A VOW TO KEEP (The Vengeance Trilogy)

by Lana Williams

  Matthew sighed. “It’s hard to believe I’ll ever return to normal.”

  “Patience. Recovery comes in small steps.”

  Alyna made her way to the kitchen to check on the progress of the evening meal and to see if Tellie could think of something special for Matthew to help cheer his spirits. Florence’s visit had certainly not done the trick.

  ***

  “My lady, this seems most unwise,” Charles said, shaking his head.

  Alyna stifled a sigh. Though tempted to venture into the forest alone, she hadn’t forgotten the attack on the village two nights past. “Charles, this is very important to me. I’ve no one else to ask.”

  “But they have no horses to spare. The men are patrolling the area in shifts to watch for trouble and every horse has been put to use.” As Charles swept his arm around the stable, she realized many of the stalls were empty. “The horses remaining are for the next watch.”

  She bit her lip as she considered her options. The memory of the hope on Gunnell’s face reminded her of the importance of this mission. “Then we’ll walk there. It will take longer, but we’ll be back well before nightfall if we leave now.”

  “Leave for where?” Royce’s deep voice had Alyna spinning around to face him. He led his destrier toward them, his brown hair tousled by the wind.

  Her heart fluttering from his unexpected appearance, she sought a reply but found her mind blank. She could feel Charles’ gaze on her even as Royce halted before them.

  “I was merely discussing a household errand with Charles.” Somehow she knew Royce would be displeased with her intent and had no wish to argue with him, not when a victory seemed unlikely.

  “An errand of what sort?”

  She lifted her chin, determined not to be intimidated. Her purpose might sound silly to him, but she knew it was important to Gunnell and perhaps even to Nicholas at some later date. “A particular herb we’re in need of grows deep in the forest. I intend to gather it today.”

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t allow that. ’Tis too dangerous.”

  A glance at Charles showed her she’d receive no help from that quarter. The servant stepped back, abandoning her. “From what I understand, the thieves are unlikely to cause trouble anytime soon,” she said.

  “We don’t know that for certain,” Royce argued. “Especially when we hold one of them.”

  Alyna hadn’t thought of that. “They don’t seem like the type of men to lay siege to a castle for one of their own.”

  “True. Which is why I’d like you to remain inside the curtain wall where we know it’s safe.”

  Alyna refused to give up so easily. “I need the herb. What would you suggest?”

  He appeared baffled by her question. “I suggest you do not go.”

  “That is not possible.” She stopped there, hoping he’d offer a better solution.

  “Why is this herb so important?”

  She bit her lip as she pondered how best to explain it. “This herb is said to help balance the humours of the body.”

  “And your humours are in need of balancing?”

  “Nay. It’s not for me.”

  “Ah. I should’ve known.” He shook his head. “Who is it for?”

  “Gunnell. To aid with her visions.”

  Those gray eyes held hers for the longest moment. “I don’t pretend to understand your need to help the healer, but I must insist you remain here.”

  Disappointed that he didn’t realize how important this was, she nodded. He didn’t need to know that she nodded in acknowledgement at his words rather than agreement to do as he asked. If she left now, she could be back before anyone was the wiser.

  “Alyna.” His tone held a warning.

  Guilt gave her pause. He couldn’t possibly have read her thoughts, could he?

  “You intend to go anyway,” he accused her.

  “I never said that.”

  He shook his head. “Gather your things. We leave anon.”

  Charles chuckled behind her, but a glare from Royce had him coughing to cover his amusement.

  Alyna hid her own smile, pleased at Royce’s offer in more ways than one.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  “’Tis said bathing in comfrey can

  restore virginity, but I have my doubts.”

  Lady Catherine’s Herbal Journal

  Royce couldn’t believe he was in this predicament.

  Again.

  Despite his best intentions to avoid her, Alyna sat before him on his destrier, her body warm against his. It was good that she faced away from him, that those amber eyes weren’t staring up at him, calling to him like a siren.

