by Mlyn Hurn
“Why the devil she had to name the little beasts, I’ll never know!” Uther spoke from the other end of the table.
Syranna paused to answer Uther, which was a mistake. “Uther, dearest, every creature deserves something personal and uniquely theirs alone. They deserve to be individuals.”
Uther said a rude word under his breath and then added, “Maybe, but that little bugger didn’t have to—”
His objection was interrupted as Syranna shouted to everyone. “Look out!”
William jumped up and away, actually pulling his sword from its scabbard. And old Uther…well, Marcus was amazed at how fast the wizened old geezer moved out of his chair and away from the table. Marcus was the closest to the danger. Suddenly Syranna’s foot shot out and hit him hard in the chest. A moment later, since he had already started scooting his chair backwards, he was flying head over heels, chair and all. As he went flipping back, from the corner of his eye he saw what was at least a one or two foot-long stream of fire shooting across the table.
“What the hell!” William shouted from across the wooden slab.
Marcus was already coming to his feet, thanks to his battle-quickened reflexes. His foremost thought was Syranna’s safety, which surprised him. He immediately looked at Syranna and saw that she was cuddling the littlest dragon, AnnaBelle. It was obviously shivering, although he had no idea why. A moment later, as if he could read his thoughts, William spoke.
“What happened?”
Marcus shrugged, looking from William to Syranna. “Did you kick me?”
Syranna flushed and cuddled the dragonet closer. “You were in the way. If I had not, sir, you would most likely have been burnt!”
Marcus looked from Syranna to the two dragons still on the table, now eating quite happily. “Good Lord, woman! Are you telling me that you keep fire-breathing dragons as pets? Are you insane?”
Marcus watched as Syranna narrowed her eyes as she returned his own deliberately intent, interrogative stare. “No, I am perfectly sane. It is you, sir—” She stopped abruptly as AnnaBelle burped and a little puff of smoke rose into the air. Syranna quickly put the dragon down in front of the water bowl. Eagerly, AnnaBelle began slurping the water while her brothers feasted on tiny pieces of the same food Marcus and William had already been served.
Before he could question the possible insult there, Uther returned to the table and started eating. He paused long enough to voice his opinion. “When the Mistress says ‘look out’, Lord Marcus, then you had best get out of the way. How do you think I lost the other two feet of my beard? Now I have to go around with this ridiculously indecent length of facial hair. Why, I am the laughingstock in my wizards’ circle! Any decent wizard always has at least four feet…it isn’t fair…” his words faded as he shoveled in more food.
Marcus gestured for William to be seated as he righted his own chair. Once seated, he turned to look at Syranna, who was taking time to pet each dragon equally. “I am sure I will regret this, but what are the other two named?”
There was no mistaking the embarrassed flush on her cheeks this time. “I doubt that you are seriously interested.”
Uther interrupted Syranna in between bites of food. “Fitzwalter, and the big one is Marcus.”
William laughed out loud, spewing wine from his mouth. Marcus’ glare could not quell his laugh, either. Marcus saw the gleam of amusement in his friend’s eyes, revealing his surety that this would make a good story to tell Stancia, and most probably several of the friends they had made while fighting.
Syranna spoke quickly. “Do not read more into this than a simple name.” She stopped as Fitz and AnnaBelle crawled back into her lap. Quickly she fitted their mouthpieces. Looking up she found Marcus’ eyes trained on her.
Marcus grinned at the beautiful woman. “It appears ‘Marcus’ has a lusty appetite!”
Syranna glared at him while she picked the last dragon up and replaced his mouthpiece. “Well, if you are finished eating, Lord Marcus, then I suggest you be on your way. It is a long ride back—”
Marcus grabbed her forearm as her feet hit the floor. “I’m not going anywhere until you and I speak in private.”
“Very well.” Syranna looked at Uther. “Uther, will you please take the babies for their walk?”
“Eeuuw…can’t they wait until you are done? The last time I took them they singed the bottom of my best robe and I had to explain to cook how her prized carrots got a little toasty.”
