A Heart's Chance

by Paula Calloway

  As time passed and so few of the mates returned, it became the task of the celestial being to journey down, find and rescue their precious soul mate from the grip of mortality. The passage of the mate’s soul from one mortal body at death into a new one at birth, offered an extension of time, but oftentimes failed to be enough for if life was stolen, the trapped soul faded.

  It was heart wrenching to lose one half of a celestial team while the other half failed to survive the intense loneliness more than the normal lifespan of the possessed mortal body. Cáel felt the spasm of loss more than once. To suddenly find his soul mate here and within his grasp spun his heart in a dance. He wished her mother hadn’t interfered for his failure to win his soul mate meant they both lost to the darkest death.

  His stealth unmatched, he returned and sat in his chair in the corridor until the sun streaked gold and pink across the sky. The moment the angel rose and the instant her ear touched the door, a smile tugged at his lips. He rose, strode to the widow, and stared outside.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Marija quietly opened the door and peeked into the hall. His back to her, her guardian stood as none other than the prince himself. She eased into the corridor and tiptoed toward the stairs.

  All-too aware of the angel, Cáel pivoted, his voice low, “Marija.”

  Halted by the call of her name as the warmth of his tone danced a shiver down her spine, she pivoted and stared. Not hearing him didn’t shake her for her father was much the same, but the caress of his voice over her mind and heart stirred emotions buried deep within. The heat of his gaze when it glided over her entire body ignited sexual desire. His handsomeness undeniable, she trembled and raised her chin while his measured stride closed the distance.

  The lurch in his stomach ignored as he gazed upon her beauty, he lifted his cloak from his shoulders. He wished to embrace her, claim her lips with his and make love with the angel. With his cloak draped around her, he adjusted the ties and shoulders to inhibit its slide from her much smaller frame. “You’ll catch a chill and I prefer not to nurse my bride back to health before our wedding.”

  Her step back involuntary, Marija shivered. “My lord—”

  “Cáel, my lady.” Cáel smiled and brushed the pad of his forefinger down the tip of her perfect nose.

  “Yes, Cáel. Forgive. I, uh…”

  “Wished to check on your father. I gave my word you would see him upon waking. Come.” He proffered his arm. At her acceptance, he accompanied the angel to the stronghold master’s side and stepped back.

  Marija trailed her finger over her father’s deep brow lines. Concerned by the pallor of his face, she laid her hand against his cheek. “Father?”

  Mikeli opened his eyes, his smile weak. “Marija. Cáel told me of your choice and I’m glad you chose him over Juris. I wish you had never been forced to even make a choice.”

  “It was easy. Cáel benefits you.”

  He groaned. “I want you to do what makes you happiest.”

  Marija kissed his cheek. “He does.”

  His pressure gentle, Mikeli pushed her back. “You love him?”

  “He’s younger and I certainly can’t see myself living with some old warrior like Juris.”

  “You evaded. If you do nothing else in this world for me, daughter, please give him a chance. Just one.”

  Marija smiled at the begging in his eyes. “For you, Father, I will do anything.”

  Mikeli patted her hand. “Cáel’s a young honorable man capable of defending you against the world. He assured me some of his forces will remain here and guard the stronghold while another portion wages war against my enemies and yet another stays and protects you. Don’t forget me.”

  Concerned by the weariness in his voice, she bent and kissed his cheek. “Never, Father.”

  He patted her hand. “Good. Now take some time and get to know your future husband as I need more rest.”

  Marija stood and faced the prince. “I need to bathe and dress.”

  Cáel opened the door, motioned her through with a sweep of his hand and accompanied her until at the door of her room. “I’ll leave your handmaid to her task.” Tempted to add until married, he refrained, removed his cloak and draped it over his arm. He bowed, straightened then strode for the stairs.

  “Cáel?”

  His heart faltered at the call of his name from her lips. He pivoted. “Yes, my lady?” At her step closer, he crossed the floor and halted within inches of her smaller frame. “What do you wish of me?”

