She shrugged and undressed.
Marcus’s cheeks reddened, and he turned away from her. “What are you doing?”
“Taking a bath.” She slid into the hot water. “You didn’t think I would take it dressed, did you?”
Marcus stammered as he stared at the floor.
“My clothes could use a washing, but I’ll settle with just me being clean. You can look now.”
Marcus glanced over at her. She faced away from him as she luxuriated in the steaming water. Her golden hair flowed down her back but left her wet shoulders naked and exposed.
Temptation roared, its steady thrum beating against his temples and making him uncomfortable in other ways. He sat on the corner of the bed facing away from her and silently recited the seven litanies of Dracor.
He would treat her with the respect she deserved. Be the protector she needed in spirit and in action.
“How long before this Tribunal arrives?”
“Tomorrow most likely.” He forced his voice to stay steady.
“I thought we were still far from the city?”
“On your horse we are.”
Brelynn chuckled. “Rocky will get me there. I promised him a whole bucket of oats. Real ones, not the conjured kind.”
“The Tribunal will come by the King’s Road. They’ll travel as long as they’re fit to ride, and the Dragon Church will provide them fresh mounts at each of the major towns. I doubt even an ancient vampire lord would tangle with three veteran Knights.”
“Sounds like this is a big deal.” She sank deeper into the steaming water.
“I’m calling Silas a traitor. The Knights have to respond quickly and justly.”
“You could’ve just killed him rather than summoning a Tribunal down here to kill him.”
“This isn’t just about him. It’s about the Knight of Valor and what we stand for.” Marcus continued to stare at the wall, not allowing himself to even glance in her direction.
“You want to make an example of him.”
“If we’re wrong and he is a Knight, people have to know what it means when one of us betrays our code. They have to know that when we take our vows it means something.”
“And if he’s not a Knight?”
“Then the citizens of Tamryn have to know what happens when you impersonate a Knight of Valor for personal gain.”
“So you’ll use this Tribunal to punish Silas but also to remind everyone you’re Knights of Valor and not bullies wearing dragon crests.”
“Succinctly put.” Marcus kept his gaze fixed on the wall.
“How does a Tribunal work?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never seen a Tribunal before.”
“I suppose there weren’t too many Knights of Valor out in the lich’s lands.”
“Very true.”
“I’m sorry,” she said as she stepped out of the tub and wrapped a towel around herself. “This is a terrible way to spend retirement.”
Marcus turned when the water splashed, and he saw the steam rising from her bare skin. He blushed and turned back around, his thoughts shattered and his lips unable to utter an intelligible word.
“You could use a bath, too,” she said and flicked her wrist. The wash tub refilled with fresh hot water. “Always easier to face authority when you’re clean.”
“I see why you like baths so much. You’ve never had to endure cold water.”
“Enjoy. It should help you relax a little.”
Marcus rolled his shoulders, undressed, and climbed into the tub. It was the first hot bath he’d had since leaving Aerius and was a welcome treat.
When he finished, he stretched and glanced over at her curled up on the bed. She’d tucked a fluffy blanket around herself, and her golden hair shone as it draped over the pillow. He sucked in a breath as he took up a position by the door.
Brelynn cracked an eye at him. “You’re not sleeping on the floor, are you?”
“I,” he stammered and blushed. Distance between them was wise, but he still had to be close enough to protect her if Calmont attacked.
“I could’ve saved myself the trouble and moved in a smaller bed.”
“You floated it in here.”
She grinned. “Guilty as charged. But you shouldn’t sleep on the floor. You’ll sleep better in a bed, and a good night’s sleep will help you with the Tribunal.”
“I’m not the one under investigation.”
“You’re still nervous about it.” She sat up, scooted to the end of the bed, and extended her hand to him. “Your vows won’t let you do anything I don’t want you to, and I feel safer with you beside me.”