Syranna looked away from Marcus, but not before he saw the smile curling her lips. “Then I guess that means you get to walk with me, Lord Marcus.” She made a different trilling noise this time and started walking toward the door he had entered through a short time earlier.
“No, William” he replied as the other man went to stand. “You can stay here with Uther.” Marcus turned and quickly followed Syranna, joining her entourage, which he hated to admit resembled a mother duck and her ducklings.
Marcus caught up with Syranna as she entered the garden to the side of the castle. It held little resemblance to the well-cared for lawns and gardens surrounding his palace. Plants and flowers grew wild in every direction. What was at one time a stone path was now mostly grass and weeds, nearly obliterating the stones entirely. Walking quickly, he soon saw that Syranna was seated on a stone bench. As he came close, he heard splashing noises.
“Good Lord! What next?” Marcus exclaimed as he watched the three little mischief-makers splashing and playing in a stone pond.
Syranna turned from watching her dragonets’ antics to the tall, fierce warrior. “Why did you come here?”
Marcus turned to look at Syranna. “I’m surprised that you ask, madam. It’s been more than a month, and I assumed there might be consequences from our night together.”
The bright flush that suddenly stained Syranna’s cheeks didn’t strike him as embarrassment, especially when she turned away from his gaze quickly. He watched as Syranna jumped to her feet and walked toward the water. When she spoke, it was not at all what he had been expecting to hear.
“I owe you an apology, sir. I hope that you can forgive my transgression. If there had been any other way…believe me, I would have taken it.”
Marcus walked across the overgrown weeds and grass to stand beside Syranna. He noticed how pale her skin looked in the sunlight and how her black hair shimmered. “Of course, I forgive you. We are going to be married, after all.”
Syranna turned her head to look at him and Marcus was stunned to see the tears welling up in her blue eyes. “I doubt that you will want to marry me, once you learn of my treachery.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Syranna. What could you possibly have done that would require my forgiveness, let alone make me change my mind about marrying you?” Marcus reached out and turned Syranna’s body to face him fully. Jokingly, he asked, “Is there another man? Don’t tell me it’s old Uther. No one would believe that!”
“Ha!” she replied with a self-deprecating laugh. “Dalliance with a man pales to the great disservice I’ve done you, my lord!”
Marcus reacted instinctively and reached out to pull Syranna close, to comfort her. Syranna, though, unfortunately stepped back and her foot slipped on the wet grass. After that, it was just bad timing. Syranna screeched as she slipped, which alarmed the dragonets. Seeing three dragons in flight might be all right in most cases, but Marcus also saw three spouts of flame shooting in different directions. His reactions were split-second. He shoved Syranna sideways, toward the grass. His strength and momentum of movement, coupled with trying to avoid the flame spouts, caused his own footing to slip.
The following splash was large enough to douse the three stunned dragonets and their mistress. Syranna’s scream was so loud that Marcus would not have been surprised to see the dead rising from their graves. Cursing loudly, and quite fluidly, Marcus sat in the pond, dripping wet.
Syranna turned around and saw the mighty warrior sitting in about a foot or so of water. His knees w
ere bent and his arms had come forward to rest atop his knees. His hair hung in wet short strands onto his forehead and across the tops of his ears. She couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up inside of her. It didn’t help that Marcus shot her a glare that probably quelled his strongest soldiers. Her laughter kept coming and was soon joined by Sir William’s, who had responded to the scream.
William obviously was trying not to laugh. But it was impossible because now not only was Marcus wet, he had AnnaBelle perched on his head, while her two siblings settled on one arm and the opposite knee. Their purring and trilling noises were quite loud as they settled rather happily on the new “pond perch.”
“I guess this means she turned your proposal down?” William finally got out amid laughs.
Syranna watched as Marcus glared at William through the drips still making their way down his face. AnnaBelle flapping her wings obviously didn’t help improve the situation. Quickly, Syranna made a particular calling sound and AnnaBelle then left her wet perch and flew to Syranna’s shoulder.
