Knight of Valor: Knights of Valor

by Elizabeth Drake

  Marcus shuddered and cradled Brelynn against his broad chest. “I thought he’d teleported away with you.”

  “He tried.” She pointed at the charred ground. “He went through, but I didn’t.”

  “How did you stop him?”

  She held up her smooth, unburned hands. “I don’t know what happened.”

  “Maybe your spell ended him before he could complete his?”

  “But he’s not here. He went through.”

  “Are you sure your spell didn’t incinerate him? There was a lot of magic. More than I’ve seen in a long time.”

  She remembered Kaiden’s silent screams through the black flames. “No, at least not before he’d teleported through the portal. And that much fire, as strong as it was, should have done a lot more than burn my robes.”

  Marcus laid his cheek against her hair. “I thank the gods for watching over us.”

  The sound of hoof beats had them both turning, and five heavily armored Knights of Valor galloped down the road toward them.

  Sir Marcus waved, but he never let go of Brelynn.

  The Knights dismounted and sprinted over to them. When they saw who Sir Marcus was, they all snapped a salute.

  He didn’t stand, but Marcus saluted back.

  “We came as fast as we could,” the first Knight said. “Are you all right? Even from a distance, that looked like quite a fight.”

  Brelynn closed her eyes while Sir Marcus explained what had happened.

  Four of the Knights inspected the bodies littering the ground while the fifth knelt beside her and Marcus.

  He checked them over then sat back on his heels. “Nothing rest won’t cure, which is truly a blessing from Dracor given what we saw.”

  “The gods smiled on us,” Sir Marcus said.

  “That they did. I don’t know much about mages, Sir Marcus, but I’d say your friend may have over done the magic.”

  “She saved my life.” Marcus leaned his cheek against Brelynn’s hair. “I’ve never seen wizards open the earth like that.”

  “Me either.” The Knight grimaced.

  “They got creative when shadow bolts and fire arrows didn’t kill Sir Marcus,” Brelynn said without lifting her head.

  The Knight rubbed the back of his neck. “Shadow bolts, huh? Didn’t even notice them through the rest. By the gods, that was a lot of magic.”

  The other four Knights came back and handed Sir Marcus a black emblem. “This was on one of them. Looks Oskelesian.”

  Sir Marcus handed it back. “It is.”

  “That would explain all the magic.” The Knight stared at Brelynn. “Any idea why someone from Oskelez would attack you, Sir Marcus?”

  “Because they’re from Oskelez,” Brelynn answered, her eyes still closed as she stayed wrapped in Marcus’s protective warmth. “What Oskelesian wouldn’t want credit for taking down the legendary Sir Marcus Valerian?”

  A lie, but one they’d believe, and Marcus didn’t correct her.

  The Knight let out his breath. “Desperate to come this far into Tamryn to do it, but I suppose where else would you find Sir Marcus?”

  “You have my statement,” Sir Marcus said. “I will file an official report in Aerius, but I want to get my wife to safety right now. If you need my help with anything, I’ll assist you after I’ve seen to her.”

  “Your wife?” the first Knight said. “I hadn’t heard…”

  “I haven’t made it widely known yet.” Sir Marcus motioned to the charred and broken earth. “I’m sure you can understand why.”

  The Knight stared at the battlefield then nodded. “We’ll escort you to Mapleton to make sure you get there safely, then we’ll take care of this while you see to your wife.”

  “Thank you,” Sir Marcus said and lifted Brelynn onto Bastion, mounted behind her, and wrapped an arm around her.

  He turned toward Mapleton, and the five Knights fell in around him with Lucky trotting along beside them.

  Chapter 59

  Brelynn snuggled into Marcus’s strong arms and laid her head against him. By the gods, he felt good. She was lucky to be there with him and not sucked back to Oskelez.

  They had underestimated Kaiden, and he would’ve succeeded if not for… For what?

  She didn’t know.

  Brelynn wanted to simply be thankful to the gods for protecting her and leave it at that, but her mind kept replaying those final moments with Kaiden and searching for answers.

  His teleportation spell had gone off, and Kaiden had gone through the portal.

