The Reward of Anavrea

by Rachel Rossano

  “I will heal more quickly moving about than if I stayed in that bed,” she told him. He didn’t look persuaded, but he didn’t order her back into the bed either.

  “I will go ask Patti to get you clothing.” Turning, he left the room.

  ~~~~~~

  Liam still frowned fiercely when he notified Patti that Jayne was out of bed and wanted her clothing. He didn’t wait for the cook to respond before he turned back into the corridor and strode toward the main hall.

  Jayne was too stubborn for her own good. It was pride. She believed she could handle everything on her own. If she kept it up, she would kill herself in her desire to do things on her own. He had to convince her that she needed his help.

  “My lord,” Jaren called as he trotted to catch up with Liam. “I have been looking for you. Klian has arrived and is demanding to see you.”

  Liam slowed in alarm. “Where is he?”

  “Waiting in the main hall, sir, and he brought thirty men with him. Braxton only allowed ten to enter the hall with him. He insists he knows that we are holding Jayne here.”

  Pushing forcefully on the double doors that opened into the main hall, Liam strode out into the room. He scanned it and locked his gaze on Klian, standing in the center, yelling at Braxton.

  “I demand you show me that she has not been abused.” Klian spat in Braxton’s face, inches from his nose. “I won’t settle for your lies. I insist she tells me herself. She is my betrothed, and I will not have her held here against her will.”

  “She is not being held against her will,” Liam said.

  Klian’s head swung around as he sought Liam’s face. “She is under my protection and she does not wish to see you.”

  “Ha!” Klian mocked. “How do you know her wishes? You have hardly had time to ask her.”

  “She has already made her desires clear on this subject. I need not ask her again.”

  “I have heard reports that she has been abused and by your own hand.”

  Fury rose and Liam tried to force it down. Klian was trying to get him to lose his temper. Craftier men than this rat had tried and failed. Liam tightened his control and smiled. “I don’t know where your source comes from, but she is fine.” Turning to Braxton, he ordered, “Go request the Lady Jayne to join us so that Klian can see with his own eyes she is well and not a prisoner.” Braxton executed a brief salute and then disappeared in the direction of the stairs.

  “Now,” Liam said, turning back to his unwanted guest, “I believe we have the unfinished business of payment for my men’s work.”

  ~~~~~~

  Thankful of Braxton’s supporting arm, Jayne lowered herself down the stairs one at a time.

  “I can carry you so you can conserve your strength, my lady,” Braxton offered as he watched her with concern.

  “No, I must make it on my own.”

  “I can tell them you were indisposed,” Braxton suggested.

  Jayne laughed. Pain sliced through her ribs, reminding her that she couldn’t do that. She pressed a palm against her middle. “Braxton stop distracting me. I have to keep moving if I am going to get to the hall before someone comes looking for me. Klian will accept no excuse. I have to tell him to his face I am staying here and I refuse to marry him.”

  Braxton nodded and continued to support her. “You are a stubborn woman,” he told her as she took the last step and set her foot on the first flagstone. “Don’t forget that Liam will defend you.”

  She nodded, straightened her back, squared her shoulders, and walked toward the doors with careful grace. The movement was easier as her muscles learned what level of pain to expect with each step. As she approached, the sentries opened the doors and a sentry on the other side announced her arrival. “Lady Jayne Alain.”

  In the center of the room, two men turned to greet her. Tremain appeared dark and forbidding standing next to Klian, with his fair complexion and blond hair. Tremain stood slightly taller and broader, an observation that filled Jayne with an unusual sense of security. The grim look on his face melted as he met her eyes and concern replaced it. She began the long journey to them.

  Liam noted her every movement.

  Klian also observed her approach, but the expression on his face was a mixture of desire and greed.

  Jayne knew he was watching for her to twinge or restrict her walk to protect sore muscles or other injury. Turtkin had obviously run tattling to Klian and now the slug was trying to use it to his own advantage.

  She forced a bright smile on her face as she turned her attention back to Tremain. “You sent for me, Liam?” she asked innocently. Surprise flickered behind his eyes at her use of his first name, but then his smile widened in welcome.

