Storm Trilogy

by Ria Cantrell

  Drew made the trip pleasant. At times they talked softly just to each other. Sometimes Rhianna rode along side and chatted amiably with her. The riding party was not going at a driving pace and Bronwyn suspected it was due to Rhianna’s condition. They made camp later in the afternoon to water the horses and to get a little food to eat. They would not be staying there as it was bitterly cold and there was little shelter for them. The men had started a fire so the women could warm themselves and it was comfortable enough for a brief stay.

  Bronwyn pulled her plaid about her for added warmth. She never had felt ashamed of her clan’s colors, but now she was very aware of how it seemed to annoy the Viking. She did not have a choice as it was what she was wearing at the moment and changing clothes in the middle of this cold was not an option. Bronwyn’s gaze nervously sought out Drew and when their eyes met, he would flash her a loving smile. Rhianna sat near Bronwyn and said, “He is certainly most smitten with you.”

  “Aye. As I am with him.”

  “He seems well, this day. I have been watching him for signs of pain, but he seems fine.”

  Bronwyn blushed, thinking about how “fine” he had proven to be. It was not missed by Rhianna.

  “Drew is very strong, my lady. He has been through worse, I suppose. And that balm ye’ mixed, I am certain, healed him greatly.”

  Rhianna smiled. “Hmm, perhaps, but my balm can only do so much. Drew has the look of healing from love. I am sure your tender care helped him more than any potion I could make. I would wager you never left his side.”

  Once again, Rhianna watched blush creep up Bronwyn’s neck and bright spots stained her cheeks. “Nay, I dinna’ leave him.”

  “Surely that healed him with a quickness no balm could provide.”

  Rhianna was certain that they had indeed become lovers over the past night and she was very glad for it. Somehow, this beautiful exotic Scots woman had been the salvation that her dear friend Drew had needed. She had observed the two of them all day and noticed the comfortable ease between them that only came from intimacy. They would sneak little touches to one another when they thought no one would be aware of it. Bronwyn was as comfortable with her affectionate caresses as Drew seemed to be. Rhianna sensed that this woman did not have the female influence in her life to be able to share such things. She leaned over and whispered, “It is obvious that you and Drew were meant to find each other. You must not be embarrassed by it. Drew needs you. He has needed the love of a good woman for so long now.”

  “But he has had women a plenty,” Bronwyn said, softly; not wanting to imagine Drew doing what he had done to her with someone else. Rhianna thought briefly about that one lover that was so dangerous and manipulative. She did not like to conjure images of Daria up. Drew had been with her for only a couple of months and during that time, Rhianna noticed that her normally vibrant friend who always had a quick smile for her had become sullen and unhappy. Rhianna witnessed the cruelty Daria was capable of, first hand. She did not like to interfere with Drew’s pick of women; it was none of her business after all, but something about Daria was very wrong. Rhianna was all too glad to learn Drew had ended that toxic liaison. She smiled at the young woman beside her and said, “That may be, but none has ever really loved him and none has he ever loved.”

  Rhianna then confided, “Drew has been my friend since Erik was sent to my keep. As Erik’s captain of his elite guard, Drew was many times sent to escort me. We forged a friendship and I love him nearly as much as I do my own brother. Trust me to say he has not been in love, but clearly he is now.”

  As if summoned, Drew approached and hunkered down next to Bronwyn. He handed her a flask of cold water. He touched her hair and smiled, “Here Bronnie, take a drink. We have some cheese and bread if you are hungry.”

  Rhianna smiled and gave Bronwyn’s arm a gentle squeeze in secret understanding. Drew caught the little conspiratorial action between them which gave away the fact that they had indeed been talking about him.

  “What? What are you two ladies talking about?”

  “We are just having a girl to girl talk, Drew.”

  Drew nodded and grinned wistfully. “Ahhhh….I see, girl to girl. Hmm, when girls have those sorts of chats, t’is usually about men. Dare I wonder which man was being discussed?”

