CHAPTER 4
NICK MADE his way up the path, three heavily armed sailors accompanying him.
He could see the footprints that confirmed Arianna’s story. At least partly. Several men had been here. And they’d been chasing something. Their footprints zagged this way and that, overlapping each other in the dirt.
She’d drawn a bit of a map for him, showing him the estuary she’d used to escape. Genius really. Not many women would have been so resourceful. Not many men for that matter.
Beauty and brains.
The cottage came into view and he nearly gasped aloud. It was lovely, sitting atop the cliff, looking down at the ocean, with a backdrop of forest. He’d never seen a more picture-perfect place.
A vision, like he’d never experienced before, clouded his eyes. Arianna walked about the flowers and as he approached, she beckoned him to her. Plucking a flower from the garden, she held it in her hand as she opened her arms to him. He stepped into her embrace without hesitation and then stood on tiptoe to place a soft kiss on his lips. It was heaven.
Until he was jostled from the back. He’d stopped walking, so caught up in the picture, and one of his sailors ran into him. “Bloody bullocks,” Salty grouched. “Didn’t mean to hit ye, Captain.”
“The fault is mine.” Nick waved his hand. But the vision had disappeared and he missed it, like an actual person. What had just happened to him?
“Ye’re smart to stop on the forest’s edge. There’ve been a lot of men about and they could still be lurking.”
So Salty had seen the evidence too. “She said they wear wolf costumes.”
Salty drew in a breath. “I’ve heard of them. Come from up north. They’re bad men, Captain. Robbing and raping.”
That made Nick pause. They were an established group with organization? That couldn’t be good. But Salty wasn’t done.
“I ken ye’re not gonna believe me, but it’s said they almost have powers. Like strange things happen when they’re about.” Salty took a step back then. “We should get back on our ship and leave this place.”
Nick closed his eyes for a moment as his mind clicked the details into place. Of course he’d run into magic. Had the mirror orchestrated it so that it might find this group of wolves? Or, was something even larger at foot? Graham swore he was destined to meet Charlotte. And their friend, Ewan, who was a wizard himself, said that the Fairfields were a force of good and that magical elements created their destiny.
Nick didn’t know about that. But he did know that he was involved now. That he would not just drop Arianna back on the beach and sail away to face these dangers alone.
Arianna. Her name did funny things to his insides. His mind replayed the vision of her he’d just had. Was that what it had been? An actual vision. It hadn’t just been a fantasy. He’d felt things, known they’d belonged together. A little voice declared that it wasn’t magical, he just didn’t want to leave her. That might be true, but there was nothing to do for it now. The Fairfields got involved. They helped. It’s what they did. His brothers were proof enough for that. So his mind had decided. He’d stay and help Arianna.
“I’ll deliver the basket.” He could now see it sitting on the front stoop. “And then we’ll return to the ship.” He looked back at Salty. Once aboard, he’d explain to his men how they wouldn’t abandon this village. “Make sure to cover me should anyone show his face.”
He crossed the open land between the forest and the cottage with an easy sort of stride that would make anyone believe he hadn’t a care in the world. His best defense was to make any would-be attacker think he wasn’t expecting him. They’d be more obvious that way.
But nothing happened as he arrived at the door and knocked. “Hello? It’s Nick Fairfield. Arianna sent me to deliver a basket of food.”
He heard nothing for so long he wondered if he should break down the door. But then, finally, he heard the shuffling of feet and the turning of the lock. The door swung in and a little old lady stood before him. “You’re not a wolf,” she said.
“No ma’am, I am not.” He held up the basket. “May I come in? Arianna has asked that I deliver this food and see you fed.”
She opened the door wider and he stepped into the cozy cottage. She led the way to a small kitchen and he set the basket on the table, unpacking several items. The cottage was surprisingly tidy for a woman so feeble. “Arianna sent you? Do you know my granddaughter?”
