“Are you prepared to do your wifely duties, Mary?” he asked roughly.
She had not anticipated that question. Making love was not a duty, and she was grateful she had learned that with Michael. When two people loved it was a beautiful joining of two hearts and souls.
She did not know if he expected an answer. She had none for him. How could she, when the thought of being intimate with him turned her stomach.
“I expect you to do your duty.”
She stared at him, not understanding what he wanted from her.
“It is every wife’s duty.”
Her look became more confused.
He lifted her chin with one finger. “We will wed and you will give me a son.”
Chapter 26
Mary was grateful for the knock on the door that interrupted them and allowed her to seek solace in her bedchamber, while Decimus saw to an urgent matter with his men.
She sat on the bed giving thought to his words. The idea that she would bear Decimus’s children horrified her. Was that why she had not given the idea thought before? And what of Michael?
She placed a tender hand to her belly. What if she already carried his child? She had not even considered the possibility, or had she not wanted to? It would be a joy to have Michael’s child. But to have Decimus raise the babe?
A heavy sigh had her throwing herself back on the bed. How could she let Michael’s worst enemy raise his child? If there was a child. If not, she had nothing to worry about.
But what if she was with child? A child conceived from the love she shared with Michael . . .
“A foolish thought,” she admonished herself. Having Michael’s child now would not be fair to Michael or the child.
A knock sounded at her door. “Mary, it is Magnus.”
She went to the door and let him in.
“I have been meaning to talk with you,” he said.
He looked burdened. “Come, let us sit by the hearth and talk.”
Mary always thought Magnus was a handsome man, and she thought he was even more so now after seeing him with Reena. They seemed to fit so perfectly together, though he was large and she small, it made no difference. When together there was no doubt the couple were in love.
He reached out and took her hand. “You were always strong. When your parents died and I took you away, you complained not and you shed your tears when you thought I could not hear you. Through the years I watched you grow into a remarkable young woman and . . .”
It seemed hard for him to continue.
“I did not want this for you, Mary. I wanted you free to live your life and to love.”
Mary squeezed his hand. “It is my turn to save you and yours as you once did for me.”
“I did not rescue you so that one day you would rescue me.”
“Perhaps you did. Perhaps this is what was meant to be all along. Perhaps my destiny has always been with Decimus.”
“That is not a thought I wish to consider.”
“Do not worry yourself, Magnus. I am resigned to my destiny. I could not have it any other way. To think that Reena, you, Brigid, Thomas, or anyone here at the keep would suffer because of me is not acceptable to me.”
“I want you to know that I will never stop trying to free you of Decimus.”
She smiled. “That is a good thought for then I will always hope.”
“Reena has hope. She feels there is something more to you wedding Decimus than anyone knows.” Magnus shook his head. “When my wife gets an idea in her head, there is no stopping her.”
“We have talked and what she says does make sense. Why would Decimus hunt me all these years? How did he suddenly find me? And why wed me? There are many other sinners he can reform.”
“Reena believes the man who contacted the Dark One holds the answer. Unfortunately we have not been able to discover his identity.”
Mary threw her hands up in the air in frustration. “That is what I wished to ask him.”
“Ask who what?’
Mary realized her mistake. Magnus knew nothing of her love for Michael. Reena had given her word that she would tell no one and had kept it, though Mary never doubted she would.
“There is something important you are not telling me.”
Mary hesitated, wondering how wise it was for anyone to know of her love for the Dark One. It would place them in jeopardy, which she had already done with Reena. Could she chance doing the same to Magnus?
She chose her words carefully. “The Dark One visits with me to see how I fair. I thought to ask him the identity of the man who requested his help.”
“The Dark One is a good man and was upset when he heard the news that Decimus demanded to wed you.”
She smiled. “He wished to see me safe.”
“He has guided many to safety with no regard to his own well-being. He visits you here in the keep?”
She nodded.
“He should be more careful sneaking in under Decimus’s watchful eye. The man seems to see and know everything.”
“The Dark One seems to know more.”
“Still,” Magnus shook his head. “There is always a chance of him getting caught. Decimus’s men just requested a meeting. They appeared anxious over something. One of them could have spotted the Dark One and they, at this moment, could be setting a trap for him.”
Mary stood. “We should find out.”
“Not an easy task. They are well trained in keeping their own counsel.”
“We can try,” she said, intending to protect the man she loved from harm. If Decimus’s men were out to capture the Dark One, she would see their plans foiled.
By evening nothing had been learned. Decimus’s men remained tight-lipped, sharing nothing with anyone in the village nor were they overheard discussing any news.
Mary wanted the Dark One to visit again soon, and then she did not want him to visit at all. She was selfish in her desire for him, yet concerned for his safety, which meant it would be wiser for him to keep his distance from her.
