Impending Reprisals (24 page)

If Merivic wants me, so be it. If Kael wants me, so be it. But I am done letting them pull me back and forth. Whoever reaches out and grabs my heart first, claiming it for his own, can have it. I am done—done struggling with my wants and needs, done fighting with my conscious and heart, done grappling with my choices and future. Done. Let
them
fight for
me
!

And if I end up alone, then so be it. I will be alone.

Chapter 33

The day was once again dreary and overcast as Anya wandered through the colorful garden toward the doors to the great hall. She already longed for the brilliant land she had visited yesterday and hoped, with or without Merivic, she would once again see that place.

“Lady Anya.”

Her frame tensed in irritation as she glanced over her shoulder. “Yes, Weapons Master Kaelestis.”

His response was no less full of annoyance. “I have come to inform you that your husband will be leaving for the day, and I have training to oversee with my men. Gerhard will be available should you need anything.”

She brushed her hair back. “Yes. I would like to explore outside the castle walls today. But there is no need for an escort.”

“You will not be leaving the grounds today. We have not prepared for an expedition.”

“There is no expedition to prepare for. I would like to look around, and so I shall.”

“No, you will not.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You are not my keeper, Kael, and you cannot stop me.”

“That is where you are mistaken.”

“Just who do you think you are?!” She stalked toward him, her voice rising. “You cannot—”

“I can, and I will! It is not safe!”

“I really do not care anymore! If I want to go out, I will go out!”

“Kaelestis? Anya?” Merivic addressed from the doorway, consumed by satisfaction as he watched their escalating fight come to a screeching halt.

How interesting, he thought. Such friction there is between them—more than I could have possibly hoped for.

“Is there a reason you are shouting at my betrothed, Kaelestis?”

“No, Sire. I was simply attempting to explain to her that it is far too dangerous for her to leave the castle without a proper escort.”

“He is correct, Anya.” Merivic stepped closer, and slid his hand across her back. “It is far too dangerous.” She snorted lightly as she turned away. “That will be all, Kaelestis. I would like a moment alone with her.”

Kael left without another word, fuming that she knew how to get the quickest and hottest rise out of him. Stubborn woman.

Merivic ran his fingers up and down Anya’s arms. “You must be wary of your surroundings, my love. It would not do for you to leave the castle unattended during these dangerous times. There are people, outlaws, who do not want me to wed. I shudder to think…” He let his voice trail off so her imagination would fill in the blank, certain she would conjure far more gruesome and effective images than he could paint with words.

Can you imagine if something would happen to her now? he thought, outrageously. After everything I have been through to ensure her to be mine?!

Merivic controlled his mounting anger before turning her to face him, then plastered a pleasant smile across his face. “I will take you out tomorrow. Anywhere you wish to go. Would that make you happy?”

Anya nodded reluctantly, knowing freedom was the only thing to make her content at the moment, but she would not admit as much aloud. “That will be fine.” He planted a kiss on each cheek, and she smiled pleasantly as she attempted to shake off the rest of her frustration. But apparently Merivic was not fooled.

Chuckling softly, he drew her into his arms. “He does irritate you, does he not?”

“Like no other can,” she mumbled, begrudgingly.

“If you wish, I can find you another attendant. He would remain Weapons Master, of course. But you would not be required to see him as much.”

“Perhaps,” she responded lightly, eager to end the conversation now that Kael’s presence in her life could be restricted—threatened. “Or perhaps I will simply adjust. If the danger is as real as you state, it is probably best that I surround myself with the most worthy of opponents.” Merivic arched an eyebrow as he pulled back. She shrugged and added, “Although there is no doubt it would be a painful experience every day I must endure it.”

Merivic laughed, a deep sound of vindication as he held her close again. “I am sure you will survive it, my love.”

*****

“You called for me, Sire?” Malik glanced around Merivic’s quarters to ensure their privacy.

“Yes. I wanted to tell you there is no need for the scrying pond any longer.”

“My Lord?”

“Winning Anya back has been far easier than I had previously thought it would be. She is mine now. There is no longer a need to watch her. I will handle it from here.”

“Good, for I do not have the time with all the preparations underway.” He turned for the door, but paused. “You are sure you have this well in hand?”

Merivic set a steely glare at the cleric.

