Page 7 of Lord of the Castle
He angled his head toward mine, his eyes flickered to my lips. “There is much for you to learn about our customs, our ways, and the ways of the forest.”
The whispers I’d heard on my way to castle came back to me. A chill shook my body. “What about the forest?”
He rolled off of me and sat up, his broad back to me. I studied the lines of his back as I attempted to steady my racing heartbeat and cursed myself for being distracted.
Finally, he spoke. “The forest is evil.”
Chapter Five
Although the bedwas soft and warm—the most comfortable bed I’d slept in—my mind kept me awake, restless, turning back and forth. After Cedric’s ominous comment about the forest being evil, he refused to talk further and led me back to my room. Where he’d come inside and taken my sword. My insides quivered at the thought of being left without a blade—my protection from everything—and while the loss of my sword attributed to my lack of sleep, it was thoughts of Cedric himself who kept me awake.
I had to admit there was a connection between us. Memories of his weight pressing against me left me with a longing to rip off his shirt and run my fingers over the skin that lay beneath. I imagined it would be rippling with muscle and covered in scars. And his arms… What would it be like to be held by him? My lower body tingled with desire. Heat came to my face, even though there was no one to see. I tossed off the covers and turned on my side.
Those eyes, those vivid purple eyes had looked as though they’d like to possess me. Discover my thoughts, unravel my secrets, little by little, then devour me whole. I shivered because I wanted the same thing. But a shield-maiden and a lord would never mix.
When I finally slept, my dreams were punctured by blades, blood, and burned wood. I woke up, eyes heavy, both yearning for and dreading my next day in the castle. There was a tap at the door. Before I could decide what to do, it swung open and in bustled the round-faced Betty with a tray of food. My lips turned down. I’d forgotten to lock the door when I returned. How careless of me.
“Oh dear,” Betty fretted as she straightened the bedding even though I hadn’t gotten up yet. “You look as though you didn’t sleep a wink, I have just the thing. A spot of tea and a cake or two would wake up anyone.”
I frowned. I wasn’t a noble lady meant for her fussing. Forcing myself not to glare, I met her eyes. I’d never backed away from a fight, and I wanted to clear the air between Betty and myself as soon as possible.
“I know you poisoned me yesterday,” I challenged. “I am disinclined to try your tea and cakes again.”
She had the decency to flush. Her cheeks went pink, but to her credit, she held my gaze. “My apologies. We are rather protective of Lord Cedric, and I cannot keep myself from meddling when strangers come around. Especially since we’ve never had a woman here before. I wasn’t sure of your intentions.”
This time it was I who dropped her gaze, knowing I couldn’t lie. Another reason I could not be a noblewoman for they were experts at manipulation. A trick I should have learned from my mother, but honesty—instead of clever lies—dripped from my lips. “I came to kill him, if you must know.”
Her hand went to her heart, her face white.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed. “You must understand though, that I couldn’t, and I wouldn’t.” Quickly I told her the same thing I’d told Cedric last night, about becoming a warrior, how disappointing it had turned out to be, and my banishment to the castle.
She listened carefully, and when I was done, her shoulders relaxed. “So soon. You changed your mind so soon. Well then, that must be why Lord Cedric wants to see you in the garden this morning. Come, I’ve brought a fresh dress, and there are no herbs in your food. You must be starving after leaving your dinner.”
I glanced at the tray, and my stomach growled as the tantalizing aromas drifted from the plates. “It is true,” I admitted. Then I caught sight of a gown she’d placed a chair. “But I prefer my own garb.”
“Now, now,” Betty said, brushing my words away as though I hadn’t said them. “We haven’t had a woman in the castle for a long time… Humor me, will you? I’d like to spoil you while you’re here.”
“What about the maid?” I asked.
“Bah. Sasha is Lord Cedric’s cousin. She has a mind of her own and believes in her own natural beauty. She doesn’t want me fussing over her.”
My brow wrinkled, so she was a noblewoman, posing as a maid?
Uncovering the tray of food, I sat down to eat, practically inhaling the biscuits and sausage. There was fruit, berries and a cup of milk, more food for a meal than I’d seen in a long time. I ate with relish while Betty bustled about, straightening the room and chattering.
“She seemed upset with me,” I remarked.
“Sasha? Ah, she can be unfriendly. You see, she likes it when the men come. Gives her something to do, someone to flirt with other than old Julius. I keep telling her she doesn’t have to stay here, not forever at least. Spring is when she’ll leave, since none of the men in the village have caught her eye.”
“And what of the lord of the castle? He is not married?” I tried to feign indifference.
“Nay, he keeps to himself here and makes it difficult for others to see him as he truly is.” She paused and folded her hands. “There, I’ve said too much. If you’re all done now, I’ll help you dress and take you to him.”
* * *
The fall air was crisp as I walked out into the garden. All the same, it was a relief to breathe in fresh air, a floral scent twirling through my nostrils. My eyes widened as I took in the landscape. I stood on a paved path which led to a raised patio with two benches. In the center, a small water fountain flowed merrily, adding a lightness to the air. Rose bushes bloomed on either side of the walkway—red, white and yellow, although why flowers were blooming in fall was a mystery to me. The sight of them made me forget my surroundings and the mysterious castle. I reached out a hand to touch one perfect petal, and my worries drifted away.
“Ah, so you stayed.”
