“I’d like to say I could teach you to replicate the shot, Princess, but I fear you haven’t the strength.”
“Or the vision,” Alecia murmured. “I can barely see that target, let alone hit it.” What else was he capable of? The blood roared in her ears and for a moment Alecia feared she would swoon. She could not let him see how his abilities affected her. “Would you care to duplicate the feat?”
He grinned and proceeded to place four more arrows alongside the others. What manner of man was he?
“Now it’s your turn, Princess.”
Alecia had to wipe her hands on her skirts before she took her longbow back. Their fingers brushed as the bow exchanged hands and the contact sent a tingle down her spine. She almost dropped the weapon but took herself in hand, angry at allowing him to put her off balance.
Vard Anton immediately moved alongside her as she took up her shooting stance. His hand brushed her right thigh and her heart almost leaped into her throat.
“I’ve found that to open your stance a little helps with balance,” he said.
Alecia took a deep breath, willing her heart back to a normal pace, and moved her right foot further from her body. She raised the bow and nocked an arrow.
“Roll your elbow slightly out, Princess,” he said.
She tried to comply but her companion had to run his hand down her arm to demonstrate the positioning. Her skin burned through the fine silk fabric of her sleeve. He felt as hot as the sun. She lifted her head to sight the target at 150 paces and tried to make its golden centre the core of her concentration. It was not easy with the musky scent of her instructor clogging her wits. She drew back the string until it came level with her nose.
“You must draw it further for real distance.” His hands were suddenly on her shoulders, his thumbs probing the muscles either side of her spine. “Use these muscles to help you draw the string.”
Alecia’s worst fear -- that the archery would bring her into close physical contact with Vard Anton -- had come to fruition. She told herself it was just a lesson. His touch meant nothing, but the excitement that darted through her body made it difficult to keep her focus.
The new technique allowed her to draw the string to her cheek. She sighted and loosed the arrow, maintaining her stance until the missile hit the target. This time she achieved the outer ring of the bullseye.
“Very good,” he said. “An improvement on your first effort, which was ill disciplined. Now, repeat the lesson until you land two dead centre.”
He watched and corrected as Alecia sent arrow after arrow into the target. Finally, she had two she could claim. Her arms shook with fatigue.
They walked with their bows to the targets. The practice missiles were easy to pull from the boards, even for one of her puny strength. At the 300-pace target, their hands met on the last arrow. Alecia tried to release the missile but he held onto her fingers. Did he sense the energy between them? Her eyes rose to his and she found him staring down at her. Her stomach fluttered and her head spun. His arm came around her waist as her knees buckled.
“Princess …? Alecia?”
Her name on his lips sounded glorious, his voice rich with the promise of long kisses and strong arms and… What was wrong with her? The captain’s splendid eyes were now full of concern. Am I lying down? How did that happen? Her quiver was uncomfortable against her back but she wouldn’t let her gaze leave his.
“Alecia, talk to me.”
His hand cupped her face and pulled her quiver out from under her. She relaxed against the warm grass, with a long sigh.
“Alecia!” He sounded worried now.
The spinning in Alecia’s head slowed and she was able to focus on the whole of his face. Why was he upset? “What is wrong?”
“Thank the Goddess! You’re back with me. I was stupid to push you so hard.”
Alecia tried to sit up and he helped to prop her against the base of the target.
“I’ll fetch some water,” he said and went to rise.
“Do not leave me!” Alecia grabbed at his sleeve. “I will be well in a moment and we can walk together to the horses.”
Instead of rising, he sat beside her, leaned his head against the target and closed his eyes. After a moment he sighed and turned to her. “We’ll travel back to Brightcastle when you’re ready,” he said, voice strained, and Alecia was sure the gilt flecks of his irises were more pronounced. He stood up and strode away, tension in every movement.
“What is it, Captain? What has disconcerted you?” Should she mention this attraction between them? Could she make such a fool of herself? What if he didn’t experience that zap every time their skins chanced to touch?
