Page 57 of Knight of Darkness
Wymar chuckled before flicking the reins. Aries quickly lessened the distance between them. The beach left behind, they raced through the village, their horses neck to neck, but when an old woman stepped out onto the path, Wymar pulled back on the reins allowing Ceridwen to race ahead. His opportunity to win was gone, although he in truth had held Aries back a bit in order to keep the race even before then. She was the first to reach the outer bailey after galloping through the barbican gate. She slid off Defiance with a satisfied grin.
“I won,” she taunted whilst giving him a satisfied grin. “Declare you were at last bested by a woman!”
He grinned, jumping down from his own horse as he handed his reins to the stableboy. “You did not expect me to trample over that poor woman did you? You won only by default.”
She came up to him, running her fingers over his leather jerkin. “Admit it, Wymar, you lost.”
“And what does my lady expect as her prize?” he asked. His breath hitched as she stepped even closer. The heat of their bodies so close together caused a part of him to strain against his hose.
“A kiss.”
“Now?” he said whilst his arms snaked around her waist bringing them chest to chest.
“Aye.” A simple answer and a prize that he would never deny her… or himself.
He lowered his lips to hers in a gentle kiss before he stepped back in an effort to keep some form of control. He wished nothing more than to take her to his chamber and make her his in every way. She frowned upon him and placed her arms upon his shoulders.
“Really, Wymar… I know you can do better than that,” she teased.
A moan escaped him when she all but threw herself into his arms, leaving him no choice but to give in to her demands for a kiss that would set her toes on fire. He left no doubt that this woman was his as his mouth slid across hers and his tongue began to dance with her own. ’Twas only the sound of a woman’s gasp that tore the couple apart. Wymar and Ceridwen broke apart to witness Beatrix sobbing before she turned and ran into the keep.
“By Saint Michael’s Wings!” Wymar swore even as he heard Ceridwen give a heavy sigh.
“Let me go to her,” she suggested whilst she lovingly placed her hand upon his cheek.
“Are you certain?” he asked. “She can be… unpleasant at times when situations do not go her way.”
“All the more reason for me to be the one to go to her,” Ceridwen replied. “I believe this is something that must needs be settled between the two of us. Do not worry, Wymar. I have no doubt she will see reason.”
“I will see you then at the evening meal,” Wymar said. She nodded and he watched her retreating form until his lady entered the keep. He could only pray Ceridwen would be able to convince Beatrix that her future lay in another direction than with the lord of Brockenhurst.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Ceridwen steadied hernerves as she walked the passageway to where Beatrix’s bedchamber was located. Ceridwen heard the woman’s crying before she even reached the door. She could imagine what the poor young lady was going through: jealousy, hatred, and perhaps even fear of the unknown since she could no longer be sure where her life would lead. ’Twas obvious that Beatrix was in love with Wymar and likely had been her entire life, but Ceridwen held out hope that she and Beatrix could come to an accord that would allow their lives going forward to be, at the very least, amicable.
She knocked upon the wooden portal, pondering if Beatrix would even allow her entry into her chamber. The crying ceased and there was a long pause while Ceridwen supposed the young woman was making every attempt to compose herself. When the door at last opened, Beatrix had a welcoming smile upon her face. When she saw ’twas the soon-to-be new mistress of Brockenhurst, her face quickly fell.
Beatrix opened and closed her mouth several times before her brows drew together in a fierce frown. She at last found her voice that was filled with unsuppressed hostility. “I expected Wymar,” she fumed whilst fingering the lace of her sleeve.
Ceridwen held her ground. “As you can see, I am here in his place.”
Her eyes widened. “He sent you instead of coming himself to ensure I would be all right?”
“Nay. He did not send me,” Ceridwen answered honestly. “I offered to come speak to you, so that we can settle what will come to pass in our future.”
“Our future?” she sneered. “’Tis apparent I have no future here anymore.”
“I disagree,” Ceridwen replied in an attempt for Beatrix to see reason. “You are like family to the Norwoods. Why do you think this would change?”
“Because I desired to have Wymar as my husband,” she bellowed before turning away from Ceridwen. “I hate you!”
Ceridwen gave a heavy sigh. She had known this conversation would not be an easy one. “I am certain you do,” she stated whilst Beatrix looked over her shoulder at the woman who would obviously wed the man she loved. “May I come in?”
Beatrix gave a shrug. “If you must…”
“Thank you,” Ceridwen said entering the bedchamber and shutting the door. The room contained several small, personalized objects scattered around the room to add to the lady’s comfort. ’Twas either these personal effects stayed here whenever she visited or else she really had felt that her scheme to wed Wymar would come to pass, and she had brought them thinking this would be her permanent home.
Awkward silence sliced through the chamber until Beatrix made her way to a chair near the hearth. “You may as well sit,” she said waving to the empty seat across from her. “I suppose you will not leave me in peace until you have had your say.”
