Woman of Power
Page 9
‘It’s just as well I don’t have to compete against you.’ Gavin shook his head.
‘I’m heavier than you. More experienced. My horse is hot-wired to do this.’ The knight dismounted, patted his steed on the rump, and handed him over to a stable lad.
Gavin followed his example. ‘Um, I wonder whether I could have a word?’
‘Ah.’ Saladin nodded. ‘I think I know what this is about. Let’s walk away from the castle.’
He stretched his arms above his head as they moved towards the wooded area of the grounds. ‘Do you want to speak first?’
‘If I say mysterious things have happened to me and I’ve been sucked into a vortex with no means of escaping until I complete certain tasks, would you call me crazy?’
‘If I say I carried out the second assignment of my mission, only to find myself in a semi-drugged state, engaging in ferocious carnal activity with someone who I suspect is an enchantress, would you call me crazy too?’
‘No.’ Gavin raked his fingers through his hair. Held up his face to the sun. ‘But I arrived in Arcandos because of sorcery. You called on Sibilla because your liege lord commanded you. The similarity ends there. What she did to us is, I believe, the link to her continuing existence. She’s like a vampire, sucking the life force from her victims. She’s taken us as her lovers and drained us dry because that’s how she stays alive.’
‘I’m not her lover,’ Saladin cried, looking around him. ‘I’m a faithful husband to my wife. When I awoke from the delirious dream, I assumed – hell’s teeth, I prayed – the wine the witch gave me produced the fantastic effects it did. Don’t tell me I’m still beholden to her.’
‘We’ve both contributed to her energy levels,’ said Gavin. ‘She took advantage of your arrival and sent you on your way. But she’s using me like a pawn in some complicated game. I have to prove myself fit to become a Jupiter Knight. If that happens, I imagine I’ll be off to the eastern region with Tiernan’s squad of rebel busters.’
Saladin nodded, calmer now. ‘And if you don’t excel tomorrow?’
‘I’m not sure. The championships could improve my rating. Tiernan could send me on a quest. Try to imagine a huge hand controlling different strings. I’m told she can control animals too.’
‘By whom?’
‘I heard it from Tiernan’s own mouth, the night I arrived.’ Gavin gave an abbreviated account of how he’d arrived at the stronghold of the Jubilee Knights.
‘So rescuing a damsel in distress is already chalked up on your slate? Well done, by the way.’
‘It’s what we do, isn’t it?’ Gavin stared into the distance, trying not to recall too clearly what he’d done with the First Lady. ‘It seems very convenient that I turned up in the nick of time. To tell you the truth, I hate this business.’
‘Being here with us?’
‘No! You’re a fantastic lot of guys. Tev and I have really hit it off.’ Again, Gavin forced back the images. ‘I hate not knowing the script. I’m out of my comfort zone and I don’t know how to get back into it, other than jump when Sibilla decides I should.’
Saladin stopped strolling. A scarlet and white squirrel sprinted across their path, disappearing into undergrowth. ‘Maybe there’s a big beast on the prowl.’
‘In more ways than one,’ said Gavin.
‘Let’s turn back now. I think I need to talk to Tiernan. No way do I ever want to return to Sibilla’s clutches. I can tell you, I thought my liege lord was maybe going a bit soft in the head in his old age, sending me to petition a sorceress. I thought it was superstitious nonsense, but he needed me to put two problems to her so I carried out his wishes.’
Gavin burned to know what the problems were but didn’t dare ask. ‘One thing’s very clear.’
‘What’s that?’
‘No way can I have anything to do with what he seeks advice about. You set off on your mission long before I jumped the Crystal Cleft.’
‘I did. I appreciate your telling me all this, Gavin. But after hearing it, I don’t know what to think any more.’
Chapter Seventeen
That afternoon, restlessness worried Gavin like a terrier torturing a rat. Nerves made him too fidgety to hang around in the bathhouse or play dice with one of the younger knights. He took himself off to the stables, where he found Sarum looking equally edgy. The stallion pawed the ground as he approached the stall and straight away Gavin resolved to go for a ride.
