Ethelred nodded, his eyes glowing. “Yes, m’lord.” He was obviously eager to do anything Walter asked of him.
“You will wait for the eldest daughter, Christiana, to be alone. Once she is you will bring her to me.” Walter knew that if no other man under his command would follow his orders exactly and faithfully, Ethelred would.
He gripped the younger man’s hand, burning his skin and the younger man simply stared at him with his glowing eyes. “I will not fail.”
Walter smiled as the boy went off to find a peasant’s garb and get filthy. Ethelred would not fail him.
*****
Christiana was thrilled to see her father was well enough to come down to the main hall for dinner. She and her sisters fussed over him as they had a huge feast to welcome him home. Hugh played his lute and sang for them again, his eyes constantly drifting to Eva as he sang.
Christiana sat with Roland, sharing his trencher and holding his hand in the torch-lit room. “How did Hugh come to play the lute?”
Roland fed Christiana a small piece of meat from the end of his dagger and took a swig of ale before answering. “His father often played the lute when he was a child. After he came to live with my family, he missed the lute music, and my father gave him one of his own. Father hated the idea of Hugh going anywhere else, because he knew that Hugh was devoted to serving me and keeping me safe.” He shrugged. “Hugh worked with it every evening after our lessons. He became quite proficient with it, and used to sing for my family often.”
Christiana nodded. “He’s quite good. I enjoy hearing him play.” They’d not had people other than their trusted servants in the house often as she’d grown up, for fear she or one of her sisters would show off her powers. They had all missed having outsiders in their home, but she was thankful she’d always had her sisters.
Once their mother had died, Robert had refused to take on any new servants at all, and had only let Christiana become betrothed, because he needed an heir to leave the manor to. He had feared every day that his daughters’ power would be found out and they would be hunted for witchcraft.
Now that Roland had taken over the manor, he was hiring more servants to work there, and bringing new people into their lives. Christiana couldn’t help but be happy that they weren’t so isolated anymore. Yes, she and her sisters would use their powers if necessary, but they would do it discreetly. There was really no longer any need for worry. Why, Walter had been betrothed to her for years and had never once noticed there was anything odd about any of them.
Roland squeezed her hand as they listened to the soft, sweet love song Hugh sang.
They celebrated Robert’s return long into the night until finally Marina had stood and insisted Robert go to bed. “We’ll still be here on the morrow, Father. We need you to still be healthy then.”
Hugh and Charles took that as their cue to help Robert up the stairs with both Eva and Marina hurrying along behind them, determined to make certain Robert was comfortable in his room.
Roland looked down into Christiana’s green eyes. “You are tired?”
She nodded. “Now that I’ve finally gotten my fill of food, I’m very tired.” She looked at him, her eyes smiling. “Could we hunt tomorrow, husband?” She missed the hunt and would enjoy the time with Roland.
He shook his head. “I’ve neglected the training of my men this week, and we are breaking ground on the castle tomorrow. Perhaps the next day we can all go and hunt.”
Christiana was disappointed, but she wasn’t going to argue. Roland had been so good to her, there was no way she would fight him on this.
They went up to their chamber together, Christiana suddenly in a hurry to tell Roland of her love for him. Because she knew he wouldn’t return her words of love, she couldn’t say the words in front of anyone. Not for the first time. She knew her heart would break a little when he didn’t return her love, but she still needed to give him the gift of the words.
Once they were in their chamber, she turned to him, and removed his belt and tunic. He stood before her in his woolen hose, surprised that she was being the aggressor in their lovemaking this way, but not at all disappointed with her for it. Within moments she had him naked and she pushed him back on the bed, her lips traveling over his body as she explored him everywhere.
His hands roamed over her, but her body was still completely clothed. “Remove your garments, wife.”
She laughed and pulled back, dropping a kiss on his chin on her way. “Why would I want to do that? As soon as my clothing is gone, you take charge. Now your clothing is gone, and I can explore you to my heart’s desire.” She grinned impishly at him, letting him know she wouldn’t let him have his way this time.
He growled, trying to catch the hem of her gown, but she laughed and backed away. “I would like to touch you, husband.”
He sighed and leaned back, flat on his back. “You may touch me, and then I will touch you.”
She laughed in her throat, her lips lowering to his nipple, lathing it with her tongue. Her hands pushed through the hair on his chest, enjoying the feel of the blond curls against her palms. He’d never held still for her to touch him before, and she loved the feeling of power it gave her.
Her lips touched his neck, just at the spot where it connected with his shoulder. He groaned, reaching for her. “Your time is up, wife.”
She frowned. “No, it hasn’t been long enough.” She wasn’t nearly done exploring him.
“Time is up.” He sat up and quickly divested her of her clothing, immediately pushing her onto her back, his lips fastening onto her nipple.
