Cara's Twelve (23 page)

Cara didn't argue, despite her disappointment at having to leave so soon after their arrival. She had looked forward to seeing all the places that Finn had described, and getting to know his brothers and their wives, but it was not to be. They fought against time that they didn't have and an army that they couldn't see. Every day that they prolonged their journey was a day that Cara didn't sit on the throne.

Lord Gorlos, having known weeks ahead of their arrival, had made full preparations for the moon ceremony. It was a simple occasion, not what she had hoped or imagined for her dedication to Finn, but she took solace in knowing that despite the simplicity of the ceremony, his heart belonged to her. She pledged herself to Finn and the province of Crantock in front of his family and a small gathering of warriors. It was enough. It had to be.

They left Crantock and began the long journey northeast towards Bere Alstern. Snow turned to heavy rain, slowing their progress as the horses and carriages got stuck repeatedly in the sludge that permeated the roads. The soldiers that Lord Gorlos had sent with them proved invaluable. Accustomed to the soggy soil and muddy footing, they pressed forward and helped the others navigate through the thick muck.

After a week of boredom, confined once again to her carriage, Cara asked Helfrich to ride with her. Under his supervision she had begun to learn the histories of the provinces, and it was under this vice that she took the liberty of keeping his company day after day. In truth, it was more to help ease her anxiety over their upcoming visit to Bere Alstern, and to seek his advice.

“Are you frightened?” Cara asked him, curled up beside him, their legs and arms entwined, as the carriage rocked and jolted around them. “Of the future? Of what will happen to us?”

“Not so much for myself, but for the future of Elbia.”

Cara nodded and smiled at his altruistic response. “If we survive Bere Alstern and Ashwater, and the journey across the sea to Drumlish, the wilderness of Northlew and Dalgliesh, and make it out of Hellstrom alive, how are we ever to mend the damage that has been done? Is it even possible?”

Helfrich intertwined his long fingers with hers and traced the pattern of lines on her palm with his thumb. He had kissed her only once. The day that Finn had seen them on the hill. Since then, he had never pressed the matter, nor had she ever attempted it again, and there was something about their innocent relationship that helped steady her when everything else seemed erratic.

“Today has its own worries,” he said, his voice steady. “We will fight each battle as it comes.”

Cara knew he was right, but the closer they got to the capital of Bere Alstern, the more her tension grew.

Bere Alstern marked the halfway point of their tour, but it also meant, if their suspicions were correct, they were entering enemy territory. She worried if she had made the right decision not to question Edmund and Arwel. If they were guilty of the crime, was it right that they should walk freely while Batch lay cold in the ground? And if they were innocent, then was it not just as wrong to harbor mistrust and animosity towards them?

When Cara voiced her concerns to Helfrich, he had merely sighed and said, “Not even the wisest of us can make the right decision every time.”

She didn't know if he meant that she had made the wrong choice in following Finn and his father's advice, or if he didn't know himself what the right decision was.

“And what if more men die because I made the wrong choice?” she asked, her voice quivering with emotion.

“Death is not a failure if a man has sacrificed himself for the greater good,” Helfrich said, playing with a strand of her hair.

Cara didn't agree, but she didn't argue. Would he feel the same way if it were his own life that were sacrificed? Cara looked at him and sighed knowing that he would.

“And what is the greater good?”

“A united Elbia,” he said simply.

Cara shook her head and sighed. “If the price is your life, then I am not willing to pay the cost.”

“All men die,” he said softly. “Some of old age and some as young men on the battlefield.”

“Why are men so quick to take up the sword?”

“Peace often requires great sacrifice,” he murmured with an unnerving resignation that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

“Then let us hope and pray that no further sacrifice is required,” Cara said into the silence that followed, but even as the words passed her lips, she knew that her prayers would go unanswered.

The room smelled of blood, ale and rotting meat, and Cara's stomach revolted as the guards carried another broken body out of the ring that was situated in the middle of the great hall. Already two men had been knocked unconscious, others had multiple fractures and injuries, and still the room cried for more blood to be spilled.

