Her eyes filled at his concern. He remembered what she’d told him. “I’m not sure. My chest is tight and my head hurts.” She was scared. She hated that her body was so out of control, hated showing weakness in front of anyone. But since she wasn’t staying here she felt freer to be honest about her condition.
Abrah was by her side in a flash. “What is wrong?”
“Audrey was very ill just before she was brought here.” She was glad Heroc made the explanation because she was on the verge of tears. It wasn’t like her to be so weepy. She was disgusted with herself.
“Sit her by the fire and elevate her feet. I’m going to brew her some tea.” After giving them their orders, Tara bustled off back down the stairs at the far end of the room.
Heroc swept her into his arms and carried her to a massive chair in front of a hearth that was large enough for several men to stand upright in it. The crackle and snap of the wood was quickly becoming familiar to her. It was much more inviting than simply turning up a thermostat to heat a room.
Carn trotted alongside them, concern in his dark, doggie eyes. Abrah followed them more slowly, his lips pressed together and his eyebrows furrowed. “Why did you not tell me this?”
Audrey shrugged. “We didn’t talk much.” She felt her cheeks warm but refused to look away. They’d had sex, but they hadn’t really connected on the same level she had with Heroc. And that was a shame.
She settled into the chair and sighed. “I’m sorry to be such a bother.” She hated being dependent on anyone, being weak.
Heroc’s eyes widened. “You are no bother.”
“He doesn’t think so.” She couldn’t resist the dig at Abrah. “Have no fear, I’ll be gone soon and I won’t be your problem.”
His scowl deepened and he looked so fierce she was momentarily afraid of him. The large sword Heroc had handed him still hung from his hand. He could kill her if he chose and no one would stop him. She’d noted the way Tara had deferred to him. They might be brothers, but Abrah was the man in charge here.
Even as she thought it, she dismissed the mere idea that he’d hurt her. Audrey knew in her heart neither man would do her harm. He didn’t deserve that from her. “I’m sorry,” she blurted before she thought better of apologizing. “Ever since I…got ill,” she stumbled slightly over her explanation, “my emotions have been all over the place.”
She didn’t want to tell them she’d had a panic attack, that the stress of her work combined with poor health had simply overwhelmed her. It happened all the time. She was smart enough to know that. But it didn’t happen to her, was something that happened to other people. Except it had happened to her, throwing her entire life out of kilter.
Tara was hurrying toward them and heard her last words. “Of course your emotions are all over the place. Perfectly understandable seeing as though you’ve been ill. You need rest, good food and fresh air.”
She placed a tray on the hearth and handed her a wooden mug filled with what appeared to be tea of some kind. “My husband’s mother had a weak constitution but I got her hale and hearty again. Drink this,” Tara ordered her. “It’s a mixture of herbs that will help strengthen you.”
Audrey sniffed at the brew unable to place the scent. She had no idea if she was doing the right thing or not. It would either help her or kill her. And she truly didn’t think Tara meant her any harm. She sipped the tea and sighed as the warmth hit her belly.
“How long was I asleep?” She still had no idea what day it was or how long she’d been here.
“You slept the rest of your first full day and all night. This is your second day here. Tonight will mark the end of day two. Tomorrow night the tapestry will arrive.” She couldn’t tell if Abrah was happy about that or not. The man was like the Sphinx, giving away nothing.
“You were tired and still injured from your unexpected arrival here. Not to mention you were ill before you arrived.” Heroc brushed his hand over her hair before putting a finger beneath her cup and tipping it toward her mouth.
“Combined with all the other activity it’s no wonder you slept heavily.” Abrah’s gaze skimmed over her body leaving no misunderstanding about what he’d meant. She’d slept with both of them. Heck, she’d had more sex since she’d arrived here than she’d had in the past four years.
She finished the tea and thanked Tara. “May I?” The housekeeper was older than Audrey and there was wisdom and knowledge in her eyes.