  Bronwyn blushed again, knowing that she was indeed discussing her relationship as Drew’s lover, not in so many words, per se, but it was obvious to Rhianna.

  “We were discussing how you seemed quite hale today. I gather the healing balm worked quite well.”

  Drew was used to the playful goading from Rhianna. Stroking down Bronwyn’s silky tresses and kissing the side of her face, he said, “Rhi, it was more in the, shall we say, administering of it that caused the real healing to begin.”

  Rhianna laughed while Bronwyn looked positively mortified. Drew smiled so the small dimple in his cheek was more pronounced and he said, “Don’t be embarrassed, Love, for t’was your love that has healed me.”

  Drew kissed her openly and then brought water to Rhianna as well.

  They rested for a while longer, taking water and food to prepare them for the journey further towards Ragnorsen keep. They still had nearly another day or two to travel. They would probably stop for a night at a local inn or seek lodging at one of the manors along the way. Rurik Ragnorsen was very well known and respected and he would be able to secure lodging for them for the night. Until then, they would push on, but only after the horses and Rhianna, for that matter, were rested enough.

  Erik on the other hand, kept his distance from Bronwyn. Rhianna noticed his uncharacteristic brooding and wondered at it. Every tender gesture or touch between Drew and Bronwyn brought a renewed disdain and Erik’s temper and mood continued to sour. Rhianna had never seen this side of her husband and she tried to communicate her confusion to Rurik with covert glances but he just shrugged. The plan was to make it to a manor for the night, Rurik confirmed, but they still had some hard riding ahead of them. When the horses were sufficiently rested and the men felt that Rhianna was able to ride, they set out.

  They rode for the rest of the day, but the temperature was steadily dropping. Even if they thought it best to continue, the weather would not permit it. While Bronwyn looked up to the task, it was not missed that Rhianna was shivering badly. The riding party would have to stop soon.

  The sun had set nearly two hours already, and they were probably at least four hours further to the manor home lodging. Drew and Bronwyn rode side by side, with Rurik in the lead, Rhianna and Randall followed closely behind and Erik continued brooding but brought up the rear of the flank of them. Erik had seen to another cloak to be wrapped around Rhianna and she tried to put on a brave face. She did not want to hinder their progress nor did she want to add to the ever present stress that was plaguing Erik. He had never been moody before, but it became more and more obvious that his mood was blackening with each passing mile. So, Rhianna stoically endured and kept silent about her discomfort.

  Chapter Nineteen

  It was near to midnight, when the riding party finally approached the gates of Larkin Manor. When the Lord of the manor learned the party was the family of Rurik Ragnorsen, he ordered the gates opened and personally came out to welcome the man who had been his friend for many years. All were grateful for the respite and lodging. When Lord Larkin asked how many rooms they would need, Drew took Bronwyn’s arm and whispered, “Would you rather not stay with me tonight? I don’t want to cause you embarrassment or shame.”

  She turned to him and she kissed him of her own volition, in front of the others. She said, “I have come to ye’ willingly. Ye’ are mine, Andrew. There is no shame in that.”

  Drew returned the kiss and before he put her away from him, he said, “Go up with Rhianna. We will settle the horses for the night and bring up our belongings.”

  Rurik confirmed that they would need three rooms if possible. Lord Larkin obliged and took the women inside to get them settled.<
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  By this time, Erik looked positively murderous. He had watched the exchange between his guard and that Scottish witch and he felt his ire boiling over. When Drew and the rest of the men made their way to the stables, Erik finally spoke up. The ire was evident in the tone of his voice.

  “How can you stand to be with that…that…”

  Having seen the way Bronwyn affected Erik, Drew interrupted, “Careful, Erik. She is a lady and one of noble highland bearing, as daughter of the Laird, Caleb MacCollum.”

  Erik nearly grunted in response.

  “Lady! Indeed! She is a Scottish dog.”