“Very well, Sire.” He backed toward the door. “You will return late this afternoon, is that correct?”

“Sounds about right.”

Malik nodded. “I found more information on spiritual guardians, should you have the time to review it.”

“I will make it a point to stop down by you soon.”

*****

Anya stormed toward her room, intending to procure her traveling cloak and go wherever the hell she wanted. No man was going to tell her otherwise, especially not one that constantly raked over her nerves, only to turn his back and leave her with no release.

When she reached the top of the staircase, she heard his boots as he fell in step beside her. “You again?”

“I am your sentinel, therefore my presence is unavoidable.”

“I thought you had training to oversee.”

“I do. But first, I had a talk with the stable boy. I made sure he was well aware that you are not to leave the castle unattended.” Anya spun to face him, her face flushed with anger. “I know you, Anya, and I know how stubborn you can be once your mind is made up. But know this: Caleb will not ready a horse for you without my expressed permission.”

“And you feel that is your right? To tell me what to do with my time? How to live my life?!” The fury built and flashed in Anya’s brilliant green eyes, stunning him with their fiery beauty even as he stood against the glare.

“Now you hear me, Weapons Master Kaelestis of Decessus. I gave you all of me, my heart, my soul, even my body—something I have given no other—and
this
is how you treat me?”

Kael gasped as his breath caught. “You were a… You never…”

“No. Never.”

“But I thought you and Merivic—”

“He wanted to wait until our wedding night,” she snapped.

“Wait? Why?” His mind jumbled as he tried to justify as to why he thought they had already been intimate. “It is not like he has never been with another.”

“Yes, thank you for the reminder, Kael,” she sneered. “But I do believe I remember seeing it with my own eyes.”

He fired out with frustration. “I did not mean with Zabela! That is not what I was referring to.”

Anya jabbed her finger at his chest. “Listen! Do not take it out on me because you have just realized what a heinous ass you are deep down! Though it seems to be instinctual for you to continually hurt me, I believe you can control yourself for one damn minute!” She huffed as she glared. “I did not believe Merivic had never been with another, but I certainly do not need you to run down the list for me!”

“I did not set out to hurt you. I am simply trying to do what is right.”

“Well, you are doing a wonderful job of it.”

As she began to turn, Kael suddenly clamped onto her wrist and jerked her against him. Her soft body pressed against his, stirring up a wonderfully delicious hunger even as he battled with his aggression toward her.

Anya tried squirming out of Kael’s grasp, but he only tightened his hold. Furious, she locked onto his deep, blue eyes and prepared to give him hell. But when she took heed of the urges she saw swimming in their depths, it gave her pause. “You want me,” she decided after a long study of him.

“Yes.”

She arched slightly as her gaze softened. “Then why do you not take me?”

Kael’s heart leapt as his jaw clenched, and then regret washed through him. “You are not mine to have.” With a rough shove back, he released her and strode away.

Anya glared at his departing figure. “Idiot,” she mumbled.

Chapter 34

Anya stood at the window, absently twirling her hairbrush in her hand as she devised a plan. There had to be a way to get around Kael, to escape the enclosing walls of the kingdom. She needed fresh air and wide open spaces to gather herself.

He wants me.

The thought rang clear and true, causing her belly to quiver and her breath to hitch. There were things to think about, questions to answer. The foremost being, how does she get him to act on his wants and desires, to love her and claim her for his own.

Anya knew well she had pushed Kael into reacting to her in the hall, and determined she would have to keep pushing him to his limit. To hell with the consequences—or rather, to ensure them—for she knew that to truly reach him, he had to fully let loose his aggression and snap free of any mental restraints holding him back.

The first step was to defy him, get a rise out of him. And the best way to do that was to simply follow her own will, and leave the castle as she had wanted all along.

Chewing on her lip, she stared across the grounds to the stable on the far end. She could see Caleb, the stable boy, brushing down a horse and readying it for travel. He was all that stood between her and freedom, between purgatory and Kael’s wanton wrath. He looked like such a young boy from this distance, and she was suddenly sure she would have no trouble handling him, deceiving him if necessary. Surely he would not doubt the Lady of the kingdom, would he?

