Echoes of Magic

by Donna Grant

  She stopped near her window and looked to the southeast where the evil made its way toward them. She caught movement below her, and gasped when she recognized Grayson as he charged a knight.

  Adrianna was powerless to move. She gripped the edge of the window and watched as Grayson moved with deadly skill, his sword whipping through the air.

  He narrowly missed slicing the knight’s chest open. The man jumped back then quickly lunged at Grayson. She bit her lip when the man’s sword drew blood. It was only a knick, but it was still a wound. Their swords clanged in the night, the sound rumbling through the quiet town.

  Again and again their swords met, the men matched almost in every way except one—the knight had evil coursing through him. Grayson would be able to hold his own against him but, if another joined in, he would be in danger.

  She stood in awe as Grayson moved with the grace of a cat and the speed of a falcon. His sword was an extension of his body, and he wielded it with power and precision that few men would be able to withstand.

  He ducked and rolled as the knight’s sword sliced near his throat. Grayson gained his feet and thrust his sword at the other warrior who blocked Grayson’s sword with his own.

  Grayson then grabbed the man’s sword arm as he stepped toward him. With his lips pulled back in a vicious sneer, Grayson elbowed the knight in the face twice before backhanding him with a meaty fist that had the man stumbling backwards.

  Adrianna wanted to cheer as she recognized Grayson was about to win.

  And then she saw a second knight creeping up behind him.

  She didn’t stop to think, merely raced from the chamber and out of the inn to help. Adrianna’s heart thundered loudly in her ears as she urged her legs faster, fearing she wouldn’t get to Grayson in time.

  As she raced to the back of the inn, she caught sight of Grayson standing over the first knight, his sword raised above him. If she alerted him now, it would give the first knight time to recover, so Adrianna decided against it.

  She glanced at the second man to see him steadily advancing on Grayson. Just as Grayson plunged his sword into the first man, Adrianna ran and jumped on the back of the second.

  The man growled, his stench of evil so overwhelming she gagged. She used her arm to choke him as she pulled back with all her might. The man was a giant, his great hulk no match for her puny strength, but Adrianna had to give Grayson some time.

  “You stupid wench,” the knight snarled.

  She lost her grip when he slammed her against a tree. All the breath left her lungs in a rush as she landed with a thud on the packed earth.

  As she struggled to regain her breath, she opened her eyes to see the knight’s sneer as he raised his sword. Just when she thought he would plunge it in her, the man howled and clutched his side.

  Grayson pushed the knight to the ground and pulled his sword from his dead body. Then Grayson was by her side, lifting her in his arms.

  “Drina, are you hurt?”

  She finally managed a deep breath. “Just had the wind knocked out of me.”

  “I told you to stay in the chamber.”

  She recognized his anger for what it was, worry. “I couldn’t once I saw the second knight.”

  “Come,” he said and stood with her still cradled against him. “Let’s get back to the inn before someone sees us.”

  Adrianna gratefully wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her head on his shoulders. “Were they here for you?”

  “I don’t think so. It didn’t take them long to know I was in the village though.”

  She held her tongue until they were once more in their chamber and the door shut. Grayson set her on the bed and went down on his haunches before her.

  “Now. Tell me truly. Are you injured?”

  “Nay. You stopped him before he could do anything.”

  “You climbed on his back.” He shook his head in disbelief.

  “I didn’t know of another way to help you.”

  “You should have stayed here. Do you know what would have happened had I not seen the man?”

  She took a deep breath. “Aye. He would’ve killed me.”

  “Exactly,” Grayson said and rose to his feet.

  “But I’m not dead or injured.”

  “I’m grateful for your help, but don’t ever frighten me like that again.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Good. I’m going to hold you to that.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Grayson had never been one to care much for fashion though he knew it mattered a great deal to women. So he stood in the shop as Adrianna shifted through bolts of material. He watched the elegant way she moved, the easy smile that came to her lips, and, just like the night before, his gut clenched at the thought of her wounded or worse, dead.

  When he’d seen her on the brute’s back, he hadn’t been able to believe his eyes. It was the knight’s blade hovered over her that propelled him into action. Every time he thought of what would have happened had he not seen her in time left him in a cold sweat.

  Adrianna seemed no worse for wear. She hadn’t mentioned his kiss either. In a way, he was grateful. He wasn’t ready to explain his all‐consuming lust. Yet, as a man, he had expected her to say something, even if it was to slap his face for daring to kiss her.

  She acted as though it hadn’t happened when it was all he could think about.

  “Grayson?”

  He jerked and looked at the dark green fabric she held up. “I like it. Will it be ready today?”

  “Today?” the hefty woman who owned the shop shrieked. “Of course not. If you need something immediately, I have gowns already made that can be altered.”

  Duly chastised, Grayson leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. But he didn’t miss the way Drina’s hands lovingly touched the fabric.

  Adrianna smiled kindly at the woman as she replaced the green velvet. “I’ll see what you have then.”

