Chapter 9 Queen Emeline #4
But a man who wants to come is a determined one, and before long, I am flipped to the side so my arse is exposed. My arms are twisted at a painful angle, but the pain is a reminder of the revenge I will get.
I wait for a sharp intrusion, but instead, I feel a warmth across my buttocks.
Turning over my shoulder, I do not understand why I see blood when I’ve not been penetrated. But when my almost rapist slumps forward, dead due to his throat being sliced, I will ask questions later because a young man whom I do not know just saved me from being brutalized.
Another frees Skarth, who instantly steals a sword only to drive it straight through the torso of the man who defiled my mouth moments ago. The man drops to his knees in front of me, eyes wide. I watch as Skarth makes good on his promise and, in one swift swing, cuts off the bastard’s cock.
He picks it up and shoves it down his throat with two fingers. Now he is the one who has a pistol grip, forcing him to swallow. And when he does, he chokes…on his own cock.
Skarth never breaks eye contact as he watches the man die a slow, painful death. When he takes his last breath, he slices off his head with a roar. Coated in blood and breathless, he turns to look at me, utter regret marring his beautiful face.
“I failed you.”
“No, my beloved. You saved me, as you always have.”
He rushes over, slicing through the chains at my wrists, drawing me into his chest and hugging me tight. He smells like my Skarth—a mixture of blood and war.
“Thank you,” he says, nodding in gratitude to the young man who can be no older than fourteen. “Who are you?”
He clears his throat, and when I finally meet his eyes, I am hit with familiarity.
I have looked into those eyes before.
“Benedict,” I gasp, unbelieving of who I am seeing as I step from Skarth’s embrace.
He nods, his dark locks falling over his brow.
“It cannot be.”
“It is I, dear aunt. Thanks to your clemency, my life was spared.”
Skarth soon realizes who stands before us. “Aethelred’s son.”
“Yes, Benedict is my nephew. My brother’s eldest son.”
My nephew saved my life…only to take it when he steals my throne.
“What of your brother? Your mother?”
Although born out of wedlock, Benedict is still the rightful heir, seeing as I took his father’s head.
The man who choked to death on his cock before Skarth sliced off his head now seems ironic, considering that's what I did to Aethelred.
I don’t know if my savior is in fact the deliverer of my death.
“Barlow is in the care of the monks. Mother, however, succumbed to a fever five years ago. I came as word of Northumbria’s downfall spread. With you gone, the throne is fair game, and it seems the rumors are fact.” Benedict peers at the deceased men.
“Why come here? What do you want?”
“Only to save Northumbria.”
I cannot believe him as my brother’s blood courses through his veins. But mayhap he speaks the truth. History, however, proves otherwise.
“We save Northumbria with you on the throne?”
“I am a mere child. I do not know how to rule. But I do ask for one thing.”
“Of course he does.” Ulf is by my side, standing close.
“I ask that we no longer be forced to live in secret. My brother and I wish to live with our family. In our home, where we belong. I do not wish to rule, Aunt. I swear it to thee. I merely wish for a normal life. The monastery walls grow old.
“There is much to see. Much to learn. I ask you to show compassion as you always have, as I know you could have killed us. But you spared our lives because you are kind.”
I look for any signs of deceit.
But I can’t see any.
“Emeline, may I have a word?” Skarth gently leads me away from prying ears.
When we are far enough, he shakes his head. “Do you forget who his father is?”
“Of course not,” I scoff. “But I do not sense any malice. Merely a child who wishes to explore the world.”
“Emeline, do not be naive. He will say anything to fool you.”
“He is nothing but a child.”
“A child who knows how to fight,” Skarth counters, his gaze wavering between Benedict and me. “I don’t trust him.”
“You don’t trust anyone,” I reply, touching over what remains of his scruffy beard. “Look at what a mess we are.”
His eyes turn nostalgic. “I am so—”
“Shh.” I place a finger over his lips. “What is done cannot be undone. All we can do is look toward the future and hope the sacrifices made are not in vain.”
“You’re incredible.” He presses his forehead to mine, and we bask in a moment that makes all this worthwhile.
“I hate to break up this happy reunion, but we have to go.”
With a sigh, I turn to look at Ulf.
Instantly, guilt overcomes me. I never want him to feel on the outside because he has risked so much for me.
Skarth doesn’t share the sentiment as he wraps his arm around my waist. “Yes, we must. But where?”
“My most faithful men wait for us with horses a mile down the hill,” Benedict says.
“How did you know we were here?”
“All of England is looking for you, and men cannot keep their mouths shut.”
“Perhaps Aedan comes after all,” Ulf says aloud.
“We need all the allies we can gather. But for now, we must ride back to Northumbria, for I fear it’s only a matter of time before our kingdom is overthrown. The threats are many.”
Riding away from here is the better option. What faces us, I do not know, but what I do know is that I must warn the other kingdoms of Aethelbald’s plans.