His brave little warrior was afraid. It struck him like a knife to the gut and weakened the barrier he’d tried to erect around his heart. “Have you never been on a horse before?”
She shook her head, making her curls dance in the wind. “Never. But it’s incredible.”
“I will keep you safe,” he promised. “Relax and enjoy the ride.”
Pleasure poured through him when he felt her rigid muscles gradually ease, her body going fluid and conforming to the hard planes of his torso. He kicked his mount in the sides and the beast took off at a gallop across the barren fields. She gave a small scream, which quickly turned into a laugh of pleasure. “It’s like flying,” she declared. Her enjoyment fed his soul even as it broke his heart.
What would tomorrow bring? Would there be any pleasure in riding without her in his arms? But that was for another day. Today was all about Audrey. How he wished she would be here when the crops were ready for harvest. He wanted her to see the bounty of their land and know its wealth was not in gold but in what it could provide for all of them.
Heroc’s horse thundered alongside them as they raced across the open meadow. They slowed and went single-file when they entered the woods. Birds chattered and small animals scurried out of the path of the large horses and their passengers. Carn loped alongside them, a large gray shadow. Abrah knew the dog would not leave their side and would warn them of any wild boar or predators in more than enough time to enable them to defend themselves.
The world was theirs. With the end of the cold season, people would be venturing outside their castles and keeps, but with Dannon Keep so far off the beaten path there was no danger of running into any other travelers. They were alone.
“It’s beautiful here.” Her voice was a mere whisper as though she were afraid to speak aloud. He understood her reticence. This forest was old and there was something special about it.
“There is game aplenty in these woods. And we will soon clear all the downed and diseased trees for firewood and building materials. Then we will thin where necessary.” There was always a balance to be struck between using resources and respecting them so they continued to provide for generations to come. If he and Heroc were the last of their line it would not matter. The land would belong to someone else.
His heart ached at the thought of his home belonging to another not of his blood. If Audrey did not stay they were unlikely to take a wife. Abrah knew he did not have the heart for it. If she left he would have no other.
A raven flew across their pass, giving a raucous cry. Audrey laughed and clung to his arm as he urged the horse down the well-traveled path. The woods were special but it was what was beyond that he truly wanted to share with her.
Her gaze darted everywhere and she reminded him of a child trying to see everything at once. She turned her head back and smiled at him, her face filled with sheer delight. He longed to kiss her but resisted. Now was not the time. It would be so easy to slide his hand into the opening of her cloak and slip it beneath her tunic. Her skin would be warm and her nipples would pucker beneath his touch.
His cock stirred and he shifted his weight to ease the ache. He knew the moment she felt his erection press against her back. She stiffened slightly and held herself erect, trying not to touch him, but he pulled her back against him and she gradually relaxed again. Abrah kissed the top of her head and urged his horse onward. He was impatient to get to their destination.
Heroc was silent but Abrah could sense his brother watching them both. He glanced toward his brother and suddenly wished he had resisted the urge. Despair was etched on Heroc’s face. It was the first time he had seen his brother lose hope.
In that moment he almost hated Audrey and the gods who had brought her to them. Better to have never known her than to have her and lose her. Even as he thought the words he wanted to call them back lest the gods take her back before the allotted time was over.
He was going to lose her when the tapestry arrived but he wanted every second he could have with her. It was not her fault that she was leaving. He could not blame her for not wanting to abandon all that was familiar for a new and strange world. But he could not help wishing she would.
The path ended and they broke from the woods, leaving the dark world behind. A shaft of sunlight shone down on them as Abrah brought his horse to a stop, allowing Audrey to see the pounding ocean beyond.
“This is incredible. I love the beach, but haven’t been to one in years.”
He soaked in her pleasure and leaned down so his mouth was touching the sensitive skin just below her ear, his warm breath teasing the delicate whorls when he whispered. “The waters are teeming with fish of all kinds. This is a rich land.”
He was proud of their home and wanted her to understand what they were offering her. “All the woods and the ocean before us, the mountains behind the keep and the land beyond. That all belongs to Dannon Keep.”
“It’s spectacular. Can we go down there?” She pointed to the beach below.
Since he’d already planned to take her there, it was easy to grant her request. “Of course.”
Heroc gave a whooping sound and urged his horse down the narrow path. The idiot was showing off, pushing himself and his horse to practically race. But man and horse had done it many times before, so he wasn’t worried his brother would break his fool neck.
He went down at a more sedate pace, not wanting to frighten Audrey or jeopardize her safety. When the horse reached the sandy beach, he dismounted and let the reins drop. The horse would not wander far and would come when Abrah whistled.
Audrey slid into his waiting arms. He held her to him, savoring her closeness before letting her feet touch the ground. She wobbled a bit at first and grabbed at his arm for support. “My thighs feel like jelly.” But she laughed as she said it, so he knew she was not in any true pain.
“I’ll rub them later.” Even as he said the words he knew it would not happen. She was leaving them. There was no later, only now.
