by Diana Cosby
The Templar frowned. “We will carry him back to camp.”
Aiden’s lids again lifted, then his eyes widened in dazed disbelief. “Gwendolyn?”
The rawness of his words, the reddened skin on his body from the days at sea attested to his weakened state, but he was alive. “Aye,” she whispered as joy poured through her, “I am here.”
Cailin helped him to sit and then pressed the water pouch to Aiden’s lips. “Drink.”
After several slow sips, Aiden pushed the pouch away. Tender eyes shifted to her. His hand shaking, a weak smile creased his face as he pressed the palm against her cheek. “Y-you saved me. Brought m-me ashore.”
She wiped away her tears. “I knew you were alive.”
“Indeed,” Cailin agreed, his voice rough. “She refused to stay at the castle.” He secured the container, stood. “I will retrieve the horses.” He walked away.
“I was so frightened,” she admitted. “I thought—”
Aiden drew her against him. “I would never leave you.” He cupped her face, his glance so fierce she trembled beneath the intensity. “I vowed that once we reclaimed Latharn Castle I would leave and never return. Never in my life have I broken my word.” He gave a shaky breath. “Until now. I love you, Gwendolyn, and canna let you go. You are all I have thought of these past three days.”
Happiness exploded inside her and fresh tears spilled down her face. “You love me?”
“I do,” he rasped, “and if it takes forever, I will win your heart.”
Tenderness tightened in her chest, entwined with her love for this man. “You willna have to. After you didna return, I realized I canna imagine a life without you. I love you, Aiden, and need you with my every breath.”
His mouth crushed over hers, and she welcomed the heat, the need only he inspired. Too soon, he broke the kiss and drew her into his arms.
A horse whinnied, and she smiled, never so happy in her life. “Can you ride?”
Warmth glittered in his eyes. “Aye. H-help me up.”
She slipped her arm around him, assisting him into a stand, and moments later, Cailin settled Aiden atop her horse. With a wide grin, she climbed up behind him.
“Let us ride,” she said, her arms sliding around his waist as she reached for the reins. “’Tis time to go home.”
Chapter 19
At the beach below the castle, Aiden lifted one of the last damaged planks from the sand and tossed it into the fire. He appreciated the stretch and strain on his muscles, proof that, after, a fortnight he had completely healed from his ordeal at sea.
A gust whipped across the incoming waves, casting sprays of white into the air. He inhaled the aromatic scent of the sea and smiled.
Life.
Such a fleeting gift, one he’d pondered little until the battle of Latharn Castle and his brush with death.
Emotion swelled inside as he glanced at his wife, working at his side. The time spent overseeing repairs had allowed him to heal, but also to be with her, to learn more about the woman he’d wed.
A distant rumble of thunder resonated from the west.
“A storm is brewing,” Gwendolyn warned.
He frowned at the dark clouds in the distance. “’Twill be a while before the rain arrives.” Completeness swelled inside Aiden as he took in the stronghold. The most important repairs to the castle had been seen to. Still, ’twould take several months before everything was complete. “I depart in the morning, comforted in knowing the knights I leave behind will keep you safe.”
Her lower lip trembled as she cast a shard of wood into the fire. “I dinna want you to go. Nay tomorrow, next week. Ever.”
Desperation rose like bile in his throat, and for the first time in his life he damned his leaving. Being apart from this incredible woman, even for a short while, seemed tantamount to forever.
On a hard swallow, he faced her. “I will be away a few months at most.”
“But you canna be sure.”
“Nay.” On a silent curse, Aiden drank the ladle of water she offered, refilled it, and then handed her the scoop.
From the tower, a guard called out, “The king’s banner waves in the distance!”
Aiden scanned the slope leading to the castle where, weeks before, he, Cailin, and Rónán had ridden, caught the flicker of the king’s standard waving in the afternoon breeze. He frowned.
Gwendolyn dropped the ladle into the bucket as she peered up the incline. “I thought you were expecting the Earl of Dunsmore to transport an artifact of importance for the Bruce, but not until you had returned.”
