by Ria Cantrell
When she was certain no one was on the stairs, she followed them up to their chambers and put her ear to the door. She listened for sounds of coupling and the slightest sigh fueled her tempest of anger.
She had intercepted that pathetic plea the she-dog had sent to Drew. Oh I love you Drew…oh please come back to me…I am so lost without you. It made her want to puke! She had to get Drew into her bed and it had to be soon. Then the fragile little trust would once again be broken. All her seeds of betrayal would take root and the little chit would run home with her tail between her legs.
~~~~~~
Drew and Bronwyn made their way back to their quarters. He turned to her and said, “Are you certain you want me to stay tonight? I wish to cause you no further dishonor.”
Bronwyn wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on her toes to kiss him.
“I would not want ye’ anywhere but here. There is no dishonor now. We need just post our banns, but ye’ are my mate for I have bound myself to ye’. Ye’ are my heart,” She said, repeating part of the phrase that had brought them back together.
Drew’s lips hovered just above hers. He loved this woman with his entire soul. Bronwyn felt his strength, despite his recent illness. That strength was so very attractive to her. Men were all strong where she came from and she loved to feel the solidity of honed muscle born from years of warrior training.
He watched her as her hands moved up his ribs. He knew she was assessing him in her own way. Her eyes locked with his, and she was drawn into the passionate smolder that ignited in his gaze. His lips descended on hers and she breathed in his scent; felt his life within his breath. He whispered, “Turn around, Sweetheart.”
Bronwyn’s heart skipped as she obeyed, only to feel his fingers deftly loosening the lacing of her silk gown, which followed the curve of her spine. Drew lifted her cascading hair from the back of her neck, and he leaned forward to kiss her nape. She inclined her neck as his lips wandered over it toward her shoulders. All the while, he continued loosening the laces. He carefully unfastened the Celtic brooch that held the swath of plaid over her shoulder. Bronwyn watched it slide to the floor. Her fingers grasped her gown as it gaped open and slid down her arms. Drew held her and he gently nibbled her earlobe.
He said, “Let go,” and he tugged the silk gently from her fingers. The gown pooled at her feet and Drew picked Bronwyn up and carried her to their bed. He was instantly filled with desire at the sight of her in just the lace underpinnings; just as he had wished to view her. Lying beside her, he touched, caressed and kissed every inch of her until she was aching with desire of her own.
As Drew seduced and enflamed her, a storm brewed on the horizon. Lightning flashed and reflected in Bronwyn’s passion filled eyes. Drew knew that the tempest outside of their lover’s haven was going to be matched this night in the hours between night and dawn and he was going to enjoy every moment of the storm.
~~~~~
Rhianna shifted uneasily in her bed. The storm seemed to have raged for hours outside the shuttered window of their bedchamber. Something was amiss and she did not like it. As her husband slept beside her, Rhianna could feel a tempest brewing; one that had nothing to do with the flashing lightning beyond the safety of her room. She was sure of it and she was certain she did not like it.
~~~~~
As the storm raged outside of their safe cocoon of love, Drew and Bronwyn found contentment and joy in their coming together. She had lost all her shyness when Drew loved her and as she lay curled into his arms, she could not remember ever feeling so happy in her entire life.
She thought about the dreams of her youth and how she had worked so hard to sidestep what had been her destiny all along. Drew lovingly kissed the back of her neck, and he lazily stroked her arm. He murmured into her hair, “Mmm, I shall have to personally thank your brother for those fetching lacies that have become my undoing.”
Bronwyn laughed softly and said, “Ye’ best not, Drew. I fear any of my brothers would be all too happy to take a claymore to ye’ and cleave ye’ in two…just for kissing me. Never mind what we did tonight.”
“Why, am I no match for your brothers,” Drew asked in between gentle nibbles and kisses.
“Well ye’ are equally matched in size, I think. And strength as well, I suppose. No one, not even ye’ could survive a claymore coming down upon yer’ head.”
