Page 27 of Knight of Darkness
You are still a fool!he repeated inside his head. She had astounded him by appearing in her finery. He should have been complimenting her on how beautiful she looked, not asking questions that offended her. Now what was he doing? He was actually going back to the inn in the middle of the night in a feeble attempt to make the situation up to her. He would be lucky if her captain would let him pass so he could utter a few brief words of remorse for his actions.
Reaching the inn, he stared at the building determining if he could in truth go through with his plan to see her. He still had enough wits about him to know this was a bad idea. If he were wise, he would turn around and seek some form of solace in his own bed. That would have been the smart choice to make. Waking her up in the middle of the eve just so he could relieve his own guilty conscience over the idea that he had hurt her feelings was another stupid move on his part. He should go back to his tent. Instead, Wymar found himself entering the empty tavern common room and making his way up the stairs.
Since he had tossed the innkeeper a coin earlier to learn which room was Ceridwen’s, Wymar knew where he was going as he made his way down the dimly lit passageway. He expected to see Arthur sleeping outside Ceridwen’s door and frowned in concern. Mayhap he was right in his thinking and they would be abed together. There was only one way to find out and he gave a small knock upon the door. He almost prayed she would not respond. He could then slink away and no one the wiser.
“Arthur?” Her whispered voice was muffled by the barrier standing between them.
“Nay… ’tis not your captain.” That she asked if Arthur was the one knocking showed promise since it meant he was not already inside, but why the man was not guarding her was beyond his ken!
“One moment.”
Silence met his ear when he pressed it upon the wooden door. He did not have long to wait before the portal was thrust open causing Wymar to stumble to catch his footing. He took in Ceridwen in all her glory… loose flowing hair, the delicately-shaped mounds of her breasts peaking above her night clothes, a robe hastily thrown about her shoulders she was still attempting to set into place, along with her sword firmly gripped in her hand.
“Are we under attack?” she asked in a shaky whisper.
“Nay.” He dared not say anything further whilst his eyes roamed over every inch of her creamy exposed skin. By God, his hands were trembling to touch such perfection. His mouth went dry.
She moved past him to peer out into the corridor before she came back to his side. “Are you drunk?”
“Nay, not yet, but the night is still young.”
“Still young? Why, the cock will crow with the rising of the sun before long.”
“I have lost track of the time.”
“I have wine. Would you care for a cup?”
“If ’tis not too much trouble and will not inconvenience you,” he managed to say before she closed her chamber door and went to pour him a goblet of wine. She held out the cup to him and he at last took a gulp of the heady brew. Watching her move about the room, he realized how aware of her he was. This was indeed a stupid and foolish idea he had concocted. He should not be here with her half-undressed.
She went to throw a log upon the fire and paid no attention when an ember jumped out from the hearth to land on the hem of her robe. Wymar quickly made his way across the room. Setting down his goblet upon the mantel, he kicked the ember back into place with his boot before kneeling down. Quickly, he put out the spark that was about to catch fire and continued his inspection to ensure no other part of the sheer linen would be engulfed in flames.
“You must needs be more careful, Ceridwen,” he murmured when he stood before her but she only watched him with wary eyes.
“What are you doing here, Wymar? I thought we agreed to settle your insults come the morn. To be honest, I am in no mood to further spar with you with what little remains of the night.”
“I came to offer my apology.”
She gave a half snort, half laugh before folding her arms across her chest. Her action only drew his full attention to the neckline of her shift that was dangerously close to showing him a full view of the bounty that belonged to her. ’Twas apparent she had no notion of what she did to tempt him to reach for her. He was only a man after all.
“Apologize? You? I find that hard to believe. Are you trying to get out of fighting me come the morn?”
He gave a short chuckle. “Nay, I would not deprive you of giving me a sound thrashing if you are able. I am actually looking forward to it.”
“Then why not settle this between us with the rising of the sun?”
“Because I wished to make right the wrong I did to you earlier this eve. ’Twas something I felt needed to be said.”
“And the morn would not suffice?”
“Nay. Not when my conscience would not let me sleep until I did so. I am sorry for waking you and for my words earlier this eve.” He went to stand before her and took her hands. Raising them to his lips, he placed a kiss upon her fingertips. “Forgive me…”
Her hands shook whilst his mouth lingered above her knuckles. He tightened his grip upon her hands and swore a zing of tiny currents raced up his arms when he did so. A breathy gasp escaped her lips and he knew for certain she was just as affected as he was being this close to one another.
“Y-you sh-should not be here,” she stammered trying to pull her quaking limbs from his grasp.
“Tell me you do not feel this connection between us,ma cherie.” The husky tone of his voice surprised not only himself but Ceridwen as well as he watched her eyes widen. He straightened but did not let go. Stepping closer, her mouth opened—to attempt to form some sort of a sharp retort he supposed—but it appeared as though she was having difficulty thinking of what to say next.
“You are trying to distract me,” she answered lifting her chin and giving her hair a defiant toss as if to clear her vision.
