The Reward of Anavrea

by Rachel Rossano

  Her stomach turned and for a moment she almost dropped the tray.

  “You’re a kitchen wench now, ay.” He grinned suggestively, openly assessing her appearance. His open mouth displayed the gap where she had knocked out his front tooth when they were both younger. His remaining teeth were crooked and yellow. “Now that you are no longer a fine lady, you might be interested in what I have to offer.” He leaned back puffed out his chest. “I am sure I could get you out of the kitchens, at least.”

  Willing her hands not to shake, she balanced the tray, lifted a bread trencher full of stew, and set it in front of him, sloshing stew over the bowl edge and onto the table. As she turned away, something lifted her skirt. A hand touched her leg through the fabric, squeezing.

  She ignored it and stepped to the next man. Keeping her head down, she didn’t look at the men’s faces as she finished serving the table. She wasn’t sure she could keep the disgust from her eyes.

  Reentering the kitchen, Jayne set the tray on the table and sank into the nearest chair. Her hands shook as she held them before her and tried to calm the thundering of her heart in her ears.

  “What is wrong, child?” Patti asked. She reached over and pulled Jayne’s chin up so she could study her face. “You are white as a ghost,” she declared. “Are you going to faint on me now?”

  Jayne pulled her face away. Tears burned behind her eyes and she knew she would not be able to hold them at bay much longer. “I will go wash my face and hands,” she said. But when she stood, the world spun. Steadying herself by touching the table’s edge, she paused a moment.

  “Come right back and have something to eat,” Patti admonished. “You cannot keep working with nothing in your stomach.”

  Nodding, she turned and left. Behind her, Trina asked, “What is wrong with Jayne?”

  The corridors were blessedly empty. Father, why does he still haunt me? Why did I let him annoy me? The stable yard lay quiet and still as she crossed it to the well. The bucket came up full on the first drawing. She set it on the edge so she could dip her hands into the cold liquid within it. Bringing the refreshing moisture to her face, she tried to wash away the dirty feeling that always followed any man’s attentions.

  “So, you couldn’t wait,” Turtkin said from behind her. She whirled around, knocking the bucket to the ground and soaking her feet and the bottom of her skirt. “Ah,” he said as he looked down at the wet cloth sticking to her legs, “My, what a sweet sight.” He came toward her and into range. Jayne stepped forward and lashed out her foot. He moved too quickly out of reach. Her sense of balance tipped. She fell forward and landed in the fresh mud.

  “Not this time, Jayne. You may be plain, but you are spunky. You should have known I wouldn’t fall for that again.” Turtkin laughed as he squatted before her. Give me strength, she prayed, please, God. Reaching out, she grabbed his ankle and pulled. He fell over backwards.

  Struggling to her feet, she turned and tried to run, but he was faster. He caught her wrist and using her own momentum, he threw her to the ground. “Oh, no you don’t.” Anger filled his voice as he towered over her. “A little spunk is good, but too much might make me angry.”

