Champion of the Heart

by Laurel O'Donnell

  As he cautiously moved down the dark, empty hallway, Fox’s ears became more and more attuned to any noise, any sound. Where was his hound? Where was Doom? He strained to hear something, anything, any sign of life or activity, but there was no sound in the castle at all. None.

  He came upon one of the traps they had rigged up in the hallway and saw the ghost had been released and torn to shreds by an angry blade.

  Fox moved more quickly down the hallway as the dread inside him grew stronger. What had happened here? Where was Mary Kate? She knew of a dozen places to hide in the castle. Surely she had escaped the invaders.

  As he approached the meal room, Fox slowed his progress. He moved cautiously up to the door, listening for any sound of the intruders in the large room beyond. But the silence was deafening. He could hear his own heart beating in his chest, his own blood rushing in his ears. His own careful footsteps sounded like the heavy pounding of falling rocks.

  He pressed his back against the wall beside the door. The shadows that hid him loomed up around him, suddenly becoming more like eerie patches of dangerous mystery than friendly cover. Could they be hiding his enemies as well as they hid him? He peeked around the doorway, into the meal room, scanning every dark shadow, every dark crevice.

  To his surprise, the hearth was lit, which set his nerves on end, and a man sat in a chair before the fire. He was bent over, his face in his hands.

  A trap? Fox wondered. His gaze again scanned the room. But he couldn’t see any trace of others. Not soldiers, not his friends.

  Fox took a silent step into the room toward the man. Suddenly, he heard a whimper and whirled, lifting his sword. Near the wall, he spied Doom, bloodied and lying on his side. The dog whimpered again and moved to lift his head, but it dropped back to the floor.

  Fox moved to his hound, a well of grief opening up inside him. He kept one eye on the man near the hearth and stroked the wounded dog with his other hand. His palm came away from the dog’s fur thick with blood. Fox’s body shook with anger. What kind of barbarian curs would hurt an animal? What kind of barbarian had Vaughn turned into?

  He marched across the room toward the man near the hearth. If it was Vaughn and this was some kind of trap, Fox would still kill him before his men could be upon him.

  But as Fox approached, the man lifted his head.

  Fox faltered and lowered his sword. His father gazed at him, torment painfully evident in his old eyes.

  “I couldn’t stop them,” Frederick said softly. “I couldn’t stop them, Son.”

  Fox sheathed his sword. “Where are the others, Father?” he demanded, his jaw tight.

  “They took them. They took all of them,” Frederick answered. “I ordered them to stop. I called my men. But they never came.”

  “Your men are gone, Father,” Fox said. “Who took them?”

  “Gone? Good heavens, where could they all have gone? Were they defeated? He did bring an army of men. Perhaps...”

  “No, Father,” Fox said firmly. “They left a long time ago. When we couldn’t pay them anymore.”

  “Couldn’t pay them? We have coffers full of gold! Of course we could pay them!”

  Fox’s jaw tightened. “Where is Beau, Father? And Pick? And Michael? Where are the others?”

  “They left because we couldn’t pay them?” Frederick seemed confused for a moment as he turned toward the fire.

  Fox grabbed him and pulled him to his feet. “Your castle is crumbling around you! Your armies are gone! There are no nobles who come to visit!”

  “What about Lady Jordan?” Frederick asked him, seemingly unaffected by Fox’s outburst.

  Fox released him with an aggravated sigh and his father fell back into his chair. “I kidnapped her. I wanted to get a title, our lands... your life back for you.”

  “My life back,” his father echoed dully.

  Fox knew that was what he himself wanted. He wanted his life back. He wanted his title back. He wanted Jordan back. And now he had lost all of that and more. “What happened, Father?” Fox asked, a sudden feeling of defeat draining him and making him feel exhausted.

  “They surprised us, boy,” his father said softly. “They came in and demanded to know where you were.”

  Fox groaned softly. “Who was it?”

  “Evan,” Frederick said. “It was Evan.”

  Fox shook his head, grinding his teeth. He clenched his fists, forcing his anger under control. Then he looked at his father. “What does he want?”