He shook his head. “I’ve only just met her today. It’s a rather long tale but I can tell it while I heat this soup?”
She nodded taking a seat. He explained as he worked. Not about the mirror, the vision, or what Salty had said about the wolves, but as he finished, she crooked a finger at him. “Bad magic is at work here.”
He grimaced, knowing it was true. But he didn’t admit it aloud, they had only just met. “Bad magic?”
She shook her head. “Don’t play coy, young man. I know you know.” She pointed down to his waist. “Whatever is in there will not stop blubbering.”
He blinked. “I think Arianna heard it too.”
She nodded. “It’s in her blood, like it’s in mine and yers. You’re not magical, it isn’t strong enough. But you feel it, sense it.”
“My brother’s child is magical.” Somehow it felt so good to share those words.
Granny nodded again. “Yer’s will be too.”
He blinked then, surprise making his head snap back. “I’m sorry.”
“Yer’s and Arianna’s baby. You had the vision, I know you did. I have visions too. Do ye think I would have let ye in if I didn’t already know ye?”
He’d finished heating the soup and set the bowl in front of her. “That is ridiculous.” He wouldn’t marry. He’d watched his brothers turn into lovesick fools, nearly killing themselves to save the women they loved. He’d only decided to help Arianna, not tie himself to her forever.
She tilted her head to the side in an appraising glance. “Do ye feed every girl’s granny then?”
“I consider myself a gentleman,” he answered, but he did see her point. He’d neither rescued a beautiful little mermaid nor cared for her family before today. “Do you question that?”
She gave a cackle for a laugh. “Of course not. But it doesn’t change the fact ye think she’s beautiful and mysterious. Men love that sort of thing. Especially your type. And yer brothers have all married recently. So will you. It’s yer fate.”
“Fate.” His insides twisted. She knew far more than he liked. Ewan also had visions. And he did find Arianna beautiful and mysterious but he had no intention of following his brothers down the path of matrimony. He was a carefree sailor. Set to roam about the world. “If you have visions can you tell me how to protect the village from these wolves?”
She shook her head. “Ewan will help you the best he can. I only see what concerns my family.”
“But you saw my brothers.” His voice rumbled in defiance. This was ridiculous. “And Ewan isn’t here.” He didn’t intend to sound so angry but he didn’t want to hear that he would marry. It wasn’t true.
He only wanted to know how best to free the village, and therefore save Arianna. It briefly occurred to him that he was following in his brothers’ footsteps. Rushing in to the rescue.
“I saw your brothers because they will be my family. And Ewan will come. You seemed smarter to me, I would have guessed the moment you knew magic was involved, you’d also know that your family was rushing to join you.” She picked up her spoon and began eating her soup, her eyes twinkling as she winked at him. “Go back to yer ship. But…do not let Arianna out of yer sight. And tell my daughter where Arianna is. Corinna will worry if you don’t.”
“Does Arianna’s mother have your gift?”
“Gads no. Skipped a generation. And my daughter thinks I’m mad.” Granny made a shoeing gesture with her hand. “Now go.”
Nick made his way to the door, looking back at the old woman. “Why were the wolves here?”
“Who can sense you?”
“Bad magic…” she said taking another bite. “I don’t know who she is but I can feel her. You’ll figure it out soon enough.”
“How do you know it’s a her?” He stopped crossing his arms. Granny was proving to be an infuriating wealth of information.
“If someone was breathing down yer neck, would ye know if it were a man or a woman? I think ye would.” She waved again.
He nearly laughed out loud at that. Nick’s hand was on the door when a different question popped into his mind. “Why doesn’t Arianna know about magic? She looked at me as though I were mad when I opened the satchel.”
“She wasn’t ready. Now go. It’ll be up to you to tell her. She’s waiting for you.” Granny took another bite. “This soup was delicious. I’m glad I got to meet you and, by spring, you’ll need to rethatch the roof.”
