by Sky Winters
Alva felt herself stiffen a little at the idea and turned suddenly to face them, angry despite her self-admonishment to mind herself.
“Don’t the two of you have something you should be doing?”
They looked at her and then each other, a stricken look exchanged that she had overheard their discussion of both her husband and his brother.
“I’m sorry, Lady MacEwan. We were just going out ot mind the linens.”
The pair scurried off hurriedly. Alva could still overhear them as one of them whispered a bit too loudly to the other.
“She’s probably just upset because she has already figured out that her husband prefers his own kind over what’s beneath the skirt of hers.”
Alva was stunned. Was it true? It made perfect sense with what he had said to her, the lack of a marriage consummation and some of Heath’s comments. Instead of being distraught, she found that she was absolutely giddy about it. If he didn’t enjoy the pleasures of women, then she certainly wouldn’t have to worry about him touching her. It meant she would have no issues of maintaining her complete faithfulness to Heath instead.
Smiling, she went upstairs and prepared for dinner. She sat at a far end of the table from Heath, trying her best to avoid eye contact, not because she wanted to but because she was afraid everyone would be able to see what she had done with him just from the look on her face. Of course, Heath, infinitely playful was having none of it.
“Lady MacEwan, did you have a good ride this afternoon?”
“I did. It was most splendid.”
“I’m not sure that you should be going out alone on the horse without a proper escort.”
“Why is that?”
“This land is not always a fit place for a lady of your stature to be out alone. There are thieves and kidnappers that would love to find you separated from any assistance.”
“Perhaps I will ask one of the guards to accompany next time.”
“You could do that, but I would be more than happy to go with you tomorrow. I’m an excellent swordsman. I can protect you from any harm.”
“I will take it under advisement. Thank you kindly for the offer.”
Alva smiled a little to herself as she took a bite of her food. He was toying with her, but he was also setting up a very public excuse to ride with her again tomorrow. She was glad to know that he wasn’t just some sort of cad that had taken her maidenhead for sport. Everything had felt so real today and she didn’t want to lose that feeling ever. In fact, she already found herself looking forward to their next rendezvous.
The days that followed were absolutely blissful. Each day, she and Heath went riding together. They used swordplay as if it were foreplay, sparring with one another until neither could bear not touching one another any longer. They ended each day making love in the moors as if it were the first time, every time. Their passion for one another only increased until it was hard ot leave one another alone even when back in the castle.
“Kiss me.”
“Heath, no. Stop. Someone will see.”
Alva was pushed up against the stone wall that led to the lower level of the castle where valuables were stored behind locked doors.
“I don’t care. I can’t stand being so close to you and not being able to touch you. It’s maddening.”
“It is for me too, but if we get caught, I don’t know what he will do.”
“I’m not scared of him.”
“I know you aren’t, but I have my family to consider, as well.”
“We have to get you out of here, Alva. You don’t belong here with him. You belong anywhere else with me.”
“We can’t, Heath. We have to stop this. It has gotten out of hand. He will be back any day now. It’s dangerous.”
“You can’t leave me, Alva. I need you. You are my heart. I love you.”
“I love you too, Heath. I do, but I am married to your brother and we have to let it go.”
“I won’t let it go. I will never let you go.”
Heath kissed her, despite her earlier protest. His fingers tangled in her hair as his mouth searched hers greedily, hungrily. Their bodies pressed together closely until he finally yanked himself away, grabbing her by the hand and pulling her toward the dark cellar just beyond the hallway. Clearing off the top of a barrel in one quiet corner, he pushed up her skirt and hoisted her panty looms down, fumbling with the fasteners on his pants.
“Heath, you can’t! We can’t!”
Her voice was little more than a whisper as she protested, only half-heartedly pushing him away. This was risky, but she wanted it. She wanted him to take her right there, right beneath everyone’s noses. He didn’t disappoint her by holding back. Her teeth bit into her lip deeply as he thrust into her forcefully, taking what he knew could only belong to him. There was nothing soft or sweet about their lovemaking. It was rough and animalistic. He slammed into her again and again as she stifled her cries of delight.
Afterwards, they returned to the upper levels of the castle separately. Alva could do nothing to temper the huge smile that adorned her face the rest of the evening. It only grew larger at dinner as Heath, once again, decided to toy with her at the table.
“You seem particularly pleased today, Lady MacEwan. Did you have a good day?”
“I had a most splendid day. Thank you for asking.”
“Of course. It is always nice to enjoy my dinner with such pleasant company, especially when she exudes such radiance with a grand smile like yours.”
“Flattery. All flattery.”
“All truth. What do you have planned tomorrow? Will you be going out to ride again? I will be happy to accompany you again if you like.”
“That would be very nice of you. Thank you again.”
Alva saw the two servants that had been talking about Heath previously exchange glances. Was it possible that they knew? Could they tell from the way she and Heath spoke? Or had someone unknowingly seen them in the cellar? As much as it pained her, this had to come to an end before things went badly.
“Well, if it isn’t my lovely wife and my beloved brother breaking bread with one another.”
