"Killian, something else is wrong, I know there is. You must tell me. I cannot leave here until I know. I'll be panicked with worry."
"Serenity…"
He wanted to say more, but his voice refused to work, and a searing heat had returned to his throat.
"Killian, whatever is the matter?"
She watched his chest rise with a heavy breath, then he slowly turned his gaze back to her, and as she stared up at her powerful barbarian Master, she was shocked to see his eyes brimming with tears.
"You're right," he stammered, "I must tell you. I am to marry Soraya. She is here for that express purpose."
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Had Killian just told her he was going to spend his life with Soraya? That was impossible. He loved her, she loved him, they were meant to be together.
"Marry her?" she muttered, dropping her gaze to the ground as she tried to make sense of it.
A heavy silence filled the small space between them, then Killian realized he couldn't leave Serenity. No matter what it took, they would be together.
"Nooo," he murmured, shaking his head as the revelation took hold. "No, I cannot say goodbye to you. I cannot and I will not."
"I don't understand," she bleated, stifling a sob, too lost in her grief to hear him. "How could you be with me the way you were if…?"
"I just learned of this," he said, gripping her upper arms in an effort to make her listen. "Father and Dolan arranged it to unite our tribes, but I will find a way out, I will, I promise you."
She didn't respond, but remained still and silent, her eyes locked on the dirt under her feet.
"Serenity! Did you hear me? I'm going to find a way out of this. I want to be with you. Only you."
His suddenly stern tone snapped her out of her odd state, and she raised her eyes to gaze up at him. His brow was furrowed, his eyes were bloodshot, but she could see his resolve.
"You do?"
"Of course. I love you."
"I'm sorry," she mumbled, "when you said you had to be with Soraya it made me go all funny, like I couldn't breathe, or think, or—"
"I don't know how I can change things," he said interrupting her, "but I will find a way. You must stay strong, you must believe in me, believe in us. Will you do that?"
"I will do anything for you, Killian."
"No matter what you hear, do not doubt me, do you promise?"
"I promise."
"Go home, be with your family, and trust we will soon be together."
"Killian…"
"Go. You'll hear from me soon, I swear it."
Without caring who might see, she threw her arms around him, smelled in his woodsy, barbarian scent, then stepped back, took a deep breath, and locked his gaze.
"It will work out," she declared, fighting back her anxious tears. "The angels would not have brought us together if we weren't meant to be."
"You're right, and your faith will help me find our path forward."
"Soon…" she mumbled, then walking backwards to keep him in view, she added, "you go in, then I'll turn and run home."
He wanted to grab her and lead her back into the compound and confront his father, but he knew that would only turn into a hellish scene and would achieve nothing, so he summoned his courage, turned around, and walked back through the gate and into the castle.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The merriment that greeted him was hard to take, and in the center of it was Soraya. Assuming Bastian had announced the exciting news of the nuptials between their offspring, Dolan had begun talking about the ceremony. A spontaneous celebration had erupted, and though Bastian had been miffed that he had lost the chance to make a grand proclamation, the tribes were elated and he'd become caught up in the excitement.
Feigning a smile, Killian entered the fray, and when Soraya turned and caught his eye, he couldn't help but admire her beauty. Her mother's tribe were referred to as the cat people. With eyes greenish-yellow and almond shaped, a thick mane of hair as glossy black as the huge cats that roamed in the rocky mountain peaks, and the females famous for their independent spirit, the cat people was an apt description. Killian had always found Soraya likable, but in spite of her exotic looks he'd never felt any attraction to her.
"Killian," she purred as he approached, "how lovely to see you. Shall we take a walk in the gardens?"
There it was. She was forward, proud and taking the lead. It was the way of the women in her mother's tribe. Serenity was also proud and strong, but while she knew her own mind, she preferred to follow her man, and she loved being in her submissive state. Killian couldn't imagine Soraya ever yielding to a man and calling him Master.
"What?" she asked with a frown, interpreting his silence as rejection. "You don't wish to walk with your future wife?"
"Of course I do," he replied warmly, knowing all eyes were on them. "Will you excuse us. It appears my soon-to-be mistress wishes me to wander through the trees with her."
His wry comment drew good-natured laughter, but as they made their way through the great hall he knew what he'd said was accurate. Soraya would be the mistress of her house, and he pitied the man she married. He was sure she would try to rule over her husband. There was no way it was going to be him.
"Tell me," he said as they started toward the orchard, "has a man ever taken his hand to your bottom?"
"Only to fondle it with reverence."
"That's hard to believe. You strike me as a woman who can be very naughty, and the Alaman men spank their women if they misbehave."
"They do, they're like your tribe, but if a man ever dared to try such a thing with me, I'd claw his skin and he'd end up being the sorry one."
"As I suspected. You do realize we are completely unsuited."
"Of course," she retorted. "I'm not stupid."
"No, you're not," he murmured. "This is a serious problem."
"We have to play nice until I can figure a way out of this."
"Until you figure a way out," he said, pausing his step. "Not me, not us—you?"