Nick blinked. He would certainly not be here to rethatch in spring. Despite all she knew, she had to be wrong about that. Didn’t she?
He doubted very much that he’d be telling Arianna about magic. He’d help the village and deliver her safely to her family. That was it. So why could he not get her image, laying in his bed, out of his thoughts?
CHAPTER 5
ARIANNA FELL in and out of sleep. She wanted to stay awake but couldn’t seem to make herself. Still, until the captain came back, and she knew Granny was all right, she couldn’t really rest.
The doorknob rattled and he was there. His hair tousled by the wind, his full lips curled into a soft smile. He didn’t look mad, standing there so tall and strong. He looked magnificent. Heat curled in her belly as she looked away from him and toward the wall. She had to focus on what was important and not his charming good looks. “Granny?” her voice rattled out raspy and weak. It still worked a little better than it had earlier.
“Fine,” his smile grew. “She’s quite the woman. But I’ll have you know, she ate her food and chatted my ear off.”
Arianna returned the grin, warming, knowing that Granny was all right. “We’ve tried to get her to move to the village but she insists on staying in the cottage. Says she needs the voices of nature.”
She saw his smile waver. What was that about? Did he think them foolish for not insisting she move? “I imagine she does. She fits with that cottage. It’s lovely.” He handed her another bowl or broth. “Do you need me to feed you?”
She shook her head as she took the bowl from his hands. Bringing it to her lips, the warm liquid soothed her throat and as she drank it down. Then, she looked up to him. “Thank you for saving my life.”
He gave her another smile that stretched across his face, making her blink at the brilliance of that grin. He sat next to her on the bed. His proximity caused her to flush, though she didn’t know why. “You’re welcome.” He cleared his throat. “I’m glad to hear your voice.”
“I am glad to be using it.” She gave a little laugh and he responded with one of his own. There was an intimacy here that she couldn’t name but it was comforting as much as it was exciting.
“Tomorrow, I will visit your mother and tell her where you are. I think it best, if you agree, to spend another day recovering before we try to transport you home.” His face darkened again and she inwardly cringed. Did he not want her to leave? Was he as worried about the village as she was? Or was she draining precious resources while she was here?
Outwardly, however, she nodded her agreement even as she wondered why his expression grew pained again. “Am I a burden? I’m sorry if I am. I can make the journey tomorrow if it is more convenient.”
He looked at her in surprise and then leaned down to kiss her cheek. Heat filled them again. “You are far from a burden and I would not risk your health. You’ll stay here.” He tucked the blankets about her legs, his touch light and soothing. “I’d ask you to tell me more about your granny but I am afraid to make you use your voice, since it has only just returned.”
That did make her feel better but she wondered about the shadows that kept crossing his face. “I don’t know what I might tell. She, even now, is full of life. I’ve always loved her dearly and I still do. I am worried for her, though. Not only does she not leave the cottage, but she talks about the end.”
He nodded. “With me as well.” He slipped his hand into hers. His large hand was strong and warm. “She knows about the wolves.” Arianna saw him hesitate. “I will help keep you safe, Arianna.”
Her breath caught. Every moment she was with him, she found him that much more handsome than the last. It did help he was no longer speaking to his belt. But perhaps he’d only been talking to himself as people sometimes did? Because she needed help just now. And here he was, big and strong, warm and kind. “I don’t know what to say, Captain.”
His eyes lit with surprise and then one eyebrow quirked. If she’d thought him bonnie before now he was devilishly so. “I think you’d better call me Nick.”
Nick. It suited him. And calling him by his given name made her look down at her lap. “Why would I do that?”
He tucked a finger under her chin and lifted it so that he could look her in the eye. His grin had a jaunty tilt. “Your Granny is convinced we’ll marry.”
She gasped and pulled her chin from his grasp. “What do you mean? What did she say?”
He sat back and gave a chuckle. “I see that I have succeeded in scaring you yet again. My apologies. But she was rather insistent.” He gave her a small wink. “I don’t believe it either.”
