Tall, Dark, and Medieval

by Barbara Devlin

  This act of wooing a woman was less than enjoyable. And this was going to be one hell of a long night.

  THE DRAGON AND THE DREAMWALKER

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Brynn enjoyed watching Drake make a fool of himself in the act of trying to woo her. Or at least that’s what she thought he was trying to do through his clumsy efforts. It was obvious he hadn’t much experience in courting a lady. Nor did that surprise her, since Drake Pendragon only thought about himself, and wasn’t used to putting others’ needs before his own.

  She’d almost laughed aloud when he’d handed her the sprigs of rosemary. And comparing her eyes to rotten apples had to top the list of stupid errors made by man. But when he gave the mutt his own supper, she knew he was trying harder to please her than she’d thought. She didn’t understand why, but she was enjoying every minute of it never-the-less.

  The meal was over, and so was the evening since she refused to dance. She slipped away when Drake turned his back. She left the keep and went into the courtyard, just to get a breath of fresh air. She walked over the cobblestones, staring up at the dark sky, feeling her parents’ presence in the stars that twinkled down at her. She looked around at the orchard and her mother’s prize flower gardens, now charred and barren from the attack by Drake and his men. The bakehouse was still without a roof, and the curtains - walls of the castle - were in major need of repair since the attack. Stones crumbled and fell dangerously into the courtyard, endangering the children that played there.

  Thankfully, the well hadn’t been poisoned, but the moat hadn’t fared as well. It was covered in a slick of oil from her father’s attempts to dump the boiling liquid on his attackers as they came over the drawbridge into the bailey. She’d seen the dead bodies floating in the moat that night, and was sure most of them were still there at the bottom.

  How could she ever let Drake close to her when he was responsible for all this? If he hadn’t come to the castle to begin with, the Klarens never would have followed. And even if he hadn’t killed her parents by his own hand, neither had he stopped it from happening. And when her father thought he’d been deceived, he’d fought Drake and his men, and Drake and his soldiers had defended themselves and fought back. Lives were lost in the process. Many lives. So in her mind, he truly was responsible for everything after all. She’d wanted to accept him like Juturna told her to do, and to trust him, but she just couldn’t. She could never accept her position as his wife after what happened, and that’s all there was to it.

  She should have stayed in her chamber tonight instead of venturing to his side for a meal. But something in Juturna’s words made her feel a small amount of compassion, and she had gone to him. She wouldn’t let that happen again. Something about Drake confused her. She hated the man, but deep down she knew they were so much alike. His soul called out to hers, and in her dreamwalking state she couldn’t help but answer. That had been her first mistake.

  And then she had wondered if they could possibly have a similar relationship on the physical plane, but it couldn’t be so. Drake wasn’t the same man in waking life as he was in his dreamwalking state. She’d do well to remember that from now on.

  “My lady, you shouldn’t be in the dark courtyard by yourself.”

  Drake followed her out of the great hall, his long cape trailing in the slight breeze, billowing behind him. Why wasn’t she surprised he followed? She should have taken an alternate route, but it was too late now. She didn’t want to be alone with him out in the dark.

  “I’m quite capable of taking care of myself,” she retorted. “Besides, I was just heading back.”

  “I’ll escort you back to our bedchamber.”

  No, that wasn’t going to work. She didn’t want to be alone with him there either.

  “On second thought, I think I may take a walk after all.”

  “All right. Let’s walk.”

  “That’s not necessary, my lord.”

  “I insist.”

  There was no changing his mind, so she didn’t even bother to try further.

  “Have it your way, then.”

  They walked in silence for a while, then he put his arm around her shoulder. She knew she should pull away, but for some reason she didn’t. She rather liked the feel of his warm, strong arm wrapped around her. It brought to mind that special night of making love on the dreamwalking plane.

  “I know what you’re trying to do,” she said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I overheard you talking with Asad. You needn’t work so hard trying to woo me because it won’t work.”