*****

Anya’s dark green cloak flowed behind her as she strode up to the surprised stable boy. After a survey of her approach, he began to fidget nervously, apparently anticipating her request. Her heart went out to the young man, knowing, one way or another, she was going to get her way, whether he liked it or not. She just hoped the consequences for him would not be too severe. But considering it would be Kael meting out the punishment, and not Merivic, she somehow thought he would fare well.

“Lady Anya,” he greeted, suspiciously, as she halted in front of him.

“You are Caleb, are you not?”

“I am,” he admitted studying her with watchful eyes.

Anya was taken with his eyes for a moment. They were set in such a youthful face, but she saw age in them, knowledge. It made it hard to judge his years to determine the best way to sway him.

Flat-out-lie was what she came up with.

“I see you are preparing my horse. Are you nearly finished? I would like to be on my way.”

Confusing flickered across Caleb’s face. “No, Milady. This horse is for the weapons master. He should be along soon for departure.”

Glancing over her shoulder, she felt a prickle of nerves. “I was told you would have my horse ready. I will take this one and you may prepare another for Weapons Master Kaelestis.”

“I apologize, Milady, but I was informed
specifically
to not give you a horse.”

Her shoulders squared as she feigned exasperation. “By whom?”

“The weapons master, Milady.”

“Then he has been mistaken with his instructions. Lord Merivic knows the intent of my journey, and he sent me off with well wishes. Does the weapons master’s instruction supersede the lordship’s now?”

Caleb’s gaze darted about as if seeking guidance from anyone who might be near, but there was no one else around. “Forgive me, please, but…”

Her expression softened as she laid her hand on his arm. “Please, Caleb. Please. I must have a horse.” She looked behind her again. “And I have not much time.”

Defeat shown in his eyes as he handed her the reigns. “Do you know where you are going, Milady?”

She smiled appreciatively, hoping to alleviate his guilt. “Into the woods, Caleb. I will not go far.”

“When the weapons master arrives…”

“Tell him what I told you. Simply leave out
this
part.”

“Please, be safe, Milady.”

“I will, Caleb. Thank you.”

Caleb watched her ride off, regret washing over him as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of parchment. He was scribbling furiously across the paper when the weapons master came upon him. Startled, he hastily folded it, clutching it in his hand behind his back.

“Is my horse ready, Caleb?”

“It was, but since Lady Anya took that one I must prepare another.”

“What?” he snapped, his eyes narrowing. “She left? You were not supposed to give her a horse!”

Caleb stepped back with a purpose in mind. So furious was Weapons Master Kaelestis, he did not notice him clandestinely passing the parchment to another man brushing close behind him.

“She said Lord Merivic approved of her travels.” Caleb shrugged helplessly, appealing to his genial side. “Was I to continue to deny her?”

“Damn!” He glanced to the castle’s gate. “Clever girl,” he mumbled, turning back to Caleb. “How far a lead does she have?”

“Not long. She left moments ago. I will ready a horse for you at once.” He scrambled into the stable, leaving Kael fuming and staring into the distance.

“Damn that woman.”

*****

Kael studied the ground as he led his stallion toward the forest. Anya had apparently been aware he would follow and had ridden her horse hard into a gallop. Although it gave her a far better lead on him, it only assisted in giving him a clear trail to track. It was easy for him to follow the deep hoof impressions made into the soft earth.

Here and there, he had to stop and study the area to pick up her path. She had done well in the patterning, cutting this way and that, an obvious ruse in an attempt to fool him. But she sorely underestimated his abilities.

Before long he spotted her, now guiding her horse along at a slow and easy pace. He kept his distance, though his sharp eyes never left her. It was difficult to visually track her for her cloak blended her entire form with the surrounding trees, but he did not want his presence to be known to her.

Kael knew Anya’s adventurous spirit well—that part of her had never changed. And he did not want to trample it. Although it frustrated him to no end that she would not heed his warnings, he loved this part of her—the part that felt the need to come out here no matter what anyone said, the part that felt the pull to explore and be free.

He also knew it would be useless to make his presence known now. Unless he physically forced her, he would not be able to make her return to the castle. She would rebel simply out of pride and stubbornness—common sense would have no part in it. When she was back within the protective walls of the kingdom, he would pretend to give her hell since it is what she would expect.