  He kicked her in the side and spots crowded the edge of her vision. Tears leaked from her closed eyes as she struggled to hold back the sob of pain that filled her throat. Rolling away as best she could, she prepared herself for the next blow, but blackness overcame her before it fell.

  ~~~~~~

  Earlier, Liam had noted Jayne’s shaking hands and the paleness of her face as she set the trencher before him. She turned away immediately, so he had no chance to ask her how she felt. But when Turtkin rose and left the hall, he knew something was wrong. Signaling to Braxton to come, Liam followed the man.

  Jaren stopped them in the hall to ask about the watch for that night, but it only took a moment to clarify that they were in a hurry. A moment was too long, Liam realized as he reached the open door into the stable yard. Jayne was lying on the ground covered in mud. Even as he watched, Turtkin kicked her in the side.

  “Stop,” Liam yelled. Running across the courtyard, he planted a fist in the man’s stomach just as Turtkin turned to face him. The second fist connected with the man’s jaw and he fell like a bag of meal. As he stood over the rat, Liam hoped the man would rise so he could have the satisfaction of pounding him again. Beating a woman was bad enough, but the fact it was Jayne somehow made him angrier. To his disappointment, Turtkin was still.

  “Liam,” Braxton called. Liam turned and focused on the crumpled form of the girl. Braxton was kneeling in the mud next to her with his hand on her shoulder. Fear rose in Liam’s chest. Was I too late?

  “Is she alive?” he asked, sinking to his knees next to her. Dark hair shadowed her face. Her eyes remained closed, and her face was still and pale.

  “I don’t know.” Braxton’s large fingers wrapped around her out flung wrist. “I can get a pulse, but she is not responding otherwise.”

  Nodding, Liam frowned. “Let us get her inside,” he said as he worked his hand under her legs. She weighed little, not much more than skin and bones. She had probably been starving herself to provide for those children. Striding toward the door, he resolved she would gain weight after this if he had to shove the food down her stubborn throat himself.

  As they crossed the threshold, Braxton asked, “Are you capable of handling this on your own? I wish to deal with Turtkin before he recovers and attempts to slink off.”

  Liam nodded curtly. “Make it a public discharge so that the men know this kind of behavior will not be tolerated.” Braxton acknowledged and left.

  Taking the steps two at a time, Liam headed toward the bedrooms on the second level. Oran had told him that morning that the twins were sick, and he did not want to upset them with the sight of their sister in such a state.

  Jayne stirred her head. Liam knew the exact moment she realized someone was carrying her. She stiffened with a harsh gasp and then pulled away from him. In order not to drop her, he tightened his grip on her, causing her to gasp. “Be still,” he ordered. It came out rougher than he intended. She quit struggling, but she did not relax. He didn’t want to pain her, but if he dropped her here, she would hurt even more.

  He kicked the door to one room open, but there was no bedding on the bed. He backed out into the hall and started toward his chamber. At least there was bedding on his bed. The door opened when he shoved it. Crossing to the bed he settled her gently on top of the covers and stepped back.

  “I am getting the...” Whatever she had been planning to say cut off as she pressed a hand to her side and gasped in pain. Tears filled her eyes and spilled unheeded as she lay back again.

  “I will send for the healer,” he said as he knelt next to the bed.

  She shook her head. “I am the healer,” she informed him through clenched teeth. “He broke a rib, maybe two.” She gasped again as she tried to move.

  “What are you doing?” he demanded. If she kept this up she would do serious damage.

  “I have to get up.” She tried to push herself up but got no further than a few inches.

  “No.” Placing his hand on her shoulder, he pressed against it. “You are going nowhere. If you are the healer, tell me what to do. I can find you linen to bind your ribs with.” He had bruised his own ribs a few times and knew the healer’s tactics.

  Jayne lay still for a moment before opening her eyes. “You cannot help me. It would be inappropriate. I need a woman’s help.” Her voice was shaking.

  He nodded as he said, “I will go get Patti.” He rose and frowned. “Promise you won’t try to get up while I am gone.” She looked up at him and for a moment, he was afraid she would refuse to promise.

  “I promise,” she said finally. Satisfied she with her promise, he left her to go in search of the cook and Jaren. She couldn’t be the only healer in the area. He would find one that would order her to stay in bed and rest.

  ~~~~~~

  Ja
yne lay back on the softness and closed her eyes. The pain in her head beat a steady march. The sharp agony in her side kept a harmony going with every breath she took, no matter how small. She couldn’t stop the tears that escaped her eyes as she cried internally to God. Why now, Kurios? Why now? I have so much to do. The children need me. I could have made it if Turtkin hadn’t chosen to start in on me.

  The disgusted feeling in the pit of her stomach had nothing to do with the filth and mud drying on her legs and arms. It was so horribly familiar. How many times, Kurios? How many times must I endure men’s advances before I am old enough to not catch a man’s eye? Her tears caused shame to weigh down her chest. “Now he will think I am weak,” she said.

  “Nonsense,” Patti declared as she entered the room. “What has that man done to you?”

  “It was Turtkin,” Jayne said.

