The Knight's Scarred Maiden

by Nicole Locke

Seeing him again, even like this, after he left her in the cellar, she felt every longing, every want.

  Reynold was taking in both of their reactions like a cat in the dairy. He didn’t look like he’d honour the agreement between them since his entire countenance had changed. From a civilized man to calculating one.

  ‘It took you long to get here,’ Reynold said. ‘I thought you were smarter than that.

  ‘Let her go, Reynold, you’ve proved your point.’

  Reynold’s lips curved. ‘That’s interesting—you think I took her? What do you make of her coming here on her own?’

  Rhain didn’t move, but his standing grace faltered for just a bit. Eyes steady on Reynold, he said, ‘The facts are the same. You have me now.’

  ‘I’ve had you since you killed my brother.’ Reynold rubbed his hands, the sound softer than a clap, but loud in the tension of the room. ‘In the meantime, why don’t we share some repast?’

  Rhain moved then and the two guards moved as well. ‘Enough, I co-operated.’

  ‘You co-operated because my men took your sword.’

  ‘Is that what you think?’ Rhain said.

  One of the guards leaned over and whispered in Reynold’s ear. His brows drew in and a scowl scoured his face before he burst into laughter and waved the guard away.

  ‘Both of you, out.’ Reynold pointed to the door, and the guards left. ‘You’ve made your point and a clever one it is. So while we eat, I’d like to hear your version of how you bested the men at the gates.’

  ‘I’ll stay,’ Rhain said. ‘She’s going.’

  Reynold lifted a brow. ‘What does the lady say to that?’

  She wouldn’t have any of this. She knew Reynold, or she thought she did. He was showing Rhain a different side to him. One she didn’t recognize and one that terrified her.

  ‘Let him go,’ Helissent said.

  Reynold chuckled. ‘I’m hungry and my men have kindly brought up your famed honey cakes. I’d rather eat and hear tales instead.’

  * * *

  Rhain seethed with anger, with worry, with every frustration he thought he possessed and mostly with some unknown emotion he didn’t know he had.

  All of it made thinking nigh impossible, but it was the only commodity left to get Helissent out of here. So he stood, he breathed, he tried to clear the haze of rage at this man, who wasn’t anything like Guy.

  One step on to his grounds told him that fact. Reynold’s guards were good, but no match for him or his men. He’d only allowed their escort so he could observe Reynold’s surroundings to find any weaknesses in case he needed to escape with Helissent.

  Instead of weaknesses, he saw the discipline, the order, the training of the men. Gone was the lasciviousness, the jests, the disgrace and uncleanliness of Guy’s camp.

  When he stepped into the entry, he expected more of the same starkness, but instead of the austere surroundings, simple comfort was in every clean rush, tapestry and cushioned chair.

  And there was Helissent, merely sitting and enjoying a visit with his enemy. Reynold, who now stood with a smirk like a fox in the hen house.

  While Rhain stood powerless, vulnerable, and with the woman he had promised to protect in as much jeopardy as she could be and stubbornly refusing to leave.

  This had gone on long enough. ‘End this, Reynold. We both know what you want and cakes are not it,’ Rhain said.

  Reynold shook his head. ‘No, I don’t think you are aware of what I want. Of how greedy I am, or of how inconvenient a predicament you made by killing my brother.’ Reynold clasped his hands behind his back. ‘But I can see how uncomfortable you are with the surroundings and I find that extremely poor for the digestion. Therefore, I will put you at rest. I do intend to exact my revenge, but I’d prefer to do it all after I try her cakes.’

  Rhain forced his eyes to remain on Reynold as they all sat down. He’d made his mistake with Guy and wouldn’t underestimate his enemy this time.

  But Helissent’s attention remained on him and her worry made it difficult to concentrate. Her fear, her emotions too turbulent for him to determine with the brief glances he allowed himself. But they were enough to make him all too aware of his empty scabbard.

  He needed to continue this charade as he found a seat and accepted a plate of honeyed cakes that he knew were delicious, yet tasted like sawdust.

