“You can be such a spoiled sport,” she laughed.
***
It took all day for Lord James’s men to ride to Mansfield. They only had horses for travel while Ware and Henry rode their dragons above the procession. They were the lookouts for any signs of Tulane.
By evening, Lord James stood with his men and their banner on the edge of the forest near Mansfield castle. While there was no plan formulated by Lord James, the soldiers lining the parapets were a clear indication Lord Mansfield or Tulane anticipated a battle.
“Ware, I know a secret way in.” Irisa tugged his sleeve. “If I go and talk to my father, maybe we can prevent this all out war.”
“Your father wouldn’t believe you any more than your uncle has. He will think it’s a trick. Now let men handle this.” Ware walked forward to join Lord James.
“Ware?”
“Stay out of the way, Irisa.” Ware barely glanced back at her.
Irisa fumed and went to Henry. No one was going to put her off. She wasn’t a child and no matter how much they wanted to believe it was a man’s world, women did have brains.
“Sir Henry, come with me.” She took his hand and pulled him. “I know a secret way into the castle so that I can get to my father.”
“Have you told Ware?”
“He won’t listen.” She led him on the path around the hill. “If I can convince my father that Elan is villainous, then we can stop this without bloodshed.
“Sounds like a good plan. However, I still think you should tell Ware.”
“He’s not being reasonable. Please help me do this.” she begged.
“I don’t know, M’lady.”
“I’ll go alone,” she warned, seeing it as the only option she had to get her way.
“Very well. Show me the way and I’ll decide if you should use it.”
Irisa hurried to take him on the narrow trail.
“It’s through these brambles?” Henry complained as briars snatched at his tunic.
“Yes. The wild plum bushes hide the secret entrance.
“Ouch, these have thorns,” he grumbled.
She stopped and took his hand. “Here, I will pull the stickers out, but you are being awfully whiny for a man.”
“These things burn.” He plucked one from his hand.
Irisa kissed the blood on his palm. “There, all better?”
“You need not bother charming me. I’ll still help you get in the castle.” He gave her a stern look.
“You and Ware are very adorable when pretending to be angry with me.” She walked, weaving around the briars. “If you were to court me, I might have trouble in deciding which of you I prefer the most.”
Henry grabbed her arm and she looked at his serious expression.
“I tease you, Sir Henry.” She bowed her head. “I’m sorry. ‘Tis in poor taste to play with your emotions.”
“As long as it is not Ware’s feelings, you amuse yourself with. He doesn’t take people into his heart easily.”
“I love him, Sir Henry.” She brushed her hand over his cheek. “I love him with all my heart.”
“Then let’s get you to your father before this battle begins and we lose him in a war.” He went ahead of her. “Damn.”
She rubbed his arm and looked at the trickle of blood on his knuckles.
“Obviously this path doesn’t get used very much.”
“Just by me. This is how I sneak away without anyone noticing.” She took him to a door with a lock. “I don’t think anyone remembers it’s here.”
Henry grabbed the door latch. He tugged and jerked hard. “I can’t get it to open.”
“You need the key.” She laughed.
“And I suppose you’re going to tell me you have one on you.”
“No.” She knelt down and slid her hand into a hole in the stone wall. “However, I keep one hidden out here. I can’t go leaving the dungeon door open, now can I?”
Henry unlocked the mechanism and took her hand. She went inside the dark passage and waited while he pushed the door shut.
“I suppose you should lead the way,” he whispered.
His hand touched her back and she jumped.
“Sorry.” He gave her shoulder a pat.
“I’m nervous.”
“You live here.”
“I know, but you made me remember the tension amongst the men with Ware. Something could go wrong.”
“He fought in many battles, M’lady. He can handle the pressure.”
“I can’t lose him, Sir Henry. I’m aware it’s been less than a week, but from the moment I met Ware, I began falling hopelessly in love with him. I can’t explain what it is that attracts me, but I need him.”
