Dragon of the Island

by Mary Gillgannon

  Aurora nodded, but she felt a sharp pang of jealousy, too. Elwyn was sweet, but he belonged to Gwenaseth. Why could she not have a kind, considerate husband like him, instead of cold, arrogant Maelgwn? She looked around the smoky room for Maelgwn’s tall figure. He had not joined the dancers but was standing with his men, a jeweled cup in his hand. He caught her watching him and smiled.

  Aurora looked away quickly, a tingle of unease coursing through her. It would not be easy to avoid Maelgwn’s unwelcome embraces tonight. She had found him watching her more than once with a rather drunken, possessive stare. She could only hope that he would drink so much he would not be able to stay awake for lovemaking.

  Chapter 12

  Maelgwn watched, mesmerized, as his wife danced. His eyes followed the sweep of her long dark hair—glinting russet, almost wine-colored in the dim light—and the sinuous lines of her body in the bright gown.

  “Many a man is envying his king tonight.” Balyn commented as his eyes were drawn to the vivid figure of the queen.

  “Aye,” conceded Evrawc. “I thought her sisters fairer myself, but there is no doubt that the queen is a beauty.”

  “The people seem to like her,” added Maelgwn. “Perhaps despite being a foreigner, she will be a popular queen.”

  Balyn smiled at the king. “The main thing is that she pleases you, my lord,” he said, gulping contentedly from his cup. “Perhaps this will be the start of a love match as well as a strong alliance.”

  Maelgwn looked up sharply. “I warned you before not to jest about my feelings for Aurora. She will serve well as my queen, but that is as much as I want from her.”

  “Of course, Maelgwn,” Balyn said with a smile. “I should have known that kings were above such frailties and foolishness as love.”

  “Do not mock me, Balyn,” Maelgwn said with a frown. “Kings cannot afford to fall in love, and I am a king first of all and a man second.”

  Rhys interrupted with a lewd laugh. “Well, I do not envy the king then, but ah, the man... would that I would ever have such a beauteous creature to grace my bed.”

  “Are you sure you would know what to do with a woman like that?” asked Balyn with a laugh. “Tell us, Maelgwn, are Cornovii princesses the same as other women in bed... or do they have some special charm all their own?”

  The king’s deep-set eyes drooped dangerously, and his low voice was thick and indistinct. “Aye, she is different,” he said after a moment. “Never have I had a woman whose skin was so soft, who smelled so sweet. Her body is like swan’s down scented with the flowers of spring.”

  Maelgwn’s men looked at him with surprise. It was unusual for the king be so open with them.. Usually he ignored their indiscreet jesting and retreated behind a wall of impenetrable reserve. It was obvious he was getting very drunk.

  Balyn was especially concerned by Maelgwn’s mood. Despite his enthusiastic speech, the king seemed edgy tonight, and it was uncharacteristic of him to drink imprudently. They would have to keep a watchful eye on his cup. Maelgwn was a heavy man to carry, and the tower stairs were steep.

  Aurora was dancing ecstatically when Maelgwn came and grabbed her tightly around the waist.

  “It is late, my love,” he said softly. “Come to bed.”

  Aurora was in no mood to leave the dancing, and she wrinkled her nose in distaste at Maelgwn’s state. He was drunk and leaned heavily on her, breathing his hot, wine-scented breath in her face.

  “You go,” she said, trying to disentangle herself from his strong arms. “I will be there soon.”

  “Ah, so already you prefer the company of other men to mine. It does not matter, for they cannot touch you, you are mine alone,” he whispered as he tightened his possessive embrace.

  Aurora was suddenly anxious. There seemed to be no way to escape Maelgwn’s unwanted attentions. “It’s not that,” she answered. “As host and hostess of the feast, one of us should stay until the festivities are over.”

  “I care not what people think,” Maelgwn said loudly. “Tonight I intend to consider my own needs first, and right now I need you naked beneath me.”

  Aurora glanced around in embarrassment. People were watching them, only halfway containing their curiosity, and the way Maelgwn was touching her was lewd and humiliating. His hands had insinuated themselves below her waist to stroke the curve of her hips familiarly.