“What proposal?” Syranna finally asked, barely able to speak from trying to hold back the laughter.
William stepped to the pond’s edge and extended his hand to Marcus. Syranna watched as the noble, proud knight accepted the helping hand and stepped from the pond. Fitz and his brother flew to the far side of the small lagoon.
“Marriage, of course!” Marcus told her abruptly.
“That’s what I was trying to tell you! There is no need to marry anyone! You didn’t rape me!”
“I know I didn’t rape you. I made love to you, and I told you I was going to marry you, damn it!” Marcus yelled right back at Syranna.
William looked from one to the other. “It doesn’t really matter what happened, princess, because you still have to marry him.” He shrugged his shoulders as if that settled everything.
Syranna glared from one man to the other. “Listen to me, damn it all! We didn’t have sex of any kind! So there is no chance that I am pregnant!”
Marcus was already shaking his head. “Don’t be daft, woman. I know when I’ve made love to a woman.” Marcus looked at William. “Damn! This is getting to be ridiculous! Now tell me what I have to supposedly forgive you for?”
Syranna came to her feet slowly, glaring at the man demanding an answer. It was obvious to Syranna that Marcus was beginning to lose what little of his patience remained. “We didn’t have sexual intercourse because I stopped you!”
Marcus shook his head. For a moment he paused and easily recalled the memory of his time in Syranna’s bed and how sweet and hot making love to her had been. Suddenly, he turned back to Syranna, meeting her gaze. Something didn’t feel right about this memory. It was like his memory was a picture of the “event” and not filled with the usual recollections of smells, tastes, sounds and emotions.
“What did you do?” Marcus asked Syranna softly. Instinctively, he was beginning to perceive the discrepancies.
“I did apologize, remember. I am truly sorry—”
“Damn it all, woman! Just tell me!”
Syranna looked away from Marcus’ accusing glare. “I made you think that you had accomplished your deed, but instead you fell unconscious. It wasn’t long, only minutes at the most.”
Marcus had known all along something had not felt quite right. He had assumed it was guilt over forcing Syranna. He opened his mouth to answer, when a high-pitched squeal sounded first. Turning, Marcus saw old Uther pointing at Syranna.
“I knew it! All along, I knew it. Mathayrus told me I was imagining things, but I knew it.” The old man stopped his gleeful dance and pointed a gnarled finger at Syranna. “You’re a mind-bender!” Uther accused with a laugh, and danced another little jig in delight, nearly clicking his heels together in what appeared to be delight.
“A mind-bender? What the hell is that?” William asked the question before Marcus could as they both looked at the old man.
Marcus reached out and grabbed Syranna’s arm. “You controlled my mind? You put thoughts in my head?”
Syranna frowned, and Marcus could see that acceptance of knowing she couldn’t lie any longer on her face. Uther spoke first, though, interrupting whatever the others had been going to say. “This is wonderful, Syranna! You can become the Grand Mistress of Mystonia! Why did your grandfather keep it a secret? This is the most wonderful news possible. We’ll need to keep it quiet until the tournament, of course.”
Marcus wasn’t completely sure what was going on at this point. He did know that he felt violated somewhat. Yet part of him was glad to know that he had not taken her in the heat of the moment. This would make the first joining that much sweeter. The mind tricks were something they’d need to discuss, of course. The pressing matter was the old man’s obvious overwhelming delight at the news. It was clear that Syranna had practiced her gift as a child—which in his opinion seemed perfectly natural. What curious child would not feel a need to explore their God-given talents?
Syranna glanced at old Uther. This sure wasn’t working out as she had planned. “Uther, we can’t tell anyone about this. Grandfather told me it wouldn’t be safe if anyone discovered that I could do this.”
“Unsafe?” Marcus tugged on Syranna’s arm. “What do you mean by unsafe, Syranna? Is someone threatening you?”
William was shaking his head in confusion. “Mind-bender? Such things aren’t possible!”
