by Marie Hall
"So should we make haste to get all of you domesticated men back to the women who rule you?" Lucas asked, earning some heated looks.
"No, we will play this out. The women are capable, I'm sure, of seeing to matters at home," Xavier said, clearing his throat to try to bring back some seriousness. "We came here to train and to see others trained. And given…" he waved his hand over the map again, "this is the ability of the men I am leaving the kingdom we fought so hard for, I will make the sacrifices."
"So tonight, we will grab the two sentries," Luther stated, bringing them all back to what they'd been planning before the conversation shifted. "And you are sure you want us to be obvious?"
"More than obvious. I want them to know you are coming. See what it might take to make them bolt." Xavier would start testing Deux Saunds' men against some of the more frightening things, warfare included.
"These boys, it will not take a mouse, they are so skittish," Cutler grumbled.
"They have come of age in more peaceful times. They cannot understand why they are to train if they will not ever fight." Xavier stepped to the tent opening and took a moment to survey the encampment, listening. "No one tells them it is not only for defense of the whole nation but, also, for the defense of home." He listened more closely, stepping further outside. "Rider coming in," he yelled, causing all in the camp to scramble to defensive positions. A moment later, a single rider wearing a green cloak rode in, and with an audible sigh, everyone went back to what they'd been doing before the warning.
"My lord," Roth said, dismounting but staying cautious as he pushed his way into the tent.
Xavier found a knot forming in his gut at the appearance of one of Io's personal guards. He'd arranged for one messenger per day be allowed to travel unmolested. He'd said it was because he was still seeking out any traitors in the house who might be a danger, and while it was less than truth, he wanted to be able to learn if there was trouble before it became a problem. So far, only two messages had come. One asking how to deal with a momentary rebellion on the part of Io who wanted to go to one of the villages rather than delegate the work to another, and one coming to complain she was refusing to take riding lessons that included jumping. Those were easy enough to settle, but they hadn't been delivered by any of the many men who were serving Io directly as Roth did.
Xavier stepped into the tent, and judging by the looks on the faces of the men, he wasn't the only one concerned with the appearance of Roth in the camp.
"What happened?" Lucas snapped before Xavier could.
"Calm down, man," Roth said, pulling the distinguishing green cloak from his body. "The matter is not serious yet and might be nothing, but—"
"What has happened to Io?" Xavier growled.
"My lord, nothing. Lady Io is… well."
"You hesitated. Why did you hesitate?" Cutler asked, coming at the man.
"Listen," Roth said, holding up his hands to ward off the advancing crowd. "I swear she is well. And I am not sure the matter is more than Io being Io. I even think we have the solution, but Gunther wanted to send you a warning before we acted, in case you finish here and come home to find the house locked up." Xavier sighed deeply then gave the man a nod to encourage him to continue. "For two days now, Io has been… restless, nervous. She keeps going to the battlements and will not come down the whole day and even late into the night." He held up his hand, perhaps to try to ease Xavier's rising annoyance which came out on a hard groan. "It hardly matters; when she is inside, she stands on the balcony and watches out. We all thought it was you she was looking for, but then yesterday, Ann told us she is nervous about some upcoming event? An anniversary?" He looked at Xavier directly, and Xavier searched his mind. "Ann seems to think Io thinks someone is coming for her? She said that is what Io was saying in her sleep." The man sounded doubtful.
"Anniversary?" Lucas echoed thoughtfully. "Anniversary? Could she be thinking Charlotte is coming back. It was right about this time she came last year."
Xavier's groan was loud and full of frustration. He needed to start writing these things down so he didn't forget them; unlike his wife, he didn't have a perfect memory. "Yes, it will be the anniversary of when Charlotte came, but that is not the thing Io is worried about."
"Do you plan to enlighten the rest of us?" Cutler asked, trying to work the felt crown motif on the front of his tunic free. "And if we are going to have to ride halfway across the country again, perhaps we should end this and—"
Xavier set his hand on the man's shoulder to stop him from packing up and heading back. Cutler was part of Io's guard as well. His priority was always to protect her, even if it meant standing against Xavier.
"No, there will not be any chasing, but when I do get home, I am going to have to find a way to make Io be more direct about things," Xavier said, recalling the argument they'd had once he explained the game wasn't a day long thing and would take several weeks. She panicked, demanded he call it off. She said she needed him to be home to make sure. But she couldn't, or wouldn't, articulate what he needed to make sure of. Her frustration lasted several days as they all made ready to move out to camp and then seemed to just dissipate.
"My lord?" Roth called him from his musings.
"The day Charlotte showed up was also the day we first met," Xavier told them, a smile pulling his lips up. What a horrible little scold he'd taken from that cesspool that day two years ago. Two years. Two?
"Xavier?" Roth called again, his frustration showing.
"Last year." Again, he had to pause and take in the time they'd been together. For as short as it was, he couldn't remember a time she wasn't with him.
"I am going to strangle you," Lucas threatened.
"Last year," Xavier started again with a laugh, "Io was afraid someone would come and take her away because she still struggled to run a house and she'd never stayed so long with one person. She was certain someone was coming to take her to a new house." It was a little concerning she might still harbor such fears, but then again...
