Once Upon A Time (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  At that moment, in another part of the castle, Humphrey followed a maidservant up a second flight of stairs, and down a long, dimly lit corridor. The servant had come to his chamber with a message that Queen Melesant desired his presence. He had somehow expected her to send for him, but he did not think it would be so soon.

  The servant pushed open a door, bobbed a curtsy and hastily left. He entered the room with caution. Queen Melesant came forward with a glowing smile on her face. Her formal gown had been replaced by a dressing robe, and her dark hair hung loosely about her shoulders.

  "I am glad you came, Lord Baldridge. I have many questions to ask of you, and we will not be interrupted here."

  The chamber was unlike the rest of the castle. There was a rug on the floor and tapestries graced the walls. There was a huge bed with purple hangings and bed covering. "If this is your bedchamber, Madame, it would be best if I left. I would not like to cause gossip."

  She sauntered up to him, her eyes like those of a feline, and she almost purred. "This is not my bedchamber. Only a few are allowed in this room. It is where I can be alone from prying eyes and no one ever comes here without invitation. If you are concerned about the servant who brought you to me, she is very discreet."

  "It is late, Madame, and I am weary. Perhaps we can have this conversation on the morrow."

  Melesant gave a throaty laugh. "I believe you are afraid of me, Humphrey. I have wondered all day what it would feel like to be crushed in those powerful arms of yours. You are a striking man."

  She reached out and touched his cheek, and he took several steps backward.

  "Why, my dear sir, you are frightened of me."

  "Not frightened, Madame. I know you are just recently widowed, and as for myself, I have a wife."

  "Your wife will never know, and if my husband were alive, I doubt he would care."

  Humphrey stared into her eyes. "You are assuming, Madame, that I would want what you offer. I don't."

  She could hardly believe that he was uninterested in her. No man had ever turned away from her when she wanted him—no man until now.

  Perhaps he misunderstood her. She walked to him, allowing the sleeve of her dressing gown to fall off her shoulder and reveal her breasts. Her arms slid around his neck, and she pressed her cheek to his.

  "It could be so good between us. I know it could."

  He took her wrists and held them in a strong grip. "You will excuse me if I decline your offer, Madame. I have not to this day been faithless to my wife, and I will not start with you."

  She hissed and jerked her hands free. Now that she was angry, she lapsed into a heavy Castilian accent. "Run away like a frightened little rabbit. I thought you were a man, but you're not! You'll be sorry for this."

  "Good night, Madame." Humphrey left, closing the door behind him, but he could hear the obscenities she hurled at him as he moved down the corridor. This woman was dangerous, and he must warn Jilliana.

  Melesant lay beneath Escobar, her anger at being rejected by Humphrey driving her into a fervid frenzy. She rolled on top, straddled him and rode the wave of passion.

  She smiled in satisfaction as Escobar groaned, pressing her tighter against him.

  "Say no other woman can satisfy you as I," she demanded, running her tongue along the lobe of his ear.

  "No one can!" he cried.

  "You will never leave me," she said, biting his lip until she drew blood.

  "Never."

  When the act was completed, she felt strangely empty and unfulfilled. Escobar could no longer give her what she wanted. She would have to look elsewhere for a lover.

  "I am weary tonight. Seek your rest in your own bed," she said, rolling to her side.

  "Will you not want me again during the night?"

  "I told you to go! Leave me in peace."

  He moved off the bed and quietly dressed, all the while watching her rigid back.

  "Are you angry about the food I distributed to the villagers?"

  She turned over and sat up, her eyes piercing pinpoints. "You did what!"

  "I tried to tell you earlier. I... thought... you knew— your son bade me take food and livestock to the villagers. He threatened to kill me if I went to you or if I did not do as he asked."

  Melesant stared at him, but she was thinking of her son. There was so much anger eating away at Ruyen that it might become difficult for her to control him.

  "Who are you more afraid of, my son or me?"

  Escobar shivered. "This afternoon, I knew I faced death."

  Melesant surprised him with her laughter. "So it begins. I had thought it would take longer."

  He looked puzzled. "What begins?"

  "My son's defiance. He is like me, afraid of nothing," she said with pride. "He will test my limits, but he will not win."

  "You are not angry with me?"

  She looked at him as if he were nothing. "I should be, but I'm not. You were merely the instrument my son used to strike the first blow at me."

  "The villagers knew the food came from him. He is buying their loyalty."

  She arched her brow at him. "And you helped him. You who have professed your lasting loyalty to me."

  He backed toward the door. "I .. . had not thought of that. I will always stand beside you. Had I known—"

  "This is not about you, Escobar. It is a battle that has been building between my son and myself for many years. You see, my son does not admire his mother, and he does not approve of you. He will bring me down if he is able." She gave Escobar a sly look. "And if I were you, I would avoid him whenever possible."

  "I heard many rumblings among the people. It seems that food in their bellies makes them bold. They say Prince Ruyen is the rightful ruler. You must be careful, for they have no love for you."

  Melesant arched her breasts toward him and pulled the covers aside incitingly. "And you will protect me from all my enemies, will you not, my brave champion? You will sacrifice your life for me?"