Alva whirled around at the sound of Lord MacEwan’s voice behind her. When had he gotten home? Why had no one told her? She felt a sense of panic that she couldn’t’ quite explain knowing that he was back from this trip. Then it hit her why it was so upsetting. How would she be able to sneak off to be with Heath if he were underfoot? She was right. This had to end.
Several days passed during which she avoided Heath. She had been pretty successful until he finally caught her in the stables, sneaking away for a ride.
“I thought you would want to know that I’m leaving in the morning.”
“What? Leaving fo where?”
“I don’t know. Anywhere but here.”
“Very well.”
Alva’s heart felt as if it might stop, but what could she say? She wanted him to stay, but knew they had no future together here. It was best that he go. So, why did she feel like she might die if he did? The last few days without him had been torture enough. The idea of never seeing him again was devastating.
“Damn it, Alva. That is all you have to say? I love you and leaving is tearing me apart, but you just don’t care at all?”
“What am I supposed to say, Heath? We have no future. I’m married to your brother. Just go!”
Tears ran down her face as she jumped on the horse she had been preparing for a ride and directed it out of the barn, past him. She was well into the woods, letting the horse lead the way. Her tears were so heavy that she couldn’t see her way. Once out into the clearing, she became dimly aware of the sound of galloping behind her. She turned to see Heath in close pursuit, having grabbed the horse that one of the stable boys had been bringing in as she had left.
“Alva, stop!”
Instead, she dug in hard, sending the horse galloping wildly across the field. Heath still called to her from behind, but she ignored him. Then, everythin
g was upside down, whirling about her head as the horse reared and tossed her to one side. Her body hit the ground with a solid thump. She lay there stunned, the sun going black above her as Heath came running to her side and leaned over, blocking the light.
“My God, are you okay? Are you alright, Alva?”
“Yes. Yes. I’m fine. Just jarred me a bit.”
“Something startled the horse. He’s calm now. Standing nearby. Are you sure you are okay?”
“I’m fine. Help me up.”
Heath wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her to her feet, brushing off the debris from the ground as she stood. He looked down at her, his face full of concern. Alva melted against him, holding onto him as if her life depended on it and sobbing.
“Take me with you, Heath. We can’t be together here. I know that, but we can go away together. We can be with one another somewhere else.”
“Thank God. I thought I had lost you. Yes, Alva. Yes. We’ll get far away from here.”
Their lips met once again out in the field where they stood. A renewed urgency overtook them as they lost all sight of anything around them and drank each other in completely. This was right, the way things were meant to be.
“Well, what do we have here?”
Alva and Heath sprang apart. They were so involved with one another that they hadn’t heard the approach of the horse riding toward them. They both looked up at Lord MacEwan, his face a red mask of anger.
“I should have expected as much from such an ill raced trollop as yourself, my dear wife, but I should think better of my own brother! I’m barely married a week and you’ve decided to take my bride for yourself? Are you really so jealous of me that you would stoop this low as to soil what is mine?”
“Yours? I am not yours. I was forced here by my father. I don’t love you. I will never love you. I love Heath!”
“Love? So, this isn’t the first time the two of you have stolen away with one another I take it? How long has this been going on? Love? I’ve not been gone more than a handful of days!”
“There is no accounting for love, brother. Of course, you would know nothing about that. I’m not sure one of such a deviant nature could ever understand it. Father will be sorely disappointed when you cannot provide him with an heir.”
“Provide him with an heir? I think you are very incorrect about that, Heath. My preferences have nothing to do with my abilities. In fact, I think that I will be taking my bride back to the castle right now to get started on that very thing. No doubt you’ll not want her when she fat and swollen with my seed.”
“Over my dead body will you touch Alva.”
“Well, that can certainly be arranged, little brother.”
Alva watched as Lord MacEwan jumped down from his horse and drew his sword. Heath pushed her away and drew his own, brandishing it lavishly.
“Swords, eh? You surprise me. I had thought for sure that you would have gone with fire.”
“Where is your sense of adventure, Heath? Sword fight to the death? To the winner goes the spoils.”
“Alva is hardly spoils. She is the woman I love and I will not let you hold her hostage in exchange for peace that you could freely give if you weren’t so greedy and self-centered.”
The two men danced around one another, waiting for just the right moment to strike as Alva stood to one side, shaking all over out of fear. She was not afraid of what would happen to her, but she was terrified of what he would do to Heath. Heath was a fantastic swordsman, but he was emotional and his brother was more focused, driven by rage.
“I think it is a fairly generous offer considering she is my wife and nothing to you but a common whore for the taking.”
It was enough to set Heath off as he lunged forward and took the first strike. Lord MacEwan countered and blocked him, the swords glancing off one another as they moved back into fighting position. Everything seemed to move very fast after that, the two men exchanging blow after blow. It was way too fast for Alva to keep up with as they fought violently in front of her eyes, Lord MacEwan shouting taunts the entire time.
Suddenly, they were locked into a blow, their bodies pressed against one another as they struggled for control of the battle. Then, Heath was flying backward and Lord MacEwan was standing over him with his sword at his chest. Alva screamed.
