Page 16 of Lord of the Castle
“I will sit with you tonight, if you wish it and hope my presence calms you,” I offered, even though there was selfishness there. I did not want to let him out of my sight.
“I would like that, Mariel,” he replied.
We fell silent as Felix galloped home. When we reached the stables, Julius was waiting, a frown upon his long face. He did not spare me a glance but immediately turned his attentions to grooming Felix.
Lord Cedric took up his staff and leaned heavily on it as we made our way down the garden path back to the castle. He was silent and kept me tucked under his arm. I found it unnerving, and Sasha’s bold words returned to mind. Lord of Darkness. Who was he?
“Mariel.”
Lord Cedric’s low whispers made me halt and I stared up at his face. He looked pale and worn. “I am weary, and although I’d like to walk you to your room, I am tired.”
“You must rest,” I agreed. “Let me walk you to your room, I can stay…”
He held up a hand. “I would be honored, but I have taken up enough of your time. Sleep, my Mariel. Then brighten my day with your presence.”
Confusion rode me. The feelings between us were precious and fragile as though one wrong move and they’d break, never to be discovered again. It was too soon to leave each other’s presence, and I did not know how to make Lord Cedric understand. Although he was an exiled lord and I was naught but a shield-maiden. I was wrong to desire him, someone so noble and above my class, and yet it did not matter to me. Why should it matter to him?
As if responding to my inner desires, he pressed me against his chest. He smelled of the wildwood and roses. I inhaled his scent as though it were the only thing to hold me over during a long night alone. His hand strayed past my waist, squeezing my bottom. Desire washed over me as his lips hovered above mine.
“I would warn you, do not walk the halls after midnight. But you will be safe in your room.”
Then his lips consumed mine. His tongue pushed into my mouth and intertwined with my own. His hand against my bottom pulled me closer to him, until I could feel his hardened muscles through his clothes. I squirmed, wanting more, but he bit my bottom lip, reproaching me for my forwardness. Then his tongue devoured mine again, and cry of pleasure burst from my lips. At some point, he let go of his staff and threaded his other hand through my hair. I dug my fingers in his hips and just when I thought I’d reach the height of my pleasure, he let go, took his staff and swept away, leaving me breathless, knees weak as I slumped against the wall.
Chapter Eleven
For the next two weeks,I took the one positive sentiment my mother had given me and acted upon it.It is not possible to enjoy every moment in life, but take pleasure when and where you can and relish it to the fullest.Even though those words were meant to describe the work she did, I took them to heart and enjoyed my moments with Lord Cedric, even though a dark knowing loomed in the back of my mind. Soon it would be the night of Samhain and then I would leave him. Forever.
There was no talk of my staying, and at night, I lay awake both aroused and worried, thoughts of Lord Cedric twisting through my mind. He was handsome and dark, barbaric yet he made me laugh. I watched the way he tended his garden and took care of his horses. But I also noticed no one came to visit him, and his staff, Betty, Sasha and Julius, were scarce during that time. I caught glimpses of them now and again, but nothing more.
Inevitably at some point each evening, Lord Cedric became drawn and pale. I wondered if his leg pained him but I’d not worked up the courage to ask. He left me with the same warning each night.Do not walk the halls after midnight.
Then he’d kiss me long and deep as though he drank my very soul, and left me breathless, longing for more like a traveler crossing a dry desert with only a drop of water at the end of each day. It has only been a couple of weeks. I reminded myself. That was all and yet the kinship I felt toward him went much deeper. I’d touch a finger to my swollen lips and fall asleep anticipating the morning.
One morning, the air felt different. The Festival of Samhain. I bolted out of bed and saw my breakfast, steaming on the table as usual. Betty usually left a frilly dress laid out for me to wear, but today I saw my own clothes and my armor. My heart leapt into my throat. I walked over to them, noticing that both my sword and the knife Lord Cedric had taken from me were there. I ran my fingers down the blade. It had been freshly sharpened.
Anticipation twisted in my gut. Tonight was the night. The reason I had come. It was my duty to protect Lord Cedric, since I hadn’t been able to kill him. And then. In the morning I’d leave. Grief stole my breath away even though I tried to shake it off. It was foolish to grieve for a man I’d known for such a little bit of time. The potential of a future with him drifted through my mind, but no. He was a lord and I was naught but a mere shield-maiden. But I did not know where I would go nor what I would do.
Dumbfounded, I tugged on my shirt and mail, tucked my pants into my boots into, and strapped the gauntlets onto my arms. I pulled my belt on and tucked my sword and knife into it but left my helmet on the table. I glanced at the table, knowing I’d need the food, but the thought of eating left my stomach feeling queasy. Leaving the breakfast untouched, I exited the room and made my way through the halls.
The castle was eerily quiet and gloomy. As were my thoughts. But I could not find Lord Cedric. The rose garden was empty, and Felix and Fauna grazed in the pasture while their foals frolicked around them. I watched them for a time before ambling aimlessly through the vineyards. Bees buzzed overhead and birds chirped as they flew back and forth, but Lord Cedric was nowhere. As I returned to the castle, I heard whispers.
Look. She’s still here.
Where did you think she’d go?
She looks forlorn to me.
Pining for the lord of the castle.
Twitters twirled through the air, and I spun, searching for the voices. My fingers curled into fists and then I lashed out. “I can hear you, you know!” I shouted to the wind. “I can hear your whispers and I don’t appreciate them. If you have something to say, then say it!”
There was silence and then:
Oh she’s angry now.
She said she could hear us, why are you still talking?
She’ll be in for a surprise tonight.
