Gabriel smiled, his eyes sparkling with golden light. “What did Gideon tell you about the tower room?”
Naomi picked up the end of her braid and toyed with the cord tied there. “Only that he had negotiated with Michael so you’d be allowed to assist him.”
“Did he explain the conditions to which he agreed?”
“Not in detail.” She had sensed Gideon’s reluctance to talk about it and let the issue lie.
“My prideful, often irrational brother agreed to strict limitations on the use of his power. He agreed to actively pursue the light and he agreed to make his final decision before the new moon rises.”
Naomi gasped. Only four days remained before the new moon rose. “What does this mean? What happens to Gideon once he makes his final decision?”
“The outcome will depend on what he decides.”
She fidgeted, shifting her weight against the table. If Gideon resolved his conflict with God, would he return to Heaven? He’d never answered the question, didn’t seem to know the answer. She wouldn’t even consider the possibility that he would Fall. They’d come too far. Gideon had accomplished too much. But a future together seemed uncertain regardless of his decision.
“His agreement with Michael isn’t the only evidence of Gideon’s progress. His attachment to the orphans is encouraging. Michael is pleased.” Gabriel paused. “I know it upsets you to discuss it, but Gideon is also losing his taste for blood. He feeds only when he must now and he no longer enjoys it.”
She shuddered. Her love for Gideon allowed her to accept the darkest element of his nature but part of her still recoiled from the thought. “Are you here to influence his decision?”
“Nay. My reason for being here is even more surprising than all the rest.” Gabriel punctuated the statement with a grin. “Gideon asked for my help.”
“Domieno has enlisted others,” Gideon said from the doorway. “Why is it surprising that I would do the same?”
“It’s a wise and necessary precaution,” Gabriel said. “It’s just refreshing that you’re being so reasonable.”
Gideon waved away the issue with one long-fingered hand.
“So whom shall we vanquish first?” Gabriel asked.
“Father John,” Gideon immediately suggested.
He came to stand beside Naomi and she slipped her hand into his. “He is here, in the castle. I think he is still receiving compensation from the Bishop of Chichester.”
“Aye, he is,” Gabriel said. “I spoke with the bishop this morning. Father John can only be tried by the Church so I asked that he be called up to answer for his crimes. The bishop is a good man. He was enraged to learn of Father John’s misdeeds and I am confident that he will see the priest punished.”
“We arrived with his replacement and the bishop’s own guards to escort Father John.” Gideon smiled in satisfaction.
“Does he know any of this?” she asked.
Gabriel shook his head. “Nay. We wanted you to tell him.”
Naomi hugged them both. “It would be my pleasure.”
* * * * *
Naomi sat in Roderick’s high-backed chair. It had been draped in black, but Leon assured her no one would find it disrespectful for her to take her rightful place. The trestle tables had been taken down and many of the villagers had returned to their cottages for the night. There was much to be done over the next few days but one task would wait no longer.
Gideon stood on her right and Gabriel on her left, a united front against injustice.
Father John walked across the great hall, his stride quick, his expression impatient. “What do you want? I have duties awaiting me.”
“Actually you do not,” she responded casually. “What you did to the orphans was reprehensible and you—”
“I am only accountable to Canon Law. You have no authority over me.”
“Perhaps, but the Bishop of Chichester does.” She lifted the sealed message that Gabriel had given her. “This is a summons from the bishop. You are relieved of all duties pending the outcome of his investigation.”
He snatched the parchment from her hand. “That is impossible. You could not have contacted him…”
His words trailed away as he looked at the seal on the message. Naomi motioned the guards forward as he broke the seal and unrolled the parchment. She waited until his eyes widened and the color drained from his face before she launched the final blow. “These men will see that you arrive safely to answer for your deeds.”
“This is outrageous,” he protested as the guards grabbed his arms. He twisted and jerked at their restraining hold. “I will not be treated like a common criminal! Release me!”
Naomi tried not to let her pleasure show. He continued to object and struggle while the guards dragged him from the hall.
“I would like you to meet Father Thomas if you are not overwrought,” Gabriel said.
“I feel invigorated knowing that beast is safely locked away.”
Gabriel motioned to the priest standing silently to one side. His robes were sturdy and simply made, and the cross around his neck was carved and polished but made of wood. She liked him already.
“Father Thomas, this is Lady Naomi of MonthamnCastle.” Gabriel made the introduction.
The priest bowed his head. “May the Lord bless and keep you.”
His features were ordinary but his sky-blue eyes met hers directly with no deceit or arrogance.
“Brother Gabriel told me you were raised believing you were an orphan,” Father Thomas explained. She nodded. “I too am an orphan. I lost my parents when I was eleven. I was taken in by a convent when no one else would have me and I entered the priesthood when I was nineteen. The bishop believes I will be a good match for this parish.”
Naomi smiled at him. “I agree.”
* * * * *
“I missed you, Gideon. I know it was only a few days, but it felt like an eternity.”
He bolted the door to the tower room and leaned back against it. “I know what an eternity feels like, my love, and you’ve not waited nearly so long.”
