CHAPTER EIGHTEEN #2
“Partly. But there’s one more thing,” he said.
“Before I explain, I want you to know that you are safe and well protected in Lafir Castle.” He gestured to the door.
“All of my men who are sworn to protect me with their lives will do the same for you—even before we wed. You have no reason to feel worry or fear.”
“But you’re here now, telling me this, against counsel, so there must be a reason.”
He took a deep breath, and again that feeling of guilt washed over him. The feeling he had when he thought of me as Samara.
“Our soldiers are also tracking a demonos in Eskalon.”
My heart stopped beating. “Oh?” My hand began to shake.
Brennan covered it with his palm, sandwiching my hand between his.
“There will be an increased presence of soldiers in the castle through the wedding, just as a precaution. You will be safe and protected. I swear it to you. But I didn’t want you to wonder why so many soldiers were about. I didn’t want you to fear.”
“I see.” The extra soldiers would be looking for me. Trying to find the woman Brennan had met, the Azete he’d seen shift. “May I ask …”
“You can ask me anything.”
“Is the demonos close? Where was she seen?”
Brennan sucked in a breath. “The reports came from beyond the city. Closer to the wilds which neared the borders of Eskalon. Far from the castle.”
The last place he’d seen me—by the lake.
After I’d pulled him out and gave him my breath.
If that was where the soldiers had gone looking, it would buy me time.
But I worried for the women in the town—the innocent ones that would be accused and boxed.
And then what happened when they started to expand their search?
To look closer and closer to the castle.
“And,” I said, my heart thrumming, “We don’t have such things in Spartva,” I said, taking a guess.
I’d never heard of my people going there.
We liked to stay together. And if we had wanted to travel, the way had been blocked.
Our access to the shores, to the waters, and even boats had been taken a long time ago.
“How exactly does one discover the presence of a demonos? How can you tell that you see one?” I had to know. Had to know what they were looking for.
Brennan shook his head. “It’s difficult.
They may look like any other woman. But there are …
tests,” he said, his voice filling with disgust. “That can be administered. I have not witnessed one myself, so I cannot say how effective they are. Many, however, eventually make themselves known—from what I’ve been told.
” He frowned. “Are you worried now that I’ve shared this with you?
It was not my intention to cause you concern. ”
He was holding back. But I couldn’t tell if it was because he did not wish to tell his bride he’d encountered the Azete himself, or because he was unwilling to reveal any more secrets of the hunt to someone who was not yet of Eskalon.
All I knew was that I had to remain vigilant. To keep everyone from looking my way. And when this was over, when the prophecy was fulfilled, more than my people would be free.
The innocent women of Eskalon, those accused of being witches and forced to face unnecessarily cruel trials, would be free as well.
I shook my head. “No, I’m not worried. I feel safe with you.” And despite the topic of our conversation, something released in my heart. Like I’d spoken a truth. “I thank you for telling me,” I managed.
“Of course,” he said. “I want you to be made aware of all things that I am. All dangers and problems, as well as celebrations. We’re going to be partners in this.
You and me. And no matter what, I will protect you.
” His eyes met mine, the green blazing, and I realized then, just how close our lips were to each other. He leaned in toward me.
The water shut off in the bathroom, and Abigail’s movements could be heard echoing against the interior walls.
Brennan coughed. “I should leave you to eat and dress, and uh, stop bothering your morning.”
I squeezed his hand. “And you need to prepare for the tourney so that you can win and defend my honor.”
“That I do.” His gaze intensified. “And I will,” he said, just as a stream of desire began to flow from him to me.
He bit his bottom lip and released a small waft of fresh mint.
“Is it too bold of me to say that I like seeing you in the morning like this? Your hair still messy, your eyes … still full of sleep.”
My heart thundered.
No, it wasn’t, because I liked it, too. Seeing him, being with him, and speaking to him. I wanted him in the morning, and I wanted him at the end of the night. I wanted all of him. His mind, his body, his soul, even if he was sending his men to hunt for me.
He will die.
“Well, we are to be married,” I said, trying to lighten the situation.
“We are,” he agreed, and when I said no more, nothing to assure him that I too liked seeing him in the morning–he released my hand. The stream of his emotions stopped. His desire gone, replaced by guilt once more.