Only as he led his horse out of the building did he notice Topaz’s stall was empty. The First Lady must be out riding too. Again that pang of jealousy sliced through him as he realised Tiernan must have delegated one of the other knights to accompany her.
Tossing his handsome head, nostrils quivering with anticipation, Sarum seemed to know which way he wanted to go. Gavin’s grumpiness swiftly dissolved as the stallion trotted down a grassy track unknown to his master. Scenting open country and who knew what else, Sarum began to canter and took off across a new-mown field sloping gently towards a river. The horse quickly reacted to Gavin’s command to slow and, picking his way delicately across the shallows, tackled the slope at the opposite side and climbed up towards what looked like a wonderland to the knight.
Silvery-trunked trees, their foliage like fine chainmail, fascinated Gavin. Sarum plodded on, unfazed by the thick copse through which he walked with confidence.
‘Do you know where you’re taking me, boy?’ Gavin patted the horse’s head. The trees met overhead in this part and shafts of sunshine punctured the greenery here and there, painting dapples of daylight on the track.
Then he saw her. Saw the mare tethered to a post. If Topaz was there, her mistress could not be far away. An awful thought pierced Gavin’s consciousness and part of him wanted to turn around and return to the castle, fearful of intruding on something too awful to contemplate. But Sarum had no such intention.
Sarum trotted on, arriving beside Topaz and nuzzling her beautiful head.
‘You randy old devil, Sarum.’ Gavin couldn’t help but grin. ‘I suppose you’d like me to make myself scarce while you help yourself?’
He slithered from the saddle and landed on the soft ground. Made a fuss of Topaz while Sarum whickered and pawed the ground.
‘Where’s your mistress then, Topaz? Is she picking wild flowers?’ Swiftly he tethered Sarum beside the mare. Unless his horse was a contortionist there was no way he could mount the beautiful chestnut and blot his copybook as well as that of his master.
‘We’re not far from the waterfall I would have taken you to the other time, had the storm not broken.’
Gavin froze. Even the sound of her voice threw him into delirium. Sweet though it was. He turned to face the figure emerging from amongst the trees. For a moment he couldn’t think straight. The First Lady, instead of a gown, had chosen to wear a dark linen shirt and breeches.
‘How did you manage to get away alone?’ So he could still speak.
She held out her hand. ‘Tiernan’s too busy to notice. Come.’
Dazed, he did as he was told. Followed her sinuous threading through those silvery tree trunks, deep into the woodland, conscious all the time of the power of the river flowing beyond and below the trees. She led him to a small clearing and they stood on the riverbank side by side. The water roared towards a ledge, dark rocks like sharks’ fins piercing the boiling surface. Tumbled over in a fizzing, bubbling, frantic deluge to merge with the main river again as it flowed on its journey. When she parted the long fronds of a weeping willow and beckoned him, Gavin’s throat dried. No matter what happened to him after tomorrow, he would do whatever Amara bade him to do today. He had passed the point of resistance.
Every bit of him thrummed with anticipation. But if he’d envisaged anything like the last time they’d been alone together when the storm raged round the old barn, he could not have been more wrong.
She unfastened her shirt. Kept her eyes upon his as she peeled off the white linen. Underneath she was naked. Her breas
ts seemed almost more beautiful than he remembered, displayed as they were above the austere breeches. The severe garment could not disguise the curve of Amara’s shapely hips.
She reached into a bag he hadn’t noticed before. Took out a riding whip with a silver handle. Held it out to him. He took it without understanding what she had in mind.
She smiled. ‘It’s not for that stallion of yours. It’s for you to use on me.’
‘B – but, my lady.’ He was stammering like a stable boy caught pleasuring himself behind the hay bales. ‘I cannot bring myself to hurt you.’
‘Oh, but I think you can, Gavin.’ She raised her hands. Cupped each of her breasts, lifting them as if considering whether he might like to sample them.
‘Today I want to be punished. I am a wicked, wanton woman. I have enjoyed the body of someone other than my dear husband. I should be punished for my sins. Who better to chastise me than the knight who fucked me?’