Cara took a sip of her watered down wine, and tried not to show her revulsion to the Viceroy who sat beside her at the center of the head table.

Scantily dressed women moved through the hall carrying platters of food and jugs of ale and wine. One of the young girls, no older than thirteen, offered to fill her cup. Cara placed her hand over the cup and shook her head, but just as the girl was about to turn and leave, Lord Belk grabbed her by her waist and forced her to sit in his lap.

“Such a pretty young thing,” Belk slurred, squeezing her breast through the thin fabric of her dress. Grabbing her face, he gripped her cheeks and kissed her harshly on the mouth, then shoved her away from him, slapping her backside before she scurried away.

Arwel chuckled and swung an arm around his oldest brother's shoulders.

Belk returned the gesture, and looked at Cara with drunken eyes, grabbing his crotch and making an obscene gesture that made the blood rush to her face.

“I hope my little brother has shown you how a real man satisfies his woman,” Belk jeered, his eyes already trailing another of the young servants.

“I'm afraid your brother is a little shy of women,” Cara said, feigning an innocent smile as she looked directly at Arwel.

The men at the table roared in laughter, and Cara saw Arwel's face darken in rage.

“Aw, well I'll give him a few pointers so he's good and ready for you. Unless of course you'd like me to stand in his place for the moon ceremony. I'm sure I could have you screaming like a Crowthornian piglet in no time.”

Again the men snickered, but Arwel's dark gaze never left her.

Cara's stomach rolled in revulsion at the man's crude jokes. How could such a man rule an entire province? His lack of respect and decorum horrified her. She needed to get away from them before she said something she would regret.

“I hope you'll excuse me, but I'm suddenly not feeling well.”

“You're going to miss the entertainment,” Belk boasted, a dark gleam in his eyes as he gestured towards the blood soaked floor in front of them. “We have two of our finest warriors up next.”

Cara shook her head and stood up. “Thank you for your hospitality Lord Belk, but I really need to lie down.”

The man shrugged and dismissed her with a flick of his wrist.

Cara bit her tongue and turned to leave the hall.

“Where do you think you're going?” Arwel hissed, grabbing her arm and twisting so that she faced him.

“Let go of me.”

“You disrespected me in front of my brother and made me look like a fool before my men.”

“You don't need any help looking like a fool.”

He backhanded her hard across her face and Cara tasted blood. She would have fallen if he didn't still hold her arm with his other hand. He jerked her arm hard and forced her to look at him.

Whether it was anger or fear that spurred her words, she didn't know, but as she rubbed her cheek with her free hand, and tested her teeth with her tongue, she threatened, “I could have you tried and hung for treason.”

Shoving her against the wall, he grabbed both of her shoulders and squeezed hard.

“I'm warning you. Unhand me now or I will see you tried for both assault and molestation.”

“Don't flatter yourself Crow,” he spat, shoving her hard before releasing her. “You're not my type.”

Cara wiped the spittle off her face with the back of her hand and glared at him.

“No,” she scoffed, laughing bitterly and glaring at him. “You prefer boys, isn't that right? Tell me, what was it about Batch? That he was unwilling? Do you like that? When they put up a fight? Is that what it takes to turn you on?”

Arwel's face turned red, and he raised his hand to strike her again, but left it hanging midair. “Who told you that?”

Seeing the guilt on his face, Cara shuddered. She pointed her finger to his chest and snapped, “You're nothing but a thug. A bully. A murderer. Did you rape him before or after you killed him?”

Arwel paled at her words and took a step backwards. “I didn't kill him.”

Cara eyed him suspiciously. “If it wasn't you, then who did?”

“I don't know,” he said, regaining his composure. “But he had more use to me alive than dead.”

Her stomach twisted in repulsion at his vulgar admission. She took another step forward so that she was eye to eye with him. “If I hear that you have gone near or touched any of my men ever again, I promise you I will run a blade through your heart myself.”