"Well, Charlotte did manage to run her off, and Neville…" Cutler said.
"I suppose then, Gunther's plan for tomorrow is the soundest to set in place," Roth said
"What is that, exactly?" Xavier asked. He trusted Gunther fully with Io's care. He was one of the first men from the house to form a relationship with her.
"He told Io the gates could be closed the full of the day; no one would go in or out, and he could put a guard at her side within the walls," Roth explained, fingering the cloak. "But perhaps, if it to be the second anniversary of when you became the most fortunate man who ever lived," he held out the ugly green covering, "you should return to the house and make sure she feels…safe."
Xavier jerked back and hoped his expression conveyed his complete dismay at the suggestion. He must have failed, because the men around him burst out laughing like it was the best thing they'd heard in a long time. "No," he said emphatically. "No. I have a responsibility to finish this and—"
"It is one day," Luther said, taking the cloak from Roth and forcing it into Xavier hands. "Go back in Roth's place; stay through tomorrow." He stopped and gave his head a little tilt. "Tomorrow night, come back after, and Roth can go back. We do not need you to supervise the rousting of a few infant age soldiers."
"I am no man to be directed by my prick," Xavier snapped.
"Then do not be; be directed by your heart," Roth said rather solemnly. "Your lady might be in no danger, but if she needs to have that confirmed, no one can, except you."
The temptation was great, but what kind of example did that set for these men? "No," he said firmly and held out the cloak that granted free and safe travels to the wearer. "No, my responsibility lies here. Go back and tell Io I said I will take her on that picnic as soon as this is done. She will know what I mean."
"No, you go back and tell her." Luther pushed the cloak back into his hands. "No one here is going to think you irresponsible, delinquent in your duties, or a poor leade
r over this."
"You set no better example for any of us to want to follow than the one you set as lord and husband to that woman," Lucas said, taking hold of Xavier's shoulder and squeezing. "Woe that more men do not show how valuable a good woman can be, how great an asset a wife who, when shown devotion, gives it fully in return. Go back to her, Xavier; it is but for a short period."
"No one will miss you," Cutler blurted out, causing Xavier to frown at him sharply. "I mean..."
"Xavier, go. Start replacing Io's old, frightening memories with new, happier ones," Roth added, giving Cutler a shove to keep the man from saying anything else.
"It is tempting, but…" Xavier said, the pull and pounding in his chest to go back painful.
"Xavier, give in to it. Not for yourself but for Io. She needs you to prove what you could not prove last year. That no one is going to take her from you," Roth pushed.
With a growl, Xavier whipped the cloak around his shoulders and pulled up the hood. "You are sure you can move on Deux Saunds?" Xavier asked, unfastening his sword and setting it on the table. All heads nodded. "You will have to pick a target if I am still gone tomorrow night as well." Again, heads were nodding. "And there will be no way to get word to me if something happens with forfeiting for this deception."
"Xavier. Go," Lucas demanded and shoved Xavier out the tent.
"Don't forget to take my horse back," Roth warned, and with a wave of his hand, Xavier mounted and was digging in his heels before common sense had him realizing this wasn't the actions of a warrior, of a knight in service to the crown or a leader with men who followed his example in all things. It was only the actions of a man who loved his wife far more than he loved anything else in life, including his reputation, as all the other things he was to so many others.
He rode through the gates and caught sight of Io standing on the balcony off their chambers. Even from this distance, he could see her pensiveness.
"Ah, he was able to talk you into it," Gunther said, stepping up beside him.
"Was that the plan all along?" Xavier asked, annoyance washing over him.
"No, it was what Mistress Ann asked him to do. We told her it might not be possible. I guess Ann has more ability to make that man accomplish the impossible than we knew. I wasn't sure locking the house down would make my lady feel safe. It is like she thinks she might be spirited away."
"Lock the house down, anyway," Xavier told the man, relieved he'd not been manipulated into going against his principles. Or perhaps he was, but it wasn't done solely to show him as weak but in true concern for Io. "Yes, lock down the house and then send a few of Io's ladies to me in the barracks.
"The barracks?" Gather nearly tripped as he walked beside Xavier.
"Yes, I have a most wondrous plan, but I will need some aid in its fulfillment." As he said that, the plan became more clear, and even the rain that started pouring near dawn couldn't stop him from changing one bad memory into one almost perfect one for his wife.
Chapter 10
The sound of rain woke Io from a restless sleep. The dark gloom and cold chill the weather brought dampened her spirits but at least gave her hope no one would travel to this house and try to remove her before Xavier returned and told them to go away.
Rolling to her back, she turned her head to look at the empty side of the big bed. Xavier was gone, but he'd come back. He'd come back, and he'd keep her as his wife. Even if she wasn't a lady. He'd keep her, even if she couldn't help advance him among his peers. He'd keep her, as long as no one forced him to give her over. The rumble of thunder made her shudder, and she considered staying the day in bed, but noises from the other side of the door caught her attention. It could be Thomas setting up breakfast, but more noise told her it wasn't, or it wasn't only that. With a sigh, she tossed off the covers and grabbed her robe from the floor, wrapping up in it before heading to the doors.
