Zailia pulled back. “What about Meav?"
Tobiah looked up at his daughter. “She will have to come with us."
Zailia's face brightened. “She can become my sister ... I always wanted a sister. Wait till you meet her, Papa. You will like her, I know you will."
For the first time in ages Tobiah saw the sparkle in his daughter's face that he so loved. “I am sure of it as well ... now go and pack your things."
Zailia obeyed, hope reflecting in her eyes.
Tobiah stood and made his way to the window, looking out at the neglected garden, and remembering the days his lovely wife tended it with care. The memory of her took him a million miles away ... so far were his thoughts that Tobiah failed to detect Devora's spy listening beneath the glass casement.
* * * *
Rule had lain all night on the fur pile that was his bed, staring into space. When the morning sun filled the opening of the cave he looked around at the emptiness, void of warmth and human comfort. He felt a mixture of anger and disgust. How could he have been so blind? He should have listened to his first instincts and remained cautious of Meav. Why had he let his guard down? The answer to that question came quickly ... he was taken by her. Aye, smitten like a young lad after his first kiss. The woman had bewitched him, made all his senses come alive. The ice encasing his heart had melted, he felt renewed, hopeful.
Rule laughed sardonically and sat up. Combing his fingers through his hair he battled the torment raging within. If he banished Meav he could never have her ... and oh ... how badly he wanted her. He still smelt her on his flesh, felt her touch. But if she stayed she would kill him.
"Am I not already dead?” he screamed, his deep voice echoing through the empty cave. “Do I not live in hell as ‘tis?"
Burying his face in his hands Rule wept, pouring from his soul all the hurt and loneliness that was his life. The sorrow strangled him, the future looked dim, and his body ached for Meav.
'Twas the pangs of hunger rumbling in his belly that forced him to stand. In a matter of moments he would take on a feline form, and go out to hunt for his breakfast. From his jaws the blood would drip as he ripped apart the flesh of his prey. After his hunger was appeased he would slither back to the den to clean himself and sleep off his meal. ‘Twas his fate each and every day, and would be for the rest of his time. Only when he was with Meav did he forget his present situation; felt like a real man and that his life in some respect had been returned. But he could never experience that wonderful feeling again. ‘Twould disappear forever when he banished her.
Meav ... gone forever from his world.
Rule shouted at the top of his lungs. “Damn ... damn ... damn it all!"
Chapter Thirteen
Rule's name came to Meav's lips so completely she could taste it. Had she really experienced his mind-drugging kisses; actually touched his tumescent manhood? Meav still felt the breath of passion between them, smelt his rich, musky scent. Even now, lying on her cot, his manly aroma played havoc with her senses.
She groaned, remembering the outcome of their meeting. The air between them had been thick with promise, until Rule misunderstood her intentions. She could still see his amber eyes burrowing into the core of her being, as he had refused to listen to the real reason she had come into his life.
"Banished ... banished!” he had screamed.
His words pierced the heavy silence. Meav rolled onto her side, feeling the tears well in her eyes. Sorrow, mingled with her own anxiety, rose to strangle her. Pulling the blanket up over her head, she willed herself away from Keronia. She wished she had never set eyes upon Rule, or allowed him to stir her luminous with desire. Just the thought of him standing naked before her, stirred her loins ... and yet she wanted rid of him ... he wanted rid of her.
"'Tis all such a horrible mistake,” she mumbled miserably.
"'Tisn't a mistake,” Wysteria chirped, pulling the blanket off of Meav. “People come into your life when you need them ... when they need you. This was supposed to happen."
Meav sat up quickly. “He believes me mother killed his mother, and at this point wants to banish me from the island."
Wysteria waved her hand casually over her head. “Oh, pish posh! You are not going anywhere, but to Zailia's for tea."
Meav's eyes widened. “Tea! Who can think of having tea at a time like this? I mean ... he might very well be on his way over here to set me afloat on a raft."
Wysteria ignored the outburst and reached down to unfasten the tiny white buttons on Meav's nightgown. “If you do not get bathed, dressed and have a bit of breakfast soon, you are going to be late for your first social invite."