  “He wants you,” Frederick answered. “He left me here to relay the message that if you didn’t bring Jordan to Castle Vaughn by sunset five days from now, he would start killing them.”

  Fox cursed silently and ran his hands through his hair. “Did they hurt anyone?”

  Frederick shook his head. “I don’t think so. Our men couldn’t do much when Evan’s men had a sword to Scout’s throat.”

  Fox looked at the fire for a moment collecting his thoughts. But that didn’t take long. He already knew what he had to do. He turned back to his father. “Will you be all right, Father?” Fox asked.

  Frederick nodded.

  “Take care of Doom. He needs you to clean his wound and feed him. Can you do that?”

  Again, Frederick nodded. He glanced at the dog, then back to his son. “You’re going after him, aren’t you?”

  “Yes,” Fox said.

  Frederick nodded. “Be careful, Son.”

  Fox exited the Keep, moving quickly. He had to get to Castle Vaughn and free his men. He prayed his horse hadn’t strayed too far. He was certain the animal was lingering near the castle somewhere. He hoped it might have even moved into the outer courtyard of its own volition.

  Suddenly, he stopped as he heard a soft sound. He lifted his gaze, scanning the inner ward. It sounded like... crying. Soft crying. Fox crossed the inner ward, listening. It sounded as though it were coming from the stables.

  That was where Mary Kate had been told to hide if the castle was ever invaded.

  His brisk walk turned into a run as he bolted for the door of the stables. It had long since fallen from its hinges, and was now just a piece of rotting wood dangling askew in the doorway. He brushed past the door and moved inside.

  He saw her immediately. She was kneeling on the ground with her back to him, her small shoulders shaking as she sobbed. “Mary Kate?”

  But Mary Kate didn’t move.

  Fox walked up to her and peered over her shoulder, seeing she was kneeling beside the pregnant dog. It was lying on its side, not moving. It wasn’t until he bent down further toward her that Fox saw why Mary Kate was crying. The dog had been gutted, from her throat to her tail. The puppies were dead. All of them.

  Fox grabbed Mary Kate and pulled her away from the sight. She threw her arms around Fox and hugged him desperately. “Why, Fox? Why did they do it? Why did they kill those babies?”

  Fox picked her up and carried her outside into the inner ward, wordlessly soothing her with gentle strokes on her hair. He held her tightly as she sobbed. Jordan is right, he thought. Mary Kate doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t deserve this. She’s suffered enough for five lifetimes, let alone for a child of only four years.

  You will pay for this, Evan Vaughn, Fox vowed as he carried Mary Kate from the castle. You will pay.

  Chapter Thirty

  Jordan scooped some water from the stream with a bucket. Some of the cold water spilled over her fingers, chilling her skin. She took a moment to study her reflection in the slow moving current. The bright moon in the sky above illuminated the water with a soft shimmering light. She looked tired. Tired with the weight of three worlds on her shoulders.

  She had the children she needed to look after. She had a future husband she should have contacted the moment Fox had freed her, but had not. And then there was Fox himself. Her childhood friend. Her kidnapper. Her lover.

  She quickly looked away from her reflection, part of her feeling ambivalent for what she had done. She was be
trothed. Women had been hanged or burned for less. But another part of her felt no shame at all. It was the part of her that felt breathless at the mere thought of Fox taking her in his arms and holding her and kissing her.

  She turned from the stream and marched through the high stalks of grass toward the house. Her eyes again swung to the road. Fox was over a day late, and she was worried about him. She had decided to remain at the house and await Mary Kate’s arrival before moving on to Castle Ruvane. She wanted to make sure the child was safely situated at the house and felt comfortable with Abagail and all of the other children.

  Jordan scowled, turning to stare down the road again. Where was Fox? Why was he taking so long? Maybe Mary Kate hadn’t wanted to come live with her. Or had something else happened, something far worse? Jordan shook her head, refusing to imagine the worst.

  Instead, she turned her thoughts to how heavy the bucket was. She had filled it to the top, and the cold water sloshed over the sides onto her dress. Her dirty white dress. The hem was ripped and the frayed edges were black. It was way past time to get to Castle Ruvane and get some fresh clothes. She brushed a lock of her dark hair away from her eyes as she neared the house.

