The sight of the long metal blade as his sword was released from the scabbard at the knight’s side made Jade cringe in fear, not that she allowed such an emotion to cross her face. She refused to give this jerk the satisfaction of seeing she was scared. Her eyes darted back and forth as she watched the blade until it struck the iron from her now-numb fingers.
“Did you really think you could escape me so easily?” he taunted, coming toward her in a determined stride.
She began tossing items near her reach, anything to stop him from getting closer to her. A candlestick holder, a chalice, the pitcher of wine that shattered on the wall behind him when the damn villain ducked. Her supply was running out as she looked about for something else to throw at his head. His laughter rang out, and Jade realized her feeble attempts to thwart whatever objective he had in mind were of no use.
The only place she could run to escape him was the door. He knew her thoughts the moment they crossed her mind even though she still dodged around him in an effort to gain her freedom. He grabbed ahold of her hair, giving it a mighty yank and forcing a scream from her lips.
The sound echoed in the room, and Jade hoped that others would be able to hear her through the protective stones of her chamber.
“Let me go, Gaillard,” she yelled, only to find herself being hurled face first against the door with a loud thump that left her dazed.
Gaillard wasted no time pushing her aside to take hold of the door latch. With her knees threatening to buckle beneath her wavering feet, he grabbed ahold of her waist in a tight squeeze. The sound of the door slamming into the wall when it opened ricocheted in her head as he dragged her down the passageway.
“I would have wed you to secure your fortune, but you left me with no choice.”
“What fortune?” she hissed, while clawing at his arm. It was encased in chain mail and did little harm to him.
He gave an amused chuckle. “You cannot tell me, fair lady, that you have no monies to fill my coffers if you are the ward of the Devil’s Dragon. Since he would not give his permission to wed, I shall demand a ransom for your return instead.”
“Where the hell are you taking me? You can’t just take someone against her will,” she bellowed, while furiously thinking of some way to get away from this madman.
“’Tis not of import where I take you but more so that Dristan of Berwyck pays to keep you in the same condition as when you left.” He laughed, coming to stand in front of a solid wall of stone. “Now where is it?” he said more or less to himself as his fingers began searching the rocks.
Jade heard a soft click, and the whole wall of stones swung inward on well-oiled hinges. She would have been impressed with the engineering, especially for medieval times, if it weren’t for the fact this crazy ass person was grabbing a torch with one hand and pulling her into a darkened passageway with the other.
“Thomas,” she screamed, even as the hidden doorway closed promptly behind her, cutting off her voice.
Her imagination ran wild as they began their descent down a rough stone stairway. Her fear of the black gloom surrounding them almost had her paralyzed and worried the torch would go out. They would be plunged into complete darkness, much like a coffin, and Jade wondered if following Gaillard for now might be in her best interest until she could think of another way to escape. No one would be able to locate her if the narrow walls caved in on her.
The cavern smelled of musty, wet dirt, reminding Jade of a basement after it had flooded. Still, they continued downward until she thought they had traversed the entire cliff Berwyck sat upon, which was probably not far from the truth. She began to hear the distant sound of the ocean’s roar. Trembling, she could only wonder how Thomas would ever find her if Gaillard reached the beach, allowing him to escape.
She whispered a heartfelt prayer, knowing Thomas was her only hope of survival. Galliard was unrelenting in his pace, all the while grumbling about the injustice of his life. Jade remained silent, not wishing to further irritate the man. Still, the path spiraled downward. As his pace quickened at an alarming speed, she was thankful she was able to remain on her feet while her attacker all but dragged her into what she prayed wouldn’t be her grave.
Chapter 13
Thomas had just reached the door to the keep when he heard his name being torn from Jade’s lips from somewhere up above. His eyes traveled upward at the towering fortress. He reached for the latch ’til Kenna’s voice came yelling at him from behind.
“Thomas,” she called. “Get tae yer horse!”
“I must needs find Jade and go to her aid,” he retorted, opening the door.
“Nay! Get tae yer horse, ye fool, afore ’tis tae late,” she warned him whilst Dristan came upon them with his sword drawn. “My laird, ye must needs take Thomas tae the entrance of the hidden passageway upon the beach.”
Dristan sputtered a curse. “Lady Jade knows nothing of such an escape route—”
Kenna’s eyes were filled with worry when she finished his sentence. “—but Gaillard does.”
“Bloody hell,” Thomas replied, whilst his mind thought of what he would do to Gaillard if he but harmed one hair on Jade’s head.
Dristan pulled at Thomas’s arm. “Let us make haste!”
Thomas raced closely behind as they ran back toward the stables. Luckily, the stable lads had not yet had time to unsaddle their steeds, except for Geoffrey’s. Grabbing the reins of their horses, they vaulted into their saddles whilst Dristan called out for others to follow. Geoffrey did not bother with a saddle but instead, swung up onto his horse and kicked the animal into motion.
The three knights galloped out of the barbican gateway. Onward they went, over the drawbridge, through the field separating the castle from the village, and down into the woods afore making their way onto the beach.