Meav pushed Wysteria's hands away. “Did you hear anything I said?"
Wysteria placed her hands on her hips. “I heard every word, lass."
"And still you expect me to go about my day as planned ... to have afternoon tea?"
Wysteria gave a taut nod.
Meav rose quickly from the cot. “I am beginning to believe all of you are insane on this island, and that I am just a pawn, as me mother was, to make the Prophecy ... the glorious and sacred Prophecy come to pass. No one cared about her, and no one cares about me."
Wysteria suddenly reached out and slapped Meav squarely across the face. “That, child, is far from the truth."
Meav's mouth gaped open in shock, her hand going to her cheek. Slowly she rubbed away the sting.
"And if you ever say that again ‘twill be your bare bottom that feels my wrath,” Wysteria warned.
Tears slipped down Meav's face. “What am I to do, Wysteria?"
"Do you still trust me, lass?” Wysteria asked.
Meav nodded.
"Then strip off the nightwear, wash, dress, and start the day as planned.” Affectionately Wysteria pushed aside a lock of hair from Meav's forehead. “Leave the rest to me."
* * * *
Shell knelt beside the tub, lathering Devora with the heather scented soap. “Perhaps you should do away with Zailia's services altogether."
Devora closed her eyes, as Shell's large hand washed her back. “I have to admit ‘tis more of a pleasure having you bathe me ... but then who would guard my doors?"
Shell smiled. “Ah, but my dear queen, I have never stopped guarding your doors.” He moved his hand around to the front of her body, rubbing the nipples of each breast with soapy fingers before traveling to the area between her thighs. “No one dares cross this opening,” he whispered, penetrating her.
Devora moaned with pleasure and lay back, opening her legs wider.
Shell teased Devora's hidden fires, his own excitement mounting as he aroused the beautiful queen. Her moans of pleasure, her body trembling just before she climaxed, gave him great satisfaction.
Devora's burst of passion was interrupted by a loud knock at the door. Her serene face suddenly twisted with anger. “Who dares to disturb me now?"
Shell reluctantly stopped his foreplay and stood, making his way to the chamber door. “I will find out, my queen."
"And quickly, Shell,” she snapped. “The water grows cold."
Wiping his hands on a towel, Shell opened the door and stepped into the hall.
* * * *
Devora reached down and finished herself off, though her own touch was not as satisfying as Shell's. Fervently she worked until she became ripe for the release.
Shell returned just in time to see the end of her pleasure. He smirked. “You could not wait for me?"
Devora looked up into his steel, gray eyes. “I wait for no one.” Suddenly she stood. “What was the interruption?"
Shell immediately reached for a towel and wrapped it around Devora. “Our spy had some news you will definitely find interesting."
Devora arched a brow. “Do tell."
Shell gently dried Devora as he explained what the scout overheard while hiding beneath Tobiah's window.
Devora seethed. “So the little twit plans to disobey me. And Neteru is Zailia's aunt, you say?"<
br />
Shell nodded.
Devora chuckled wickedly. “Well, now ... this gets better and better at every turn."
"It does at that, Your Majesty,” Shell agreed.
Devora threw her head back and laughed, the sinister ripple echoing throughout the room. “Oh, I love it!"
Shell joined in the devious mirth. “I have ordered two sentries to accompany me to Tobiah's cottage. All of them will be captured before they make it to the cellar."
Devora reached up and traced Shell's full lips with a long, red nail. “Too bad they will lose out on their afternoon tea.” She leaned against Shell's hard chest. “And after our guests arrive, I have an order for you, Sentry."
Shell's eyes twinkled. “Your wish is my command, dear queen."
* * * *
Ibrehem came upon the opening to Rule's cave. Drops of blood lined the path. Pity swelled Ibrehem's heart for his friend, knowing ‘twas animal blood that spotted the ground and Rule must have just finished breakfast. If only there was a way Ibrehem could help Rule get back his life. Ibrehem remembered the times Rule fought beside him as a mighty and headstrong warrior. They battled in heat that nearly had them sweating blood; after celebrating their victory together over a cold mug of ale.
