"You wouldn't dare! I am a council member's daughter!" snapped Wendy.
"One," replied Septis.
"Two," said Alec.
"Three," they both said.
Wendy screeched, "Turn your backs so I can get dressed!" Wendy stared in complete and utter astonishment as both men crossed their arms over their chests and shook their heads in the exact same manner. She got out of bed trying to use the bedspread to cover her as she tried to get dressed.
"Four," Septis replied.
Wendy screeched, yanked the sheet off the bed, wrapped it around her, grabbed up her clothes, and fled the room.
Septis said loud enough he was sure the retreating lass could hear him, "I guess it's a good thing Malachi ordered the sheets changed."
Alec busted up laughing. "Malachi better watch his back with that wee minx out to get him. She'll cause him nothing but grief."
Septis nodded grimly and said, "Malachi has ordered guards placed on the doors to his quarters and his office for enforcing his strict orders on who is allowed to come and go. I think I will also strongly recommend that he is not to be left alone except when he is in one of these rooms and only when we know he is alone."
Alec nodded in agreement. "I will go find Broderick and make arrangements for the guards immediately."
Wendy fled down the corridor. When she saw the slave, she glared. The slave, who had been able to hear the last bit of the conversation, after all, the men didn't close the door, was trying really hard not to laugh. Wendy stopped. The slave immediately shrank and looked down at the ground. Wendy slapped her hard across the face. Wendy gave the slave the most hate filled glare she could manage under the circumstances and said in a venomous voice, "When I am Queen, I will have you cast out for your insolence, you wee vermin, and if you repeat one word of what was said I will make your life a living hell." As though to put emphasis on her point, she slapped the slave again, then fled into an empty room.
The slave looked up to see the large Huntsman glaring at her. His eyes were narrowed, and his jaw was set. It was such a terrifying sight. It made her shrink and look away, then she heard him moving down the corridor.
Chapter 27
The following morning, Alec gave his men their orders and informed them he would have to catch up with them later; he had something important he had to deal with. It took Alec three quarters of an hour to find out where the person he was looking for was. Upon entering the ballroom, he scanned it and smiled. Broderick had his back turned to Alec, but Alec could still tell Broderick was annoyed. "Explain to me again why all of this fuss is necessary?" demanded Broderick.
Princess Abigail crossed to him, wrapped her arms around his neck and said, "Because your brother is the King and he wants you to have a proper wedding." She pitched her voice very low and added, "Just be grateful I'm a widow and no one expects me to be a virgin bride." They were far enough away no one would've heard this part of the conversation had it not been for Alec, of course, lurking in the shadows.
Broderick wrapped his arms around her waist and said softly, "Does that mean I can spend the night with you?"
She smiled and was just about to answer when Alec moved forward and said firmly, "No, you can wait till you are married."
Hearing Alec's voice behind him, Broderick almost jumped out of his skin. Broderick turned and would have spoken, but Alec moved past him. Broderick watched as Alec approached Wendy.
He walked up to her, gripped her by the arm, and pulled her aside saying, "A word, now."
Wendy tried to pull her arm free, but the man had a grip like a vice. "Release me at once! How dare you! Who do you think you are?"
Alec ignored her and pulled her far enough away no one could hear what he was about to say. When he spoke, he used his most intimidating voice. "Listen to me, lass. I don't care who your father is or who you think you are, if you ever lay so much as a finger on that lass again I will blister your backside so badly you won't be able to sit down for a week! Do I make myself very clear?"
Wendy narrowed her eyes, all charm gone. "I will never understand what it is about that wee tramp that attracts every man. Is it merely the fact that she's willing to put her mouth on any part of your body you desire …" Alec had never in his life come so close to striking a woman as he was in this moment. "Or is she really just that good of a lay? I know my husband seemed to think she was."