Clumps of sand and remaining snow flew behind Thomas whilst he drove his horse on to reach Jade. Memories assaulted his mind of times Amiria used the hidden passageway reserved for Berwyck’s family to make her way to the beach. Her mother had told Thomas of such an escape route, and he had been honored she considered him such a part of her family that she would entrust him with its location. He had not thought anyone outside of the MacLaren’s or Dristan’s personal guardsmen knew of what he thought was a well-kept secret.
His heart leapt into his throat when his gaze went to the cliff, and he saw Gaillard and Jade appear through the foliage which kept the entrance hidden from view. Jade began screaming, and she made an attempt to dig her feet in the sand, but she was no match for the stronger knight, who continued to pull her toward his waiting horse.
The sound of their horses’ thundering hooves drew Gaillard’s attention to the rescue party as they neared. He gave Jade a mighty shove and drew his sword, even whilst Thomas leapt from his horse to advance.
“You worthless cur! I will gladly see to your early demise for daring to take that which I hold dear!” Thomas declared, pulling out his own blade.
Gaillard spat upon the ground. “Not if I kill you first!”
The two men began to circle around one another even whilst Dristan and Geoffrey dismounted and went to Jade’s side. Dristan helped her to her feet, and the trio moved a distance away, giving Thomas free rein to dispatch the knight afore him.
Swords clashed over and over again, and still, Thomas gave no quarter. He had not trained with the Devil’s Dragon all these years to easily lose at hand-to-hand combat, especially with someone who but recently joined the garrison. Nay, he would fight to the death if need be to keep Jade safe. Thomas thrust forward again and smirked in triumph when Gaillard’s sword flew from his hand
But Thomas was not done with him yet. Nay! He stepped forward and the bones of Gaillard’s nose crunched beneath Thomas’s fist. He continued his assault until the knight fell to his knees. Yanking at the Gaillard’s surcoat, Thomas raised his fist to finish him off, but the downward plunge was halted when he heard Jade calling out his name.
“Thomas,”
she yelled with tears running down her cheeks. “Please do not kill him because of me! He’s not worth it.”
There could be no mistaking this woman’s tender heart, and she would have much to learn if she were to stay in this time.
“You are lucky my lady is merciful and spares your life,” he sneered. “I would have liked nothing better than to send you back to hell where you belong.”
He gave Gaillard a mighty shove, watched the knight fall backward into the sand, and then made his way towards his lady.
Jade detached herself from Dristan and ran into his open arms. He brushed the tears from her face afore leaning down and placing his forehead upon her own.
“You gave me such a fright, my lady,” he murmured, feeling her arms wind around his waist. “I swear I plan to never let you out of my sight again.”
Her green eyes sparkled with happiness. “Promises, promises. Why don’t you just kiss me to seal our fate?”
He gave a hearty laugh afore he leaned down to thoroughly kiss his lovely lady, hoping they would have a lifetime of kisses to share.
Chapter 14
Jade sat in her bedchamber, twirling the ring upon her finger and staring off into the fire. The day’s earlier events had left her out of sorts. Thomas’s kiss filled her heart with joy, but being kidnapped, then watching Gaillard being led off by Dristan’s men to reside in some pit in the depths of Berwyck’s bowels, would leave anyone shaking in their boots.
She had come to a decision tonight, and she hoped she wouldn’t be making a mistake. She could only guess at the late hour of the night, but she had a hunch if she called for him, Thomas would come to her chamber. She looked at the ring as it gave off a soft glow.
She smiled while twirling the gold around her finger once more, the guiding star appearing even more pronounced as though it had led her to the man from her dreams.
“Come to me, Thomas,” she whispered softly into the night.
She stood and poured them a chalice of wine, confident he would be shortly knocking on her door.
Even though she was prepared for the sound, her heart still leapt into her throat at the soft rap. She went to the portal but hesitated before sliding the bolt open. She had already learned that lesson and would not make the same mistake twice.
“Who is it?” she asked, leaning in to the wood to hear the response.
“Thomas,” he answered, before she slid the bolt and opened the door.
He stood there, her handsome medieval knight who made her heart soar. She smiled at the knowledge that if the ring had brought them together, their love needed no magic to last forever.
She opened the door wider. “Come in,” she urged, waving her hand inside.
He waited in the passageway in indecision, a frown marring his features while he took in her nightclothes. “I cannot. ’Tis not proper, and Lord Dristan would have my head on a pike outside his gates if I would dishonor your reputation.”
She resisted the urge to giggle, knowing he was completely serious. She took his hand and pulled him inside. He flinched when she shut the door behind him.
“I’m a modern woman, Thomas. I know there is no dishonor with you coming inside my room, just as I know I’m perfectly safe here with you.”
Thomas muttered something beneath his breath, pointing toward the night-rail she wore. “You tempt me beyond what a mere mortal man can endure, mo ghràdh, but I could not deny myself the opportunity to learn if what I heard was true.”
“Did you hear something?” she asked with a small laugh, already knowing his answer.
“I heard you call to me, or did I imagine the sound of your voice?”
“I was testing a theory,” she replied with a soft smile.