Shouts from within the cave brought Ibrehem back to the present and led him to draw his sword before entering the dismal den.
Rule frowned when he saw his friend armed and ready to do battle. “Is this how you come a calling on your comrades?"
Ibrehem inhaled the dampness. “I heard shouting, thought something was amiss."
"Something is amiss ... my senses,” Rule snapped.
Ibrehem gave one last look around the barren and crude dwelling before replacing the sword in the sheath at his waist. “Tell me something I do not already know, my lord."
Rule's frowned deepened. “I do not appreciate your humorous banter on this morn, my friend."
Ibrehem shrugged. “And what is different from this morn?"
Rule raked a hand threw his unruly hair. “This is the morn after the night I learned she would betray me."
Ibrehem blinked baffled. “Who would betray you, my lord?"
Rule gritted his teeth. “Meav O'Shay."
Ibrehem's voice rose with surprise. “Wysteria's guest?"
"Aye, one in the same ... the sweet and tantalizing beauty with the flaming hair and sultry mouth has managed to ... to...” Rule stammered.
"Surge your desires, it sounds,” Ibrehem interjected smugly.
Rule gave Ibrehem a black layered look. “She has managed to infuriate me ... to bewitch me, and finally she plans to kill me."
Ibrehem folded his arms across his chest. “What is this nonsense you speak?"
Rules mouth set in annoyance. “'Tis true, my friend. Meav O'Shay has come to finish what her mother started.” His rage mounted in his voice. “And she must be banished from this island, just as her mother was."
Ibrehem frowned confused. “Who is her mother?"
Rule ground the words out between his teeth. “Her mother is Meridith, the woman who killed my mother ... sister of Devora."
"And the sister of Wysteria as well,” Ibrehem quickly reminded him. “That fact makes all the difference in the world, I would say, my lord."
Rule glared at his friend. “Explain yourself."
Ibrehem arched a brow. “Do you really think Wysteria would harbor and care for anyone who would harm a hair on your head? She has been like a mother to you since you were a wee lad, and has proven her loyalty."
"Perhaps Wysteria does not know what the maiden has planned?"
Ibrehem chuckled sardonically. “Wysteria ... not know? Good heavens, man, the woman knows everything."
"Aye, you are right about that, Ibrehem,” Rule reluctantly agreed.
Ibrehem smiled. “Of course I am right, and if you calm yourself you will see how absurd you are being."
Rule scowled. “Letuna."
"Nay, I am not finished,” Ibrehem countered, feeling his own anger toward his friend's stubbornness mount. He sat down hard on Rule's bed of pelts. “How have you come by this information?"
"It came to me in a vision quest ... our thoughts merged and ... then we ... then I...” Rule paused.
Ibrehem smirked. “I can imagine much more than your minds met. Am I right, my lord?"
Rule scowled. “And then I learned of her plan,” he concluded.
"So in the vision quest the two of you shared she confessed her plot to kill you."
"Nay, not in so many words,” Rule murmured satirically.
Ibrehem studied his friend's face. “I do not understand, my lord."
Rule spoke with bitterness. “I did not give her the chance to explain."
Ibrehem shook his head. “Your heart is that of a lion, but your brain is that of a bird's."
"I am not amused by the comparison, Ibrehem."
"Only a bird-brain would base such a serious charge on something you did not fully hear in a vision quest, my lord."
Rule narrowed his eyes. “As a warrior you should know a vision quest is just as precise as realty, sometimes more."
"True,” Ibrehem agreed. “But only when you listen, when you open your heart and mind to what is playing out before you. If you did not give the lass a chance to speak..."
Rule interrupted harshly. “I did not need to hear what I already knew."
Ibrehem arched a brow. “Knew or surmised, my lord?"
"Well I ... I...” Rule stammered.
"And after you accused Meav, did you allow her to defend herself?” Ibrehem challenged.
Rule hung his head.
"Ah, that is what I thought.” Ibrehem stood and made his way to Rule. “What first gave you the mind set Meav wanted your demise?"