She relaxed at his words, not sure why she had become so frightened. It had been a strange day and they were odd words from a man she didn’t know. Though she was certain her Granny had said them. She was always making such predictions. The odd part was how often she was correct. “Did she say that the trees whispered it?” Arianna rolled her eyes in an attempt to make less of it.
But Nick paled. He straightened away even as his eyes crinkled at the corners. “The trees?” Then he shook his head. “I think you’d better get some sleep. Let’s discuss all of this in the morning.”
Before she could reply, he leaped up from the bed and crossed to the door. Twisting the knob, he was gone before she could utter a sound. What had she just said?
She lay in bed wondering but it wasn’t long before sleep made her eyes heavy. She was safe, her Granny tended and her body exhausted from the day’s events. Tomorrow she would sort out the delicious mystery that was Nick Fairfield.
NICK LEFT the room and leaned against the wall. He’d been so anxious to get back to her and now he’d darted out of the room before their conversation had barely begun.
But he didn’t know how to say, I believe in magic. Your Granny does too. I’ve a magical object in my bag and we’re very likely dealing with magical forces. If the trees have whispered we’ll marry, it’s likely true. It sounded absurd and if someone had said those words to him a year ago, he’d have declared the person incompetent.
It didn’t matter. Despite what her grandmother believed, they wouldn’t marry. He had no intention of marrying anyone. His brothers could happily carry on the family. The Fairfield name would live on.
But then he thought of those large green eyes, her auburn hair trailing across a pillow. This sight of her wearing his shirt.
He could see how his brothers had been tempted. He wasn’t, of course. Despite having rushed back here from her grandmother’s, he would not allow a woman, no matter how stunning, to take his freedom.
He made his way up onto the deck. The cliff loomed in the moonlight and he imagined that he could just see the top of the cottage’s roof. It was a beautiful spot. One wouldn’t feel trapped there. On the contrary, with the view of the ocean and the forest all about, it was freedom personified.
He dug his thumb and forefinger into his eyes. What was he thinking? He belonged on a ship.
Returning below deck, he f
ound an empty hammock amongst the sailors and lay himself down for the night. There was little to do but try and sleep.
His rest wasn’t fitful, however, and when he woke, the sun was just lighting the sky. Thoughts of Arianna plagued him and he decided to check on her to see if she was awake, if she needed food or how her health faired.
He ignored the voice that said she was likely fine, he just wanted to see her, be near her. That was not it. He was responsible for her safety.
He made his way to the captain’s quarters and softly turned the knob. A quick look at the bed showed that it was empty. His eyes bulged as he opened the door wider to find her.
But if he’d been worried before, a different sight stopped him in his tracks. She stood, laying her clothes out to dry, wearing nothing but his shirt. She’d rolled up the sleeves, so that her forearms were exposed but it was the sight of her creamy legs that made his mouth go dry. Her auburn hair fell in loose waves all down the crisp linen and he knew, in that moment, that Granny had been right.
He wanted to see her like this every day. Just like that. Wearing his clothing, in his bedroom. A possessive need made him shudder and a growl rumbled deep in his chest.
She on the other hand, turned with a surprised glance and nearly jumped from the shock of seeing him. A yelp escaped her lips as she yanked her wet dress in front of her.
“Good morning,” he said, barely able to keep his voice civil. Something near primal was rising inside him. He stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.
“Ye scared me,” she replied, her breath coming in short gasps. It only made him tighten further.
He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. It didn’t feel natural in this moment but he didn’t think she was ready for what he wanted to do. Which was to kiss her senseless. “Sorry about that.”
“Did you need something?” she asked, pulling her damp dress tighter about her legs.
He cleared his throat, trying to order his now chaotic thoughts. “Only to check on you. Your clothes are wet still?”
Romantically Enchanted: A Twisted Fairytale Collection Page 51
