To give her all she’d asked for after Ducard.
He wanted to hold her, to protect her, to earn her smile. To earn her l-
Marcus crushed the thought.
She deserved better, and even though it meant denying himself, he would make sure she got it.
Chapter 35
The next morning Brelynn rustled them up a breakfast of day-old bread, butter, and hard-boiled eggs. Not the tastiest of meals, but she figured it was all safe enough.
As they ate, Marcus glanced toward the warehouses. “Do you think any of the servants or townspeople were Silas’s accomplices?”
“They knew about it, but Three Rivers reminded them what happened to people who didn’t listen to Silas. I saw a bunch of scared people following orders.”
“Orders they knew were wrong. Especially the barkeep.”
“Why did you retire again?” Brelynn raised her brows.
“I didn’t exactly obey.”
“Call it what you like, but even the Great Lich Slayer does mostly as he’s told.”
Marcus blew out a breath. “I should talk to the servants. Tell them what’s going on and see if they know anything about Three Rivers or Silas’s activities.”
“I bet they’ll be willing to help.”
“I hate this part.”
Brelynn laid her hand and over his. “I’ll do what I can, but they need to hear they’re safe and what will happen next from their Lich Slayer.”
Marcus squeezed her fingers, took a deep breath, then gathered the house staff in the foyer. After he had them assembled, he climbed up a few steps on the main staircase so everyone could see him as he spoke.
Marcus stood there, tall and strong in his armor as he waited for silence. Once he had everyone’s attention, he spread his arms wide. “I took Silas into custody and am charging him with impersonating a Knight, consorting with a necromancer, and possessing controlled goods.”
Marcus’s deep voice rung with authority as he explained what would happen with the Tribunal.
Brelynn hugged herself as she saw him through the eyes of those around her.
Commanding. Inspiring. The shining example of a Knight of Valor.
He was that and more. So much more.
She almost laughed at herself. She was hopelessly in love with him.
A plump maid peered up at him. “Are you really Sir Marcus Valerian?”
“Yes, I am,” Marcus said.
“Praised be the Dragon God!” the maid hooted. “I knew He’d see to Silas, I just never expected Him to send the Great Lich Slayer!”
“You sure you’re the Great Lich Slayer?” another man asked. “I thought you’d be taller.”
Brelynn snorted. Marcus was the tallest person in the room. How much taller did they want him to be?
As tall as his legend, she realized.
“What the Great Lich Slayer needs,” Brelynn said as she stepped between Marcus and the gathering, “is anything you know that’ll make sure Silas gets what he deserves. Like what happened to Three Rivers.”
A series of nods greeted Brelynn.
“I need you to remember what you can, people you might have seen and not recognized, anything you might’ve heard.” Brelynn expected people to question her, but they seemed happy, eager even, to do as she requested. “Is there anyone here who can write?”
A couple of people raised their hands.
“The Great Lich Slayer can use your help writing down what everyone knows before this Tribunal gets here,” Brelynn said.
“We’d love to hear more about how he killed that lich,” the plump maid called out.
“The more helpful you are, the more time he’ll have to tell you about his travels.”
Brelynn’s promise worked, and the group documented what they knew. Brelynn circled around the room, chatting with people, laughing, and trading stories, but she made sure they stayed on task.
As she stepped to the side of the gathering, the barkeep walked towards her, head down as he twisted his hat in his hands. “Ma’am,” he said.
“Winston, isn’t it?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He ducked his head. “Look, about the ale I gave you and Sir Marcus…”
“It’s okay.” Brelynn waved at Winston’s son. “You didn’t have much choice, did you?”
“I lost my wife and two little girls in Three Rivers. Said they’d take my son if I didn’t cooperate. He’s all I got left, so I had to do what they said.”
“Did you give anyone else that ale?”
“No, ma’am. We don’t get too many travelers this way, not with the merchants no longer coming on account of Three Rivers.”
