Page 14 of Lord of the Castle
“Where will you go?”
“To feast,” he smiled.
“Do you mind if I came with you?”
“If it pleases you,” his voice went low, husky.His purple eyes held mine, searching. “Because the people of the village believe in me, it assuages your fears?”
“Yes,” I whispered, holding his gaze. “It does. In the kingdom, no one loves those who rule over them, but they respect them because of threats and fear. But here it is clear that you are a good man, a good lord, and the people honor you because of it.”
Something flashed in his eyes, and his grip around my waist tightened. I faced forward again as a surge of emotion swept through me.
* * *
A feast was laid out among the tables. Someone came for Felix while Lord Cedric made his way to the head of the table and sat down upon a chair covered in leaves and foliage, a throne for the king of the harvest. A little girl ran up to him, carrying a crown, and Lord Cedric leaned down to allow her to place it on his head. A cheer went up, and the child ran away, blushing.
Lord Cedric laughed and held out a hand to me, indicating I should sit at his right side. I studied the gathering as I took a seat and saw Betty gossiping with a group of women. She waved at me when I glanced in her direction, and I was thankful she’d forced me to wear the pretty dress. Once Lord Cedric sat down, the villagers flocked to the tables which lined the meadow, as though his presence were a bell, summoning them to the feast. Young and old they came, dressed in their finest. They shouted and laughed, some already drunk on wine.
Someone handed me a goblet of elderflower wine. The sweet fragrance filled my nostrils,and I took a sip, laughing as I met Lord Cedric’s eyes. He toasted me, lifted his goblet and the villagers lifted there and chanted.
Grateful for this feast
Grateful for this bounty
Thankful for the hands
Who have prepared this bounty
Thank the light
Thank the sun
Thank the rain
Grateful for this feast
Grateful for this bounty
And then the food was served. A roasted suckling pig melted in my mouth along with smoky meat pies, rich vegetable pies and yellow roasted corn. There were cheeses, some sharp, other smoky, a scattering of nuts and bread with herbs. Every bite was rich and flavorful, all washed down with the light elderberry wine.
A dreamlike sensation hovered over me, and often I caught Lord Cedric studying me. His purple eyes sparkled, but there was something else, a deep hunger that made me long to be alone with him. Instead I lifted my goblet and raised an eyebrow at him. As if on cue, the music began.
A litany of strings filled the air, and villagers began to rise. Women in white dresses joined hands with men dressed in black. They left their tables and moved to the fountains where the music set their feet tapping. Hands clapped, and the beat thrummedthrough the air, pulsing a rhythm. I did not know who grabbed my hand and pulled me out of my seat, but the next thing I knew I was with the villagers, my feet tapping in tune and my skirts twirling as I danced.
The heaviness that had sat on my shouldersever since I learned I was sentenced to Whispering Vine faded, and I danced until the stars came out and poured their blessing down upon that night. And as I whirled and watched the happiness of his people—happiness he was fighting for—I realized I might be falling in love with Lord Cedric.
Chapter Ten
Panting,I sat down on the edge of the fountain to take a break. Around me, the people still danced with boundless energy. The lanterns were lit and a combination of bonfires and torches were scattered around the village. Couples stole kisses in the shadows, and my face warmed. I hadn't seen Lord Cedric in a while and wondered whether he was still at the feasting tables. I would go in search of him except my slippers were torn and my feet bruised from dancing on the cobblestones.
"You're still here?"
A question invaded my peace.
I glanced up at Sasha, the unfriendly maid.
"Oh, hello," I said, determined to be friendly despite the scowl in her face. How could someone be so unhappy during such a celebration?
Sasha perched on the other side of me and glanced around, her eyes wide, almost frantic. "I warned you to leave," she hissed.