  Why hadn’t she?

  If his spell had failed, Kaiden wouldn’t have gone through either. And why hadn’t her fire spell hurt her? She should have burned alongside Kaiden, but the magic hadn’t touched her.

  Had the gods interceded on her behalf? That seemed unlikely, and yet…

  She didn’t understand, and magic fatigue made it difficult to think. Before she could puzzle it out, they arrived in Mapleton.

  Calling it a town was an understatement. Mapleton was a mid-sized city, with its wide and crowded thoroughfares, multi-story buildings, and towering cathedral. Despite its size, the freshly painted buildings, swept streets, and fresh flower boxes resembled the rest of Tamryn.

  Their honor guard protected them from curious onlookers as the Knights escorted Sir Marcus and Brelynn to a large inn. One Knight saw to the horses while another sprinted ahead and arranged a room. Sir Marcus nodded at the innkeeper, his arms still around Brelynn.

  The innkeeper’s eyes widened as he realized who Sir Marcus was.

  “Please,” Sir Marcus asked, “she’s been through a lot and needs her rest. She won’t get it if too many people realize we’re here.”

  “I won’t tell anyone, not even my wife,” the innkeeper promised. “And I’ll have dinner sent up.”

  “Thank you,” Sir Marcus said. “It means a lot to me.”

  The innkeeper beamed as two of the Knights led Marcus and Brelynn up to their room. Certain that the accommodations were safe, the Knights exchanged a few words with Sir Marcus then set out to deal with the ramifications of Kaiden’s attack.

  Brelynn stared out the window and as they rode off, a shiver stealing down her spine.

  Marcus slipped an arm around her and held her close.

  “They suspected I was with Kaiden.”

  “Maybe for a second, but it didn’t take much to convince them otherwise.”

  “For you to convince them.”

  Marcus looped both his arms around her and kissed her cheek. “We don’t trust Oskelesians. Stuff like what Kaiden just did reinforces that prejudice. We can overcome those prejudices.”

  “And love the enemy?” Brelynn asked.

  “And love the person you mistook for the enemy.”

  She leaned back against him and let out a deep breath.

  A knock at the door had Marcus stepping between her and the entryway, his hand on his sword hilt.

  He opened the door to reveal a beaming innkeeper who’d brought up a sumptuous meal.

  Sir Marcus thanked him again and brought the food into the room.

  Despite how awful she felt, Brelynn’s stomach growled in appreciation. They sat together and devoured the delicious fare.

  “Are you feeling better?” Marcus asked.

  “A lot, actually.” Brelynn kissed him. “We’re both alive and together. My magic is still weak, but it’s coming back. And I have a stomach full of good food. All we need now is a bath.”

  “I’ll send for hot water.”

  “I’m well enough for this.” Waiving her hand towards the large tub, she magicked up hot water.

  Brelynn peeled off her stained clothes and climbed into the tub. A long sigh escaped her as she luxuriated in the steaming water.

  Closing her eyes, she sunk deeper into the bath as it cleansed away the rot of death magic, the acrid dust of burned flesh, and the sour stench of fear.

  Brelynn stared down at her hands, smooth and uninjured despite h
ow close she’d been to Kaiden when the black fire and taken him.

  She shivered despite the hot water.

  Marcus touched her shoulder, and she startled.

  “Didn’t mean to scare you. Thinking about Kaiden?”

  “Hard not to.”

  She extended a hand to him and invited him into the tub. Marcus stripped out of his clothes and joined her, the water not nearly as enticing as the feel of him. He held her against him, his arms wrapped around her.

  She leaned back, basking in his hard body encircling her, protecting her.

  Love, happiness, and serenity swept through her, wiping away the lingering headache and replacing it with warmth and contentment.

  Marcus caressed her, teasing over her wet shoulders. His arms suddenly tightened around her.

  “You’re thinking about Kaiden, too.” Brelynn dripped water over his strong biceps.

  “Trying not to, but yeah.”

