Chapter Twenty - Four #2
"Deep into Wales, where none will find us. You will care for my son until I tire of you."
"Royce will find you and you will pay for this! How could you risk harming your own child?"
"I thought he wasn't my son," he taunted.
She silently cursed her slip of the tongue. "He isn't. He's mine."
"He is Anne's son. My son. And you will all pay for killing her!"
Gillian shook her head. "We didn't kill her; she died birthing your babe."
"Lies, all of it! You'll all pay. When I return with more men, I'll destroy Edward and take the throne for myself. Anyone who dares to defy me will pay with their life."
"'Twill be you who pays with your life."
Royce's voice rang out through the forest. Joy bubbled through Gillian until she found the tip of Burke's sword poking at her throat. His arm around her waist tightened painfully, making it hard to breathe. Sensing her panic, Rowan began to cry.
She looked around, choking back a relieved cry to see Royce, Edward, Simon and several other knights surrounding them. Burke had nowhere to flee. She had to get off this horse. A trapped animal will fight its way out, to the death if necessary. And Burke was now a cornered animal.
"Release my wife and the child."
Burke let loose a maniacal laugh. "Can't do that, Royce. They're mine now and you will let us pass, or I will strike them down right here."
"If you harm a hair on either of them, you will be dead before they fall."
The sword lowered, Burke shifting behind her. She remained perfectly still as he assessed his chances of getting away.
"You would kill an innocent babe?" Gillian asked, thankful her voice remained steady and calm.
"And you as well, Lady Gillian."
There was an insult in his tone, but she ignored it, her gaze remaining firmly on Royce.
He was here, he would save her! She must keep calm, for surely her opportunity to flee would come.
If only she knew of some way to get off the horse without endangering Rowan.
At that moment, the babe let out a wail that echoed through the forest.
The cries must have startled Burke, for he loosed his hold on her.
Did she dare risk it? She had no choice.
Holding the child securely in her arms, she jerked free of Burke and hurled herself to the ground, away from his sword.
As she fell, she twisted, hoping to land with the babe atop her.
Shouts echoed around her, but she ignored them in her attempts to protect Rowan.
Her son. When she landed hard on her back, the brief satisfaction at her success was chased by the breath forced from her lungs.
Hands were upon her, and she struggled for a moment, until a familiar voice broke through her panic.
"Gilly, come with me." Simon helped her to her feet. Struggling to breathe, she accepted his assistance and hurried away before Burke could come after her again. She and Simon took up a position surrounded by the king's men. She rocked Rowan, thankful he finally quieted.
"There is no place to run, Burke. Surrender now." Royce dismounted and unsheathed his sword.
Burke shook his head. "I think not. You will have to kill me here and now."
Gillian held her breath, hating the sorrow that came into her husband's eyes. Even though Burke had betrayed them all, clearly Royce still mourned the loss of his friend.
"Very well, if that is how you choose to die, face me."
Burke gave another one of his mad grins and dismounted, sword at the ready. "Let us end this now."
***
Royce circled his former captain, recognizing the madness in the other man's eyes.
All these years, he had trusted his friend, while the entire time Burke had been planning to destroy them all.
These last weeks, Royce had learned more of Burke's mother's family, and knew now how Burke had been able to amass enough men and weapons for the constant sieges that occurred along the border.
And Royce had unwittingly helped, sending him to scout Apshire several times. He'd correct his mistakes now.
"What are you waiting for Panther?"
The taunt drew a few derisive shouts from the men surrounding them. Royce didn't dare take his eyes from his opponent.
"Your first mistake."
Burke's smile slipped, turning into a sneer. He charged, sword raised. Royce easily blocked the blow, the screech of the blades crackling in his ears. Shouts of encouragement came from the men, whistles and cheers sending any remaining animals of the forest fleeing.
"I'll kill you, you sanctimonious bastard!" Burke screamed, swinging wildly now.
"You can try," Royce drawled, evading another wild slash. Over the next several minutes, he merely evaded and blocked every move Burke made. The other man tired and grew more sloppy. He blocked another overhead blow and shoved, forcing Burke to stumble backward. He advanced.