“Ware’s a different man since his involvement with you. Before, he was depressed and tired with life. You’ve brought a light back in his eyes. You’re good for him, M’lady.”
Irisa smiled. “Thank you.”
They climbed a narrow stairwell and she opened the door at the top. Quietly, she stuck her head around the archway and looked into passageway.
“‘Tis all clear. I think you should go tell Ware I’ve gone to my father.”
“Sorry, M’lady, but I’ll have to stay with you.” Henry pushed her to proceed.
“You can’t. I’m safe here, but they’ll kill you if we can’t get to my father first.” She turned around and shoved at him to go back into the passage.
“Then I guess I’ll have to trust you to protect me.” He steered her into an alcove when they heard footsteps echoing toward them.
“Please, Henry, I have no way of knowing what Elan might do.”
“For that reason, I’ll not leave you. Besides, Ware will kill me if I’ve returned and told him I helped you get in here.”
Irisa rose up on her toes and kissed Henry on the cheek. “I shall protect you from Ware.”
He smiled and cupped her cheek. “I’m counting on that, M’lady.”
She led him to the great hall. Outside the room, she stopped at the sound of Elan and her father talking.
“I just don’t understand what has made my brother so greedy,” her father exclaimed. “We always got along.”
“Men change, M’lord. Ambition drives a man to do anything,” Elan replied.
“I find it hard to believe, but you are right.”
“He has created dissension upon our country and he must be stopped. I’ve seen first hand his tyranny at work.”
“Liar!” Irisa burst into the room, unable to control her rage.
Henry pushed her aside as Elan rushed at her. Elan withdrew his sword from the sheath at his side. An instant later, Henry’s sword clanged against Elan’s steel.
Irisa’s father grabbed her arm and held her as the sword fight between the men took them out of the room.
A Damsel in Distress: Chapter 7
Ware found Irisa and his brother by following the sounds of a fight. Shaking Irisa until the woman took some sense in her head would have been his first choice.
“I see you’re handling him well, Henry.” Ware kept his distance.
“What took you so long?” He swung his sword at Tulane.
“Got lost.” Ware made his way around the fringe of the room.
“You were always the funny one in the family.”
Their battle escalated to the point they threw things at each other and Ware watched for signs his brother tired.
“Well, if you don’t need me, I have a lady who needs scolding.”
“Don’t go far, Ware. Once I kill your brother, I’ll be coming for you.” Tulane growled his threat.
Ware gave a bow to the man and turned into the room behind him.
“Ware?” Irisa rushed up to him.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and looked over her head at her father. “Tulane has been behind all your troubles, Lord Mansfield. He has been causing a ruckus here and on your brother’s estate.”
“Father, he’s right. I tried to tell you.” Irisa’s arms circled War
e around the middle as she spoke to her father. “I overheard Elan telling someone that he means to have all the lands and he confessed that’s why he wants to marry me. You have to believe us.”
“I asked you before if something was going on between the two of you,” Lord Mansfield said. “Has he turned your head so much that he can make you believe anything?”
“I’ve told you lies, and I’ve been truly the worst daughter any man could have, but this one time please trust me. Uncle James is out there waiting to embrace you as a brother, not fight you as an enemy.”
“Actually, Lord Mansfield,” Ware interrupted. “Lord James is waiting outside the dungeon door that I followed Irisa through. He waits for thirty minutes to talk to you alone.” Ware looked to the fight outside. “If you’ll accept your daughter’s word, the flesh and blood of your body over that of a man setting out to destroy you, I give my sworn oath as a knight of these lands, that you’ll not be sorry.”
“Come Irisa, I’ll see what my brother has to say,” Lord Mansfield agreed.
“And I will go see to a little business of my own.” Ware nodded.
“Ware.” Irisa’s frightened voice made him hesitate.
“Go with your father.”
He watched her join her father in the corridor. His worry was split between going with her or to his brother. He took the chance she would remain safe with her father. His brother on the other hand, needed a relief to wielding his sword.