  Drew blew out his breath, feeling exasperated and tired. The last thing he wanted to do was debate the virtues of his future wife.

  “She is beautiful and sweet.”

  “Well then, surely she has bewitched you, for she is far from sweet. The bitch spit in my face.”

  She had slapped him, too, but Drew was certainly not going to remind him of that.

  “Erik, you should be the last one to accuse anyone of being a witch. Lest we not forget the trouble that a statement like that caused our beautiful Rhianna.”

  “She is vile. She is a dark creature. I cannot understand how you can bed her. I would fear to wake up with a dirk in the heart.”

  “She loves me.”

  Erik gave a mirthless laugh and replied, “Can savage dogs love? You would be a fool to trust her. She is like poison.”

  A loud gasp was heard from behind the two men. Bronwyn had returned to retrieve her belongings and upon arriving at the stable, she had overheard Erik’s entire tirade. Drew turned and saw the brokenness clearly visible on her face. The realization of what she had overheard nearly tore his heart from his very chest.

  “Erik, apologize to her. She is not your enemy,” Rurik admonished, having stepped up from handing his reins to a groom.

  “Father, she is my enemy. She may not live in my home. I forbid it.”

  “Oh, do you? Have you forgotten that of late you had been residing in my home? She is not to be turned out. If for no other reason, than to make good the king’s order for her to marry Drew immediately.”

  Drew took Bronwyn’s hand and said, “It is of no matter, Rurik. She will live with me. I will take her home where she will be loved and protected.”

  Erik felt his pent up anger explode. He reeled in on Drew and demanded, “What are you saying? That your loyalty now lies with her? As captain of my personal guard, it is your duty to obey my command and I command you to pack this creature up and send her back to her highland hell where she belongs.”

  A muscle ticked in Drew’s cheek as he fought for control. Slowly, with a calculated timbre of his own response, Drew said, “Then t’is time I made my own way. I have already lost favor with this king. I am going to marry her, Erik, with or without your blessing. If you cannot accept her, I will request to be relieved of my command.”

  The ice blue stare from Erik seemed to cause a maelstrom of its own and he held himself from losing control completely. He ground out through clenched teeth, “I will not accept her. She is the cause of all the heartbreak and anguish in my and my lady’s life. Even you have suffered because of her and by her own hand.”

  Erik continued to talk about Bronwyn as if she was not standing right in front of him. Drew nodded and said, “So be it then. I had hoped that as my most trusted friend, you would honor my choice and stand beside me when I wed this woman. As irrational I think your decision is, I respect it. I do not, however, agree at all. I forfeit my alliance to you and my position within the ranks of your guard.” Bronwyn cried out as if she had been slapped.

  “Drew, no! Ye’ canna’ do this for me. I willna’ let ye’.”

  Drew turned to her and taking both hands into his he said, “Don’t you see, I have fallen in love with you. I would do anything for you.”

  “No, Drew, not this. Please, I canna’ let ye’ do this.”

  “Hush, my love. You cannot prevent me.”

  Rurik had stood by and watched the most unpleasant exchange and he was horrified by his son’s rash decision. He calmly said, “Erik, you owe Drew more than this. He deserves your blessing.”

  “He has made his choice.”

  “Son, I know you have been through some terrible days, but this girl is not the cause of your grief.”

  “Is she not? I am no longer married to my pregnant wife because of her. She has seduced her way into Drew’s bed and he cannot see her for the savage she-dog that she is. He will be lucky not to end up dead after a night with her.”

  Bronwyn’s cry of outrage split the quiet of the night.

  “Nay, you English Blackguard! I am no back stabber. I would not hurt him.”

  “Nay? Then t’was by who’s hand that he suffered the lash? Surely it was not mine.” His words most definitely hit their mark.