  The wine was easier as they exchanged pleasantries, and he drank deep.

  He could die tonight, but most likely, Reynold would want to make a show of his death. A theatre, a speech, missives sent to the King and to his family. With certainty, and soon, Reynold would decide what happened to him. He didn’t care. He knew the moment after he killed Guy, he was a dead man. He’d accepted his fate.

  But Helissent shouldn’t have to endure Reynold’s clutches. Shouldn’t have to suffer through his toying with them. Hours, minutes, seconds passed and they scraped away Rhain’s control until he felt nothing but raw agony.

  When Reynold decided to make a public spectacle of him, what would he do with Helissent?

  As Reynold forced the conversation to continue, he no longer guessed why, he knew it was to cause him further worry. Helplessness.

  He felt helpless and it wasn’t only because he and Helissent were puppets to Reynold’s whims.

  He felt helpless with his feelings for her. He cared. He cared too much and who was he to save anyone?

  Yet, he had to try. He had to keep trying...until tomorrow when he’d most likely be dead. Then all of this would be over.

  But what would happen to Helissent? He didn’t know. He’d done all he could do...but not all he wanted.

  No, not nearly all he wanted. It scoured him to ignore her. To give her even a moment of hurt, but Reynold couldn’t know the depths of his feelings. He wanted her with some burning need he’d never felt and could never extricate himself from.

  Years of women, loving them, easy, shared pleasure. But this...this wasn’t easy, this seared him. Days of watching her, travelling with her, then finally knowing her.

  She was everything he’d ever wanted. Need, want, desire, love. What a fool. He’d watched his brother falling in love and laughed at him. Told Teague some anecdotes that were meaningless.

  Meaningless because he knew nothing until Helissent. Now he knew what love was. His heart beat with it, his lungs filled with the air from it and here they were.

  She’d risked everything coming here. How could he do anything less?

  As Helissent and Reynold conversed, he tilted his cup only to find it empty. Just like his bravery, and courage.

  He lied to himself because he risked nothing by coming here. He was already a dead man.

  ‘Well, the rumors on this are true as well, your cakes are absolute perfection.’ Reynold chose another. ‘I don’t suppose you’d share the recipe with my kitchens?’

  Helissent glanced at Rhain, who scowled at his cakes, frowned at his wine, seethed at Reynold, but ignored her.

  What else could he do? She had come here, given Reynold the power, and he was lording it over them. She tried to carry on a conversation, but she could hardly comprehend what Reynold was saying or what she replied over the buzzing of fear in her head.

  But she heard Reynold’s request for her cake recipe and knew the answer to that. It had taken months of her life to gain that knowledge, and no recipe would save Rhain. ‘No.’

  Reynold merely shrugged. ‘Shame, I would have liked to taste those again after you go.’

  Rhain sat forward in his seat, his eyes narrowed. ‘She’s free?’

  ‘She was the moment you arrived. But, alas, I find I can’t quite let her go yet. Though I realize it reflects poorly on me since she and I had an agreement.’

  ‘What agreement?’

  ‘Oh, the telli
ng of it will be far sweeter coming from her lips.’

  Rhain wanted to slam down his goblet, then slam his fist across Reynold’s smug expression, but it wouldn’t be enough. How many hours had Helissent been here and how much did she give of herself in this agreement of theirs?

  He knew Reynold wanted his life and he was here to give it. ‘You have your cakes and your delay. What more do you want?’

  ‘Your manners are slipping, Rhain of Gwalchdu.’

  He didn’t give a damn for his manners. His brother kept a cooler head, but Rhain had never had patience or been capable of keeping silent for long.

  And despite everything, he was curious. Reynold kept him here, but as the conversation continued, he knew it wasn’t only for his death.

  Reynold drummed his fingers against the table. ‘As to what I want, the pity is I don’t know. Can’t quite put my finger on what it’ll take to appease me. You have killed my brother—what do you have to equal his worth to me?’

  Ah, Reynold wasn’t after a simple beheading. He wanted information first. ‘I came here. Respectively, you know what I offer as a skilled mercenary who has travelled to many warring countries and to many whispering courts.’

