Ice Maiden (12 page)

Before he could escape Amy called to him.
“Sire, I do have one small request. The girl Wynon, I want to take
her back with me. It is a small price for the damage Humbolt has
caused.”

“Then by all means she is yours.”

Richard kissed the back of her hand and
smiled up at her, “If you ever tire of Randall, do look me up.”

Her laughter followed him down the
stairs.

Amy turned feeling rather dizzy knowing that
she read the man right and thankfully all would be over soon. She
refused to listen to the warnings over what Bern knew of her
existence. “Answers, I still need to face.”

Bern raised his hand to still the men behind
him as the gate started to lower. The army he expected to see on
the other side never materialized. Instead, he saw Amy and another
small girl waiting for the bridge to finally lower.

She saw him jump down off his mount before
the bridge settled to the ground. Amy grabbed Wynon’s wrist and
dragged her along beside her as she rushed to meet Bern.

His arms captured her and swung her around in
circles above his head while his eyes feasted on her, looking for
any sign of injury. She looked tired, but not hurt as he lowered
her against him and captured her lips in a hungry and thankful
kiss. Her own hands framed his jaw and held him to her, kissing him
back in equal fervor.

“Oh Bern, I feared…”

“Hush love, it is over and you are with me
that is all that counts.”

She smiled between the kisses he rained over
her face, her fingers couldn’t get enough of touching him. “Just
hold me, never let me go.”

“That tower is looking tempting, my sweet
Amy.”

“Hmm, right now, I’d probably enjoy the
safety it affords, but I’d rather be at your side, dear man of my
heart.”

He stilled over her words and smiled into her
questioning gaze. “Ye do love me then?”

“Are men so blind, I have loved you since I
woke in your arms that first morning in the meadow.”

Her laughter sang out as he lifted her in his
arms and deposited her on his horse. “Do not move Amy, my love.” He
turned than came back and looked up at her. “And who would the waif
belong to?”

Amy leaned down and whispered to Bern, “Her
name is Wynon and she saved my life and virtue, we owe her a new
life.”

“So, she be Humbolt’s cast off.”

Amy halted Bern’s leave and smiled into his
angry glare, “Nay my love, she is my lady in waiting and I think
your Captain ought to take charge of her for now and keep her
safe.”

Bern thought he would burst over the wink she
gave him when she looked over at Craig.

He looked back at Amy and knew she meant
every word she said. He relented and called Craig over and placed
the small girl with large eyes in his care, much to the man’s
speechless amazement.

Speaking of Humbolt brought out his anger, he
wanted Amy out of harm’s way before any fighting broke out.

She could well imagine where his attention
went when she felt him bolt up behind her. He stopped from turning
the mount when he saw Richard up on the battlement. Amy needed to
speak with Bern, but she wanted to do it in private. Her hands
covered his as she leaned back against him. “Can we ride a bit and
talk?”

His lips kissed her neck before his warm
breath teased her ear. “For you I would ride to the sea and back,
Amy.”

Bern called out orders for the men to retreat
and left Craig to ready the camp outside Richard’s walls for the
night. “Make him sweat.”

Amy could feel the tension in the man holding
her and prayed she could make him understand.

* * * *

“NO! That bastard took you from your home,
killed my men and attacked your castle.”

“He also killed the Captain, I know this
Bern. But, I did promise Richard that we would leave.”

“Ye do not speak for me, Amy Bonner.”

“Morgan, at least for a while, please Bern.”
She paced one way and he another. “You are being stubborn. Richard
didn’t want any of this, Humbolt brought me here and Richard, who I
know is your enemy and you are his, has protected me from that
creep since I first arrived.”

Bern took hold of her arm to stop her pacing
and pulled her to him. “Did he now?”

She looked up to him. “Yes, he truly did. If
it hadn’t been for Richard I don’t think I would be here now.”

His thumb pressed against her trembling lip
to stop it, “I worried for ye, Amy, your night terrors came to
life.”

