Forbidden Magic

by Catherine Emm

  Gray shadows greeted Jewel save for the yellow shaft of light that haloed her, and she squinted in the darkness to view the interior. Surely Blagden owned one gentle mare for his wife to ride and, although the idea of stealing the animal went against her upbringing, she hoped he would understand. And once she arrived safely at Harcourt, she would have the steed returned to him. It would mean she only would be borrowing the mare for awhile. With one quick glance back over her shoulder to make certain she was alone, Jewel nervously advanced.

  Her heart pounded in her chest, her breathing was ragged, and she wondered if all the world had heard. She paused, hit her lower lip to calm herself before continuing on, and allowed a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim light. However, once they had, her tiny chin dropped, for there before her stood only two horses from which to choose: Amery's steed and Gunther's. Panic threatened to turn her around and send her racing from the stable. She was not skilled at riding and the most spirited animal she had ever mounted had been a good-tempered mare, nothing in comparison to these mighty war-horses. Even if she could saddle one, it would prove rather difficult to pull herself up to his wide back. Tears glistened in her eyes when she believed her plan had failed, for most assuredly Amery would overtake her-within the hour if she traveled the road on foot. Sighing resignedly, she had lowered her head, searching for an answer, when a new thought exploded in her mind and she nearly cried aloud with glee. With the fingertips of both hands pressed against her lips, Jewel giggled in spite of her effort to contain her mirth, and covertly she glanced back at the entrance, wondering if anyone had heard. Mentally scolding herself for being so careless, she turned to face her task, shoulders squared and an impish grin lighting up her eyes. It would indeed be difficult, but Jewel would not leave the stable without Conan beneath her and the reins of Gunther's destrier held in her hand. After all, what better justice than to have a gallant knight afoot, put there by a foe almost half his size?

  Cooing softly once she moved close enough to gently touch the charger's rump, Jewel quickly pulled Conan's blanket from the rail and slid it across his back, whispering soothingly all the while. The huge beast swung his head around to eye the delicate figure standing at his side as if to disapprove of her intent, but he made no other move and Jewel paused to look up at him, wondering if by some mystical power the steed had human thoughts of his own. She ignored the eerie shiver such a possibility evoked and concentrated on readying her mount. Several awkward minutes passed, but at last she had succeeded in securing the saddle and bridle and strained to pull Conan from the stall, guiding him to the open space in the center of the room. Overturning a wooden pail she found close by, she had lifted a foot, ready to hoist herself up, when she suddenly remembered Gunther's horse. Heaving an agitated sigh, she dropped Conan's reins and hurriedly bridled the second stallion, bringing the animal to stand beside the first. Balanced precariously on the back, she grabbed hold of the pommel and jumped, pulling herself over the slick leather seat before she could twist around and sit comfortably and reposition the wool blanket that had slipped from her shoulders. Only then did she realize the saddle was not meant for a lady to ride when she found no place to rest her knee. With a disgusted shake of her head, she decided her return home would be doubly welcome and bent to take the other steed's reins in her hand. Lightly nudging Conan's ribs, they left the stable.

  A smile broke the serious line of Jewel's mouth once the warm sunshine hit her face, for she was positive that she would view the sun's setting from the window of her own chambers, and it widened even further as she rode past the door of the small hut. Nothing would spoil this moment —her victory over Amery—not even the sound of creaking hinges as someone swung the portal open or the voice that called out to her. With head held high, Jewel slowly turned her gaze upon the one who spoke, spying Gunther, Blagden, and his wife crowded outside the entrance, a bundle clutched in Gunther's hand.

  "Fare thee well, Sir Gunther," she said, grinning happily, then lifting the reins of his horse in the air for him to see and laughing at the distressed look he gave her. Then, gripping her fingers around the pommel, she gave Conan a hard kick.