Alec cut her off. He took her by the shoulders and shook her. "If you speak one more filthy word lass, I will drag you to the kitchen and scrub your mouth out with a brush and soap and then I will blister your backside! I mean it! You leave her be or I promise you, you will regret it, and I am not a man who makes idle threats." With that, Alec released her, turned, and stormed from the ballroom.
Broderick, who had watched the scene unfold, wondered what on earth Wendy had done to infuriate Alec, usually the calmest and the most patient of all men. After all, patience was a requirement of his occupation. But Broderick had seen Wendy's face go from annoyed, to smug, to a little frightened, and now she was staring at the door Alec had just slammed with a murderous look on her face. Broderick took a deep breath and let it out slowly and prayed to God that Wendy would heed whatever warning Alec had just given her. He was not a man to cross.
*****
Two days later, Alec was in the larder inventorying meat when Septis entered. "Could I have a few minutes of your time, Alec?"
Alec stopped what he was doing and turned to face his old friend. He could tell at once something had Septis worried. "What's the matter?"
"I'm worried about Malachi. Something is troubling him, but he seems disinclined to talk about it. I was wondering if you might do me the favor of having a word? I know sometimes he's more apt to communicate with you than me."
"Of course. Do you have any idea what it could be?" asked Alec.
Septis hesitated a moment before answering. "I don't like to say this, especially not to you, but have you heard the rumors?"
Alec chuckled. "There are always rumors in Scotland. In fact, gossip spreads like wildfire. Of which particular rumor are you afraid to discuss with me?"
"There's a rumor that has only barely reached my ears. Most of the men know better than to discuss relationships that I would not approve of around me; but as I said, it has barely reached my ears that Malachi might not be spending all of his nights alone."
Alec nodded in understanding. "And you fear how I will take news of a woman replacing my daughter?" Septis nodded. "My daughter's been dead ten years. Malachi was sixteen when she died, and though I know he loved her and he loved her for a long time; but it is long since been past time for him to let her go and find another woman to love. The only thing that concerns me about Malachi marrying is that he chooses a good woman who will love him and his children. I hope that these rumors do not include that," he cleared his throat, "woman."
"As I said, I know none of the particulars."
Alec nodded. "As soon as I'm done here, I'm supposed to report to the King. I will do so, and perhaps have a word with him, if he is amiable to it."
Septis nodded and said, "Then I will leave you to it, good luck."
As soon as Alec was finished, he headed for Malachi's office. Seeing him approach, the guard knocked and announced him. "Your Majesty, your Huntsman Alec Fraser is here to see you."
Malachi sat up and smiled. Throwing his pen on his desk, he said, "Show him in." Alec approached the desk and offered his inventory. Malachi took it. "Thank you, how are things going?"
"Things for me are going fine. According to those figures, we should be able to survive the winter. I still would like to get some more hunting in before the snow falls just to be on the safe side; but I think if we were to have a heavy snowfall tomorrow, we'll be all right."
"Good, I like good news, especially right now." Malachi sighed and rubbed his face.
"What's the trouble?" Alec asked, dropping into a chair.
Malachi groaned. "It would probably be a short
er answer to say 'what's not trouble?'"
Alec shook his head. "Don't be negative. Things are going very smoothly here. I think something very particular is bothering you. Why don't we discuss it?"
"Well, I've been meaning to have a word with you anyways. I guess now is as good a time as any. I've been meaning to ask you how you would feel if I were to … marry?"
Alec sighed and shook his head. "Please tell me that's not been troubling you, lad."
"Aye, it actually has been. I've been worried you would think I'd forgotten about … Olivia."
Alec interrupted. "Malachi, don't be ridiculous. My daughter is dead, and though it pains me to say it, she is. She would want you to go on with your life. As do I." Alec smiled. "You know, the last conversation I had with Heather was about you and Young Alec. At this point we knew how sick she was, we knew she was going to die. I didn't want to talk about it, but she did. She said that when you lads married and had children, I had to make sure that they all knew how much she loved them, even if she wasn't here to hug them. Though you and our daughter were never able to marry, we still think of you as our son-in-law." The gruff Scotsman became overwhelmed and sniffed several times.