  Reynold’s congenial smile flattened. ‘That’s enticing, but not enough to set her free. There are those who witnessed her arrival. I couldn’t simply let her go and appear...soft.’

  Reynold was greedy. At least that rumour was true. Rhain had nothing left but some information and his life. Yet as he looked at Helissent, he wished he did if only to...

  ‘How about this?’ He pulled out his mother’s necklace. For five years the necklace had dictated his direction, but it wasn’t a direction he wanted any more. The intricate silverwork, larger than life before, now seemingly insignificant in this moment, now not nearly enough to save her life. How could a mere necklace save her life?

  ‘No,’ Helissent said. ‘You can’t.’

  He could. He would. The necklace meant nothing to him compared to her.

  ‘Why can’t he?’ Reynold asked.

  ‘No reason,’ Rhain said. ‘Other than it’s a costly, unique bit of silver. Will this be enough to let her go?’

  Helissent vehemently shook her head.

  Rhain didn’t spare the necklace a glance as he handed it to Reynold, who eyed it speculatively. It was a fine bit of jewelry and a precious item of his mother’s, but Rhain didn’t feel the loss he thought he would. He only felt the hope that it would be enough.

  Reynold’s eyes slid to Helissent. ‘This has value to him.’

  ‘Yes.’ She lifted her chin. ‘It was his mother’s and he carries it everywhere.’

  Reynold locked eyes on Rhain, who saw no need to deny it. ‘It’s true.’

  Reynold tossed the necklace in his hand like he could feel the sentimental weight. ‘This I will keep, then.’ Reynold pushed his chair away from the table and stood. ‘With this and the gift you graciously bestowed on me earlier, my dear, I think this concludes our visit.’

  Rhain offered his arm for Helissent to rise. ‘She’s free?’

  ‘As are you.’

  Rhain’s eyes widened. ‘What are you saying?’

  ‘Did you think I wanted to keep you, and what? Torture you for information, then kill you?’

  Rhain didn’t deny it.

  ‘And what will that gain me?’ Reynold said. ‘If you’re alive, you owe me your life and hers as well. Though you have little wealth now, I suspect you’ll come into more as time goes on. Who knows what fortune will come my way and what I could extract from you?’

  Rhain welcomed the tight grip Helissent had on his arm. It was the only indication that he wasn’t dreaming.

  ‘Plus, it wouldn’t be courteous after the generous favor you bestowed upon me.’

  It was Reynold’s smug tone he’d had enough of. ‘I gave you no favors.’

  ‘Of course you did. You think I don’t know the caliber of man Guy was or the deeds he had done? I never liked or respected him.’ Reynold clasped his hands again. ‘With his death, his land and property was split between my other two brothers and me. Between that and what you generously gave to me, I am now an extremely wealthy man.’

  Two facts were clear from Reynold’s statement. He wasn’t a fool and his greed might surpass King Edward’s.

  ‘We’ll be off then,’ Rhain said, attempting to find his courtly manners again though he wanted to gather Helissent in his arms and run her to the safety of his men.

  ‘One more thing,’ Reynold said, his eyes on Helissent, whose grip now shook against his arm. It was the only indication that these moments were straining her. Otherwise she held firm, her chin determined.

  Reynold gave a curt nod, almost like a bow before he said, ‘Rhain killed my brother, my lady. But this agreement we made today will hold firm; you have my word on that.’

  Helissent gave a soft hitch to her breath and her eyes brimmed with tears. For some reason she trusted Reynold. What was their agreement?

  ‘I am surprised by your choice of a woman,’ Reynold said turning his gaze to him. ‘She’s too soft hearted for a mercenary’s life.’

  ‘Brave enough to face you.’

  Reynold’s lips curved. ‘Ah, yes, I noticed that, too. It’s probably why I couldn’t leave it at that. We’ve had such a lovely visit; I’d like her to think better of me.’

  Rhain pulled Helissent close. After everything, she allowed him. With some satisfaction, he watched one of Reynold’s brows raise.