  “Yes, Jayne.” Liam reached out and took her hand. His hand was so large it completely enveloped hers. Squeezing it gently, he continued, “Lord Klian was concerned for your safety. He has heard reports that I have been abusing you.”

  “How ludicrous,” she exclaimed, turning to Klian. Lord Tremain released her, ran his hand up her arm, and stepped around behind her. Warmth flowed through her body. The possessive gesture was not lost on Klian. His features hardened.

  Tremain rested his hands briefly on her upper arms before saying, “As you can see, she is in perfect condition.”

  “Regardless, I have come to take her home with me.” Klian stepped forward reaching for the hand Lord Tremain had released. Jayne stepped back against Lord Tremain, trying to keep distance between her and her enemy.

  Klian did not take the hint. Snatching her hand in two of his, he pulled, as if to coax her away from Tremain. “Darling, I have been searching for you since your father’s death, hoping and praying you were safe. It was your father’s wish we would marry, and I find I cannot wait any longer. Please come with me so I can take care of you for the rest of your days.”

  Jayne felt trapped and ridiculously small standing between these two towering men. Panic seized her chest. Klian squeezed her fingers painfully in his sweaty grasp. She wished that Lord Tremain would do something, anything. But as the moments passed, she realized he was waiting for a response from her, both of them were. Klian asked her to choose between him and Lord Tremain, and Lord Tremain waited for her to ask for his help.

  Taking a deep breath, she spoke. “I will never marry you, Klian. My father arranged our betrothal without my consent, and it is not binding.”

  “So, you will marry Lord Tremain?” Klian’s grip on her hand tightened, grinding her knuckles together. Tears leapt to Jayne’s eyes, but she refused to let them get any farther.

  Raising her chin, she met Klian’s eyes. “I do not know whom I shall marry, but I know it will never be you.” Large warm hands enclosed her shoulders, pulling her back against the reassuring solidity of the man behind her.

  “You have no more business here, Klian. Braxton will escort you to the gates,” Tremain said. His voice was firm and commanding. As if he had been waiting for the summons, Braxton approached and placed a brawny arm purposefully between Jayne and Klian.

  Giving her hand one last crushing squeeze, Klian hissed, “This is not over.” Then turning on his heel, he left with his men tailing. Braxton followed, but not before he exchanged a brief glance with Lord Tremain.

  Cradling her hand to her stomach, Jayne tried to step away from the hands on her shoulders. She needed space. His presence along with everything that had just happened played havoc with her usually well-controlled emotions.

  Lord Tremain had a different plan. He turned her to face him. Catching her chin in his hand, he lifted her face so she met his eyes.

  “Are you well?” he asked, searching her features. His eyes darkened and his eyebrows lowered. “What hurts?” he demanded.

  Silently, she held up her hand. She was surprised to find it shaking. Anger passed across Tremain’s face. Her knuckles throbbed and were visibly swelling already.

  “Come,” he said as he turned toward the kitchen. She told her legs to obey, but they didn�
�t. Instead, the world spun and she began to fall.

  Chapter Eight

  Liam caught Jayne’s head inches from the floor. Carefully negotiating his hold, he lifted her into his arms and turned back toward the stairs. He cursed himself for letting Klian bully her out of bed.

  Word must have passed among the observers to Patti. The moment he laid Jayne’s head on the pillow, the cook was at his elbow with smelling salts and a basin full of cloths and cool water.

  “That Klian is a greedy cad,” Patti informed Liam. “He has been after Alain’s estate ever since he inherited his own land.” Clicking her tongue in disgust, she shooed Liam out of the room.

  The heavy door closed with a thump. Liam stood in the dim corridor lost in thought. This couldn’t continue. They had to find a solution. The letter he sent to the king was still on its way and even when it reached Ana City, there was no guarantee of an immediate answer. King Ireic would be busy with his matters of state.