Uther shook his head, still laughing and smiling. “Once a millennia there is one mind-bender born within Mystonia. Theaenaff’s family have been the grand wizards here for generations because there has never been anyone who could do battle with them. But Syranna is obviously potent and strong enough to overcome Theaenaff’s powers.”
Marcus turned to glare at Uther. “Syranna will not be doing any of these things, old man. She is the legal heir on Vikalla and will become my wife.”
Uther just cackled at the bold man’s words. “You are blind! Becoming grand wizard is more important than anything on Vikalla!”
Chapter Six
Syranna saw the shock and anger on Marcus and William’s faces at old Uther’s words. She knew that she needed to separate them as quickly as possible. In spite of knowing it was wrong she looked at Uther, directing his thoughts easily. A moment later the old wizard was smiling kindly and offering to help.
“Well, I’ll take care of our little pets, Syranna. You take his lordship inside and get him dry.” Uther made the trilling noise, calling the dragonets to him.
Syranna spoke up quickly. “We should go in and let you dry off, Sir Marcus. Come along,” she said, and then added belatedly, “Please.”
Marcus and William followed Syranna back inside. She planned on letting him dry off in front of the fire, but Marcus spoke up as they entered the hall. “I’d like to change clothes, if it isn’t too much trouble.”
“I don’t have any guest rooms made up.”
Marcus smiled. “A good hostess would offer her visitor the use of her rooms. I could make do with your room, and that will give your maids time to prepare rooms for tonight.”
Syranna couldn’t think of a single reason why he shouldn’t use her room, so she ended up nodding her head in agreement. “Follow me,” she told him softly.
Marcus grinned and looked at William. “Find my satchel and have it sent up, William. Thanks.” Ignoring William’s grin, he turned and jogged to catch up with his reluctant hostess.
* * * * *
Syranna opened the door to her bedroom a few minutes later. Marcus walked in behind her, taking in the beautifully decorated room. It was obvious that the impoverished appearance seen elsewhere in the castle did not exist in this room. Marcus smiled as he looked around before Syranna turned to face him.
“The bath?” he prodded her softly.
Syranna nodded her head and gestured with her hand. “Over there, sir.”
Marcus bowed his head slightly. “Lead the way, milady.”
As Syranna walked across the room
, Marcus began shedding his wet clothes. In the bathroom, Syranna turned and gasped in surprise. “Oh my God!”
Marcus grinned. “I’ll take that as a compliment. If you wouldn’t mind starting the water, I know that these older castles have interesting plumbing systems.”
He watched as Syranna deliberately didn’t look in his direction while she turned on the water. Once the water was filling the old-fashioned tub, Syranna quickly started for the door. Marcus caught her forearm and held her tightly.
“Stay, Syranna. We have a lot of matters to discuss. Perhaps you would like to join me in the bath? I assumed the customs of politeness are still practiced here.” He lifted his free hand to stroke it down the side of her face. He stopped as he heard William’s voice in the bedroom.
“The satchel is on the bed. I’m going to find that old coot and try and figure out what the hell he was talking about.”
As the bedroom door closed, Marcus grinned. “Alone, at last. It’s not too late…”
Syranna looked up at him quickly. “Too late for what?”
Marcus still held her arm as he moved closer to the tub. He stepped into the rising water. “This feels good.” He sank down into the water, his grip pulling Syranna closer until she was leaning over the tub. Her soft gown gaped away from her chest and allowed Marcus a tempting view of ripe round breasts. He tightened his grip on her arm until she looked into his eyes.
“Did you just force Uther’s offer to take care of the pets?” He saw the truth as she glanced away from him guiltily. Since he had earlier seen the old man’s aversion to the dragons, his offer had seemed rather unusual. He pulled on Syranna’s arm until she knelt beside the tub. “I still have a hard time believing that you controlled me that easily.”
Syranna lifted her eyes to his. “People of strength always think that physical power is the most effective weapon against an enemy. I’d never done anything like that before.”
“Hmm. By the way, I’m still waiting for you to perform your duties as a good hostess.”
