Knight of Runes

by Ruth A. Casie

  He groaned remembering the velvety touch of her skin. How the heat of her kisses were a prelude to his deepest desires. His elbows on his knees, his head in his hands, the thought of her working against him twisted into reality. Her betrayal galvanized into a penetrating hatred. If she had anything to do with Letty’s death, he would tear her apart. Enough! The scream echoed in his brain. He knew what he must do. He picked up the amulet and left the tower.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Right before dawn Arik burst through door into Rebeka’s room. Startled from sleep she jumped out of the chair, Leticia’s book falling to the floor. She wore only a thin, sheer, white nightdress and stood before the glow of the fire feeling exposed, embarrassed he could practically see her naked.

  “What is it?”

  His eyes were like a demon’s. He said nothing.

  “Arik,” she said softly. Silently she stepped closer. “What is it?” she repeated.

  He held out his hand and showed her the amulet tied with the violet ribbon. Her hand went to her hair. The ribbon was gone.

  He still didn’t speak. The seconds dragged on. “Tell me,” he commanded at last.

  His voice made her stop. Fear ran through her. She had never seen him look so fearful. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know.” She tried to stay calm.

  “Tell me.” There was urgency in his voice.

  This was going nowhere. She studied his eyes carefully. There was something wrong. She winced at his savage stare. She needed to get through to him. She reached out to take the offered amulet from his hand—it was similar to the one Emily had bequeathed her, the one hidden in her pouch.

  With his other hand he grabbed her hair and spun her around. He trapped both of her arms so she couldn’t move and pulled her head back against his chest, his mouth by her ear. Softly but dangerously he whispered, “I do not want to play. I want answers and I want them now.”

  She knew better than to struggle. She doubted she would be successful anyway.

  “You will tell me!” he demanded. He held her tight, took her from the room and down the stairs. He kicked the door behind the stairs open and descended still farther. He dragged her down the last stairs, the torches flaring to life when they passed. Arik moved easily through a maze of dimly lit dark passageways.

  Finally, he pulled her into a small dank room and dropped her unceremoniously on the floor.

  “Arik.” She stood up, barely able to keep the fear out of her voice. She looked around her. The room was small—ten feet by ten feet at most, and three stories high with small openings in the ceiling. The walls seeped moisture and were patched with mold. Straw covered the floor and the only furnishings were a narrow bed without any mattress that sat only inches from the floor, one chair and a table. This was no room—it was a dungeon.

  “Tell me,” he commanded her again.

  “Arik,” she yelled back. “What do you want to know? I’ll tell you anything you ask but I have no idea what you want.” The shock was wearing off. She was truly afraid but needed to stay calm, cooperate and give him what he wanted.

  If she told him the truth, would he believe her? She had argued the point with Doward when they met at the lake. She wanted to tell Arik but Doward told her she mustn’t, that her life depended on it.

  “Tell me about the amulet,” he demanded, pushing her into the one chair in the room.

  “I don’t know about the amulet. I haven’t seen it before.”

  “And the ribbon?” he asked.

  “It could be mine. I seemed to have lost it.” She was surprised not to have it in her hair. “I wore it yesterday morning when I went to the clearing by the willow tree,” she said more to herself as she tried to remember what happened to it. She racked her brain searching for an answer. What could possibly have happened to turn Arik against her so?

  “Before I leave here you will tell me everything I want to know.” He leaned his hands on the table and bent close, glaring at her. She could feel the anger radiating from him in waves.

  “Of course, Arik.” There was more bravado in her voice than she felt. She knew if he left the room, he didn’t intend to take her with him. The thought wasn’t pleasant. “I must have lost the ribbon at the clearing yesterday morning. I tied it in my hair before I left. My hair caught in some bramble at the clearing and Drago helped me get it free. What else do you want to know?”

  Had that been a burst of recognition when he showed her Letty’s amulet? He would not let anyone compromise his family and people, not even her. “What is your connection with Doward?” He straightened and paced in front of her.