“Aye.” A holy artifact, one of great importance to the Templars that, regardless of their endless searches in Latharn’s tunnels, they hadn’t found. News he dreaded sharing with his king.
Their gazes met and worried eyes held his.
Aiden drew her to him. “I dinna know why he has arrived early, more so accompanied by the king. Regardless the reason, ’tis one we shall soon learn.”
“I will ensure preparations are made for their stay and meet you in the bailey before they arrive.”
He lifted her hand, pressed a kiss upon her palm. “Until then.”
A blush swept her cheeks. “I willna be long.” She hurried away.
He watched her go, admiring her lithe form, matching the grace of her character. Blast it. Fully healed, he’d planned on spending this last night with Gwendolyn alone, but ’twould seem the hours ahead would be engaged in conversation with the Bruce concerning the next attack. He strode toward the castle.
* * * *
Horns blared.
Creaks from the portcullis opening echoed through the castle as he halted at the center of the bailey.
The scrape of the door sounded. Then Gwendolyn rushed toward him. Breaths coming fast, she halted at his side, nodded. “Everything is ready.”
Horns again sounded from the wall walk as King Robert rode into the courtyard. His crown glinted in the afternoon sun, his yellow tunic embroidered with a deep red lion rampant atop his mail, the same color and design of his steed’s caparison.
“The nobleman at the king’s side is Stephan MacQuistan,” Aiden said.
“The Templar who seized Avalon Castle and wed Lady Katherine?”
“Aye.” On a nervous breath, shoulders back, she turned to the king as he halted before them.
Aiden couldn’t have been prouder of his wife. He gave a deep bow. “We welcome you to Latharn Castle, Sire.”
Gwendolyn curtsied. “Welcome to our home, Your Grace.”
The Bruce and the earl dismounted, and a lad hurried forward to lead their destriers away. “Rise,” the king said.
“Lady Gwendolyn,” Aiden said, “may I introduce you to Stephan MacQuistan, the Earl of Dunsmore, and my friend.”
“My lord,” she said.
Stephan bowed. “’Tis a pleasure to meet you, my lady. I have”—he shot an amused glance toward the king before nodding to her—“heard much about you. In the future, I look forward to your meeting my wife. ’Twould seem you and Lady Katherine have much in common.”
A smile curved her lips. “I look forward to that moment.”
“One nay doubt she will enjoy as well.” The earl turned to the king.
The Bruce turned to Aiden. “We had hoped to find you still here.”
“Your Grace, my men and I are prepared to sail on the morning tide,” Aiden said. He shot a curious glance at Stephan.
His friend remained silent.
“Lead us to somewhere you, Lady Gwendolyn, the Earl of Dunsmore, and I can speak in private,” the king stated, his words solemn.
“Aye, Sire.” Aiden started toward the keep, not missing the concern on Gwendolyn’s face. Moments later, he opened the door to the solar. Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, spilling swaths of blues, reds
, and purples within the chamber. Once he’d ushered the small group inside, Aiden closed the door.
The king halted at the center of the room, folded his arms across his chest. “Due to the great value of the holy relic hidden below Latharn Castle, I decided to join Lord Dunsmore as he transported the artifact to Avalon Castle.”
Aiden cursed the answer he must give his king. He glanced at his wife, then back to the sovereign. “Sire, we found nay mention of the receipt of the holy relic from the Grand Master in the secret ledger. We have searched every tunnel and found naught but supplies.”
“If there is another chamber hidden below, Your Grace,” Gwendolyn added, nervousness sliding through her voice, “’tis one my father never disclosed.”
Aiden gave her hand a quick, supportive squeeze, then let go. “With your permission, Sire, I shall continue the search until ’tis found. Then, when I do, I shall personally deliver the artifact to Avalon Castle.” Body taut, he awaited his sovereign’s ire for having failed.
“’Tis here.” A grim yet confident smile touched the king’s mouth. “The writ I received from your father stated he had sent you a message with the location and instructions regarding it. Clearly, his missive never arrived.”