  She was almost to the door when a hand clamped down firmly over her mouth and she was pulled roughly back. She struggled, dropping the bucket, the water splashing along the dirt, and quickly reached for the dagger at her thigh.

  But a firm hand grabbed her before she could reach the dagger and pressed her fingers tightly into her thigh, forcing her hand to be still. “It’s me, Jordan.”

  Fox. She’d recognize his strong voice anywhere.

  Relief sagged Jordan’s shoulders and she ceased her struggles. She allowed Fox to lead her into the darkness beside the house, into the shadowy part even the moon’s bright light didn’t reach.

  Fox released her, but held her close. “Vaughn took my men.”

  “What?” Jordan gasped.

  Fox nodded, his dark hair fanning his shoulders. “He attacked the castle while you and I were here.”

  Jordan opened her mouth to reply, but just then a small hand slipped into hers. She looked down to see Mary Kate standing beside her. Jordan smiled down at her and picked the girl up. “Have you come to stay with us?”

  Mary Kate looked at Fox, and Fox nodded. The girl turned back to Jordan. “Yes. I think so.”

  Fox ruffled the knotted curls in the little girl’s hair. “Mary Kate stayed hidden while Vaughn was in the castle.”

  “Good girl,” Jordan whispered, hugging her tightly.

  “They killed the puppies,” Mary Kate told Jordan. “The bad men killed the mommy dog.”

  Jordan glanced at Fox over her shoulder.

  He nodded glumly.

  “Let me take her inside,” Jordan whispered. “Will you wait?”

  Fox nodded, his gaze scanning the surrounding trees with urgency. “Hurry.”

  “Who’s there?”

  Jordan turned to see Abagail stepping outside, her eyes scrunched tight as she scanned the darkness. “It’s me, Abagail. Mary Kate is here.”

  Abagail smiled brightly at them as she approached. Behind Abagail, five sets of small eyes stared from a gap in the doorway. Jordan could hear a few giggles.

  “Hello, Mary Kate. We have your bed all ready for you. You must be very tired.”

  Again, Mary Kate looked to Fox for reassurance and he nodded for her to go with Abagail. Mary Kate took Abagail’s offered hand and the two of them moved into the house, leaving Jordan and Fox alone in the night.

  Jordan watched the door close and then turned to Fox, squeezing his hands. “What will you do?” she asked.

  “I have to free them,” he said softly.

  “But how?” Jordan gasped, appalled that he could and would endanger his life. “Evan will kill you.”

  Fox nodded. “I’m sure he would like to.” Fox again glanced over his shoulder. “He had some men watching the castle. They came after me as I was leaving to come here. They’re looking for you.”

  Again guilt surged in Jordan’s breast. “I was waiting for Mary Kate,” she told him. “I should have –”

  Fox pressed a finger to her lips. “You don’t have to explain.” He ran his finger along her lips.

  She lifted her eyes to his. In the darkness, she could barely see them. She could only feel his breathing, the press of his chest against hers, the way his breath caressed her lips before vanishing. It was as if they were one.

  “I need time to think. I can’t go back to Castle Mercer, and I don’t think I should stay here much longer. Vaughn is bound to come looking for me here.”

  She lifted her hands to touch his face. His cheeks were rough with stubble. She wanted to tell him to stay, but she knew he had to go. Loyalty was one of his best attributes. “Let me help you.”

  “No.” The word came quickly.

  She tried to pull away, but he held her tight against him. “You cannot be involved in this. If it goes wrong… you can still live your life.”

  Jordan panicked. “No, Fox. You can’t ask that of me. I won’t sit by while you risk your life to...”

  His lips pressed hotly against hers, silencing the cry of despair on them. A sob escaped the heated embrace as his mouth pressed to hers. When he pulled back slightly, he pressed his cheek to her temple. “You mean more to me than all of the world. I won’t risk your life.”

  Fox tried to pull back even more but Jordan held him closely. “Please, Fox,” she whispered tearfully. “I don’t want to lose you again.”

