by Angie Arms
A young man darted from the shadows and threw himself at Jillian so quickly if he had meant her harm he could have easily done so for Evander did not have time to clear his sword from its sheath.
“Hello Teague,” Jillian said wrapping her arms around the wraith like man. One look at his face showed Evander he had nothing to worry about and it was then that he realized he had been. He scowled at the pair, not liking what that said about his place here.
“Let them get inside Teague. I fear Evander doesn’t like you holding onto his woman.”
Jillian’s eyes shot to Evander and he felt his scowl deepen. He wanted to deny the accusation but he knew as surely as these people stood before him had Teague been a lover he would have spilled his blood this night.
Teague took himself off to the hearth grumbling about big soldiers being big babies.
“Turn up the lamps so our guests can see their way around,” Mirna told Teague. Evander noticed her voice was gentle when she spoke to him, a fact that bolstered his frayed nerves. Evander, the boy who was born a slave had never returned to the hovels once he got out. Even this was well above the first home he remembered. Jillian’s cottage was a haven, though it was basic it had its own charm and wealth to it, from the draperies to her tunics. This however was far too close for him to find a modicum of comfort, for it reeked of poverty. Gentleness from the old woman made him feel a little easier in the home of a person who would like to see him sacrificed.
“You look downright hideous with all those scars,” Mirna said and it was as if the roof of the hut came crashing down on him. “Could anyone ever feel anything but revulsion? Could they Jillian?”
Evander knew his scowl must be something hideous the way it pulled at his lips, his nose, even the corner of his eye. A look at Jillian confirmed she was frozen in shock. Was it just because she hadn’t expected such harsh truth from Mirna or because the old woman had pointed out what the younger had not noticed? His scowl deepened even more with his anger. What did he care how either woman looked at him?
“Dinner is ready so take a seat.”
“Do be careful you don’t break my chair,” Mirna said and Teague tittered like a boy as he took his seat beside Jillian who was directly across from Evander. Mirna crammed herself close to Teague on the other side which left Evander sitting alone on his side. And so the lines were drawn, he couldn’t help but think. What did it matter, he chastised himself.
The meat was delicious, he figured no matter how it was cooked it would taste like pure heaven after nearly a season of vegetables alone. “You do have a veracious appetite,” Mirna cackled. “Any wife of yours would be hard pressed to keep you fed,” she added for Jillian’s benefit he was sure.
“When will you leave?” she asked and he heard Jillian gasp.
Evander raised his head from the piece of bark honed and smoothed to make a passable trencher. He assumed it was the best the woman could offer. “Soon,” he said his eyes falling on the old woman then skipping over Teague to light on Jillian. “I have business to tend to before I go,” he replied and he did not mean returning to the place he was attacked.
“What would that be?” the old bat pressed.
He felt his jaw tense. “I have to find the place I was attacked.”
No surprised showed in Jillian’s eyes so he continued on, “It was some of my own men. There was another man there, commanding them. Perhaps I can find something there that might lead to his identity.”
“What will you do then?” Mirna asked drawing his attention from Jillian.
What would he do? Revenge had been on his mind, all this time so why wasn’t that the first thing to come to his mind now? “I will seek revenge for the men who died,” he finally responded his eyes falling back on Jillian.
“Not much can get in the way of a man wanting revenge,” Mirna persisted. He could see the tears yet unshed in Jillian’s eyes as she looked at him. Why would she be crying for him?
“Nothing has ever gotten in my way,” he said slowly so that Jillian knew once and for all he was leaving and no amount of her sad eyes would make him stay.
He dropped his head to eat. He knew his action was admitting defeat and avoiding any more conversation was cowardly. He blocked out Mirna’s comments, he had a job to do and that was final.
“I know where you were attacked,” Mirna finally said drawing his attention.
“She looks after the Druid monuments, she knows this island like the back of her hand,” Jillian explained.
“Will you take me there old woman?” he asked feeling as if he was humbling himself by asking her a favor.
“First you must tell me why you were here on our island.” In an instant the old woman’s gaze turned cold and calculating.
“Just passing through,” he lied.
“We are an island. Don’t think that I am stupid. Why are you here?” she asked slamming her hand down on the table. Teague jumped and a small gasp escaped Jillian.
“To rid this island and the world of your kind,” Evander replied looking her in the eye. “You should have sacrificed me when you had the chance old woman. Once I have found my revenge I will return and do what I was sworn to do.”
“You are such a heathen you would slay those who invite you to dine at their tables?”
Again his eyes were drawn to Jillian. “I have slain those who have lain with me. If I cannot grant them mercy how could I grant a woman like you?”
Evander stood quickly, knocking his chair backwards. “I give you warning, leave this place before I return and I will not have to kill you.”
“I do not fear the future Evander,” the woman said to his back as he walked to the flimsy door that seemed as if it would do nothing to keep the elements out. “The future is unwritten. I know who wishes harm on me. You are the one that does not.”