She shook her head. “Nay, Sire. I received naught.”
“Regardless,” the king said, “I know where the artifact is hidden.”
“If you knew,” she said, confusion in her voice, “why did you not tell Aiden long ago, when you gave him the task?”
A frown touched the sovereign’s brow. “I didna know then. A sennight after you departed, the monk who gave your father the last rites arrived at my camp. He explained that before your father died, when he hadn’t heard from you and, concerned the missive he had sent to you somehow had been lost, he revealed the location of the secret vault to him and asked that the information be delivered to me.” King Robert paused. “Given my travels during my campaign to claim Scotland, a quest that has taken the monk several months to achieve.” He paused. “Lady Gwendolyn, bring me the gold key with the Templar Cross.”
She frowned. “Key? I… There isna such, Your Grace.”
The king grimaced. “I see you havena opened the pouch sealed with a gold filigree cord I gave you after you wed. Bring it to me now.”
Frantic eyes moved to Aiden before shifting to the monarch. “I—”
“Sire, Lady Gwendolyn had me place the key in a safe place. I will be but a moment.” Aiden winked at her as he strode off.
She watched him in disbelief. Incredible to think that after all their efforts over the past weeks, there was another secret to be found.
A short while later, he reentered the solar, the satchel in his hand.
“Give it to Lady Gwendolyn,” the king instructed.
Her fingers trembled as she accepted the velvet sack, then loosened the ornate cord. She withdrew, and then unrolled, a delicate swath of copper silk. Amazement widened her eyes as she lifted the key. Within the stream of sunlight, an emerald centered at the apex lay a glittering prism across her hand. “’Tis beautiful,” she breathed.
“Aye,” the king said with pride. “More important, it unlocks a secret, the identity none but the Templars can ever know of. Come; I will show you where the vault is hidden. Once we have removed the holy relic, Lord Dunsmore and I will depart.”
* * * *
As the setting sun lingered on the horizon, pride surged through Aiden as he watched the king, Lord Dunsmore, and their contingent ride east along the shore.
As they rounded the bend, the faint whinnies of horses carried on the breeze as the army faded from view, and his gaze dropped to their tracks etched in the sand. With each new wave that smoothed the beach, their passage disappeared.
Memories of the gold-plated chest they’d removed from the secret hiding place rolled through his mind, still overwhelmed by the moment he’d first seen the gilded trunk. One described in the Book of Exodus as containing the Tablets of Stone on which the Ten Commandments were written.
The awe on Gwendolyn’s face, and the king’s, and Stephan’s, had matched his own. With care, they had secured the sacred container within a larger, plain chest, and then the king and Stephan had departed with the treasure.
“I still canna believe the key to unlock the secret vault was in the velvet sack,” Gwendolyn said, her voice filled with wonder. “To think, I tossed away such a treasure because of my foolish anger. Thank God you retrieved my father’s gift.”
Aiden smiled and entwined his fingers with hers. “You were angry. I had planned to return the king’s gift to you, but between battle preparations, my recovery, and the castle repairs, the pouch was forgotten.”
Pewter-gray eyes warmed. “I thank you for being so thoughtful. I am blessed to have such a husband.”
He kissed each fingertip, then her palm. “’Tis I who is blessed. I love you, Gwendolyn. You are a wonderful woman, one of strength and wit, with a kind heart.” Aiden drew her against him, tipped up her chin. “Months ago, at the wedding of Thomas MacKelloch, a Templar and a close friend, I insisted a woman and a family are not my desire. That I preferred the life of a warrior.”
A smile teased her mouth. “And now?”
His heart swelled as he drew her against him. “Now I think differently.” He crushed his lips upon hers before easing his mouth away and nipping along the soft curve of her jaw. Her soft gasps heated his blood as their gazes met. “It took me too long to acknowledge I had fallen in love, but now I canna exist without you.”
A blush slid up Gwendolyn’s cheeks. “I have a confession to make as well.”
