Honor & Roses (29 page)

Alric said to Cecily, “We need to slip around the next rise before Pierce’s guards reach this point. We can’t risk anyone looking this way…though all eyes should be on your cloak.”

He wheeled around and started forward, heading for the closest part of the woods.

Cecily mirrored him, searching the land ahead for another track. “Where are we going?” she asked anxiously. “What road will we take that will be safe for us?”

“There is no safe road,” he warned her. “We have to go into the Ardenwood.”

* * * *

Before Cecily could object to such a dangerous plan, Alric urged her onward, and they rode side by side.

“We have to keep moving,” he said. “Let’s not fail the others by lingering here. You’re the only one Pierce cares about, so you have to vanish.”

“But in the Ardenwood, we both might vanish. Forever.”

“You’d prefer to return to the castle?” he asked.

“No!”

He gave her a half smile, then turned back to watch for pursuit. Cecily kept silent, and found herself trying to match his calm.

“They’ve yet to reach the spot where we split off. Good. Now, we have to go slowly here. A fast movement will attract attention.”

They were now at the very edge of the trees. Shrubbery and rampant vines obscured the forest beyond, providing a natural shield from roving eyes.

“Dismount,” Alric told her once they reached a place of cover.

Cecily hastened to obey, sliding down from Rafe’s steed. Alric also dismounted, his feet not making a sound amid the dry leaves over the ground.

“They’re passing by,” he said quietly. “Keep behind the horse. The black coat blends in with the shadows now…unlike your gown and hair.”

She nodded, hunching by the horse’s neck. Alric stood by his own horse, his taller frame allowing him to watch over the saddle.

“Stay still,” he said after a moment. “They took the bait, but there may be stragglers. An errant movement could draw their eyes.”

She waited in agony, feeling as hunted as a hare. She prayed silently to Mary.

“Alric?” she asked softly, after what seemed an eternity.

“Not yet,” he replied. “Trust me.”

She didn’t dare nod, but his calm tone helped her breathe more steadily. Alric was a knight and a soldier, and he understood what needed to be done.

“Listen,” he said then. “We’re going to walk the horses deeper into the woods. Follow me, and don’t lose control of the horse.”

She gripped the reins tightly in one hand. With the other, she pulled up the hem of her gown.
Don’t let me trip
, she prayed.
Not when we’re so close to the forest
.

Alric glanced behind often, sometimes to check on Cecily’s progress and sometimes to look further beyond.

A few minutes later, a stream brought the horses to a halt. Cecily drew up beside Alric.

“Now what?”

“We cross,” he said. “I’ll help you up. It’s safe to ride again.”

He lifted her into the saddle, then mounted his own horse again. He paused, listening. The forest was full of sound—the rustle of wind in the trees, the twittering of birds singing their last song before nightfall.

“What?” she asked in a whisper.

“Nothing,” he returned. “I hear nothing but the forest. Which is good.”

“What were you listening for?”

“Hoofbeats. Horns. Men. Dogs.” He looked ahead into the darkening trees. “Come. Let’s not waste the time we’ve been given.”

The horses splashed into the stream. They crossed the water at a long angle, emerging onto the opposite bank almost a quarter mile downstream.

“Will Pierce bring dogs out tonight?” Cecily asked.

“Not tonight, particularly if they’re still following the group that you seem to be with,” he explained. “But if they discover the trick, or if they fail to catch our men and have to return to the castle empty-handed…then they’ll loose the hunting dogs at first light. You’re a valuable prize. We have to assume Pierce will use every method at his disposal to get you back.”

“So we must keep going as far as we can tonight,” she guessed.

“Yes. And pray for rain.” He looked up into the completely clear sky.

They kept moving. Alric guided the horses roughly southwest, following deer trails and crossing little rivulets whenever they encountered one.

Cecily said little. She didn’t want to distract Alric, and her mind was caught up in the strangeness of riding through an unfamiliar forest in failing light. Still, she was confident Alric would bring them both to safety. Then again, they were in the one place they’d been warned to never go.

“You spoke with Pierce about the Ardenwood, didn’t you?” she asked. “Is he afraid of it?”

“He claims he could take on whatever’s within, but he hasn’t done so. Whatever he says,  he’s frightened of something here.”

Night fell all too quickly for Cecily’s peace of mind. They were forced to dismount and lead the horses then. She walked behind Alric, putting one foot in front of the other. She hoped Pierce would be as stymied by the dark as they were, and that Octavian and the others were not.

Picturing Octavian’s face reminded her of something.

“Alric?” she asked. Her voice sounded rough to her ears. “Octavian rejoined us long after we’d seen him last. Where had he been?”

“He stayed behind at the ruins of Aldgate. He wanted to find out who was digging out new fortifications on your land.”

“What new fortifications? Did he see someone working?”

“A company of Welsh soldiers,” he replied.

“Part of the plan my uncle and Pierce hatched?”

“We won’t know that until we’re clear of these woods,” Alric said. “Stay close. I don’t want to lose you in the dark.”

They walked on through the unfamiliar territory. Once, she stumbled and Alric was there instantly, catching her by the waist before she could tumble to the ground.

“Are you hurt?” he asked. She heard the concern in his voice, and it warmed her.

“No, I’m well enough. I just tripped over my hem…such madness. A woman running through the forest in a gown fit only for court…”

“It suits you, wherever you happen to be.” Alric’s hands skimmed around her sides to her back, then drew her closer to him. “You looked so beautiful, I almost forgot I intended to rescue you back there.”

“What did you want to do?” Cecily asked, her heart quickening. She loved being this close to him, with his arms around her.

He laughed softly, then bent his head to brush his lips against her forehead. “I can’t say.”

“Because you’d offend me?” she asked. She raised her hands, resting her palms against his chest.

