by Marie Hall
She sniffed but then went still and quiet. He could make her out though. She was crammed against the wall between the legs of the bed. Her knees pulled against her chest. She did remind him of a wounded and frightened animal. Never could he imagine his vulgar, brash and unseemly wife as anything less than ready for a fight. Seeing her now pained him. Knowing he was at least partly responsible caused him shame he was unfamiliar with.
"Io, will you come out?"
Nothing. Standing Xavier turned and shut the door. He slid the bolt in place making sure the sound was audible. Crossing the room, he pulled back the leather sheeting over the windows. Moonlight splashed across the floor and again he moved to the bed and knelt down.
"Please, Io, come out. The door is locked. It is only you and I." The moon allowed him to see her only a little better, but for sure it allowed her to see no one else was in the room. Still, she didn't move. Xavier shifted, sitting hard on the floor next to the bed. "Io, I was not aware of what was done to Wednesday," he started. "I would not have allowed it." He heard her shift about under the bed. "If I knew, I would not have let you find out the way you did. It was wrong of everyone to lie to you. They did not do it with ill intent." More movement from under the bed. He continued to keep his voice calm and even. "I have spoken with everyone. No one will lie to you again." The sob nearly undid him. "I know… I understand how… why… you blame me. I should be aware when things are done by others. I only ask you try and understand I never intended you should be permanently denied…" The noise from under the bed grew then became quiet again. "Io?"
"She is dead because of me."
Xavier jerked around to find Io kneeling on the other side of the bed. Rolling to his knees he reached across the bed. "No, Io. She is not dead because of you." He watched her nodding her head. "No," he repeated climbing on the bed.
"It is my fault," she whispered.
Xavier was deliberate in his movements. Taking a hold of Io's arms, he pulled until she joined him on the bed. "No, it is not your fault, Io. Not this time, not last time." With those words, Io broke. Her sobs racking her body, making it hard for her to breathe. Xavier adjusted them both on the bed so she lay against him.
He'd suspected it was more than the loss of the horse. It wasn't that the animal was dead but Io felt she somehow failed to act to change the outcome. Her grief was real, but in no way was it in measure to the guilt she felt. It was why she wanted Sarah gone from the house. She didn't feel she could protect the woman and maybe she was correct. "Io, there was nothing you could have done different." His words didn't seem to help, not that he thought they would. She wasn't ready to hear them and he wasn't ready to encourage her to blame him. Right now he wanted her to feel safe to grieve as she was doing. "It will be all right, Io. It will." He wrapped his arms around her and kept her against him until she cried herself to sleep.
Slipping from the bed, he crossed the room silently to slide the bolt back. He'd told both his squires, Landon and Thomas to bring his meal here in the morning. If Io still slept when it arrived, he didn't want to disturb her getting up to let the man in.
Some scuffling in the hall caught his attention and he pulled the door open only to find Sarah sitting against the wall opposite the door her face streaked with tears.
"Sarah, what are you doing?" Xavier whispered harsher than he meant.
"Is she dead? Did she cry herself to death this time?"
Realizing this woman's heart was broken listening to Io crying, Xavier slipped from the room and squatted down in front of her. Io couldn't have a better friend than Sarah. The woman never wavered in her dedication.
"No, Sarah, Io is not dead. People do not cry themselves to death."
"I think she could," she sniffed.
"Well, she has not. She is asleep, I will stay with her. Go find your bed now." He stood then helped Sarah to her feet. "Sarah," caution made him call her back. "Sarah, I do not command you this with any malice."
"What?"
"Do not go about, anywhere, alone for now. Do you understand me?" If the intent were to strike at Io and cause her hurt, then Sarah would be a rich target.
Her eyes widened when she understood what he was telling her. She nodded then turned and hurried down the hall. He'd speak with Lucas when he could. Io's want to have her gone from the house might be the only way to keep Sarah safe. But if it were possible, Xavier would have her close to his wife, lending her the support she always gave.