  “He found me on the trail and offered to see me to the village.”

  He swung around and faced her. “Who are you and where are you from?” He should have asked her these questions weeks ago. He could see it so clearly now.

  Rebeka began to shiver. Arik noticed but said nothing.

  “Arik, you know where I’m from.”

  He wouldn’t let the question go. “I want you to tell me again what happened. This time do not leave anything out.”

  “It’s how Doward told you. I had family business in London. I was on my way to review the documents in your library. I had an accident and Doward found and helped me.”

  “Who sent you to review the documents?”

  “My solicitor, George Hughes.”

  She got up. “Arik, why are we down here? Let’s go upstairs. We can talk where it’s more comfortable.” She headed for the door but he read her intent and in a few long strides was at the door before she got close. He grabbed her arm and spun her around. She centered herself and at the right moment went to head butt him. He sidestepped. The momentum carried her forward and she slammed her head into the wall, crumpling to the floor. He stood over her, his legs apart and his hands fisted on his hips. “Get up!”

  She faced him, blood trickling down her forehead. Slowly she got to her feet.

  “You want to play, woman. Well then, we will play.” He circled her like an animal circling its prey. She stared straight ahead, her skin covered in goose bumps. She stood tall, her feet apart, her hands at her sides, a warrior’s stance, both giving and commanding respect.

  He ran his fingers down her arm, caressed her shoulder.

  In one quick motion he tore the nightdress off her and continued his merciless inspection. His hand ran over her thighs, across the top of her chest and rubbed her backside sensuously.

  He stood by her side. His breath came ragged and hot as he moved behind her. Roping his arm around her waist he pulled her to his chest, and cupped her breast with his hand. She gasped beneath his touch.

  “Your shivers seem to have stopped, woman.” His voice turned cold. “Do you prefer these shivers instead?” He laughed without humor. “Is this how you would like to play?” he taunted her. He rubbed himself against her backside. “You have nothing to say? Speak to me and tell me, woman. You’re never at a loss for words.”

  He closed his eyes and marveled at the feel of her, velvet and yielding. How he longed to touch her. But not this way. She had awakened something deep and primal in him. Letty. An icy shiver blanketed him and once again, the anger returned.

  She hesitated for a moment. “I thought you were an honorable man, Lord Arik,” she said without any emotion. She spoke so quietly, he had to strain to hear her. “I thought you…”

  He spun her around to face him before she finished her sentence. He peered searchingly into her eyes and then he kissed her, deeply and completely and she kissed him back with a wanting that surprised him.

  A charge surged through Arik like a bolt of lightning. He wanted to force her to tell him everything and he wanted her with a longing he could not explain, even to himself. He plundered her mouth and was welcomed sweetly. He grabbed her and held her close, only to have her melt into him. Finally, he pulled away. Her lips were bruised from his assault, and a trail of blood down her forehead and cheek were an indication of the turmoil he felt. Once ag
ain, a cold wave overtook him.

  He tossed her nightdress back to her. “Cover yourself,” he demanded. “And think of a better story. I’ll be back tomorrow to hear what you have to say.” He slammed the door and locked it behind him, leaving the cell in complete darkness.

  “Arik, please don’t leave me in the dark,” she begged. She hated hearing the tone in her voice but she couldn’t stop it.

  She listened to his footsteps retreat down the hall until she no longer could hear them. A torch in her cell flared to life, startling her.

  She wrapped her nightdress around her. A shiver overtook her and she stood by the torch for some warmth, but it gave none. It was a cold light, like the light in Arik’s eyes. She sat on the chair and searched all around for a way out. Perhaps the openings in the ceiling? They were too high off the ground and the walls too smooth, without any handholds.

