Moving through the almost pitch-black corridor, she turned down a passage she thought would lead to the back stairway. There were lit torches, but spaced far apart they offered little light, and when she found herself taking an abrupt turn she realized she was heading to the front of the fortress. To her dismay, after walking for several minutes, she came to a dead end at the top of a descending staircase. She had to follow it down, or turn around and retrace her steps.
Feeling completely confused, and worried she'd be even more lost if she turned back, she stepped cautiously forward. The steep narrow stairwell wound around and around, finally coming to an end in a hallway veering off at an odd angle. Starting to feel panicky, though not knowing what else to do, she started forward, but only a moment later she found herself in front of a door with a torch on either side, and another staircase that would take her back up.
"This is a nightmare," she groaned. "I could wander around this place forever and still not find my way."
Slumping on the floor feeling completely defeated, she leaned against the wall, but as she did her lower back hit something. Turning around she saw an iron bar. Killian's words suddenly flashed through her head.
There's a bar low on the wall. If you don't lift it up before you open the door you'll soon be meeting the angels.
She was outside the weapons' room! She could climb the hidden stairway up to Killian's bedroom!
Overjoyed she rose to her feet, and taking hold of the bar she heaved it up. It wasn't as difficult as she'd feared, and pushing open the door she walked inside. It was completely dark, so stepping back out she took hold of one of the torches, and carrying it across the room to the shelves, she placed it in a holder.
Though moving the shelving wasn't easy she managed it, but being alone in the dark sleeping castle was unnerving, and she decided to grab a dagger. Slipping it into the tie around the middle of her dress, she pulled the shelving back into place, leaving just enough room to squeeze back through and fetch the torch. Taking a moment to gather herself, she held it out in front of her and started up the stairs. When she reached the landing at the top she felt a huge wave of relief, and inserting the flaming stick into a holder, she moved across and peered through the screen, but she was completely unprepared for what she saw.
Trebor!
He'd returned, and was rifling through one of Killian's chests.
Where was Killian? What had Trebor done to him?
A rush of fury surged through her body.
She was sure Trebor had hurt him! Possibly even killed him!
Pulling the dagger from her belt, determined Trebor would tell her what he'd done to the man she loved, and resolved that the Phelan would never hurt another man or woman ever again, she moved swiftly to the hidden door in the wall, pushed it open, and crept up behind him.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Inside the dining hall, Bastian, Marian, Dolan, Soraya and Killian, were enjoying a late private supper. There was much to discuss, and after deciding the marriage ceremony would take place before the arrival of the rest of the Alaman clan, Bastian made it clear he wanted Killian to spend the first year of his married life with Soraya on the other side of the mountain.
"If you think it best, father," Killian lied, but Soraya, who was usually very talkative, said nothing.
Throughout the meal she had been reserved and quiet, and as Dolan took the last swallow of his fermented berry juice, he studied his beautiful daughter.
"Soraya, does this idea not sit well with you? Having the ceremony the day after tomorrow gives you enough time doesn't it?"
"Yes, it's fine. I'm just tired," she said with a heavy sigh as she raised her arms above her head in a languid stretch. "It was a long journey, then there were all the celebrations. I'm worn out. I need to sleep."
"Of course you do," Dolan agreed. "I must admit, I'm feeling some weariness in my bones too."
"In that case, I'm heading to my room," Killian declared, Soraya's stretch reminding him of a cat. "I'll see you all tomorrow."
"Take Soraya up with you," Bastian said with wink. "Her room is just down from yours."
Managing a weak smile, Killian rose from his seat and extended his elbow. Soraya looped her hand around it, and they headed from the dining area and across the great hall to the stairs. The cold wind whipped through the open walls, and glancing across the grounds Killian could see the rain beginning to fall.
"I hope it passes," he murmured. "This place will feel crowded if we can't go outside."
"Crowded? It's huge," Soraya remarked. "My people can explore. I'll bet there are rooms in this place you've never even seen."
"You're right, and I should do that one day, but at the moment all I care about is finding a way out of this marriage. Have you thought of anything?"
"Pretending that I'm too sick to show up, but that will only postpone it."
"I'll take a postponement," Killian said grimly. "Maybe after you supposedly get better, I'll get sick."
They'd reached the top of the stairs, and started down the long winding hallway that would take them to the rear of the castle. They walked in silence, both tired, both pondering their fate, and when they reached his chambers he offered to walk her down the hallway to hers.
"No need," she muttered, "I'm—did you just hear something? Was that a bird?"
The words hadn't even left her lips before Killian was urgently pushing open his door. He had heard a high-pitched squeal that sounded just like Serenity, and as he burst into his room he found her in a desperate struggle with Trebor, and to his horror she was holding a knife.
"STOP!" he yelled sprinting across the room.
Shocked by Killian's entrance, Trebor, who had been holding Serenity by the wrist and attempting to wrestle away the dagger, jumped backwards, releasing her. Serenity, thrilled to see Killian, raced towards him and threw herself against his chest.