  Marija swallowed hard. “Time.”

  Cáel cupped her cheek with his palm. “I will give all you need.” Certain her presence would drive him insane with maddening passion, he smiled. “As much as I can. Shall I arrange for your mother to plan the wedding and do you desire a specific time or date?”

  She nodded. “Please grant me the next three days to adjust and Friday evening I will become your wife.”

  “Your request is granted and I’ll inform Lady Ilona of your wishes.” He bowed, pivoted and strode downstairs.

  Zuzanna rushed past and paused long enough for a hurried curtsey. “Sir.”

  Marija slipped inside her room and into the private privy. She waited while the handmaid drew her bath. “What do you think of the prince?”

  “Me, miss?”

  She climbed in and handed the cloth over her shoulder. “My back, please. There are only two of us here and I want your opinion.”

  Zuzanna obliged. “He is young and handsome. Seems nicer than most men I’ve met. Aside from Lord Mikeli.” She patted her shoulder. “I think he’s a good match for you, my lady.”

  Marija pulled her knees to her chest and embraced her legs. “I hope so, Zuzanna. I hope so.” She sighed. There’s something about him, but what? Why does he tug at me in this… odd way? The heat of his piercing gaze, the touch of his hand, the caress of his voice, it all seized her and in a way she failed to fathom.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Cáel entered the kitchen and drew up short to avert a collision with the stronghold mistress. He stepped back with a slight bow. “Lady of the Stronghold.”

  Ilona proffered a coy smile and placed her hand on his chest. “There’s a buzz a wedding is needed.”

  He stepped back twice more and ended the contact. “I came to request your skillful planning of such as you possess eight times the experience. My bride prefers Friday evening.”

  Her laugh soft, she lowered her hand. “Aren’t you the charmer. I’ll get right on it after lunch.”

  His bow swift, Cáel left and checked on his troops. “Nuada, Conall, the two of you will remain with Lord Mikeli’s first and second in command while on duty. Learn the in and out of this stronghold. Upon my marriage to the lovely Lady Marija, this will become our second home. I want it defensible to avert another incident like the last.”

  Dáire tightened his hold on the lead rope. “My prince, the lady’s stallion is lame.”

  He waved the guards on their way, crossed the ground and scrutinized the swollen pastern. “How bad?”

  “Severe, my prince. He’ll make a beautiful stud, but I’m afraid his injury will not allow him to bear more than a child’s weight and never faster than a walk.”

  Cáel considered the prospect of divine intervention, but decided against it. “I have a better mount for my lady. Tend him well and keep him for a stud. Retrieve that small white mare and stable her in the end stall by morning.”

  Dáire bowed. “Consider it done, my prince.”

  He pivoted on his heel and returned to the stronghold. His mind link keen on his bride, he released a heavy sigh.

  * * * *

  Marija shivered at the slight draft. “Zuzanna, what’s it feel like with a man?”

  “Painful.” Ilona smiled at the startled gasp of both girls and waved away the handmaid. “I came to help my daughter. Sex is horribly painful. Men rut like a stallion around a mare in heat. They tend to treat a woman’s breasts like a grabbed sword hilt and
their shoved penetration of your body is nothing less than stabbing said weapon into a sheath. Be grateful if his erection is no more than the length and width of your own finger.”

  “My father was such?”

  “At times. It is the way of all men, child.” She stood and proffered a towel. “There is no enjoyment in a man’s touch.”

  Marija accepted the towel and dried off. “Then why is marriage so prized?”

  “It allows a man great wealth and the pleasure of using you when he has a need to fulfill with your body.” Ilona sashayed from the room. “Not that such ceases his use of his numerous harlots.”

  “Where are my sisters when I need them?” She failed recollection of a time where her father was anything but kind to her mother or a time where she saw him with another woman. Her sigh heavy, she rinsed and stood while the returning handmaid helped her dry and dress for bed.