“Thanks for telling me,” Brelynn said.
Winston twisted his hat. “You’ll make sure Sir Marcus knows I’m real sorry?”
“I will. And please get everything you know written down before you go home. Also, if you have any of the stuff Silas asked you to put in the ale, drop that off with the Knights coming down to oversee Silas’s trial.”
“Will do, ma’am. And thanks.”
Brelynn smiled as Winston joined a queue to get his testimony transcribed.
Once the barkeep had walked away, Sir Marcus joined her. “What was that about?”
“He was apologizing, and I accepted it. Helps alleviate his guilt. He did what he had to do to protect his boy.”
Sir Marcus thought for a moment and nodded. “You’re probably right.”
“That’s not what you came over here to talk to me about though.”
Sir Marcus sucked in a breath. “You promised I’d tell them about how I killed the lich. You know it’s not the story they think it is.”
She linked her arm with his and laid her head against his shoulder. “Tell them the bard’s version. You did what you did for people like them, and they love you for it. Let them. They need it even if you don’t.”
He stared across the room. “The story version of me is better than the real thing.”
“You’re shorter in real life.” She grinned and squeezed his arm. “Just be you. If an Oskelesian sorceress can put up with you, the citizens of Tamryn will love you.”
He hesitated then nodded. “I should check on Silas.”
She squeezed his arm and let him go, chiding herself for the swell of feeling blossoming in her chest.
By the gods how it would hurt when she lost him. Brelynn just hoped whoever Sir Marcus married realized how amazing he was.
Even better than his legend.
Chapter 36
It was early evening when Marcus sent the last of the house staff home with an admonishment to keep their doors and windows locked.
Brelynn hoped they listened to him.
“Speaking of staying indoors,” Brelynn said as she glanced at the setting sun. “What are we going to do with Silas?”
“Town doesn’t have a prison, so he’ll stay locked in the barn until the Tribunal arrives. I made sure he was given food and water.”
“He’ll be unarmed if any of Mokkar Calmont’s men find us.”
“Calmont won’t care about him.”
“And the necromancer?” she asked.
“I consecrated his body-”
“Oh, he’ll love that.”
“He’s dead, and I expect him to stay that way.”
“Good point.”
“I moved him to a locked shed next to the building we’re turning into a church,” Sir Marcus said. “Should keep the wolves away until the Tribunal arrives.”
Brelynn grimaced. “It’s been a long day. I’m tired and hungry.”
“Me too.”
“Let’s see what we can find to eat now that the kitchen staff tossed all the drugged food,” Brelynn said and headed to the kitchen.
“I’m not sure…”
“We won’t eat evidence. Besides, after the day we’ve had, I figure the least Silas can do is feed us.”
Sir Marcus followed her into the kitchen as she rustled up cheese, fruit, and the leftover
chocolate cake. She poured them each a mug of ale, and with a snap of her fingers, the ale turned ice cold. Sitting down at the table, Brelynn clinked her glass against his, then leaned back in her chair.
“As bad as today was, at least I didn’t have to ride a horse.”
Marcus grinned as he sat down next to her and cut himself a slice of cake. He took a bite, but his smile evaporated as he glanced towards the barn where Silas was imprisoned.
“I wish you’d seen a better side of the Knights of Valor.”
“I have,” she said as nudged him, “one of the best.”
He smiled again. “Did you spend a lot of nights like this?”
“Gathering information from people without them knowing it?”
“I meant sitting around a table and having a meal.”
She nudged him again. “Yes to both.”
“Why were you interrogating people?”
“Information gathering,” Brelynn corrected. “Trying to figure out when I was on Mokkar Calmont’s menu again and if I could trade.”
“Trade?” Sir Marcus grimaced. “Couldn’t have been easy to find someone to trade with.”
“Most people wanted to be chosen. Said it was better than sex.”
Marcus’s cheeks reddened. “But not for you?”