  He came to her eagerly. "Yes, I shall. I would die in your stead, but I would rather live for you."

  She ran her hand down her naked body, toying with him as a cat would toy with a mouse. "You still want me."

  Escobar moved toward her eagerly. To him she had always been beautiful. He did not see the wrinkles or the sagging skin or even the gray in her dark hair. She was a queen, and when he was with her, he was touched by her magnificence.

  Melesant threw back her head and laughed, pointing toward the door. "Well, I do not want you. After this night, you will never come to my bed again."

  He shook his head, backing to the door. He had always feared the day she would tire of him, and that day had come at last.

  "Leave!" she cried. "I cannot abide the sight of you. Go at once!"

  He did not remember going through the door, nor did he recall going down the steps and out the side door to stand beneath the stars.

  "No." He moaned, "No. I have waited too long for you to be free so we can always be together. No one can have you save me ... no one."

  23

  Jilliana had been on Falcon Bruine for three days. In that time she had seen little of Ruyen. Most often he was away from the castle, and he rarely had his meals with the family.

  Tonight he had dined with them, but Jilliana had excused herself directly afterward and gone to her chamber. She'd had no wish to be drawn into one of the family's sinister conversations. Also, she had not wanted to give Ruyen another opportunity to slight her before the others.

  She tossed and turned on the lumpy bed, unable to sleep. Finally, with a heavy sigh, she slipped out of bed and moved across the room to stand at the window. Throwing wide the shutters, she allowed a cool breeze to fan her face.

  A full moon hung in the sky like a huge ball, illuminating the countryside and allowing her to see all the way to the ocean. The island was lovely in the silvery moonlight, but in the light of day, there were flaws. And there was something evil here too; she could feel it in the very d
epths of her soul.

  She was startled when she heard someone knock on her door. She thought it might be Netta returning, so she invited her in. However, the silhouette was a man's and she knew it would be Ruyen.

  "You are not in bed," he said, stating the obvious.

  "I could not sleep."

  When he moved closer to Jilliana, her whole body seemed to be washed in moonbeams. He looked at the pert little nose that Katharine had criticized—it was perfect, like the rest of her.

  "You left rather soon after dining, Jilliana."

  "I was weary."

  "Weary of the company?" His tone was biting. "Does the queen tire so easily of us island folk?"

  She blinked at his stinging words. "I tire of pretense, rudeness, and unkindness."

  He was standing closer to her now and she could feel his breath on her cheek.

  "The other night I observed that you were entertained by James. You appeared to be engrossed in every word he spoke to you," Ruyen said accusingly.

  She felt a sudden rush of elation—Ruyen was jealous! She felt no need to tell him that their major topic of conversation had been irrigation.

  "It is true that I found Sir James to be pleasant company. He has many sides to him. He can be witty and amusing, but he has his serious side as well. Do you not think so?"

  "James does not often cross my mind. I have never liked him overmuch."

  "Pity, he speaks highly of you." Now she raised her eyes to his. "Why have you been avoiding me, Ruyen?"

  He looked surprised. "Is that what you think I have been doing?"

  "It appears so to me. I am sure everyone else thinks so as well."

  "That was never my intention. I do not know if I can make you understand what is happening on Falcon Bruine. There is much that requires my attention. Do you believe me, Jilliana?"

  "Of course. You have always been forthright with me. I have known from the beginning that you love Lady Katharine. Although I found it somewhat humiliating to watch the two of you together, I was not unsympathetic to her plight."

  "I was not speaking of myself or Lady Katharine, Jilliana. Much trouble has come to the island in my absence. I can say no more, but I do have a duty to the people who live here and I am attempting to—" He paused as if he had said too much. "But I will not bore you with such talk."

  She turned her back to him. "Was there something in particular that you wanted to say to me?"

  He wanted to slide his hands around her waist, pull her against his aching body, to bury his face in her sweet-smelling hair, so that her sweetness might drive away some of his devils.

  "I know it hasn't been pleasant for you here. Would that I could have saved you from this."

  She turned back to him. "Ruyen, Falcon Bruine is not what I expected. I have never seen such miserable conditions as I saw in the village."

  He drew a long breath. "Do you think I tasted one morsel of food that first night or any time since? I have done what little I can to ease the hunger, but my people need more than food."

  "Then they must be helped."

  "Has it escaped your notice that I have no power here? Henry stripped me of everything. What 1 do must be done in secret. But I will not discuss this with you, for fear of placing you in danger."

  She realized then why he had been so often absent. He was preparing to confront his mother. Why had she not guessed this before?

  "Do not fear for me. Just do what you can for your subjects." She placed her hand on his arm. "Allow me to help you. Humphrey can leave tomorrow for Talshamar and return with enough food to see them through the winter."

  Ruyen stared into her upturned face. "You would do this for me?"

  "I would do this for anyone in need, Ruyen."

  He lightly touched her face. "The world has not seen your like, Jilliana. I know of no ruler with your compassion. There are those who would destroy your sweetness and crush your spirit."

  "Do you speak of yourself?"

  He gently touched her lips. "Perhaps I am the greatest danger to you of them all."

