Drake looked up across the courtyard, spying Calais lingering near the back of the crowd. With him were men in blue robes who he knew at once were Hermod and the Elders. He needed to know what was going on inside these castle walls. He had instructed his men not to let the Elders inside again. But first, he needed to tend to his wife. He headed off for their bedchamber, wondering what he was going to do once he got her there.
Brynn dug her nails into Drake’s shoulders, hoping she was severely wounding him. He had no right to embarrass her by throwing her over his shoulder. She felt like the court jester, the way he flung her over his shoulder like a sack of flour and headed for the bedchamber.
“Put me down!” she demanded.
Drake took the stairs two at a time, even with her weight over his shoulder. He ignored her demands. Knights, servants, ladies and even a few monks, walked by giving a smile or nod of approval.
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” she ground out.
“Immensely.” His deep voice vibrated against her chest.
“Put me down before I start screaming.”
“As you wish, my lady.” He kicked open the bedchamber door, almost knocking it from its hinges. He proceeded to the bed in the center of the room and deposited her upon it. She landed with a whoosh of air from her lungs as she hit the mattress is a prone position.
“I despise you.”
“So has anything changed?” He smiled and headed over to close the door.
“You are no different than your father. And just as evil to treat me this way.”
The door shut with a thud and he stood motionless, his back toward her.
“I told you never to compare me to him again.” His voice was muted, as he spoke toward the door.
“So afraid are you that you’ll end up just like him?”
He slid the bar hold across the door, sealing them in together. The loud click echoed in the silence.
“Mayhap you should be the one that’s afraid.” He turned to face her. His eyes were angry, his jaw set firm. “After all, don’t forget, my father murdered his own wife.”
“You - you wouldn’t do that to me.” She sat up on the bed and scooted backward.
“Wouldn’t I?” He reached her in three strides and now stood towering over her next to the bed.
She didn’t know if he’d kill her. She didn’t think so, but she had been tormenting him with thoughts of the father he hated. She scooted back as far as she could against the pillows, making her way to the ivory-handled dagger that rested snugly beneath her head each night while she slept. She needed to protect herself from Drake’s rage.
“You seem angry,” she said, slipping her hand under the pillow.
“And why shouldn’t I be? You’ve done all you could to make me that way.”
She grabbed the dagger and held it in front of her. He didn’t look a bit surprised she was doing this.
“Don’t touch me, or I’ll be forced to use this on you.”
His face emotionless, he drew his sword from his scabbard and held it up to her in challenge. “I don’t think that small dagger is a threat to my sword. And I don’t think a small frail woman such as you is a threat to a warrior either. Now put down the dagger.”
“You first.” She held the blade steady, sitting tall.
He shook his head and the corner of his mouth raised in a half grin. “You are a feisty one, Witch, aren’t you?” He laid the sword on the bed and raised his hands in a mock surrender.
“I told you to stop calling me that.”
“And I told you to put down your weapon.”
When she didn’t do it, he used one large palm to swipe it from her hand. It hit the rushes and slid across the wooden floor. Brynn gasped in surprise.
“Didn’t think I’d do that, did you?”
“I - I didn’t know.”
“I’m all full of surprises, wife.”
Before she knew what was happening, he had her on her back and was straddling her upon the bed. When she tried to hit him with her fists, he grabbed her wrists and held them over her head.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m doing what I should have done in the first place. You’re my wife, and I intend on claiming you.”
Before she could object, he had his mouth pressed against hers in a kiss. She struggled at first, but when his body lowered gently over hers, and his chest rubbed up against her, she found herself giving in. Suddenly she was lost in thought. She was remembering her dreamwalking and coupling with Drake while their physical bodies were far apart. She let his tongue slide into her mouth, and a note of desire resounded in her throat as his hands slid down her arms, brushing very close to her breasts.
“You like this, don’t you?” His hot breath whispered into her ear as his tongue flicked at her earlobe, just about sending her reeling off the bed in desire.
“I do,” she answered in a breathy voice.
“It feels good to kiss your husband and press our bodies together, doesn’t it?”
He rubbed one of his legs up and down hers, being careful not to crush her under his weight.
“Aye,” she admitted, throwing back her head to let him dribble kisses down her throat and toward her collar bone.
“You want me, don’t you? Tell me you want me to make love to you right here, right now.”
She was about to say yes, until she realized what he was doing. He was making her ask for something she wasn’t ready to give. As much as she truly did want him, she wasn’t a pawn in his little game. She wanted answers from him which he wasn’t willing to give. She wasn’t going to surrender to him until she got from him what she wanted.
“Nay!” She pushed at his shoulders, but he didn’t budge.
“What do you mean, nay?” He looked so surprised that she’d changed her mind.
“Just what I said. Now remove your body from me.”
The look in his eyes as he pushed away from her cut her to the bone. She didn’t want to disappoint him, but felt she had no choice.
“We need to talk about what happened in the cave,” she said.
He pushed his hair out of his eyes and stood.
“I’m not ready to talk about that.”
“Nor am I ready to be your wife until you let me know who you really are.”