Evander stalked away. Why did it bother him that he was going to kill the woman who fed him? As strange as the relationship seemed, she was also Jillian’s friend. The old bat sure did make it a point to bring him down in her presence.
Evander stopped by the river, stripping away his clothes to plunge into the cool depths in an effort to douse his hot anger. Feeling a little refreshed and a little less angry, he returned to the cottage.
Jillian was already in the bed, as far on her side as possible. He didn’t know what he expected but he guessed at this point it was only fair she be able to share her bed now that he was well enough. He thought he should be chivalrous and take the floor but he enjoyed the soft body pressed against him in the middle of the night and he was not a man who denied himself pleasure. He pulled his dampened tunic over his head and slid beneath the covers. Taking her gently in his arms he cuddled next to her warmth. He lay there for long moments, smelling the scent of her hair and feeling her soft even breaths under his hand. Just as he was beginning to doze her voice brought him back from the brink.
“Mirna will take you to the place you spoke of on the morning.”
“Why would she do that?”
Long silence followed before she finally answered, “So that you will be gone from our lives sooner.”
He had no words of comfort for Jillian so remained silent. Sleep was elusive that night, it seemed as if more demons than usual plagued him.
Chapter 13
As Mirna had promised she was at Jillian’s door at sunrise to collect Evander. Jillian had gotten little sleep, between her own flying thoughts and Evander’s nightmares dawn seemed as if it was a long time coming. Sometime in the middle of the night Jillian decided it was best not to go with them. For some reason she had in her mind Evander would be taking Amicus and all his possessions and she would not see him again. She had spent the entire night trying to convince herself to accept this. So when Evander took off on foot beside Mirna she fought a moment of shock. He wasn’t leaving, but she could feel it, soon, he would.
When he left he would only be returning to wipe out the Druids. He was a soldier. It did not matter that Mirna had
welcomed him and fed him. She was his enemy, and that was all he saw or would ever see in people. Jillian didn’t even think he knew a friend, if he did he did not care for those either.
Throughout the day her tasks were not getting done as her concentration was broken again and again until she finally gave up in frustration and took to pacing in front of the cottage. It wasn’t good she was so attached to him. It wasn’t good at all. She knew she would make a fool of herself when he was gone. She hoped she would wait until he rode away before she cried. She had only known Evander a few months, most of those he spent unconscious. The Evander she did know did not bode well for the darkness she saw in him. She also saw the light that could only exist in people like him because they regretted what they had no choice but to do. Why couldn’t he just stay here? Why could he not give up his revenge, his wars, and his hate? She would ask him as soon as he returned.
Jillian changed her mind so many times by the time she heard them approach she was in a state of confusion. Night had already begun to claim the day, casting it’s shadows through the trees, making the reddish glow seem as if the world were ablaze. Leaves were nearly gone from the trees. Evander would have no choice but to leave soon so the winter snows didn’t strand him. She was so confused as they came into sight she realized she was standing on her stoop looking as if that was all she had done all day was wait anxiously for their return.
“How did your search go?”
The eyes that looked at her were weary. “I do not know.”
They stared at each for so long Mirna cleared her throat, bid them a good night and left them. Evander still stood there some distance away, looking at her, studying her. “Do you know who betrayed you?”
“Perhaps it was the emperor.”
Jillian swallowed, did this mean he would try to take revenge upon him. Surely he would be slain. “You wish to kill the emperor?”
“You sound surprised. It is not so farfetched an idea.”
“Does this mean you will leave soon?” She hated the sound of her own voice. How it made her sound like the little orphan child abandoned in the woods.
Two long purposeful strides and he closed the distance to her. “I have another pledge I must take care of before I do.”
Her question ended in a surprised squeak as he yanked her against him. Strong arms caged her as lips crashed down onto hers. They were hard and demanding. Jillian gasped and her mouth was invaded by his tongue, reaching for hers, caressing the tip, sucking it. Her knees grew weak and his big hands wrapped around her, supporting her. His body was hot, kindling a fire in her that consumed her. The world fled and all that was left was her and Evander.
She thrilled at the sensation building deep within her core as he sucked her tongue into his mouth stroking it. One hand left her waist and came up to cup her face, tipping her head to the side and he drew away her very breath as the kiss intensified and she couldn’t get close enough. Her clothing was too much a restriction, her very skin itself. Never did she want anything as much as she wanted what Evander promised.
He bent, pulling her tunic up her legs slowly, all the way to her hips, wrapping his hand in the folds. He released her face and with both strong hands he lifted her, guiding her legs around his waist. Jillian devoured his groan as she boldly sucked his lower lip between hers and caressed it gently with her tongue, suckling it. One hand supported her now bare bottom, the other sliding along her legs, all the way behind him to feel her ankles locked behind him.