  Liam grimaced. He needed to manage on his own. He strode off to find Braxton.

  ~~~~~~

  For three days, she saw neither Liam nor the children. Only Patti interrupted Jayne’s boredom with meals and news. The few times she had managed to venture to the door between the cook’s visits, Jayne found the door locked.

  “The harvest is going badly,” Patti informed her as she delivered breakfast the fourth day. “There aren’t enough men to guard the vargar and work the harvest to Lord Tremain’s satisfaction.” She placed the tray across Jayne’s knees and turned away.

  Surveying the spread of toast, eggs, and corn mush, Jayne’s stomach growled in anticipation. “Didn’t Klian return the men?” she asked as she reached for the toast.

  Patti looked up from sweeping the hearth. “He did, but not soon enough. With the new needs for securing the vargar and prediction of an early rain, it is a sprint to get the grain in before the rain comes.”

  Jayne finished the bread as she considered this new information. “Is that why my door is locked when you aren’t here?”

  Patti blushed deeply. “He told me you would be safer this way. Besides, neither of us could trust you to stay in bed.”

  Jayne frowned. “That didn’t mean you had to lock me inside. I would have promised to stay.”

  Patti turned and regarded her with disbelief.

  “I am not dimwitted, Patti. I know that Klian wants me and what he will do if he gets a chance.”

  Huffing softly, Patti returned her attention to the hearth. Jayne set about cutting up the eggs. She was leaving the mush for last. If she could manage to get away without eating it, she would.

  While chewing on her last bite of egg and eyeing the unappetizing bowl of yellow meal, she heard a welcome sound. Girlish laughter echoed in the corridor beyond the open door. As it died away, the familiar face of one twin poked around the doorway.

  “Patti?” Ryana asked.

  Leaning back on her heels, the cook turned to regard the child with amusement.

  “You did say we could visit today,” Rowana pointed out as she stepped around her sister.

  “So, visit,” Patti replied dismissively. “I have work to do.” Rising to her feet, she carried the full soot bucket over to the bed. “Are you finished?”

  “Yes,” Jayne replied dropping the cloth napkin over the still full bowl of porridge.

  “Now don’t over pester her, girls,” Patti admonished as she balanced the tray on one arm and hefted the heavy pail on the other. “She still isn’t up to her best.”

  Ignoring the cook’s tone, Jayne turned to the nearest twin and immediately asked about her health. They were both looking chipper for being so miserable a few days before.

  “We feel all better,” Rowana pronounced as she settled herself on Jayne’s bed. “Patti made us broth every day and promised gingerbread when we got better.”

  “She is making a batch for us after lunch,” Ryana added as she looked around the room with wide eyes. “Is this Lord Tremain’s bedroom?”

  “Yes. He has allowed me to stay here while you were sick.” Jayne pushed the covers back. After three additional days trapped in bed, she was getting up whether or not Lord Tremain liked it. She eased her legs over the side of the mattress. The floor looked so far away.

  “Patti said you are supposed to stay in bed,” Rowana observed. Jayne looked over to find two pairs of dark eyes watching her.

  “I rested long enough. It is time I return to my duties.”

  “Lord Tremain will not like it,” Ryana informed her solemnly.

  Jayne lifted her chin and concentrated on slipping off the bed without jarring her healing ribs. “Lord Tremain might be lord of this vargar, but I am still its keeper. I have work to do.”

  “Lord Tremain hired Madam Kerri and her daughters to run things while you were resting.” Ryana said as Jayne’s feet touched the floor. “She keeps doing things wrong.”

  “Ryana,” Rowana exclaimed, turning to frown dramatically at her sister. “You were not supposed to tell. You promised Liam.”

  Jayne turned. “Liam?” She pinned Rowana with an inquisitive look. “Since when have you been referring to Lord Tremain by his given name?”

  “Since he asked us to,” Ryana protested in defense of her sister. “He said he wants us to call him Liam.”

  Jayne did know quite what to think of this. He was obviously trying to make himself more approachable to the girls, but Jayne wasn’t sure this was a good thing. If they got attached they could get hurt when he didn’t return their affection. “I don’t want you to refer to him by his given name in public, though.”

  “But...”