  She figured he’d lower his arm at that, but he didn’t.

  “I’m not skilled in the ways of women, as is Asad. I was only trying to please you.”

  “You know nothing about me,” she told him. “You can’t even begin to know how to please me until you know who I am first.”

  He stopped walking and removed his arm from her shoulder. They stood at the steps to the battlements high above. “Then why don’t you tell me about yourself so I’ll know?”

  She considered it for a moment. She even considered telling him about Calais and her plan to save the virgins from the dragon, but decided against it. She wasn’t ready to give up Thorndale Castle to this man. She needed to keep her secret to ensure the people wouldn’t turn against her. She needed their support if she was to someday regain control.

  “It doesn’t matter.” She tried to walk past him, but he grabbed her arm.

  “Mayhap it matters to me.”

  “Not tonight, Drake. I just don’t feel like talking.”

  “Then let’s go for a walk. Asad instructed me to take you somewhere romantic.”

  “Romantic?” she laughed. “Nowhere in this burned courtyard or crumbled stone is there such a place.”

  “Then I’ll take you beyond the confines of the castle’s courtyard.”

  “You know as well as I that it’s not safe to leave the castle after nightfall. I think I’ll have to reject your offer.”

  “We don’t have to leave by the castle gate, my lady. Come with me and I’ll take you beyond the walls without endangering you.”

  “What are you saying?” Her heart sped up at his words. The only way she knew to leave the castle without exiting the gate was to do it by dreamwalking. Surely, this couldn’t be what he meant. Could it? Then she felt relief when she understood where he meant to bring her.

  He grabbed her by the hand and pulled her up the steps toward the walkway atop the battlements. Brynn hadn’t been up so high since she was a curious child. Women weren’t allowed up there, only the castle guards. Her father had seen to it she stayed on the ground where she was safe.

  “I’m not supposed to be up here,” she told him.

  “I’m lord of Thorndale now, and if I bring you up here, then you’re allowed.”

  “’Tis so high. ’Tis not safe for a lady.”

  “Since when do you care about being safe? Besides, I’ll be with to protect you from falling over the edge.”

  Either that, or if he lost his temper he may be the one to push her over the edge. Against her better judgment, she followed his lead. It was cold and windy when they made it to the top. Drake nodded to a guard and walked on past to the next merlon.

  “I don’t find this horribly romantic,” she spoke loudly to be heard over the wind. “As a matter of fact, it’s very cold up here and I’d like to retreat.”

  “Not before I show you why I like it so much up here.”

  He walked past several more of his guards looking out over the wall. She wondered how these men endured such an awful position. While everyone else was sitting near a warm fire drinking mead, they were guarding their posts, alone and cold, far beyond the merriment of the minstrels in the great hall.

  “Ah, there!” He stopped and took a hold of her shoulders, turning her to face the sea. The moon shone brightly out over the water, giving the sea a glasslike appearance. The waves were barely visible. For t
he amount of wind atop the battlements, the sea was surprisingly calm. Thousands of bright stars lined the velvet sky above them, almost making her feel as if she were far away from the memories of Thorndale Castle and the stones that cried out for the loss of its occupants.

  “It’s beautiful,” she said. “I’d forgotten how I used to like to sneak away up here as a child.”

  “Somehow I knew it wasn’t the first time you’d climbed these walls.”

  Brynn shivered and Drake noticed. He stood behind her, enclosing her in his cloak. His arms wrapped around her and she closed her eyes to revel in his warmth. She found herself remembering her dreamwalking and making love with Drake in the mews. Could things be the same in the physical? Could their marriage be as grand as their consummation in their etheric forms? She tried to remind herself it couldn’t, but her heart took control at his gentle touch. It was the touch of a lover, not a warrior. Soft and gentle, loving and caring. This couldn’t be coming from The Dragon. That thought alone scared her. She didn’t understand him at all.

  “You tremble beneath my touch.” His breath was a mere hot whisper in her ear.