Heroc walked toward them and took her hand. “Come and walk with me.”
Carn came to sit beside him as Abrah watched his brother and Audrey ramble down the beach. Every few steps she’d stop and pluck something from the rocky sand and study it before carrying on. Heroc kept pace beside her, watching over her, wanting her.
He could sense his brother’s growing sense of impending doom. The day was waning with each roll of the waves and time was running out for all of them.
Audrey watched the water roll in over the sand, rock and kelp before rolling out again, the swooshing sound music that made her heart swell and all her worries disappear. She inhaled the cool, salty air, wondering if she’d ever really breathed fresh air before. There was nothing to taint it, no car exhaust or factory waste. Only clean, life-giving air filled her lungs.
Beside her, Heroc kept pace, allowing her to wander as she chose. What would it be like to race up and down the beach on a warm day, to maybe strip off her clothing and slip into the water for a swim? The bottom looked safe enough. There were some rocks out a ways but close to shore there seemed to be a lot of sand.
She had no idea if the tide was coming in or if had reached its peak and was on the way out again. The sound of the surf soothed her soul. As a child she’d loved the beach, but it had been years since she’d been to one.
Why had she stayed away for so long?
Work. That was the easy answer. Like most people, she’d gotten caught up in responsibilities and a job that left little time for play. Her life had become so small. She went to work and she went home. Other than the few shops she patronized, her life was pretty empty.
What would happen if she stayed? She couldn’t believe she was even considering such a thing. What would she do here? There is no way she’d want to be dependent on a man for everything. She was used to being independent, having her own money. She wasn’t cut out to be a fifties housewife.
Even as she had the thought, she knew she wasn’t being fair to e
ither man. They hadn’t asked that of her. All they’d asked was that she consider staying. She was honestly tempted. But if she made a mistake, if somewhere down the road she regretted her choice, there was no going back.
This was all or nothing. An act of faith when she no longer had any.
She didn’t trust her own judgment. After all, look where it had gotten her. She was thirty-three years old and had never even come close to getting married before. She honestly hadn’t even thought much about having a family of her own. Every waking hour was consumed by her job.
What would she do when she went home?
Obviously, she’d have to start searching for a new job. The fact that she’d had an anxiety attack and had ended up in hospital would make her bosses look at her differently. As much as they paid lip service to her taking care of her health, they’d see it as a weakness. The writing was on the wall.
That left her with the question: What did she want out of life?
Before she could answer, Carn ran up to her, dragging a long, thin stick in his mouth. He danced in front of her and dropped it at her feet. It seemed the huge, ferocious dog had a playful side.
She bent down and grabbed the stick. “You want this?” She waved it in front of him. Carn bent forward on his front paws, leaving his butt sticking up in the air. His ears were alert and he gave a playful growl. She could hardly believe she’d been afraid of him at first. He was so familiar to her now. Just like his masters.
Audrey tossed the stick as hard as she could and Carn pounded after it. He picked it up and raced beyond her, this time to Abrah, who stood staring out over the horizon. He looked so alone and she wanted to go to him but didn’t dare. It wouldn’t be fair of her, not when she was leaving.
“Are you cold?” Heroc touched her cheek and stared down at her with concern. Had anyone other than her mother ever asked her that question? Both Dannon brothers seemed genuinely concerned about her health and happiness. She didn’t understand them at all.
She shook her head. “I’m fine. The walking is keeping me warm.” That and the rising sun. Her stomach growled and there was no doubt Heroc had heard it by the grin on his face.
“Come. It is time to eat. I had Tara pack us some lunch.”
They trudged back up the beach toward the horses. On impulse, when they passed by Abrah, she grabbed his hand and pulled him along with them. He resisted at first and she half expected him to pull away, but he heaved a deep sigh and allowed her to lead him toward their waiting lunch.
Chapter Thirteen
As the afternoon waned, they all grew quiet.
The picnic lunch had been consumed hours ago. Heroc was a font of information about the ocean and tides. She was surprised to learn they had several boats, which they used for fishing near the shore. He pointed out the various birds that glided overhead and recounted several legends of sea monsters that plied the deep waters.
Abrah was quiet. Watching them, with them, yet separate.
She’d played on the beach like a child, building a sandcastle as best as she could with Carn’s dubious help while the men practiced with their swords. They were always armed, the huge swords such a part of the men she barely took note of the weapons anymore. The brothers had stripped off their tunics and fought naked from the waist up, except for the wrist and armbands, which were for more than just decoration. They were for protection, used to deflect the opponent’s blade.
Their motions were fluid as they dipped and swirled, their chests glistening with sweat. The deadly weapons flashed in the sunlight as they circled one another.
She’d shucked her coat as the day warmed and sat back on the beach with her arms wrapped around her knees, watching them. A sense of contentment enveloped her and she never wanted the moment to end.