Then there was her question. Who was the mysterious man who requested the Dark One’s help with Mary? Was he friend or foe? And could he answer her many questions?
The next few days were a whirlwind of activities. Plans for the wedding took priority and everyone in the keep was busy preparing for the ceremony and celebration.
Decimus had given strict orders that the affair be a joyous celebration. Magnus saw no point in arguing that few saw the wedding as a cheerful occasion of Mary’s good fortune. Mary was the reason he agreed to a festive celebration, and the villagers would attend out of duty, fear, and respect for her.
Mary did the best she could to keep her spirits up as her wedding day drew closer, but it was not an easy task. Her thoughts lingered on Michael, who had not visited with her since she had been ill. She wondered over his health and safety and if he was risking his life to help others.
When she could, she would sneak away to the woods and sit in the solitude of the trees and the blossoming spring growth. Spring was in full bloom. The trees and flowers were vibrant with color, the earth’s soil rich and ripe with plants.
Here amongst nature’s beauty she would settle, relax and sing a gentle tune. Her singing calmed her and brought her peace, and no one but the animals and birds could hear her.
She sat today, the spring air warm, the sweet scent of freshly bloomed flowers strong in the air, and her thoughts chaotic. In two days she would wed Decimus and be bound to him for life.
She had not thought to ask him where they would make their home and it concerned her. How would Michael visit with her if he did not know where she was? She thought to ask if she could visit with Reena and Brigid on occasion and then perhaps Michael could visit her there. She tended to believe, however, that Decimus would keep her isolated and that her life would be a solitary one.
The burden of her thoughts weighted her shoulders and she sat with her head drooped and her legs folded beneath her on the hard ground.
She purposely wore her plain skirt and blouse, thinking this would probably be the last time she dressed simply.
It would be the last time she would simply be Mary.
In two days she would be wife to Decimus and lose her freedom.
Arms draped in black wrapped around her so quickly, yet gently, that she jumped.
“I have missed you,” Michael said, squeezing her back tightly to his chest.
Mary firmly grasped the arm wrapped around her waist. “I had so hoped you would come to me again. But it is selfish of me for you may be in danger.”
“Worry not,” he whispered, his shroud-covered face pressed next to hers. “They are led on a wild goose chase.”
“You have been well and safe, then?”
“And I will continue to be well and safe.”
“I wed in two days,” she said with sorrow. “And I know not where I will live.”
“Listen to me well, Mary,” he said with a firm gruffness. “I will always know your whereabouts and I will never be far from you.”
“You have no idea how your words relieve my worry.”
“And you,” he murmured, “have no idea how much I wish to make love to you.”
She sighed. “I had so hoped that we could love once more before I wed Decimus.”
“We can, we will, we must,” he said, turning her face to slip his lips over hers and kiss her with a contained passion that ached to be released. “There is a secluded spot a short distance from here, but you must—”
“Keep my eyes closed,” she said with a soft laugh. “But someday,” she warned with a poke to his arm, “I will discover your secret.”
She felt his body stiffen.
“God help us both, when you do.”
She turned in his arms. “I pray that God will help and that one day we will be together.”
They walked to an area draped with vines and tree branches that had formed a secluded hut. Michael spread the branches apart and she entered. It was small with only a dapple of light shining through, a perfect haven for them to make love.
He took her in his arms. “With us so near to the village, I do not think it wise that we disrobe.”
She understood the wisdom of his words, but she wanted so badly to feel the length of him against her.
“I know it disappoints you,” he said, his hand stroking her face. “But your safety comes first.”
“Your mask, at least?”
“Then I must—”
“Blindfold me.” She nodded. “I trust you, Michael, I always have and I always will.”
He gently covered her eyes with his cloth belt and tied it securely around the back of her head. She waited as he removed his mask and when his warm cheek pressed to her cool one, she sighed and draped her arms around his neck.
“You feel so very good.”
He was clean-shaven, not a stubble on his smooth face, and she did not want him to stop rubbing his cheek with hers. She did not however complain when his lips followed the path his cheek had begun. He kissed every inch of her face and her legs trembled from the anticipation of their joining.
He eased her to the ground and when she reached to slip her hand beneath his shroud, he grabbed her arm.
“Nay, you must not. Let me love you.”
“But I wish to touch you, feel you, know your flesh once again.”
“Not this time, Mary,” he said with regret. “Our time together is short and I wish to love you in a manner you will never forget.”
“I wish to love you in return,” she argued.
“Another time.”
“There will be another time? You promise me this?”
He nibbled at her lips. “I promise there will be many more times.”
She acquiesced and let him love her.
He removed not a stitch of clothing. He released the ties of her blouse as he kissed her lips, softly and slowly, then fast and urgently. His fingers slipped inside her blouse to tease her nipples until they turned hard. He then trailed down her neck with his lips sending gooseflesh racing over her with each lick, nibble, and kiss.
