Her cheeks heated as images of last night’s lovemaking flashed in her mind and she fanned her face with her hands to try and cool them. She’d almost hidden in her room all day, but in the end, hunger and pride had prevented it.
An older woman who looked to be around the same age as Olena finally noticed her hovering in the entranceway, so Jane straightened her shoulders and strode purposefully across the room. “Good morning.” She stopped and extended her hand to the woman. “I’m Jane.”
The older woman laughed and it was such a pleasant sound Jane found herself smiling back. “I know who you are. Everyone knows who you are.” Jane’s hand was caught in a firm grip and squeezed tight. “But you don’t know any of us yet. I’m Sarena and welcome to Bakra Castle.”
“Thank you.” Jane’s stomach chose that moment to growl again.
Sarena laughed again. Wrapping her arm around Jane’s waist, she herded her towards a door at the far end of the room. “Come with me and we’ll get you something to eat. It’s halfway between breakfast and the midday meal, but I’m sure we can scrounge something for you in the kitchen.”
Hunger overrode everything else at the moment. Once she was fed, she could start her explorations. Besides, she sensed that Sarena was a font of information just waiting to be tapped. And she was incredibly efficient too. Before Jane realized what was happening, Sarena had her seated at the end of a worktable in the large kitchen with a plate mounded with bread, cheese and fresh fruit in front of her. She kept up a running commentary of chatter as she poured two goblets of cider and settled herself in the chair beside Jane.
Jane nibbled at the fruit and cheese, enjoying the fresh taste of both. Her appetite had certainly returned since she arrived here. Sipping the cool, sweet cider, she broke off a piece of the thick wheat bread and popped it in her mouth, chewing it slowly to savor the flavor.
“Now. I imagine you have some questions.” It was then that Jane understood that Sarena’s chatter was the other woman’s way of putting her at ease. And it had worked. Jane felt incredibly comfortable around the other woman.
Taking another sip of cider to wash down the bread, she twisted in her chair until she was facing the other woman. “Tell me about the castle.”
“Well, the lords of Bakra Castle have always been good and fair. Zaren is a harder man than his father was.” Pausing, she pursed her lips thoughtfully. “But he had responsibility thrust upon him when he was barely sixteen. The chore of running the castle fell on his shoulders. Granted, his mother helped, but the twins were a handful, still more boys than young men. Bador was a great help, but at the end of the day, as the eldest son, the responsibility belonged to Zaren.”
“That must have been hard,” Jane prompted.
“Yes, but he’d trained by his father’s side since he was old enough to trail along behind him. He knew what he was doing.” Sarena took a sip from her cup and shrugged as if to say, that was that. And Jane supposed it was. Life was different here than in her world.
“How does the castle sustain itself?”
“Oh, we were always prosperous, but more so in recent years. The brothers know how to get the most from the land. We raise cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens and horses. We grow grain and vegetables and have several orchards. The lake provides fish aplenty for us. But we also weave fabric and grow herbs and spices as well.”
“Really?” Jane was fascinated and amazed by the sheer amount of work it must take to keep a place of this size functioning and prosperous.
“Hmm,” Sarena nodded. “We trade any excess for other things we might need, but all in all, we are self-sufficient.” The older woman pushed back her chair and stood. “Would you like me to show you?”
Jane couldn’t pass up the opportunity. “I’d love to.” Grabbing an apple from a bowl in the center of the table, she quickly hurried after Sarena who was already headed back through the main hall.
“We’ll start inside and work our way outside,” Sarena called over her shoulder. “I’ll give you a tour of the castle first. After all, all this belongs to you as well now.”
Jane placed her hand on her stomach as the breakfast she’d just eaten churned. She didn’t correct Sarena’s assumption that she was staying. She’d gotten so wrapped up in the excitement of the castle, she’d forgotten about the decision she’d have to make. Information was the key. Armed with the facts, she could make the best choice for everyone. At least that’s what she told herself as she picked up her pace to keep up with Sarena.