  She blinked her eyes. "Do not think because I was raised in a convent that I am weak, Ruyen. I have strength and I know how to use it."

  He felt sorrow tug at his heart. "Beware, Jilliana. Your goodness may not be enough to battle the evil that is building about you. If it were in my power, I would send you away now."

  "Will you allow me to help your people?"

  "I thank you for your offer, but no." There was an edge to his voice. "What happens on Falcon Bruine is my responsibility. If they are to be helped it will come from me."

  "Ruyen, it is not weakness to accept help from someone who gives it willingly. Should you change your mind—"

  "I won't."

  They were suddenly staring into each other's eyes, both remembering the times their bodies had blended. Her lips parted as he bent his head and pressed his mouth to hers.

  The passion that they had tried to hide for so long ripped through both of them, fusing them together.

  In a frenzy, they undressed and he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed.

  They joined in a heat of passion, their lips hungrily touching. His hands were stroking, caressing as he became reacquainted with each soft curve.

  "I have wanted this," he said, raising his head and looking softly into her eyes. "I tried to stay away from you, but I could not."

  Her hand moved over his muscled shoulders. It was enough to know that he desired her. "I am glad you came," she admitted.

  "When I am near you, I can only think of taking you to bed. I first took you by order of a king, but I now take you because I need you as surely as the air I breathe."

  Their lovemaking was frantic, as if each feared it would be the last time they would be together. Jilliana yielded to his every need, and he took time to satisfy her as he had never done before.

  Afterward, he held her tightly against him, drawing on her strength for the days ahead, the days when he must walk the path of life or death alone. If only he could get her safely away from here before the final confrontation with his mother.

  "Ruyen?"

  He kissed her fingers. "Yes."

  "I am confused."

  He shook with laughter. "I never thought to hear such a confession from your lips."

  "Do not laugh at me."

  He pretended seriousness. "Tell me what is troubling you, Jilliana."

  "How can it be that love and mating are two sides of the same coin, yet not the same?"

  He ran his hand along her thigh, lightly caressing her until she trembled with delight. "That is desire. You want me, I want you. A man can feel desire and yet it does not always touch his heart."

  "I see. You desire me—you love Katharine."

  He pulled back, feeling suddenly disturbed. Again, he tried to remember what color Katharine's eyes were, but he could not. He stared into bewildered blue eyes and pulled Jilliana back to him.

  "I only know that I desire you more than I have ever desired a woman," he said, trying to be as honest as he could. "Let that be enough for now."

  He kissed her, and she clung to him. She could not put a name to what she felt for him, but she knew it went deeper than mere desire. She worried about his safety, she grieved for the unrest among his people, and she feared what might happen. Could passion be this strong? If so, then love must be more painful than anyone could endure.

  Jilliana was now certain that she was with child because she had missed her monthly bleeding. Soon she would tell Ruyen about the baby, but not now. Why did she hesitate? Because when she told him about the baby, she would sail for Talshamar.

  She pressed her lips to his, knowing that she could not bear the thought of leaving him. Call it desire, or call it love, she needed him.

  Suddenly she was reminded of her duty to her own subjects. She must not think only of herself. She must tell him now, even though it would set him free to go to Katharine.

  She got out of bed and moved to the wi
ndow, while his eyes followed her. She feared to look at him lest she change her mind.

  "I have decided that I will be leaving in two days' time. I would leave sooner, but it will take that long for Humphrey to make the arrangements."

  Ruyen came quickly to her, turning her face into the moonlight so he could read her expression.

  "Why do you say this now?"

  She tried to speak, but a lump had formed in her throat. His eyes were searching, probing, and she dropped hers before the intensity of his gaze.

  "I am with child. There is no reason for me to remain longer."

  She heard his sharp intake of breath. "So, you take my child and walk away."

  She felt stinging tears form behind her eyes; she must not allow him to see her cry. "It is what we agreed I would do. I gave you my word, and I will keep it. Will you keep yours?"

  He felt dazed, as if someone had struck him hard in the stomach. "Yes," he managed to grind out, "I will keep my word."

  She touched his arm. "Ruyen, I have tried to tell you something before, but you have never listened to me. Even now, I am reluctant to do so."

  He waited for her to continue.

  "Does Lady Katharine understand that it was not your choice to wed me?"

  The moment was so poignant, he had not expected her to speak of Katharine. She had just told him she was going to have his child. What in hell did that have to do with Katharine?

  There was questioning in Jilliana's eyes. "Do you want me to explain to her what happened?"

  "She has been told the truth."

  "I believe I can make her understand that you never stopped loving her."

  Anger riveted through him. "I do not need anyone to speak for me—certainly not you. Since the day I met you, I have not had control of my life. Woman, did God put you on earth to torment me?"

  "Forgive me, Ruyen. I thought—"

  He grabbed her, slamming her against his body, holding her so tightly she could scarcely breath.

  "Forgive me," he breathed against her ear.

  It was the first time he had asked her pardon. "For what, Ruyen?"

  "For taking your body as you lay so softly in my arms willing to receive my seed. Forgive me for wanting you even now."