“All right,” he said after a moment of contemplation. “I’ll tell you what you want to know, but I demand one thing in return.”
“Of course, my lord.”
“When I’m done, you’ll answer questions I have about you. And then you’ll come to me willingly to consummate our marriage.”
“That’s two things,” she graciously pointed out. She scooted off the bed and stood before him, crossing her arms over her chest.
“So you’re saying you won’t do it?”
“You asked for one thing from me in return, and I’ve agreed to it. So that is all you’ll receive. I’ll either answer your questions or I’ll couple with you. Not both.”
He eyed her body in a downward glance. She felt his gaze as intense as if it were his hands. She had the urge to pull the cloak closer around her, but didn’t.
“All right,” he said softly, and headed for the door. “I’ll send the servants with bathwater and Birdie to help you dress and do your hair. Right after the celebration feast, I’ll answer any questions you have.”
“My lord?” Hand on the door, he turned back and looked over his shoulder. “Which condition will you take?” she asked.
He didn’t answer. His eyes penetrated right through her, making her feel quite vulnerable. She felt his presence dominating the room, making the space seem quite small suddenly.
“I told you, I’ll answer questions later,” he said.
The door to the room closed, leaving her alone in her chamber once again.
* * *
Asad handed Drake one of his own tunics with a gleam in his eye.
“My tips on wooing a lady didn’t work so well after all, did they?”
“Nay,” Drake grumbled, squeezing into the tunic which was a size too small. “If they had, I wouldn’t be leaving my own chamber without my clothes, would I?”
They stood in the middle of the armory, void of men at the time. The garrison, as well as Asad slept in the attached bunkhouse. Through the open doorway, sleeping pallets lined the walls, each with a coverlet atop it, all made up in an orderly fashion. Each man had a trunk for his personal possessions at the foot of the pallet. There was an iron hanger on the wall by each of the pallets, for the men to hang their swords while they slept. No other personal possessions were seen anywhere.
“Why did you let her leave the castle after I instructed you to watch her?”
“My lord, she is a clever woman. I believe she sneaked out on the back of a vender’s cart. Had I known at the time, I would have fetched her myself. But I was in the midst of removing a wine barrel from the body of your squire-in-training.”
“What in heaven’s name are you speaking of?” Drake yanked the tunic down his chest, willing it to be just a bit longer, wishing he’d had the insight to grab one of his own before he left his chamber.
“’Tis Calais, my lord. The man’s leg is broken. It was the oddest thing, but the barrel just fell off a cart onto him right after he tripped and fell into the horse trough.”
“I cannot have that knave as my squire, no matter how much it means to Lady Brynn. Dismiss him at once. He’s much too clumsy.”
“More like a streak of bad luck I’d say.” Asad picked up Drake’s blade and shined it with a rag. “The old seer Juturna says he’s been cursed somehow. Something to do with Lady Brynn I believe, but she wouldn’t say any more.”
“So there is some sort of connection between the two of them. I knew it. I knew there was a reason I didn’t like the man.” Drake strapped on his belt and took the sword from Asad, holding it in the light to reflect the gleam.
“Do you realize I spotted Calais talking with Hermod and the Elders of Lornoon in the courtyard just this morning?”
“I thought you banned the Elders from entering inside the castle gates, my lord.”
“I did. Something is foul around here, and I have a feeling Brynn is somehow involved.”
“Did you want me to find out more from Juturna?” asked his squire. “Mayhap she’s heard something.”
“No need, Asad. Brynn will tell me everything I need to know right after the celebration.”
“How can you be so sure, my lord? She hasn’t been accommodating yet.”
“Aye, I’ve never had such trouble with a woman as I am having with her. It must be the fae in her that is acting up. But it won’t matter soon.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say I’ve made a sort of exchange with her.” Metal chinged as he slid his sword into place. “After tonight, I’ll know Lady Brynn better than any man knows his own wife.”
* * *
Birdie had just finished dressing Brynn and was starting on her hair when there came a knock on the bedchamber door.
“Who could that be?” asked Brynn, startled. She didn’t think Drake would knock on his own door, and no one else was expected.
“Shall I see, my lady?” asked Birdie with a small curtsy.
“Yes, please do.” Brynn took the brush from Birdie and continued working on her hair while her maidservant opened the door.
“Let me in,” growled a male voice. Birdie tried to close the door, but a booted foot wedged in the doorway stopped her.
“Who is it, Birdie?”
“’Tis the man missing fingers. He doesn’t belong in the lady’s chamber.”
The door opened wider, and she could see Calais’ angry face peering around the wood. His rotten teeth were clenched in fury and his body looked bruised, his leg splinted and wrapped.
“Let him in, Birdie.”
“But my lady,” she protested. “Lord Dunsbard won’t like it.”
“Let him in,” she repeated.
Birdie opened the door wider and Calais hobbled in toward her. He used a roughly carved cane to walk, and looked a good ten years older than his true age.
“What is it, Calais?” she asked, walking over to meet him.
“I hear you have yet to couple with your husband,” he said with a smile.
