Page 26 of Knight of Havoc
“I would not have begun my match without viewing your loveliness, Elysande,” he said, and the baritone of his voice sent shivers racing over her suddenly hot skin.
“I have something for you… that is, if you would care to wear it,” she declared, holding out the blue and gold ribbon she spent the night working on.
He fingered the fabric. “You made this? For me?”
“Aye. To prove to all that you, above anyone else, are my champion,” she said, smiling up into his face.
He held out his arm. “Then by all means, place your favor upon my arm. I am honored to receive such a gift, Elysande.”
Taking the ribbon, she tied the favor above his bicep on his left arm. She stood back and gave him a deep curtsey. “May you be victorious this day, Sir Reynard,” she said, beaming with pride. A trumpet blared, announcing the games were about to begin. “I best leave to find my place next to the empress.”
“I will look forward to claiming all your dances this evening when I win the day,” Reynard declared, giving her an appreciative look.
“Then I shall look forward to the evening meal,” she whispered. Before she did the unthinkable and kissed the man in front of everyone, she left his side and hurried to take her place on the raised seating platform.
A brightly colored canopy flapped in the morning breeze. It had been erected to shield her from the glaring sunlight that would progress throughout the day. The empress was already seated with her ladies behind her. Only one vacant chair was placed next to the monarch. ’Twas specifically meant for Elysande so she would remain in the front for all to see.
“You are late,” the empress stated with a look of displeasure etched upon her features.
“My apologies, Empress,” Elysande replied whilst she bowed before her. The empress held out her hand, and Elysande kissed the empress’s ring.
“Take a seat and let us see who shall take the lead in the quest to become the victor. There will be several days before a champion can be declared at the end of my games,” Matilda declared. She waved her hand toward where Reynard and the men waited.
As the knights began to fill the center of the area, the empress stood. “My people… Welcome to my games,” she said in a raised voice. A cheer rang out from those who were in attendance. “Over the next se’nnight, the knights before you will compete to not only keep you entertained but also to win Lady Elysande Thorburn of Blackmore’s hand in marriage. Come the eve of each of those days, the knights who won their matches will dance with the lady and will advance to the next day at the games until only one remains her champion.
“Make no mistake, the winner and the ladyshallbe wed at the end of the games,” she warned whilst her attention returned to the knights paying homage before her. “If any of you currently here before me have no plans to wed the fair lady, then excuse yourself now from these games.” She waited to see if any of the knights would bow out. When none of the knights left the area, the empress motioned her hand toward the combatants. “Let the games begin!”
Another loud cheer rang out whilst a trumpet again blared, announcing the games were to begin. The knights took themselves to various areas of the field and began their matches. Yet, Elysande had her attention focused on Reynard. When his turn came up to begin to wrestle with another man unknown to her, she sucked in several deep breaths to calm herself. When he became momentarily pinned, she gasped whilst her fingersgripped the arms of her chair to the point that her knuckles became white.
“Someone please fetch Lady Elysande some wine,” the empress ordered. A chalice was thrust toward her. She took the cup. “Honestly, my dear, how are you to survive an entire se’nnight if you cannot even sit still on the very first events?”
Elysande took a sip of her wine, declining the platter of fruit that was offered by another servant. “I only wish that you would have spoken to me before deciding a tournament would determine who my husband might be,” she replied, her anxiety causing her to speak her mind with more frankness than perhaps was wise.
“You are a bold one this morn,” the empress said, though thankfully she didn’t appear to be particularly upset about it, clapping her hands when a man throwing a battle ax hit the target in its center. “I see Norwood wears what I assume is your favor.”
“He is,” Elysande declared, lifting her chin. If she were to be reprimanded for showing her preference so openly, then so be it. At least she would have had her say.
The chuckle that emitted from the empress surprised Elysande. She did not expect the woman to laugh at her plight. “I am not laughingatyou, Lady Elysande,” she said sternly before she continued. “Norwood is not… how should I put this… he is not as well established as the others who wish to wed with you. The early days of the conflict left his family with nothing. It is thanks to my good graces that his brothers have been restored to wealth and prosperity, but Reynard himself has nothing but the hope that I will bestow upon him lands and a title if he proves his worth. The competition will do him good.”
Elysande could not reply to such a confession. All this because the empress wished for Reynard to prove himself to her? She would have thought he had already done so at theBattle of Lincoln and the latest siege at Winchester. What more could this woman want from one man?
Chapter Nineteen
Reynard stood inthe great hall, weighing his empty cup in his hand. He’d already drained it of its ale. Did he need another drink? Most likely not if he wished to keep his wits about him. ’Twould do no good to have his head pounding come the morn from indulging in too many spirits.
“I plan to rip that ribbon from your arm come the morrow, Norwood,” a voice hissed beside him.
Lost in his thoughts, Reynard had not even heard the man’s approach. “You can try, Morcant.” He barely acknowledged the knight who was mayhap five years older than Reynard.
A grunt escaped the man. “I plan to do more than try. She was a fool to so obviously show where her affections lie. ’Tis like a beacon to every knight present to see who will be the first to take it from you.”
Reynard glanced down at the dark blue ribbon with golden embroidery that he knew Elysande had slaved over. He had made the best attempt to launder the fabric since after only one day of wrestling matches, it had become soiled from when he’d rolled around in the dirt of the field.
“At least you all are aware whom she favors,” Reynard said with a smirk, “and I will be the one who will wed with the lady.” His gaze traveled to the dance floor where Elysande was finishing her dance with Lord Constantine.
“We shall see,” Morcant muttered before a sly grin spread across his mouth. “In the meantime, I believe the next dance belongs to me. I will show you how amanhandles a lady instead of what a mere boy is capable of.”
Reynard lunged forward but was too late to grab a hold of Morcant’s tunic. The knight gave a chuckle as he made his way to Elysande. Reynard could do nothing but watch from a distance when the pair went to begin the patterns of the next dance. He swore if Morcant’s hand went any lower than Elysande’s waist, Reynard would take great pleasure in removing his limb at the wrist.