“Hmm,” he sighed. “Well, I have no wish to make you a widow straight away. I shall have to keep my gratitude to myself, then.”
Bronwyn fitted herself against Drew, just reveling in being in his bed and in his arms again. She took his stroking hand that had only ever touched her in tenderness and love, and she kissed the palm of it. She felt so small with him, but she never had felt so safe and protected. As if reading her mind, Drew said, “Your hand is so delicate and small in mine. It is my duty to protect you now.”
At his words, Bronwyn turned in his arms and looked into his eyes. She was again reminded that she had spent her life running from the Old Ways, but Drew, her mate, was somehow linked to them, even though he was not from her lands. Still, she doubted the obvious.
“How did ye’ know that was what I was thinking?”
“Rhianna calls it a Gift. I have never really felt safe enough to share it with a woman before. I used it in battles and just believed it was warrior instinct. Rhianna thinks it is not.”
“It…it is not. Rhianna is right. My brothers and father have that Gift.”
“And you?”
Suddenly, Bronwyn was ashamed that she had denied that Gift, as Drew called it, all her life. She had been embarrassed by the mere thought of it.
“I…I am not so gifted, I am afraid. But it is my fault really. I had denied the teachings, and I have forsaken the Old Ways.”
“Why?”
Bronwyn tucked her head beneath Drew’s chin. She said, “Because I was a rebellious and silly child. Why did ye’ not share it with any other woman, but ye’ can with me?”
“Apparently, you are not the only one to feel safe. With you, my Gift is safe. It does not bother you to know about it now, does it?”
“Oh, nay. I am ashamed I have forsaken it. I am glad ye’ feel safe enough to share it with me.”
“T’is how I knew you watched me that day when I was training. I just could feel you looking through the tiny slit of a window. You are the one, Bronnie.”
“The one?”
Bronwyn heard those words and was reminded how many times she had heard that phrase in her life. Bronwyn knew that Drew was the one, too. He was the man who had come to her in her dreams. He was the man that Morag’s magic potion had conjured.
“Yes, the one. My soul mate. My completion. Rhianna told me some time ago that I did not allow my heart to love because I needed to find the one who would understand about my Gift. I don’t understand a lot about it, myself yet, but when I heard the translated words you had spoken, I knew it was so. It is so. I can allow my heart to love because with you I am safe. My Gift is safe.”
“It will continue to reveal itself in time. I wish Morag was here….”
“Your old chatelaine? Here now, in our bed?” Drew teased.
“Nay, dolt! I mean here in England. She knows so much about these things. She would be able to help ye’ learn the Old Ways.”
Bronwyn nestled against his chest and she said, “Drew, there is something I have to tell ye’, too.”
“What, Sweetheart?”
“Ye’ are the one, fer’ me as well. I knew it the moment my eyes befell ye’. Years ago, when I had just passed from girlhood to womanhood, Morag took me onto a high crag where we passed the night. Many mystical things happened that night and one of them was a dream I had of the man who I would wed. It frightened me so. For ye’ see, he was clearly English and I knew I could ne’er be with one such as that. That would mean danger for my family so I have spent my life running from my destiny. Only…I could not run from it forever. When I was taken to the Winter Palace
, and met Sir Erik, I knew something was amiss. He could not be the destiny I had hidden from. Nay…it was not right. Though I denied my dreams, I knew it was a mistake. Erik was not who I was supposed to be with.”
“Well, it seems, he wasn’t, was he?”
“Nay. So it seems not. When I saw ye’…I knew. I could run no longer. I felt pulled to ye’ and the attraction was embarrassing. Ye’ were my vision I had tried to forget.”
Drew kissed her deeply and pulled her closer into his hold. He remembered those dreams he had as well, finally unlocked from his subconscious. How many times had he seen her in his visions during sleep? Drew did not know, but he remembered now. It was as if they had found each other during slumber and now, here they were in real time and space. Drew brought her hand to his heart, where she could feel it beating.
