Impending Reprisals (12 page)

It was not until dessert was brought out that Anya turned the conversation to her previous inquiry. “Merivic, what is a promising ceremony?”

“Oh, yes. Malik, would you like to go through the stages of union with her?”

“Certainly, Sire.” Malik turned his cold eyes on her. “There are three stages to your union with Lord Merivic. Thank you, Zabela,” he said as the servant lady placed his dessert in front of him—fruit with a decadent syrup drizzled on top. He winked at the tanned-skinned beauty as she smiled at him, then returned his attention to Anya. “Where was I? Yes! The union. There is a promising ceremony beforehand. It is a simple, intimate occasion—you, Merivic and myself will be the only ones there. But it is of great importance.”

“What is it?” Anya questioned before biting into a strawberry.

Merivic was the one to respond. “It is all about our choice and intent in that moment—a binding, holding us true to our fate, our destiny.”

“A very important, and necessary, step for a successful union,” Malik explained further. “Then, the day before the spring equinox, you will have your wedding ceremony. That, of course, will be grand in nature as they always are.” He gestured dismissingly as if it were a small, bothersome detail. “But that night, as the hour tips into the day of the equinox, there will be one more private ceremony—a blessing before you and Lord Merivic…consummate your union.”

Anya blushed as she glanced to Merivic, but his expression did nothing to soothe her warmed skin. The mere mention of their wedding night must have put his mind in an erotic tangle. She could feel his longing coming off him in waves as his eyes pierced hers and led her thoughts in the same direction.

Malik looked between the couple as his face tightened. “I can see the growing passion between you. I can sense it as clearly as heat from a fire.”

Merivic’s lips curved as Anya shot a glare at the cleric. “I hardly think it is any of your concern.”

“On the contrary, Milady. It is my only concern at the moment. For a successful union, you must not give into that passion before the time is right.”

“You—”

Merivic’s hand on hers silenced the anger bubbling up. “Anya, please. Although he should not be stating as much so bluntly” —he glared a warning at Malik that had him holding his hands up in defense—“he is right, and you know it to be true as well. It is only proper to wait until our wedding night.”

“I agree,” she huffed, stabbing a finger in Malik’s direction. “But it is not his place to dictate as much. That is between you and I.”

“Agreed. Now, are you done with your dessert?”

“I have lost my appetite for it.”

Merivic stood and pulled her chair out for her. “Please. Let us put this disagreement behind us.” He picked up her wine glass and his brandy. “We will settle in front of the fire for awhile.” He tipped his chin toward the couch and chairs angled near the hearth. “Malik.”

“Sire?”

“Could you—”

“I will see to it at once, My Lord.” Malik stood swiftly and bobbed his head once—apparently, his version of a bow—before retreating from the room.

“Where is he going?” Anya asked after she settled on the couch.

Merivic handed her the wine glass and eased down next to her. Cradling her face, he brushed his lips against hers. “There is someone I would like you to meet.”

Chapter 16

Anya snuggled into Merivic’s side as she gazed at the fire. “So who is it you would like me to meet?”

Merivic rubbed the back of his neck, earning him a curious look from Anya. “You see, I am a very busy man with a great deal of responsibilities to attend to, as well as preparations for our upcoming union.” He took her hands into his. “However, while I am so engaged, I cannot simply leave you to your devices and to roam this dangerous land unattended.”

“I—”

“But I do know how you love your freedom, so I have a sentry for you, a protector, if you will.”

Her brow furrowed as she opened her mouth to attempt another protest, but Merivic cut her off again.

“An attendant, if you so prefer a different label for him. Someone to see to your needs and to ensure your safety. He has trained hard for his station and I believe you will be quite pleased. He—”

“He? A male attendant?”

“I want to afford you the best protection possible—my weapons master.”

She scowled in embarrassment, snatching her hands back as she stood. “And I am sure he is
thrilled
with his new assignment of playing nanny to the lady of the house.” Keeping her back to Merivic, she stepped closer to the fire.