  “I know it was Turtkin. Braxton is in the yard beating the slob right now. He will not show his face within these gates again. So what is the damage?”

  “A bruised rib, it might be broken.”

  Patti frowned. “Well, let us start on getting you out of these clothes. Lord Tremain should be here any minute with the linen strips. He is insisting he help with the binding. Now roll over, so I can start on those buttons.”

  Taking a deep and painful breath, Jayne obeyed.

  Chapter Seven

  Liam sat back and studied the sleeping form on his bed. Patti dozed in the chair on the opposite side of the bed. Moonlight and the low fire lit the room with red and silver light. What do you want of me, Kurios? Running a hand through his hair, he closed his eyes. You have sent me here for a reason, for You have a reason for everything. I see a people in need of a leader who they can look up to and trust. I see children who need someone to take care of them. I see a woman who has been struggling so hard to survive on her own that she cannot accept help.

  She won’t trust me, Lord, and I can understand why. I can be a leader; I can help the children, but I do not see how I can help her. He opened his eyes and looked again at the woman lying there. Show me how to win her trust.

  ~~~~~~

  The next morning, Jayne opened her eyes to the warmth of sunlight. Realizing she had slept in, she tried to rise. Sharp pain exploded throughout her whole body, centering in her chest, reminding her of the previous day’s events. Lying still and waiting for the agony to subside, she took a moment to collect her thoughts.

  Good morning, Kurios, she prayed. I am sorry I forgot to say good morning yesterday. Then as was her usual habit, she began to count her blessings.

  I have a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, and food for my stomach. The children are safe, Turtkin has left, and Klian has not been able to hurt us yet. Father, forgive me for my sins. I was so caught up in myself and the work I had to do yesterday, I forgot to seek You. Please forgive me.

  “How are you feeling?” Lord Tremain asked.

  Opening her eyes and turning her head, she discovered him standing above her. He smiled, but concern clouded his dark blue eyes. She tried to smile in return, but her lips pulled painfully against cracked skin. “Fine as long as I don’t move.”

  “Then don’t move. I will go tell Patti you are awake. Are you hungry?”

  Jayne tried to nod, but that hurt too. Her head felt hot, yet her feet and hands were freezing. “Do I have a fever?” she asked.

  Kneeling beside her, Lord Tremain pressed the back of his hand against her forehead. Her stomach tightened in a way that had nothing to do with its emptiness. As he turned his hand to place his palm on her cheek, she waited for the filthy feeling that always came when a man touched her, but it didn’t come.

  “Yes,” he said as he withdrew his hand. “I am not surprised though. The twins have had one since last night and Trina complained of a headache this morning. Thankfully the boys both seem fine.”

  “Are they in bed? They shouldn’t be up and about if they are ill. Are they eating? They have a tendency to stop eating when they are sick. I must rise.” She tried to push herself to sit. Shards of fire erupted around her middle and white spots threatened her vision, but she fixated on being upright. Closing her eyes against the pain, she willed her limbs to move.

  “No.” Large hands enclosed her shoulders and forced her to stop by pressing her back into the pillows, pinning her there with an unrelenting grip. Looking up to rebuke him for touching her, she found his face only inches from her own. “You tried this last night,” he said. “I didn’t let you get up then, and I am not about to do so now.” Dark blue eyes met hers with steady determination. “The children are safe, as comfortable as possible, and under Patti’s careful watch. You, however, are my charge and you are staying in bed until I decide you are well enough to rise.”

  She tried to look away, but he caught her chin in his left hand and brought her face back up to his. Stubbornly, she focused on his nose.

  He laughed. “You look very silly. Why can’t you accept the fact I am trying to help you and stop fighting me?”

  Jayne met his eyes then. The fears she had tried burying for many years crept into her thoughts. The fear she would never be able to trust a man again, never be able to have a friend, never to love. She had given her love and trust to her father until he threw it away. After that, she had only opened a part of herself to her siblings. They were safe because they couldn’t hurt her the way Alain had. They needed her.

  “No one helps me.” She stated it, but her conviction wavered.

  “I am,” he said just as firmly, “Whether or not you want me to.”

  For the first time in years, Jayne felt something she had lost. Hope.

  “Now lie still while I get you food,” he instructed as he turned to leave.

  Jayne obeyed, but the storm of emotion within her was anything but still.