  The destrier responded immediately, the thick muscles across his rump tightening as he lunged forward. But before he could reach full gallop, a shrill whistle cut through the air, bringing the charger to an equally abrupt halt and nearly spilling Jewel from the saddle. In an effort to save herself, she let go of both pairs of reins to entangle her fingers within the heavy mane of Cohan's neck as he spun around and headed back toward the stable. Nearly frightened out of her wits from her close brush with disaster, Jewel clung frantically to the steed, giving no thought to the wool coverlet that flew from her shoulders or what had altered their charted course, her head down, eyes closed, until the huge animal all but buried his hindquarters in the ground as he slid to a stop. Lifting fearful eyes to look upon the reason, her breath lodged in her throat when her gaze fell upon Amery standing before them, Conan's reins held in one hand, a half smile curling his lips.

  Frantic, certain the amusement that glowed in his eyes was simply a facade and he would yank her from the horse and beat her, Jewel glanced back at Gunther in a silent plea for help only to find the knight reclaiming his steed a fair distance from them, his back turned. With no other choice left her, she feverishly slid from Conan's back, stumbling when her feet hit the ground. Her quick hand catching the destrier's stirrup kept her from falling and, without a second wasted, Jewel bounded off, long auburn hair flying out around her as she raced for the cover of trees a few yards away. But long before she reached them, she felt the painful entrapment of her coppery mane, which jerked her off balance and into the arms of the one who had chased after her.

  Jewel hastened to be free of him, kicking and clawing at the man who held her, but Amery only laughed and lifted her to one hip as easily as if he carried a child. Strolling casually back toward the stable, he caught Conan's reins in his free hand and led them all through the darkened entry way. Still struggling, Jewel jabbed her elbow in Amery's stomach, hoping to knock the wind from him and gain her freedom, but he merely tightened his grip, unaffected, and she found herself fighting to breathe instead. And once they reached one of the stalls, Jewel could only watch while Amery tossed the horse's reins over its top rail, then turn to unpretentiously dump his slight burden in the stack of thick hay. The soft cushion beneath her absorbed the shock to her petite form but failed to dull the indignation she felt straining her pride. Furious and still a little frightened, she scrambled to her knees to glare at him.

  Amery stood with arms akimbo, feet apart, and a smirk on his handsome face, silently daring her to move as he blocked the only exit. "My steed obeys better than you, little one," he stated. "As I have said before, I have not grown bored with you and will not so easily allow you to slip through my fingers." Devilment sparkled in the green depths of his eyes. "Mayhap before I have, I will teach you to come when I whistle as Conan does."

  Jewel's anger overshadowed her fear of him. "I am not a dull-witted animal, Sir Amery, to come at your beck and call. I am a woman .... with feelings you enjoy bruising."

  His gaze slowly appraised the shapely curves, tousled locks of hair, and beautiful face marred by an angry frown. One tawny brow lifted appreciatively. "Yea, the warmth of you beneath me still lingers and sets a burning in my loins."

  Jewel's cheeks flamed with his embellished reminder and she quickly came to her feet lest he be tempted to extinguish that burning here and now with no thought to who might discover them. " Tis you who are the dull-witted animal," she spat, "for there is no love in your heart, only lust that makes you take a woman without care-and lay her on her back for your pleasure alone." She stumbled back when he dropped his arms at his sides and took a step toward her.

  "Mine alone, you claim?" he directed, pausing to rest one hand on the rail, the other on his hip once more. "Was that not you who shared the simple cot with me last eventide? Mayhap the wine I drank benumbe
d my thinking and set visions in my head, but, by all that's holy, I would pledge my life 'twas you who clung so frantically about my neck."

  Jewel's shame heightened anew, bat she inwardly vowed he would not have the last word. "And how, prithee, oh gallant knight, wouldst thou know for certain when you fled before your lust had cooled? Or didst another await your pleasure in the other chamber?" One brow rose questioningly. "Or here, perhaps, amid the straw and with your kin." An outstretched hand indicated his destrier.

  A nervous shiver raced through her when she saw the whiteness of his smile and she retreated even further when he leisurely straightened and started toward her again. Panic tickled the hairs on the back of her neck and raced down her spine once she discovered there was no escape, for the stall was narrow and offered no way to run past him.