Gavin heard his pulse beat in his ears. Heard the river roaring through eternity. Held the light, pliant whip in his hands. Watched Amara arrange herself upon a fallen, mossy log and stick her provocative, plump rump up in the air. Heard her sigh of anticipation. Felt his cock leap in expectation.
‘Why are you waiting, knight?’
Move, legs! He stumbled forward. Tentative. He didn’t want to hurt her.
‘Don’t be bashful,’ she said. ‘You must punish me.’
He raised his arm and flicked the leather strip against his thigh. Raised his arm again. This time the thin leather thwacked her bum cheeks. A titillating sound.
She puffed air through her mouth. ‘More. You have to keep a rhythm.’
He repeated the action. Then again. And again. And one more time.
‘Ah … Better – and better … A bit harder now. First, take my handkerchief and put it between my teeth. Go on. I’m ordering you.’
He obeyed. Suddenly he was in the zone. Bombarding her with rhythmic, rolling, rousing flicks of the whip. Enjoying Amara’s arousal, her sighs and moans and little shrieks after each smack on her rump. Enjoying the privilege of pandering to the First Lady’s proclivities.
‘Won’t – won’t your husband do this for you?’ He panted. Worked up beyond belief. Of course.
‘No!’ She panted too. ‘He can’t bear hurting me. The act has to be tender, with him doing all the work. You know I’m a wild animal, knight. I need rousing and taming! Oh sweet Jupiter, the warmth’s flooding through my cunny now. I’m so wet.’ She shrieked.
Gavin thanked Jupiter for the roar of the waterfall.
‘I’m … Oh! It’s stopped stinging. I’m going to come. Ooh … Oh … Gavin, sweet Gavin. Faster. Faster. And not so hard now.’ Her voice faded to a whimper.
She was cupping her breasts, pinching her nipples, her eyes closed. Her face contorted with a kind of ecstasy. He longed to be inside her but, watching her buck and writhe from his position of superiority, he was entranced by her uninhibited display. Entranced to share in her firing up, her determination to ride the throbbing, smarting whacks only to triumph and glide home on a wave of elation.
When she climaxed, he watched her, dropping to his knees, so great was the ache in his groin.
At last she got to her feet. Stood motionless for a moment. ‘Thank you, knight. You may fuck me now,’ she said, eyes focused on his big bulge.
How did those breeches come off? Who cared? Gavin couldn’t shuck off his kit quick enough. He lay down beside Amara and drew her into his arms.
‘We’ve done the foreplay, knight. Do what you know we both want.’
When Gavin entered Amara, she was so wet, his hard, seeking cock slid easily through her slit. He rammed himself into her. She raised her legs, making it easier for him to penetrate. Making it easier for him to return her to paradise, this time accompanied by him.
Again, the rush of the water muffled their raw, animal cries. Gavin pounded into Amara, his pent-up angst, emotion, and love a potent erotic cocktail.
They came together. This time, neither spoke of love.
* * *
After supper that evening, Gavin approached both the First Lady and Saladin’s wife, so courteously requesting a favour to carry, neither lady could refuse. Tiernan looked on in benevolence while Saladin shook his fist at the young knight, all the time with a big grin of approval on his face.
‘They couldn’t take their eyes off your arse when you were walking back to our table,’ said Braden. ‘Dirty little girls.’
‘Shush,’ said Tev. ‘Show some respect. Or the only favour you’ll be carrying will be the kitchen cat’s collar.’
The other knights guffawed while Gavin closed his eyes and wished all this could be over.
Chapter Eighteen
‘It’s not just jousting trials, love.’ Zebal lounged on leopardskin cushions in the Solar as Gavin paced up and down in front of him next morning. ‘You’ll be fencing as well. Do try to keep up.’
Gavin stopped pacing and stared at Zebal. ‘My mind’s everywhere. Do you think I stand any chance at all?’
‘Depends on you. How hungry you are. You have the ability in spades. Get out there and flaunt it. If you fancy this trouble-shooting jaunt, that is.’ He stretched out like a lizard in the sunshine. ‘Unfortunately, I’m not in the running. Tiernan reckons I’m too valuable as a trainer for the wannabe knights. It would’ve been fun having you along on the gig, though.’