Arwel glared at her, hatred permeating his features.

“There you are,” Edmund said, coming out of the shadows. His blue eyes were like ice as he assessed the situation. Reaching out, he trailed his long fingers over her bruised cheek, and looked pensive, before adding, “I was wondering where our guest of honor went to.”

Cara flinched away from his touch. “I was just heading to my room.” Taking a step backwards, she looked at Arwel and hissed, “I've had enough excitement for one night.”

“Then you best hurry off to bed, since we wouldn't want our little princess to be worn out,” Edmund said, with insincere concern.

She looked between the two men, not trusting either of them. Backing away as if she expected them to attack if she turned her back, she didn't take her eyes off of them until she was a safe distance.

Edmund watched as Cara turned on her heel and fled down the corridor in the direction of her chambers. When he was certain that she was out of earshot he turned on Arwel.

“What the hell do you think you're doing?” Edmund hissed.

“We were just having a little talk,” Arwel said shrugging, pushing past Edmund.

“The bruise on her cheek said you did a little more than talk.”

Arwel turned and glowered at Edmund. “She belittled me in front of my brothers. What was I supposed to do?”

“I don't care if she spat in your face on Annul's altar. You don't go near her or speak to her unless I say so. Do you understand?” Edmund ran his hand through his hair and looked up at the ceiling. “Did she say anything?”

“She thinks I killed that scrawny bastard,” Arwel sniffed, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

Edmund cursed under his breath. It was too close to the truth for his liking. He wouldn't care if Arwel took the blame, except that he still needed him, as well as the alliance with Bere Astern for his father's plan to work.

“Well I hope you were convincing enough in your deception when you said you had nothing to do with it.”

“I didn't have anything to do with it,” Arwel shouted.

Of course you did
, Edmund thought. He would never have had to kill Batch, at least not so soon, if Arwel hadn't been beating and raping the poor halfwit.

“Just keep your hands clean from now on,” Edmund warned. “I'll try and fix this mess you've got us into, but I can't keep cleaning up after all your fucking messes.”

“I don't know why we have to keep up this charade,” Arwel complained. “We should just kill them all and get on with it. My brothers can make it look like an accident if that's what worries you.”

Edmund looked around to make sure that no one was near, and when he was certain that they were alone, he grabbed Arwel by the scruff of his neck.

He hissed in Arwel's ear, “Keep your damn mouth shut. Anyone could be listening. Until my father takes the city of Annul, we aren't safe. As long as the council still resides over the court, she can bring a charge against either of us, so don't think you're safe just yet.”

“Fine,” Arwel sneered, prying Edmund's hand from his neck. “I'll be on my best behaviour, as long as when it's over, I get to kill the bitch myself.”

Edmund unsheathed his weapon so quickly that Arwel barely registered the attack until the blade was pressed firmly against his jugular.

“You touch her and you die,” Edmund threatened. “Without her I have no legitimate claim to the throne, and without me on the throne, you're a dead man. Understood?”

Arwel sucked in a shallow breath through his clenched teeth and hissed, “Perfectly.”  

“Good.”

Edmund smiled coldly and sheathed the blade. “Go back to the hall and keep Finn occupied while I deal with our princess.”

Arwel rubbed his neck as he walked away.

Her door was shut, and he gave her the courtesy of knocking before he entered. She looked up from the book she was reading when he entered, and he saw the flash of panic cross her expression as he closed the door behind him. It was the first time that he had been in a bedroom alone with her, and the thought stirred something primal within him.

She followed his gaze to the bed, and he watched in delight as all the color drained from her face.

That's right princess,
he thought.
One day you will be completely at my mercy, and I will take you wherever and whenever I want.

“Get out of my room,” she screeched, standing up and holding the book as if she would throw it at him at any moment.

That's right little mouse. You have every reason to be afraid.

“Now is that any way to treat your future husband,” he said coolly, stalking towards her.

“You're insane,” she whispered.