“Never mind, Princess.”
Her heart fell at the formality. “Please call me Alecia, at least when we are alone.”
He came to stand before her. “It wouldn’t be proper. I must remember what stands between us.” His eyes narrowed. “When you stare at me like that…”
Alecia dropped her eyes. Goddess! She had forgotten her fears of discovery in the excitement of the lesson. She could not afford to do that. Her heart pounded as he stood over her; she imagined him tortured with love for her that he could never express. What did he mean “I must remember what stands between us”?
He held out his hand and helped her to her feet. Alecia rested her hands on his chest to steady herself, just as she had that very first day. His muscles tensed. Suddenly reckless, she twined her right arm around the captain’s neck and pressed the length of her body against his. Her eyes were very close to his lips; strong, sensuous lips that parted in a gasp. What would it be like to be kissed by such a man? Alecia raised her eyes to Vard’s and let the yearning inside her show. All of a sudden, she didn’t care if he knew her secret. His pupils became huge, the gold specks all but lost in the fullness of his desire. She pressed closer.
The war of emotions in Vard’s face captivated her. Restraint fought arousal and ice battled fire. Fear of what might happen next trickled in past her fascination, but then his mouth descended on hers and every coherent thought evaporated. Walls of restraint within her she hadn’t known existed crumbled and she moved against his body as his mouth crushed hers. She curled both arms around his neck and pushed closer, delighted at the way their bodies fit.
He groaned as his arms wrapped around her, moving across her back and buttocks and finally up to caress the side of her breast. Now it was Alecia’s turn to moan as desire surged through her, sweeping her along until she was suddenly afraid of losing control. She pulled away.
He stood gasping, his arms hanging at his sides. In a split second, the longing in his eyes turned to horror. “We shouldn’t have done that,” he said. “I shouldn’t have done that. Please accept my apologies.”
Alecia shivered, the intensity of the moment replaced with cold formality. “I am a woman and you are a man. We did nothing wrong.” Would her father see it that way? What if someone had seen them? Alecia looked around the meadow. Their horses swished their tails at the other end. It was high time they were on their way.
Vard gathered up the quivers. “Can you walk, Princess?”
“I will be fine.” She stalked ahead, managing to stay in front of him all the way to their mounts.
They rode home in silence. Vard didn’t try to draw the princess into conversation. What could be said after what had transpired? He still reeled with shock, though he hoped he had disguised it from the princess. She had awoken something within him he hadn’t thought he possessed. He wanted her like he’d never wanted any woman, but he couldn’t have her. Was it her very unavailability that heated his blood? Perhaps the wise move would be to abandon his plan to kill Zialni, resign his commission and leave Brightcastle. Leave Alecia to the mercies of the prince and whomever he chose to marry her. There would be other women and other posts. The thought sent a pain through his chest.
From his position just to the rear, he admired the princess, the straight set of her shoulders and he
r poise. No matter her brave front, she couldn’t hide her inner turmoil from him. Shock and confusion radiated from her, hitting him in waves that made him grit his teeth. He tried to block her distress from his senses, but the memory of her lips moving beneath his, of his body moulded to hers, aroused him again. What was it about her that stole his breath? He imagined her naked, their bodies entwined… No! He must stop this. Frustration and anger began to build. He had to contain them or risk the life of the woman he had sworn to protect.
“Princess,” he said, “let’s push on to the castle. Your father will be waiting. Don’t allow your horse to run ahead.” Vard kicked Swift into a canter and drew abreast of the princess. It would be another bad night tonight.
Chapter 8
Alecia dismounted and handed her reins to Billy, the stableboy she had nearly run down the day before. That seemed a lifetime ago. On another day, she would have stopped to chat with the lad, but after her experience in the meadow she did not tarry. She strode into the castle, leaving her bow and quiver with Vard. Heavens! When had he become Vard instead of Captain Anton? She knew exactly when!