“NO!”
“Oh, Alva. You hurt me. I thought for sure that here in the end, you would rally around your husband rather than your lover. You truly are a harlot to the end. I had thought that I would let you watch my brother die for your adulterous ways, but he’s my brother. He’s just a man and he has needs that your wickedness took advantage of. I think maybe it is best that he watches you bleed into the ground instead.”
His attention was focused on her, just enough for Heath to take advantage and jump to his feet, quickly driving his sword into Lord MacEwan’s side. Blood spurted everywhere as he stumbled forward a few steps and staggered. Alva’s eyes grew wide, looking from him to Heath and then everything seemed to shift. He began to change, to grow, right before her eyes. The sword went shooting backwards as his skin rippled and scaled, his nose turning to snout and a tail forming behind him. She took an involuntarily step backwards as she found herself looking at a very large, foul smelling dragon.
It advanced toward her menacingly, drawing its head back and breathing in deeply. Alva realized what was happening and ran, just seconds before a long flame shot from his mouth, scorching the trees that had been directly behind her. An errant thought that she was surprised he shot fire rather than ice crossed her mind. She was dimly aware of the fact that behind him, Heath too had transformed into a similar beast. Suddenly, he was on his brother’s back, tearing at him as they shook the earth beneath them with their large bodies.
Alva ran as far away as she could get, hiding in a grove of trees as the two dragons rolled about the moors, their teeth and claws flashing. Fire shot from each of them, attempting to roast the other as they continued their fight to the death. Alva realized that they looked very much alike and that with the constant moving around, she no longer knew which was which. Her heart pounded against her chest as she waited and watched, afraid for Heath and afraid for herself.
It seemed to go on forever as they fought mightily, attempting to tear one another apart. It all seemed so surreal watching two actual dragons go at it out in the open meadow on a summer day. This was her fault. If she had resisted Heath, he wouldn’t be in danger. She should have just said no and accepted her unfortunate lot in life. Instead, she had behaved like a prostitute and would now pay the price with the loss of the only real love she’d ever known.
Their bodies rolled across the ground in a terrifying fight. She watched as one suddenly shot down, clamping his powerful jaws shut on the neck of the other. He tore furiously from side to side, ripping open the scales and flesh as the blood poured everywhere. Her heart almost stopped beating as the dragon on the ground grew limp and lifeless. It was over and she was overtaken by fear as she waited.
Looking around, the victorious dragon stumbled a bit and fell to the ground, exhausted. Alva was afraid to move as she waited. The temptation to see if it was alive was great, but she had yet to know which brother lay dead and which brother just lay. If it was Lord MacEwan that lived, surely she would meet her death if he came to while she was near. Then again, if Heath was dead, what reason was there for her to live?
Timidly, she made her way from the grove of trees and examined the living dragon for any sign of its condition and identity. Finding none, her fear only grew worse. Tears fell as she glanced over at the lifeless body of the other dragon and wondered what to do next. Beneath her the ground shifted as the dragon by her side suddenly stood and stumbled again. She began backing away, but stopped as she watched it change, shrink, turn back into a man.
“Heath!”
“Alva, my love.”
His voice was weak and he had a look in his eyes she couldn’t quite describe as she ran back
to him and pulled him into her arms. He held her tightly, holding onto her as if she were a much needed life source. They remained that way for quite some time, just trying to regroup and sort what happened in their heads and hearts before finally pulling apart.
“I’m so sorry, Heath.”
“It’s not your fault, Alva. It’s done now.”
Heath glanced over toward the dragon that lay just beyond them and cast his eyes downward for a moment in prayer.
“Will he change back?”
“No. His heart is stopped. He will remain that way.”
“Then it will just appear that you have killed a dragon.”
“To the outside world, I will have slain a dragon, but my family will know. I will have to explain to them what has happened and accept their punishment.”
“Why? It wasn’t your fault. He came after you.”
“He came after me because I committed adultery with his wife.”
Alva looked at him. He was right. In the end, they would be the ones judged. Their love for one another was the most wonderful thing she had ever felt, but in the eyes of others, it was wrong.
“We were going to run away. We can just go. We can get far away from here.”
Heath looked at her and smiled a knowing smile. Brushing her hair away from her face, he kissed her forehead and held her some more.
“Let’s get back. It will be dark soon and we’ll have a lot to deal with. When we get back to the castle, you need to go directly to your chambers. Don’t speak to anyone. I will come for you as soon as I can.”
“What do you mean you will come for me? What are you going to do?”
“It will be okay, Alva. Just let me take care of it.”
They made their way back to the castle in silence, riding side by side through the woods and back into the stable before returning to the castle separately. Alva did as she had been asked, taking to her bed and crying throughout the night. When the morning sun began beaming into the window, she flung herself from bed and dressed hastily before heading downstairs in search of Heath, but he was nowhere to be found. Days passed and he was still absent. Alva’s fears grew and her heart faltered. By the end of the week, she had taken to the bed completely, unable to raise her head.