  “All right,” Aurora hissed under her breath. “I will go with you. But please... stop holding me so tightly and touching me so. Everyone is watching. It is unseemly.”

  Maelgwn grunted and released her. As they made their way through the room, people moved aside to let them pass, smiling and murmuring. Aurora’s happy mood had evaporated, and she felt humiliated, imagining that everyone was commenting on her body and Maelgwn’s sexual prowess. Why did he have to make such a spectacle of his power over her? Whatever warm desire the wine had aroused in her was gone, and she was more determined than ever to get out of making love with her husband.

  They left the feasting hall. Outside, it was a lovely summer evening, and under different circumstances, Aurora might have enjoyed the amorous atmosphere of moonlight and fresh mountain air. But tonight she was concerned only with stalling Maelgwn and keeping his big strong hands off of her. Perhaps she could divert his attentions and tire him out by walking.

  “Maelgwn, please, show me around the fortress,” she coaxed as he led her toward the tower.

  “You mean tonight?”

  “Aye, it is so pretty out, and I know you won’t have time in the morning.”

  “It is beautiful here in the highlands, isn’t it?” Maelgwn said expansively, stopping and leaning heavily on her.

  “And the fortress is very impressive. Tell me, what is that building?”

  “I do not want to talk about buildings tonight,” Maelgwn protested, nuzzling her neck. “Now is the time for bed... but we could go somewhere else, if you don’t want to go back to the tower.”

  “Where?”

  “Like my office in the barracks or outside in the grass.”

  Aurora shuddered. It would serve no purpose to have him bed her on the damp ground and ruin her dress. Maelgwn was being very persistent, and he was probably not drunk enough to fall asleep without having his way with her. She must think of some other means of distracting him.

  “No, let us go back to the tower,” she said resignedly.

  “It was a good celebration, was it not, Aurora?” Maelgwn began again, seemingly talkative.

  “Aye,” Aurora replied sullenly.

  “So, we are not such monsters after all, are we?”

  “Who?”

  “The Cymru—the wild savages of the west that your people fear, that even the Romans could not conquer.”

  “I do not know yet,” Aurora said sulkily. “It’s true that your people know how to wage war and how to dance and make merry, but whether they can do anything else, I have not seen.”

  “And make love,” Maelgwn added. “You know, don’t you, that the Cymru are great lovers?”

  “Hah, I have seen none of that. You are just crude rutting pigs like all men!”

  “Do not talk to me that way! You have liked to feel my hands upon you since that first day in your father’s garden.”

  The memory of that hot, dizzy afternoon invoked shameful memories for Aurora. How could she have let Maelgwn fondle her so? No wonder he had no respect for her and treated her like his private slut.

  “That is not true.” Aurora said, trying to pull away from Maelgwn’s fierce hold. “You think because you are a man and stronger than me that you can use my body any way you wish, but it does not matter. You cannot make me care for you!”

  Maelgwn laughed coldly. “It’s not your heart I desire tonight—it is your body. And I will have it.”

  They reached the tower door, and as Maelgwn paused to open it, Aurora twisted away from him and ran up the stairs. Despite her head start, Maelgwn caught her halfway up and pushed her against the rough ston
e wall. He began to kiss her sloppily, breathing his wine-stained breath upon her, shoving his hand down her dress.

  “Maelgwn, please,” she cried. “You’ll ruin my gown.”

  “I care not,” he answered, slurring his words. “Why did you run away from me just now?”

  “Because I don’t want you tonight! You are stupid with wine—you reek of it.”

  “What makes you think it matters what you want?” he asked in a voice so cold it made Aurora shiver with fear. She pulled herself up regally, pushed him away, and answered him in a voice just as harsh.

  “So, I see you as you really are—not the civilized commander who bargained for peace with my father, but the ruthless warlord who takes what he wants by force. You are like a greedy little boy who grabs for what he wants but has no right to. I have nothing but contempt for you!”

  Maelgwn answered her by leaning over to suck noisily on her neck. Panic surged in Aurora. He was going to win. Even drunk as he was now she could not hope to fight him off. For a moment, Aurora considered trying to push him down the steep stairs. Something held her back. Maelgwn was her husband, and she did not want to hurt him. There must be some other way!