Thoughts of Samara. Of me. There was an image in his mind—a hazy one. Olivay and him lying in bed. I knew it was her, but her image was unclear, like he couldn’t yet see her features when he closed his eyes, despite the fact that I stood right before him.
His eyes darkened, the image vanishing, and he looked away.
“Brennan, wait,” I said. “I …” Gods, forgive me. “I look forward to those mornings with you, too.”
His lips quirked into a smile. And he was beautiful. Radiant.
A feeling of relief clouding around him—strong enough for me to feel—but not to feed.
“I’m glad to hear it,” he said. “For I’ve been told that marriage can be quite awkward when only one is happy, and the other always bothered and annoyed.”
I laughed. “That sounds truly awful.”
He straightened his cloak, pushing it over his shoulder, the golden thread of House Lafir shone in the sunlight. “You know, I’m glad. I feel as if I’m beginning to get to know you better.”
I don’t … love her. But I mean to. Love will come. I just don’t know her yet.
I swallowed, knowing exactly what he meant, and more than afraid that I, myself, was already too far past such things. I did know him. And cared so much more than I could ever admit. By the Gods, I was damning him every second we spent together.
But I was damned, too. More than he knew. So I smiled back.
“I’ll see you out there, my Lady of Beauty.” Brennan bowed, opening the door, revealing that even more soldiers had arrived to guard me.
Alittle while later, along with all of House Kanos, and a guard twice the size of the night before, we entered the tourney field.
King Dairen and Queen Noemay were escorted to their pavilion, and I was led once again to sit with House Lafir, placed once more at the king’s feet.
Apparently last night’s humiliation ritual hadn’t been enough. Or perhaps this was my new normal.
Until his bloodline ended.
The morning sun was bright and hot, beaming down on the fields before it was even midday.
Abigail had dressed me in a pale violet dress, almost white, with a similar design to the first one I wore.
Long sleeves covered my hands, and a golden belt was woven around my waist as white jasmine flowers released their scent from my hair, their stems twisted with my dark braid, and a golden diadem.
All of the knights entered the field, each one adorned with the colors of their house, their lances boasting the favors they’d collected, a rainbow of ribbons and flower garlands. Only Brennan’s was plain and simple. My white ribbons and the golden ring he’d won last night.
The first melee began. A dozen knights rushed the field, half carrying clubs, the other half attacking with a staff.
The goal was to knock the opponent over and keep them down for a count of ten seconds.
Within a few moments of chaotic hits, punches, and tackles, the knights’ staves and clubs clashing as often as fists met faces, a third of the knights had been eliminated.
Those who remained were announced again and offered a score to compliment their presentation scores from the previous night.
Then the second melee began. This one included Brennan, Rowan, Kienan, and Jaron.
I watched, holding my breath as the three friends formed an alliance, watching each other’s backs.
Rowan and Kienan guarded Brennan much the way they had in the tavern, and I was beginning to see just how deep their friendship truly was.
But also, how damned strong Brennan was on his own.
He raced for an opponent of House Bathiner, their cloak red, and a chimera painted across their shield.
He held out his staff and knocked him down with one blow.
Everyone on the field and in their seats cheered, calling out his name.
But his formal one.
“Prince Jaron! Prince Jaron!”
I flinched, hating that that was what he was known as. That he was called this by his people, called the same name as his monstrous cousin.
Jaron was once more in his black armor, looking ever the villain. He’d shown remarkable skill in the presentation, shooting arrows with precision, as well as throwing his axe. Jaron’s lance had pierced the silver rings in the final game, garnering him second place in the tourney overall.
But he was taking down far more opponents with his club than Brennan, and by the end of the melee, they were tied for first place.
The third fight broke out, and then the fourth with those who remained. Only a few more knights were culled, leaving around fifteen to enter the lists for the joust happening before dinner.
The knights cleared the field, returning to their squires as Finlay led his musicians out to perform. The dancers followed. Cecelia positioned in the middle. And once again, Jaron noticed. It was the first time all day—at least when he wasn’t in battle—that he’d taken his eyes from me.