“You are safe with me,” he promised, and he meant it. No matter what it cost him, she would always be safe with him. Marcus took her hand then lay down next to her, careful not to touch her.
She rolled on her side and caught him staring at the ceiling rather than resting. “You’re worried about this Tribunal.”
The Tribunal wasn’t the cause of his discomfort.
He should have stayed on the floor.
“Here, sit up.”
Marcus obliged, and Brelynn sat behind him. Her warm hands traced along his shoulders and then rubbed.
He stiffened, then relaxed into her hands.
“You had fun practicing with the boys,” Brelynn said.
“I did. Reminds me of when I was a boy training with my uncle.”
“Tell me about it. I’m curious how Knights are made.”
“Most say we’re born, but that’s not true. You may have an aptitude for it, but it’s a lot of training and practice.”
He told her about the days of prayer, the long hours of sword work, and the grueling weeks on horseback.
The memories made him smile.
“Your vows. You told me they were to oppose evil, but there’s more to it than that, isn’t there?”
“Those are my vows to the gods, and they are vows all paladins take. But not all paladins are Knights of Valor.”
“Being a Knight of Valor is harder?”
“I wouldn’t say harder. Knights embody more than just following the will of the gods. We’re also expected to personify a certain divine goodness that’s set forth in our code. It’s stricter than the law and stricter than the church’s dictates. We wield great power, so we hold ourselves to very high standards.”
“Even retired, you’re still bound by that strict code.”
He reached out to her, his fingertips brushing over a stray lock of her hair before he pulled back. “Sometimes I wish that weren’t the case. Sometimes I want to be selfish, to take what I want, to conquer rather than protect.”
She took his hand between hers and pressed a kiss to his palm. “Not everyone wants to be protected.”
He paused as he met her gaze then dipped his head and kissed her, a tentative touch, gentle, tender, yet masking something far more demanding, something far more intense.
“We’re playing with fire,” Marcus warned as he brushed his lips over her cheek.
“I’m used to that.” Brelynn kissed him.
He kissed her back without hesitation, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close, molding her against his hard chest.
She felt so good, so right, but how could either of them be sure her feelings were genuine when she was worried about being a virgin sacrifice? While he wanted her, wanted all that he felt building between them, he couldn’t, wouldn’t take advantage of her or the situation.
With the last of his tattered willpower, he lifted his head and pulled back from her soft lips.
“Is it me?” Brelynn whispered. “Is this, whatever’s between us, forbidden because of what I’ve done? What I am?”
Marcus kissed her forehead, his arms still locked around her. “I can’t take advantage of you. I won’t let myself.”
“It’s not the Great Lich Slayer I want.”
Marcus frowned. “But-”
“I want you.” She touched her lips to his.
&
nbsp; He groaned and clenched his teeth, his willpower stretched to its breaking point. “But I am the Great Lich Slayer.”
“No, you slew a lich.”
“Calmont is out there, and you need me to get you safely to Aerius. I am still your protector. As a Knight, that means I can’t use this situation and your vulnerability to further my own ends.”
“I’m not a damsel in distress.”
“Never said you were.”
“I don’t understand.” Brelynn pushed away from him and stood up, her cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment. “Maybe I can’t understand. My apologies for overstepping my bounds. It won’t happen again.”
“Brelynn, that’s not what I meant.” Marcus reached for her.
She whirled away and held up her hands. “I’m done talking about this. We should both sleep while we can.”
Pain stabbed him as he searched for the words to explain to her, to make her understand that following his code was for her, to protect her, not to hurt her.
Facing a lich was easier than seeing her in pain, pain he’d caused.
“Brelynn-”
Barking, loud and insistent, interrupted him. Brelynn turned towards the window across the hall, but she stayed away from it. “Is that Lucky?”
“Sounds like it.” Marcus touched a hand to his heart and his battle armor shimmered into place.
“Sun’s still up,” Brelynn said. “Could it be a villager?”