“Not you. Just the world.”

She raised her head, trying to see something of his expression in the dark. “What does that mean?”

“Nothing.” He stepped away. “We can’t stop here. We need to travel as far as we can. Pierce’s men know this part of the country far better than I do. I want to be well into the Ardenwood before we stop for the night.”

“As you say.”

“Can you walk much farther? You could ride and I’ll lead you.”

“For now, I’ll walk. Wherever you go, I’ll follow.” She meant that with all her heart.

The forest was shot through with little creeks, some no wider than a few footsteps, some broad enough that he took her by the waist and lifted her across before he leapt across himself.

But finally, they reached a substantial river. It was wide enough to expose a clear sky overhead, offering a little more light to see by, since the river reflected the stars above, and the water itself seemed to hold a lambent gleam.

“Will we cross and continue on?” Cecily asked.

“I’ve a better idea,” Alric said. “There may be an island. That would be a good place to stay the night.”

They mounted up, and followed the shore, looking for an island.

It was Cecily who spotted one first. She pointed across the water, where an island divided the river into two fast-running forks on either side.

“I’ll go first,” said Alric. “The water may be deep.”

The water rose as high as the horses’ flanks, but then fell away again. At the island shore, Alric helped Cecily down and tethered the horses behind a thicket.

“Will this do?” she asked, trying to see details of their hiding spot.

“For tonight,” he replied. “I’ll hear anyone crossing through the water. And we’ve passed so many streams by now that no dog could follow a scent.” He had taken the saddlebags from the horses, and pulled some items from them.

“How lucky for us,” Cecily said, moving past Alric into a little clearing at the center of the island. “This place is perfect for a hermit.”

“Or for a fugitive,” Alric added.

“I suppose a fire is out of the question.”

“We shouldn’t risk the light,” he said. “Are you cold?”

“Not yet. Perhaps the night will remain warm.” But she had given up her cape, and the silk gown was only meant to look beautiful, not help her survive a night outside.

Cecily offered Alric a tired
smile when he came closer. “I don’t mean to complain,” she said.

“Why not?” he asked. “This day would try anyone. Look at you. You’ve lost your cloak and your veil. Do you still have your shoes?”

“Yes,” she said. “Though they were not meant for riding, or water, or walking. Or anything practical.” She held out one foot to show the damage.

“Your gown is ruined as well,” he said, catching her by the shoulders to steady her. “Silk,” he added, as he ran his hands up her sleeves.

“I don’t care. I never want to wear it again. First woman I see, I’ll offer to trade it for sturdy homespun wool.”

“You’ll be less noticed if you can,” he agreed, “but there’s your jewelry, too.” He reached for the necklace she wore. “You should take it off and hide it.”

She stood still as he lifted the chain from her neck. She let him take her bracelet, then the gold circlet from her hair. She held out her hands, palms up. Wordlessly, he slipped the rings off her fingers and added them to the little pile of treasure at their feet.

“I’ll hide them in the pack,” he said, not making any effort to move from her. “We’d be killed for just one piece, if the wrong person saw it.”

“How could I be unprotected when you’re at my side?” Cecily laughed, suddenly tipsy with relief and exhaustion and unexpected joy.

Alric put a finger to her lips. “Careful. Sound carries across water, and we have no idea how close…”

He broke off when Cecily kissed his finger, then held his hand in her own.

“We are alone, my love,” she said. “There’s no one for miles around. We’re safe.”

There was nothing safe about his expression then. He looked at her with a sudden possession that took her breath away.

“Call me
love
once more, and we’ll both regret what happens.”

“I won’t, love.”

“You will,” he insisted, perhaps trying to convince himself. “As much as I want you, and want to keep you, I’ve no right. We’re not married. It would be sin.”

“Then let us marry,” she whispered.

He took her in his arms, as if she might vanish otherwise. “God knows I would, Cecily.”

“So would I,” she said. “What’s to stop us?”

“Besides the little fact that we have no blessing from your guardian?”

“He’s no fit guardian,” Cecily said hotly. “His choice falls far below mine.” She kissed Alric swiftly on the mouth. “I will have no other but you.”

“We still have no priest, no church,” he argued, with far less conviction.

Heartened, Cecily kissed him again. “We need no priest. We need only pledge ourselves to each other. Many common marriages happen this way.”

“That’s true,” he said, “but you’re not common—”

She kissed him again before he could finish the objection. “Wed me and bed me. Or ruin me. The choice is yours. But don’t pretend that we won’t lie together tonight.”

“Cecily,” he said quietly. “You are my lady, and my love. Would you truly marry me, despite everything it will mean?”

Her heart beat twice as fast as before. “Without hesitation or regret.” Laughter bubbled up inside her, and once again Alric hushed her with a kiss.

He took both her hands in his. “Cecily?” he asked, still uncertain.

“I love you,” she said in a rush. “I am Cecily de Vere. I marry you, Alric of Hawksmere. From this moment forth, you will be my husband, my master, my love, my protector. I will never betray you or leave you. I am yours until my last breath. I marry you in front of God. You are my husband. I am your wife. No one on this earth will sunder us.”

His hands tightened around hers. Then he said, “I am Alric of Hawksmere, and I marry you, Cecily de Vere. With God as my witness, I will love and cherish and protect you as my wife until I die.”

Cecily’s heart stilled for a moment when Alric kissed her for the first time as her husband. Then her heart began to race.

His mouth claimed her, starting with her lips, but moving to her neck, her shoulders, leaving her skin fevered wherever he touched.

“Alric, my love,” she whispered.

“Cecily. My wife.” Alric said the words as if they were gold. Then he took her in his arms and kissed her deeply.

“Shh,” he warned her. “We must be quiet.”