He returned, shutting the door only part way. Io slept but, even in sleep, she'd sob a moment then quiet. Xavier sat and removed his boots. He pulled off his tunic. Leaving his shirt and pants on, he grabbed an extra fur from the chest and returned to the bed.
As much as he longed to share her bed, he'd forego it if he could take away the pain she felt. He tossed the blanket over her, climbed in and pulled her close. If someone asked him a few months ago, he'd have said she was past the guilt of her mother's murder. He didn't expect her to ever not grieve that loss. Her mother must have been wonderful. She'd sacrificed her life to save Io. His mother wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice her children to save her own skin. Charlotte was self-serving. What Io could remember of her mother led him to believe Inanna was loving and selfless. But he thought, hoped, she understood the woman's death wasn't her fault. She was a helpless child, the intended target of the assassination. Then, like now, she couldn't have changed the outcome. She shouldn't feel guilty. Hurt, angry, scared, but not guilty.
Io sobbed out again in her sleep and Xavier tightened his hold. He tossed his leg over hers so she might feel sheltered, safe and loved. That she'd know he'd protect her with his life if needed.
"It will be all right, Io," he said against her temple. "I will make this right for you." He remained awake most of the night, suspicious of any sounds in the hall. He wasn't certain when sleep claimed him, but, when he woke, the sun was well up as was Io. She stared at him with those sky blue eyes, but he didn't see the accusation in them as he would expect. "Io." He set his hand on her cheek and used his thumb to brush at the tears that were already welling. "Do not cry, I will set this right for you. I will." He moved his hand to the back of her head and forced it against his shoulder so she had to stop shaking it at him. "I will make this right for you, Io. We will get through this together."
Chapter Five
The voices in the hall grew louder. Xavier was yelling the house down again. What had him in a temper now she didn't know but it was nothing to do with her. Not when Xavier's soldiers were already amassed beyond the gates in full battle gear.
"…within the hour," she heard Xavier say before the door opened.
"The house is under attack?" Io turned around. Xavier was dressed in full armor. She swallowed hard. Her husband was frightening to face when he was ready to enter battle.
"No, Io, the house, all my lands are well enough. There is nothing for you to fear." He crossed the room. The armor made him far less graceful than normal. "There is trouble at the border. I cannot ignore this." He needed to use the bedpost to give him leverage as he knelt before her and took her hand. "I would not leave you now, Io, if—"
"You have a duty, I know this." Why he thought she'd keep him from his responsibilities she wasn't sure.
"Io, the strife in this house," he paused and brought her hand to his lips, "Io, I am not dismissing your concerns. I want peace back in our home and I will work to bring it back when I return." Io could only nod. The three days they'd spent together in this little room they'd only laid next to each other. No words, except for an occasional one of reassurance from him. "Io, I know you do not feel welcomed here and I know you think you have no use." She heard him sigh. "I could want to make you know these things are not true but I think my words will not be enough." He lifted her hand to his lips again. "I want you to know your usefulness and if you cannot find it in the house, then find it in the shires."
"I do not ride, I—" She'd never ride another horse again. Not if it meant the animal would fall
victim to Charlotte.
"Io, you can ride but," he interrupted holding up his hand to hold her response. "You do not want to. That is something we speak on when I return."
"You have forbid me leaving if I do not ride."
"I did," he said, sighing again, "but I am willing to recant so you might spend time being useful in the shires. No one is seeing to the matters that have arisen and you are capable. I have already spoken to Gunther and the others who will remain behind. You are free to come and go even if you are not mounted."
"I can leave the house?" Her heartbeat picked up. She could escape his mother, forage and just be alone.
"You can, but, Io, the same rules apply. You may not leave without escort and you will return before sundown. I think Gunther plans to try and find you a small cart you might use that you can go to the shires too far away to walk to in just one day."
"A cart?" Well, a cart has a horse too.