She said, “For that reason, I ne’er regretting giving myself to ye’. Even if I were to only have ye’ briefly, I knew I was meant to be yer’ lover. I could na’ fight the pull ye’ had on me. Ye’ have only to look at me, and I feel my insides melting. It has been a long time since that night I journeyed into womanhood. I was sure about it, though, on that night ye’ walked me back from the garden. When I saw ye’ in the moonlight, it was like the veil was lifted, and I had nary a doubt again. Ye’ are my destiny and my future.”
Drew’s heart was so full of love at what Bronwyn had just told him. He almost could not speak. He whispered, “Oh my God…”
“Do ye’ think me mad?”
“Mad? No, precious Bronwyn. You are not mad. I think that is why I nearly died when I thought you had rejected me.”
“I ne’er meant to. I swear it. I had only meant to protect you. Only…I had not gone far when I realized my terrible mistake. I didna’ mean to hurt ye’.”
“Shhh. I know that now. Rest now with me. Feel the safety that belongs to us both. The tempest has passed. Only the gentle rain remains. Sleep with me. Feel your destiny in your arms and never feel the need to run from it again.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Bronwyn made her way down to the main hall. She had crept out of bed, leaving Drew deep in his dreams. She needed to find Rhianna because Drew had had a spell of coughing during the night and he seemed to have small episodes of lingering fever, as she lay beside him. Rhianna would know what to do to help.
Upon entering the hall, Bronwyn caught sight of Drew’s parents. They rose to greet her. Blush stained her cheeks as they approached. Their eyes seemed to appraise her all too knowingly. They greeted her and inquired about how she was. They exchanged pleasantries and then asked for Drew.
“He is still sleeping…I mean….” Bronwyn was embarrassed at her slip. Drew’s mother patted her hand and said, “Hush, child. No need to explain. Is he alright? You look as if something is amiss?”
A frown replaced her smile. “In truth, M’lady, I am quite concerned with his wellbeing. He is still plagued with that horrible cough at times and sometimes during the night; it seems he is bothered with fever. Then in the next instant, he seems better. I thought Rhianna would have some sort of tea to aid him.”
A slight smile lifted the Lady Elizabeth’s lips. She, of course knew that her son and this beautiful lady would have not been able to be apart, and Bronwyn had innocently let it slip that it was indeed so.
“He had been very ill, my dear. We thought he should wait to come back here until he had healed more, but he could not bear to be so far away for any longer. He had to come back to the beautiful Scottish lass who stole his heart.”
A frown line puckered across Bronwyn’s forehead. “I wish him to be well. I am afraid for him.”
“You, my dear, are the best medicine he could need. He will be well now.”
“Still, Rhianna will know what to do. I am quite certain. I was looking for her to help with a mixture to ease the lingering coughs and fever.” Lady Elizabeth’s eyes betrayed her concern.
“The Lady is not well herself, this morning. She is still abed and Sir Erik is with her. Come, have a bite to eat and maybe in a while Rhianna will be able to give you a remedy for our Drew.”
~~~~~
Daria watched the Scottish cur leave Drew’s rooms. Drew was not with her, and she did not notice the woman who hid in the shadows, lurking behind the tapestry, which kept Daria’s secret. She tried the door and it opened easily. She quietly let herself into the chamber and stood for a moment gazing over her sleeping lover.
Her heart was pounding, and she tried to calm herself. She had come very close to being discovered when the cur seemed to look back over her shoulder. Daria thought she would have been routed from her hiding spot, but that stupid dullard turned back and went down the stairs.
Daria seethed with anger and spite. She could smell the essence of their coupling and it was like bitter bile to her senses. Well, that was all going to change. Today! Daria carefully removed her kirtle and chemise and she slid into bed next to Drew. She touched his back and pressed her cool flesh against his sleep-warmed body. At first he sighed, and nestled closer but then as if startled awake, he leapt from the bed, dragging the bedding around his body. He cursed when he saw who had actually been beside him and said, “What the hell are you doing here, Daria?”
“I came to help you remember.”
“Remember? I don’t need any reminders of anything that had been between us. How the bloody hell did you get in here?”
