.
“You know me too well, my friend.” Micah paused and thought for a moment. “Hubert’s questions about Henry’s charter and Kate’s inheritance have made me think. I still can’t help but wonder why Henry promised Westmoreland Barony to me rather than return my inheritance.”
“Didn’t you talk to Henry about this before? I seem to remember something about him wanting you to have a new start away from Normandy. Your cousin, Simon, has the same rebellious tendencies as his father.”
“Aye,” Micah replied, chewing on a piece of bread. “But I find myself questioning Henry yet again. I can understand his desire of not wanting the Scots to control Appleby.”
Hubert nodded. “That is simple military strategy.”
“But,” Micah said. “MacLeary held the keep, and Kate prisoner, for a year. Surely, Henry would have heard rumor of the situation when it began.”
John arched an eyebrow. “Henry should have sent you the moment Appleby fell under siege.”
“Exactly,” Micah said. “Although I never knew him personally, Baron Liulf had a good reputation of being a fine knight and a sound strategist.”
“He was,” Hubert said. “When MacLeary attacked, Liulf held strong and begged for reinforcements from the king and other barons. He never received it.”
Micah scowled. “So why did we hear nothing of this from Henry and why did he wait a year after the castle fell to send me?”
“Henry was in Normandy when this whole thing started,” John said. “Word would have been delayed.”
“It’s possible,” Micah replied. “The castle might have fallen but I should have been sent the moment it did…not a year later…with orders to bring Appleby under control of the crown as I have done with other disputed castles since becoming Henry’s mastiff.”
Hubert took a drink from his mug. “I see your point, Baron.” He thought for a moment. “I do not mean to overstep my bounds but what if Henry had known about the lady’s survival and MacLeary’s plan to marry her?”
Micah blinked in shock.
“It seems to me,” Hubert continued. “The best way to thwart such a plan would be to marry the heiress to a capable knight who has proven himself in battle time and time again.”
“A knight who would not cause Henry trouble,” Micah said. “One who dare not misstep and destroy all that he had sought to reclaim.” He gritted his teeth. “One kept collared and muzzled.”
Hubert met his gaze steadily.
“Are you saying Henry knew about Kate’s plight all along?” John asked.
Micah nodded. “Instead of sending me to free her, as he should have done, Henry sent me to take her home away from her. Once again, he manipulated me right into his plan. By ordering me to either marry Kate or denounce her, Henry found a way to sidestep his own blasted law of a lady maintaining her inheritance.”
Micah’s gaze fell on the chessboard and the pieces still set in the game he and Kate had never finished. Kate was nothing more than a pawn in the hands of two children fighting – Henry and MacLeary. In the midst of the scuffle, the pawn shattered. Micah held the broken piece in his hands. He had failed to protect Kate from MacLeary…and from Henry.
Abruptly, Micah knew what he had to do. What he should have done in the first place. He had been so blinded by his desires that he failed to acknowledge his duty. “Kate should not have to pay so terrible a price for what was rightfully hers,” he said. “And Henry…Henry will no longer play his foolish games with me. Fetch my knights, John.”
Blinking in surprise, John motioned to Hubert, and the two left the keep.
“This ends now,” Micah growled to himself and shoved away his breakfast.
***
Kate felt the warmth of sunshine on her face and her heart reveled in wonder. The fog still clouded her thoughts and hazed her vision but it seemed lighter than before. She fought to throw it off. The warm sunshine helped, she would not feel such a thing if she remained in the black prison.
The ache in her head eased slightly. Kate awareness of different sounds grew but she could not determine them. The noise buz
zed in her ears. She tried to concentrate and make the sounds clearer.
“Chérie?”
For an instant, the fog lifted and she saw Micah kneel before her. He took her hands in his, his expression one of worried hope. She stared into his sapphire eyes, intense with concern.
Kate realized she sat in a chair next to the window in her own room.
The fog suddenly descended again. Her mind raged and cursed. Micah! I want to see you.
“Chérie, can you hear me?”
His voice drew her back.
Aye, Micah, keep talking. Help me, please. I don’t want to be here anymore. Her hands tightened on his.
“Sweet Jesu,” Micah said softly. “You can hear me, can’t you?”