He arched a brow. “And that would be?” Intrigued, doubting his life would ever be boring with her at his side.
“My showing you is best.” In the fading daylight, she took his hand and led him to where a sun-bleached limb lay half-buried on the shore. Eyes sparkling with mischief, she gestured to the rough charcoal outline of a man, a chunk torn free from the crudely shaded heart.
“You did this?” he asked. After witnessing her spirit since they had met, he far from found himself surprised.
“Aye. On the morning of your arrival at Latharn Castle, furious that I had to wed to keep my liege lord’s guard at the stronghold, I drew this. As I drove my dagger into the blackened heart, I told Sir Pieres that I needed nay husband.”
Aiden chuckled. “I am lucky to have survived.”
“Your saving Kellan and her colt helped to begin to win my heart,” she said with a smile. “I was prepared to dislike you. In truth, I half-loathed you before we met.”
“That was unfair.”
Her smile faded and her eyes darkened with need. “It was. As angry as I was, fairness wasna in my heart to give. Then I met you.”
A simple look and he wanted her. With Gwendolyn ’twould always be so. He caught her mouth in another heated kiss, lingered. “I assure you, when I rode into your castle on that fateful day, never did I expect to stay, more so to find a woman I would respect, let alone love. And I found both.” Drawing her to his side, he glanced along the shore. “’Tis beautiful.”
Warmth touched her gaze. “’Tis my special place, one I wanted to share with you.”
He inhaled, the salty tang in the air, along with the soft cadence of the waves, spilling ashore like a balm to the soul. “Though stunning, I find myself wanting to be alone in the privacy of our chamber with my wife.” Aiden caught her mouth in a tender kiss. The spear of need was immediate, and he savored the desire, the building of heat.
She arched against him, took, demanded, her every move stealing his breath.
Blood racing hot, Aiden broke away, skimmed kisses down the silken column of her neck. “Come to bed with me, Gwendolyn. I canna wait any longer.”
Eyes dark with hunger held his. “Have you healed enough?”
In answer, he scooped her into his
arms and strode toward their home. Gwendolyn laughed, the sweetest sound to Aiden’s ears.
A short while later he secured the door behind him. Candlelight filled the chamber, illuminating her within the golden light as he lowered Gwendolyn to her feet.
On a soft gasp, she slowly turned, staring at the numerous baskets of flowers, the delicacies filling a platter: several wedges of cheese, cured meats, and pastries garnished with honey and slices of golden baked apples. In a basket to one side lay several bottles of wine. A well-planned banquet that made her eyes pool with joy and her mouth water.
“Where did all this come from?” she asked as she stared up at him with tenderness.
“I asked the cook and a maid to prepare everything while we said farewell to King Robert.” He moved his hands down the arms of her cream silk gown. “I wanted to surprise you.”
Her eyes grew misty. “You have.”
Humbled by this woman, one who had destroyed the walls guarding his heart, he drew her closer. “Every time I look at you, you steal my breath. I canna believe you are mine.” A flush swept her cheeks, and he liked having put it there. “More so after having seen the figure with the charcoal heart slashed out.”
Gwendolyn laughed, a rich, happy sound. “There is that.”
His heart full, Aiden claimed her mouth in a deep kiss, lingered, thankful to have found her, more that they would be together for the rest of their lives.
Emotion raw in his chest, he swept her into his arms, strode toward the bed. Gray eyes darkened with desire as he settled his body intimately over hers. Braced on his forearms, Aiden stared down at her, never before feeling this blessed, this complete.
He rolled onto his back, took her with him, until she straddled him.
“What are you doing?” she gasped.
“This.” Within the golden wisps of light, he skimmed his fingers along the curve of her neck, sliding lower to loosen the ties of her clothing. With reverence, he peeled away the gown, exposed the soft swell of her breasts. He swallowed hard, lifted his gaze to hers. “You steal my breath, Gwendolyn.” Hands trembling, he cupped her soft curve, raised up to taste.