Brynn looked toward Birdie, knowing where he’d gotten his information. When Birdie’s eyes met hers, the girl quickly looked away. ’Twas no surprise Brynn’s personal life was known by everyone. She shouldn’t have had a weak moment and told the girl she had yet to be bedded by Drake.
“How is that any of your concern?” she ground out.
“I have also heard you plan on reclaiming the castle and want our help.”
“I don’t want your help, Calais, so you may as well leave right now.” She put a hand on his shoulder, urging him to the door, but he didn’t go anywhere.
“I can help you, you realize. I have talked with many, including some of Drake’s own men. We can grind him into the ground, and you, my lady, will be ruler of Thorndale Castle.”
“I don’t want Drake hurt,” she said with a stiff upper lip. “And I don’t need you to plot out anything for me. I never asked for your help.”
“My plan will work. You will reclaim your father’s castle and Drake will be gone forever.”
“Hrrumph,” she said with a release of air from her lungs. “And no doubt with you at my side as lord of Thorndale.”
Suddenly, hearing her plan coming from Calais’ mouth, she saw that this wasn’t really what she wanted after all. She’d been fighting Drake so hard she hadn’t realized that mayhap he wasn’t really the enemy – Calais and his men and their evil plans were. What was she doing? She started thinking about Juturna’s words warning her that she and Drake had to work together in order to get rid of the dragon. What good would it do to reclaim her father’s castle if the dragon was only going to attack and possibly take all their lives in the process? Mayhap she could try working with Drake after all. She did like being in his embrace though she hadn’t really allowed herself to enjoy it. And Drake saved her more than once now from two different dragons. He needed her help and she’d turned her back on him. And she knew now that she’d rather see him ruling Thorndale than someone like Calais.
“I’ve changed my mind. I’ve accepted my position as Drake’s wife. You can just tell everyone the plan has been changed. I don’t want anyone to go up against him after all.”
“It almost sounds as if you care what happens to him,” Calais said with a sneer. “I need to talk with you, my lady.” Then he looked over toward Birdie who was busying herself at the vanity, rearranging the items atop it. “In private.”
“I’ve done all the talking with you I care to do. Now leave my chamber at once.”
“Of course,” said Calais, limping toward the door. “I suppose I could just converse about our little secret with your handmaiden instead.” He looked back at Brynn over his shoulder. “After all, she’s very good at keeping things a secret, don’t you agree? I’m sure Lord Thorndale will never find out.”
“Birdie looked up at that comment, but didn’t say a word. Brynn had a hard time turning her friend away, but she knew it was for the best. Calais was going to cause trouble, and she needed to stop it before it began.
“Birdie, will you please leave the bedchamber?” Brynn asked, her heart falling when she saw the look of disappointment upon the girl’s face.
“But my lady, ‘tis not fitting to be entertaining a man besides your husband in your bedchamber. Shall I call for an escort to bring him to the solar?”
“Nay. This will be fine. Now please leave and close the door behind you.”
Birdie curtseyed with downcast eyes, and scurried out of the room, doing as asked.
“What happened to you, Calais?” asked Brynn, surveying his broken leg.
“You happened to me,” he snapped. “I regret ever letting you talk me into deflowering you. The old seer was right
. I am cursed because of it.”
“I certainly don’t know of what you speak.” She crossed the room to look out the window.
Calais came up behind her, resting his hand on her shoulder.
“The man who beds you is said to be cursed with ill luck forever. He will die unless he can stop the dragon from coming.”
“That’s nonsense.” She tried to move away, but his hand gripped her shoulder tighter. She clenched her teeth and tried to ignore him.
“Did you know that your husband has dismissed me? I’m no longer to be his squire, a knight or anything else I’ve always longed to be.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” She was actually relieved.
“’Tis because of my ill luck. The luck you’ve brought upon me. I think it’s time to share some of this ill luck with you!”
She pulled his hand off her shoulder and turned to face him. He wasn’t much taller than her and she didn’t have trouble looking him in the eye. “Are you threatening me, Calais? I don’t think my husband would like to hear of that.”
“I don’t think he’d like to hear you’ve begged me to bed you either. Or the fact that at this very minute there’s a conspiracy rising against him, just as you’ve ordered.”
“Nay! Stop it. I told you, I’ve changed my mind.”
“My days are limited, Witch, but yours are not. When Drake finds out you’re the one who’s heading the little rebellion against him, I’d hate to think of what he’ll do to you.”
“I will not go against him,” Brynn said, knowing now she was wrong to ever think of it in the first place. “I am his wife!” Never had the words sounded so good. Now, she was proud to say them, and really meant them. She had feelings for Drake and was ready to stand at his side.
“Oh really?” chuckled Calais. “You’re more my wife than his, now, aren’t you? You haven’t given him much reason to believe otherwise, have you?”
Brynn paced the floor, not knowing what to do. She couldn’t very well tell Drake there was a conspiracy against him, headed by Calais without incriminating herself. Especially since it had been her idea at the start. Not to mention, she had begged Drake to take Calais on as his squire. This put her right in the middle of it, in Drake’s eyes. But still, she had never meant for anyone to get hurt or killed. She couldn’t say the same for Calais’ plans.
Tall, Dark, and Medieval Page 41