“Sure.” Audrey had no idea what the other woman wanted to do but didn’t see any harm in letting Tara touch her.
Tara placed her hands on Audrey’s neck and felt around. She checked her eyes and her mouth. She placed her hand over her heart. Ran her hands down her arms and legs. Audrey winced when she hit several large bruises but managed to keep from crying aloud. The woman frowned and glared at the brothers.
“Not our doing.” Heroc held up his hands in mock surrender. “She had some of them when she arrived here and acquired the rest while stumbling around in the storm the other night. If not for Carn we wouldn’t have found her.”
Tara paled but continued working. She was thorough and when she was done she nodded. “Not serious. Minor bruises. As I said before, rest, good food and fresh air are what she needs to get well.” She stared down at Audrey. “And I think it wouldn’t hurt you to let out some of your emotions. You strike me as a woman who keeps too much inside. The weakness from your illness is allowing them to the surface.”
Audrey was floored by the older woman’s accurate assessment and didn’t quite know how to respond. Thankfully, Tara didn’t seem to require one and turned her attention to the two brothers.
“Go easy today. No exertion.” With that, Tara picked up her tray and bustled back to work.
Such simple advice, yet so hard to follow. Audrey had never been good about resting, or letting out her emotions for that matter. She’d always been strong because she’d had to be, always depended on herself. And who would she let her guard down around? Her coworkers? They’d eat her for lunch and spit her out. She could kiss her job goodbye. Her assistant would see any sign of weakness as an opportunity and pounce on it.
Her head began to throb the more she thought about it. Her life sucked. That was no way for anyone to live. Yet how many people lived just that way? No wonder so many got sick because of prolonged stress. It took a terrible toll over time.
Heroc rubbed her shoulder. “Don’t look so sad. Everything will be fine.”
Audrey glanced at Abrah. He stood with his back to the fireplace, feet shoulder-width apart, arms crossed over his massive chest. Somewhere along the way he’d gotten rid of the sword Heroc had given him. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t holding a weapon. The man was seriously imposing even when doing nothing more than just standing there.
“Why do you want me to stay? You don’t even know me,” she blurted out.
That was one of the things she couldn’t understand. Yes, she realized there weren’t that many women here, but surely there was someone they could claim, some woman who would wed one of them. She was a complete stranger. And, if she were being honest with herself, she’d always felt lacking in the female department. She was hell-on-wheels as an advertising executive, but she’d never been able to hold down a long-term relationship.
Abrah strode forward and crouched in front of her. His wide shoulders and chest blocked her view of the fire. His skin gleamed and his long hair brushed his back and torso. “The tapestry wouldn’t have brought you if you weren’t right for us. That is its gift, its magic.”
He picked up her hand in his and brought her fingers to his lips, placing a tender kiss on each knuckle. For a brief second, she glimpsed his vulnerability, the volcanic need that bubbled just below the calm surface. Then it was gone, hidden once again behind a stoic façade. “Believe it or not. But you wouldn’t be here if you were not suitable.”
“But what would I even do here?” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. What was she
saying? What was she thinking? She couldn’t stay here. This wasn’t her world. She didn’t belong here.
“What do you do back in your world?” Heroc seemed curious.
“I’m an ad executive with Claymore and Butler. Basically my team and I come up with slick ways of getting people to buy things. We use print media, television, online and magazine to run our campaigns.” And from the looks on their faces neither man had any idea what she was talking about.
“That is a strange and unfamiliar job,” Heroc admitted, “and from the sound of your voice and the look on your face you do not enjoy it.”
She leaned her head back against the back of the chair and sighed. “Not so much. I fell into it really. I started out as a graphic designer. An artist, of sorts.” She wanted them to understand her life and who she was. There was no logical explanation for it to matter if they did or not, but she wanted them to.
“You are an artist.” Abrah sounded impressed.