He finally made his way to her nipples and when his mouth claimed the solid orb, his hand inched his way beneath her skirt to stroke her inner thighs.
Mary bit her lower lip, knowing she must not make a sound but aching to scream with the fiery passion he had awakened within her. His fingertips crawled slowly along her thighs, inching between her legs and she instantly grew wet with anticipation.
He captured her lips and they kissed deeply, quenching their thirst and love for each other.
“I wish there was more time,” he whispered. “I want to love you all day.”
“I do not want this to end,” she cried, her tears contained by her blindfold.
“I wish, oh how I wish, Mary,” he murmured and slipped over her, entering her slowly until he rested full-length inside her.
She sighed. “I love you, Michael.”
His groan was barely audible. “I love you more than you will ever know.”
With that he moved inside her and she joined his rhythm, so familiar to her and so very satisfying. They took their time, though knowing they had little left. And they climbed together in their passion, holding on to each other, urging each other, and loving each other, until as one, they exploded together.
The clung to each other, neither one willing to let the other go.
They both became alert when they heard a scurry of footfalls, then realized it was a small animal passing by.
Michael took the blindfold off her after securing his hood, and Mary quickly adjusted her clothing.
“I cannot say when I will see you again,” Michael said, pulling a twig from Mary’s long blond braid.
“As long as you will see me again,” she said with concern.
“I made you a promise. I will not break it.”
“Unless,” she was quick to say, “you feel yourself in danger, then you must promise me you will stay away.”
“I promise,” he said without hesitation.
She sighed relieved, for Michael was a man of his word.
He took her hand in his, slipped it under his mask, and kissed her palm. “Know that my heart and soul will be with you on the day you wed Decimus.”
She rested her hand to his cheek. “I will be thinking of you.”
“I am glad to hear that, for then you know you are loved.” He took her hand. “It is time to go.”
“Wait,” she said remembering the question she wished to ask of him as he spread the branches and stepped outside. She quickly followed him. “There is something I must know.”
“We do not have much time, can it not wait?”
She shook her head and asked her question. “I need to know who requested your help in finding me.”
“Magnus asked for my help.”
“Nay, the man who first asked you to find me. Reena explained it all to me and I am curious as to this man’s identity.”
“Why?”
“Because something does not feel right, though I cannot say what it is that troubles me, a missing piece of sorts.”
“And what purpose will this missing piece serve?” he asked.
“It will make the puzzle more clear, more logical.”
A sudden sharp sound like that of a branch cracking caused Mary to turn and see if anyone was near. Seeing no one and hoping it only an animal, she turned to Michael.
He was gone.
She looked around hoping to spot him, but he was nowhere.
She brushed her clothes clean and made certain her hair contained no twigs or leaves, then she began walking back to the keep.
She never got the answer to her question, but what disturbed her even more was that Michael had questioned her need for an answer.
Was he trying to protect her, or did he feel she would not like what she heard?
Chapter 27
Mary stood by the window in her bedchamber in her wedding dress, waiting to be summoned to t
he great hall for the ceremony. Reena and Brigid had just left her, letting her know that it would be only a short time before Magnus came for her. He would escort her to the great hall and give her hand to Decimus in marriage.
The dress Brigid had stitched for her was simply beautiful. It was a combination of blues, from deep blue velvet to soft blue silk. The bodice neckline was square and billowed out from beneath her breasts to fall to a flurry of dark blue velvet at her feet. Pale blue silk ribbon threaded along the bodice and around the upper arm. The sleeves fell to her wrists, the ribbon running around the edge like a cuff. And sapphires adorned the square neckline, beneath the bodice, and also trimmed the cuffs.
Her honey-blond hair was piled on her head, ivory combs keeping it secure. Blue and white wildflowers and bits of greenery were nestled in the curls. Old Margaret had fashioned a lovely bouquet of dried lavender and mint. It smelled heavenly.
Everything was set; she would soon wed Decimus, their destiny forever joined. The only hope she had to hold on to was the seer’s words.
You will be the demise of Decimus.
She prayed the woman’s prophecy would be true and that one day she would be free to love Michael.
A cloud drifted over the bright sun and dimmed an otherwise sunny day. Was it an omen of what was to come? Would her life with Decimus always be dim?
A knock on the door drew her away from the window and her troubled thoughts. She opened it and Magnus walked in.
He looked magnificent in his dark splendor, black leggings and a black tunic trimmed in silver thread.
He offered her his arm. “It is time.”
She attempted a smile but it faltered and she turned away to retrieve her bouquet and gather her courage. She felt on the verge of tears, and she could not allow herself to cry. She would show Decimus no weakness, only strength.
She turned after taking a deep breath and fortifying herself for what she must do.
“I am ready,” she said and took his arm. She did not attempt to force a smile. It was not possible to display happiness when sorrow filled her heart.
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