‘You really think I’m in with a chance?’
‘Absolutely. The pages are running a book on your chances. Did you know they’re calling you the Sorcerer’s Apprentice?’
Gavin snorted. ‘It’s not my fault the bloody witch chose me to enter Arcandos. I’m not in cahoots with her.’
‘But she has you in her sights and I gather you need to perform well so you can move on to the next phase. Try your hardest. Stay focused. See what happens.’ Zebal stood up. ‘You might get a whipping. But if I was allowed to bet, I’d risk a silver coin or three on you.’
Gavin’s cheeks burned as he followed Zebal into the dining hall to take fuel on board before his first match. Guilty conscience? He consoled himself that the way things were looking, he shouldn’t be around too much longer, becoming in turn annoyed, aroused, and agitated by unfolding events. If he blew out that day, he still had next week’s big tournament to prove himself. He was still in with a chance. If things went the wrong way, who knew what Sibilla might cook up next? Maybe he’d take off and see if Sarum could find his way home via the Crystal Cleft.
Braden and Tev were among Gavin’s opponents, as was Cordale, the quiet one who, Zebal reckoned, wrote poetry when he wasn’t involved in knightly pursuits. The final knight in Gavin’s section of the draw was the least experienced, not long graduated from being a page but included for his impressive gladiatorial skills. As Gavin found out when the young hopeful beat him, cutting and thrusting, pouncing like a panther and dampening his slightly older combatant’s hopes.
But Gavin got his own back when he thundered down the jousting alley. Then he overcame Braden in two bouts. He didn’t succeed in besting Cordale, but found some success against Tev.
‘Not a perfect performance, love,’ said Zebal when he met Gavin at the stables, handing over his stallion. ‘But you’re still up there. That’s all I’m allowed to say.’
They walked back together to watch the more senior knights compete. Darien might have been born with a rapier in his hand, and he flew through his jousting bouts. The ladies were bouncing around in their excitement. Not one knight needed to scratch his head in order to deduce who’d won.
The junior knights were a different matter. Tiernan, Saladin, and Zebal sat in a tent together, quaffing ale and talking fit to bust as one of the pages described it to Gavin. A ripple of excitement ran around the field when finally the First Lord mounted the rostrum where the ladies sat enjoying sweetmeats and wine. Tiernan held up his hand to gain attention.
‘You have performed well, my knights. It will b
e no surprise to you to learn that the trusty and well-respected Sir Darien will lead the task force into the eastern regions of our kingdom.’
Applause. People nodding their heads like foxgloves in the breeze. The lady who’d given a favour to Darien to wear didn’t seem to know whether to look proud or disappointed.
‘He’s definitely in there,’ muttered Tev to Gavin. ‘He might have to propose first, though, if he wants to get inside her knickers.’
‘Shut up, Tev. I can’t stand the suspense.’
‘Come on! It has to be you, mate.’
‘I’m really not sure. It has to be a close call.’ Gavin turned his attention back to the rostrum.
‘So who will accompany Sir Darien in the capacity of deputy commander?’ Tiernan scanned the hopeful faces.
‘He’s milking this,’ grumbled Braden.
‘Two knights have performed exceptionally well. Indeed, there’s little to choose between them. Each of them would, I’m certain, acquit himself well if chosen.’
‘I want it but I don’t,’ groaned Tev. ‘I sometimes wish I was gay. Being a knight would be a piece of honey and saffron cake.’
‘It isn’t fair to tease and compare,’ said Lord Tiernan. ‘For that reason I shall announce one name only. Sir Gavin will join the task force. Congratulations, knight.’
Chapter Ninteen
‘I told you,’ yelled Tev. ‘I should be jealous, but there’s so much I can contribute here.’
‘I’m sure,’ said Gavin. ‘By the time I return, you’ll probably be married with a couple of ankle-biters falling in the moat twice a day.’
Tev shuffled his feet. ‘I’m going to miss you, Gav.’
‘I’m going to miss you too.’
‘When do you leave?’