Malachi smiled. "I miss both of my mothers because you are right; though Olivia and I were never able to marry, I still think of you and Heather as my in-laws, and Young Alec as my wee brother." They sat in silence for a few minutes.
Alec said abruptly, "Is that all that's been troubling you?"
"The other thing is a personal dilemma, a matter of conscience." After Malachi had spoken, he considered for a moment. I'm not sure conscience is the right word. Oh well, he thought to himself, then shrugged his shoulders.
Alec got to his feet. "Well lad, do us both a favor. Pick a nice one."
Chapter 28
Stargazer Castle, Scottish Highlands
October 27, 2231
Malachi sat at his desk. According to his notes, he only had a couple more farmers to see, and they were all here today. After today, he would not have to see a wave of farmers again for hopefully a very long time. His door opened and Broderick entered, followed by a tall, slender man with unnaturally pale skin and hair. Malachi's jaw dropped as he realized who he was. Looking at Broderick, who had said something, though Malachi didn't hear it, but he assumed it was the standard introduction. He got to his feet and extended his hand. "Mr. Anderson, it is a pleasure to meet you. Please be seated." Anderson did as he was ordered, but he didn't look happy about it.
Malachi hesitated a moment, then he made up his mind. A straight forward approach was probably best. "One of the farmers I saw earlier in the week implied that you, in particular, would dislike me immensely. May I ask why?"
"I don't know you well enough to dislike you, and I hated the man who ruled before you. Dislike is not a strong enough word," Anderson replied coldly.
"I can understand and sympathize with your feelings."
Anderson laughed. "With all due respect, actually that is a completely inaccurate statement, because I have no intention of being respectful when I say you can't possibly begin to understand my feelings, young man, so don't even try."
"Why, because you think I can't understand what it's like to lose a child, or I can't understand what it's like to lose someone I love, or because I don't understand what it's like to be absolutely incapable of doing anything about it, to feel completely powerless?"
"Exactly, you can't understand because you're too young …" Malachi shot to his feet and had to bite his tongue. "And because you're the King, you are the one who has absolute authority over our lives."
Malachi bit back several angry retorts, took a deep breath, and seated himself. He took another deep breath, then looked across the desk at Anderson, who was staring at him in surprise. "Any more insults you want to hurl at me?" Malachi asked curtly. After a minute, Anderson shook his head, looking a bit contrite, but only a bit. "I am not here to argue with you. I am not here to prove anything to you. Like it or not, I am your King. I would like us to get along, and I understand you're gonna have a hard time getting past Edmund killing your son. But dammit, I am not Edmund, and I cannot even begin to imagine the hell your family has gone through. Don't belittle my pain or my experience, because you don't know what I have been forced to endure in this life. I am not twenty-six and single by choice."
Anderson slowly nodded. "Edmund didn't just kill my son. He abducted and murdered my daughter, but I'm sure Cameron told you that. I know you were trying to be discreet. Cameron and I are old friends. I know he likes to run on at the mouth. Perhaps, Your Majesty, we could begin again, and I will try to be a reasonable and sensible man."
*****
Malachi was quietly moving down the corridor towards his quarters when he suddenly wondered why he was practically tiptoeing. He paused momentarily to consider this, then it struck him. Because all I want to do is lock myself in my room, have a nice quiet drink, and maybe, just maybe, cuddle with Miss Anderson. His guard opened the door for him, saying as he did so, "Your assistant is inside."
"Thank you. You can go, good night." The guard opened his mouth to protest. Malachi merely raised an eyebrow. The man nodded and turned and headed down the corridor.