“It would seem Sir Erik has gotten sloppy in his guard for the keep. Oh, that’s right; his Elite Guard has been missing for some time. His keep has been less than fortified. In truth, he is more concerned with that harlot he has married than the tending of his duties. No one worries about the whereabouts and doings of one woman in the keep.”
“You need to leave, Daria. There is nothing left between us.”
“Oh, nay? Look upon me and be reminded what was between us; of what still can be between us...what was, in fact, very good between us.”
Daria lowered the sheeted covering around her and arched her back, seductively. It was true, she was a beautiful woman, but Drew only felt revulsion in looking at her, now. He was fully reminded of how poisonous their relationship had been.
“Get out of here, now Daria. I have no more interest in that.”
“You seemed to have interest enough in it last night, with that Scottish harlot…”
“Interesting word coming from you,” Drew spat. “She is not a harlot. Daria, I am sorry but what we had has been done long ago. Get out of my bed and do not think to try to seduce me again.”
Daria’s hand moved between her legs, opening herself up for Drew’s eyes. He turned his back on her and growled, “Do not make me wreak violence against you, because I promise, if you continue to provoke me, I will have no other choice.”
Drew was aware of Daria leaving his bed and he thought she would acquiesce and dress. Instead, he felt her sidle against him, pulling at the bedding he had gripped to cover himself. Her hand eased over his hip, and she flattened her breasts against his back. As she dared to take hold of his shaft, Drew caught her hand and spun her around. He held her wrist tightly in his fist and twisted her arm behind her back.
“I told you not to provoke me. Do not touch me again. Now, either you get your clothes on, or I shall be happy to toss you naked out into the hall. It’s your choice.”
Drew shoved Daria away from himself and he quickly pulled on his trews. He glanced over at the woman who glared at him with anything but love in her eyes. Hatred and venom seemed to spill out from every pore of her body. Sliding into his leine, he saw she was pulling on her chemise and kirtle. He did not worry about lacing her back into her garment. Drew grabbed her wrist roughly and opened the door of his apartments. He dragged her out, without speaking another word to her. He just hoped Bronwyn would not be about. He would tell her, of course, what had happened, but he did not want her to find Daria leaving his room. When he had dragged her out into the corridor, Drew spoke, controlling his anger.
“Stay away from me. Stay away from my future wife. Do not think to play any of your mean tricks because I will see to it that the proper punishments are metered out should you try.”
“How can you speak to me like that? I shared your bed longer than your precious Scottish whore. You have not heard the last from me.”
“I already told you that what we had was over long ago. By my honor, I will not have you brought before Sir Erik to be dealt with, unless you force my hand.”
“Sir Erik is too busy tending to his puking wraith….”
Drew felt a foreboding warning pulse through his veins. “What do you know about it?”
Daria laughed. The sound sent a chill through Drew. He suddenly got the feeling that this was a mad woman standing before him. What was once beautiful seemed ugly and evil. He wondered how he had ever thought to be her lover.
“That pasty faced chit, I suspect, will be abed for hours. Erik will think it is because of his spawn…but alas…it is not. It would seem that the Lady has come down with the same malady of the children of the village.”
“What are you talking about?”
Drew suddenly felt fear niggling at him. What had Daria done? Rhianna already lost one babe. Could Daria have been responsible for that somehow? She laughed again, gaining hilarity in it as she did.
At that moment, Rhianna was making her way down the hall. She had been quite sick this morning, but the sickness passed, and she had left her chambers to see to her duties, despite Erik’s protests. She stood and stared, horrified at what she had just heard. It was as she suspected. Daria was up to her old tricks. Only this was beyond her malicious mischief. She had been responsible for the illness plaguing the children.
“Daria, what evil have you done to innocent children?”
Daria whipped around to face the witch of Ragnorsen. She spat, “Well, if it isn’t the Lady Du Montefort. I had thought you would have returned to your brother’s home now that you are no longer Erik’s wife.” Rhianna started at her words, but held herself in check.