The palm of her hand covered his mouth, “Shh,
it is over now. I wasn’t hurt thanks to Wynon’s drugs and taking my
place, and Richard’s refusal to be part of Peter’s act against
you.”

“It is difficult for me to believe he would
not want to fight me.”

She smiled up at him, “Oh he does want that,
but not this way. And those are his exact words.”

Bern grew thoughtful for a minute. “We will
leave. He has given ye back to me and for that I will not war
against him.”

Amy stood on her tiptoes to kiss him for
relenting. They kissed for a long time, before they breathlessly
broke it off.

“Besides, we have a wedding waiting for
us.”

“Yes we do my Lord Randall.”

“I’ll send word to Richard that we will be
leaving in the morning. Do ye mind if I ask him to make it four
years of service out in the desert? The creep deserves the
heat.”

She laughed that he used her word for
Humbolt. “Not at all. I imagine he will love your suggestion.”

The days since their return to the castle
were filled with preparation for the wedding. If Amy ever wondered
over the elaborate feasts painted by masters of years gone by, she
now realized they were all true. Silver dominated the platters
filled with everything from pheasants to small creatures she
refused to ask about. Huge troughs of fruits and vegetables,
surrounded the roasted deer and boars Bern’s men hunted down.

She turned in a circle taking in all the
scents and beauty of the tables that would soon fill with the
dignitaries that arrived during their absence and since their
return. Yet, Amy felt herself drawn to the keep and tables set up
for her people. Such a feast, with so many dishes brought from each
home to add to the bounty.

Amy sensed Bern behind her before his arms
encircled her waist.

“Are ye happy, Amy?”

She turned with his embrace, “I have never
been this happy.”

“Do ye think ye ought to be getting dressed
then, everyone is waiting for us.”

“Oh! I need time, Bern…”

“Aye, that ye do.” His laughter followed her
flight up the back steps to her room. He did not envy all the
preparations the ladies had waiting for her. “Ye be a special lady,
my love.”

That she cared for each detail of the feast
and activities the day held did not escape his awareness. Mistress
Tilly ranted about being at her wits end with the Lady, fearing she
would wear herself out. Bern decided not to interfere, knowing how
much it meant to Amy to have it all perfect.

The happiness inside the woman that shined
out for the whole world to see warmed his heart.

“Ye look pleased with ye self, Bern.”

“Aye, Craig.” Bern looked over at his friend.
“Seems to be catching.”

Craig’s brow rose in question then he smiled.
“Aye, caught good I fear.”

“She’s a wee wisp of a girl, Craig.”

“She is all woman, Bern, and strong in ways
we would never understand.”

“Then all is well?” Bern did not want to
force the waif Wynon on his best friend, though the man never
objected to the care placed in his hands.

“Aye, all is well. She has family here today,
I will be asking her brother for her hand.”

Bern turned and hugged Craig in pleasure.
“‘Tis wonderful news, my friend.”

“Ye tell your lady she was right, Wynon is
the girl for me.”

Bern didn’t ask what that meant, he would
learn soon enough.

Craig left him to join Wynon with her family.
Bern could see how much better the girl looked since being here.
Amy was right, she deserved a new life and one with Craig would be
blessed.

“They are the perfect solution.” For the last
couple days Bern worried over Amy’s reaction to leaving this place
and going to his home. The problem Bern faced was who to put in
charge of Morgan castle and the lands. “Craig and Wynon, they will
both give this place the care it has always received.”

Amy would agree with Bern on this move now
that the proper replacements were found.

Bern headed to his room to get dressed with a
smile on his face.

* * * *

“Where is he?”

“Not to worry, your Laird will be here. I
have never seen a man so in love.”

Amy smiled at Mistress Tilly’s declaration.
“Yes, I do love him.”

The mistress didn’t hide her pleasure over
Amy’s words. “The perfect marriage.”

As Amy stood in the hall and waited for the
flutes to start playing, she thought over her last months. She took
the time to close her eyes and say a thank you to the power that
brought her here to Bern.

The music began and Amy’s eyelids jumped
open. She clutched the flowers in her hand and began to walk out
into the sunlight. With so many people at the castle Bern thought
it would be better to hold the ceremony outside. Amy couldn’t have
planned it better.