“I told them to be indoors by now.” Marcus grabbed his sword and shield.
“Maybe Cara came to see you.” Brelynn batted her lashes at him.
Marcus narrowed his eyes at her as he crossed the hall, stood to the side of the window, and pulled back the curtains. He peered down as three Knights of Valor riding warhorses thundered into the yard.
“Looks like the Tribunal.”
“I thought you said tomorrow at the earliest.” Brelynn stood beside him.
“They made better time than I thought.”
She rubbed her arms. “The situation with Silas must have lit a fire under them.”
Chapter 40
Brelynn inched closer to Sir Marcus as three men cantered into the stables, the hooves of their massive warhorses sending up a cloud of dust as their battle armor glittered in the fading light.
She shivered.
Sir Marcus squeezed her shoulder then led her downstairs as they waited while the three Knights dismounted and sloshed over the muddy ground to the house. Marcus opened the door before they knocked and saluted them.
The Tribunal returned the gesture, then all three stared at Brelynn.
She swallowed the lump in her throat as she eased behind Sir Marcus, and he moved to shield her from their gaze.
“You summoned us, and we came as fast as we could,” the first man said as he took off his helmet. The other two followed, and Marcus sighed.
“Sir Gregor, Sir Matthias, and Uncle Leopold, I’m glad to see your journey was quick, and I pray uneventful.”
His Uncle Leopold.
Brelynn bit her lip.
The third Knight shared the same chiseled jaw and sharp nose as Marcus, but his hair was peppered with grey and his eyes were the faded blue of one who had seen too much.
“More than I can say for you,” Sir Leopold snapped, his voice gravelly but sharp.
“I can tell you what I’ve learned and why I called for a Tribunal while you get something to eat and drink.”
“I’ll see to the horses,” Sir Gregor said, and he turned back to the stables.
“She’s the sorceress?” Sir Leopold pointed his thumb at Brelynn as he pushed past Marcus into the house.
“She has nothing to do with why you’re here.”
“Not what I asked.” Sir Leopold glanced back, his faded blue gaze intense as it landed on her.
“Yes, she is.”
“You should have her in Aerius by now. What are you doing out here instead of taking the King’s Road?”
Brelynn stepped between Sir Marcus and his uncle, her shoulders squared. “Wasn’t it a corrupt Knight that brought you here? A little more important than what road he took.”
A half smile tugged on Sir Leopold’s lips. “Little spitfire you got here. Bet she’s been keeping you on your toes.”
Marcus ignored his uncle’s unasked questions as he turned to Brelynn. “Is there any bread or cheese for them?”
“I’ll get it, but only if he promises to be nice while I’m gone.” Brelynn raised her brows.
“Brelynn, this is my Uncle Leopold,” Sir Marcus said.
“I don’t care if he’s a dragon in human form.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “You don’t answer to him. Retired, remember?”
“Please, Brelynn,” Sir Marcus asked, “could you get them something to eat?”
She waited another moment, but she figured Sir Marcus understood best how to handle the situation. Still, she glared at Sir Leopold as she left the room.
Sir Leopold watched Brelynn leave. “Not too often you see someone defend a Lich Slayer.”
Marcus exhaled. “She’s very different from anyone I’ve ever met.”
“Are you having sex with her?” Sir Leopold asked.
“What? Brelynn? No!” Marcus’s cheeks reddened. “Why would you think such a thing?”
“You’re even denser than I thought.”
Marcus shook his head. “Leave Brelynn out of this. Right now, we need to deal with Silas. And there may be a vampire lord somewhere nearby.”
“This mission was not supposed to involve vampire lords,” Sir Leopold growled. “You better start at the beginning.”
Waiting until the rest of the Tribunal had gathered, Marcus told them what he’d learned about Silas, the necromancer, and Three Rivers, deflecting questions about Brelynn that weren’t central to the story. When he was done, he gave them the ledgers that had tipped him off to Silas’s activities.