"Let Gunther deal with the matter, Io. No more of my stables is going to slaughter." He used the bedpost again to get back to his feet. The armor clanked softly as he moved. "I cannot say how long I will be gone. But I will be back and you and I will do what we must to set this house right."
"Very well," she said, getting to her feet. How else could she reply? He was set to drag this out. He wasn't a man who gave up.
"Io." Xavier leaned in and Io couldn't help but to lift her face and accept his kiss.
Just one more, she told herself. One more, to keep as a memory. As if every other kiss, touch or word wasn't already a permanent fixture in her mind.
She followed him out and watched him ride away ignoring the three women standing behind her on the steps.
"He will settle the border, my lady, and return well enough," Gunther said stepping up beside her.
"He said he spoke to you. That I am to be allowed to leave the house." She'd be gone at first light.
"He did; do you have a preference?" Gunther asked, the whole time staring harshly at the people behind her. The women made some quiet remarks, then disappeared inside.
"No, I just wish to be gone when the sun is high enough."
And she was. She was gone everyday for a fortnight from the time the sun rose until it set. She made no special effort to attend matters in the shires. It was best if the people started to become accustomed to seeking out Sabrina for such things.
Still, when she was asked, she couldn't help doing her best to solve the issue. The people here weren't responsible for the discourse. They shouldn't suffer while waiting for their lord to officially make the change. Io settled what matters she could and told those involved in matters too large for her to quickly resolve to wait until Xavier returned. Only one matter did she send to Charlotte and that gave Io great pleasure.
The fishmonger came demanding payment for the food sent. Charlotte's desire to have fish at nearly every meal far exceeded any that might have been sent to pay taxes or rents. Io told the man to seek his money from Lady Charlotte. And when he came back to Io saying Charlotte wouldn't pay him, she told him that was not her problem. He could take it up again with Lady Charlotte or wait until Xavier returned and, in the meantime, she strongly suggested no more fish be sent to the house. The result was several meals even Io could enjoy.
Stepping into the corridor, Io prepared to leave the house for the day. She'd agreed last eve to ride in the small cart so she might go out to Hagenshire. She hadn't been out that way for a very long time and she wondered how the people there fared. Io pulled the chamber door closed and thought she heard someone call her name.
"Io." It was just a whisper but she knew she'd heard it this time. Turning towards the back steps, she called out. "Hello?" No answer. She listened but no one called again. Lifting her skirts, she started down the steps. "Hello?"
She never saw who slipped up behind her. From the moment the hands hit her back until she stopped tumbling at the foot of the stairwell, all she saw were glimpses of stone and wood. Feet appeared in her view then were gone. She woke up in bed. Sarah, Gunther, Anne and several others stood close looking stricken, but Io couldn't give them any reassurances. She hurt so. Even to breathe caused pain. She let the darkness fall over her again even as she heard someone say they'd sent for Xavier.
* * *
Xavier's hand curled around the hilt of his sword. If these negotiations broke down again, he would start cutting off heads. He eased his grip as a smile played at his lips. This time both parties would agree to the terms. There wasn't a chance they couldn't and, of course, the terms were made using the same tactic Io used once. His wife was brilliant.
He'd been sure nothing short of the total decimation of one or the other house would resolve the issue until one of his men started moaning about how he wished they could do what Io did when two families were fighting over pasture and ownership of sheep. Io settled the matter by creating a neutral strip of land between the holdings. Xavier used the same method; there was now a swath of land neither family could cross and being patrolled by a vested third party. Xavier now waited for both sides to declare their acceptance and to sign the treaty. It was a better end than having to smash skulls and send word to the king his barons needed to be replaced. There was a stirring at the far end of the hall and some shouting which grabbed his attention.
"My liege," a young man called out and struggled to get through the men standing at the door. "Let me through, let me through. I must speak to Lord Brice. My liege."
"Is he armed?" Xavier asked and watched as the man was searched. He didn't need the complication of an assassination attempt. When the men shook their heads, he signaled to let him through.