Naomi smiled at him. “It is rude for us to sneak away like this, so why did you want to come up here? I would much rather have gone to my bedchamber and made better use of our rudeness.”
“My intentions are entirely dishonorable I assure you.”
Heat crept along her throat and her belly tingled. “Then why are we here?”
“Because I’ve dreamed about ravishing you here, of demonstrating that we don’t need a bed to indulge our passion.” He stalked toward her, his lustful intentions clearly written in his gleaming gaze.
He swept her into his arms and kissed her. Naomi responded without hesitation, trusting him implicitly. His hands stroked her breasts and kneaded her hips, but they were soon restless and needful.
“I’ll strip you naked and we’ll make slow, leisurely love after everyone else has gone to sleep.”
She chuckled, nipping his bottom lip. “That sounds suspiciously like an apology.”
“I beg your pardon.” He turned her away from him and urged her to her knees. Bunching her skirts up over her hips, he knelt behind her and nudged her thighs apart. “Lean forward and give yourself to me.”
Lowering her shoulders and arching her back, she assumed a wanton position that would have shocked her a fortnight before. She expected his forceful entry, but instead she felt his hands stroking her bottom, delving deeply into the crack between her cheeks. “Gideon?”
“Let me,” he whispered, and she smiled. There was nothing she would deny him when he used that silken tone.
He traced her slit with his fingertips while his mouth explored the silken curves so blatantly displayed for him. He explored her smooth skin with his lips and tongue, his fingers busy in the damp curls below. Gently parting her folds, he entered her with his fingers. She thrust back, needing more than this teasing substitute.
“Gideon, please.”
He ignored her plea and slid his fingers
in and out. Having no option but surrender, she accepted the leisurely pace and concentrated on the rhythmic motion of his hand.
Her breasts ached, feeling full and neglected and tension gathered between her thighs. This felt forbidden, somehow naughty, the risk of discovery heightening her excitement.
His fingers slid free of her body and he pressed his face into the juncture of her thighs. Then his tongue teased places she hadn’t realized he could access from behind. He circled her swollen nub with a soft circular motion that intensified the tension inside her. She clenched her fists and squeezed her eyes shut, fighting back a scream.
The pressure built and built, making her thighs quiver. Then he flicked her nub with his tongue and the pleasure released. Sensations burst within her and spread through her as his tongue pushed deep into her core. He savored the essence of her release. Licking and swirling while she floated down from the staggering peak.
In one lightning-fast movement, he reared over her and pushed into her. She cried out, her body stretched tight by his thick shaft. He pulled back and thrust deep. She braced against the impact, thrilled by the fullness, the completeness of having him inside her.
He wasn’t gentle. She couldn’t have borne it if he were. This fierce passion was just as much a part of their love as the patient tenderness they shared more often. She embraced him with her body, arching into each violent movement.
She buried her face in the crook of her arm as his hands clasped her hips. He drove his full length into her then stayed there, intrusive and erect.
“Why did you stop?” she panted.
“It will be over too quickly.” He caressed her hips, her sides, sneaked inside her dress to cup her breasts. “No matter how long we make it last, it will always end too quickly.”
Tightening her inner muscles in a way that drove him crazy, she said, “We can always start over again.”
He continued to tease her with his hands, stroking her back, her hips and her thighs. The longer he made her wait, the more forcefully she squeezed him. Soon they were both moaning and laughing and moaning again.
He pulled out slowly until only the broad tip remained inside her. She clenched her muscles, but without his shaft filling her, she felt hollow and achy. Finding her from in front, his fingers circled her sensitive nub as he eased back in.
Their lovemaking took on a new rhythm. His fingers flicked and her inner muscles squeezed with each slow stroke. Over and over they performed the tantalizing combination until Naomi’s body thrummed with vibrations of pleasure so intense she trembled.
“No more,” she ground out the words.
Wicked laughter rumbled deep in his chest and he pushed in completely one last time. “Then let go, Naomi. Surrender for me. Nay, do it for us both.”
His fingers, slick with their excitement, caught her nub and gently squeezed. She bit back a scream and the coiled tension released. The powerful ripples of her climax triggered Gideon’s pleasure. His body shuddered against her back and his arms wrapped tightly around her.
They collapsed onto their sides. Their harsh breathing echoed in the stillness.
“You’re right,” she said when she was finally able to speak again. “It was over too soon.”
Chapter Eighteen
Night had fallen, unfurling its velvet tranquility over MonthamnCastle. Gideon stood beside Naomi on the parapets. They gazed out over the starlit vista, their fingers laced together, their hearts beating as one. But Gideon was not soothed by the darkness.
Beyond the shadows, a storm gathered. The wind carried its crisp tang. The earth rumbled, a distant warning, a promise of danger.
A call to arms.
“We must go,” Gideon said.
Naomi nodded. “To the ruins?”
“Aye. We must move the children before it begins. Gabriel will meet us there. He must report our progress to Michael.”
“Where are Daniel and Alyssa?”
Gideon chuckled. “Michael will only bend so far. He allowed Gabriel to accompany me with one condition—that Daniel and Alyssa depart.”
“You’re not supposed to interact with the other rebels?”