  “No one captures the Black Fox,” Fox whispered against her ear, his cheek pressed against hers. “No one except you.”

  Jordan pulled back, startled. She could feel his touch on her lower back, his body pressed intimately to hers. She wanted another kiss. She licked her lips, running her tongue along the path his lips had taken. Then she tentatively lifted her lips to his, pressing a chaste kiss there.

  Fox’s response was immediate, his passion igniting into a blazing brand. He pulled her tight against him, holding the nape of her neck so she could not escape his kiss. Trapped, Jordan could do nothing but let Fox kiss her thoroughly, tantalizing her lips with hot caresses, until she had to gasp from want and need. Then he plundered her mouth, sweeping his tongue into the recesses of her sweetness, tasting her.

  He stepped toward her, pushing her back, pinning her against the house, trapping her body between him and the wall. His hot kisses trailed down her neck until fire flamed in her veins. The hardness of him pressed against her belly, and the memory of their lovemaking sent hot desire searing through her, the heat radiating throughout her entire body, coming to a blazing peak between her legs.

  His hand cupped the round part of her breast, his fingers kneading her already hardened nipple through the fabric.

  The thrill of his touch resounded throughout her body, the tingles of desire roaring within her. Aching to feel his warmth, to feel his body, she lifted his tunic and touched his naked skin, marveling at the muscles in his shoulders, across his chest.

  His foot parted her legs and he pressed himself tightly against her, his thigh rubbing against the most intimate part of her. Sensations of pure pleasure pulsated through her body, making her entire body tremble and throb with wanting. As if sensing this, Fox eased her to the ground, laying her on a soft patch of leaves and grass. He lifted her skirt, touching her skin, tracing a trail of tantalizing swirls across her calf and up over her knee to her thigh. Jordan sighed and instinctively reacted to his touch, thrusting her hips toward his hand.

  He touched the moist bud of her womanhood and her world shattered instantly, exploding into tiny lights of glowing warmth and love.

  Fox moved over her, kissing her all the while, his hot mouth seeking a haven of safety and love. She gave him that safety, if only for the moment, a place where no one would try to capture him, where no one would try to hurt him. She opened her legs wider for him, inviting him to become one with her. Fox thrust into he
r, groaning softly, closing his eyes, enjoying the warmth that sheathed him.

  Jordan shifted her hips, guiding him deeper inside her, and saw the flare of desire sweep across his features. “Don’t move,” he whispered. “Not yet. Not yet. I want to feel this... I want to feel you... forever...”

  Jordan’s arms wrapped around him, holding him close. She kissed his cheeks, his eyes, his mouth, touching him all over as if she couldn’t get enough of him. And she knew she couldn’t. Tonight, this fleeting moment between them, would not be enough. It felt too good, too right, to last such a short time.

  “Jordan,” Fox whispered. “Jordan.”

  And then he began to move. Jordan matched his thrusts, lifting her hips to meet the deep strokes of his manhood, until suddenly he stiffened as his passion’s fluid filled her. And then Jordan felt the inevitable explosion budding inside her, growing stronger with each thrust, sending wave after wave of pleasure washing over her. She gasped and gripped his strong arms as she climaxed along with him. This time she kept her eyes open, watching his final wave of pleasure relax his face, enjoying the calm and peace filling him. He slid to her side and held her against him. Jordan felt safe in his arms and let the rest of the world fade away as he cradled her against him.

  ***

  Fox gazed down at Jordan as she lay nestled in his arms. She meant everything to him, as she had all those years ago. But he was a fool for making love to her. He had claimed her as his, only to have to let her go. Unconsciously, his hand clenched tightly around her wrist.

  Jordan pulled her arm from his hold. “What is it Fox?” she asked, rubbing her wrist.

  Fox sat up, running his hands through his hair. “I’m sorry it has to be like this,” he admitted. He reached for his breeches. “You deserve better.”

  Jordan touched his hand, stilling his movements. He couldn’t look at her. He had taken her like an animal, unable to control his lusting, in a wooded forest beneath the starry sky.