"I'm generally the one with the brilliant ideas, so yes, but if you have a solution, please tell me."
"I don't yet, but I will," he said grimly. "Forgive me when I say this, but I have absolutely no desire to marry you."
"I take no offense. The feeling is completely mutual, and I think perhaps…"
Her green-yellow eyes were staring at him, and releasing his arm she ran her fingers through her mass of thick black hair.
"You think perhaps, what?"
"I think perhaps there's something you should know."
"If it can help us get out of this mess, then please tell me."
"I'm not sure I want you to know, at least, not yet, but there is one way to stop the marriage. I'm surprised you haven't thought of it yourself."
"Soraya, stop playing games and tell me what it is."
"What's the one thing you must have for the ceremony to take place? If that one thing was missing…or worse, stolen…"
A deep frown crossed his brow. What was she talking about?
"Goodness, Killian, do I have to—"
"NO!" he exclaimed cutting her off, suddenly realizing what she meant. "Not that. It is too precious. It is sacred."
"If we can't think of another way…"
He stared at her, aghast at her suggestion, then a deep frown furrowed his brow as a glimmer of understanding began to shed its light on the recent dramatic events.
While Killian and Soraya had been discussing their predicament, Serenity had returned home. Layla had left the compound earlier and had alerted her family Serenity was safe and would soon be back, but it did nothing to dampen their euphoria when she walked in the door. Thrilled to see her, they hugged her tightly, and even her brothers were elated.
"How's the food up there?" Simeon asked as they sat down, eager to hear details about the lives of the barbarians.
"Not as good as here," Serenity said with a grin, "but there's more of it."
; "The barbarian gardeners grow their plants so successfully," her father remarked. "It's such a mystery."
"I know, and I'm determined to find out how they do it!"
"The fighting, what about the fighting?" Galway interjected. "Did you see much? Was there lots of blood?"
Her happy smile faded as she recalled the horrifying moment when she'd stabbed the brutish Phelan to save her beloved Killian.
"Serenity? Are you all right, dear?" her mother asked, seeing the grim expression cross her daughter's face.
"Fighting is horrible, Galway," Serenity said solemnly. "There is nothing exciting about it, but father, I saw some of the daggers and spears you made in the room where they store the weapons. Did you know yours are considered some of the finest they own?"
"They are? I take pride in my work, but no, I didn't."
"Killian told me," she continued. "He said yours were the best."
"Killian? Bastian's son? I thought you were working in the kitchen, and how did you end up in the place where the weapons are kept?"
Serenity felt her pulse tick up. Though she wanted to tell her parents about her unexpected relationship with Killian, she was worried they wouldn't approve.
"The thing is," she said tentatively, "Killian and I…"
"Let the angels sing," her mother muttered breaking into a wide smile. "Serenity, are you and Bastian's son together? Will he be coming here to call on you?"
"A barbarian!" her father exclaimed, clearly not as happy about the news as his wife. "Surely not. They are hard people, ruthless people."
"Only when they have to be. They're generous too, and can be very kind. Look what they did for Layla's family."
"That was unlike them," her father mumbled, "and how did the two of you become friends?"
"They've always defended us when the pillagers attack," Simeon chimed in, "and one of them gave me some cherries once."
"He did? You never told us that," Galway griped. "Why didn't you give us any?"
"There were only three, and I was hungry. I'd been working in the fields."
"Boys, please," Serenity's father said sternly, "tell us more, Serenity. Did you actually spend time with Bastian's son, or is this just a young woman's fantasy?"
"Father, I can assure you, it's no fantasy. It started when I was captured after Layla tried to steal the oranges and—"
"You said he reprimanded you," her father said, interrupting her. "You never mentioned anything else, and there didn't seem to be anything going on when we ran into them at Sampson's house."
"It doesn't matter," Serenity replied, the memory of being spanked over Killian's shoulder that first morning making her blush red, "what matters is, we have spent a great deal of time together, and I think he is the most wonderful man in the whole world, except you, of course."
"And what about Killian?" her mother asked. "Does he feel the same? I hope he's not just, uh, taking advantage of a village girl."
"He's not, I swear it, he loves me just as much as I love him, but we have a really big problem."
"I don't get it," Simeon suddenly piped up. "How can you be like this after only a couple of days?"
"It just happened," Serenity said wistfully. "It's as if the angels have brought us together. I can't imagine ever being without him."
"That's just weird," Galway muttered. "Girls are weird."
"Yes we are, and one day a weird girl is going to steal your heart too," Serenity giggled, "but father, you don't really mind me being with a barbarian do you?"
"I'm very surprised, it will take some getting used it, but you could do a whole lot worse than the son of the leader of the Bathus. You'll want for nothing, and he'll protect you. A barbarian will lay down his life for the woman he loves."
"What about you?" his wife said, poking his arm. "Are you saying you wouldn't?"
"Of course I would, and you know it, but I'm no barbarian."
"You're my barbarian."
"Ugh," Galway groaned. "This is getting way too soppy."
"Serenity, you said you have a really big problem?" her father said, returning his attention to her. "That doesn't sound good. What is it?"