"My lord," the man rushed towards him and Xavier realized it was no man who needed his attention but a boy. Now facing someone of Xavier's status, that boy's fear was evident.
"I do not have patience for childish matters," Xavier stated. "State your business and be gone."
"My lord," the boy stammered then looked about nervously.
"Speak," Xavier commanded knowing the talks had come to a stop while everyone waited to see what new drama was afoot.
"I… I… I am supposed to tell only you, my liege. Sir Gunther was very clear and—" Xavier was already dragging the boy to the far side of the hall where they couldn't be heard. The mention of Gunther meant this was about Io and if someone was sent under these circumstances, it had to be the worst kind of news.
"Speak now." Xavier shook the boy to get him to focus.
"My lord, there was an… an accident. Lady Io…"
Xavier shoved the youth away and stormed back towards the table. He picked up the ink well and slammed it down between the two barons who forced him from his home to deal with their ineptitudes. "You will agree to the terms and you will end the crimes you both commit or I will declare you both traitors and finish this at the end of a rope. Now sign and get on with tending your houses."
Every man at the tabled paled and there was a mad grab for the quills that lay out. Xavier stepped back and worked to keep his expression clear. He couldn't let anyone know he'd a far greater concern or time wasn't a luxury to be had. Any weakness on his part would encourage more dysfunction and cost the crown more in revenues and allies.
"My lord," Lucas whispered stepping up and giving his back to the men at the table.
"Lighten my horse and have it waiting. I will leave you to finish here."
"Yes, my lord." Lucas left the hall with the boy who'd brought the news trailing behind him.
It took three days to get back but when Xavier rode through the gates, he was immediately greeted by Anne. She filled him in as he made his way inside. Io had fallen down the stairs. She was terribly battered but alive and now able to stay awake and eat. But she couldn't move much and she insisted she'd been pushed.
"Xavier," Charlotte called stepping in his path. "You are back. Were you able to stop the fighting?"
"Yes, Mother, now please I need to see to Io." Xavier tried to step around her only to have her
step in front of him again.
"Oh that child, so clumsy and careless. She should do better to not trip," Charlotte said with an exasperated sigh. "So fortunate she is. You should tell her it is not safe to go rushing down the steps. She could be seriously hurt. I always told you children to not run about in my house for such reasons."
"She tripped?" Xavier asked, looking between his mother and Anne.
"Well what do you think? She has no graces. She stomps about and rushes everywhere. A lady should know to be delicate in her movements as in her manners."
"Of course, Mother," Xavier said setting Charlotte out of his way. "I must see Io. Pardon me." He made his way quickly up the steps. Was it possible this was an accident, a common one even? Why then did Anne say Io was pushed? Why would anyone push Io down the stairs? Was someone in his house trying to harm his wife? He couldn't reconcile such a thing with how he saw everyone respond to her. She was well loved by the people. No one here would hurt her.
He tried for a week, but Io neither moved from her stance she was pushed nor gave him any more information about who it might have been. She did suggest, if not outright say, it was someone acting on behalf of his mother or the Blake women. That he defended them made Io pull away from him. She was gone from the house as soon as she was able and she made sure to spend each day, all day, away. And, every night, she closed her door to him.
He was in an impossible position. To satisfy his wife, he needed to fully commit to the idea someone in his house was a traitor. But to make any accusations against anyone without enough proof could turn someone against her and complicate the situation even more.
He'd no choice, though, a few days later. Someone was indeed trying to kill his wife and now Io was starting to believe it was him.
Chapter Six
Io shifted in the chair again. Despite the extra cushions, sitting at the table for the meal was painful. And the company was unpleasant. Because she sat in the place meant for the lady of the house, Charlotte found reasons to reach across her and touch Xavier. Each time, she'd jab her elbow into Io's body. The last time she'd struck Io in the ribs and Io nearly puked.
