The Bravest of Them All

by Laurel O'Donnell

  “Melwyn!”

  Luke and Nessa turned together toward her.

  Mel swiveled her head toward the voice.

  Urien was being led off toward the dungeon by three guards. He struggled, lunging toward her. “Melwyn! My love!”

  She recoiled, disgust written on her face. My love? She could never love a disgraced son with no inheritance. She ignored him and turned to her own love. Luke. She couldn’t help noticing how his hand still lingered in her sister’s hold. She ran up to him and launched herself into his arms, knocking Nessa’s grip free. “Luke!” She peeked between her eyelids and was gratified to see Nessa no longer held his hand. “I’m so happy you are safe!”

  Nessa rubbed her hand as if trying to get the feel of Luke’s warm hand from her own. She already missed his comforting hold, his touch. She had not meant to hold Luke’s hand for so long and hoped Mel had not seen them. Mel loved him so. She pushed down the despair rising inside of her. When Mel stepped back from Luke, Nessa embraced her tightly. “I’m so grateful you are safe. I worried about you returning home alone.”

  Mel pulled back and her gaze swept Nessa’s face. Mel reached forward and for a moment, Nessa thought she was going to stroke her cheek and tell her how happy she was to see her. Instead, Mel yanked a leaf from Nessa’s hair, holding it out. “I’m sorry, Ness. I’m so sorry Luke had to save you.”

  Nessa couldn’t stop the disappointment that surged inside of her. Instinctively, she looked at Luke for comfort. They locked eyes for a long moment. He would be Mel’s husband now. She shouldn’t be looking to him for anything. She bowed her head as guilt crested over her.

  Mel stepped away from her, her nose crinkling. “You need to bathe, sister. You smell.” She whirled away from Nessa to Luke.

  Nessa drew herself up. No thank you for putting yourself in danger. No happiness because she was safe. But Nessa had not expected either. That was how Mel was. But she was certain her sister was happy. She looked at Luke, his arms around Mel, and a deep sadness filled her. She felt like she was losing something she held dear. She felt like... her world was ending. But she had known all along this moment would come. She had known and still allowed herself to love him.

  Nessa’s lady’s maid, Anna, took her hand. She was a young woman, with large earnest brown eyes and long brown hair. “You’re safe, m’lady! Praise the Lord!”

  Luke pulled away from Mel and moved to Nessa’s side to ask the servant, “Lord Tristan, is he all right?”

  “Father? He’s here?” Nessa asked.

  Anna nodded. “I’ll take you to him.”

  “See to Lady Nessa’s head wound first,” Luke commanded.

  Nessa touched her forehead. She had almost forgotten the bump at the back of her head. Luke looked at her and Nessa could have sworn there was tenderness in his eyes.

  “Are you certain you’re unhurt?”

  Nessa grinned at his concern. “I’m fine.” His gentle blue eyes, staring at her with compassion, brought to mind how they crinkled at the corners when he laughed. His lips brought to mind his hot, all-consuming kiss. She dropped her gaze, knowing it was wrong to think of him that way, but unable to stop herself. “Thank you for saving me.”

  Luke opened his mouth to answer, but Mel hooked her arm around his. “Yes, thank you for bringing Nessa back to me. We are all happy she is safe.” Mel’s chin was uplifted, and there was a glint of challenge in her eyes.

  Nessa could not win and had no desire to compete against her sister. She turned away and headed for the keep, moving through the hallway and passed the well-wishers she knew so well. She entered the keep and Anna rushed by her, leading her into the spiral stairway where she paused.

  “Your wound,” Anna reminded her.

  Nessa touched the back of her head. She wanted to see her father. She hadn’t known he was here. Anxiety prickled along the nape of her neck. He hadn’t come to greet her return. “I’ll have the physician look at it later.”

  Anna bobbed a curtsey and led her up the stairs into the hallway that led to her father’s solar.

  If he was here, why hadn’t he come for her? It didn’t make sense. She paused at the door as Anna moved away down the hallway. Why hadn’t he sent men after her? She reached out for the handle, but paused. She had always known her father favored Mel. Everyone did. Even Luke. And why shouldn’t they? Mel was beautiful. Nessa swallowed. She just didn’t want to know her father had purposely not tried to save her.