  * * * *

  Cáel passed the stronghold mistress midway on the stairs. “The truth will never stay silent, Lady Ilona.” His nod curt, his sidestep swift, he denied her the time to reply and continued on his way past the angel’s door. He paused by the window at the end of the corridor where he peered down at the ground.

  Seated on the ledge, he scrutinized the defensibility of the spot. From his perch, defense of her window and door were effortless. The chair soon abandoned, he rested his back against the stone frame and leaned back his head. With his eyes closed, he welcomed the gentleness with which the angel of his dreams entangled his heart.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Sunlight colored the blue sky with hues of pink and purple. Ever quiet, Cáel approached her door. His hand swept down his chest to brush dirt from his body. Magic cleaned him from head to toe. To humans, his actions and results were magic, but to him it was mere will. He eyed the opening door.

  Marija peered into the hall. “Do you intend to sleep at my door every night?”

  “No. After we are married, I will sleep in your chambers where I can more easily guard you.” He liked that the delectable angel before him wasn’t the slender thing of most noble females, but a delightful curvaceous lady a man could hold.

  She shivered. “My lord, is something wrong?”

  “No.” Cáel swept his gaze over her and admired the way her deep purple dress, a simple style of the nobles, rode the edge of her shoulders with fitted sleeves and dipped just enough to reveal her cleavage and the swell of her heavenly breasts. The slight curve of her divine waist and the delightful flair of her hips whet his appetite.

  Marija swallowed hard. “Cáel?”

  His forward step countered by her step back, he frowned. “I will never hurt you, Marija.”

  “Your words were abrupt and your silence was long.”

  Cáel proffered a warm smile. “They were of a husband to a wife while I admired the angel before me.”

  Marija lowered her gaze. “Yes, my lord.”

  He proffered his arm. Her tenseness recognized at her acceptance, he placed his other hand over her small one. “You have nothing to fear, Marija. I take you as my wife because I wish to. I have more power and wealth than I need so I seek nothing from your father. My offer to court you is because I sought such. This union benefits your father in wealth and power and me in matters of the heart.”

  “Your words are kind and generous. I wish this marriage were because of love and not a struggle.”

  Ilona nodded. “If she does not marry you Lord Juris will invoke his right to an alliance and her father’s domain will fall.”

  Marija yanked her hand from of the prince’s hold. “I am aware, mother. I may not be happy, but I am not a fool.”

  “Good to know you took after me. The documents are waiting for your signature in my personal study. All you need do is sign.”

  She furrowed her brow. “Don’t we do so at the ceremony?”

  Ilona proceeded down the corridor. “It’s a minor formality to get out of the way. I certainly wouldn’t want such a tedious thing to hold up Friday’s festivities.”

  In a hurry to follow the arrogant stronghold mistress and unleash a few appropriate words, Cáel fought the urge to nudge his angel forward. “Please, my lady, follow.” At her compliance, he remained at her side until the proper door where he stepped aside and bade her enter. He joined her inside the massive bedchamber and narrowed his eyes at the silent robed man nearby. “If merely a formality, Lady Ilona, then why is the priest present?”

  She waved off the concerned prince. “Oh, he can only be here this morning. Let’s get on with it.”

  “If we sign with him as a witness, our marriage becomes final. Marija wishes her ceremony on a certain day and time.”

  Ilona huffed. “Can we just get this part done and over so I can attend to other more pleasurable details, please?”

  Cáel picked up the parchment and scanned the words. “Wrong.” He scratched through the end and scrawled. “I accept Lord Mikeli’s generous offer to all of Lady Marija’s dowry and property. However, that which officially, to include her inheritance, dowry and acquirements, is mine becomes the sole property of my wife to do with as she desires. All I possess becomes hers from the moment she signs this paper and accepts my name.”

  “But such makes her the richest, most powerful woman in the land. She’ll be pursued and endangered.”