  If she hadn’t been trembling from his touch before, she certainly was now.

  “’Tis the wind, my lord. Naught else.”

  “I don’t think so, my lady.” He pulled her closer and she felt his need for her poking her in the back. She tensed, wondering how she was going to get away from him now. Wondering if she really wanted to leave at all.

  She closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing as his lips burned a trail from her cheek to her collarbone. It was so much like their dreamwalking that it was unnerving. For a moment she wondered if she’d slipped into the dreamwalking state without remembering. She wanted to feel those same pleasures physically, and was feeling wanton though she was his wife, at every kiss he placed upon her. She wanted so much more.

  “Your skin is soft and sweet,” he said as he nuzzled her ear.

  “And you are getting better at wooing a woman.”

  “I’m not trying to woo. I’m just being myself.”

  “Well, mayhap that’s the secret, my lord.”

  “Then I’m pleasing you?” he whispered into her ear, letting his tongue flick at her lobe.

  She felt her knees weaken and a sudden dampness between her thighs.

  “Very much so,” she answered in a breathy voice.

  His hands rested on her belly, and he slipped them upward ever so slowly. Her breath caught in her throat when she felt them resting on the undersides of her breasts.

  “A woman’s curves are much like a river. Winding, turning, exciting. You never know where you’ll end up.” His words were those of a lover. No more silly attempts at wooing, comparing her eyes to rotten apples. This came from his heart. A heart she had previously thought was black with soot and unable to show love or compassion of any kind. Her breasts rose in breath as he moved his hands higher, his fingers now resting directly over her nipples.

  “You harden under my touch,” he told her.

  “’Tis the wind,” she answered. “I’m taut from the chill.”

  The fingers of one hand dipped below her bodice. Her skin almost sizzled against his touch. Then he brushed a forefinger over one nipple, sending a spiral of heat from her breast down to her groin.

  “You’re so hot you burn my touch like fire. You’re body calls out to mine, my lady. Let me take you back to my bed and make you my wife as should be.”

  She didn’t want him to take her back to his bed. She wanted him to take her right there on the battlements. She was so aroused by his hot whispers and tender caresses that one more flick across her taut nipple and she’d be lifting her skirts herself in eager anticipation.

  “Lord Dunsbard,” called a male voice, and Brynn knew it was one of Drake’s original soldiers by the way he addressed him.

  Drake’s warmth went with his touch as he quickly pulled away at the man’s approach.

  “Blast it anyway, what is it?” His angry growl was back, ruining the moment, not to mention bringing her back to her senses.

  “I told him he wasn’t allowed up here, but he insisted on seeing you,” said the guard.

  “Who?” snapped Drake “Of what do you speak?”

  Brynn’s eyes opened wide when she saw Calais limping across the battlements toward them. He cocked a half smile when he saw her, and suddenly she felt like nothing more than a whore.

  “Lord Thorndale,” said Calais with the utmost respect, “I thought if I am to be your new squire soon, I should start staying by your side to tend to your needs.”

  The guard went back to his post. She saw Drake turn away, pulling his cloak closer around him to hide his intent for her.

  “Your practice today didn’t fare well, Calais. I see you limp from your training. Your face is bruised and your arm looks stiff. I can’t have a squire who can’t protect me. I’m afraid you don’t qualify for the position.”

  Calais’ eyes darted over to Brynn and she quickly looked away. She didn’t want Calais being Drake’s squire. She didn’t want him anywhere near her husband or herself. And right now she wanted to throw him over the battlements herself for interrupting her intimate time with Drake.

  “I don’t feel Lady Brynn agrees with that,” he prompted.

  “Lady Brynn does not choose my squires. Now if you’ll please leave the battlements at once.”

  “Lady Brynn, how are you this night?” asked Calais. “It looks to me like perhaps you’re a bit cold?” He smiled disgustingly and stared at her chest. Brynn knew what he was doing. He was blackmailing her. If she didn’t get Drake to agree to keep training him as his squire, he’d be telling his tale next of how she gave herself to him though she won’t give herself to her own husband.