  The adrenaline rush drained. She couldn’t keep her eyes open and put her head down on the table. Just a little sleep. She needed to keep up her strength. She closed her eyes but all she saw was Arik’s fury. He didn’t believe her. She had to figure out how to get back to her own time. She couldn’t stay here any longer. Laying her head on the table, she slept.

  Arik intended to leave her in the dungeon while he searched her room. Hopefully time in the cell would convince her to tell him the truth. The sound of her begging for light rang in his ears. He hated himself for making her do that. Why did he torment her so physically? It was not his nature, yet something compelled him to touch her, assault her, kiss her. He never expected her to kiss him back. The power of that kiss tormented him. He was ravenous for her. The feel of her skin, the taste of her lips were maddening. He could swear his body burned for her from his shoulder all the way down his chest. Her kiss and the magic building inside him were driving him mad. He never expected either to take hold of him like this.

  He stood at the window in her room, his head against the pane. This reaction must be tied to the reawakening. He had to get away from her. Fear worked its way through his body. He lifted his head and realized he couldn’t trust himself near her. For her safety, he needed to leave.

  He searched everything and everywhere in her room but found nothing of interest, only Letty’s forgotten book. He took it with him and went down to the library.

  He rummaged through her papers and read some of her writing. Nothing. He scanned Letty’s journal, interested in the runes and formulas. A slip of paper fluttered to the floor. He absently picked it up and put it on the desk.

  How could she read these runes? She said her father taught her. Who is he? He sat at the table and tried to understand the white-hot anger driving him. He wanted to ask her more questions. Who am I fooling? He snorted derisively. He needed to see her. Touching her and kissing her had started a yearning that raced through him like a wild fire. He had to make this right. He got up to return to the dungeon, his hand brushing the forgotten paper onto the floor. He picked it up, unfolded the scrap and read the runes. “Protect them all.”

  “M’lord!” Marcus knocked urgently at the door.

  “Come.” Arik still stared at the note written in Letty’s hand. Only a fragment, it was torn from the bottom of a larger piece of foolscap.

  “Lord Arik.” Marcus entered the library with Robert.

  “Yes, Marcus.” He refolded the note and put it back inside the book. “What is it?”

  “Robert is here with a messenger from Sir Stuart. There has been some trouble at Autumn Chase.”

  The man was out of breath and looked tired from a long hard ride. “M’lord, we have caught some thieves who attacked farmers on both your land and ours. Sir Stuart asks you to come quickly.”

  “Go to Jeannie. She will give you something to eat. You look like you could use some food. Once you have rested we can leave.”

  “Begging your pardon, m’lord, I have ridden hard to get here and I must return at once.”

  “Very well, go with Marcus. He will get you a fresh horse.” He turned to Marcus, urgency in his voice. “Choose ten men who will ride with us. We’ll go to Sir Stuart at once.”

  Within minutes, Arik left the Manor for Sir Stuart’s estate. Leticia’s note and Rebeka would have to wait.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  He drove his men hard over the fields, across the Stone River and through the forest but he could not outrun the storm. He arrived wet and tired in the late afternoon. Stuart’s captain met them in the courtyard.

  “Lord Arik, Sir Stuart’s questioning the thieves. Your men can go to the guard room to dry out while I take you to him. He’s in the old barracks.” Arik and Marcus dismounted and followed the captain.

  The rain still came down in sheets. Arik, head down in the storm, was eager to speak to the thieves. He wondered if they were the same men who had attacked them earlier in the year. If so, perhaps he would finally have some answers.

  Arik and Marcus entered the old barracks. It was a long structure, bare except for a few chairs and a table. Eight men sat on the floor with their hands tied behind their backs, and one of Stuart’s men stood menacingly in front of each of them. A ninth man sat in a chair, Stuart and his captains around him.

  Stuart greeted them and spoke quietly as they took off their wet cloaks. “I knew you would want to question these men. At the festival, you mentioned some difficulties at the log bridge. I wanted to know if these were possibly the same men.”