  She shivered and pulled her cloak tighter. The air held a damp chill this morn, the sun tucked behind clouds. He stifled a groan as she shifted again in the saddle, bringing her bottom closer. A few more moves like that, and he’d pull her to the ground and make her his own.

  “Where is this herb said to grow?” he asked, hoping for a distraction from her sweet fragrance that tempted him to nuzzle her neck.

  “A gnarled oak marks the spot where the path begins.”

  He grunted. “Do you know how many gnarled oaks grow in these woods?”

  Her gaze scanned the area as they entered the trees. “Gunnell said if I entered the forest directly east of the well, I’d be sure to come across it.”

  Royce looked back over his shoulder to verify their location. “Then we should find it soon.”

  His steed picked its way through the trees and shrubs while Royce watched for any sign of the thieves as well as for the gnarled oak. The patrols hadn’t found any evidence of the bandits, but Royce intended to keep up the patrols until further notice.

  “Perhaps that one?” Alyna suggested as she pointed to a twisted oak tree just ahead.

  He guided the horse in that direction and found a path at the base of the tree began as a faint trail, but soon took on a more worn appearance.

  “We’re to travel on this for a time until we come to a large rock with gray streaks down its face. Then go west until we reach a meadow full of wild flowers, among which grows this herb.”

  “And you were to find this place based on those directions?” Royce shook his head. “I doubt we will find this meadow, but we shall try.”

  “That is all I ask.”

  “What is it about the healer that makes you want to help her so much? Or is it because of Nicholas?”

  Alyna spun to face him so quickly that Royce drew the horse to a halt. “What do you mean?” she asked, panic in her eyes.

  “Surely you don’t think I didn’t notice.” He wondered if she’d tell him the truth or deny it. Did she trust him enough to reveal this secret? For reasons he couldn’t explain, he desperately wanted her to.

  “Notice what?” A small frown marred her brow.

  “I was with you when Nicholas predicted a black horse would hurt him, remember?” He held his breath, waiting to hear what she’d say.

  “I was hoping you’d forgotten that.”

  He resisted the urge to tell her that he never forgot anything that happened regarding her and Nicholas. “How many other things has he foreseen?”

  She bit her lip, seeming to weigh the risk of telling him the truth. “He woke me the night of the thieves’ attack but only said there was trouble.” She grabbed hold of his arm, squeezing tight as she looked up at him. “I don’t want others to know of Nicholas’s gift. Not yet at least. He’s only a little boy. His path in this life will be difficult enough without everyone realizing how different he is.”

  “You mean how special he is.” Royce lifted her hand from his so he could touch her cheek. He nearly gave voice to the protectiveness surging through him, to tell her that he’d defend them both with his very life if necessary.

  Her eyes filled with tears. “Oh! I’m so glad you understand.”

  “So this is why you champion Gunnell so fiercely. Because of Nicholas.” At last, he understood Alyna’s actions of late, includ
ing her determination to make this journey into the woods.

  “In part. She’s a good person in an unusual situation and struggling to understand her visions. How would you feel if people called you crazed?”

  “It would be a difficult burden to bear,” he admitted, trying to imagine such a thing, to imagine Alyna defending Nicholas from people calling him crazed.

  “You don’t seem very surprised by all this.”

  He shrugged. “There are many things in this world that are not explainable. In my travels, I have learned not to scoff at what I do not understand.”

  Unable to resist, he moved his thumb along the softness of her cheek. Desire poured through him as she tilted her head as though seeking his caress. With a sigh at his weakness, he bent his head and kissed her, wishing she’d thrust him away.

  Instead, she shifted in the saddle to better face him and put her arms around his shoulders. The heat of her body burned his, her breasts pressed against him, and his desire grew ever stronger.

