Taking Karre

by Michelle M. Pillow

  He sighed, trying to calm the woman even as he fought the urge to run to Karre and demand she give up such foolish thoughts. “I would never allow it, Synna. Thank you for coming to me, but I swear Lady Karre is not going to face the Caniba.”

  —

  “You are not to leave the fortress without supervision.”

  Karre looked at her bedchamber door in surprise, unable to believe her ears. She had heard Vidar come into his room but didn’t expect him to barge through her door making stern demands before she even managed to get out a greeting. Endeavoring to remain calm, she asked, “And why not?”

  “I know of your plan to face the Caniba queen. I forbid you from leaving this fortress without my permission.” Vidar breathed so hard his shoulders lifted with each breath, giving him the air of a predatory beast who had just run down his prey.

  Karre pulled the laces of her blue corset bodice tight and tied them with a slipknot to hold them in place. She smoothed the long skirts of the cream-colored underdress while keeping a steady eye on him. “I see.”

  “Then it is settled.” The stiffness of his shoulders began to relax.

  Instead of agreeing, she said, “I have traveled to some of the most advanced planes in all of the parallel universes and I have been to some of the most primitive. I have been put into situations you cannot imagine, tortured, chased—”

  “That has nothing—” he began.

  “Sought after,” she continued, raising her voice to drown out his. “I’m not some weak, delicate flower that you have to water and protect. I know you do not want to hear it, but you can’t plant me in the ground and tell me to look pretty and not to move. I have thorns and—”

  “Are saying you want to farm?” His arched a brow.

  “I’m saying that you cannot tell me what to do. I stay because I want to stay, not because anyone told me to.” A dull ache started in her chest at his arrogant expression. “You said you had prisoners. If I can get to the Divinity portal, I can get this device that will help me read the prisoners’ minds. I can get to Magda. I can—”

  “I will not listen to this.”

  “I’m the perfect spy with my talent and skills,” she yelled louder. “The way you all protect women around here no one would ever suspect me. Your problem is that you sent in warriors when you should have sent in someone more subtle. Just consider—”

  “No.” The denial was flat, hard.

  “Then consider your people and how stopping Magda would save many lives. I’ve seen the men present the sword of the fallen knights to their wives. Those women might nod and accept the death token, but I see their eyes. Something dies inside of them.” Realizing she screamed, she took a deep breath and eased her tone. “I do not want to be presented your sword.”

  “Karre.” Her name came out on a sigh as he closed his eyes and ran his hands through his hair.

  “What of children? I know you want them, but you can’t want them to grow up with Magda. All I’m saying is I’ll go in, find out where she’s hiding and I’ll get out. I’ll report the layout. I’ll—”

  “No.”

  “You can’t stop me. If you don’t tell me how to get to the Divinity portal, I’ll go on my own.”

  “Do not test me,” he warned. “Give me your word of honor that you will forget this foolish plan.”

  Karre bristled at his decree, not liking this demanding side of him. Anger bubbled inside her, flooding every nerve. “If you want to keep me here, you’re going to have to tie me up in the courtyard and put me under guard because that is the only way you’re going to make me do what you want me to.”

  With that, she marched toward the bedchamber door, storming out on her husband, intent on getting away from him.

  “Karre!” he yelled, chasing after her. “I have not finished discussing this.”

  Thinking more of defying him than what they fought over, Karre ran, going faster as he followed behind her. Words flew between them, growing in heat and intensity. By the time they reached the main hall, they were yelling at the top of their lungs, making a spectacle. “Leave me alone!”

  “You will do what I say,” he demanded.

  “I will not have you dictate orders to me,” she returned. Those gathered in the hall turned to watch the argument. “I am not yours to command.”

  Vidar stiffened and she knew he was acutely aware of their audience. “I am your husband. I have every right to command.”

  Karre didn’t care who heard them. To her thinking, it was best everyone knew her position. Refusing to back down, she balled her fists. “Oh, yeah? And you think you’re man enough to make me?”

  Chapter Ten

  Because right now, in this moment, she was tied up and put under guard.