  He eyed the velvet. Once Adrianna and the woman had walked to the back of the shop, he moved to the table that held the fabric. The velvet was a deep, rich green that would look lovely on her. He hoped she found something else that suited her since there wasn’t time to make her a gown in the green. He almost had a mind to buy the bolt of fabric and give it to her.

  Just as he was about to, Adrianna walked toward him, a satisfied smile on her face.

  “Did you find something?”

  “Aye. It’ll be ready this afternoon. Are you game to find yourself some new clothes?”

  Grayson inwardly groaned. “I’ve no need for fancy attire.”

  “Remember the plan,” she whispered. “I think a tunic of deep red or even a light blue would look nice.”

  “The choice is yours then.”

  She smiled brightly as he offered her his arm.

  * * * * *

  By the time they returned to the inn, Grayson could have walked around naked for all he cared. It had never mattered to him what color his tunic was or how it looked against his hair and skin. A tunic was a tunic.

  But Adrianna was happy, and he liked to see her smile, so he held back the comments and kept his face devoid of expression.

  “You can admit it now,” she said as she leaned against the door of their room.

  “Admit what?” He sat at the table and inspected his sword.

  “That you had an awful time of it today.”

  He glanced at her, but there was no anger or regret in her gaze, only humor. “All right. I admit it. I don’t understand the fuss. Its just clothes.”

  “Ah, but to the nobles, the type of material your clothing is made of is a symbol. I would’ve thought you’d understand that being in service with Lord Drogan.”

  “Drogan could care less about clothing either.

  “I’m curious about something.”

  “And what would that be?” Her quick change of subject did not go unnoticed.

  “I’ve been waiting to see if you would speak of last
night, and why we’re still in Dirkshire.”

  Grayson blew out a breath. He studied her calm expression and wondered how much to tell her of his plans. She would be better not knowing everything, but he knew she wouldn’t stand for it.

  “How much are you keeping from me?” She pushed away from the door and walked past him to the window. “If I’m going to be left out of your decisions, maybe you should leave me here.”

  Now he felt like a horse’s arse. “Please understand, Drina. Secrets have been my life. It can be difficult to trust someone.”

  “And you barely know me. I understand.” She spoke softly, no annoyance in her voice. She turned to face him. “It’s going to take both of us to get you to Hawksbridge alive.”

  Now it was his turn to feel as though she were keeping something from him. “What have you seen?”

  “Nothing. Yet. Last night proved that you may be able to battle these men one on one, but you are exposed if there are more.”

  “What can you do? You are only a woman with no experience with weapons. You were lucky last night. Very lucky.”

  “I know. I’ve never admitted to having skill with a weapon, but there are other ways I can help.”

  Grayson raked a hand down his face. “We could leave now and with a hard day’s ride make it to the next village outside of Hawksbridge.”

  “But?” she prompted.

  “I wanted to see if more of the men would arrive. It’s strange that only two of them were here seemingly unaware that I was in the area.”

  She tapped her jaw with a slim finger. “If they weren’t looking for you, who were they looking for?”

  Grayson had an idea. With Drogan secure at Wolfglynn, the men could be after Cade. His first meeting with Cade had come after Drogan’s battle with the evil. Cade had an emptiness about him that was dark and terrible. Drogan often spoke of Cade as a younger brother rather than just a friend.

  “What are you thinking?”

  He jolted, jarred from his thoughts. “There was another, a man Drogan considered a brother. Drogan rarely spoke of it, but he and Cade were in service to the king together.”

  Adrianna licked her lips and began to slowly pace the chamber. “They could be looking for Cade then, which would explain why they weren’t together. Do you remember how many of the men there were?”

  “Nine or ten.”

  “They’re less two now,” she said with a smile. She paused and faced him.

  “That they are.”

  “What’s your plan?”

  He scratched his chin and tried to ignore the hunger in his body for her, which was becoming impossible after tasting her lips, lips soft and inviting. “We spend the rest of the day relaxing as we wait for your gown to be altered. Then, in the morning, we set out.”

  “To Hawksbridge?”

  “Nay. The village outside of the castle. I want some time to survey the land and castle before I ride through the gates of Hawksbridge.”

  “You think the men will be waiting for you, don’t you?”

  Grayson shrugged. “It’s a possibility. If they are, I want your promise you’ll ride away. I refuse to put you in danger again.”

  She turned her back to him and looked out their window to the southeast. “I’d rather you not ask for that promise.”

  “I have to.”

  Her shoulders drooped as she let out a long sigh. “Who rules Hawksbridge now?”

  Grayson let her evade the promise. For the moment. He was determined to get her vow soon. “I’m not sure who has control. The previous lord, a baron by the name of William, disappeared some years ago.”

  “Disappeared?” she asked she whirled to face him.

  “That’s what I was told.”

  Her brow furrowed in thought. “How long ago, Grayson? You said you were once at Hawksbridge. Could you have seen the baron?”

  Grayson blew out a breath and sank onto a chair. “I don’t know. I was so young. I remember my mother and Hawksbridge, but nothing else.”

  “You expect to find all the answers there.”