  Her mouth was sweet, unbearably soft. He resisted the urge to devour and kept it slow to better savor the taste of her. He nibbled at the corner of her mouth then indulged himself by returning to her parted lips.

  Many times had he imagined her in his arms, just like this, and now that it was a reality, he wanted to explore much more than her mouth. He threaded his fingers in her dark hair, amazed at the soft strands that spilled like fine silk through his fingers.

  His exploration continued to her shoulders, her neck, pressing kisses to the spot just below her ear. He moved her cloak aside to span her narrow waist, then up toward the swell of her breasts.

  He told himself to stop, convinced himself he would after just another moment of this paradise. Never had a woman gone to his head like this, as though she were some exotic wine in which he’d overindulged.

  “Royce?” Alyna’s breathless voice slowed his progress across her jaw and behind her ear.

  “Aye, my lady?” he answered, leaning his forehead against hers, not willing to break contact with her yet.

  “Your horse seems to be moving.”

  He smiled. That he hadn’t noticed proved how enamored he’d been with their kiss. Apparently, his horse had more sense than he did. “So he is. I suppose we must continue on our journey if we want to find that herb.”

  He placed one more kiss upon her lips, then turned her forward, keeping her in the circle of his arms as he gathered the reins again.

  The path wound through the forest, at times barely visible. Royce pushed branches aside to prevent them from scratching Alyna. The farther they went, the more pleased he was that he’d accompanied her on this outing. The idea of her venturing here with Charles or even worse, alone, made him nervous.

  As they traveled, they spoke, first of inconsequential things, then of more personal topics. Royce appeased his curiosity about Alyna’s life and she did the same. Her positive outlook warmed him. Her humor amused him. Her combination of innocence and intelligence intrigued him.

  The brush of her hair on his chin sent awareness spearing through him. She often turned to look up at him, those long lashes teasing him, her smile inviting him to join her. He reveled in the feeling of her in his arms as she leaned back against him.

  It didn’t take long before he realized he’d made a terrible mistake by coming with her this day.

  A deep ache at what couldn’t be filled him. She deserved a husband who would cherish her and protect her, not drag her into danger with a plan of vengeance. How could he possibly offer her marriage when he was no more than a landless knight? When the mission he would soon go on could easily end in his death? He had no chance for a normal life until he took back his father’s holding from Tegmont and gained the land and title that were his by right.

  His enjoyment of the outing dimmed as he tried his best to distance himself. Better to endure the pain now than later when he was even more taken with her or her with him. He moved his arms from around her and shifted away, kneeing his horse to speed their progress. He needed to get this errand over and done with as quickly as possible.

  ***

  The sun had emerged and warmed the air by the time they came upon the rock Gunnell had described to Alyna.

  “I’m certain this is the next marker. Now we head west,” she told Royce.

  She was relieved to know they were nearing the meadow. She’d enjoyed their conversation and their kiss, but the farther they traveled the more Royce withdrew from her. A deep sense of loss filled her at the distance he’d put between them. She could only guess that he wanted to return to his duties and she was in the way. Hopefully, they could locate the herb and return to the keep as soon as possible.

  A short distance later, they arrived at a clearing and Royce reined in his horse. “Is this it?”

  “I believe so. There’s only one way to find out.”

  Royce dismounted and lifted her to the ground. When his hands remained on her waist, she looked up to find his gaze on hers, his expression unreadable. Longing coursed through Alyna and she moved closer, leaning in for his kiss.

  Royce released her abruptly to loop the reins around a nearby tree. “What does this herb look like?”

  Alyna released her breath, disappointed as he turned away. “Ah, Gunnell says it has pear-shaped green leaves and grows low to the ground.”

  “Humph.”

  “She insists it’s quite distinctive. It might carry small yellow blossoms as well.”

  Without further comment, he walked toward the far side of the meadow, searching the ground as Alyna did the same on the other side. She tried her best to stay focused on the task, but the fact that he’d chosen not to kiss her and now searched as far away from her as possible had not escaped her attention.

