Authors: Janelle Taylor
“You are right, Mother. I will wait to have her, but make certain you save her for me. In fact, I think I have won her over to me. Like you, I can be most charming and persuasive.”
Isobail was called aside to speak with a messenger from Sir Calum, who had taken over Lord Daron’s castle near the Logris border. She was furious to learn that the brigands had raided that area three times lately, even though she had given orders that they were not to attack lands her men controlled. Sir Calum demanded that Isobail stop the raids and insisted that she send Kyra to him within two weeks. Isobail told the messenger to return quickly to Calum, advising him that both matters would be handled promptly.
Meanwhile, Alric began to feel terrible. He was becoming weak and his head was pounding. Isobail knew the stimulant was wearing off but she had been unable to slip more to him.
She whispered, “I am not surprised that you are beginning to feel badly, my beloved husband, for you have had nothing to eat or drink.” She urged him to return to his room and bed, warning him he could take ill again. “Please go and rest, my husband, and perhaps
you can return to the feast again later. If not, I will join you in your chamber. I have not seen you look this way for so long, Alric, and it delights me to watch you become as you were long ago, the man who stole my heart and enflamed my passion. Today you. look so handsome and virile—you are in command again. I am so proud of how you handled yourself and the ceremony, but you are pushing yourself too hard on your first day out of bed. Remember what happened the last time you recovered, but overdid? Make this healing last. Please save your remaining strength to share with me in your bed tonight.”
There was enough of the stimulant in his bloodstream to arouse him. Alric glanced at her and smiled weakly in gratitude. “This has been a good day, a happy day. But you are right, it is time to end my part in it. Will you escort me away so the others will not guess the truth? And return to my bed and arms later?”
“I will do anything you ask, my beloved husband,” she replied, knowing he would be unconscious within the hour, even if Earnon and Trahern had to force the potion down his throat. She handed him the silver goblet from which she indicated she had been drinking, though in fact she’d held it in readiness for him. “Here, take my wine and refresh yourself. I have only half a cup left, but I will fetch you more if you desire it.”
Moran persisted until Alysa walked with him in the garden. “I must leave, little mouse, and I shall miss you terribly. I do not know when I can return. Will you promise to keep your heart open to me?”
“I will not receive any suitors until I decide if you and I are fated to wed. Do not worry; your mother will guard me as closely as she protects the royal jewels,” she teased.
Moran seized her gently and pulled her into his arms.
She tried to push him away as she cautioned, “Someone might see us, Sir Ahern. Have you forgotten, we have been here without appropriate attention while your mother was away. We do not want the servants spreading wild tales about us.”
Moran laughed and hugged her possessively. “I do not care who knows how I feel about you, Alysa, and I can hardly restrain my craving for you. The thought of being parted from you at this time is maddening. How I wish I could sweep you into my arms and carry you home with me. But there is much to be done before I can marry you and take you there. I pray it takes no more than a few months. If only you could visit me while I am getting settled, but that would be more improper than stealing kisses in this garden.”
Moran captured her face and sealed his lips to hers. He kissed her hungrily and moaned with urgent desire. To him, she was more than a ravishing woman—she represented everything he wanted. He was determined to win her and all that accompanied her. He murmured against her ear, “Do you know how much I want you, little mouse? I am trembling like a virginal lad, and my head is spinning wildly. I think I would perish if I failed to win you. Please, Alysa, become mine soon.”
Alysa rested her face against his chest. She could hear his heart pounding forcefully and his irregular breathing. She felt the tension and tremors in his body. His hands were stroking her back and his lips were brushing the top of her head. He was not lying and pretending; he was highly aroused by her!
Moran lifted her chin and looked into her eyes, which were clouded by confusion, surprise, and a little panic. His glowed with hot desire and possessiveness, and believing she was an innocent, he assumed her reaction stemmed from virginal fears and modesty. “Do not be afraid, little mouse. When the time is right, I will teach you all you must know. I would never harm you.”
Moments before, Alysa had sighted Isobail watching them from Alric’s window. Perhaps she could fool the woman into believing she was enchanted with Moran, and fool him too. If Moran and Isobail were misled, they might not have her watched so closely. When Moran’s mouth came down on hers again, Alysa slipped her arms around his waist, responded timidly then lowered her head demurely.
