by Marie Medina
“Yes. It’s why I said we didn’t have to do this. You seemed uncomfortable. Not yourself. Call me a liar if you want, but I like the Gwynn who bosses me around.”
“Bosses you around? I do not.”
He inched closer on the blanket. “You do. You tell me what to do at least once a day.”
“Because you think too much. I know you have lots of responsibility and have to be careful, but sometimes you have to make quick decisions and just get on with it.”
He smiled and took her hand. “So I should’ve told you I wanted you a long time ago? Gotten on with it?”
“That’s a bit bigger than most of your day-to-day stuff.”
“But I believe you’re right. I do think too much. I tell myself I’m too busy, but then I sit in my room reading for three hours before bed. There are other things I could be doing.”
“Not much to do that late at night.”
Orman took a chance, feeling she’d warmed enough this wouldn’t scare her off. “I could be making love to you instead of formulating ways to see you the next day.”
Her mouth fell open. Shaking her head slowly, she gently pulled her hand away. “You’re Orman’s twin brother or something. There is no way you just said that to me.”
“Do I come off so serious? So prudish?” He straightened a little. “You can tell me if you don’t really find me attractive.”
“I’m not a liar. I said there’s nothing wrong with your looks.”
“Not the same as saying you think me handsome.”
She narrowed her eyes again. “I’m here, aren’t I? Fully aware of what this is.”
“And what is it?” he asked softly.
She licked her lips and leaned a bit closer. “Dinner with a man who likes me. Wants to be with me. A man I like and admire but just hadn’t looked at quite that way before.” She smiled. “Until he started saying dirty things to me.”
“Dirty? I thought what I said was romantic.”
“But it was a bit forward. What would people say if I came out of your room tomorrow?”
“I don’t give a damn what they’d say. I’d be too happy.”
She gazed toward the setting suns. “Since you like me telling you what to do, I’m telling you it’s not happening.” She paused and cut her gaze to him. “Not tonight.”
“Then consider it an open invitation. Your call. Your timeline.”
She cut an apple in half and handed him the other half as she looked back to the sunset. “And what will you do if I’m bossy in bed?”
The very idea made his body stir. “I’ll love it.”
She blushed again. “Hmmm,” was her only reply as she bit into the apple.
He turned his gaze to watch the suns setting as well, happier and more at peace than he had been in a long time.
****
Gwynn had just finished lacing her bodice up when a frantic knock sounded at her door. She hurried over to answer it and found Tilly, one of the other maids, standing there with a vase full of red tulips.
“Good morning!” Tilly said as she held out the flowers.
“Where are those supposed to go?” she asked.
“They’re for you.”
“What? Why?”
Tilly grinned at her. “Orman sent them. He was up earlier than usual cutting them.” She laughed. “You should’ve seen him smile when I asked about you two. You had a little picnic last night? Mrs. Allen was saying something about it, but she’d just told me to go fetch something so I couldn’t linger.”
“Yes, we did. It was very nice.” She took the vase and set it on a little table.
“Did you have fun? You two didn’t talk about castle business the whole time, did you?”
“No, of course not.” She thought about repeating some of the things Orman had said to her, but she really would set tongues wagging if she did that. “We talked about lots of things. I had a wonderful time.”
“Did he kiss you?”
Gwynn put her hands on her hips. “We aren’t fifteen. Are you serious?”
“Of course I am. He’s very handsome, once you really stop to notice him. This place is full of handsome men. I’m so glad my mother wanted to come and work here.”
“Yes, there are plenty of handsome ones, but be careful. Some of them really get around, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh, I’m not talking about those. I mean the ones like Orman. The ones who are about something and have their lives together.” She poked Gwynn in the ribs. “So? Did he?”
She knew she wouldn’t be able to avoid answering, so she said, “Yes, he kissed me.”
“And?”
“What do you want, details?”
“No, but how was it? Do you like him?”
“He’s wonderful.” She paused. “The kiss was … nice. Good. Sort of surprised me, I guess.”
“How soon do you think he’ll propose?”
Gwynn could do nothing but blink at Tilly for a few seconds. “What? We’ve had one meal together.”
“But you’ve known him for years. And he’s not one to waste time. He must be serious about you.”
“Aye, I’ve known him a long time, but I was a child when he came here to finish up his training. I didn’t really get to know him until the past couple of years.” She rearranged the tulips a bit and then said, “Come on. We have work to do, and I need to check on Lord Vane.”
“Oh, how is he? He’s the nicest vampire I’ve ever met. And his brothers as well. The lord was so stuck up and full of himself the last place we lived. He’d step on if you weren’t careful. And I mean that literally.”
“Yes, Lord Vane’s wonderful. And he’s doing well. I suppose. He’s seemed less lethargic.”
“Good. I hope they find his mate. It’s kind of romantic. Maybe they can make up after all this time.”
“Maybe, but it’s been twenty years. Arion probably got married and had a family.”
Tilly sighed as they rounded a corner. “I know, but it would be wonderful to see Lord Vane as happy as his brother.” She nodded in the other direction. “Got to get back to the garden. See you later.”