  “Their magic didn’t affect you, just like Rebecca’s didn’t. You said it goes with the eyes, but is there something more to it? Could it be related to your ability to channel the gods?” She tried to focus on her thoughts and not his fingers stroking her water-slicked skin.

  “I learned to channel the gods, but I’ve never been affected by magic.” Marcus nuzzled the back of her neck and nibbled behind her ear. “Uncle Leopold says I was born with the resistance. Usually comes with the purple eyes.”

  Brelynn tipped her head to the side, giving him unrestricted access to the smooth damp flesh of her neck and shoulders. “Anyone else ever get a little of your magic resistance by being around you a lot?”

  “No.” Marcus seized the opportunity she’d given him and pressed heated kisses to her bare skin. He teased a hand along the wet curve of her breast and down the indentation of her waist. “But I’ve never been in love with anyone else.”

  He continued to caress her, and her thoughts scattered under his touch. Brelynn purred and tipped her head back against him, draping her arms over her head and then twining them behind his neck. Hot water trickled down his muscular back as she gave him complete access to her.

  Access he exploited.

  Marcus nibbled her neck and eased his hands up from her waist, stroking along her sides and brushing the swell of her breast. Hot water trailed down his fingers, dripping across her sensitive mounds and back into the steaming bath.

  His thumbs teased over her sensitive nipples, and they hardened as he rolled them between his thumb and forefinger.

  Sensation shot through her, and Brelynn arched her back, filling his hands with her.

  His strong sword calloused fingers stroked lower, over the swell of her hips and down the smooth length of her wet thighs. He parted her, guiding his hands back up her inner thigh, only to tease her and trace his hands back up over her softly rounded hips.

  “Marcus,” she gasped as she wriggled above him.

  He cupped her full breasts, kneading the soft flesh as his lips continued their relentless journey back up over her shoulders and along the top of her spine.

  Marcus held her against him as he laid his cheek against her hair. “I love you, Brelynn. Now and always.”

  She turned in his arms to meet his pale gaze. “I love you so much it scares me. When I thought I was going to lose you…”

  He touched his lips to hers in comfort and understanding. “I know exactly how you felt. When I saw Kaiden grab you and cast that teleportation spell...”

  She wrapped her arms around him and pressed close, her soft body molding against the hard planes of his as the hot water sloshed around them.

  Marcus held her close. “How are you feeling?”

  “I could be feeling even better.” A naughty smile curved her lips as she straddled him, her wet breasts rubbing against his heavily-muscled chest.

  He grinned and lifted her out of the tub, both of their bodies steaming as his lips found hers.

  She shivered as the cool air brushed her skin, but he kept her gathered to him, his body hot and hard against hers as he carried her to the bed and laid her down on it.

  Him strong and protective above her ignited her senses. She stroked over his wide back and shoulders, her greedy hands wanting to know every inch of him. She then traced the smooth flesh of his abdomen, down over his powerful hips and felt the indisputable evidence of his response pressed into her belly.

  That she could have lost him, lost this… The curse of Twins was also Their gift.

  Marcus kissed her, and Brelynn parted her lips, tempting him, offering him more, and he took it, claiming her mouth as he molded her soft curves against his hard planes. His hands were gentle yet bold as he stoked her desire and ignited the flames between them.

  She moaned, her body aflame with need as heat scorched her and pooled in her core. She had never known she could feel so much, never known she could love and be loved by someone so completely.

  Gripping him, she urged him forward, but he would not be rushed. He kissed the soft swell of her breast, teasing and taunting that peak as his hand skated down over the curve of her belly. She gasped as he cupped her then parted the tender folds and thumbed over the little nub secreted there.

  Brelynn arched her back as he rubbed, calling his name and gripping his broad shoulders. He continued stroking, and desire flooded her, washing away all thoughts other than him hard and large above her. She moaned as she opened herself to him, offering him all he wished, giving him permission to take all he wanted.

  He angled his head over hers, kissing her, claiming her mouth.

  With one powerful thrust, he claimed her body.

  Entering her, filling her. She was completely open and vulnerable to him as his massive girth slid into her, as he stretched her and touched her very core.