Almost two hours later, Jane paused and leaned against a low stone wall that separated the beginnings of an herb garden from the main courtyard. She had finally pleaded exhaustion and Sarena had only left her when she’d promised the other woman that she would come inside and rest as soon as she caught her breath again. She’d gotten out of shape over the last few months and her strength and stamina wasn’t what it used to be. But she felt that it was coming back and that was what really mattered.
Spending the morning with Sarena had definitely been the right thing to do. The woman was a wealth of information. Jane had even met Sarena’s husband, her husband’s two brothers and her three sons, passing them, on what Jane assumed, was their way to work. The matter-of-fact way they all dealt with each other and the obvious love and affection they all shared gave Jane a new insight into the world that she now found herself in.
She didn’t see very many women, but those she did manage to speak to seemed happy and content as they worked around their homes. Many of them had spinning wheels and looms set up in their cottages where they spun cotton and wove fabric. Jane admitted that her fingers itched to give the loom a try. She’d always wanted to learn how to weave. Many of the women had made tapestries of their own that hung in a place of honor in their homes. Jane had been amazed and impressed with the skill these women possessed.
The wonderful stone cottages with the thatched roofs that surrounded the castle fascinated Jane. Everyone seemed to be busy at one task or another, but although they worked hard, they lacked the frenetic pace of her world. There was time to chat and laugh as they worked. Young children raced all around, playing games and learning from the adults around them.
It was like a major corporation, with everyone working hard for the good of the company. Except here, the people who worked benefited directly from their hard work. That must make Zaren CEO. She grinned at the thought of Zaren in a three-piece power suit with his long blond hair reaching his waist and the two skinny braids framing his incredibly strong and handsome face. Her grin faded as she imagined him striding into a board meeting. He’d be a power to be reckoned with no matter what his situation. He was a born leader. It was in his blood.
She could hear men grunting and yelling on the other side of the castle. It was the one place that Sarena hadn’t shown her. Curious now, she pushed away from the wall and strolled across the courtyard, around the castle wall and froze.
She’d wondered where the bulk of the men were. Well, she’d certainly found them. There were several dozen of them. All big, all muscular and all stripped to the waist. Wearing only their leather pants and boots, they were a sight to make any woman’s mouth water. Bronze armbands surrounded their massive biceps and even wider metal bands wrapped around their thick wrists, covering the lower half of their arm almost to their elbows. And every single one of them was wielding a four-foot sword.
Her eyes flew to the largest warrior of them all. Zaren was magnificent as he feigned to one side before attacking his opponent. Steel clashed and sparks flew as the blade slid along blade. It was like something out of a Hollywood movie, except this was frighteningly real. Those swords were lethal and the men swinging them were not stuntmen.
Bador sparred with another man. She could see the grin on his face as he swung his sword. Jane gasped, her hand flying over her mouth as his opponent got past Bador’s guard. A picture of him injured and bleeding in the dirt flashed through her mind, but at the last second, he twisted, blocking it with his le
ft arm and taking the blow on the thick bronze wristband.
The reality of this world smacked her right in the face. Like the medieval world of her own time, these men had to be prepared to fight and defend their castle, their land and their loved ones. And from the looks of the fierce training, it was a job they took very seriously.
Ever so slowly, so as not to attract attention, Jane sank to the ground in the shadow of the castle wall and watched the men train. Some fought with swords, others with lances. At the far end of the training field, she could see targets set up and some of the men made use of them, practicing with bow and arrows.
The air was thick with dust and the grunts and taunts of the men as they pushed themselves and those around them hard. The sun was warm, but she shivered in the shade of the castle. Drawing her legs up to her chest, she wrapped her arms around them and rested her chin on her knees. Watching them was certainly no hardship as they engaged in a deadly dance of attack and retreat. But they never hesitated, never seemed to tire.