“Part of our quest is learning to develop new skills, to build new relationships and depend—”
“On humans?” she guessed.
“Aye,” he admitted. “Depend on humans.”
Some of the children were already asleep but Jack and several others sat around the fire.
“We was just talking about you,” Jack said.
“Nothing too damning I hope,” Gideon responded.
Jack tilted his head and made a face. “We wasn’t talking about you, we was talking about Lady Naomi.”
“Then it must have been gracious and respectful because you know how unpleasant I can be when my lady is insulted.”
“Didn’t know she was your lady.”
“That is for Lady Naomi to decide. But the conversation will have to wait in any event. You need to wake the little ones. We’re taking everyone to the castle for the night.”
Jake stood and planted his fists on his hips. “Maybe I don’t want to go to the castle.”
Naomi hurried forward. “Jack, there is a dangerous storm moving this way. It is very important that we get the little ones to safety.”
His eyes narrowed and Gideon thought he would argue, but then he turned to the others seated by the fire. “Best hurry. A storm’s coming. We need to—”
A shrill scream interrupted Jack’s orders. Gideon sprinted in the direction of the cry, focusing with all his senses. A second scream guided him to the stream on the far side of the ruins.
Midge stood there, paralyzed by fear, her hands covering her face. Her tiny body trembled. Each breath she took made a hoarse, keening sound.
Gideon knelt before her and spoke her name. He touched her shoulder gently and she went wild. She screamed and hit at him, lunging toward him then jerking away.
“Midge,” he said more forcefully. “Midge, look at me. It is Gideon, your night watchman.”
She collapsed against him, weeping pathetically.
“What frightened her?” Naomi asked.
Gideon looked up as he stroked the little girl’s hair. Naomi stood beside Jack, her arm wrapped loosely around his shoulders. “I know not.”
Wind whipped through the trees and the air was suddenly cold. Gideon eased Midge away from his chest and wiped her cheeks with his thumbs. “What’s the matter, pumpkin? Tell me what frightened you.”
She swallowed and shuddered then pointed toward the stream. Gideon picked up Midge and handed her to Naomi.
His boots fought for purchase against the leafy ground as he climbed down the sloping embankment. The acrid scent of fear gave way to something darker, something more vile. Death.
“Jack, take Midge back to the fire and ready the others,” he called over his shoulder.
Gideon shook with dread and loathing as he waited for Jack to obey. How much had Midge seen? Had she only stumbled upon the body or had Domieno committed murder in front of her innocent eyes?
The man lay half in and half out of the water, facedown in the mud. Wading into the stream, Gideon grasped the body under the arms and dragged it out onto the grassy bank.
He heard a shuffling above him. “Do not come down here,” he called, but Naomi skidded to a stop at the base of the embankment, not far from where he stood.
“Is it one of the orphans?” Her voice shook as she tried to peer beyond him.
“Nay, it’s a man. Turn your back. I mean to turn him over.” Gideon leaned down and rolled the body.
Hearing Naomi’s gasp, Gideon grimaced. He had tried to spare her this.
Fredrick of Westerville’s face was contorted in an expression of terror. Gideon quickly shut his lifeless eyes and thanked the darkness for concealing the details of his ravaged throat.
Gideon unfastened his cloak and spread it over the corpse, returning to the creek to wash the blood from his hands.
“Do you think she saw it done?” Naomi’s gaze shone with anxiety and fear.
“Aye. If she had only seen the body as I found it… I don’t know. She is very young.”
“That poor baby,” she whispered, her fingers covering her mouth.
He gently took her hand and they started up the hill. Halfway up the embankment, Naomi suddenly stopped.
“They will think I did this,” she whispered. “Domieno wants suspicion to fall on me.”
“No one will suspect you of what was done to that man.”
She stepped closer to him, her voice trembling. “I have reason to want him dead. What he did to those girls…and he is the only other person with any claim to Monthamn.”
“You’re falling into his trap. Domieno wants us frightened. He wants us angry. And he wants our doubt. We must stand strong and we must stand together.” Gideon took her hand and kissed her fingers before they continued up the hill.
Gabriel sat by the fire, Midge cradled in his arms. He spoke to her softly, his golden head bowed. When he noticed them, he carefully passed the girl to Jack and stood.
“I am ready for war,” Gabriel said as he approached them. “Why must evil use innocence?”
“Because it fills angels with rage.” Naomi sounded tormented.
Gabriel took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders then turned to Gideon. “Can you…take care of this?”
Gideon swallowed. That ability belonged to his dark nature. Did he dare awaken the sleeping beast? “I’ve not used any of those abilities since my agreement with Michael.”
“Michael could not object to this,” Gabriel said. “That child cannot live the rest of her life with the memory of what she saw. I will not allow it.”
“I’ll try.”
Gideon sat beside Jack and stroked Midge’s hair. She was nearly asleep in her brother’s arms so he didn’t move her. Closing his eyes, he roused the darkness and sank gently into her mind.
His dark nature stirred, stretched and expanded. Her innocence intoxicated him. Greedily he consumed it. He felt giddy and restless. Deeper, he sank deeper, searching for traces of evil.
Rage and Redemption Page 21