By the time she reached the base of the broad staircase she was running, and careened into Ramón at the top of the stairs. The squire hit the wall with a grunt. Muttering her apologies she hurried on, anxious to be away from scrutiny lest her control slip. Her chamber door shut behind her with a bang and she leaned against it, pressure mounting behind her eyes.
She covered her face with her hands and groaned. Her world had been ripped apart while Vard had been moved not a jot. Oh, she was foolish indeed to think she could steal a kiss from a man like that and suffer no consequences. How little I know of men. She had not expected…could not have known…In that one instant of madness, she had become a woman in every sense of the word. Her body longed for the hard strength of a man against it, and not just any man. She had never felt this desire for Jorge. Her feelings for her lost love seemed a water color compared to the vibrant oil masterpiece she had just experienced with Vard. Was this love?
No! She could not love a man she had known for so little time, and Vard had made it very clear he was not interested in her. Well, perhaps he had been distracted by the kiss; he had certainly seemed to enjoy it. Her heart raced anew at the memory of his hands on her breasts and back; the thrill, the heat, the hunger he had evoked within her. She recalled the hard passion of his lips and her stomach lurched, a fierce burning in her core reminding Alecia of what she had wanted to happen next. She would not have allowed it and neither, it seemed, would Vard. Next time, when she was not so caught by surprise…
There cannot be a next time! She pulled her hands from her face. Somehow she must rebuild her world around this abyss that had opened in its midst.
There was a knock at the door and she took a moment to compose herself before opening it. Ramón stood without. The large purple bump on his left temple loaned him an air of danger.
“I have your bow and quiver, Princess,” he said, eyes concerned. “What has he done to you?”
“I do not know what you mean.”
Ramón took a step forward and Alecia brought her hands up to fend him off. The squire stared into her eyes then reached out and gripped her fingers. “You can tell me. We are friends, are we not?”
Alecia’s eyes dropped. She needed to talk about her feelings for Vard, but not with Ramón. He could never give her the advice she required and would be even more hurt than he was already.
“Alecia,” Ramón said, his fingers tightening on hers, “you know I care for you. I cannot stand by and watch that man hurt you. Stay away from him. You heard what he did to me.” His hand rose to his head and he winced.
Alecia bristled. “You say we are friends and yet you refused to see me when I came to sit at your bedside yesterday.”
“I was angry, but I am no longer, at least not with you. Captain Vard Anton I would run through in a moment if I had the chance.”
“Please do not try, Ramón. I could not bear it if anything happened to you.”
Ramón’s blue gaze met hers and Alecia’s heart ached at the hope shining there. “I could make you happy, Alecia.” He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers. “Do you think His Highness would consider me as a suitor?”
Alecia drew her fingers from his grasp. “I do not know my father’s mind. All I know is that he plans an arranged marriage for me and that he wishes an heir within the year.”
Ramón gasped. “That does not leave much time for courting.”
“I am sure he has someone in mind.” Alecia stepped back to put more distance between herself and the squire. She had to be strong; talk of her impending marriage would only weaken her further, especially with Vard’s embrace fresh in her mind. “We must remain friends only.”
“Then that must be enough,” he said. “Be on your guard against Anton. I have seen the looks he gives you and it puts me in mind of a lion stalking a gazelle. Do not trust him.”
Alecia sighed. “He is my protector, Ramón. Are you certain your concern is not merely jealousy that he may spend time with me and you cannot?”
Ramón raised his chin, his eyes more serious than she had yet seen them. Alecia caught a glimpse of the man he would one day become. Perhaps a man that Vard could respect. “I have seen his face when he observes you. I know what it means.”
“Thank you for the warning.” She raised her hand to take the weapons from him. “If you will excuse me?”
Ramón opened his mouth but Alecia forestalled him with a shake of her head. He bowed and handed her the bow and quiver then strode off down the hallway. She closed the door behind him, her mind a flurry of thoughts and impressions as she gazed at the weapons in her hands. The last few days had turned her world on its head. Who was she? Girl or woman, victim or avenger, pawn or…? How could she judge the way forward unless she was honest with herself?