  Bronwyn broke from Drew’s hold and ran, needing to get away from the horrible Viking monster. She could not listen to another word. She sobbed out loud and stumbled into the manor house. It had been by her hand. The cruel Norse beast was right. She found her way blindly into the house and somehow ended up lost on a curling stairwell, which led to a dank subterranean corridor. As soon as she made her way into the passage, Bronwyn heard the door slam behind her. She tried to open it, but felt it had locked by itself. With the absence of light, she could not even see the steps before her. She did not know where the stairs led. The warmth sucking cold immediately began to work on her already chilled flesh. Bronwyn crumpled on the cold stone steps and gave way to all the hurt she had been subjected to since arriving in England.

  ~~~~~

  Drew was furious. He turned on Erik and said, “I ought to take you down, here and now. Bronwyn is just a girl. She’s done you no ill. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  Drew threw down his baldric and badge, which defined his alliance with Erik. Drew was so angry; he knew he did not trust himself to stand before Erik for one more minute. He had to go to find Bronwyn. He stormed off, seeking to comfort his lady.

  Rurik had been watching his son warily. Finally he spoke up, saying, “You were completely out of line Erik. You surprise me.”

  “Father, this is not your business.”

  “It is my business when you hurt yourself. Drew is your best friend, not to mention Captain of your Elite Guard. Never mind that you were so unkind and unchivalrous to a lady, but your unkindness hurt Drew, too. There is no rhyme or reason to love, but Drew and Bronwyn have fallen in love. She is not the savage you make her out to be. I have spent time with her. She has a gentle nature, and she is cultured and intelligent. She has a very tender heart, but above all, she is madly in love with Drew.”

  Erik snorted, “Ha, Love! She is no better than a dog in heat.”

  Without thinking, Rurik’s hand, swift and deliberate, slapped Erik across the face.

  “You dishonor Ragnorsen. You are a Knight of the Realm bound to uphold the laws of Chivalry. Never have I been ashamed of you, till this moment.”

  Erik’s eyes blazed, but he would not react to what his father had said. He squared his shoulders and turned away from his father. He stalked into the manor furiously and when Rhianna saw the angry hand print across his jaw, she was horrified.

  “What happened? I just saw Drew storming past trying to find Bronwyn moments after she ran blindly past me, weeping.”

  “Rhi, this I no concern of yours.”

  Rhianna did not answer him but lead him to their quarters for the night. She went to the wash basin and dipped a cloth in it. She applied the cool cloth to his still burning face, dabbing gently.

  “What did you do, Erik?”

  “Why are you certain I did anything?”

  Rhianna was not daunted by his sour mood. Continuing to press the cloth to his jaw, she said, “I saw your growing anger with each interaction between Drew and Bronwyn as we continued our journey here. It seemed every time Drew touched her, you became angrier.”

  “Leave it Rh
i. I’ve no wish to discuss it.”

  “Fine. But I will have this answer from you. Are you angry because Drew loves her and you think he will no longer be loyal to you or are you angry because she loves Drew?”

  “Why would I be angry because she loves Drew?”

  “Are you upset with her because she loves Drew?”

  “What are you getting at, Rhi?”

  “You are acting like a jealous boy. Are you attracted to her?”

  At that question, Erik laughed ironically. “You must be joking,” he said. “Rhi, how can you ask that? I find her abhorrent. I think she is poison, like a venomous snake and I told Drew just that. She is not good for Drew…she is the devil.”

  Rhianna breathed a relieved sigh. Sometimes when someone protests hatred with such conviction, it is because just the opposite is felt. However, in this case, Rhianna did believe her husband in his raw hatred for this woman. She said softly, “So it is the first then. You don’t want Drew to stop serving as your Captain…and as your best friend.”

  Erik flexed his bruised jaw and mumbled sullenly, “Drew is no longer captain of my guard.”

  Rhianna tried not to register shock at that statement. Instead she focused on tending to Erik.

  “Oh, I see. So then this handprint is Drew’s, I take it?”

  “Nay. T’is Rurik’s.”

  This time Rhianna could not hide her shock and horror. “Your father struck you?”