The unexpected swing at his face startled him and he pulled back, but not before the tip of the blade sliced along his cheek, burning.
A shrill scream filled the air. Gillian.
He didn't dare look up, but the time for toying with his enemy ended now.
Royce swung at Burke, but the captain sidestepped.
Narrowing his eyes, he watched the other man, looking for any weakness.
There, his left side. His mail gapped. He thrust at Burke, a rain of blows that compelled Burke to retreat.
Yet, with a ducking roll, the captain was now behind him.
Before his thrust reached flesh, Royce turned and caught Burke's blade with his, immobilizing the steel.
His free hand fisted and he slammed it into Burke's face, the satisfying crunch of bone accompanied by a howl of pain.
Cheers and applause erupted among the men.
Burke collapsed, holding his face, blood dripping in rivulets to the ground. Royce strode over and lifted his blade, ready to finish the battle. At the last moment, Burke rolled away, somehow rising again to stand. Blood covered his face and tunic, and he swayed unsteadily.
"Surrender," Royce ordered. "Before the king and these witnesses."
Burke gave another one of his mad laughs. "I will never surrender."
Royce never expected the charge, and moved to sidestep, but Burke wheeled suddenly about, hooking his foot behind Royce's legs. Off-balance, Royce stumbled and fell. The clearing fell silent when Burke stood over Royce, sword raised.
"Now you die!"
Just as Royce lifted his blade, an arrow slammed into Burke's chest. Royce immediately rolled away and to his feet, staring in shock at the blood spilling over Burke's chest. The heavy sword fell from the captain's hands as he gaped at the arrow, his bloodied hands grabbing the shaft in an attempt to pull the arrow out.
Royce thrust his sword into Burke's gut, pulling it out and thrusting once more. One last tug jerked the blade free. He turned.
Gillian stood just inside the ring of men, bow in hand. He looked back at Burke at the very moment the man collapsed to the ground. Thunderous roars of exultation rang through the forest. Royce faced his wife.
Even now, she taunted him with a smug smile. While he could have easily blocked Burke and regained the upper hand, he refrained from saying so. He stalked over to her, stopping inches away.
"Whose is that?"
She shrugged. "I don't know his name." She searched the jumping and cheering crowd. "There, that's him."
Royce didn't look to see who she pointed at. He merely studied her, his gaze roving over her to ensure she was unharmed.
"He didn't hurt you?"
She shook her head. "He needed me. To take care of Rowan."
He said nothing for a few moments, too many thoughts racing through his head for him to be coherent about any one.
Instead, he grabbed her shoulders and drew her near, taking her mouth in a hungry kiss.
It seemed the only way to tell her what he felt.
To his delight, she wrapped her arms around him, opening her mouth to him.
His fingers caught in her hair, holding her still as he ravished her mouth.
When he drew away, she leaned weakly against him.
"Thank you." He buried his face into her hair, crushing her tightly against him.
"There is nothing to thank me for. I did what had to be done. That man and his lover caused me no end of trouble. I enjoyed it!"
He chuckled. "You are truly a Wildcat, in every way."
The sound of the babe crying had her stiffening in his arms. "Rowan!"
He released her. "Go."
"I wondered if you'd ever let her go."
Royce turned to Edward. The king grinned broadly, pulling Royce in for a boisterous hug. "Once I learned this was all his doing, I knew 'twould end this way." He sobered. "I am sorry it had to come to this."
"I had no idea he'd harbored such hatred.
Madness." Royce stared at the body of his childhood friend.
Hell, all of them had been close, growing up as they did.
Before Edward was king, he'd been much more lighthearted.
As boys, they'd shared everything, from pranks to training, even women.
'Twasn't often he thought back on those days and missed them. He heaved a deep breath.
"Sire, I would make a request."
"Anything. You have done England, me, a great service today."
"I wish to retire to Montchester."
"Of course."
"I don't want to return to London for some time." He held the king's gaze.