As Alecia changed clothes for luncheon, she reviewed the facts. Jorge was dead and someone must pay for his murder. Would it be the remaining mercenaries, her father or Finus? She had killed a man, albeit in self-defence. Could she go on killing to avenge her first love, a man as gentle as a lamb who had gone to the slaughter to defend his parents? Vard had kissed her, awakening desire for the first time, showing her how wonderful it could be between a man and a woman. What she had felt for Jorge was not true love or passion. Could she countenance a marriage of convenience, knowing what she might be giving up?
Somehow it was all interlinked. Jorge, her father, Finus, the mercenaries, Vard and the events of the past days and months were coalescing to forge Alecia into the woman she needed to be. She shook her head. What if she was wrong and it was not all some grand plan of the Mother’s?
Alecia finished dressing and stood before the portrait of her mother. As she gazed at beautiful Princess Iona, Alecia’s disquiet vanished. Iona had had faith in her. She was the Princess Alecia Zialni. Her father may have the power here, but she too had power and she would not allow anyone to take it away. She would exact revenge for Jorge’s murder and not allow her father or Vard or even Ramón to dictate how her life would be lived.
Vard sat on the bench in the kitchen and read the message on the tattered parchment for what seemed the hundredth time. A pretty serving girl, blonde curls peeking from beneath a white muslin cap, sauntered up to him with his plate of mutton and vegetables. When he failed to take the plate from her, she laid it on the bench and sat beside him, her thigh pressed against his. He crumpled the paper, threw it into the fire and watched the flames eat the note.
“I could help you forget whatever’s in that note, Captain,” she said. Her hand caressed the side of his jaw.
The girl was more than inviting, and at one time he would’ve taken her up on her offer. “I don’t think so, Miss.”
“Oh, I’m no ‘Miss’, Captain. You can call me Larissa, or Larry if you like. I know a nice warm hayloft where we won’t be disturbed.” She leaned closer, her minty breath swirling up
Vard’s nostrils. His eyes fell to her mouth. It would be easy to allow this distraction and would hurt no one. Well, most likely it would hurt no one. In his current state there was a chance that he could lose control and then Larissa would be at risk. He couldn’t allow that and still call himself a protector of the innocent, a Defender. He sighed and stood up. “I must decline, Larissa.”
As the kitchen girl stood, her arm curled around his waist and she pulled his body against hers. “There’s not too many as would turn down Larissa, Captain,” she said, her tongue licking pink lips.
It was almost Vard’s undoing. Why should he not have some fun? A vision of torn flesh ripped through his mind and he pushed the buxom maid away.
“No!” he said, unable to keep the growl from his voice. He stalked from the kitchen and down the hall to his room, slamming the door behind him. As he lay on his bed, staring at the exposed beams of the ceiling, arousal surged through him. Why can I not control my urges? His mind tumbled through the events of the past three days, replaying and sorting the scenes. The clarity he usually brought to his problems eluded him, but one thing was clear. Princess Alecia Zialni was the source of much of his consternation. Well, perhaps that was unfair. She disturbed him, attracted him, infuriated him and aroused him, but it was hardly her fault that he’d been thrust into the role of her protector.
Huh! If the prince suspected for one minute the raging struggle within his daughter’s guardian he’d kill Vard and stick his head on the wall of the smoking room. Vard growled as he pictured his head alongside that of the grizzled old wolf that already adorned the prince’s retreat. Unbidden, the death of the black bearded mercenary flashed into his mind, though what his wolf-self remembered was the blood and the man-smell of the unfortunate fighter. Vard retained enough to understand that the lad had killed the mercenary and that the young man had, again, been aided by the witch. But why were mercenaries being targeted?
Princess Avenger - Brightcastle Saga Book 1 Page 8