“I used to be.” She rubbed her forehead. “I don’t know what I am anymore.” And that was the honest truth. Audrey had no idea what she was going to do with the remainder of her life, but she was very afraid her days at Claymore and Butler were over. She’d changed. Her illness had started the process but coming here had solidified it. There was no way she could go back to the way things were.
She’d have to find a new job. That would mean living off her savings, maybe even leaving the city altogether.
Scary proposition.
Heroc interrupted her internal battle. “The rain and wind have stopped, and while the air is cool, it is not too cold to go outside. I’d like to show you our home.”
She wanted to see it, wanted to experience the world they lived in. “I’d like that.”
Abrah still had a hold of her hand and pulled her to her feet. “We’ll find you a warm cloak to wear. If you get tired, tell us and we’ll rest.”
There was no impatience in his voice, no sense of derision because she was weak. Only concern. When was the last time someone had been concerned only with her and her feelings? Never. Even her mother had expected her to be strong and to do her share. She’d never been mollycoddled or protected from the realities of life.
“Audrey?” Abrah squeezed her hand.
“I’ll tell you,” she promised.
Carn bumped her right leg, almost knocking her over. Abrah caught her and chuckled. “It seems he likes you. You have a powerful and loyal protector in Carn.”
The same could be said of Heroc and Abrah. She’d never met men like them before. There were no games, no subterfuge. You knew where you stood with them. She appreciated their honesty.
Abrah dropped her hand and turned away. She half raised her hand, wanting to reach out to him, but dropped it back by her side. Since she wasn’t staying, she couldn’t let herself get attached to these men. It wasn’t fair to them, or to her.
But, oh, how she was going to miss them when she was finally home again.
Home. The word didn’t hold nearly the same amount of comfort as it did when she’d first arrived. Did she really have a home or was it merely a place for her to sleep? The longer she was here the more confused she became.
Heroc came up behind her and dropped a heavy, fur-lined coat over her shoulders. “This will keep out the chill.” He tucked her arms inside the sleeves and tied the leather lacings that closed the coat. Immediately the warmth of the garment surrounded her like a hug. Or maybe it was Heroc’s tender care as he helped her put it on.
Anticipation flooded her. She was excited about her tour of the keep, wanting to know more about their home and world, to see outside the confines of these stone walls.
“Ready?” Abrah held out his hand.
“I’m ready.” She took his hand and he tugged her toward him. Heroc took up his post on her other side, taking her free hand in his. Together all three of them left the warmth and safety of the castle and headed outside with Carn trotting ahead to clear their way.
Chapter Ten
Audrey was pleasantly tired as she ate the most delicious beef stew she’d ever tasted in her life. The cook—a pleasant man named Dorn she’d met earlier today—was brilliant in the kitchen. She’s already had two slices of some thick, dark-grained bread and was almost finished with her bowl of stew. Her stomach was satisfyingly full. She felt tired, yet strangely content.
Walking around the grounds today, feeling the brisk wind on her face and the sunshine on her cheeks was invigorating. Everyone they’d met was curious about her and wanted to meet her. They’d all been friendly, if slightly guarded. She couldn’t blame them. They all knew the tapestry had brought her. Like any small town, word of her arrival had traveled fast. And Dannon Keep was in reality a small town. Abrah and Heroc were the local government and their word in this land was law.
She was still amazed at everything she’d seen today. The grounds were fallow now, but they’d shown her where they would plant as soon as the weather warmed. She’d seen a blacksmith working at his forge and women working at a loom. Her fingers had itched to try to turn the homespun yarn into fabric.
They had their own mill where they ground their grains, a stable filled with powerful horses, craftsmen who made furniture and other household goods. It was like taking a step back through time and seeing what a real ancient town would have been like.
She’d also noted what was absent. There were no power lines, no traffic, no horns blasting in the distance, no cell phones or computers, no televisions and no pollution. She couldn’t say that was all bad. She’d enjoyed the quiet and the fresh air.