Bern sucked in his breath over the picture
she made, “Pure beauty…” The white velvet gown with gold braiding
brought out the color in her long braid. Tiny white flowers were
woven in and out of the thick weave. A small crown of flowers
graced her head, but the happiness that shined in her gaze for him
is what captured Bern’s heart.

Amy placed her hand in his large one never
breaking eye contact with Bern. When the priest began to speak they
turned and faced him.

The vows meant the world to Bern, he took
both her hands in his and faced her as he recited them to her.
Amy’s smile seemed to keep getting larger with each word he spoke.
He could see the tear ready to break over those dark lashes and he
reached up and captured it on his finger. “Tears sweet lady?”

“Of happiness dear husband.”

All the people began to cheer as they were
declared husband and wife.

The kiss that Bern and Amy fell into seemed
to take them above it all and neither wanted to release the other
until people began talking to them. Bern’s hold never released her
from his side and Amy cherished every second beside him.

The festivities soon took over everyone’s
attention. Amy and Bern sat with the dignitaries until most were in
their cups. They left and went out to be with the people. Craig and
Wynon joined them for a fun filled evening.

Bern caught her to him as they joined the
dance, “Shall we go, Amy?”

He held his breath as her thick eyelashes
slowly rose to look up at him. “I would love to.”

He scooped her up in his arms and headed for
their wedding suite amid the cheers and well wishers. Once within
the castle walls they slowly left the revelry behind. Amy tucked
her head up under his chin and sighed. “Are ye tired then?”

Her head came back and her soft laughter
earned his smile. “Absolutely, not. I did not even drink any wine,
did you?”

“And spoil our wedding night? Nay, not a drop
dear Amy, not a drop.”

She pulled herself up so that she was only an
inch from his face. Her breath fanned his lips. “I love you, Bern
Randall, with all my heart and soul.”

Her lips closed over his and she ran her
tongue across his teeth. “Mmm you taste good, my husband.”

“Ye best not tease until we get to the room
or I may take you right here, my wife.”

“Here, there, I want you anywhere, the meadow
is nice as well.” All their movement stopped and she looked up at
Bern. The look on his face earned her smile and nod of approval,
sending him back down the stairs as she kissed his bold neck and
her tongue ran over his ear before she sucked his ear lobe.

“Pure torture, Amy that is what you are doing
to me.”

“Then I suggest you hurry.”

“Ach! I married a vixen!” His laughter was
silenced by her lips as he entered the stables. “Shall we take the
Squire?”

“He’ll be wild and untamed for not being
ridden.” She held his gaze with each word.

“Aye, just like his mistress.” Bern held her
and kissed her, devouring the softness of her lips and mouth. He
let her feet slide to the hay covered floor, refusing to release
her, not yet--he wanted so much more.

Amy weaved back and forth from the sudden
release of his arms.

“Stay put while I get the horse.”

She saluted him and didn’t move even when the
Squire’s large head rubbed against her chest. “Hey fella, we
haven’t ridden for a long time.”

“Up ye go.” Bern looked up at her, her lips
were swollen from his kiss and the braid was coming lose, he
couldn’t remember seeing anything so beautiful.

She smiled at him, “You are a handsome rouge,
Bern Randall.”

He vaulted up behind her, giving her time to
tuck her backside up against his erection. Bern cleared his throat
when she pressed back further, “Are ye settled.”

Amy looked back at him, the tip of her tongue
licked her lips. “Aye.”

He groaned as he moved the stallion out of
the stables bringing a smile to her face. That he wanted her and
she him added to her pleasure. They skirted the crowds and once
outside he gave the Squire his head. The air did little to cool her
ardor.

The meadow looked beautiful. Bern slipped to
the ground and reached up for Amy. His strong arms held her and
turned in a circle with her up in the air.

“Do you see the beauty, Amy, my love?”

She smiled down into his upturned eyes that
never left her own. “Oh aye, a handsome grand rogue he be.”