  Maelgwn stopped his caresses to unfasten his sword belt Aurora saw her chance and pulled away, escaping into the tower chamber and struggling to shut the door behind her. Maelgwn lurched after her and forced his shoulder against the door. She could not hold it. She gave up and Maelgwn crashed into the room, sprawling awkwardly on the floor. He picked himself up and moved steadily toward Aurora, who crouched near the bed.

  “You do not want me?” Maelgwn growled.

  Aurora shook her head. Her voice had deserted her, and her eyes were fixed upon Maelgwn’s murderous-looking face looming closer and closer in the flickering lamplight.

  “Why?” Maelgwn asked, pausing a few feet away from her. “What have I done to you?”

  “Your sister...” Aurora choked out. “You let her humiliate me. You said nothing to defend me.”

  “That is not true,” Maelgwn argued. “I told her that you were no concern of hers.”

  “You walked away,” Aurora reminded him, her voice shaking with rage. “You left me to face her alone.”

  “It does not matter,” Maelgwn answered. He realized how tired he was, his head had already begun to throb. But he felt there was a point to be made. “You are my wife, Aurora. It is my right to have my way with you.”

  Maelgwn’s voice was quiet, but he moved toward her steadily. Aurora climbed over the bed so that it lay between them and faced Maelgwn with bold recklessness.

  With a sudden lunge, Maelgwn grabbed for her, nearly jumping across the bed, but Aurora was quicker. Her head was clear now, and she realized just how dangerous her situation was. Should Maelgwn catch her, she did not know what he would do. From his angry, bloodshot eyes and grim mouth, she feared that rape was the least of his intentions.

  She flew around the bed nimbly, always keeping just out of reach. Enraged, Maelgwn lunged for her, once, twice... the second time his foot caught on a small chest Aurora had left on the floor. He stumbled. His reflexes were slow and clumsy from drinking, and he scarcely had time to put out his arms to cushion his landing before he hit the hard stone floor. He groaned once and lay still.

  Aurora stood frozen. She could hear the violent thud of her heart and the throb of blood in her ears. At any moment she expected Maelgwn to get up and begin his pursuit again. But he did not, and she cautiously ventured over to where he lay face down upon the floor.

  Staring at Maelgwn’s slack, motionless body, a new fear overwhelmed Aurora. What if her husband were dead or badly injured? Aurora could scarcely breathe at the thought. If Maelgwn was dead, her own life was over. She would surely be killed, perhaps horribly so.

  Still holding her breath, Aurora bent over him. She caught the rasping sound of his breathing and sighed in relief. He was not dead after all, and she was very glad. She had never wanted him to die or even be hurt, only to leave her alone for one night. She was exhausted and confused. What should she do? If she tried to get him into the bed, Maelgwn might wake and start his shameful advances against her again. No. Better to leave him there. He seemed to be breathing normally, he was snoring now. With luck he would sleep until morning.

  Aurora shivered as the cool night air blew through the narrow windows. She was numb with fatigue, and she walked stiffly back to the table by the bed and quenched the lamp. With leaden fingers she took off her gown—now badly soiled and torn at the neck—and climbed into bed. By the time her body had begun to warm the blankets, she was asleep.

  Chapter 13

  Maelgwn woke with a horrible taste in his mouth and a fierce ache in his head. The pain was much worse than the usual dull throb that too much wine left, and as he lifted his head, the agony intensified. He opened his eyes and looked around. There were strange square patterns next to his face, marked with uneven patches of sunlight. He blinked, feeling dizzy, and realized he was lying face down on the floor of his bedchamber.

  His body was stiff and cold, and Maelgwn raised himself with painful slowness, trying to remember how he had come to be there. He glanced around the room, noticing the messy tumble of clothes and baskets and the disarray of blankets on the empty bed. Aurora—it was morning, and she was gone.

  Maelgwn struggled to organize a confusion of memories from the night before. His recollections were misty, almost dreamlike, but the events came back to him, He had fought with Aurora... chased her... fallen. He recalled his own drunken desire, his rage and humiliation at Aurora’s rejection. He could even remember her cold, mocking words.