She felt him shift under her as he carried her inside, kicking the door closed behind them. He did not spare the time to get her to the bed but propped her onto the edge of the table. Both hands caressed down her legs, to the ankles pressing her heels even more into his back. He felt her thighs flex around him as she tightened her grip. The hands traveled back up to her hips, one left to cup her face again and she had the vague notion his other hand traveled up her tunic, past the belt that was somehow now free. She was lost in the lips that had reclaimed her until a warm hand cupped a breast, the thumb flicking over her nipple. Her body shuddered, her thighs tightening and her back arched on a groan she did not know she was holding back. His lips left hers and seared a path down her jaw down to her neck were he suckled her there before his tongue continued the path to the top of her tunic, his lips suckling, his teeth nipping. All the while the free hand was kneading and gently stroking her nipple that seemed to grow more and more sensitive with each stroke. Another groan escaped her when the hand that had been cupping her face had left it and now grasped a hand full of her bottom, pulling her more firmly against him.
He pulled his hand free of her tunic and her eyes met his and she saw a feral animal before her. Almost seeming in a panic he tried to pull his tunic over his head, forgetting her legs held it there as well as his sword belt. With gentle hands he pulled her legs from him as he nearly pushed her backward with the harsh demand of his lips on hers. Then he parted with her and pulled his tunic over his head. Standing before her naked he waited no time but pushed her tunic more firmly up around her waist then with strong hands he cupped her rear. With the strength long honed on a battle filled he yanked her hips to the edge of the table and impaled her with his manhood. The sudden stretching and pressure made Jillian cry out in pain.
Evander froze, staring down at her. “You are still a virgin,” he said in shock. She felt that part of him that was inside her flex and his grip tightened, the fingers digging into her flesh as he held her on him.
“Not now,” she gritted out.
“But you said you were barren.”
Her hands came up off the table where she had been supporting herself to cup his face. “It does not change that I want you,” she said as she met his lips with her own. He allowed her to toy with him for a moment but the innocent play was more than he could bear. One hand left her to cup the back of her head and he demanded she give everything to him. He felt her relax around him then begin to pulse when his lips left hers to claim a breast through her tunic. The groan that escaped her was nearly more than he could bear.
A void was opened within her when he rose from her and let his hands fall away though he did not remove himself from her sheath. “You want me as I am. As hideous as I am?”
“You are not hideous Evander,” she said moving forward to plant a kiss on a scar on his shoulder, across his chest. When her tongue flicked across his nipple she heard him suck air between his clinched teeth. His hands came back down to drive himself deeper into her. Brutish strokes that made her head fall back for the sheer joy of him filling her. Of her own will she wrapped her legs around him, driving her heels into his back, her arms locked around his neck. Each breath he expelled was matched by him driving deeper into her. Each breath brought her closer to the edge of something she was reaching for. She did not think she could stand the torture any more. She sought the end but at the same time did not want it. Then with the mightiest of thrusts he pulled her against him and let out a gasp that sounded as if his soul took flight. She felt herself release around him as her body tightened of its own volition. She felt herself come floating back down into her body as Evander lifted her from her table, her legs still wrapped around him and carried her to the bed.
Evander wrapped his arms around her after pulling the blanket around them both. Sometime in the night his strong hands woke her and he made her feel again the craving for that precipice and the plunge over the other side. Afterward he lay on his back with Jillian nestled against him, her head lying on his chest listening to the strong beat of his heart. One day soon that heart might cease to beat.
“I’m leaving at dawn,” he said and she could hear the regret in his voice.
She closed her eyes against the loss she already felt.
Chapter 14
Evander left her sleeping. He couldn’t bear to wake her, to see her tears for he had felt them last night. After she thought he was asleep. She had wept clinging to him. Why was this so hard? He had a debt to repay so why was he
worrying about leaving the weeping woman behind. Even Amicus seemed reluctant to leave the little shelter from the rest of the world.
As soon as Amicus stepped onto the main shore a fleck of snow touched his cheek. Pulling his cloak around himself he brought the black horse to a stop. What if he was caught in a storm? Any delay would only make his journey harder this time of year. He rode a few more paces and the snow picked up. It made strategic sense to stay until spring. With the decision made her turned Amicus and rode back to the cottage.
Amicus covered the distance in half the time. They rode into the yard by mid day tearing up the grass as Amicus came to a prancing halt. A quick look in the cabin showed that it was empty. Evander took his horse to the enclosure, making a mental note he would need to build him better shelter before it got too cold. He carried his few meager possessions into the cottage then came out shortly after looking about himself. The river was the most likely place unless she had gone to Mirna’s, an unlikely occurrence since she thought she disliked the woman.
Snow built up around his boots as he trudged on. He went far enough to have second thoughts about the entire expedition. The snow came down like a blizzard, the early year made the flakes too close to water still and they melted nearly instantly on his hair and cloak, soaking him through. From out of the swirl came a figure, moving gracefully despite their slow pace. He knew by the gate it was Jillian and he waited on the path.
She came on, never looking left or right until she was nearly upon him. She came to a halt, her head rising and dark eyes peered at him from the shadows of her hood. “Evander?” she asked slowly as if she thought herself to be hallucinating.