  Arik looked at each man carefully. They had the closed look of trained soldiers. His chin dropped and his lips pressed tightly together in frustration. He shook his head. “Stuart, these are not the same men who attacked us.”

  Stuart led the way to another private chamber where they could speak uninterrupted.

  “I told him the same thing.” Doward entered the room behind him.

  “I didn’t know you were here,” said Arik, abruptly turning his back on the tinker.

  “I was visiting Sir Stuart when they brought in these men. So you agree these are not the men who attacked us at the bridge. Stuart’s men claim these men were more organized and professional. If the captain and his patrol hadn’t arrived when they did, the farmer would have been killed. These men appear true mercenaries.”

  The old man was right, thought Arik. The question was—who did they work for?

  “We can get them to talk,” said Stuart, his arms flexed, every muscle tense.

  “It may be better for them to escape so we can follow them back to their encampment.” The men turned to Marcus.

  “Not a bad idea,” said Arik. “We could let one or two of them escape. Stuart?”

  “What do we have to lose? Let’s plan a deception. We have to make it seem real or all will be lost.”

  “I’ll keep them here for a few days. Then we’ll transfer them to Fayne Manor. On the way, we’ll make it convenient for two men to escape. Arik, your men will be hidden and waiting for them. Once they escape both our patrols will track them to see where they go.”

  “Let’s get our guests to their new quarters.” The guard trooped out.

  “Arik, you and Doward must come with me to the library. I’ve a warm hearth and some good ale to share.”

  “Tell me, has Rebeka found anything new in the books?” asked Doward as they walked.

  “No.” Arik was short with Doward. He had nothing to say to the old man. He turned back to Stuart.

  “We must leave for the Manor,” he said. “Send for Marcus.”

  “Arik, stay until the storm subsides. The roads are treacherous.”

  “No, Stuart, I have pressing matters at the Manor. I must get back quickly.”

  “I’ll give Marcus your orders. I expect a report any time now about the roads. Let me see what my man has found.” Stuart excused himself, leaving Arik and Doward in uneasy silence.

  “Have you had any word about Katherine?”

  “No. Now all I need to do is rid myself of Rebeka and things will be back the way they should be.” Arik turned away, but D
oward grabbed his arm.

  “What do you mean, Arik?”

  Arik shook his arm free of Doward’s grasp, strode over and slammed the library door. “What have you been up to, old man?”

  Arik took the amulet and ribbon out of his pocket and showed them to Doward. “Victor found these late yesterday when he searched Oak Meadow. In case you don’t remember, this is Letty’s amulet and Rebeka’s ribbon. She claimed she didn’t know anything about it but I saw the recognition in her eyes. She gave herself away.”

  “Perhaps she doesn’t know the significance of the amulet.”

  Arik put his face into Doward’s. “What were you two arguing about by the lake?”

  “The woman is always arguing about something.”

  “Don’t toy with me.”

  “I assure you I’m not toying with you,” Doward began, but Arik didn’t let him finish.

  He waved his hand dismissively. “Lies are all I get but I’ll get the truth. A day in the dungeon will loosen her tongue.”

  “What do you mean, lies?” Arik wouldn’t be intimidated. He met Doward squarely.

  “What have you done, Arik?” Doward demanded.

  “I questioned her and she gave me lies. Why would my solicitor Hughes send her to review documents in my library?” He was pleased to see Doward looked guilty. So he does know something. “I left her in the dungeon,” he said, his voice hard.

  With the ceiling slits in the dungeon cell, the rain would quickly make the cell miserable. The night chill would make it dangerous for anyone to stay there very long. I have to return to her, thought Arik.

  “Sit down, Arik, and let’s talk.”

  Something in Doward’s voice made Arik reluctantly take a seat. Perhaps now he’d get some answers.

  “I came down the trail through the forest and felt a great disturbance. I followed the scent and found Rebeka dazed and confused. On our way to Fayne Manor you came upon us.” He waited to make certain Arik understood.