"Trebor, what are you doing here?" Killian demanded as he took the knife and shuffled her behind him. "You're supposed to be gone. How did you get in? Is your tribe here? Answer me or so help me I'll kill you where you stand."
"KILLIAN, NO!" Soraya wailed hurrying forward. "He's here for me. I haven't told you everything, but I think you might have guessed some of it earlier."
"I don't understand," Serenity exclaimed. "What do you mean? What's going on?"
"Killian, take a breath," Soraya pleaded, trying to keep her voice calm to settle everything down. "I can explain."
"Then do it," Killian commanded, "and make it fast."
"It's simple," Soraya said, walking quickly past him to stand next to Trebor. "We're together, but you know our tribes aren't friendly so we've been waiting for the right time to tell them. When father told me I was to marry you, the only way we could think of to stop the ceremony was for Trebor to steal the choker."
"I never meant any harm to your slave," Trebor said hastily. "I wouldn't have hurt her. I just wanted the choker."
"She's not my slave! Her name is Serenity, and she's my woman, my only woman, and I cannot believe you would take my choker," Killian sputtered. "That's…that's…"
"What choker?" Serenity asked, completely bewildered. "What are you all talking about?"
"The Choker of Belonging," Killian replied. "It's sacred. It's precious. It's—"
"It's placed around the neck of the woman just before the ceremony," Soraya said, cutting him off. "She wears it for life. No barbarian can marry without it."
"Killian, why is it holy? Why can't you marry without it?"
"It's made when a boy passes into manhood, and it must be blessed by a high-priest, but not just any high-priest. It must be one who lives in isolation at the top of a rugged mountain peak. They can only be reached in the summer months, and even then the journey is perilous."
"But why must you have it to be married?" she pressed. "What makes it so special?"
"It's sacred. Without it a marriage would be risky. The couple might find themselves childless, one of them might
die a cruel and early death, or their partnership might be filled with turmoil. The Choker of Belonging is the barbarian's most precious possession," he explained, though never taking his eyes off the couple across the room, "and you, Trebor, you were going to steal this from me! And you Soraya, obviously you told him where my room is so he could find it. What about the weapons' room? Did you give away that location as well? You must have. You are the traitor! You are both despicable! I should drive this knife through your hearts right now."
"I am practical," Soraya said haughtily. "You don't want me, I don't want you, but our people are determined that we should be together. Without the choker we would be free."
"Without the choker I would be forced to go through a great ordeal to create another, make the dangerous journey to the priest, and our marriage might still be demanded."
"You're a complete idiot," Serenity spat, stepping forward, her eyes darting from Soraya to Trebor and back again. "You both are. You're idiots and cowards."
"She's right!" Killian exclaimed. "It was a stupid idea, but now I must ask—Trebor, did you look upon it? You'd best tell me the truth."
"You're safe. I have no idea where it is. My eyes did not take it in."
"Is he not allowed to see it?" Serenity asked.
"Once it has been blessed no-one must gaze upon it but me. On the day of the ceremony I present it to my intended and place it around her neck."
"So now what?" Soraya grumbled. "Forgive me for stating the obvious, but we're back where we started."
"I have the answer," Serenity exclaimed, "and it's not something mean and stupid and horrible like your idea."
"How is that possible?" Killian muttered. "Is that why you're here?"
"Partly, but mostly because I was missing you so much I couldn't stand it."
"Serenity, it was dangerous for you to come here on such a dark night, it was dangerous for you to come here at all."
A sudden roar of thunder seemed to underscore his reprimand, and as a pink blush crossed her face, she moved back to him and leaned against his arm.
"I know, but I simply had to see you, and I had to tell you how we can fix this mess."
"Looks like you have a sweet little kitty to play with," Soraya bleated sarcastically. "I'll bet she crawls into your lap and purrs when you scratch behind the ears."
"Close your mouth," Killian barked. "Serenity is brave and smart and has a heart as big as that mountain you crossed to get here. Say another bad word about her, and your diabolical betrayal will be known by everyone."
"Serenity, you said you had the answer," Trebor piped up. "What is it?"
"Killian and I need to marry right away. He can't marry you, Soraya, if he's already married to me"
Silence suddenly filled the room. Serenity's suggestion sounded ridiculous, and yet…!
"Everyone will be furious, but if we're married, we're married," Killian murmured thoughtfully.
"And your father won't banish you. You're his only son," Serenity said confidently. "There's no way he'll turn you out. Besides, he likes me, and I did save your life."
"Serenity, this is brilliant," Killian exclaimed. "It would work. They can protest all they want. It will be too late," then sending his gaze back to Soraya, he glowered at her across the room. "You betrayed me, you betrayed my tribe. What was the plan? To take over this castle and become its Queen?"
"No," Trebor said fervently. "When I was told we were coming here to take the fortress, I tried to persuade my father not to do it, but he refused to listen. When Soraya told me she was to marry you, we came up with the idea of using the attack to find the Choker of Belonging and steal it."
"Get out of my sight," Killian said, his voice low and threatening. "When I tell father about this he'll call off the ceremony anyway."