She wound her fingers through his hair, pulling his head down closer as she moaned with pleasure.
She’d never responded as passionately to him as she did that night, knowing she planned to tell him of her love. Afterward, he pulled her into his arms, her head pillowed on his shoulder as he stroked his hand down her back. She pressed a kiss to his chin and whispered, “I love you, Roland.”
He was almost asleep as he heard her words, his head turning to look at her in surprise. “Don’t say something you don’t mean.” His eyes were intense as they stared into hers.
“I do mean it. I love you. I never thought I could, but every day you show me kindness and gentleness. I never dreamed a man would treat me as you do.” Her fingers stroked his cheek as she softly told him of her love.
His lips touched hers softly at first, and then with an air of desperation. “I’ve wanted nothing from you as much as I’ve craved those words. I love you, too, Christiana. I want to grow old with you and build a future for our children together.”
She sighed contentedly, snuggling closer to him. “I thought I wanted a man I could control, a man who would follow my every whim. A man like Walter. I was wrong.” She would be forever grateful that she had Roland for a husband and not a man like Walter.
He didn’t tell her his thoughts on Walter, but instead smiled. “You will never control me wife.”
She laughed. “I don’t want to.” She couldn’t imagine a moment when she could be happier than she was then, lying in his arms assured of his love.
In her head she head, “Stop! We know you love him. Stop shouting it!” It was Marina’s voice.
Christiana was startled. “I wasn’t even thinking to you, Marina.” Why was Marina acting so strangely?
“Ack! Sister, you’re too loud and thinking to the wrong one. I’m Eva, not Marina. You need to lower your thoughts.”
At the same time she received from Marina, “You must have been thinking to me. It hurts, Christiana!”
Christiana stared at Roland. “My sisters are saying I’m shouting thoughts at them, and it hurts.” She looked at him quizzically as if he could explain what was happening around her.
“Not just your sisters, Christiana. You must stop and allow us all some sleep.” This time it was her father’s voice in her head. He’d never been able to start a conversation with her mentally, because he didn’t allow her to
communicate with his mind except in emergency situations.
She concentrated hard and did her best to shut her mind off. Tentatively she sent out another message to her sisters. “Is that better?” She forced her mind into a mere whisper, so they would hear her even softer than normal.
Marina’s thoughts came back. “Still too loud!”
Roland sighed. “I hear everything you think, wife. You must calm your thoughts.”
Christiana closed her eyes, forcing her mind to still. What was happening? Why were her powers going crazy? She must figure it all out, and quickly. The evil was coming, and if her powers didn’t work, she wouldn’t be able to stop it.
*****
Roland looked down at the peasant asking for work. They only had ten servants and desperately needed more with the number of mouths there were to feed. The men were working on building their barracks so they would no longer be living in their tents through the cold of winter, but they needed someone to bring them their meals.
“Why do you not have a place to work?” he asked suspiciously. Most peasants worked for one family their entire lives. That this man was wandering about looking for work was highly suspicious to him.
“My old master died in the battle. Our manor burned to the ground. There’s nothing left for me there.” The man looked truly pitiful as he explained his situation.
Roland stared at him. It was certainly possible what the man said was true, and they needed more servants. “You will sleep outside with the soldiers.”
The man nodded, obviously anxious to agree to anything to have work.
“The upstairs of the manor is off-limits to you unless I specifically ask you to do something there.” He was afraid for his wife and her sisters. The man didn’t look like he could hurt anyone, but looks could be deceiving. “What is your name?”
“Alfred, my lord.”
Roland nodded. “Alfred. Let me take you inside so you can meet the cook. She will be giving you your orders.” He led the man inside, introducing him to the women in the kitchen. “Alfred will be serving my men. There is no need for you women to continue carrying the huge pots of food outside.”
The servants nodded. Joan said, “Thank you, my lord. He will be a big help.”
Roland left the room, going back to training his men. In his mind he heard, “But Father, you have to stay still.”
He thought, “Still too loud, Christiana.” He shook his head. Christiana had to get her powers under control.
“Sorry, Roland,” he heard back.
In the two weeks since he and Christiana had declared their love for each other, her powers had grown more each day. They were all constantly asking her to quiet her thoughts. She was invading not only the thoughts of her family, but also his and the servants. Even his men complained of a female voice inside their head when they thought he wasn’t listening.
Each day he spent his mornings training his men and in the afternoons, they worked on the castle. He wanted his fortress built before summer came, knowing it would keep his family safe.
Christiana’s father had been a big help with planning the castle, tweaking a couple of areas that Christiana hadn’t noticed. By the time the three of them had gone over the plans a couple of more times, they’d all been satisfied that they would not only have the best defenses around, they’d also have the most efficient layout. He couldn’t be happier.