“Can I take over now?” Ware grinned. “Seems a man should have the right to fight the man that stole his bride.”
“I’ll kill you, marry Irisa and then finish my quest to own all of this country,” Tulane seethed.
“Sorry, there’s been a change of plans.” He pulled his broadsword and slid into Henry’s place. “Go take care of my lady, brother. She’s gone with her father to where you came in. Lord James will be there to meet with them.”
The battle between Tulane and Ware went from one room to another. Ware had the advantage with strength and endurance, but he found Tulane skilled and challenging.
“Here take this,” William came in the room and tossed Ware a shield.
With the shield came the point of a knife piercing the air and glancing off Ware’s jaw. His trust in William shattered instantly. Everything went off kilter, and Tulane and William both attacked. The window Ware backed to, offered no support. He fell over the edge and landed hard on the stone balcony twelve feet below.
***
“See, all it took was for the two of you to get together and talk.” Irisa hugged her Uncle and then her Father.
“We should have done this from the beginning and not let others dictate to us the lies we’ve been fed,” Lord James said. “I’m sorry, Wallace, it would appear we owe Irisa some indebtedness for her courage.”
“And Ware.” She looked to the passage and gave a wonder to what was going on. “He was a big help and he believed me without question.”
“M’lady?”
She turned to Sir Henry’s voice. Fear swelled since Wear didn’t appear with him.
“He’s fine and…” Henry jerked and fell forward choking on his unfinished sentence.
“He’s dead.” Elan appeared and pulled a knife out of Henry’s back. “The fool and his brother can go to hell together.”
Elan advanced and grabbed Irisa. Her father and uncle pulled their swords, but Elan forced them back by holding the bloody knife up to her throat.
“Step aside,” he ordered. “I plan to take my bride with me.”
The men made no move to go.
“Please father. Help Henry and—” The idea that Ware was dead would not sit in her until she saw him. “Please, just help Henry, I’ll be all right.”
“Of course she will, as my wife,” Elan claimed and backed down the hill with her as the others moved away.
She struggled to free herself, but Elan’s fierce hold choked the air from her lungs. He dragged her through the brambles and swore as thorns cut his arms and face.
“You’ll not get away with this.” She hit at him.
“I already have.” He pulled her around behind the castle where a field of dragons waited.
If she were a man, she’d not have the hems and tresses of womanhood interfering with her escape. Her legs entangled in the twist of her gown and her hair became Elan’s tether. He had a handful and sharply yanked her to him. She was a breath from his straggly black beard and the heat of his foul mouth.
“When we get safely away I will delight in running my hands over your creamy flesh.” He squeezed her breast and rubbed a hand down her stomach to push the gown between her legs.
“I’d rather be dead than let you slobber over me.” She fumed while thrashing in the arm clutching her.
She lifted her foot and struck her heel into his shin. It was no more than a fly could do to his armored leg. Nevertheless, he pushed her to a dragon and threw her up on the saddle. For the second time that week, she found herself belly down.
Instantly he sat behind her. His hand sandwiched her down hard by pressing on her bottom. He elicited none of the same sensation Ware had with his touch.
***
“Pembroke!” Lord Mansfield’s voice jarred Ware from his unconscious state.
For a minute, he kept his eyes closed and let his scrambled thoughts sort out whether he was dreaming.
“If you haven’t broken all your bones, get up.” Irisa’s father yelled again. “That cur, Tulane took my daughter. If you want her for your wife, I suggest you get her back.”
Ware heard the man’s offer. There was nothing he wanted more, than Irisa for his very own.
Opening his eyes, he stared at Lord Mansfield. “Irisa?” Had he heard right?
“Tulane took her.” Lord Mansfield grabbed Ware’s hand yanked at him to get up. “Are you in shape to save my daughter?”
Ware ached all over, but that would have no consequence to his actions. As a knight of the realm, he’d pledge many oaths. One, equally as great as any, was saving a damsel in distress.
“Did you hear me, Sir Pembroke?” Lord Mansfield demanded.