  ‘You are an enviable man.’

  ‘When haven’t I been?’ Rhain said, letting Reynold know if not by words then by tone that Helissent was not to be threatened again.

  Reynold’s eyes became cold. ‘Still, you’re easily found if I should envy too much.’

  Rhain felt Helissent stiffen at his words and he squeezed her elbow to keep her silent.

  Reynold was only letting Rhain know that he was still a threat, as if he’d ever forget. Reynold had the perfect excuse to kill him and no authority would deny him. But Rhain understood Reynold better now. He was a cunning enemy, but one he could respect.

  ‘I’ll send you missives of my whereabouts.’ Rhain stepped back and Helissent stepped with him. They were now effectively out of a sword swipe. ‘After all, you may have need of my superior mercenary skills.’

  Reynold noted their distance. They might be out of one man’s reach, but his power was far spread. For now, they were safe. Rhain only needed to get Helissent out of Reynold’s direct clutches.

  Reynold chuckled and waved his hand. ‘Go. Before I change my mind.’

  Gripping Helissent’s hand, Rhain pulled them out of there before he got her killed.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Feeling light-headed, dizzy, with her arms and legs starting a trembling she couldn’t control, Helissent blinked against the flaring torches in the night.

  Rhain held her hand tight and pulled her close. Her trembling only increased.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said.

  A muscle popped in the side of his jaw. He wore his hooded cloak, but his hood was down. The full radiance of his face, of his golden hair and amber eyes reflected and shone against the torches’ weak flames.

  He was so beautiful. So worthy of the light.

  Outside the gates, Nicholas stood alone with three horses. Had Rhain come for her alone?

  ‘Where are the others?’ Rhain said.

  ‘The others are still in the trees.’ Nicholas nodded his head at the platforms. Reynold’s men had their bows raised, arrows notched, but loose. ‘But we need to get beyond these men.’

  Not left alone. Rhain hadn’t been abandoned. Relief and worry warring inside her. More trembling, more weakness, she hadn’t felt this walking into Reynold’s camp, she couldn�
��t comprehend why she felt this way now. They were safe and alive.

  But too close they came to bloodshed. If Rhain had men in the trees, he expected trouble.

  Nicholas held her before Rhain pulled himself on his horse, and lifted her until she was settled in front on him.

  Giddy, she glanced at the other horse with its empty saddle. Felt relief as Rhain wrapped his free arm around her and pulled her close.

  She had her trembles under control, but not her chattering teeth. Rhain stiffened with tension. He was angry.

  ‘Why—?’

  ‘Don’t say a word. Not one word, until we get through York’s gates and within my lodgings. Even then you will wait.’

  He was angry.

  She hadn’t asked to be rescued or for him to put himself in danger. No, this had to be about the silver which was Reynold’s now. What was done was done; he’d have to live with his anger.

  They flew through the gates and paid the tolls. Rhain dismounted and gathered her in his arms. He didn’t set her down until he entered his lodgings.

  She looked at the fine room. Large enough to hold attendance. Chairs, tables, a bed the size of her room at the inn.

  He started pacing immediately, his hands yanking through his hair. ‘How could you go there? How could you risk it? My God, when I think about what that man has done in the past. I told you what he’s capable of and you still went!’

  ‘I didn’t ask for you to come after me,’ she said.

  ‘Not to come after you? At what point did it occur to you that I wouldn’t?’

  She hadn’t believed him that he didn’t care for her. That he hadn’t felt something for her. But coming for her was something else. He’d told her that Reynold wanted to kill him, she was never at risk. He was. ‘I didn’t tell you I was going. I purposefully did that so you—’

  ‘So that I what?’ he interrupted. ‘Sit back, sleep, eat, go the other direction? As if I ever had a choice to go another direction when it came to you! Since the first moment I saw you, I couldn’t look the other way,’ he said. ‘When Rudd put those three extra flagons on your tray though your arms were already shaking? When he called you a troll? Do you think I have time to sit in every inn that feeds me? Do you think I just throw extra coin at every scrap of food I get? That money was for you!’