"He already knows," Trebor said grimly. "Telling him was the only way I could save my father's life, and my own. So you see, uniting the Alamans and the Bathus tribes is more important to your father than anything else. Apparently, even your happiness."
"We'll see about that, now get out of here."
"Come on, Trebor, you'll be safe in my chamber," Soraya declared, grabbing his hand and pulling him forward.
They hurried out the door, and leaving Serenity, Killian followed them, closing it behind them and sliding the bolt to prevent anyone from entering.
"Serenity, as happy as I am to see you," he began, walking back to her, "I think you'd better tell me why you would take such a risk walking through the night to come here. Do you hear that weather? What if you'd been caught in it?"
"I wasn't, and you needed to know about us getting married. Isn't that what matters?"
"Your safety matters. I can't marry someone who has fallen deathly ill from getting caught in a storm, or worse, suffered a fatal attack from a hungry wild animal."
"But you are happy to see me," she said softly, moving up to him, leaning against him and wrapping her arms around his waist. "I know you are."
"Yes, I am," he sighed. "You are such a brave, foolish girl. Let's get into bed. You're chilled and I'm exhausted. We'll talk about everything in the morning, but regardless of anything, I will not be marrying Soraya. That's for certain! By the way, how did you end up grappling with Trebor? Did he walk in on you?"
"Uh, not exactly."
"Never mind. You can tell me about that in the morning as well, while you're over my knee."
"Killian! You spank me so much."
"You misbehave so much! Now get undressed and into bed."
Moments later, letting out a contented sigh, she cuddled close to him. There was a tempest outside, but she was safe and warm with her barbarian Master.
"Getting married quickly makes sense, but I'm not sure how we can, though, we may not have to. Soraya's betrayal will get me out of it, but if father already knows how can I say anything? This is more complicated than ever."
"But you said marrying Soraya is off, right?"
"Yes, Serenity, it's definitely off. The only woman I want is the very naughty girl who's lying next to me."
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Though Killian was known to sleep like the dead, never had he rested so well. When he opened his eyes and saw the sun's rays beaming through the windows, it was as though the overnight storm had been the anger of the Gods, furious at Soraya and Trebor for their selfish, witless treachery. To steal a man's Choker of Belonging was a terrible crime. He was still angry, but the burden of his unwanted future with Soraya had been lifted, and though wouldn't be easy confronting his father, he knew it was the most honorable path forward.
"Morning," Serenity said sleepily, curling into his body. "It's so lovely to wake up next to you."
"Such a brave bad girl," he sighed, wrapping her up in his arms. "What am I to do with you?"
"Love me as I am."
"I do, and I will forever. How could I ever have considered marrying Soraya?"
"You felt trapped."
"I did, and my father might still pressure me to go through with it, but don't worry, I will hold strong."
"Killian, I woke up knowing what to do."
"Should I be worried?" he joked. "Your ideas can be scary sometimes."
"What I mean is, I know where to go for advice about all this."
"You have a wise man in your village?"
"Something like that. You need to come to my house and speak to Simeon, my little brother, though when I think about it I suppose he's not so little anymore."
"Your brother? I find this hard to believe."
"He's got this, uh, thing."
"Thing?"
"It's hard to explain, but he can see answers to problems. It was his idea that we should marry before the ceremony. If he hears all the details about Soraya and Trebor and your father, he'll have more ideas. Maybe better ones."
"Really? The two of us marrying right away was his suggestion? He is a smart lad."
"If he hears everything that's happened, I'm sure he'll come up with something. He
always does."
"I'm certainly willing to give it a try. We'll have to slip out through the side door. My father would be very upset if he saw you."
"That would be good for another reason. I need to be shown the way. I thought I knew it, but I got hopelessly lost last night."
"Speaking of last night," Killian said, frowning down at her, "isn't there something you need to ask me?"
"Ask you? No, I don't…oh, that. Um, isn't it a bit early in the day for a spanking? Besides, nothing bad happened."
"Nothing bad happened? You didn't just say that!"
Sitting up Serenity looked around the room, then with a twinkle in her bright blue eyes, she grinned at him.
"There's no-one else here. I guess it must have been me."
"A joke will not get you out of trouble," he said sternly.
"But everything worked out. No-one got hurt."
"You don't think you deserve to be punished?"
"Maybe it was a bit dangerous coming here at night, but I needed to see you."
"Very well. If you don't think you were foolish, or that you misbehaved, then I won't punish you. I will never unless you think you deserve it and ask me to."
As she returned his gaze, she felt the uncontrollable hot blush creep up her neck, and lowering her eyes, she let out a heavy sigh.
"Looking back on things," he said softly, "don't you think you should have waited until this morning and come to the fortress and asked to see me like a normal person, not a foolhardy impatient young woman."
"I've never claimed to be normal, and I stopped Trebor from looking at your choker."
"Indeed you did, and speaking of Trebor, you must tell me about the fight I walked in on. It's fortunate I arrived when I did. He was seconds away from breaking your wrist, possibly your arm, but I'm sure you know that."
Her Barbarian Master Page 11