“Bye,” Gwynn said before heading toward the stairs and up to Vane’s room. She knocked and heard Lady Evane’s voice tell her to come in.
Lady Evane looked very tired, but she smiled broadly when she saw Gwynn. “Here’s something to cheer you up, darling,” she said to Vane.
Vane punched a pillow and tossed it back over his head before settling back to look at Gwynn. He managed a smile but didn’t look well. She rushed over to his bedside and began rummaging through the little basket on the table there. She selected the tea she’d made especially for him and then filled the small kettle and lit the candle under it. “I know it doesn’t taste as good as blood, but it’ll help your energy levels.”
“I just didn’t sleep well. That’s all,” Vane said.
Gwynn pushed up her sleeve. “How about some fresh blood? Has to be better than the donated blood.”
Vane seemed to be considering it. “It would taste better, but it wouldn’t be more effective. You need your strength as well.” He smiled again, this one looking more genuine. “And I wouldn’t want to make anyone jealous.”
She pushed her breath out in a huff. “I’d box your ears if it wasn’t so nice to see you smile.”
Lady Evane laughed as she came up beside Gwynn and patted her on the arm. “Do it, if you must. I’m going to go get some sleep. He’s grumpier now than he ever was as a baby.”
Gwynn tried not to laugh, but she couldn’t help it. Vane folded his arms across his chest and waited for his mother to leave the room. “It’s nothing. I simply couldn’t get comfortable last night, and she was fussing over me every damn time I moved.”
She sat on the bed beside him. “It’s called loving you and worrying about you.”
Vane sighed. “You don’t like being dependent on others. You have to understand how I feel.”
“Maybe. There’s never been an
yone to make a fuss over me. My mom died when I was so young. Had to see to myself most of the time.”
“I guess I hadn’t looked at it that way. You’re a lot like Alice, you know? I’m sure you’ve been told that. She’s still missed by lots of people.”
“Aye, I like hearing people talk about her. But I had Mrs. Allen. She kept an eye out very well.”
“Yes, I don’t see how she does it.” Vane leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “Tell me how last night went.”
Gwynn wondered how much she should say. Would he repeat any of it to Orman? She wanted to trust him but wasn’t sure. People often threw ethics out the window when it came to matchmaking. “I had a very nice time. I suppose you were right about Orman. He said as much.”
“Said I was right?” Vane said, opening his eyes and almost smirking at her.
“No. Said he’d been interested in me for a while. Why do you all care so much? I know it’s exciting or whatever, but you can’t force these things.”
“We want you both to be happy.”
Could she be happy with Orman? She couldn’t think of any reason why she wouldn’t, but she saw no reason to make any assumptions yet. “I know.”
“You’ve always worked so hard. For your family and here in the castle. You started pretty young.”
She laughed. “I was so bored! I pitched in one day and did some dishes, and Mrs. Allen was so pleased I didn’t break anything she kissed me. Startled the life out of me.” She shrugged. “People recognize my strengths. I don’t like to be idle. I get things done the right way the first time. I was telling that to Orman. I thought he just admired my work and efficiency.”
“He admires far more than that.”
“Aye, I get that now.” She checked the water and dropped a little sachet of tea in. “How about we leave off about my love life before I go poking into yours? Hmmm?”
Vane gazed out the window. “I had a dream about him last night. Ash and Locke arrived at his home and found that he’d died just days earlier. That’s the real reason I was restless.” He turned back to Gwynn. “He’s a lycan, but they still don’t live that much longer than humans. And so many things could kill him. What are my chances really?”
“Stop talking like that.”
“Hard not to.”
She hated to see that look on his face, so she said, “Orman kissed me last night, and it was wonderful. Best kiss I’ve ever had, hands down.”
Vane gave her a half smile. “Really? You aren’t just saying that to stop me being morose?”
“It’s the truth.” She pointed a finger in his face. “But if you repeat that, I will box your ears.”
“All right, I won’t tell him. Did you really enjoy yourself? I think you’d make a fine couple.”
She’d started down this path, so she couldn’t backtrack now. “I had a very nice time. It was odd to be just chatting, you know? Not talking about duties and responsibilities and things we had to get done. I enjoyed that once I got used to it.”
“I don’t think you could find a more devoted man, and you’ll be good for him. He’s an excellent steward—made for it, really—but he lets it consume him. He needs to think of himself more.”
“Or have someone make him do so?” She nodded. “I agree.”
As she poured a cup of tea and coaxed Vane into drinking it, she thought about that. Orman did let his work consume him, so if he could drag himself away from it for her, didn’t that mean his feelings were pretty strong? She tried to hide it so Vane wouldn’t return to the topic, but she couldn’t help smiling as she straightened a few things in the room. Surprised as she had been at first, the idea of a man she’d always admired so much falling in love with her definitely had its appeal.
****
Orman cringed when the porcelain shard sliced into his finger. He took out a handkerchief and wrapped it around his finger while he tried to clean up the rest of the pieces. He’d rounded a corner and found a vase shattered in the middle of the floor. The corridor had been silent, so he had no way of finding out what had happened. He crawled halfway under the table the vase had been sitting on in his efforts to collect all the pieces.