Edward gave a brief nod. "I see. I suppose it won't do any harm. I will, of course, be visiting sometime this summer."
"Of course, Sire. My home is open to you any time."
"Are you sure that's all you want?"
"I have another request I'd like to discuss, but not right now."
"Very well. Attend me later and we'll talk about it."
Gillian appeared beside him, the baby in her arms. A burst of joy shot through him, and he slid his arm about her shoulders.
"With two children, we must be settled for some time. I'd rather they be more grown before we travel."
Edward grinned. "Of course. Now, let's return to Lyndon."
The king turned and mounted, his men following suit.
Royce led Gillian to Viking. He took the baby as she mounted.
Dark eyes stared up at him. Another glance at Burke's body and the question solidified.
Mayhap Anne had lied to them all and the child wasn't truly Burke's.
He contemplated the child again. No matter.
This was his son, and he would protect him.
"Royce?"
The apprehension in Gillian's soft question drew his attention. He handed the child to her.
"He is our son."
His declaration drew wide eyes and a blinding grin.
"I feared you were angry... at him. You looked so fierce."
Royce climbed up behind his wife. He wrapped his arms around them both. Soon, they'd be back at Lyndon, where their daughter awaited. He almost laughed at the realization his eagerness for the next battle, political or otherwise, had utterly vanished.
"We will leave for Montchester after the planting."
His wife said nothing.
"I know you don't want to leave."
She shook her head. "It's not that. I know my home is with you, and our children. But..."
"Simon." He chuckled at the way she turned to look at him. "Yes, I have an idea and I think Edward will agree."
***
Gillian gaped at her husband. He stared straight ahead. She slapped at his arm.
"Tell me your plan!"
"Do you think Simon would do well as baron?"
Did he mean it? When he caught her stare, she knew he did. Each day, he gave her more reasons to love him.
"Thank you! Royce, that makes me so happy."
"Well, after he weds Lady Madelaine, he will need lands to provide for her. Her dowry is not inconsiderable, but he will still need wealth of his own."
"Edward knows?" She supposed she should thank the king for ordering her marriage. If he hadn't insisted, she wouldn't be here with this man, this Panther, who claimed her for his own.
"I've mentioned it. And now that this is all done, he is willing to grant me whatever I wish."
"Except that I stopped Burke before he could strike!"
Indignation rose. Did he not intend to give her any credit?
"Aye, you did. And I thanked you for it. I will do so again later."
He stole her breath when he covered her mouth with a bruising kiss. When he drew away, she could barely, her vision hazed with lust.
"I love you, Wildcat. I will forever."
Tears of joy burned her eyes. "As I love you."
His lips moved along her cheek, back toward her neck.
Tendrils of heat wisped through her veins, and she must have clutched Rowan a little too tightly, for he let out a protesting whine.
Royce's fingers sliding her hair from her neck, following the motion with his lips, soon had her forgetting anything else but the way fire scorched her skin.
"When we get back to Lyndon, you are to give both children to the wet nurse. For the night."
Her heart clenched at the thought of being away from the babies. "Gladys is dead. Burke killed her."
"He lied. Gladys is alive and well and able to care for the babes tonight."
"But –"
"You will be much too busy to even think of them."
She shivered. "Will you bind me?" Heat crept up her cheeks as she asked, even as the idea set her body to yearning for his.
His chuckle roared into her. "Only if I must."
"I see."
She squirmed, her sex swelling, the sensitive flesh soaked. She bit back a cry when he lifted her skirts and slid his hand along her thigh. She peered around him, but the other men had ridden on ahead. At the first touch of his fingers along her cleft, she moaned, her head falling back against him.
Then recalling his words, she shoved his hand away. "My lord, there are others about."
She tilted her head to look at him. He grinned and winked.
"Well, wife, I suppose you must be... punished."
She smiled, biting her lower lip. "'Twould seem that way."
He dipped her back, covering her mouth in an alluring kiss that promised wicked delight, yet also revealed how she possessed his heart. But being possessed by him, in every way possible, had given her all her heart wanted.
The End