But, like all good things, it had come to an end. The men eventually put away their weapons and pulled their tunics on for the ride back. A wild wave rolled in, hit her sandcastle and dissolved it in a flood, washing it back out to the ocean. Her eyes had welled with tears, which was stupid. A sandcastle wasn’t meant to be permanent, much like her stay here. Soon Javara would be nothing but a cherished memory.
Now she was sitting in front of Heroc and they were riding back toward the keep. She’d wanted to ride with Abrah again since she’d spent much of her time on the beach with Heroc, but he’d turned away from her, mounting his horse and starting out ahead of them, leaving her no choice but to ride with his brother.
His obvious rejection had hurt more than she’d thought it would, constricting her chest and making it difficult to get a breath. But she couldn’t fault him for it. He was protecting himself and she understood that.
He was the oldest brother, the one who carried the bulk of the responsibility, even though Heroc took on as much of the load as Abrah would give him. She and Abrah were alike in that way. She’d shouldered responsibility for herself and her mother when she was still a young woman, burying her own dreams in order to do what needed to be done in order to survive.
What did Abrah want from life? What did Heroc want?
Being born to be the future lords of Dannon Keep came with tons of responsibility. There were so many people who depended on them for food and shelter. The workload was tremendous, but she’d never once heard them complain about it. To them it was simply what they’d been born to do and she knew they’d never want any other life.
What must it be like to have such a secure place in the world? To know your place in the vast scheme of things.
The rolling movement of the horse and the warmth from Heroc at her back combined to make her drowsy. She yawned and leaned against him.
“Tired?”
“Yes, but it’s a good tired. I had fun today.” It was important they realize she would always treasure this day. “Thank you so much. Both of you.” Her health had improved quite a bit in the short time she’d been here. Her headache was but a memory, her queasy stomach had settled and she no longer had any dizziness. Overall, she felt wonderful. Better than she had in a very long time.
Heroc gave her a gentle squeeze but Abrah remained silent as they left the woods behind them. The keep came into view and she studied it with a critical eye. It wasn’t a huge castle, but it was certainly an imposing sight. Dark gray stones rose to meet the sky as if to proclaim its right to be here. A grouping of smaller buildings was strategically placed inside the high wall that surrounded the keep. The mountain protected its back, making it very defensible.
Single-story stone houses with thatched rooftops dotted the landscape and she could see the fields and orchards beyond. It truly was a beautiful place, like something out of a fairytale. She was realistic enough to know life here wasn’t perfect. It was very different from what she knew but its very simplicity appealed to her.
Abrah veered off course, taking them away from the entrance of the keep to a rockier side near the mountains. She didn’t like this place and a shiver of dread raced down her spine. “Where are we going?” Wherever it was, she wanted no part of it. She wanted to go back to the castle.
She gripped the horse’s mane to anchor herself. Not that she needed to, not with Heroc holding her so close. She could feel his tension mount and his muscles clench even through the layers of their clothing. He didn’t like this place any more than she did.
Sweat beaded her brow and her stomach roiled leaving Audrey wondering if she was going to have another anxiety attack.
Abrah stopped and swung down from his mount, his movements fluid and incredibly graceful for such a large man. He stood over an indentation in the ground. Carn sniffed the area and trotted over to her side.
It was then she knew.
“This is where you found me, isn’t it?” She started to get down but Heroc tightened his grip on her. “I have to see it.”
Audrey didn’t think he was going to release her at first, but gradually he lowered her to the ground. She walked on unsteady feet to the small patch of ground and stared down at it.
&nbs
p; She remembered bits and pieces of that night—the cold and driving rain, the blustering winds that had bitten into her flesh. She’d probably never remember all of it and that was fine with her. She could have easily died here and likely would have if they hadn’t found her.
“Thank you for saving my life.”
“Save your thanks for Carn. He’s the one that found you.” Abrah turned, strode back to his horse and swung up onto its back. “Come. It is time to go home.”
Audrey closed her eyes as pain engulfed her body and soul. Home. Had she ever had one? Maybe when she was a young child and her parents had still been together. But she’d been too young when her father had left to have more than one or two memories of that time.
She blinked back tears and headed toward Heroc. If she believed what they’d told her then it was almost time for the tapestry to appear, time for her to go home. Soon this place and these men would be nothing more than a memory, like the sandcastle, like this day.
She stumbled and would have fallen but for the strong arms that rescued her, keeping her from taking a header into the rocks and hard ground. She didn’t have to see behind her to know it was Abrah who caught her. Anger radiated from the man, searing everyone and everything around him. She could have handled it if he’d yelled, stomped around and berated her. It was his quiet acceptance that made her ache. She didn’t want him to hurt, didn’t want him to be angry, but didn’t know how to change the inevitable.
Her chest hurt but she knew it wasn’t due to any illness—mental or physical—but was because her heart was breaking for Abrah and Heroc and for herself. The ride back to the castle was short. Abrah kept her close but said nothing. She wished he’d say something. Anything.
“I have to go back.” She had to make him understand.
“Why?” His deep growl vibrated through her body, giving her goose bumps.
“Why?” she repeated.
Fabric of Fate t-6 Page 14