  Shadows fell heavy over the wide courtyard, cooling the heat of the day as a gentle breeze swept over the open yard. Women carted buckets of water from the well into the fortress. They did their best not to look at Karre, but she saw them peeking from the corner of their eyes. She couldn’t blame them, because right now, in this moment, she was tied up and put under guard.

  Damn him.

  Karre grimaced, thinking of Vidar as she stood, tied to a T-shaped post, in the middle of the courtyard. A chain ran along the top binding her wrists over her head and a large shackle held her waist to the post, leaving her feet free to kick at the dirt. Her ties didn’t hurt, merely annoyed.

  Somehow their argument had spiraled out of control and she ended up in the courtyard by her own taunting. The anger felt good, the release, the passion, the heavy breathing. Still, how could she back down? She wasn’t his to command, not like that. If he could protect her, then she could return the favor and protect him. She loved him, but she wouldn’t be controlled by him.

  “Way to take a stand,” she mumbled, more bored than annoyed. “I could have told him to lock me in my chamber. Or chain me to the head table with a bottle of liquor.”

  Karre kicked at the ground with her toes, trying to find someone, anyone, who would look directly at her so she could call them over to keep her company. Maybe she could convince them to let her go. It could be a diverting game—making Vidar catch her. The idea caused her body to tingle and her mind to swirl with deliciously wicked thoughts.

  “Focus, Karre,” she admonished, pushing aside all sexual desires. This was bigger than a mere sexual game. This was her life, her future. She needed to concentrate.

  “Have you reconsidered?”

  Karre struggled to turn. Vidar’s voice came from behind her. She wondered how long he’d been standing there. With the breeze hitting her face, she hadn’t detected him. When she couldn’t see more than the side of his arm, she said, “Have you?”

  “I have no wish to leave you out here, but you challenged my authority in the great hall in front of my men.” The heat of his breath brushed over the back of her neck as he leaned close. “Simply promise me you won’t try to spy on the Caniba and we can end this. I only seek to keep you safe.”

  “I don’t know. I’m rather comfortable right here.” She lightly swung her hands back and forth, taking what little movement she could. “It’s a beautiful day.”

  “You are a frustrating—grrr.” With that growl, he marched off. His steps stopped and he came back. Very softly, he said, “If you change your mind or become uncomfortable, signal the knight on the battlement. Just say the word and we can forget this…misunderstanding. I have no wish to keep you prisoner like this. Please, my lady.”

  “Do you reconsider? Because the way I see it, if you can protect me, I can try to protect you. I will not make you a promise I do not intend to keep. I may be many things, Vidar, but I will not lie to you.”

  “I cannot reconsider.”

  “Then, I’m sorry, but I’m quite comfortable remaining right here,” she answered.

  “As my lady wishes.” He touched her hip before leaving once more.

  Her mind focused on her hip where he’d touched her. Sexual thoughts tried to invade, t
aking over her reason, trying to make the whole captive scenario a game. Arousal warred with logic and for a moment she let arousal win. Her breathing deepened, causing her bodice to feel tight against her breasts. She closed her eyes, imagining Vidar dressed all in black, stalking around her as if ready to pounce—potent, sexual, animalistic…

  The creaking of the front gate snapped her out of her budding fantasy. She tensed, watching to see who came through. Was it more soldiers carrying the blades of the fallen to new widows? Even knowing Vidar wouldn’t be among them, she felt her stomach tighten at the mere thought of it.

  I cannot back down.

  First knights entered, filing in two by two. She searched them for fresh wounds but didn’t see any. Synna and Jordinne hauled baskets heaped with laundry, pausing to watch the visitors. Synna glanced at Karre, looking incredibly guilty. Karre sighed. So that was how Vidar discovered her plan. She should have known. Synna had tried a couple times to point out how foolish Karre’s words were.

  As a man entered, clearly the leader if not by his carriage then definitely by his massive size, she narrowed her gaze in recognition. He was one of the bridegrooms from the ceremony at Battlewar. What was his name? Lord Big Moody Knight?