This was so different from her reality. Traffic, smog, fighting for a seat on the subway, watching for muggers and working a ten- to twelve-hour day in a climate-controlled office. That was her reality. That had been her life for so long now that anything else was totally foreign. That is, if you totally disregard the last six months of her life. That, too, was an unforeseen shift in her circumstances and reality.
Could she even adapt to this world? Did she even want to? What woman committed to marrying a man she’d just met? Plus the fact that she was also expected to sleep with his brother. Not that it would be a hardship, but still it was something she had to consider.
Jane rubbed her hand across her forehead. Besides which, what on earth would she do here? Her skills as an executive assistant weren’t in demand. Besides, from what she’d seen, this place ran like a well-oiled machine.
Plus there was Olena to consider. This was her home, and Jane was the interloper. It was fine for Zaren’s mother to say she was welcome here, but how would the older woman feel six months from now, a year from now? For that matter, how would she feel six months from now? Other than as a bedmate and the future mother of their children, what did they even need her for?
But, on the other hand, she’d always wanted a husband and family of her own. And she’d missed her mother after she’d left. Jane admitted to herself that she had enjoyed the older woman’s attention. It could be nice to have a mother-in-law.
And back in her world, a new job awaited her if she wanted it. She’d probably have her choice of new positions, or she could even start her own business. The money she’d been offered just for an interview would pay the way for that. Then there was Chad to deal with. Not that she wanted anything to do with the weasel, but there were plenty of men in her own time if she wanted a family.
Sighing, she buried her head against her knees and rocked back and forth. The arguments went round and round in her mind, but she was no closer to making a decision than she was yesterday. Part of her wished she didn’t have to make a choice and that she was stuck here. But that was cowardly. And did she really want her future decided by someone other than herself? The answer was a resounding NO!
She sensed more than heard someone approach her. A large shadow blocked out what little sun reached her secluded little spot. Raising her head, she opened her eyes and looked way up.
Zaren crouched down in front of her and caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Are you ill, Jane? You’ve been sitting here a long time.”
So she hadn’t gone unseen as she’d thought she had. Offering him what she hoped looked like a natural smile, she tilted her head towards the training field. “I’m fine. I was just watching and didn’t want to interfere or be a bother.”
His thumb grazed her chin, tracing the line of her jaw. “You could never be a bother.”
“Sure I could. You obviously have work to do and I, well, I don’t have anything to do here, do I?” She chewed on her lip, berating herself for allowing that thought to slip out. She hadn’t meant to say that. At least not out loud.
Lowering his hand, Zaren studied her intently. She did her best to keep her emotions hidden, cocking a questioning eyebrow at him. She expected questions, but again, he surprised her. “Would you like me to take you to the lake? We could have Sarena pack us some food.”
Part of her wanted to go back to the place where she’d arrived. Everything had happened so quickly, she’d never really had the chance to explore the area. Plus, spending some time alone with Zaren could be good. Maybe she’d be able to get a better understanding of how he felt about her.
Yes, she knew he wanted her sexually. The soreness between her thighs attested to that. But did he want her as a woman? Did he even like her? Women were in short supply and high demand here, but she didn’t want to just be a convenience to any man.
“Just the two of us?”
He nodded, his gaze solemn. “If that’s what you want.”
Jane glanced at Bador and back at Zaren. She needed to spend time alone with both of them before she made any decisions. “Yes. That’s what I want.”
She offered her hands to him and he wrapped his fingers around them and pulled her to her feet. Dusting off her backside, she turned towards the castle. “I’ll go and help Sarena pack us a picnic lunch.”
Not turning back, she walked purposefully towards the front of the castle. It felt better to be doing something, even if it was just preparing for a picnic. She didn’t know what the afternoon would bring, but her pulse was racing with excitement. Butterflies batted at her stomach at the thought that this might be her last opportunity to spend time alone with Zaren.