Aye! Kate fought with all her strength. The ache in her head worsened and her awareness started to fade.
“Kate?” He paused for a long moment. “Damnation, I lost her, Marjorie.”
Nay! Nay! You did not lose me. I am trying, Micah.
“I thought moving Kate to the window might help,” Marjorie said. “Since the storm cleared, I hope she enjoys the sunshine.”
“I think she does,” Micah replied. “But she’s just not strong enough yet.”
I’m strong enough to hear you now. The realization boosted Kate a bit. Micah spoke and she understood him. That meant she had to be home. She had to be safe. If she believed otherwise she would be trapped in the fog forever.
“Kate,” Micah said. “I wish you could hear me. Marjorie, will you explain this to her when she awakens?”
“Of course, my lord.”
Explain what? What is going on?
Micah sighed heavily and Kate cringed against the pain she heard. “Kate, I am leaving.”
What? Her thoughts screamed. She tried to speak but she could not make her voice work.
“Appleby is yours. You should be married to a lord who can meet your bride price and secure your future.”
You can’t leave!
“Some of my men will stay as your household garrison. Hubert has agreed to remain as well. He will be your constable until you find a good husband. The men will finish the repairs. They have sworn to protect you Kate. MacLeary will not take Appleby again.”
Nay, Micah, you can’t leave. I don’t want you to go…I need you.
His hands tightened on hers. “Forgive me, my lady, for putting you through such misery and for failing you so terribly.”
Kate’s heart screamed in torment. She pounded futilely against the invisible walls that held her. Fear assailed her again, the fear of losing Micah forever. Twice he had pulled her from the blackness and now Kate could not let him go.
You did not fail me! You found me! She forced her voice to work. “Found…”
“Merciful heavens,” Marjorie gasped.
Micah sucked in his breath, his grip on her hands tightened even more. “Kate?”
The fog started to lift again, she blinked furiously, trying to make her blurred vision focus. “Don’t leave.” Kate’s head throbbed. Dizziness washed over her, spinning her through a void. Kate refused to give up. Micah’s face slowly became more detailed, his indigo eyes liquid as he gazed at her.
“You…you wish me to stay?” Micah whispered.
“Aye.” Kate tried to scream the word but it came out as a tiny squeak. “Promise.”
He sighed heavily. “I know I failed my promise to you.”
“Nay!” That came out stronger and Micah blinked at her, startled. “You…found me.” Good God, Kate felt like a child at her stumbling attempts to speak. Her head threatened to split and Kate knew her strength would not last much longer. Somehow, she managed touch Micah’s cheek, the effort akin to moving a mountain. “Stay…promise.”
He stared at her in confusion. “You want me to promise to stay?”
Kate’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Aye.” Her strength abandoned her completely and she lurched forward.
Micah swept her into his arms and held her tightly. “Then it shall be as you wish, my lady. I give you my word that I will stay.”
“Thank you,” she said and the fog descended again.
***
Micah closed his eyes as Kate relaxed in his arms. She battled rouse herself and make him understand. She did not want him to leave. Micah gazed down at her and caressed her cheek with a fingertip. Her eyes were closed, her breathing deep and even.
“Praise be,” Marjorie said.
Micah looked at her.
“She is sleeping normally. Her efforts no doubt exhausted her but I think we can expect a full recovery.”
His heart rioted in his chest and his gaze returned to Kate. Did he dare hope? Micah thought about their marriage agreement. If he stayed he would be expected to marry Kate. He shocked himself by realizing that he wanted to. Carefully, he picked Kate up and carried her to bed. “It seems my plans have changed,” Micah said. “I should inform the others. If she awakens please call me.”
“I will, Baron.”
He nodded and walked out the door.
***
Two weeks later Kate recovered completely. She descended the stairs to the great hall, wearing her wedding dress. The ceremony should have been held at the small church in the village but that had been destroyed by MacLeary. Instead, Micah opened the gates of Appleby to the populace who wished to attend.
John, Thomas, and Evan controlled security with the dedication of a military review preparing for the king. Micah instructed them to remove anyone who appeared remotely suspicious. No one approached Kate except for Marjorie and the handmaidens who assisted her in preparations. Hubert stood guard outside her door and when Kate left her room, he shadowed her steps.