  Behind the large knight, horses pulled a cart. Seeing the blonde bride who had been a part of the marriage ceremony, Karre forced her expression to go blank. Spearhead guards pushed the oversized doors of the main gate closed and latched them with a thick timber.

  The cart stopped and the blonde emerged, rubbing her back and wobbling on shaky legs. Wondering what, if anything, the woman had learned, Karre whistled loudly and yelled, “I see you’ve survived.” Then, before she could stop herself, she added, “I had my doubts.”

  Karre cringed inwardly as the blonde jerked in surprise and looked over. The comment was true, but she hadn’t meant to say it. The blonde seemed weaker than the others and not at all suited to handling the giant man who had claimed her.

  Lilith. The name hit her, crawling out of her memory. Her name is Lilith. He is Lord Sorin of Firewall.

  Karre smiled, wiggling her fingers in greeting. Her chains jingled at the movement. Hurrying on before Lilith could think about her last comment, Karre said conversationally, “Great weather we’re having.”

  Lilith glanced around the yard. Sorin stood near his dirt-covered knights and equally caked horses. With her husband occupied, Lilith cautiously walked to where Karre waited. Under her breath, she asked, “Karre? Are you all right? What’s happened here?”

  “Small misunderstanding,” Karre answered with a short, dismissing laugh. “Nothing to be concerned about. How’s your guy been treating you?” Karre leaned to the side and pretended to study the newcomers. “Which one was he again? The big guy?”

  “I found the way out.” Lilith whispered urgently. Karre’s easy smile dropped and her eyes narrowed at the information. Maybe Lilith wasn’t as weak as she had first thought. “It’s at Battlewar Castle in the dungeons. I tried to leave to bring back help, but it’s too guarded.”

  Karre didn’t answer. Her mind raced. Battlewar? She was sure she could find her way back there, but how would she make it undetected? Even if she managed to get past the guarded gate and through Battlewar Village unnoticed, she would have to face the crowd of knights who roamed the castle. The place was a palace compared to Spearhead Fortress in both size and population.

  Lilith continued, “Have you seen Jayne or Paige?”

  Karre’s smile lifted with great effort, though her mind stayed focused on the conversation. “No. You’re the first.”

  “I promised Jayne I’d try to get word to everyone.” Lilith bit her lip, checking to make sure they weren’t overheard.

  Young boys who worked in the stables led the horses away. Servants welcomed the men, ushering them inside. Friends greeted friends.

  “I’ll draw you a map and write down the code to my home dimension.” As Lilith spoke, Lord Sorin turned his attention to them. “I’ll find a way to get it to you, just check your chambers. Someone at Divinity headquarters should help anyone who comes through the portal if you tell them what happened.”

  Yeah, right. Divinity would just love to help me escape them. Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll pass.

  “If you see Jay—” Lilith continued.

  “Sh.” Karre shushed the woman. Sorin was too close. To cover what Lilith had revealed, she announced, “Yep, beautiful weather for a ride into battle.”

  “My lady,” Sorin said, joining them. He nodded at Karre, as if acknowledging her statement as fact.

  “My lord.” Karre bowed her head, the action not as respectful when done with rattling chains. Lilith opened her mouth to speak, as if to reassure Karre in her tied up state. Karre could care less about her ties. She wasn’t scared of Vidar hurting her. To cut off any sentiment, Karre began to hum playfully as if she hadn’t a care in all the dimensional planes.

  Sorin led his wife away. Karre watched the knee-length flaps of his black long tunic hit purposefully against his legs. Lilith stumbled next to him, causing the big warrior to stop. Curious, Karre stared as he gently placed his finger beneath Lilith’s chin and lifted her eyes to look at him. Though she strained, she couldn’t hear their words. Sorin’s motions were gentle when he finally led Lilith away.

  “Hm. It would seem she has tamed her beast,” Karre said to herself, somewhat impressed. “Now, if only I could win this battle with mine.”

  —

  Aggravating wench!