  “Come in! Stop lurking in the doorway.”

  His command sent a wave of dread through her. She eased the door open. The sight that greeted her froze her to the spot. Her father lay in his bed, a cover over his body. His face looked pale and gaunt.

  “Nessa?” He sat up and held his hands out to her.

  Like a small child, she bolted into the solar, launching herself onto his bed and into his arms. When he hugged her, all her trepidation and fear vanished. “Father!” she cried, pulling back to look at him. “Are you hurt? Why are you abed?”

  He bridled and hung his head. “Hurt in battle. I awoke just two days ago. Nessa...” He stroked her cheek. “Child. Are you hurt?”

  Nessa shook her head and a lock of blonde hair fell forward. “No. How were you hurt? Did you --”

  He leaned forward, ignoring her concern. “Is it true? Did you go with Urien of your own free will?”

  Shocked, Nessa scowled and sat back on her heels. “I did it to save Mel. He asked which one of us was Melwyn.” She shrugged. “Mel looked so terrified. I couldn’t let him hurt her. So I said I was Mel. I thought he was going to take her for ransom. And you know how Mel is. So... delicate. She would never have survived.”

  “You did it to save her?”

  She nodded. “I couldn’t let him take her.”

  Her father yanked her against him into a tight hold. “You are the bravest of us all.”

  Surprised at his praise and embarrassed, Nessa squirmed in her father’s hold. “No, Father. I just didn’t want him to hurt Mel.”

  “Mel would have been fine. She always is.” He took her hands into his and looked into her eyes. “He never sent a ransom note. What did he want?”

  Nessa shrugged. “He was taking me to the caves.”

  “Those caves along the coast?” her father asked, surprised.

  She nodded.

  His brow furrowed in disgust. “Lord help us. He’s mad. I would never have found you. I thought he was returning home. Thank God for Luke.”

  Nessa smiled, unable to hide her admiration. “He was wonderful,” she admitted, remembering how brave Luke was. “One of Urien’s men wounded him and he still fought Urien to save me. He made sure I was safe every step of the way. He protected me. He saved me. He’s changed very much, Father, from when we were young. He’s stronger now and --”

  He chuckled low in his throat.

  Nessa stopped and looked at him in confusion.

  “You speak of him as though you adore him.”

  “I do, Father. He saved me.”

  “Yes. Yes, he did.” He patted her hand. “He is the closest thing I have to a son.” He looked up at her. “Ness, would you have him as your husband?”

  Startled, Nessa froze. “Luke?” she asked. Her father nodded. Her mind refused to understand her father’s question. Marry Luke? It was what she had dreamed of since they were children laying together and looking at the twinkling stars in the night sky. And now, after their kiss... Her husband! The joy and excitement slowly drained. How could she do that to her sister? How could she take Luke away from her? “What of Mel?”

  “I would find another match for her. What say you, Nessa? Will you marry Luke?”

  Chapter Ten

  Luke took the stairs two at a time, excited to see Lord Tristan again. His side throbbed, but he would recover. He wanted to speak to Lord Tristan about Nessa and ask him for her hand in marriage. He had never felt this way about anyone before. His heart swelled just at the thought of her, of seeing her, of
holding her and kissing her. He imagined life with Nessa at his side and couldn’t stop smiling. He knew now that he loved her and would do anything for her. After checking in on Lord Tristan, he would visit the physician and, hopefully, see Nessa there. As he approached the solar, he heard voices from the open door and slowed his step. One was Nessa, he was certain. His heart leapt and joy filled him at the prospect of seeing her again.

  “I would find another match for her. What say you, Nessa? Will you marry Luke?”

  Lord Tristan had the same thought as he! Luke knew it was meant to be, but he was surprised to find himself holding his breath in anticipation. Finally came Nessa’s response.

  “I don’t love Luke, Father.”