Chapter Fourteen
Water lapped at the shoreline and insects buzzed in the air. Jane felt her entire being relax as she lay back on a blanket with her eyes closed. The heat felt wonderful against her skin as the sweet smell of grass filled her nostrils. Birds chattered as they flew in the woods behind them. It was a perfect afternoon for a picnic.
She felt something touch her face and brushed it away, but it returned a scant second later. Opening her eyes just a crack, she saw Zaren sitting next to her with a long blade of grass in his hand. As she watched, he stroked the side of her cheek with it. The tip was fuzzy and it tickled her skin.
A sense of deja vu washed over her. It was almost an exact replay of their first meeting, except this time, he wasn’t a stranger. In such a short period of time, he’d come to mean so much more to her. She was very afraid that she was in love with him.
What captured her attention the most was the smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He looked relaxed and more at ease than she’d ever seen him. Smiling up at him, she laughed as he feathered the grass down the side of her neck.
“Is it time to go back yet?” She hated to ask but knew their time must be growing short. By her estimate, they’d probably been gone a couple of hours. It had been hard to ride away from the castle with Bador standing on the steps watching them leave, but since then she had enjoyed herself immensely.
Zaren had saddled only one horse, lifting her to ride in front of him. The ride had been shorter than she’d imagined it would be, a mere fifteen minutes from the castle at a meandering pace. But it had been pure pleasure to sit in front of him as he’d pointed out various points of interest as they’d traveled.
The lake was beautiful, not too big, but very deep according to Zaren and filled with fish. They’d spread a blanket near the banks of the lake and eaten a wonderful picnic lunch. The ride there, the sun, the food and the morning’s activities had all conspired to make her drowsy. It had been the most natural thing in the world to lie back and close her eyes for a few moments, knowing that Zaren would watch out for her.
“Unfortunately, yes.” Leaning down, he kissed her gently before rolling to his feet. Jane watched as he stretched to his full height. Bending down, he picked up his sword belt and buckled it around his waist. She’d learned quickly that a warrior never l
eft the castle without it. He’d had it the day she’d arrived; she just hadn’t noticed it.
Flinging her arms over her head, Jane stretched. Her muscles still ached, but it wasn’t unpleasant. Clambering to her feet, she yanked the blanket off the ground and shook it before folding it.
“Zaren,” she began, not wanting to spoil the pleasant atmosphere but knowing she was about to. There were things she needed to ask him and had put them off long enough.
Raising his hand, he silenced her with a motion. Jane froze on the spot as he quietly drew his sword and gazed towards the woods. It was only then that she noticed how silent the woods had gone. There was a stillness in the air that was unnatural.
A bloodcurdling scream ripped through the silence. Zaren pushed her behind him. “Head for the horse,” he commanded. He didn’t have to tell her twice, her feet were already moving as she raced towards the opposite end of the field where they’d left the horse grazing on sweet grass.
She spun around as she heard the sound of hooves pounding the ground. Two large black horses carrying even larger men erupted from the woods. Each of them brandished a sword, but it was the looks on their faces that terrified her. There was murder in their eyes as they bore down on Zaren.
Jane gasped as Zaren moved forward to meet the two adversaries thundering towards him. He needed his horse. Spurred to action, she whirled back around, dropped the blanket and raced towards the animal. A cramp in her side caught her unawares and she almost doubled over in pain, but she kept going. Clamping a hand over her stomach, she ran as fast as she could. Their lives depended on it.
Gasping for breath when she reached the horse’s side, she gripped its mane as she tried to haul herself onto its back. Zaren had removed the saddle and there was no time for her to put it on the horse. That was assuming that she could even find the strength to lift the darn thing, which at the moment she didn’t think she did.
It took her three tries before she got her leg over the horse and dragged herself onto its back. She thanked the heavens that the horse was well trained and stayed steady during her clumsy attempts at mounting it. Threading her fingers through the horse’s mane, she tugged and the horse obediently turned its head toward the fighting.
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