But there were also no grocery stores, which meant no chocolate. There was nowhere to buy clothing. No hospital either. That was a scary proposition.
She looked around the room and smiled at the men who’d joined them for the evening meal. They were all members of the small troop of men who guarded Dannon Keep. But she’d learned that no one did just one job. One of the men carved wooden bowls and cups, another worked with the horses, and yet another made weapons. Tara and a young lad around twelve years of age bustled in and out carrying more platters to the table. The fare was simple, but plentiful. No one went hungry here.
“Have you had enough?” Heroc leaned closer to be heard above the genial chatter.
“Yes, thank you.” She put her spoon down and pushed the bowl aside. “It’s delicious.”
“What do you think of our home?” There was no mistaking the pride in his voice.
“It’s beautiful.” They stayed on the grounds close to the castle but from high atop the walls she’d seen a pristine lake farther inland and a thick forest filled with towering trees. A majestic mountain stood behind them, sheltering them from the rest of the world.
A man hailed him and Heroc turned from her to answer his question. She enjoyed watching both men as they interacted with their people. Both were well liked and that said a lot about them. But she noted the deference in people’s tone when they spoke to Abrah. There was no doubt that he was the master of all she’d surveyed today.
All the pressure was on him as well. Over and over again today, people had come forward, men and women alike, asking for advice, seeking answers to questions or help with some problem. Abrah dealt with them all. He showed no sign of impatience or anger at the myriad interruptions. Heroc was quick to step in and shoulder any responsibility he could.
Audrey was impressed with their home and with them. How could she not be? The keep ran like a well-oiled machine. Everyone knew their job and did it to the best of their ability because it wasn’t just their paycheck at risk but their very lives. Survival wasn’t easy in such a harsh land and if the crops failed or the animals got sick everyone paid the price.
She’d never met two men she admired more and she hated to have to leave them. But she did. Didn’t she? Of course she did. What would she do in such a world? Her skills were useless here. Tara ran their home and they had no need for an advertising executive. She couldn’t cook, but Dorn ran the
kitchen and certainly didn’t need her help. She knew nothing about gardening or raising animals. Her skills might demand a high price in her world but in Javara they were worthless. That was a humbling thought and something to really think about.
“Is anything wrong?” Abrah frowned at her but she wasn’t concerned. She was beginning to realize that was his natural expression. The man certainly didn’t smile much. He shouldered so much responsibility she wondered who he turned to when it all became too much?
In the past, probably his father or mother. But they were both gone now, leaving him and Heroc to deal with the burden of all these people.
“I’m fine. Just a little tired.” Truly, the fresh air and walking had taken a toll on her. She wasn’t exhausted, just pleasantly tired. She tried to hold back a yawn but it escaped. She covered her mouth with her hand. “Excuse me.”
Abrah shoved his chair back from the table. Every eye in the place turned to them. Audrey tried not to feel self-conscious as she took the hand he offered and stood. He nodded to his men who were still dining. “The day has exhausted Audrey.”
She felt like melting into the floor at the knowing grins some of the men gave her. There was nothing nasty or lascivious about them. They were more playful, but still, they all knew she’d had sex with the brothers.
“Are you coming?” It took her a moment to realize he was speaking to Heroc and not her.
“Yes.” He stood and accompanied them down the hall to the stairs. Carn jumped up from his spot in front of the fireplace and trotted up the stairs ahead of them.
The closer they got to the bedroom the more the bread and soup she’d eaten roiled around in her stomach. Would they expect to have sex with her again? Did she want to have sex with them again?
Her body heated the more she thought about it and she was practically squirming by the time Heroc opened the door and waved for her and Abrah to precede him.
Carn loped toward the fireplace, where a fire cheerfully crackled, and wasted no time turning twice in a circle and flopping down onto the floor. He tucked his face into his paws and let out a gigantic sigh.
Fabric of Fate t-6 Page 11