Let her think she won, he decided, or she will only continue to fight me.

Anya came upon a shallow pond and slipped off her horse. With a quick glance around, she eased closer to the water. Her ears perked at the slightest rustle, a noise not too far off in the distance, but far enough to know she was in no immediate danger.

Crouching down, she dipped her fingers into the warm water and trailed them back and forth as she closed her eyes. The liquid calmed her, and the soothing motion cleared her mind so she could focus on everything surrounding her.

With controlled deep breaths, she took in the air around her, holding it a moment before whispering it back out. She could smell the dinginess of the horse, the sweetness of the flowers, the bitterness of the sappy trees, and the alluring scent of Kael.

So he is here, she thought, both excited and annoyed with the knowledge.

He always had his own scent, one that tugged at her heart and seduced her senses. For far too long she had blocked it out, not allowing it to consume her. And now, experiencing it fully, she was nearly overtaken with its power over her.

A light gasp later had her breathing through her mouth only, once again blocking his scent and focusing on sound only. As her fingers continued cutting through the surface of the pond, she heard the leaves rustling above her. Straining with her ears, she then heard a bird’s wings as they flapped in the air, the brittle snap of a twig being stepped on, and the crunch of dead foliage being settled upon.

Of the many things her father had taught her after Kael’s departure, this was the one she had thought there would never be a use for. To focus her senses, to hone in on the slightest of changes in her environment as she filtered through them one by one.

Opening her eyes she looked straight ahead, unblinking as she stared. Shifting her gaze a measure to the side, she repeated the process. Again and again she intently studied the woods around her, until the barest of movements—amplified by her intense concentration—pinpointed Kael’s location.

There you are, Kael, she thought, keeping the smile from her face as she quickly averted her gaze.

She continued her survey of the forest so it would not be obvious he had been spotted. And once she was done, she nodded her head once as if assuring herself she was secure in her surroundings.

“Come to me, Taj,” she murmured, leaning against a boulder near the water’s edge.

The white tiger arrived at once, butting his massive head against her hip as he nuzzled at her waist. Laughing, she wrapped her arm around his neck and snuggled in.

“Kael is watching us,” she whispered into his ear, “but he does not know I see him. We are going to play a little game, Taj.” She stroked his fur as his tail whipped wildly from side to side. “You just warn me if anyone else approaches.” He leaned into her in a sign of agreement, and she released him before turning toward the water. “What do you think, Taj?” she asked, quiet enough for it to be considered a normal tone, but loud enough for Kael to hear. “Should we go for a swim?”

The cat yowled at her as he circled away.

“Very well, only me then.”

Anya looked around as if seeking verification she was truly alone, and caught a slight glimpse of Kael concealed well in the distance. Appearing satisfied, she lifted each foot and removed her shoes. She reached up to her neck and untied her traveling cloak. Layer by layer, her clothes peeled off until she was a bare as a babe.

With a toss of her hair, she tested the water with her toe, then stepped further in. Turning to ensure Kael’s view, she slipped her cupped hands under the surface and yanked them out, splashing water across her firm breasts. Stroking her hands up her sides, Anya arched back to dip her hair under, and then slowly brought herself back up.

“Mmm. Come on, Taj. The water is wonderful.” She waved her hand at the tiger and he obeyed her command, leaping and splashing as he dived in.

Giggling wildly, Anya and Tajvek played, tossing up water and wrestling around. She jumped, she sprung, she ducked, and she plunged. And every movement was like an arrow through Kael’s gut, stabbing at the heat throbbing within.

Desire coursed through his veins, passion flushed his skin, and wanton lust made his heart hammer. He wanted her in his arms, had to feel her heat pressed against his, needed to be inside her again. And he wondered just how long he would be able to restrain himself. He was only a man, after all, and could only take so much.

Holding his position, painfully so, he watched as her play turned to relaxation, and she drifted lazily across the surface, soaking up the calming atmosphere as the water flirted with the curves and lines of her glorious body. Teeth grinding and with a primal growl, Kael gripped a branch to anchor himself, his body trembling with the raw urges she stirred up.

No. He would not be able to restrain himself for long. She tested his limits with everything she did, every breath she took, and every word she spoke. Sooner or later he would lose control, and may the gods help her when that time came.