"You are being extra loud this morn…" The words died on her lips as her eyes swept the room, now set up very much like a garden but for the roaring fire and pile of furs. All those things faded away, though, when she lifted her eyes. "Xavier," his name took all her breath to say. And though she blinked several times, he didn't vanish from sight. "Xavier?"
"Good morning, my love." His smile sent a warm rush through her.
"What are you doing? I didn't… Are you done? I don't understand. I…" she stammered and felt her knees weaken as he came toward her.
"I remembered I still owed you a picnic and a celebration of our first encounter. The rain, well, this will have to do until I can sneak you out behind the wall in the orchard." His hands slid under her robe and around her waist.
"A picnic?"
"Is that not how you asked to celebrate the day I took you from Drahmoore, now two full years ago." His hands smoothed around her arse and pulled her hips against his. "A picnic to celebrate the very best day of my life."
Io's giggle became a soft moan as he pulled her even closer. "My lord, you did not even like me that day. How might it have been the best day of your life?" She shifted, hoping his hands might find a different place to settle.
"Like you?" Xavier scoffed then, taking a firm hold, lifted her from the floor and carried her to the pile of furs he'd laid on the floor before the fire. "You are correct. I did not like the vulgar, brash and unseemly little scold placed in my care. I loved her." He let her body slide down his then lowered his head until their lips brushed. "The very moment I set eyes on her, on you," he said against her lips. "I loved you."
Io wrapped her arms around his neck, letting the soft kiss steal her breath and make her head light. She didn't know he'd worked them down into the furs until his weight settled over her. It was brief as he quickly slid to the side and pushed her robe completely open. The feel of his calloused fingers and palm moving up from her hip along her ribs made her skin prickle, though the touch was warm.
His thumb brushed across her breast, making the nipple stiffen and strain, but he didn't linger. His hand began the trek back down, this time over the span of her stomach. The prickles melted away as her muscles clenched so she could lift into his touch as it continued down. The anticipation was almost too much and she knew as soon as his fingers arrived at their destination, she'd shatter with pleasure. Her breath caught, her hips lifted, and she bit down on her lip.
None of it was enough to stop her from crying out and jerking upright when a booming thunderclap fell over the house. The moment was completely lost and the disappointment overwhelming enough to cause a sob to slip. How she hated being frightened, still, of these things.
"Io," Xavier called softly, his arm going around her shoulders and easing her back down, but this time he forced her against him. "Io, settle." Until a second arm wrapped around her and she was pressed hard against Xavier's solid body, she'd not known how much she shook. "You are safe here," he whispered against the crown of her head.
She sniffed, nodded, and tried to sound believing when she replied, "I know." She could only guess she failed because Xavier squeezed her harder.
"Io, tell me what happened that created this fear of storms?"
Io pulled back to look at him. He'd not asked her any questions directly related to what she experienced after she'd fled the house for fear of her life being taken. They'd spoken but always it was only when she'd brought something up.
"Io?"
She shook her head, but with a sigh, she started. "I was well gone from here and the rains came. The storms were not so bad but for one, and that one—the wind and rain, thunder, lightening. I needed shelter that night. There was nothing around but a large hollowed tree next to the river. It was well enough, a crack along the side let me look out while I waited there. But the storm got so much worse. I am not sure exactly, but there was a roar and a bright flash and the ground shook." She pushed against him, wanting to feel him there. "I was in the river and the log was against the rocks. I did not know what was the sound of water and what was thunder, but I thought I'd be drowne
d, I thought…"
"All right, Io, settle. You are safe now." Over the sound of the rain, Io heard the horns sounding, and a shudder raced along her spine. "They are announcing the house is shut to everyone."
"But you are here," Io said, working her hands up between them so she could hold onto his shirt.
"I am here, for the day," he said, smiling down at her when she leaned back to look at him, "and the night. And I do not want either stolen from us." He kissed her then laughed and took hold of the hand that had wandered down to his cock. He pulled it up and pressed it against his lips. "Io, it is impossible to deny my desire for you, and while my memory is not as good as yours, I do remember that we were to spend the day having a picnic and enjoying each other in… less basic ways." His knuckles brushed her cheek. "You are more to me than a warm body."
He could have said so many things to her at the moment, but hearing he didn't come back only to enjoy a bit of bed sport caused her heart to beat a little faster. "How might you like to start then, my lord?" Io asked, rolling to her back to tempt him back to touching her body.
"I will start," he said, rolling completely over her but holding himself up on his forearms, "by telling you. No one is coming for you, no one will take you from me, no one will come between us and no one…" His expression was hard and serious. "No one, will ever be what I want and need more than I want and need you."
"I am no lady," Io told him.
"What need have I for a lady when I have a goddess?" was his assured reply.
"I am a scold," she went on.
"Vulgar, brash and unseemly," he teased, kissing the tip of her nose. "Exactly as I like my scold."
"Xavier," Io called, drawing his eyes back to hers. When she held them, she set her hand to his cheek, smiled softly and put everything she felt into the words. "Thank you."
