A River of Orange

by Roberta C. M. DeCaprio

  Zailia's eyes silently thanked Wesley.

  Carson wasted no time in making himself familiar with his new prisoner. He pulled Zailia close and reached behind her to cup her shapely buttocks. “I like this already."

  Zailia could feel the heat rise to her face. Flushing with a mixture of humiliation and anger, she kept her pace with her disgusting captor as well as her silence. Her father had not noticed Carson's violation, and Zailia wanted to keep it that way. If Tobiah thought his daughter had been compromised, he would come to her defense. It could very well mean his life.

  Meav saw Carson fondle Zailia and fury lit her eyes. “Your guardsman is a swine,” she retorted.

  Shell chuckled lightly. “Nay, he is a man."

  Meav's vehemence almost choked her. “I hardly think his actions make him a man."

  Shell glowered at her. “No one asked you for your thoughts."

  Meav gave Shell a hostile glare. “Demand that he stop."

  Shell arched a brow. “You are in no position to give me orders, lass.” His lips curved into a sardonic smile. “In fact, I might follow his lead."

  "I am not Zailia. I will not stand for it,” Meav countered icily.

  Shell's face reddened with rage. “You will not have a choice."

  Meav reacted angrily to the challenge in his voice. “Then I see clearly, sir, that you are one of those warriors that shame the name with your lack of honor."

  Her accusing words stabbed the air, and for a reason Shell could not explain, disturbed him. Why did he suddenly care what she thought? His eyes blazed down into hers. Not once did she cower, but instead boldly met his rage with her own. With head held high, back erect, she dealt with the unspeakable fate that awaited her like a soldier would. Her honor put his to shame ... and Shell felt the disgrace seep to his very core.

  He almost felt compelled to explain to her how it had been. He was a warrior, in every sense of the word ... honor bound and all; but he was made to follow orders. If not, he himself would hang in chains. And because he could not be the soldier he had been taught to be, he decided to make the best of his fate and take his pleasure from the beautiful and exotic queen that he served. Every time he took Devora, made her weak and vulnerable for his touch, he won his self-esteem back. Shell knew that he had stopped caring what others thought of him a long time ago ... until now.

  Shell's voice was harsh, raw. “Carson."

  "Aye, sir,” Carson answered.

  "Enough with the girl ... save it for later,” Shell snapped.

  "Aye, sir,” Carson repeated.

  Shell turned his attention back to Meav. “And not another word out of you."

  Meav wanted to scratch his eyes out, kick him, and scream in his face. The man infuriated her. No one should have the right to persecute or hurt another. The whole situation brought Hollister McGreary and his tactics to mind. McGreary's evilness killed her family. These rogues were no better.

  Meav tightened her jaw. She knew if she did not hold her tongue things would only be worse. So instead of blurting out the words circling her thoughts, she imposed an iron control on herself; kept her mouth shut and her eyes straight ahead. With each step she prayed Titiana would find Rule ... and that, in spite of their last meeting, he would keep the words he promised her on the first day they met ... You are safe now; I will never allow anyone to hurt you.

  * * * *

  "Are you going to stand there, eyeing the door knocker all day ... or knock? I am not getting any younger waiting for you to decide,” Ibrehem teased.

  "I have little tolerance at this point for your mockery,” Rule snapped. “A lot is at stake here, I want to be sure of what to say."

  Ibrehem slapped his companion playfully on the back. “Well, well, the ole’ lad has a measure of sense after all."

  Rule's brows drew together in an angry frown. “And I should have never allowed you to come along."

  Ibrehem chuckled lightly. “Without my council you would be sending the lass adrift right now."

  Rule's mouth twisted into a threat. “I still might if her explanation does not please me."

  Ibrehem threw his head back and laughed heartily. “You are full of what a bull shoots out his arse, my friend."

  "Go kiss an orkly,” Rule retorted.

  The door flew open and Wysteria stood, with hands on hips. “I should have guessed it would be the two of you making a commotion on my stoop."

  Ibrehem pushed his way in front of Rule and politely took Wysteria's hand. “Dear healer, how beautiful you are today."

  Wysteria's eyes narrowed. “You are incorrigible, Ibrehem."