  Drake couldn’t find out. Not here, not like this. When the time came, she would tell him herself. He wouldn’t hear it from a cur like Calais. She needed to think about all this, and what to do. Her heart was changing and she wanted to tell him, but at the same time she knew by doing so, she would soil her image in not only his eyes, but also the eyes of the people of Thorndale. She was the only hope now that the survivors of Thorndale had. She had to bring about justice for the lives that were lost there. No one else would ever do it.

  Everyone had been accepting her so nicely since they thought she had thrown Drake out of the bedchamber. She was admired by the women for her courage, and even by the knights for her defiant spunk. She was adored by the children, and idolized by the people of Lornoon who thought she bravely stood at the sacrificial stake in order to save their lives. She could gain control of her father’s castle easily at this rate. But her heart ached to think she’d gained their honor and respect out of false pretense. She looked at Drake and then back to Calais. Her body vibrated for her husband, desiring him as her lover, not the eight-fingered man whom she’d given herself to out of desperation. She needed time to ponder this issue. She had to gain more time to think what to do.

  “My lord,” she spoke to Drake. “I think mayhap Calais has had a bad start, but will do better from now on. Perhaps he can continue his training with something else while his body heals?” She hated herself for saying this. She closed her eyes in anticipation of Drake’s answer.

  “I don’t think so.” Drake’s voice was gruff from the night air.

  Her eyes sprang open, settling on Calais. Here stood a wolf licking his lips, anticipating his lamb for dinner.

  “Please, my lord. I beg you to give him another chance,” she cried, not knowing what she would do if he denied her request. Her stomach retched at her own words, and especially from the grin of approval from Calais.

  Drake ran a hand over her hair, pushing back a lock that went astray. He didn’t look at all pleased. “I don’t like a woman trying to change my mind.”

  Her eyes closed at the feeling of his hand caressing her hair. How she wished she didn’t have to do this. She opened her eyes and looked up to her husband. “I don’t tr
y to change your mind, my lord. I just ask that you let Calais try once more.”

  He pulled away and paced the battlements. Calais watched eagerly and Brynn felt like a traitor.

  “I don’t understand why it’s so important to you that Calais be given another chance. I don’t understand any of this at all.”

  She didn’t want him to understand. She wanted to just forget about it, and send Calais on his way. She just wanted to go back to what they were doing before Calais interrupted.

  “So what’s your decision my lord?” Calais faked an honorable bow of respect.

  Drake took a moment to answer. Brynn’s stomach tightened, as she waited for his answer. She felt trapped up on the battlements with no place to go. If Drake found out now, he’d want nothing to do with her. This should probably please her, but instead it terrified her. She knew he’d lose his temper horribly, and any feelings he may have had for her would be gone, her image tarnished.

  “All right,” he finally agreed. “Although it’s against everything I stand for, but because it means so much to my wife, I’ll give you another chance.”

  My wife. He’d called her his wife. Though it was true, she felt nothing like his wife at the moment. She felt more like a whore siding with the enemy. Not a good feeling at all.

  “Thank you, my lord. You won’t regret it,” said Calais.

  “I already do,” grumbled Drake. “Now get out of my sight. I don’t want to see you again tonight. Meet me in the armory tomorrow morning. We’ll go over weapons and I’ll have Asad show you how to remove rust from my armor.”

  “Aye, my lord. Thank you my lord.” Calais bowed once more, winking at Brynn. He then hobbled away off the battlements. Brynn prayed that Drake hadn’t seen the wink.

  “What is that man to you anyway?” asked Drake.

  His words caught her by surprise.

  “He means naught,” she answered quickly. “He’s just a villager I met in Lornoon.”

  “He’s a black-hearted knave not to be trusted in the least. If you hadn’t taken such an interest in the man I would have put him on duty cleaning out the garderobes instead of letting him be trained as my squire.”