  ~~~~~~

  When Liam returned, Jayne was sitting up. He frowned, but one glance at her face made him refrain from the scolding that came to mind. The pale skin of her face was taut with pain. Setting the tray on the table he had drawn close to the bed the night before, he said, “Patti recommends stew, bread, and water for stubborn invalids.” He turned and drew up a chair so he could sit next to the bed.

  “I am not so weak that I cannot feed myself,” she protested.

  “It is not a question of weakness.” It is a question of control.

  Liam was quickly realizing that everything this young woman did was a matter of control. She protected herself and her siblings by maintaining a measure of control over herself and her environment. At least she tried. Now, he had to get her to see she no longer needed her defenses. He was willing and determined to get her to trust him. Then they could figure out a solution to the quandary of Lord Klian and the marriage contract. Until then, he needed her to stop fighting him. She had to stop distracting him from the task at hand.

  Taking the bowl of stew in his hand, he filled a spoon with meat, and offered it to her. When he met her eyes, he saw shock and fear in their depths. The shock he had expected, but not the fear.

  “I should be the one afraid, not you,” he informed her mildly. “I am the one endangering his fingers by putting them so close to those teeth of yours. Come on open up.”

  To his surprise, she obeyed. He slipped in the spoonful and waited to make sure she chewed it. He didn’t trust her to cooperate completely. Satisfied she was eating it, he turned his attention to reloading the spoon.

  “I wouldn’t bite you,” she said.

  Liam smiled. “That is a relief,” he said as he offered her another bite. “I would like to keep all my digits. I have grown rather fond of them.” She smiled very weakly and chewed.

  When he next looked up, she was studying his face. “Why are you helping me?” she asked before the next bite.

  “It is in my best interest to keep you out of Klian’s grasp, and besides I have grown attached to the children being around. Oran is a bright boy and shows great promise in his training. Urith avoids training, so I have b
een thinking of looking for a tutor for him. He might lean more toward studying academics.”

  “You don’t have to try to make up for their father’s neglect,” she said softly.

  He looked over at her. She turned her head away, but not before he glimpsed the telling glimmer of tears in her eyes.

  “Not every man is like your father, Jayne.”

  “Forgive me for not taking you at your word.”

  “Jayne,” he said as he set the now empty bowl on the table and reached across the bedding to capture her hand. “I am not your father, I am not Klian, and I am not Turtkin. I am trying to be a friend because it seems to me that you need one.”

  She didn’t turn back to look at him, but after a moment of silence, when he was about to leave, she spoke. “Thank you.”

  He nodded before stepping over the threshold. Nudging the door closed with his foot, he stood for a moment in the hallway. Thank you, Kurios.

  ~~~~~~

  Two days later, Jayne found the pain had decreased to the point where she felt she could get up. When she expressed this to Liam as she ate her breakfast, he raised his eyebrows at her.

  “So, you don’t believe you have broken a rib?” he asked.

  She met his eyes evenly. “No, the pain would have still been unbearable if I had. I think I only bruised them.”

  Slowly he nodded. “You may rise if you promise me you will not push yourself too far.”

  Jayne agreed.

  As soon as she finished eating, he cleared the dishes away. He helped her fold back the heavy blankets and moved her legs so they dangled over the edge of the bed. Mild aches rippled along her ribs as she moved, but Jayne ignored them. She was determined to be free of the bed. Then, to her surprise, he offered her his hand. “I bruised my ribs, not injured my legs,” she protested.

  “Humor me,” he told her sternly. A flicker of something Jayne couldn’t name was in his eyes before he turned his attention to her feet. Ignoring his hand, she slid off the bed. The jolt hurt, but she gritted her teeth and straightened her shoulders. However when she looked up at him, she saw he remained unconvinced.