Malachi entered and went straight for the side board and poured himself a stiff whiskey. Crossing to the chair in front of the fireplace, he seated himself as he asked, "I hope you had a much better day than I did?" She shrugged her shoulders, went into the Queen's quarters, and returned a minute or two later with a bowl and a cloth. Returning to his side, she set them on the table next to him and then began unbuttoning his shirt. He gripped one of her hands and pressed it to his chest. "What are you doing?" She smiled at him and continued unbuttoning his shirt with one hand. When she was done, he let her pull it off, then she dipped the cloth in the water and began washing his face and neck and chest. "Stop, I can bathe myself, you know." She ignored him and continued what she was doing. "All right, fine, but if you're going to stand in front of me, I won't be held accountable for anything my hands start doing." She rolled her eyes. Malachi stuck both of his hands under her skirt and began caressing her hips and bottom, which he was pleased to find bare. Then he frowned. "Do you ever wear knickers?"
She shrugged her shoulders and after a minute said softly, "Sometimes."
Malachi grinned. "Well, as much as I like it, it is not very ladylike. Do you ever wear anything but skirts?"
She shook her head. "Edmund forbid."
"Is that why Roberta, Abby, and Sylvie also only ever wear skirts?" She nodded. "Well, I won't forbid you to wear pants, but I must confess I do like the skirts much better." He picked up his drink and took a long pull of it. He offered it to her. "Try it." She hesitated a moment, then took it and tried a sip. She coughed, shook her head and handed it back to him. Malachi laughed. "I am sorry; it's kind of an acquired taste."
Again she shook her head. "It's nasty."
He chuckled. "I seem to recall thinking something very similar myself, but then I decided I wanted to be a man and I started making myself drink it until I learned to like it. I'm not sure it's not better to stay thinking it's nasty."
She smiled, nodded, and finished washing his chest. She started to drop down on her knees, but he grabbed her arms. "No, that I forbid."
"Why?"
Malachi couldn't help it, but he grinned from ear to ear. She was becoming downright talkative. "You are not my slave and you are not going to kneel on the floor and wash my feet." He gently moved her to the side as he pulled off his boots and socks. Then he picked up his drink and downed it. She picked up the glass and tapped it with her finger. Malachi got to his feet and took the glass from her hand. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he kissed her and she kissed him back, but something was different, he wasn't sure what it was. "I'll get it myself." He went and refilled his glass, but instead of returning to the chair, he moved to the bed. He beckoned her to him. She paused at the foot of the bed, undressed and placed her garments on the t
runk there, and then she moved to stand in front of him. Malachi didn't know why, but something was very different about her, and it was starting to make him uncomfortable. He reached out and caressed her cheek. She stood there a moment and then began unfastening his kilt. When they were both naked, Malachi pulled her into his arms and started kissing her. Then he realized what was wrong. Though she returned his kisses, there was nothing to them. No heat, no passion, no desire.
Malachi pulled free. "Something's upset you, what?" She shook her head. "No, nothing has upset you; or no, you're not going to tell me?" She wrapped her arms around his neck and went to kiss him. He gripped her hips tightly and pushed her away. Holding her at arm's reach he said, "I'm not a chore. I am not a duty or an obligation. If you don't want to make love to me, you don't have to." To Malachi's great consternation, she touched her upper arm where her slave band had been, then she touched her chest and pointed to him.
Malachi bent down and pick up his kilt. Fastening it, he turned and paced up and down the room. Then rounding on her, he said angrily, "I don't know what has changed, but I don't like it. You are not my slave. You do not belong to me. You don't owe me anything and I only want to make love to you if you want me back. Now, please tell me what has upset you?"
She shook her head firmly looking down at the ground, then she said very softly, "No."
Malachi sighed. "Fine, you don't want to talk about that. Fine, but we will talk about another subject you don't want to talk about. One way or another we are having a conversation you don't want to have." She looked nervous and uncertain, but she remained standing there.
Malachi considered for a long moment the best way to begin this conversation. He decided it was best to get the most unpleasant part out of the way first. He took a deep breath and said very firmly, "As your King, I command you to tell me what happened the day you met King Edmund."
Second Age of Darkness Page 20