Ware looked up. “You say she’s mine. Well I always get back what belongs to me.” He managed a slow rise to his feet. “Where’s Henry and Lord James?”
“My brother has gone to stand-down his army. I have done the same. We’ve mended our differences or I should say, we’ve discussed our unfortunate mistakes. Sir Henry I’m afraid doesn’t look like he’ll survive. Tulane stabbed him in the back.”
“Where is he?” Ware followed Lord Mansfield.
“He’s in a bedchamber with my physician tending him. Come, I’ll take you to him.”
Ware followed Lord Mansfield down the corridor to another room. There, Ware rushed to kneel next to the bed where his brother lay face down. The bandaging on his back was bloody and it didn’t make for a reassuring sight.
“Henry, can you hear me?” Ware asked.
“What are you doing here?” Henry rasped in a whisper. “Go get that girl back or I’ll crawl out of this bed and rescue the Lady Irisa and keep her for myself.” He coughed and cringed with the pain.
“And you? Will you still be as cocky when I get back?” Ware held his hand over his brother’s.
“You won’t get me out of your life that fast, brother. I’ll live to dance at your wedding. I promise” Henry pushed Ware’s hand away. “Go on, find Lady Irisa.”
“Henry—” Emotions choked up Ware.
“Leave already. I’ve been in worse shape.” Henry grabbed Ware’s wrist and gave a reassuring squeeze.
Ware left immediately. Running through the castle, he avoided Tulane’s men as needed. He took the route through the dungeon and down the path into the forest where he left his dragon with Lord James’s army.
Within minutes, he flew into the heavens and watched both the ground and the horizon for signs of Tulane. Swooping over the tree tops and gliding low into the valley, he could only assume Tulane headed
home.
“There you are,” Ware muttered, spotting Tulane.
Holding Irisa, slung belly down on the dragon, the man would get an earful of Irisa’s chagrin and for a second, Ware smiled. He loved Irisa’s strong nature.
Ware aimed his flight toward a confrontation. Since he had to consider Irisa’s safety, he resisted the urge to barrel into Tulane.
Suddenly, Tulane’s dragon dove toward the earth. The creature spiraled out of control as Tulane waved his arms. Then, just the right angle, in the prefect light, Ware saw the reason to the erratic behavior. A knife protruded from Tulane’s left leg.
Irisa’s defenses at work were a magnificent sight when used against someone else. She pushed herself off the saddle, except it wasn’t at the proper time. The dragon regained balance under Tulane’s resumed command and began a steady climb into the sky. Irisa continued struggling against Tulane’s grasp until she fell more than twenty feet.
Ware closed the distance between himself and Irisa. His heart hammered his ribcage and adrenaline rushed through his body. He watched the shrubbery in which Irisa landed. When she came rolling out, scrambling to her feet, Ware took in a deep breath of relief.
Fighting her hair as always, Irisa swung her head around, obviously searching for Tulane. She glanced up and caught sight of Ware.
Her lips moved to form his name, Ware.
Too far to hear her, his imagination reminded him how seductive the sound of her voice could be, and the thought of her belonging to him stirred the desires to wallow in her love. Tulane would be a sorry man when Ware got through with him.
Ware charged forward and pulled back on his dragon to spur Tulane in the back with an attempt to unseat him. Tulane dodged the move and swept his dragon upward. The beast knew the moves, but when Tulane turned too fast for Ware to avoid the shift in air current. He locked his knees against the saddle and held on, hoping he didn’t fall, as his dragon spiraled sideways in the sky.
They recovered and the dance of the dragon fight began again. One way and then another, the creatures took turns trying to prevail. Tulane’s dragon had the advantage of training for strenuous and lengthy battles and Ware knew he’d not out-maneuver Tulane’s aggressive attacks.
“Ware,” Irisa’s panicked voice hit him hard as he landed in the open field.
A Damsel In Distress • Dragon Fighter Romance Book 1 (Dragon Fighter Romance ~ Book 1) Page 8