  Rule rolled his eyes heavenward. “I can think of another word."

  "'Tis true,” Ibrehem continued. “You grow more beautiful with each day."

  Wysteria gave Ibrehem a playful slap on the arm. “'Tis far from the truth, but I will not argue with you."

  "And that will only encourage him,” Rule mumbled.

  Wysteria ignored the remark and pulled Ibrehem into the cottage. “I just finished making a batch of egg plant soup.” She narrowed her eyes. “I do not imagine I could interest you in a bowl?"

  Ibrehem's mouth watered. “Imagine away."

  Wysteria motioned for Ibrehem to take a seat at the table.

  "Must you always eat when you come here?” Rule scowled, his own stomach craving the soup he was unable to eat in man form.

  Ibrehem smiled smugly. “Far be it from me to deprive this lovely lady a chance to fill my belly."

  Wysteria filled a bowl with the egg plant soup and placed it before Ibrehem, than she turned her attention toward Rule. “Why have you come?"

  "I want to speak with Meav,” Rule said.

  "About what?” Wysteria probed.

  A muscle quivered at Rule's jaw. “That is none of your business."

  Wysteria crossed her arms over her chest. “Everything that goes on beneath my roof is my business."

  Rule could feel his anger mount. “Well, I say this time tisn't."

  Wysteria raised her chin defiantly. “And I say this time is no different than any other."

  "'Tis comforting to know the two of you never change,” Ibrehem said through spoonfuls of soup.

  Rule turned to look at his friend. “And much wind pours from your mouth even when you are filling it."

  Wysteria poked Rule in the chest. “Why do you want Meav?"

  Rule glowered. “Keep your bony fingers off me, old woman."

  "I will give you bony fingers ... all five of them ... right across your bare bottom,” Wysteria threatened.

  Ibrehem choked on his soup.

  Wysteria pointed a finger at Ibrehem. “And do not think I cannot take you on as well."

  Ibrehem raised his hands in surrender, stifling a smile. “I have no doubt, dear healer."

  Wysteria glared back at Rule. “If you have come here to frighten that young woman, you can just leave now."

  Rule arched a brow. “Then she has told you..."

  "About your threat of banishment?” Wysteria said. “Aye, she has told me. And I am here to tell you I will not allow it."

  Rule's face reddened. “She has come to finish what Meridith started."

  "And what was that?” Wysteria challenged.

  "Meridith killed my mother, and Meav has come to kill me,” Rule explained.

  "Is that what you really believe?” Wysteria said.

  "Aye, ‘tis,” Rule stated flatly.

  "Then you have grizzle for brains,” Wysteria snapped.

  "I could have told you that,” Ibrehem chimed in.

  Both of them glared at Ibrehem and simultaneously told him to shut his mouth.

  "Fine ... I will just sit here and eat my soup without another word,” Ibrehem muttered.

  "Or have it dumped over your head,” Rule warned.

  Wysteria pointed to a chair. “Sit, Rule, and tell me why you believe Meridith killed your mother."

  Rule hesitated.

  "Sit!” Wysteria d
emanded sharply.

  Rule roughly pulled out a chair from the table and plopped down; folding his arms across his chest. “I have come to speak to Meav.” He craned his neck to look out the back window. “Is she out on the terrace?"

  "Nay, Meav is having tea with Zailia, so you are stuck talking to me,” Wysteria said.

  Rule stood. “I will just go to Tobiah's cottage and have this out with Meav there."

  Wysteria reached out and grabbed Rule by the front of the tunic. “You will not!” She again pointed to the chair. “Sit!"

  Reluctantly he obeyed.

  Wysteria took a deep, calming breath before she asked the question again. “Now, why do you believe Meridith killed your mother?"

  Rule shut his eyes, reaching deep within and pulled to the surface the memory of the day his mother had died. He could see himself as a small boy walking into his mother's room. Oneida lie still and pale upon the bed. “He stood over her ... my father ... weeping as she lay lifeless.” Slowly Rule had reached out to caress her hand, only to quickly jerk away. “Her flesh was ice cold to the touch."

  "Who else was in the room,” Wysteria queried.

  Rule's mouth curled with disdain. “Devora."