  She lifted her bruised hand as she turned to regard the two of them seriously. “It wouldn’t be proper in public, but if he insists, you may call him Liam when talking to him privately.”

  A confused look passed over Ryana’s face. “He never talks to me alone, so, when do I get to call him Liam?”

  “What if he gets upset because I don’t call him Liam?” Rowana asked.

  Jayne closed her eyes as the girls continued to rattle off questions. Her ribs hurt, her hand still ached, and there was so much to do. Even if Madam Kerri and her daughters had covered most of the basics, there were many tasks that needed her attention.

  Then there was that fact Liam hadn’t spoken to her in two days. She needed to know what he was planning to do now that Klian had declared his intentions, other than increasing the guard and locking her in a bedroom. She winced. Now the girls had gotten her calling him by his given name.

  “Rowana, I need my clothes. Please fetch me a clean set from our room.”

  “But, you haven’t answered my questions,” she protested.

  “Go,” Jayne ordered. “I will answer them after I have a clean set of clothing and have spoken with Lord Tremain.” Then turning to Ryana, she asked, “Where is Trina?”

  “She is with Alice, Madam Kerri’s oldest daughter. Liam arranged for her to be looked after. Is that correct way to say it?” Ryana looked up at her with such an eager look that Jayne nodded despite the fact she wasn’t certain she agreed.

  Rowana disappeared out into the corridor while Jayne crept forward. Her joints, stiff from disuse, protested. She ignored them. Halfway through Jayne’s second trip around the room, all the while trying to ignore Ryana’s pestering questions, she nearly ran into the door as it opened.

  “Took you long enough,” she observed as she turned around. But she swallowed her next words as she realized that it wasn’t Rowana standing in the doorway.

  “What are you doing out of bed?” Liam asked.

  Jayne swallowed carefully, forgetting how intimidating he could be. Standing with his feet firmly planted and his arms folded over his chest, he was at his most daunting. Straightening her shoulders, she lifted her chin.

  “There is work to be done. I have to earn our keep.”

  “You are still healing.”

  “I can heal on my feet just fine. I will be cautious.”
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  His eyes narrowed. “Do I have your word that you will not strain yourself? No heavy lifting, reaching, or climbing.”

  That covered every duty she performed on a daily basis. With those restrictions she couldn’t do any of her usual tasks. However, without them, he was capable of physically putting her back to bed. Unwilling to spend another day sitting still with nothing to do but watch others work and visit, Jayne agreed.

  “Very well,” Liam replied with a frown. “In case the children haven’t told you, I have set further restrictions on them since Klian’s visit. None of them are to leave the protection of the vargar walls without an escort. This applies to you as well.”

  Jayne nodded.

  Then he stunned her by smiling. “I am glad you are feeling better, Jayne.”

  A sudden warmth flooded her face. Turning away to hide it, she mumbled her thanks. He left before she recovered her composure.

  Rowana immediately appeared in the doorway as Liam left, making Jayne certain the girl had listened for the outcome of the confrontation from the corridor.

  “Here are your clothes,” Rowana offered. “Patti says she will have lunch waiting for you when you reach the kitchen.”

  “Do you need help?” Ryana asked.

  “No,” Jayne replied although she probably did. Regardless, she waited until the girls had left the room before beginning the long and painful process of getting dressed.

  ~~~~~~

  It took Jayne four days, with the extra assistance from Madame Kerri and her daughters, to feel that the household was under her control again. Floors were scrubbed, hearths swept clean, and cobwebs whisked away to her satisfaction.

  Her recovery was underway as well. She woke every morning, stiff and aching, but as each day waned she grew stronger and more aware of the world beyond her healing bruises.

  That was when Jayne realized that she hadn’t seen Oran for almost a week. He and Urith visited when she was first injured, but after that, Urith alone appeared in the afternoons, reading from the treasure trove of tomes that Lord Tremain procured for him. As Lord Tremain predicted, the thirteen-year-old appeared elated to spend his days inside with his face hidden in a book. Hungering for such a luxury herself, Jayne encouraged the lad’s interest.