His brow rose. “What is a theory?”
“I once had a dream of you, and in the morning, I heard voices in an empty room. I heard your voice, Thomas, beckoning me to come to you. Just as I was questioning my sanity, this ring magically leapt onto my finger, causing me to fall through time. I wanted to see if I could do the same,” she answered, offering him a chalice of wine. “Besides, I needed to talk to you.”
“’Tis the middle of the night.”
“Yes, but I couldn’t sleep without discussing something with you.”
“Then put me out of my agony and tell me what you wish to have speech about so I can return to my chamber. I cannot bear seeing you dressed thusly and not touch you or make you mine in every way,” he murmured, his voice strained.
She had never wanted a man more than she wanted Thomas. Her earlier decision was all the more clear now that he was in her room.
“First, would you please tell me what mo ghràdh means?” she asked hoping Thomas felt the same as she did. He gave her that slow smile that made her insides melt.
“’Tis a Scottish endearment. The words mean my love.”
She nodded at his admission but still wished to hear his plans for them out loud. “I want to stay with you in this time and place,” Jade blurted out before she lost her nerve, “but I want to know if you feel the same way.”
She held her breath, waiting for his answer.
He came to her, raising her fingertips to his lips. His mouth brushing lightly over her knuckles caused her heart to race. Her tongue licked her dry lips, and she watched his blue-gray eyes widen until a grin lit his face.
“Aye, I wish you to stay with me always, Jade. I want to ask Lord Dristan permission for us to wed if this is also what you desire.”
“Are you asking me to marry you?”
“Aye, if you shall take me as your husband.”
“Then, my answer is yes,” she replied, while her cheeks blushed with her answer.
He took her into his arms, and she felt as if she were drowning in pleasure when his mouth descended upon hers. She wound her arms around his neck and held on, for she never wanted to let him go.
When he finally let her up for air, she stood away from him before going to one of the chairs by the fire. She turned it and sat so she was now facing him.
“I realize we hardly know one another and yet I feel in my heart I have known you all my life. This may seem sudden, but I wanted to let you know, I love you, Thomas,” she declared, almost afraid he might sprint from the room.
Instead, he came to kneel before. “I love you, too, Jade, and swear to protect and care for you all of my days.”
“And your nights?”
“Most assuredly, my lady.”
Jade leaned forward to take his face in her hands and stare into his eyes, her thumbs caressing his cheeks. She believed with all her heart he spoke the truth and gave him a quick kiss. He seemed startled by her gesture but even more so when she lifted her hand to show him how the ring now glowed brightly. She took hold of the band and easily pulled it from her finger to offer it to him.
“I believe this belongs to you. It’s only right I return it to you since the ring is what brought us together.”
He smiled but still did not take what she freely offered him. “I believe ’tis the custom for the man to give a ring to his would-be bride, not the other way around,” he chuckled.
“I’m certain you’ll make it up to me when the time is right.”
She laughed and went to put the ring upon his hand. They both gasped when the ring grew in size, and Jade gently slipped the ring onto Thomas’s finger. They watched in disbelief as its glow began to fade, and the ring appeared as any other piece of jewelry, yet they knew the truth of the magic it possessed.
“Thomas,” she murmured his name in a soft caress. “I think it will take the rest of the night to prove I’m not going to disappear and return to my own time.”
He stood, pulling her into his arms. “Time would not be so fickle as to tear us apart now that we have found one another. Besides, I believe I owe you one last kiss afore I must needs return to my chamber.”
Her eyes twinkled in merriment. This man wasn’t going anywhere tonight if she had anything to say about it. “Did you know t
hat one kiss could last for hours?”
“Can they now? I do believe, my lady, you are inviting me to stay with you this night. Is this so?” he asked with that roguish grin she had come to love.
“Thomas…” Her words left her and lingered in the air between them when he began to nibble at her ear.
“Aye, my love?”
“Go bolt the door,” she ordered.
“As my lady commands.” His grin this time was truly wicked. He bowed to her before doing as she asked.
Jade forgot about anything else but the man who carried her to her bed. Their lives together would begin this night, and they would forget everything else but creating a memory to last them throughout all eternity.
Jade felt the warm metal of the ring while Thomas’s hand caressed her fevered skin. She sighed in contentment. The ring was where it belonged, and so was she.
Epilogue
Lennox Castle
Six Months Later
Laird Fergus Kincaid sank into a chair as though someone had swept his feet out from under him. He watched in disbelief as his son Thomas walked into his hall, a beautiful blonde-haired woman, far along with child, at his side. He had missed his oldest son for all these years but had not the courage to send for him to return home. Now, here he was, walking boldly into the place as though ’twere but yester eve he had last graced the land of his birth.
Fergus had no one to blame but himself for his son’s absence. He could have sent a missive at any time to bring him home, and yet something he could not explain caused him to never do so. He would ask Thomas’s forgiveness for being a stubborn fool, but would do so in the privacy of his solar and not in front of the entire clan. He did, after all, have some pride left to salvage.
One Last Kiss: The Knights of Berwyck: A Quest Through Time, Book Five Page 7