  He could see her as clear as if she stood before him now ... her hand lovingly stroking his father's arm and consoling him. "'Tis Meridith who has done this ... this is all her fault," Devora had said.

  Rule's eyes shot open. “Devora accused Meridith for Mother's death ... and my father agreed."

  "Your father agreed because Devora bewitched him,” Wysteria clarified. “You are a man now, Rule. You understand the wiles of a woman."

  "Aye, I do,” he mumbled, remembering Meav's soft touch during the vision quest they had shared, and all that her touch had made him feel.

  "Devora is beautiful, clever, and a witch. The combination is deadly. So you can understand why your father had believed what she told him,” Wysteria concluded.

  Rule frowned. “Then who did kill my mother?"

  "Oneida had been very ill, but ‘twas Devora who helped her breath her last,” Wysteria said.

  Rule suddenly felt weak in the face of his anger. “Devora,” he whispered.

  "Aye, so she could have your father for herself and become queen.” Gently Wysteria touched Rule's arm. “I knew what she had done and had tried to tell the king. But he would not listen. Instead he blamed Meridith and had her sent adrift to die naked at sea. Shortly after Devora convinced Stefan I was no longer needed to care for you and had me banished from the castle."

  "Then she contrived for me to be sent away to school,” Rule added.

  "Aye, and in that way she had the king all to herself ... no witnesses present to see how she slowly poisoned him each day. And when you returned home and confronted her with Stefan's death, she put a spell on you,” Wysteria finished.

  Rule covered his face with his hands. “How could I have been so blind?"

  Wysteria tenderly stroked his head. “'Twas not your fault, my lord. You were just a wee lad, who admired and looked up to your father. You would have believed anything he told you."

  Rule looked up at Wysteria with moist eyes. “Then Meridith was innocent?"

  Wysteria nodded slowly. “Meridith would never hurt or betray her queen. She loved Oneida with all her heart."

  Rule nearly choked on his words. “And Meav ... what about Meav ... how does she fit into all this?"

  Wysteria looked deep into Rule's sad eyes. “Meav is here to fulfill the Prophecy."

  Rule's heart pounded in his chest. “What Prophecy?"

  Wysteria made her way to a cupboard and pulled from the shelf the medicine book made of cornhusks and palm leaves. She walked back to the table and placed the old volume in front of Rule. “This spell journal was left to me by my grandfather. Within the pages of this book the Prophecy of Keronia is written."

  Rule ran a finger over the worn cover. “You and Devora shared the same grandfather. She would also know of the Prophecy."

  "Nay, only I can read the ancient script.” Wysteria opened the book and carefully turned several of the yellowed pages before stopping. Clearing her throat, she began to read the foreign handwriting: "Constella Lo glowena timenta coupla ... a star shall shine on the hour of their meeting for all is not doomed, dear Keronians."

  Rule quickly interrupted. “This ... this thing that has happened to me ... to my family ... was foretold?"

  "Aye, many years ago,” Wysteria said. She returned to her reading. “The one who steps upon the crescent moon, with hair like fire and eyes like the sea will arrive in the night; tattered and worn, hungry and scared..."

  Again Rule interrupted. “Meav ... the Prophecy is describing Meav ... she steps upon the crescent moon ... ‘tis the birthmark beneath her right foot. And she has hair like fire and eyes like the sea.” He swallowed hard. “The rest ... how she arrived, how she looked when I found her ... it all fits."

  "Read on dear healer,” Ibrehem urged.

  Wysteria continued to read. “...and she will be innocent of her own powers; of the blood that runs through her veins. Only she ... with the same blood as the evil one ... can undo what the evil one has done."

  "The same blood ... the evil one...” Rule's mouth twisted with anger. “Devora,” he spat.

  "Aye, Devora,” Wysteria repeated softly. She searched Rule's tormented face. “There is more, my lord."

  Rule gave a taut nod. “Continue reading."

  Wysteria translated further. “Only she ... with love of her own accord and that of a true heart ... can save the Highest Son."

  Rule closed his eyes in agony. “'Tis with her love she will save me ... only I have pushed her away with my mistrust. I have given her no reason to have a true heart for the Highest Son."