She was glad when Moran led her back inside to say his farewells to everyone. Shortly afterwards she watched him mount, smile at her, then ride away with his heavy escort. She knew Isobail was still observing her, so she dreamily stared after the retreating prince, sighed lightly, and headed for her room.
In her chamber Alysa hurriedly stripped to her kirtle and had Thisbe prepare her a bath. While she waited, she poured water from her ewer into a basin and washed her mouth, inside and outside. She had to scrub herself from head to toe, -for she felt soiled after Moran’s kisses and caresses.
As Thisbe assisted her, the servant reproached, “You should not allow Sir Ahern to woo you just to help me and Teague. My love told me how you tricked Moran into getting us betrothed. I am so grateful, Alysa, and so happy. But it is dangerous to fool Moran.”
Alysa smiled and patted Thisbe’s hand. “It is done now, and nothing can prevent your marriage. Someone should be happy during this horrid time.” Revealing all she dared to her trusted companion, she added, “If help does not come soon, as Baltair promised, I do not know what we shall do. I must tell Gavin the truth about who I am before he hears about your betrothal to Squire Teague, or he could misunderstand and vanish forever. I have to see him and my old teacher tomorrow.” Changing the subject quickly, she remarked, “I wonder how Father is feeling. Perhaps I should visit him.”
“You cannot,” Thisbe replied. “I heard Isobail ordering
a bath sent to Prince Alric’s chambers, for herself. She also ordered wine and a light meal for both of them. She plans to spend the night with him.”
Alysa gaped at her servant. “Are you certain you heard right?”
“There is no mistake, Alysa. Did you not see them snuggled together in the Great Hall? It looked to me as if they are planning to do more than sleep together” Thisbe said modestly.
Alysa frowned, realizing she, too, had perceived the intimate aura surrounding them. She had not wanted to admit that Isobail was sinking her seductive talons into her father again. “At least Moran is gone!” she snapped irritably. “Now I understand the difference between lust and desire, and love and sex,” she said without thinking.
“Do you love Gavin and want him?”
Anguish filled Alysa’s eyes and voice. “If he is all I believe he is, then I shall fight to win him. I have to see him, Thisbe. He must tell me what he is doing and why. If only he had not tried to keep his return a secret from me…”
The servant suggested, “Perhaps there is a good reason, Alysa. Do not doubt him or your love until you hear his explanation.”
“As long as there is hope, I will cling to it.”
Piaras went to report to Giselde, and the old woman was staggered by the new facts. The moment Piaras left, she hurried to the rock by the pond and left a message for Gavin to come to her swiftly. Things were worse. Someone was playing with Alric’s life, because she knew her herbs would not have healed him so quickly or caused such a reaction. As for Alysa, at least she’ was safe from Moran for a while. Giselde vowed
to do anything to halt such a forbidden union, even slay Moran…
Isobail and Trahern were let out the south gate in the outer bailey by one of their trusted men, who would remain on duty until their return. Dressed in dark colors and riding dark steeds, the night cloaked them quickly. As they rode, Isobail told Trahern that Alric was under Earnon’s spell again and it was safe for him to sneak to her chamber tonight. As planned, Ceit had drugged Guinn so the bard would sleep soundly all night. But, of course, Isobail did not tell one lover about the other.
During their meeting with Skane, the brigand leader claimed that the raid on Isobail’s retinue was a mistake by his new man, Gavin Hawk. He laughed and said not to be angry with the eager bandit, as his raid served to remove suspicion from Trahern and possibly from her.
Isobail and Trahern knew he was lying, and it galled them. When Isobail demanded to know why the brigands were raiding Calum’s land, Skane shrugged. Then Isobail ordered him to stay away from Land’s End, where her son was now ruling.
“You leave us few areas to feed on,” Skane complained sullenly.
“It should appear as if I am responsible for making the lands under my control safe again,” Isobail replied, “as I told you before. I cannot let you raid foolhardily. This land will soon be mine, and I do not want it in ruins. I have paid you well in coins and jewels. What you take from others is an added reward.”