Marcus glanced at the pale sky. “You can see the warehouses now, or you can wait until you’ve gotten some rest.”
“We’ll examine them in a bit,” Sir Leopold said.
“We need to talk to the villagers,” Sir Matthias said. “They might know who Silas’s contacts were. That’ll help us find anyone else in Tamryn involved.”
“Might get it out of him directly,” Marcus said.
“He’s still alive?” Sir Matthias lifted his brows.
“I made sure he was so you could see justice done.” Marcus nodded towards the out buildings. “But I left the questioning for the Tribunal.”
Sir Gregor and Sir Matthias’s eyes widened in surprise, but Sir Leopold nodded.
“His trial will be public,” Sir Leopold said, “and if found guilty, so will his execution. A reminder to all the price of violating our Order.”
Brelynn nudged the door open as she carried a tray of bread, meat, cheese, and wine.
“I’m liking you better,” Sir Leopold said and dug into the food.
Brelynn rolled her eyes. “Lucky me?”
“You should rest,” Marcus said to her. “It’s been a long day, and tomorrow will be longer still.”
“I’ll go to bed just as soon as you do.” Marcus started to object, and she grinned. “Can’t leave me alone after dark, remember?”
“Sir Matthias, see to the girl,” Sir Leopold said. “We’ll have a look at the warehouses and figure out how we handle guard duty with a vampire lord skulking about.”
“My name is Brelynn.”
“Vampire lord, right.” Sir Matthias sighed. “C’mon, Brelynn, let’s find more to eat. Then we can figure out how to get some sleep while we stay on the lookout for the living dead.”
Chapter 41
Brelynn narrowed her eyes at Sir Leopold, but she led Sir Matthias to the larder. He put together a platter of food and set it down on the table between them. He devoured three sandwiches and washed it all down with a mug of watered wine before pouring himself another full glass.
She let him drink it
warm.
Sir Matthias gave her a lopsided grin. “You want me to make you something?”
“I already ate.”
He nodded and relaxed back in his chair. “How long have you and Sir Marcus been in town?”
She shrugged.
He paused, and when she didn’t elaborate, he asked, “Are you still headed for Aerius after this?”
“That’s up to Sir Marcus.”
“I didn’t ask about him,” Sir Matthias said. “I asked about you.”
She shrugged again.
He waited, and when she said nothing more, he carried his tray to the larder. Sir Matthias returned with Lucky at his heels. “Your dog?”
“Maybe.”
Sir Matthias scratch the dog’s ears. “Cute little guy.”
“With bad taste in people. He likes anyone that’ll pet him. Necromancer, vampire, Knight.”
Sir Matthias frowned. “You’re not very friendly.”
“But you are. What are you trying to charm out of me?”
Sir Matthias grinned and shook his head. “Spiny as an urchin. Maybe that’s why Sir Marcus likes you.”
“You’re not answering my question.” Brelynn crossed her arms over her chest and arched a brow.
“Perceptive and bold.” He smiled, looking boyish and charming as he sprawled back in his chair. “All right, you got me. I was checking to see if you were a succubus.”
“What’s with you Knights not knowing the difference between succubus and sorceress?”
“So you are the sorceress Sir Marcus was sent to bring back.”
Brelynn glared at him, stood up, and stormed towards the door.
Sir Matthias sighed and stood as well. “Wherever you go, I have to follow you. Sir Marcus didn’t disagree when you said he couldn’t leave you alone, so I can’t leave you alone.”
Brelynn glared at him over her shoulder.
He held up his hands. “Look, I’m sorry. You’re not what I expected. Please, sit back down and give me another chance.”
“Another chance to interrogate me?”
“Not the trusting sort, are you?”
“If you know who I am, then you know why I’m not.” Brelynn stared at him, her face impassive. “Tell me what you want from me.”
Knight of Valor: Knights of Valor Page 17