  "If you give me a chance to complete the Prophecy you will see all is not lost,” Wysteria said.

  Rule opened his eyes slowly. “Finish then."

  "Only His Majesty's love from his own accord in return will then break the curse and Keronia will be rid of the one with the evil heart. Elders of the isle, teach the fire-haired maiden well, how to use the gifts of her ancestors. In turn, she will save your rule,” Wysteria concluded.

  Rule felt his heart jump within. “I, in turn, must love her of my own accord?"

  "Aye, you must,” Wysteria said.

  "Do you, my lord?” Ibrehem questioned eagerly.

  Rule sat silent for a moment, his thoughts returning to the time they shared the vision quest. Never had his heart felt so complete, so happy. “Aye, I do,” he finally admitted.

  Ibrehem smiled broadly. “Well, then ... half the battle is already won."

  Rule pointed to the foreign script. “The powers spoken of ... the gifts of her ancestors ... what is that about?"

  "As an elder of the isle I have been mentoring Meav as to what lies deep within her spirit ... teaching her to overcome her sorrows and pull from them courage,” Wysteria explained. “She blames herself for her family's death, thinks of herself as a coward because she fled her homeland and left her folks to die."

  "And you as an elder can help her find her power, restore her bravery?” Rule said.

  Wysteria nodded. “She slowly has come to grips with what happened in Dublin, and is eager to see the Prophecy fulfilled. ‘Tis the reason I took her to the temple, and ‘tis why she met you in the vision quest ... to find the strength and ability to save you."

  Rule combed his fingers through his hair. “And I blocked her attempt by mistrusting her motives and threatening to banish her from Keronia."

  Wysteria folded her arms across her chest. “Well, your actions did not help your cause, but for what ‘tis worth, I believe Meav has fallen in love with you in spite of your pigheadedness."

  Ibrehem stifled a laugh.

  "Did she speak of her feelings for me?” Rule asked hopefully.

  "Nay, not in so many words,” Wysteria said.

  "Then how do you know she has fallen in love with me?
” Rule demanded.

  Wysteria arched a brow. “Trust me on this one."

  Rule stood suddenly and walked over to the window, looking out at the cobblestone terrace where he first spoke to Meav. Even then, in those first moments, she had stirred his senses, filled him with desire and hope. Was he to lose, not only the chance to rid himself of the curse, but also happiness ... and the opportunity to finally experience the love and passion he nightly craved? “I must hear how you have come to your conclusions."

  Wysteria joined him by the window. “'Tis your lack of trust that has gotten you where you are now, my lord."

  Rule frowned. “Tell me what you know, old woman."

  Wysteria shook her head. “Will you never learn?"

  "Speak,” Rule demanded.

  "After the vision quest Meav could not sleep. I heard her weeping, calling out your name."

  Rule's frown deepened. “Perhaps she just feared I would carry out my threat."

  "Aye ... that could be the case ... but then I would have seen fear in her eyes, not hurt. The crestfallen expression on that young girl's face was that of a woman in love who believed she had lost the chance to win her man's heart,” Wysteria said.

  Rule quickly turned to look at the elder. “Never have you led me astray, dare I hope you speak the truth?"

  Ibrehem stood and made his way to the pair. “There is always a way to find out for yourself, my lord.” He playfully slapped Rule on the back. “You did come here to talk to Meav ... I would say sticking to that plan of action would be your first wise move."

  "Ibrehem is right,” Wysteria chimed in. “I am to fetch Meav at Tobiah's before dark ... you go in my place. In that way you can talk with her on the stroll back here."

  Rule shook his head. “She might believe I have hunted her down to banish her."

  "Then I will come along,” Ibrehem offered.

  Rule turned to look at his friend. “Aye, to charm the pants off her, no doubt."

  Ibrehem threw his head back and laughed. “Possessive of her already, huh?” He slapped Rule on the back again. “Not to worry, my lord. ‘Tis Zailia I wish to charm, not your Meav. I will only be along to soften your arrival, than I will stay behind to talk to my own woman about the future.” Ibrehem turned to Wysteria. “There is still some time until dark ... perhaps I can talk you into filling a second bowl of soup before we journey to Tobiah's cottage?"