“Please, do not fight me on this.” He came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, rubbing them lightly. “He has trained for nothing else over the last two years.”

Her eyes widened as she spun. “Since you met me?”

He reached for her, but she jerked away. “I know, it was presumptuous of me. But I wanted to be prepared for every possible outcome. Besides, I was just as prepared to grovel for your hand as I was to simply ask for it.”

Anya could not stop the smile at his teasing tone, and he took the opportunity to reach for her again, pulling her close. With a kiss to her forehead, he continued, “You would not have resisted me for long, having taken pity on me and my broken heart.”

She issued a short laugh, but grew sober at once. “It is positively humiliating, Merivic. You must know that.”

“No, I do not believe it is. It is a dangerous world out there, and it is up to me to protect what I hold dear. Nothing I do to that end would be considered too much.”

“That is sweet, but—”

“Excuse me, Sire?” Gerhard stood in the doorway of the great hall, bowing to them graciously.

“Gerhard. What is it?”

The soldier straightened. “It is about Drak of Silktree.”

“Yes. He was to deliver some documents from their kingdom. Has he arrived?”

“He was found dead, My Lord, just outside the city walls. I believe we were meant to find him—a warning, perhaps. There were no documents on his person, and he appears to have been tortured. His face…” Gerhard trailed off, losing his composure for a moment.

Anya’s breath caught and she leaned into Merivic’s arms as they wrapped protectively around her shoulders.

“Gerhard! You do not need to go into such details in a lady’s presence,” Merivic hissed, staring down the soldier.

Gerhard’s deep green eyes narrowed as he squared his shoulders in defiance, full well knowing Merivic would forgive his attitude in light of the situation. “Forgive me, My Lord, but perhaps Lady Anya should be made aware of the threats surrounding her. It may ensure her to be more mindful of her sentinel’s warnings.”

Anya’s temper flared while Gerhard spoke as if she were not even there. But in the same moment, she thought back to the men in the alley.

“I am well aware of the threats around me!” She pushed off Merivic’s side and took a step closer to Gerhard. “Just this afternoon I saw it! Men watching us, biding their time. I would imagine they are very capable of the atrocities that happened to Drak.” Each word she shouted drained away a measure of anger, and by the end of her tirade she was choking back a sob.

Merivic roughly grabbed her arm and spun her around, his eyes flaring. “What men?! What did you see?”

Her voice shook. “Men, in an alley, preparing to attack us…attack you.”

Gerhard looked at Merivic. “It is a safe bet they are aware of her arrival.”

“Go to the alley! See that the area is secured!”

The outrage in Merivic’s voice had Anya’s head reeling as she turned to Gerhard. “It was the alley before the castle road. They did not get into position fast enough to target Merivic, but they watched him…watched everyone.”

Gerhard eyes locked on hers. “They are not after him, they are after you.”

Her palms suddenly felt cold and clammy, fear seizing to squeeze her chest.

A deafening roar filled the hall as Tajvek materialized in front of Anya and surveyed the scene. Merivic stumbled back a step in surprise before lurching forward to grab Anya and tuck her trembling form behind him. Gerhard took a step toward the cat and held out his hand.

Satisfied there was no real danger, Tajvek lumbered over to the soldier and sniffed his hand. Cocking his head to the side, he cast a long, lazy stare at him with icy-blue eyes. Gerhard crouched down and stroked the massive cat’s head.

“You smell something there?” Gerhard glanced to Anya as she eased from behind Merivic’s stance. “It is a comfort to know that thing really works.” He gestured at her amulet, punctuating his point.

“What do you mean?” Merivic demanded, still shaken by the sudden arrival of Tajvek.

“He responds to her fear.” Gerhard nodded once. “That is good. You should be afraid.”

Anya kneeled beside Tajvek as he leaned into her. “How do you know that? How this works?” She touched the necklace with her fingertips.

Gerhard straightened up and cast a cold stare, but uttered no response.

Merivic sighed in frustration as he approached the pair. “That will be all, Gerhard.”