“I need more, Isobail. I have many men to feed and supply. If they grow restless, I will be unable to hold them together.”
“If you are the leader you claim to be, you can hold your men. Tell me, Skane, are you losing your power
and control while mine grow stronger each day? My men trust me and obey me. They do not grow restless or make extra demands. If you cannot obey me, our bargain is over. Consider my words, then meet with me again Tuesday night.”
On the way back to the castle, Isobail said, “The meeting planned for Tuesday night will keep Gavin Hawk in the area. Meet with him as you have planned. If he agrees to take over for us, he is to meet with Skane and kill him.” She wished Gavin had been present tonight, then warned herself not to ache for him so feverishly, as she must not betray her desire to Trahern. Then she praised the sheriff to disarm him, saying, “When Baltair returns, I shall have him removed. That was clever of you to handle him. I will reward you in my bed tonight.”
Alysa could not sleep. She threw the cover aside, walked to the window and noticed a rider gingerly prodding a horse along the narrow space between the castle and the precipitous bank to the river wall. As the rider glanced up, the dark hood slipped, revealing white-blond hair. The woman quickly covered her head, but Alysa had recognized Isobail. She went to another window, stared at the south gate, and saw a guard furtively make his way back to his quarters. Alysa had not seen Trahern pass by moments before, scouting ahead to be sure Isobail would not be seen. While watching the traitorous guard, she missed seeing Isobail and Trahern slip across the inner ward. She wondered where her stepmother had been alone, and whom she had met…
Gavin waited until dark before heading for Giselde’s hut, and had meanwhile concealed himself at the edge
of the forest to observe the castle. There had been many comings and goings at the castle today, but none had been his Thisbe, and he needed to see her and explain about the raid and his lack of contact. He had seen Isobail return, and Prince Moran leave with a heavy guard.
Just before heading to Giselde’s, he had spied two riders sneaking from the castle and followed them. He managed to get close enough to overhear Isobail’s words to Trahern. All was going better than Gavin had expected. He had tied Isobail to the brigands, and it was time to expose her to King Bardwyn. Tomorrow he would send Keegan with another message. Tonight he would check the tree for one. Certain he was not followed, Gavin rode to the tree, even though he doubted his love could have sneaked here since he checked it before the raid.
At first Gavin was confused by the bunch of dying wildflowers he found in the tree hole. Then he realized it must have been the only way his love could let him know she had been here. But when? he asked himself testing the stems to see how long ago the flowers had been plucked. He reasoned she had stopped here while Moran was chasing him. But she had been with Teague!
Gavin paced and fretted unnaturally. Why did everyone think those two were in love? How could she love Teague then yield to him? She had to be terribly confused after seeing him yesterday. He berated himself for not having a scrap of paper or writing instrument so he could leave a message for her. Thinking quickly, he found a rock and used his knife to etch on the smoother surface, “Trust me, my love.”
He placed the rock inside the hole. He instantly reached to retrieve it to add the day and time, but it was gone. His hand roamed the dark and damp area to find that the hole had decayed further and was filling up with rotting trash. As he tried to recover it, his fingers
touched and withdrew a leather pouch. He opened it, and was astonished by its contents. From the message, he learned she had placed it there before his return. She had found it missing, but no message from him, he thought, and then after seeing him during the raid yesterday…
For safekeeping, Gavin stuffed the leather pouch back into the hole, since he did not want Skane finding it on him. After placing several rocks atop it, he covered the newly decayed area with more concealing trash. Afterwards, he placed the rock with his message on the firm setting. What must she be thinking and feeling? he wondered. Hopefully she would return soon and find his urgent words.
Gavin was in for a bigger surprise at Giselde’s hut. The old woman related all she had learned since seeing him last, except the news of Thisbe’s betrothal. Gavin told her all he had seen and done, including his meeting with Moran, and the old woman clenched her teeth in anger.
“I do not mean to vex you, Giselde, but I had to know about Thisbe. Yet the more I hear, the more confused I become,” he admitted. “How can she trust me when she must believe that I deceive her?” he murmured, then related being seen by her during the raid and his more recent discovery of the jewels and note she had left him.