  “Lady Marija.” He proffered the quill to his angel. “Right on all accounts, Lady Ilona, but you forget she is equally the most highly protected lady as well.”

  Marija stared at the robed man. “Is this a good arrangement?”

  Kristap walked over, scanned the document and gawked. “I’ve never heard of anything more generous, Lady Marija. He gives you everything and takes nothing.”

  She met the prince’s gentle silver gaze. “Your kindness is appreciated.” With her name signed, she set the quill on the desk. “Now what?”

  The priest witnessed the signatures, penned his own and sealed the document. He surrendered it to the prince. “By all rights, this union is decreed official.”

  Cáel accepted the scroll, passed it to his first in command who waited at the door. “I’m sure Lord Mikeli would like to know the wealth and protection his daughter acquired.”

  Nuada bowed. “I will inform him, my prince.”

  He proffered his arm. “Marija, walk with me.” With her hand on his arm, he led her downstairs into the library and seated her on the chaise. In mere strides, he crossed the floor to the fireplace, knelt and stoked the fire.

  Marija studied his broad muscular back. “Something troubles you. Our marriage—”

  “No.” Cáel strode over and dropped down on one knee by her feet. He lifted her hand. “If I possessed ample time, I wish to court you as any knight in hopes of winning your heart and earning your love, but time is not something I have since protecting you from greed is of the essence. Marry me and I’ll do my best.”

  “We’re already married and such is the least I can do for the man who saved my father.”

  “We will be properly married in a formal ceremony when you desire such.” His forefinger under her chin raised her angelic face to meet his gaze. “Smile for me, my lady.” The subtle curve of her luscious lips stunning, he returned the gesture. “You’re a beautiful maiden, a lovely woman, an angel.” Her blush pleased him greatly. “I know you asked to rest, but I wish to spend as much time as possible today and tomorrow at your side. Please grant me such so I may at least try to reach your heart.”

  Marija studied his handsome face. “You made no demands of me. I fail to understand why you persist in asking and being a gentleman when as my husband you…”

  Cáel brushed a gentle forefinger over her heavenly lips. “Marriage gives me lawful rights, but not permission. To do without your consent is wrong in my eyes.”

  Something about him beckoned her mind, tugged at her soul and drew her heart. She stared deep into his silver eyes. An overwhelming sensation unlike anything she ever knew filled her very being. Part of her wa
nted, part of her needed and part of her knew him.

  He cupped her face, his whisper soft, “May I kiss you?” At her nod, he met her lips with his and placed a most tender kiss upon her delectable mouth. His reluctance to break their embrace strong, he sat back on his haunches. “I wish to do more, but fear chasing you away from me.”

  Marija averted her gaze. “Your touch doesn’t hurt.”

  Cáel rubbed his thumb along her jaw line. “Sometimes such can, but I will never do so intentionally.”

  “Mother said…” She shook her head.

  “You must speak with your father, my lady.” He stood and extended his hand. “Come.”

  On her feet, Marija furrowed her brow in bewilderment. “Ask him what?”

  Cáel accompanied her to where the stronghold master rested. “About his relationship with your mother.” He opened the door and ushered his angel into the room. “Leave the lady and I with our lord.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Marija rushed to her father’s side. She pushed back his hair from his face. “Father?”

  Mikeli opened his eyes and smiled. “Marija, my sweet dream.” His glance at the concerned prince forewarned this was not social. “What troubles my beautiful daughter?”

  “Tell me about you and mom.”

  “My precious child.” He thought back to the woman he originally intended to marry and relayed the rape, the proffered prize of his beloved’s murderer and his possession of his wife along with the lies and retaliations the beauty subjected him to. “My taking of her wrong at the time, I never denied your mother a thing, no matter how small or big. Her every dream granted, her every wish fulfilled, her every want given and her every need met, she still hated me. Your mother never professed love for me, but it doesn’t stop my loving her.”