Kate paused at the bottom of the stairs. Her gaze swept over those in attendance. She recognized lower ranking nobles who held various fiefs through the barony. All seemed happy about Micah’s investiture as baron.
As Kate stood in the great hall, a whisper of fear passed over her but she shrugged it away. She had defeated that terror and would not allow it to return. Her gaze fell on Micah and her breath caught in her throat. He stood in profile before her, staring at the floor, seemingly lost in thought. The audience silenced upon Kate’s arrival, and Micah looked at her.
He wore a soft blue tunic under a shorter white one. Both trimmed in fine blue and silver embroidery, they stretched tight, accenting his broad shoulders and heavily muscled chest. Black, polished, cross–quartered boots covered his legs to the knee and his golden knightly spurs sparked at his heels. A long, studded leather, black belt tied around his narrow waist. His broadsword gleamed brightly, a large circular sapphire affixed to the end of the pommel. The crosspiece bore decorative engraving of the Montfort insignia.
Around his brow he wore a thin silver circlet and his hair hung loose, spilling over his shoulders, to the middle of his back. The light danced with soft bluish–silver hues on the thick and straight ebon locks.
Micah’s sapphire eyes glittered as intensely as the stone on his sword, a deep blue even the summer skies could not match. Upon seeing Kate, his lips lifted slightly and he studied her with the same focused regard she gave him.
Kate took comfort in the gallant knight before her and stepped forward with confidence. Micah’s bright smile dazzled her and lifted her spirits.
She approached and Micah took her hand. He pulled it to his lips. “My lady, you are radiant this day.” The softness of his lips sent a rush of warmth through her. Kate’s hand trembled in his.
Just nerves, like any bride on her wedding day, she thought.
Micah turned and they faced the priest. Power and strength seemed to radiate from Micah and Kate found her nerves calming.
The priest gave a short introduction, citing the blessings of marriage then instructed Micah to speak the vows. Micah’s hands firmly gripped Kate’s. He gazed into her eyes and she was certain he looked into her soul.
“I take thee, Lady Kate Liulf,” Micah said his voice soft and resonate. “To my we
dded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, ‘till death us depart, if the holy church it will ordain, and thereto, I plight thee my troth.”
Kate trembled at the power and sincerity of his voice. She repeated the vow, her voice a soft counter to his.
The priest then blessed the rings and Micah again spoke as he slid the gold band on Kate’s finger. “With this ring, I thee wed and with my body, I thee honor.”
A bolt of energy shot through her, obliterating the last of her fear and pensiveness. Kate also repeated the words as she slid the ring on Micah’s finger. Her hands no longer trembled and her voice grew in strength. She stepped into a whole new world. A world with new challenges but one also filled with hope; not pain and fear.
The priest bade Micah to kiss the bride. As Micah touched his lips to hers, Kate left the world of darkness behind. Micah’s hands cupped her face and his kiss ravished her senses. Fire roared through her veins and she returned his kiss wholeheartedly, still amazed at how Micah dizzied her. The cheers of the audience turned into playful hoots and bawdy shouts. Micah backed away, his bronzed cheeks turning darker. He grinned down at her then wrapped his arm around hers.
Kate laughed softly. “The revel awaits, my lord,” she said.
“Aye,” he replied and winked. “And there is much to celebrate this day.”
Kate agreed completely.
***
During the revel, Micah watched his new wife, amazed at how profoundly marriage struck him. In reality, he had never given it much thought. A man married to secure his lineage with heirs. Micah did not want children yet, not until he cleared his name. He had always regarded marriage as an event so far in the future it never seemed real.
Now the future proved true.
Kate, beautiful in her white brocade wedding dress, laughed and smiled vibrantly. She had emerged completely from her shell of terror. Micah found that simple fact his greatest reward.
The revel progressed, loud and boisterous. Micah noted the soldiers selected for guard duty remained sober and alert. With Kate’s marriage, Micah wondered how MacLeary would adjust. He doubted the laird would foreswear his quest for Appleby. MacLeary claimed a birthright but could not prove family ties to the land. He would not stop, and his tactics would change. Micah needed to know how.
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