Rule raised his eyes to met Ibrehem's and explained about the birth mark and Meav's admission that Meridith was her mother. “Meridith tried to kill my mother, and my father banished her from Keronia ... sent her off on a raft to die at sea. But she did not die. Instead she landed on the shores of Ireland, fell in love and had a family."
Ibrehem frowned. “And now you believe Meridith's has sent her daughter to finish the job?"
Rule's voice hardened. “Aye, it makes sense ... revenge eats at the heart of all humans."
Ibrehem folded his arms across his chest. “How does it make sense, my lord? The girl was ship wrecked to these shores; she did not come armed with military."
Rule stared at his friend in silence.
Ibrehem grabbed Rule by the arm. “We must go to Wysteria's cottage where you can confront Meav face to face; listen to her explanation. Then, after learning all the facts, you will make a decision as to what must be done."
Rule pulled his arm away. “Nay."
Ibrehem set his hands on his hips. “Aye ... ‘tis the way of a worthy man.” Ibrehem searched Rule's face. “Last I knew you still had your honor, my lord ... unless Devora has managed to take that from you as well."
Rule sighed heavily. “Nay, I still have that to my credit."
"Then do the right thing,” Ibrehem said flatly.
"Aye, the right thing,” Rule repeated softly.
Ibrehem made his way to the cave's opening, then stepped aside and bowed politely. “After you, my lord."
* * * *
Zailia's steps felt light, even had a bit of a bounce to them, now that so much had been lifted from her shoulders. As she made her way to Wysteria's cottage to pick up Meav for afternoon tea, she thought of all the promise that lay ahead. With the sanctity of the temple to shield her and her father, Zailia would no longer be forced to serve the evil Queen Devora. The days of bathing the witch's cold, white flesh, being humiliated and taking her abuse, were over. Zailia could finally plan her own life ... perhaps there would even be a chance at love ... with Ibrehem.
She closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sun. A gentle breeze spread the warmth over her cheeks, as the thought of her handsome warrior seeped through her hea
rt. Suddenly she felt giddy ... as a young girl should. All along Zailia had been smitten with Ibrehem Chancelor. Fighting the feeling at times became unbearable. But she had no choice. If Zailia drew attention to her affiliation with Ibrehem, Devora would have used it against her. Getting Ibrehem involved in her problems would have set him up for harm as well. Keeping him at bay was for his own safety. But now ... now...
Wysteria opened the door before Zailia had a chance to knock. “'Tis such a fine day for two friends to enjoy."
Pulled from her thoughts of Ibrehem, Zailia hesitated with a response.
Wysteria chuckled lightly. “And an even finer day for a daydream, I see."
Zailia blushed. “Aye, ‘tis."
Wysteria opened the door wider, welcoming her guest inside. “I think I can guess who the daydream might be about."
Zailia's blush deepened.
Wysteria laughed heartily. “Your secret is safe with me, lass."
It was then that Meav entered the cottage from the garden. Zailia admired the pale, yellow sundress her new friend wore. The white lace that trimmed the scooped neckline and short sleeve cuffs were as delicate as a spider's web. “You look so beautiful."
Meav glanced down at the full skirt and smoothed the material. “'Tis a lovely dress, at that."
"'Tis you that make it lovely, Meav,” Zailia said.
Meav smiled and raised her eyes to meet her friend's. “Thank you, Zailia."
"And I have made a lovely batch of peach wafers for you two to munch on with your tea,” Wysteria said, handing the basket filled with the delicious smelling cookies to Meav. “Enjoy your afternoon, and I will be by before dark to fetch you."
The walk to Tobiah's cottage, though pleasant, was a bit awkward. Without Wysteria around to promote conversation, the girls remained silent.
Meav's thoughts were occupied with Rule ... and what had transpired between them in the vision quest. His anger had disturbed her greatly, and the thought of banishment preyed heavily on her mind. She did not want to leave Keronia, or Rule; and wished for a chance to show him her loyalty ... her love. ‘Twas the first time Meav admitted to herself the feelings she had for Rule ... how the sight of him naked disturbed her even more than his anger; but in a good way ... in a way that filled her like never before. Saints preserve us ... if he could evoke such passions within her mind, what could he do in the flesh?
A River of Orange Page 15