  Even as she gave herself to him, lowered her defenses and yielded totally to him, she knew he would do everything in his considerable power to safeguard her. She trusted him and gave herself to him wholly and completely. The reward was a deeper and more intense connection that amplified everything between them.

  Passion. Love. Fulfillment.

  Marcus held her against him as he took her, filling her over and over, pushing them both higher. He kissed her, capturing her mouth as he continued his rhythmic thrusts, taking her, claiming her.

  As she wanted. As she needed.

  Brelynn whimpered beneath him in surrender as she was reaching, climbing, her whole body effused with heat.

  One final thrust pushed her up and over the cliff of desire, her whole being lost in the waves of glorious pleasure that cascaded out from where their bodies joined.

  Marcus held her tightly against him as he spent his passion deep into her.

  Keeping her wrapped in is his arms, Marcus laid down on the bed beside her, holding her to him as their bodies cooled.

  A contented smile curved Brelynn's lips as love overwhelmed her, along with all the joy and pain it brought.

  Chapter 60

  The sun was already well past the horizon when Marcus led Brelynn down to the common room. A part of her wanted to stay in bed all day, but they’d already kept the king waiting too long.

  The innkeeper served them a hearty plate of sausages, eggs, and biscuits as a familiar man with ruddy skin seated himself opposite Sir Marcus and grinned, showing his pearly white teeth.

  “I see you are keeping late mornings these days. How very unlike you, Sir Marcus,” Arch-Mage Ndrek said, his words soft and lightly accented.

  Marcus sighed. “Did King Eli send you?”

  “He was concerned about your delay, yes, but to be expected after your discovery of a false Knight. Although that does pale in comparison to the magic wielders you encountered yesterday.”

  “Word travels fast.”

  “To His Majesty’s ears it does,” Arch-Mage Ndrek said.

  “Now you understand why I didn’t want to take the King’s Road.”

  “Most surprising that these Oskelesians teleported so deeply into Tamryn l
ands. Quite a lot of magic required to do that. Their bounty must be less appetizing than they had hoped.”

  “Bounty?” Sir Marcus slid an arm around Brelynn.

  “An impressive bounty.”

  “Don’t even think about it,” Sir Marcus snapped.

  “Of course I thought about it. It was quite a lot of gold.”

  “You don’t need the gold.”

  “Need is such a strong word.” Arch-Mage Ndrek spread his hands across the table. “But others may do more than think about it, which is why I am telling you.”

  Sir Marcus glared at him.

  “The bounty almost slipped my mind when I heard you had wed a captivatingly beautiful mage.”

  Marcus eased Brelynn closer to him.

  “So it is true then?” Arch-Mage Ndrek asked.

  “Yes, it’s true,” Sir Marcus said.

  Arch-Mage Ndrek smirked. “Oh, the fun I shall have. Worth far more than any bounty.”

  “Fun?” Brelynn asked.

  “Oh yes.” Arch-Mage Ndrek beamed. “I shall be horribly smug knowing that the great Sir Marcus Valerian, Lich Slayer and all-around do-gooder, has fallen in love with an Oskelesian sorceress. And married her without the permission of his church.”

  “The gods blessed us. I don’t need any other permission.”

  “Of course not, but how the Dragon Church shall squirm,” Arch-Mage Ndrek said, quite pleased. “Far, far more valuable than a bounty.”

  Brelynn frowned and glanced up at Marcus.

  He kissed her temple. “Ignore Ndrek. He loves teasing me.”

  Brelynn agreed with Marcus’s assessment, but she also sensed friendship and concern from the arch-mage.

  Arch-Mage Ndrek grinned. “Does Sir Leopold or Lady Matilda know of your nuptials?”

  “Why do you care?”

  “That means they do not.” Arch-Mage Ndrek’s grin widened. “How I would like to be there when they discover your news!”

  Marcus tensed beside her, and Brelynn squeezed his hand. “You could’ve saved yourself a trip and tormented Sir Marcus once we got to Aerius. What brings you to Mapleton?”

  “Curiosity, perhaps. To see the Oskelesian sorceress that bent the mighty Lich Slayer to her will.”