Her eyes darted to the door and he smirked as he saw resignation settle across her features.

“I've been called worse,” he said, placing his hand under her chin, and stroking the dark red mark on her cheek with the pad of his thumb. He pressed down until she flinched in pain. “It seems we have a little issue that needs to be sorted out.”

“Finn will be back at any moment,” she said calmly, but he could hear the panic in her voice.  “He'll kill you if he finds out you laid a hand on me.”

Edmund tightened his grip and smiled. “And that's the problem isn't it. Your little boyfriend lays his hands on me, or on Arwel, and what happens to him? Do you think Arwel's brothers will just let him walk free?” he laughed, and tilted his head closer to her and inhaled deeply. She reeked of fear, and he reveled in the smell. “No princess, it doesn't work that way. You see, if he touches us, then he dies too, and I know you don't want that.”

Cara shoved him away, and he chuckled at the anger that blazed in her dark eyes.

“Get the hell out,” she hollered.

He put his hands up as if in surrender and smirked as he backed away. From the doorway he chuckled and blew her a kiss. “I'm so glad we had this little talk.”

Cara shivered as the door shut behind him, leaving her alone in the room. She clenched her fingers around the book she still held, trying to stop her hands from trembling.

Edmund was right, and she hated him even more for it. She couldn't tell Finn or the other men about what had happened between her and Arwel, at least not while they were in enemy territory. Their lives were already in danger, and she wouldn't put them in any more risk than they already were. She could handle Arwel and Edmund on her own, at least for the time being.

Sitting back down, she opened her book and tried to focus on the words. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to steady her nerves, but her hands were still shaking when Finn came into the room an hour later.

“I didn't see you leave,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed and pulling his boots off. “You should have told me. I would have come up with you.”

Cara continued to look down at her book, and tried to keep her bruised cheek hidden in the shadows. She had no mirror in her room, and she didn't know how bad it looked. “I wasn't feeling well.”

“Do you want me to get you anything?” he asked, crouching down beside the chair, and placing his hand on her knee.

She shook her head. “I think I just want to be alone tonight.”

Keeping her eyes downcast, she could feel him watching her.

“Okay,” he said finally, leaning over her and kissing her forehead. When he brushed her hair off of her cheek to tuck it behind her ear, Cara flinched.

She knew the moment he saw the mark, and she squeezed her eyes shut as he cursed out loud and demanded to know what happened.

“I tripped and fell,” she lied.

He took her by her elbows and made her stand and look at him, as he traced the outline of the bruise. His eyes darkened and he swore again. “Why are you lying to me? Someone hit you. Tell me who it was.”

She shook her head and blinked back tears.

“Cara, I promise you, if you don't tell me who hurt you, I will question every single person in this house.”

“I'm trying to protect you. Please don't make me tell you.”

“Protect me? Who could you possibly be protecting me from?” He went still, and his eyes locked on hers. When he said the name, Cara shivered at threat that the single word held. “Arwel.”

“You can't do anything,” she pleaded. “He'll kill you, or have his brothers will do it for him. Promise me you won't go after him. That you won't tell him that you know. Please Finn, I can't lose you.”

Her voice was a sob by the time she finished, and she didn't fight him when he pulled her into his arms.

He breathed out heavily and brushed his hand down her back. When he pulled away, his face was calm, but Cara could see a tick working on the side of his jaw. “If I promise not to go after him for this, will you tell me everything? Any threats that he or Edmund have made. Will you do that?”

Cara nodded, knowing it was her only choice.

She told him everything; from Edmund's first threat in the corridor of the palace, to Arwel's declaration that he didn't kill Batch, and even about Edmund's most recent visit in her chambers.

Finn paced the room as she spoke, and when she was finished, he shook his head at her.

“You should have told me about Edmund a long time ago,” he said, sitting on the bed and putting his boots back on.

Cara panicked as she realized he intended to leave her. “Where are you going? You promised me you wouldn't do anything.”