  Luke’s joy burst like a bubble. Stunned, he couldn’t move. He couldn’t breathe. All his excitement vanished. It felt like he was falling down stairs, plummeting. She didn’t love him. He had been ready to pledge himself to her. She didn’t want him. She didn’t love him. Just like his father. And why should she love him? He was worthless. Wasn’t that what his father told him? And he had been right. Luke had been fighting that proclamation for his entire life, but he could not escape it. His throat closing, he continued passed Lord Tristan’s solar to his own chambers.

  Nessa was shooed from her father’s solar by his man-servant. And she had to agree with him, her father did need his rest, as did she. She was hungry and thought to get something to eat from the kitchens before retiring. She had entered the Great Hall on her way to the kitchen when she spotted Luke speaking with Mel near the hearth. They were standing close, holding hands. Mel laughed softly at something he said. He lifted her hand to his lips.

  An incredible feeling of jealousy enveloped her and she almost took a step toward them before stopping herself. Luke was Mel’s now. Despair swirled around her. She felt tears threatening her eyes, stinging, and burning. She couldn’t move, couldn’t turn away from the tender sight. What had she expected? Luke was betrothed to Mel.

  Luke looked up, a smile on his lips. He locked gazes with Nessa across the expanse of the Great Hall. His grin slowly disappeared and a hardness settled about his lips. He pulled Mel close, hugging her fiercely.

  As it should be, Nessa thought. She was going to turn and run, but Mel spotted her.

  “Nessa!” Mel broke free of Luke and raced across the rush-covered floor to embrace her. “I’m so glad you are safe. Luke was telling me all about your experience. How horrible for you!”

  When she mentioned Luke’s name, Nessa again looked at him as he sauntered over to them. Even his familiar walk made her chest constrict painfully.

  Mel looked up at her and her cheerfulness vanished. “Nessa, are you all right?”

  Nessa looked away quickly. “Yes. Yes. I’m fine. I’m just tired is all.”

  Mel tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You haven’t changed out of that dress yet. Have you eaten?”

  “No,” Nessa admitted. “Not yet.” She lifted her hungry eyes again to Luke. “I wanted to make sure a physician had attended Luke’s wound.” She saw he was no longer shirtless, but wore a tan tunic. The image of his strong, firm, warm torso came to her mind. She blushed slightly and looked down...into Mel’s eyes.

  Mel scowled for a moment, as if she had read Nessa’s guilt.

  “Yes,” Luke said. “My wound is cleaned and mended. And you, Lady Nessa. Have you seen a physician?”

  Lady Nessa. The distance between them grew. “Not yet. I was with Father.”

  “Luke,” Mel said. “Please take Nessa to see physician David.”

  Nessa panicked. She couldn’t be alone with Luke! It was dangerous. “What of you, Mel? Can’t you come with?”

  “I was just telling Luke that I must attend Chapel. I will stop by later.” She kissed Luke on the cheek and they stared deeply into each other’s eyes. Finally, Mel smiled coyly and half-waved to Nessa before walking away through the Great Hall.

  Nessa watched her go. She loved Mel. And she would never do anything to hurt her. She could never marry Luke, even though she loved him. She looked at Luke.

  His eyes burned with something she didn’t recognize. “Do not fear, Lady Nessa. I shall not bite.” He held out his arm to her.

  She brushed by him without taking it. She couldn’t touch him, not without breaking down in tears. It was too hard. Too hurtful. And yet, part of her wanted to touch him. To kiss him. To love him. When they moved into the hallway, she spun on Luke. “Why are you acting like this?”

  “Acting?” he echoed.

  “Since when do you call me Lady Nessa?”

  His eyebrows rose in innocent confusion. “Isn’t that your name?”

  “Of course. But you’ve never called me that.”

  “Many things will change now.”

  Nessa opened her mouth to reply, but knew he was right. Many things would change. And she would miss him terribly. They had been friends for so long, since childhood and now... Something had changed between them. She closed her mouth with a gentle sigh. “Luke,” she whispered. “You are to marry Mel. We can’t tell her --”

  “Of course not,” he said immediately. “She must never know of our indiscretion. It was a mistake.”