“Very well, My Lord.” He bowed and started to turn away.

“Wait. Is the weapons master nearby? Or is he already tending to this matter with Drak?” Merivic scrubbed a hand over his shorn hair as he asked, a sure sign of his frayed nerves.

“He was on his way when I last saw him. I will see what the delay is.”

Gerhard took his leave as Merivic hooked his arm under Anya’s, pulling her to her feet.

“Are you okay?” His soft, hazel eyes searched her face.

Anya merely shrugged, unsure anymore exactly how she felt.

“Sit with me.” He eased her down on the couch next to him, keeping his arm around her shoulder. “I regret that you were frightened so. I am sure my own actions did not help the matter much.”

She rested her head on his chest, snaking her hand up and around his neck. “They want to harm me to get to you. I was stupid not to see it. You warned me about this.”

“No, my precious Anya. I should have been more mindful of the situation. You are my responsibility, and mine alone. I should have been with you, but…”

When he did not continue, Anya urged him on. “But, what?”

“I thought I took the appropriate measures to ensure the secrecy of your arrival, including an attempt to draw any attention to me as I lead the caravan to the castle. I sorely underestimated my enemies and their apparent resources.”

Anya watched Tajvek as he stretched out in front of the hearth.

“It is no fault of yours, Merivic. And please know, I was completely safe in that carriage. Besides the soldiers surrounding me, I had Taj to assist.” She lifted away to look into his eyes. “True, I was afraid when I saw them—who would not be?—but I knew I was safe. That was why I did not let Taj appear to me then.”

Merivic glanced at the white tiger, then her amulet. “You have that measure of control over him?”

“Taj can appear at my beck-and-call, and when he senses my fear. If it is overwhelming, like this time, I cannot control his arrival. But if the fear creeps up on me, like in the carriage, I am able restrain him if I have a mind to.”

He leaned in to kiss her cheek. “You have no idea the relief I feel knowing you are so protected.” He kissed her other cheek. “I do not know what I would do if something happened to you.” His voice choked off as he steadied himself against the mere thought.

Anya took his face in her hands. “I cannot be without you, as well. Never forget that. Just as you worry for me, I worry for you. No pain inflicted could be worse than having you taken from me. Protect yourself and know that by doing so, you are protecting me as well. I expect you to remember that.”

His mouth curved with her stern instructions. “Yes, Milady.”

“Or…”

He arched a brow.

She bit her bottom lip, drawing his attention. “Or…you will have to be appropriately punished.”

“Maybe you should show me what you had in mind. Then you can rest assured that I know exactly what is in store for me, should I fail.”

“Very well, if that is what I must do.” She brought him closer. “Now pay very close attention.”

“Oh, I—”

His words were cut off as she pressed her mouth to his, taking it with a hot urgency and fierce need. He grabbed at her waist and pulled her against him as he took the kiss deeper. Whimpering lightly, she arched into him, igniting a deep hunger as she gripped his shoulders. Breaking the seal of their lips, he traveled down her jaw and into the crook of her neck, his hands sliding up to cup her breasts.

“Merivic,” she whispered, a rush of emotions slamming into her. “I cannot be without you.”

He lifted his head and stared into her eyes, moving his hands to cradle her face. “You never will be.”

She studied his eyes as tears welled up in hers, and then, blinking them away, tipped her forehead against his. “Never,” she repeated, softly.

They remained as such while they each gathered themselves, and then, with a sigh, Merivic leaned back. “It has been quite a day for you, has it not?”

Her mouth twitched. “That would be a gross understatement.”

“Sire. Milady.” A deep voice sounded from the entryway, a voice that had the hairs on Anya’s neck suddenly standing on end.

She whipped her head to the side and jumped to her feet, her knees threatening to buckle beneath her.

Merivic stood to join her, oblivious of her shock, and gestured toward the tall, sturdy man before them. “Ah, there he is. I present my weapons master.”

Anya’s heart bounced as her belly slid into a slow quivering twist. Her voice was barely audible as she breathed his name. “Kael?”