  It wasn’t a question. He shrugged. “I don’t believe I will, as much as I’d like it to work that way. The truth is, it was many years ago. Most people probably wouldn’t remember my mother or me.”

  “Somebody has to remember when she was taken. You said it happened in the bailey. Something like that couldn’t have occurred without someone noticing. What I find strange is that the lord of Hawksbridge allowed your mother to be taken. He should have done something about it.”

  “I certainly would have.” It had always been something that never sat well with Grayson. What kind of lord had the baron been to allow a mother and child be separated by such men?

  Grayson stood and raked a hand through his hair as he walked the length of the chamber. Every day that passed without being at Hawksbridge made his frustration double. The likelihood his mother was dead was great, but he had to know what had happened to her.

  Maybe then he could sleep.

  “If I had been older,” he said, more to himself than Adrianna.

  Adrianna hated the pain and resentment evident on Grayson’s handsome face. It tore at her soul that she couldn’t delve into his past.

  Unable to stop herself, she went to him and laid a hand on his chest. “You cannot blame yourself. You were only a child.”

  The words died on her lips when her gaze locked with eyes. His silver eyes burned, not with anger but with desire. Her skin tingled, and heat surrounded her hand that touched him. That same look had been in his gaze just before he had kissed her last eve. And how she wanted another taste of him, to feel his soft, firm lips moving over hers. Just imagining it made her breasts swell and her nipples harden, the hunger, the need consuming her.

  She wanted to give in to the desire pulsing through her, to throw caution to the wind and wrap her arms around his neck. It seemed such an easy thing to do, but Adrianna couldn’t let herself do it.

  Before she could step away, his hand covered hers, holding it captive against his chest.

  “I do blame myself. I wasn’t able to help my mother, but I’ll be damned if I allow anything to happen to you.”

  She opened her mouth to respond when a knock on the door interrupted them. Grayson dropped his hand, releasing hers, and took a step back.

  Adrianna fisted the hand that had been held and walked to the door. She glanced at Grayson to see him give her a nod to open it. When she did, she was promptly pushed aside as men came in with a large wooden tub and pales of steaming water. She looked at Grayson through the people.

  Once the tub was filled and steam curled enticingly above the water, Grayson moved to the door.

  “You did this?” she asked.

  “I’ve some errands to see to. Don’t open the door for anyone but me,” he warned.

  “Grayson,” she called as he started out of the chamber.

  He turned to her.

  “Thank you.”

  One side of his mouth lifted in a smile before he left.

  Adrianna bolted the door and hastily removed her clothes. She couldn’t wait to sink into the heated water. She tested the water with her hand before climbing into the tub. A sigh of pleasure escaped her. The only thing better would be a night in Grayson’s arms.

  And she knew well enough that she was powerless to stop it.

  * * * * *

  Grayson leaned against the wall, his hands clenched at his side as he fought with himself on whether to walk back into the chamber and ravish Adrianna as he longed to do. Or walk away.

  Every fiber of his being told him to take her. He’d seen the lust swimming in her pale blue eyes. She couldn’t deny what was between them, not any more. His cock ached for release, to slide into Adrianna’s hot, wet sex and let the desire rule him.

  Somehow, he managed to rein in his need and walk from the inn. It frightened him, this hunger for her. No woman had ever captured his attention so. And he doubted another ever would again.

&nbs
p; Chapter Seventeen

  Grayson took extra time with his errands, not wanting to chance walking in on Adrianna’s bath. So far, he’d kept control over his desires, but he didn’t know how much longer that could last.

  The sun cast a bright orange glow over the land as it sunk into the horizon. The sunset was breathtaking with the clouds that captured and held various shades of orange and yellow that streaked the sky.

  He couldn’t help but wonder how many more sunsets he would get to see before the evil found him—or he found the evil. Grayson had seen firsthand how this man, this Nigel, fought. If he really had sold his soul to the devil, then it certainly explained his excessive strength.

  Grayson was a good warrior, but nothing could compete with supernatural power.

  He turned and entered the inn, his arms filled with the new clothing. As he climbed the stairs to their chamber, he found himself contemplating how his life would have been had he not lived it full of secrets.

  Just as he raised his hand to knock, the door opened. He pressed his lips together. “I thought I told you not to open it for anyone but me.”

  Adrianna smiled at him, her golden hair still damp from her bath. “I knew it was you.”

  “I could have had someone with me.” He stepped into the chamber and shut the door. “You need to be more careful.”

  “I am. I recognized your footsteps, which is also how I knew you were alone.”

  Grayson set the packages on the bed and faced her. The soft pink gown she wore only heightened her beauty. The gown was simple, but perfectly beautiful for her elegance, though he would much prefer the gown to be puddled on the floor at the moment.

  He silently cursed. He’d been walking around with a constant arousal the entire day. All he could think about was the softness of her skin, the sweetness of her lips, and her lush curves he longed to caress.

  “Is everything all right?”

  Grayson turned his head to find her beside him. “Aye. I picked up our new clothes as well as a few other things.”