  Maelgwn put a hand to his head, feeling the lump on his forehead that spread hot fingers of pain into his eye and scalp. He had fallen hard. No doubt he already had the beginnings of a black eye—he could feel the healing blood filling the swollen soreness on that side of his face. Carefully, rather unsteadily, he straightened his clothes and picked up his fallen dagger from the floor. He badly needed a drink of fresh water and some food. Aurora, wherever she was, could wait.

  The courtyard was quiet this morning. Few of the soldiers were up after the night of revelry, and the women and servants who went about their business only nodded at him politely and then looked away. Maelgwn was relieved not to have to face his men yet. The bruise on his face was nothing to be ashamed of. Many men had fallen at one time or another when the wine muddled their brain and left them as clumsy and ungainly as a newborn colt. It was Aurora’s rejection of him that truly stung. He might be the king, but his wife had turned him out of her bed like a callow boy. Worse yet, she had left him lying on the floor all night!

  Maelgwn found that his anger made his head hurt, and he tried to control it. He must eat and have the bruise tended to before he did anything else.

  The old Irish cook in the kitchen gasped when she saw him.

  “Nah, nah, Maelgwn, what foolishness have you been up to?” she clucked at him solicitously.

  “The same as many a man last night,” he answered as heartily as he could. “It seems the floor got the best of me.”

  “You fell then?”

  “Aye, it seems so, though I hardly remember.”

  “And where was your new wife?”

  Maelgwn smiled weakly. “She was in no condition to help me.”

  “Let me call Torawc,” the old woman said as she stood on tiptoe to wipe his face with a damp rag. “A blow to the head can be dangerous.”

  “‘Tis nothing.” Maelgwn said impatiently. “Just get me something to eat and have someone find Balyn. If I’m going to be awake and miserable, I want him to suffer as well. It was Balyn who kept pouring the wine last night.”

  “Of course, my lord,” the cook answered. She motioned angrily at the young servant who had stopped his work and was staring dumbly at Maelgwn.

  While he waited for his breakfast to cook, Maelgwn closed his eyes and leaned his head on the heavy battered table. No wonder he drank so seldom, he thought
miserably. The price the next day was much too high. He longed desperately to go back to bed. The peaceful kitchen sounds seemed to lull him into a half-waking doze, and he scarcely heard Balyn’s footsteps when he returned with the servant.

  “By the gods, Maelgwn, what happened?” Balyn exclaimed when Maelgwn lifted his head.

  “I fell.”

  “We were worried about you last night, but I thought surely with Aurora to help you...” Balyn’s voice trailed off. He felt very guilty for not paying more attention to his king. He, too, had drunk too much; he hardly even remembered Maelgwn leaving the feast.

  “Aye. Aurora—my loving wife,” Maelgwn answered sarcastically.

  Balyn’s eyebrows rose in surprise at the king’s scathing tone. “She did not...” Balyn gestured toward Maelgwn’s battered face.

  “I fell through my own clumsiness. I do think though, that she wished me dead last night. It seems she considers me—now what was it—a filthy rutting pig I believe she called me.”

  Balyn stared at Maelgwn incredulously. “She said that to you?”

  “Aye, when she was not pushing me away and telling me she did not want me, that I was a stinking drunk and a brute because I didn’t defend her against Esylt.”

  Balyn made a choked sound, and tears were gathering in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Maelgwn,” he said between muffled guffaws. “I know it is not funny, but I cannot help it—I can just see her taking you on—Maelgwn the Great, bested by a mere girl. Oh Jupiter, we can’t let Evrawc find out about this. He’ll lose his place as most abused husband in Gwynedd!”

  “You think it’s funny?” Maelgwn was trying hard to be stern and commanding, but a grin was forming painfully on his own face. “You should try it sometime, if you think it is so amusing.”

  Balyn turned away, struggling to compose himself.

  The smile quickly faded from Maelgwn’s face. “You see, don’t you, that I can’t tolerate her defiance?”

  Balyn turned sober, too. “It is a tricky situation. You may have been in the wrong, but now she’s made it so you can’t easily apologize to her and make up.”