"It's tragic. He's been promised to Dolan's daughter. Dolan is the leader of the Alamans. Her name is Soraya, and she's just arrived at the castle. I think they're supposed to get married in the next couple of days. It's a big deal. It's been arranged so the two tribes will become one big tribe."
"The Alaman and the Bathus merged would make a powerful clan," her father said gravely. "If they've made the pact, I can't see how Killian will be able to break it."
"I wish you hadn't said that. It's so upsetting. He's going to try, but you're right. I don't know what he can do. It's so depressing, and I'm so worried."
"Seems pretty simple to me," Simeon remarked, shrugging his shoulders as if the answer was apparent.
Silence descended, and along with her mother and father, Serenity stared at her young brother. Simeon had been blessed with the gift of seeing the obvious when no-one else could, but worried about being seen as different, he offered his suggestions only to those close to him.
"But there's nothing easy about this," Serenity declared. "What idea could you possibly have?"
"Marry him first. He can't marry this Soraya girl if he's married to you, and Bastian will never cast him out. He'll probably throw a fit, but he won't let him go. He can't. He doesn't have any other children, and barbarians may rule their roost, but ultimately a barbarian is like any man, he wants peace in the family, and he wants to keep his wife happy. She would never allow Killian to be cast out."
"May the angels bless you every day of your life," Serenity breathed. "Where did you come from? They must have sent you here. Only the angels could create such a brilliant boy as you."
Beside herself with joy, she abruptly jumped off her chair and ran around the table to hug him.
"Get off," he grumbled, though secretly loving the attention. "Stop, you're all over me!"
"I have to go," she exclaimed, finally releasing him. "I'll be back, but I'm not sure when."
"No, young lady, you're staying right here," her father said sternly. "Sit back down. Nothing is going to happen at the castle today. You'll spend some time with your family and think this through."
"But father—"
"No arguments. If you go running back there now you're liable to do something foolish. Just stop, relax, and plan your strategy carefully. Simeon has given you an answer, but you need to think about how to make it happen."
"He's right, sweetheart," her mother said softly. "The last thing Killian needs is you dashing in there and causing a ruckus. He may have ideas of his own. Let it be for now."
Knowing she wouldn't change their minds, and believing they were probably right, Serenity let out a heavy sigh and flopped back down in her chair. She would find a way to marry Killian first, and nothing would stop her.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Night had fallen, but as tired as she was Serenity couldn't sleep. She ached to be in Killian's big bed, feeling warm and safe and curled next to his powerful body. Slipping from her cot, she moved to the window. The moon was barely visible through the dark clouds traveling silently across the sky. The night before the mystical grey globe had washed Killian's room with a soft silver glow, but its beauty was now hidden from sight.
"It's so dark," she mumbled. "Just as well the Phelans left. They'd be able to creep into the castle."
Like a bolt from the heavens it hit her. She could creep into the castle. She could be in Killian's bed in no time, then slip out early in the morning. No-one would ever know. He'd be thrilled to see her! It would be a wonderful surprise, and she could tell him about Simeon's idea. Urgently pulling her nightgown over her head, she donned a long dress, and tying her hooded cape around her neck, she moved quietly from her room. Not wanting her parents to worry she scribbled a note, left it on the kitchen table, then snuck out the door.
It was colder than she'd expected. A wind w
as rustling through the trees, and the promise of rain was in the air. Not wanting to get caught in a downpour she quickened her step, but moving swiftly in the heavy dress and cape was difficult. The distant sound of howls reached her ear. Nocturnal creatures would be prowling in search of food. The big cats and the wild dogs of the forest would often wander the village streets under the moon's watch. The villagers kept their animals and birds in locked sheds to keep them safe, and Serenity began to feel shards of fear pulse through her body. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all, and what would she do if the barbarians had guards patrolling the fortress?
"Celebrations were underway when I left," she muttered, talking to herself, trying to ease her nerves. "I'll bet everyone was drinking fermented berry juice. They'll be asleep by now, besides, there's no threat. The Phelans have left. Why would Bastian have guards out?"
In spite of her mumbled reassurances, as she approached the castle she moved cautiously to the cover of the wall, then taking a moment to catch her breath, she peered through the gate. The only sound was the wind whispering through the branches of the trees, and though it was dark, her eyes had adjusted, and she could see there was no-one wandering the grounds. She knew the gate creaked when opened, so she squirmed through the bars, but once on the other side she wasn't sure if she should enter directly through the front, pass through the great hall and climb the stairs, or slip through the side door near the back. She could see the great hall still had lit torches. There would be light to help her find her way.
"But I'm more likely to be seen," she reasoned. "Someone might stumble down the stairs for something. No, I'd be safer using the side door."
Walking swiftly across the grounds she reached the cover of the orchard, then skirting the wall of the castle she made her way to the side door. It made a loud squeak as she pulled it open, and heart pounding, she listened for any response. Hearing nothing she slipped inside, thought about leaving it open, but changed her mind, cringing as she pulled it shut.
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