Page 15 of Knight of Darkness
“A man like that has chivalry and honor engrained in his soul. He will not shirk what he owes. And yet, if I were him, I would probably be wondering how in the hell I would ever follow a woman, even if only in order to repay my debt.”
“You have had no problem doing so,” Ceridwen replied as she finished unbraiding her hair. She gave her head a shake, feeling a sense of physical relief after having her tresses tightly bound and hidden for days on end.
“That is because I am in service to your father and your well-being has been entrusted into my care.”
“And I appreciate your service to me,” she said making her way toward the entryway and opening the flap slightly to peek outside. “Let us see what is taking him so long, shall we?”
“You are playing with fire, Ceridwen.”
Ceridwen gave a short laugh. “I have never been one to live a docile life, as you very well know, Arthur. There is nothing wrong with a little excitement to spice up your life.”
Arthur shrugged. “You have enough of that by just breathing, Ceridwen. Do not let it be said I have not warned you. You may very well get burned, my lady.”
She shivered as she realized her captain’s words had more than a hint of truth in them. She flung open the flap and took in the scene. Norwood was arguing with his men, two of whom—his brothers, as she recalled from the inn—were laughing. He was clearly not happy with his situation at all.
“Well?” she called out. “Do you plan to keep me waiting all eve to have speech together, Norwood, or should we dismiss your vow from but a few moments ago?”
Norwood ran his hand along the back of his neck before he began making his way toward her. As his men began to follow, he stopped and turned. “Wait here. No need for you to witness this humiliation.”
“You never let us have any fun,” one of the younger men called out.
He pointed his finger toward the man. “Go tend camp and our horses, Reynard, and you best do a good job of it. Take Turb with you.”
“Still cannot believe it! Saved by a woman,” Reynard laughed, taking the boy about the shoulder. “Come along, Turb, elsewise you may lose respect for your new master whilst he grovels at the feet of a lady.”
“Reynard!” Norwood bellowed.
“I am going!” he returned as he began to leave. “Have fun, Wymar.”
Ceridwen tried not to laugh herself as she returned inside. She leaned up against a table whilst Arthur thrust her goblet of wine back into her hand. She had only taken one gulp before Norwood filled her tent… again.
My word, he is enraged, she thought watching the burning fury in those blue-grey eyes.
“You could have told me,” he at last growled out.
“Told you what?” she teased. If his eyes were angry before, they were scorching her right on the spot the more she taunted him as she picked up where his brother had left off.
“That you were a mere woman,” he finished.
“Amerewoman?” She echoed his words before setting down her cup and folding her arms in front of her. Nothing would get under her skin more than some man thinking she was incapable simply because of her sex.
“Aye.”
“We should set things aright between us now, Norwood. The first thing you must needs learn about me is that I am nomerewoman.”
“That, I will concede. But youarea woman nevertheless,” he smirked, as if giving her this half smile would have her falling down at his feet. He may be handsome but he was far too arrogant with it. He seemed like a man who would expect a woman to bend to his will. She would never do such a thing. Ceridwen would have no issue to bring him down a notch or two.
“And the one who saved your sorry arse!” she seethed.
Norwood shrugged. “The situation could have easily been reversed.”
“And yet you came to my tent of your own accord to settle your debt to me.”
“Aye, I did when I thought you were a man.”
Her eyes narrowed. “And now you think that because you have learned I am a woman you have no problem going against your own words that you owe me a life debt?”
Norwood sighed. “I never said that.”