  Had she offended him in some way? Had he had a change of heart and decided he no longer cared for her? With a sigh, she reminded herself it didn’t matter. Sharing kisses with him would not benefit her or Nicholas.

  Why didn’t that make her feel any better?

  “I think I’ve found it,” Royce called out.

  “As did I,” she said, realizing she’d nearly trampled the herb.

  “Do I pick the whole plant?”

  “If you could just pinch off a few leaves of several plants, then it should continue to grow,” she instructed him. “I’ll dig up the entire herb from the one I found.”

  The bland look he gave her suggested she asked too much of him, and she couldn’t help but laugh. With a heavy sigh, he bent down and did as she requested. Alyna was pleased he had regained his good mood.

  She pulled her gaze away from him and bent to gently dig around the herb with her knife and fingers. Gunnell would be pleased they’d found it. Alyna hoped it helped her.

  Royce walked over with leaves piled in his hand. “Where would you like these?”

  “Would you fetch the bag that Tellie packed for us, please? We’ll make a place for them in there,” she said, pointing to the leather bag tied behind the saddle.

  He placed the deep green leaves in her lap and walked over to get it. “This seems awfully heavy for some bread and cheese.”

  “I think it’s more than that. Tellie is always trying to get me to eat more. There’s probably enough in there to feed half your men.” She looked up at him, shading the sun from her eyes. “Thank you, Royce. I’m very glad you offered to accompany me.”

  He set down the bag and squatted beside her. “You are never to venture outside the curtain wall without a guard. Am I clear?” He asked as he tapped her nose with his finger.

  Ire at his bossiness struggled with appreciation for his concern for her welfare. Appreciation took the lead, and she smiled at him. “All right. Until the situation with the thieves is resolved.”

  A shadow passed over his face. He said nothing but sat beside her and took out the contents of the bag, item by item. Several were wrapped in cloths, and she gestured toward one. “May I have that to wrap the herb in?” She held up the herb, r
oot and all.

  He took off the cloth to reveal a meat pie and handed her the cloth. She wrapped the herb, taking great care not to break off the stem or leaves. A glance at Royce showed him holding the meat pie as though not quite certain what to do with it. “Surely you’re hungry. Why don’t you just eat it?”

  “I’d rather get back to the keep. The longer we stay out here, the more risk we take.”

  “We’ve seen no sign of the thieves, nor is this the side of the castle they attacked from. Taking a few minutes to eat will surely cause no harm. Besides, I’m hungry.” She couldn’t help but put a hand to her growling stomach.

  Looking less than pleased, he gave in, taking a bite of the meat pie as he handed her one of the cloth-wrapped parcels.

  Along with the meat pies were dried fruit, fresh baked bread, cheese, and a small corked jug of wine to wash it down with. “No wonder the bag was so heavy,” Alyna said as she shook her head.

  “How many days did the cook think you’d be gone?”

  Alyna chuckled as removed her cloak and bit into a meat pie. She could think of nothing to say, and the silence between them grew long and awkward. She knew Royce was impatient to be on their way. He probably had many duties he’d yet to see to that he’d neglected in favor of escorting her. For that, she was sorry, but she was not sorry he was here with her now. Awkward or not, she enjoyed being in his company. She well knew the chance of having another secluded afternoon with him was unlikely.

  Desperate to think of something clever to say, she stole another glance at him.

  To find him watching her.

  Heat rose in her cheeks as she held his gaze, her mouth suddenly dry.

  He reached out and touched her cheek just as he had on the horse earlier.

  Her heart melted. Until she realized he was merely brushing a crumb from her cheek. Embarrassed, she smiled, hoping he didn’t realize the effect he had on her.

  He lowered his gaze to the meat pie in his hand. Unsure of what to make of his behavior, she continued to glance at him as she nibbled a dried peach, her stomach a flurry of butterflies.