  Vidar paced his chambers, hating that Karre was tied up in the courtyard, hating that he’d ordered it done to her, hating that she had publically goaded him to do just that. And for what? Because he had laughed at the incredibly ridiculous idea of his wife infiltrating an evil sorceress’ lair as a spy? Okay, so he could have held his temper in the great hall, but she’d been yelling too.

  Contrary to her obvious lack of faith in his ability to protect her, he did have a plan. Already his men informed him Lord Sorin was close, just as the king promised. Once reinforcements arrived, they would handle Magda and her followers.

  “Sir Vidar,” a maid said from the door. “Lord Sorin has arrived.”

  “Thank you, Calla.” Vidar tugged his tunic over his head, tossed it on the bed and grabbed a fresh one from his trunk before heading toward the main hall to greet his guest. Pulling it over his head as he walked, he let the long sides of the black tunic fall around his knees.

  His guests were seating themselves at the head table when he arrived. Lady Lilith clutched her husband’s arm and Vidar heard her whisper, “What’s happening to Karre? Why is she tied up?”

  Vidar frowned. His fellow Starians would never question such a thing. It wasn’t her concern, but the business of a man and his wife. Had Karre actually been abused, the people of Spearhead would have revolted against their leader in protest. To stop further questioning in wake of graver concerns, he answered before Sorin could, simply stating, “A misunderstanding.”

  “Oh,” Lilith made a soft noise and had the decency to glance away.

  Vidar bowed toward Sorin, acknowledging him before doing the same to Lilith. The lady had an angelic face and the coloring to match. Vidar much preferred his darker temptress.

  Aggravating seductress!

  “Lady Lilith, may I introduce Sir Vidar,” Sorin said. “This is his home.”

  “Only until the king assigns it to another,” Vidar answered politely. He tried not to think of Karre, even as he glanced over the hall in hopes that one of his men came to inform him of her contrition. “My lord, if you would come with me?”

  He didn’t wait for a response as he made his way to the old scroll room. Reaching to his waist, he pulled at a small pouch near his knife to take out a key. Because of the nature of the documents stored inside, the chamber had not been cleaned for a few years. Ignoring the dust, he strode across the room to a wall of shelves filled with rolled parchments.

  “What news?” Sorin inquired, shut
ting the door behind him.

  “Sorceress Magda has yet to show herself, but they found tracks near the marshes and we uncovered plans too. I’ve sent word to the marshes that we ride at dawn to join them.” Vidar unrolled a map of the land surrounding Spearhead Fortress and laid it on the table, holding it open. “Lady Lilith is welcome to stay here. Her every comfort will be met and I will leave a small contingency of soldiers to guard the fortress.”

  Even though Sorin was higher ranking by birth, Spearhead Fortress was entrusted to Vidar, as was the nearby borderlands. These were his decisions to make and Sorin did not dispute them. Once on the battlefield, they would each lead their own armies.

  Sorin nodded. “I agree. It is not safe at the encampment and my lady is delicate to the ways of war. She will remain here.”

  Vidar thought of his wife. She was far from delicate. “Lady Karre wishes to join the war.”

  “These women they send us.” Sorin chuckled, clearly thinking Vidar jested. Leaning over the map, he asked, “Where is your army positioned? I will send orders to my men. By the grace of the gods, we’ll have Magda’s head.”

  —

  Karre grinned as the lock binding her wrists opened with a soft click. It hadn’t been easy in her position, but she managed to get the lock-picking tool untangled from her hair. She found she much enjoyed the challenge, freeing herself in a courtyard filled with Starian knights. Clearly they underestimated her. Even her guards kept a lax eye on her as they talked with the newly arrived guests. Though, to be fair, since Vidar told her he didn’t want to keep her prisoner, they probably weren’t too concerned with making sure she stayed bound. And really, if she got caught, it’s not as if anything would happen.

  As the courtyard quieted and guests filtered in for the eve meal, Karre slipped out of her ties and made her way through the back passageways to her bedchamber. Her muscles were a bit sore, but she didn’t mind. She found herself smiling as she thought of the look that would cross over Vidar’s face when he discovered she had escaped. That image led to others—him running after her, barging into her chambers, finding her on the bed, the captor after his naughty captive.