“There are these things we have. Brooms. Much more effective.”
Orman recognized Gwynn’s voice and froze. He moved carefully so as not to bump his head on the table. He already looked undignified enough crawling around like this. “Yes, but I didn’t have one on hand. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt so I was trying to clean it all up anyway.”
“You can’t be everywhere at once taking care of everything,” she said as she opened a cupboard in a little alcove. She returned with a small broom and dustpan and handed them to him. “Here.”
“You seem to do quite well at being just where you’re needed. Gives me something to aspire to,” Orman said. He cleaned up the fragments and looked around carefully for any he’d missed.
“What happened?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I rounded the corner and found it shattered. No one in sight.”
Gwynn shook her head. “Probably children playing. They move the fastest when they’ve done something wrong and need to get away. I’ll ask around.”
“It’s just a vase. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.”
Gwynn raised one eyebrow. “Going soft, are you?” She went back to the cupboard and came back with a bucket before kneeling down beside him. They began loading the shards and bigger pieces into the bucket. “Best the culprit is caught and shown he or she can’t just get away with it. They have to own up to it.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.”
“Of course I am. Now, let me see that finger.”
“I barely cut it. It’s nothing.”
Gwynn grabbed his hand anyway and unwrapped the finger. “You’re right, but make sure you keep it clean.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, enjoying the point of contact.
Gwynn eyed him. “You watch that mouth. Don’t go forgetting your place.”
“My place? I thought I was above you, but I’m starting to see the advantages of being under you.”
She stared for a moment and then leaned in a little. “You know what stewards who go around seducing the maids get?” she whispered.
“What?” he asked as he leaned in as well.
She grinned at him. “What do you think? They get laid.”
Orman burst out laughing, not caring who heard him. “Where did you hear that joke?”
“I have six older brothers. Where do you think I heard it?” She came forward a bit and pressed her lips to his ear. “But you still need to watch that mouth.”
“Bit hard since it’s on my face. You may have to do it for me,” he said as he angled his head to look at her.
“Have to do everything, don’t I?” She kissed him full on the mouth and parted his lips with her tongue right away.
Orman didn’t know what had changed over the course of the day, but he wasn’t about to question it. He returned the kiss as best he could at that angle and sighed as she pulled back. “See? You do a far superior job.”
“Maybe,” she said as she sat back on her heels. “Thank you for the tulips. They’re lovely.”
“You’re welcome.”
She stood and took up the broom and dustpan. “You do know what tulips mean, right? Especially red ones?”
Orman stood up and hefted the bucket. Looking into her eyes, he said, “I’m a fully trained steward, remember? I know exactly what they mean.” Passion, a declaration of true love.
“Hmmm.” She put the dustpan and broom away before coming back to his side. “I see.”
“I hope so.”
She pointed to the bucket. “You know where to take that?”
“I think I do.”
“I’ll show you. Glass and porcelain need to be collected around the back of the forge. The glass can be reused and melted down again, but the porcelain is ground up and can be made into tiles.”
Orman nod
ded. He’d had some vague knowledge of that but never given it much thought. Mrs. Allen usually kept people informed on those matters. The castle seemed very quiet tonight, and they walked in silence for a while. After he’d emptied the bucket, they moved off toward the garden.
“Any news today? I know they can’t have reached the lycan village yet, but I thought they might’ve sent something back when they stopped,” Gwynn said.
“No, nothing today. Though I did have one promising reply from Lord Erik. He said he’d met a man named Arion at Yoshinaga just a couple of years ago, and he says we should try Kyo’s dominion because the man was a lycan. Has to be the same man. Doesn’t guarantee that Arion is actually there, but makes it seem more likely.”
“Hmmm, but was Erik just guessing he was from that dominion because he’s a lycan, I wonder? Or did Arion mention being from the settlement?” She sighed. “If Vane would’ve just told us sooner. We could’ve mentioned it in all those letters you sent. Then Erik would’ve known that was definitely him and maybe remembered some more details.”
“Don’t be too hard on him.”
“Why not? You were blazing mad yesterday. Don’t you think it could’ve made a difference? Arion’s a pretty unique name, aye, but being a lycan is even more unique, I’d say.”
“You’re right. I was furious he hid such a key fact. But over the years I’ve been here, he has confided in me at times. He puts on a brave face and tries to project confidence, but his heart’s still broken. He made a mistake so soon after coming to power, one that destroyed his chance at happiness.”
“He does make a big deal about seeing to people’s needs. And he does ask a lot of questions when people bring grievances. I can see why when you put it that way. But gods, he could live for centuries. He has to move on.”
“Perhaps he’ll have some closure if they bring Arion back here.”
“Or he’ll just be hurt again.” Gwynn reached over and took his hand. “I don’t want that. You’re right. I shouldn’t be so hard on him. Who in his right mind would invite pain?”
Orman squeezed her hand. “And he’s pretty stubborn. He could still beat this.”
She stopped and looked up at him before wrapping her arms around him and burying her face against his chest. He dropped the bucket and wrapped both arms around her.