  "Art thou saying thou wouldst suggest a night spent in my arms was equally pleasurable to sharing this humble space with Conan?"

  Jewel trembled. And although she knew it was not from the cold wisp of air that swept through the stable and rustled her hair, she prayed Amery had mistaken it for the true cause. 'Twould bode ill if he knew the source, she reflected silently. Veiling her uneasiness with a brave lift of her chin, she forced herself to meet his unwavering stare.

  "Nay, Sir Amery, more so," she replied in a whisper. "I would prefer a four-legged beast to one who walks upright and claims to be a knight of King Richard's. Conan would make no demands of me."

  Stepping closer, Amery leaned slightly forward and trapped Jewel between his outstretched arms as he rested his weight against his hands pressed to the wall at her back. "Thy tongue is as sharp as the morning air, little one," he murmured. "And it spills lies."

  "If you think otherwise, then you are a conceited lout," she rallied in defense, silently damning his nearness and the tingling warmth it created over every inch of her.

  "Oh?" he challenged, lowering his head. "Mayhap I should prove it to you."

  Before his lips descended upon hers, Jewel ducked beneath his arm and started from the stall. But having expected as much, Amery was quick to react, catching Jewel's wrist before she had traveled very far and purposely yanking back to knock her from her feet. Trapping her in his arms, he fell together with her on the soft mound of straw and before Jewel could wiggle free of him, Amery had rolled her beneath him, a bright smile enhancing his green eyes, his face only inches from hers.

  "Unhand me, coward . .. abuser of women," she demanded, her struggles easily stilled by the tighter grip of her captor.

  "Coward? Abuser of women?" he mocked. "I simply give a damsel all that she longs for and have yet to find one who does not respond." His grin widened. "Even you, little one. As for being a coward—"

  "The same!" she snapped, her temper flaring. "Only a coward would seek out the weaker foe. And a coward runs away."

  "Tis not I who runs," he said with a laugh.

  Amber eyes darkened with her accusing glare. "Then what finds you here? Why hast thou fled Wellington and taken a woman if not to hide behind her skirts should your half brother come too close?"

  Jewel instantly regretted her foolish words when she saw the gleam in his eye disappear and felt the muscles of his body grow rigid with his anger. Her own body trembled in fear and she worried that a blow would strike her momentarily as Amery bolted to his feet, bringing her with him. But much to her relief, be simply led them from the stall to where Conan stood and without comment roughly lifted her to the destrier's back. In quiet observation, she watched him gather his armor from a second stall and with brisk movements don it without a glance her way. And once he tossed the thick fur mantle around his shoulders, Jewel suddenly realized why her escape had been short-lived. From all appearance, Amery had slept in the stable and had probably viewed her clumsy attempt at saddling his charger from the protective shadows of the small building. One corner of her mouth crimped irritably. Would she ever be able to best him?

  With Conan's reins held firmly in his hand, Amery led them out into the warm sunshine, but the crisp breeze that stirred the grasses and treetops sent a numbing chill up Jewel's spine and she quickly surveyed the ground for the blanket that had fallen from her shoulders. If they were to travel any distance this day, she would need its protection around her, for the thin gunna she wore offered little warmth. The fine arch of her brows lowered. And she most assuredly would not accept Amery's arms about her in its stead. But when the discovery of its whereabouts failed to arise, she sighed resignedly and turned back to plead Amery's understanding of its necessity, only to smile happily when she saw Gunther walking toward them. The mantle she had left behind when she had made her escape from the hut was draped over one arm, and once Amery had guided his horse close enough for her to lean down and take the garment Gunther held out to her, Jewel smiled her appreciation for the man's thoughtfulness.

  "If thou wilt allow me a moment to saddle my horse, Amery..." he said absently, for his attention centered on the sprinkling of straw in Jewel's hair as she whirled the cloak around her shoulders. Surely his friend had not.... Frowning curiously, Gunther slowly turned to look at his companion, a smile parting his lips once he saw the same yellow stalks clinging to Amery's clothing. He straightened sharply, however, when he discovered that Amery was glaring at him, and he cleared his throat to ease the tense moment, intending to explain. But when he opened his mouth to void his harmless interest, he snapped it shut just as quickly, for he had noticed how his friend's eyes had darkened. Turning, he bowed slightly to Jewel and hurriedly led his horse back to the stable.

