Page 62 of Unrivaled
Bliksem’s steps picked up as he headed happily toward his stable, glad to be home, no doubt, where he’d be warm and well fed.I’d left my spare horse with Thomas and his family, travelling behind by cart.Every spare space had been full of blueberries, the others, with Thomas’ children.They were sweet, and—most importantly—alive.
But Thomas had told me to get back to the lady.To do my job.
So I was.
For perhaps the first time in my experience of La’Angi, I was happily hailed.Men called down from the gates, greeting me by name, asking for news.“Weather’s coming good just in time for you to get back,” one of them told me, conversationally, waving me on.Another said, “Wait until you see what she’s doing in the markets!Our lady, she’s like a bloodhound!”
I didn’t stop by the markets.The sun was setting, and it looked like watch worked the same now as they had a moon ago.That meant the inner walls wouldn’t have anyone on them, and getting through would be a hassle.
The bailey was quiet, but I was stopped on the way to the stables, refusing more than three offers to take care of Bliksem.
Now I was here, I didn’t know if I could make the walk to that tower.
In the stables, Storm came over and nudged at the gate of her stall, snuffling in our direction.Bliksem, ever a grumpy bastard, flicked his tail haughtily at her.“I’ll see you soon,” I promised her, wishing I’d had a chance to get her a carrot or apple on the way in.“You’re such a wonderful girl, aren’t you?”
She agreed with the toss of her head.My heart sat lighter in my chest, thinking of her lady telling her the exact same thing.
Bliksem settled in happily, king of the stables.I took my time getting him ready for bed, ignoring the shadows that grew deeper.On my way out, I stopped by Storm and gave her the firm rubs she so enjoyed under the chin, letting her check me out.I’d smell strange, no doubt.
When I could put it off no longer, I returned to the keep, saddle over my shoulder and heart in my throat.
She’d be fine, of course.She didn’t need me to defend her.
She didn’t need me.
When I knocked it took a long time before the door opened.Isolde looked at me, one hand holding the shawl together between her breasts, the other out of sight.
She could kill me.No one would ever know.
I suspected she considered it regularly.
“Where’s Thomas?”she asked me, still standing in the doorway.
“He’ll be a few days behind me.Travelling with a cart and fruit.”
“And his family?”
“All healthy and well.”
“She’ll be glad.”She stepped back, letting me in.Muscles I didn’t realize were locked tight relaxed as I stepped into the tower and dropped the bar over the door.
It felt like coming home.But home had never been a joyful place.
When I looked up, Isolde was gone.She’d report to Audrey, of course.
I wondered how my liege lady might’ve greeted me a few weeks ago before I’d had to push her away.I unpacked my bags while I tormented myself with those thoughts, the mixture of memory and fantasy a heady combination that left me aching and painfully aware of how cold my bed was.
It was dark when I felt a tug on the blanket, the rush of cold, then her body pressed against mine.From her lips my name fell, a plea, a prayer.I clung to her.She clung back.I made promises.Stupid promises.None of it really mattered, did it?She had me until my heart no longer beat.
Then a firm hand was shaking me awake, and she was there in real life as well as in my dream, standing over me.“Chay.”My cock throbbed agonizingly, but I resisted the urge to grab her and drag her down.She was fully dressed, her hair tied back.There was no softness or welcome in her expression.
“Are you awake?I need tutoring in the sword,” she said, stepping back.“I’ll see you in a few moments upstairs.”
And she was gone again.
I let out a long breath.She might as well have sent a spear through my guts.
I hadn’t trained her in the sword since…