“Hoping sex is better. Being bitten hurt like the seven hells and made me sick for days.”
“Sounds awful.”
“It was.”
Sir Marcus took her hand in his. “I’m sorry.”
His genuineness felt like a punch to the gut. She didn’t deserve his sympathy. Doubtful any mage in Oskelez did. She lifted her shoulders as she stared down at her half-finished cake. “Figured him draining the magic in my blood was retribution.”
“I know you. You couldn’t have done anything to deserve that.”
“Please don’t say that. You can’t know what it means being a mage in Oskelez. A mage in Arch-Grimveldt Korvar’s sphere.” Brelynn closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. “Before I drank the holy water at the monastery, knowing what I do, I wondered if it would kill me.”
“But it didn’t.” Sir Marcus slid an arm around her. “Will you tell me what happened?”
“I don’t want you to hate me.”
“I can’t hate you.”
“I thought Knights didn’t lie.”
He tipped her chin up so she would meet his gaze. “We don’t.”
Swallowing hard, she closed her eyes. Maybe the disgust on his face when he learned about her past would break her silly heart enough that the Twins would take back their curse.
“I was six the first time Arch-Grimveldt Korvar forced me to cast a necromantic spell. I cried for a week afterward, but when he made me cast it again, I did.” Her chest tightened as memories assaulted her.
Sir Marcus stilled. “You were forced to cast necromancy spells?”
“It’s how I knew so much about the spell in Three Rivers. The spells I cast were simple apprentice level ones. Thank the gods Mokkar Calmont was draining my magic so I didn’t have enough for anything more powerful.”
Brelynn told him about the long days she spent studying magic, the atrocities many around her commit to earn Mokkar Calmont’s favor in hopes of being made into a vampire, and the constant fear that haunted everyone.
Fear of torture. Of death. Of losing your children.
Above all, fear of being alone.
“It sounds worse than the stories.”
“I didn’t know anything else.” Brelynn sucked in a breath and met his gaze. “I had no family, no children, and while I worried about my friend Mara a lot, she is a Champion and protected me more than I did her. The worst part of living in Oskelez for me was Arch-Grimveldt Korvar’s ‘special’ rituals.”
“Necromantic?”
“Gifts of my blood to the dark god Uzakiel.”
“By the Holy Trinity,” Sir Marcus whispered, his eyes widening.
“I promise you they had nothing to do with it.” Brelynn drew a deep breath. “Mokkar Calmont would bite me to drain my blood. I can’t describe the pain or desperation of your life being stolen from you while your body is paralyzed. You can’t fight. You can’t move. You can barely think beyond the most primitive need to survive.”
Marcus thumbed along the curve of her jaw as he held her closer.
Brelynn shuddered even as the heat of Sir Marcus comforted her. “Mokkar Calmont never took enough that I would lose consciousness, so I had to watch Arch-Grimveldt Korvar perform horrible, blasphemous ceremonies with the blood they took. Knowing what would come next.”
Sir Marcus tightened his arm around her.
“Arch-Grimveldt Korvar would then inject my corrupted blood back into me. The pain is indescribable, like you’re being torn apart from within.”
“Brelynn…”
“That’s why I wasn’t sure I’d pass your test.” Brelynn swallowed back her revulsion, but she couldn’t meet his gaze. “I was forced to cast terrible spells, and I was going to die on that stone slab one day, but it wasn’t until I learned Arch-Grimveldt Korvar performed that ritual on me so they could harvest my soul that I planned my escape.”
“You know Korvar’s magic better than most,” Sir Marcus whispered. “It’s why you fear him so much.”
“I’ve felt his evil in a way I pray no one else ever has to, and I’ll take my own life before I go back to him.” Brelynn sucked in a breath as she stood. She felt raw and exposed before Sir Marcus’s pale violet gaze. And ashamed.
“I had no idea.”