  Mistake? Their kiss, their one kiss, had been a mistake? Of course it had! What else could it be? She nodded. Even though... even though she had wanted with all her heart for him to desire her. To love her. She knew it couldn’t be. Mel was beautiful and lively and she was... not. How could he love her when he had Mel?

  “Luke, I would never do anything to hurt Mel. She is my sister. I love her.”

  “As you should.” He nodded and gestured for her to continue down the hallway. She did. He escorted her to the physician without another word. The physician, a lean man with a stern glare, greeted her at the doorway. He ushered her into the room. When she looked back, Luke was gone.

  Nessa couldn’t understand the change in Luke. He seemed different, somehow. Distant. And she knew she should be happy for that, but she wasn’t. She thought of Luke constantly. His dark hair, his piercing blue eyes, his strong body, his kiss. Oh, his kiss!

  The next day, she threw herself into chores and running the castle. Everyone welcomed her back with happiness and joy. And yet, she felt something was missing. She felt empty and lost. She visited with her father as often as she could that day. He was still abed and she chose to take her evening meal with him. She was sitting on the bed, a tray of food beside her and her father. The fire in the hearth was warm and crackled with life. A chessboard was situated between them, reminding Nessa of when she was a child. There were only a handful of moments her father had time to challenge her to a game of chess. She always let him win for fear of not playing another game with him.

  A quiet knock sounded at the door, disturbing Nessa’s concentration.

  “Come,” her father called.

  The door opened and Luke entered holding a tray filled with food.

  Nessa couldn’t tear her gaze from him. She was ravenous, drinking in his appearance, the way a lock of dark hair fell across his forehead. She had avoided him all day and had almost succeeded.

  He paused at seeing her.

  “Come in, boy,” her father called. “Close the door. You’re letting the warm air out.”

  “I’m sorry,” Luke said. “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

  Her father huffed. “Since when are you a disturbance? Come in.”

  Luke’s gaze shifted from Nessa to the tray on the bed. “I.. I didn’t know. I brought you the evening meal.”

  “So, you are trying to hide, too?”

  Nessa rolled her eyes. Her father had accused her of hiding from the attention of well-wishers if she were to dine in the Great Hall.

  “Where is your betrothed?” her father asked Luke. “Surely she would make better company than an old feeble man.”

  A wave of sadness crested over Nessa and she quickly looked back to the chessboard.

  “Mel is dining in the Great Hall. I t
hought to bring you --”

  Her father waved his hand. “I know. I know. My evening meal. Ness had the same idea.” He signaled the opposite side of his bed. “Join us.”

  “I should return to Mel.”

  The dagger twisted in her heart. She saw the chessboard, but didn’t really see it.

  “Mel will not miss you. Not with all the attention she gets.”

  Luke hesitated one more moment and then did as her father commanded. He sat across the bed from her, setting the tray beside the chessboard so her father was surrounded by two trays and the chessboard.

  “I should go,” Nessa said, unable to look at Luke.

  “Rubbish,” her father said. “We are in the middle of a game. When have you ever left in the middle of a game?”

  “I have chores to do, Father.”

  “After the game.”

  She looked back at the game. A tense quiet moment passed. She felt her father’s assessing eyes on her. She had to finish it.

  “What happened between the two of you?” he asked.

  Nessa snapped her gaze up to her father, as did Luke. “Us?” She glanced at Luke and her cheeks colored with memory.

  A slow scowl settled across her father’s weathered brow. “I meant with Urien.”

  Relief came swiftly, diffusing her guilt, but not erasing it. “Luke saved me.” She looked at the chessboard. Even just saying his name brought remorse and excitement and sadness.

  “What did Urien want? Why did he want to take Melwyn?”

  Nessa shrugged slightly. “I don’t know. He thought I was Mel and treated me with the utmost respect.” Urien had been kind to her, even though she had been terrified he would discover who she really was. “He was bringing me to the caves.”

  “The caves of St. Agnes,” Luke finished. “You know the legend.”

  Her father became quiet, staring at the chessboard. “Yes. Your mother believed every word of that legend.”