  Amery watched the man's departure until Gunther had disappeared within the darkened opening of the barn, then turned to mount his steed. But as he lifted a foot to the stirrup, he discovered the cause of his friend's merriment. Almost angrily, he plucked the straw from his tunic, glanced back at the empty doorway, then hoisted himself up behind Jewel, jerking Conan around toward the spot where they would wait.

  Ahead lay the seemingly endless terrain of rolling hillsides covered with a thick abundance of trees and shrubs, and winding its way through the landscape the narrow road could be seen for miles until it faded into a thin line that disappeared over the horizon. A spattering of clouds dotted the pastel blue of the sky and mingled with the gray funnels of smoke coming from the chimneys of small farmhouses along the way. A quiet peace enveloped the countryside and Amery found the solitude comforting. He had always favored the winter months above the rest; their clean, crisp air was invigorating. Yet as he studied the splendor spread out before him, a new emotion began to surface and he frowned, not wanting to admit that somewhere deep inside him he felt incomplete, alone. But wasn't that as he had always wanted it? To be a man who answered only to himself? What had brought about such a revelation?

  Amery shook his head, blinking repeatedly when he realized he was staring, and suddenly he became aware of the soft fragrance that engulfed him and the fragile beauty sitting stiffly before him in the saddle. His troubled features relaxed and he smiled once he noticed the pieces of straw mixed in the auburn hair. Lifting a wide hand, he gently removed them one by one.

  " 'Tis not a lack of courage but Wisdom for a man to turn his steed upon the road when he knows the foe outnumber him, little one," he said quietly, toying with a bright curl wrapped around his fingertips. Thy reasoning has been twisted by lies or thou wouldst see the logic."

  Round amber eyes glanced up at him in surprise. Had this callous knight truly sought to justify his actions to her? Why? What had caused his heart to soften a mite that he felt compelled to explain? And of what lies did he speak? Could it mean that he was denying Radolf' s claim? A vague frown crossed her smooth brow. Or was he only playing with her?

  "If 'tis truth you speak, Sir Amery," she submitted, "wouldst thou tell me the purpose that finds me thus? I carry no sword and pose no threat to your health."

  Amery raised a brow, his amusement shining in his eyes. "Your words are sharp enough, fair one, and I have little doubt that if a d
agger appeared in your slender hand, it would find a place in my back."

  "You misjudge me, sir," she smiled sardonically. "I. would seek out your heart so that you would know who pierced it."

  Amery threw back his head and laughed. "Yea, of that I am certain."

  "Then tell me, why have you taken me?"

  The humor faded from his lips as he studied the lovely face staring back at him, and he remained thoughtfully quiet for a long while, as if searching for the answer. At last he smiled again, a smile that touched only the corners of his mouth and was not reflected in his eyes. "What better way to catch the fox than to dangle its prey just out of reach?"

  "He will not come alone."

  Amery's expression hardened and he turned his eyes toward the road. "Most assuredly, little one. He needs many to boost his courage."

  "And you will seek an equal number?" she asked sweetly, her meaning clear.

  Lowering his chin, he looked directly at her. "Twould please you if I told you nay. You, more than any, would see my blood upon the soil." He cast out his gaze across the land again and spoke more to himself as he continued quietly. "My only quest, Lady Jewel, is to find justice and 'tis why I seek the shadows for a time. The truth will be difficult to prove and with only Gunther at my side, 'twill take some thinking to sway the rest. Nay," he sighed, glancing back at the stable for his companion and friend to appear, "we shall find our comfort far from here where my half brother will never contemplate our being."

  Jewel could only stare at him, his subtle declaration of innocence surprising her. "Then you deny the charges brought against you?" she pressed, her voice barely above a whisper, and she cringed when he swung around to look at her, a smile on his handsome face.