“I didn’t want you or anyone else to know, but…” Brelynn swallowed hard, but better he learned the truth now before she fell any more in love with him. “I understand if you don’t want me anywhere near your prince or in Tamryn now that you know how tainted I am.”
Brelynn turned towards the stairs.
Sir Marcus caught her wrist.
She winced and waited for him to draw his sword.
Instead, he pulled her to him and cradled her against his chest. “The woman I’m taking to Aerius risked her life to free the souls in Three Rivers. Unspeakable things may have been done to her, but she still follows the light. That says more about her than a pious Tamarian who’s never had their faith challenged.”
Brelynn stared up at him. “But I-”
Marcus touched his lips to her temple. “Korvar and Calmont couldn’t break the light in you. That’s why Calmont’s bite hurt so much.”
“You believe that?”
“Knights don’t lie.”
Brelynn let the heat and light of him fill her. That he could understand, forgive… She closed her eyes. Even if the Twins had cursed her, they’d blessed her too.
Chapter 37
Marcus smoothed the wrinkle between Brelynn’s brows, and a smile curve her lips.
His chest swelled.
By Dracor, what was wrong with him? Why did her smile, her happiness, matter so much to him?
Had the Twins touched him, gifted and cursed him with the dual aspects of love?
Euphoria and despair. Pleasure and pain. Rapture and misery.
Marcus shook his head. He knew nothing of love. He only knew he’d promised to take Brelynn to Aerius and deliver her to King Eli. For the first time in his life, he didn’t want to follow through on a promise. He didn’t want to do what was expected of him.
He wanted to be selfish.
Brelynn stared up at him, the soft smile still on her lips, and her large aqua eyes luminous in the fading light.
Thought melted away.
All Marcus was left with was emotion, an aching need that only she could fill. He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers. A soft kiss, a whisper of feeling that hinted at so much more.
He feathered his mouth over hers in the gentlest of caresses, tentative and tender.
When she didn’t pull away, Marcus cradled her closer and deepened the kiss.
Her mouth was soft against his, inviting, and felt better than
he’d thought. Better than he’d imagined.
He nibbled her lush lips and traced warm kisses over them before ever so gently tasting her.
Her warmth slid through him, and he ached for more.
It was easy, too easy, to melt into the kiss. Easy to want all that she offered and give all she asked.
Desire thrummed through him as she kissed him back, the warmth of her soaking into him as the scent of lilacs intoxicated his senses.
Brelynn wrapped her arms around him and spread her hands across his back as she offered him more.
Marcus’s reservations slipped further as she gave herself over to the kiss, as she parted her lips and invited him to deepen it.
He wanted more, to plunge ahead, but he warned himself to hold back, to keep himself in check even as he angled his head over hers and took all she offered.
His tongue found hers and stroked.
Need, hot and raw, seared him as she responded to his touch, his kiss.
Despite the danger, he forged ahead. The weight of her in his arms and the heat of her mouth on his as she kissed him back intensified his desire.
Marcus lifted her into his arms and started toward the hall when his foot nudged his shield.
The sun’s fading rays danced off the dragon crest.
Duty, obligation, his vows to always behave properly, especially to someone trusting him with their life, screamed loud enough to quiet his heart and let reason reestablish itself.
He lifted his head and blinked to clear his vision. “I’m sorry. I-”
“Never kiss a girl and say you’re sorry.” Brelynn pulled him back to her and kissed him. Hot. Hungry. Demanding.
Surprised at her naked desire, he responded without thought, meeting her need with his own. He parted her lips and surged inside, his tongue finding hers and stroking in imitation of an age-old dance.
Marcus reveled in the scent of her, the heat of her as he molded her body against him, the way her soft curves played against his hard, angular body.
He wanted more. He wanted her, all of her, to feel her beneath him and hear his name on her lips.
She felt soft and yielding in his arms, giving him his way while demanding more.
Knight of Valor: Knights of Valor Page 15