And his nights were filled with love. He hadn’t been taught to want love in his life, but living with Hugh had taught him the peasants’ view of things. Peasants never married for political alliances. Some may marry because a debt needed to be paid off, but most married for love. It was a pleasant notion, and one Roland had lived his life hearing about. He had determined that if he couldn’t marry for love, he would be certain love came in his marriage.
With the circumstances his marriage had begun with, he’d despaired he would never have the love of his beautiful young wife. Every day he thanked God for giving him such a sweet and gentle woman, even if she did shout in her thoughts.
*****
At dinner that evening, Christiana noticed a new servant helping with the meal. She’d stared at him for a moment, trying to find out why the man was so familiar to her. Finally, she’d turned to Roland. “Who is the new servant?”
Roland shrugged. “He said his name is Alfred and his master was killed at Hastings. He needed a new position, and I offered it.”
Christiana nodded her eyes wary. “He looks very familiar to me.” She felt wary around the young man as well, as if there were something wrong with him being there with her and her family.
Roland turned to the servant, looking at him carefully. “If you don’t think he should be here, I will tell him to go. He just came this morning.”
Christiana shook her head, but asked her sisters and father. “The new servant who is helping serve the soldiers looks familiar to me. Do you know him?” She kept her voice a whisper so the others wouldn’t hold their heads and complain of her yelling at them.
Her sisters both answered, “Nay,” but her father studied the side of the man’s face which was all he could see.
“I do not know, daughter. He does look familiar, but I don’t know where I know him from.”
Christiana nodded and turned to Roland. “My sisters do not know him, but Father says he looks familiar as well.” She hoped she was wrong and he just looked similar to someone she had seen before.
Roland sighed. “I will tell him to go in the morning.”
Christiana shook her head. “Nay. We have need of him, and I don’t think he could be a danger if we don’t even remember why we think we know him. I’ll find time to talk to him later and see if he is good or bad.” Her ability to sense evil when she was close to someone seemed to have been enhanced as well. She was certain at this point that her family could go as far away as London and they would hear her in their minds.
“I will be by your side if you talk with him.”
Christiana nodded. “I would feel safer if you were with me.” She smiled up at Roland, her eyes dancing as she thought, “I love you, husband.”
She heard, “I love you, too, Christiana” back from every direction and covered her face with her hands. She had to stop thinking so loudly!
*****
Christiana was in her father’s chamber the following morning. Marina was giving him what she had said would be his last healing. She’d finished healing his wound more than a week before, but had found that his heart was beating too slowly. She’d slowly healed his heart until it was as strong as a man half his age. Christiana and Eva were sharing power with their sister as she healed every morning.
Marina had declared that she didn’t even need to use her own power or Eva’s for healing any longer. Christiana had enough power for them all.
Christiana had merely smiled. She hadn’t even told her sisters, but she could feel the power moving through her veins. It was as if she suddenly had ten times the power she’d ever had. She thought about having Marina do a major healing and lending her the power to do so, just to test her strength, but knew it would anger Roland. At least for now, she wanted to keep her husband happy.
When Marina was finished, she stood from where she’d sat on the side of Robert’s bed. “How are you feeling, Father?”
“Better than I’ve felt in many years.”
Marina smiled. “I hope that continues.” She hugged him quickly. “It’s so good to have you home again.”
Their father had always been portly, but lying about all day was making it worse. None of the sisters had been willing for him to do anything strenuous until he was completely healed, though. “May I work now?” Robert asked with a smile.
Marina looked at Christiana and Eva, and then back at their father. “I don’t see why not.”
Robert smiled, happy to finally be able to do as he wished, instead of being treated like an invalid by his daughters. Eva and Marina trailed after him, telling him he wasn’t to get himself
stabbed or an arrow through his thigh again.
Christiana smiled as their voices trailed away while she made her father’s bed. It was good to have him home and to hear the happy voices of her sisters. A month before, she’d been certain her life was ending, and now she was happier than she’d ever imagined being. She sang softly under her voice as she worked, and didn’t notice when the door closed softly behind her.
A hand slipped over her mouth, keeping her from saying a word. She could feel evil pulsing from the body she was pressed against. She immediately started to shake in fear. Roland was out hunting with his men. It was only her, two soldiers who were outside the manor’s walls, and her sisters and father left behind. Roland had protested at the idea of leaving them so unprotected, but they’d seen no danger since the last day in the forest, and she’d insisted he go and hunt for enough food for everyone. It had been too long since they’d hunted together, and she couldn’t wait until she could accompany him again.
She closed her eyes and sent out the strongest thought she could, immediately apologizing to her sisters and father, who would hear shouts in their heads that would be almost deafening. “Roland, I’m in Father’s room. There is someone here with me. I do not know what he wants. His hand is covering my mouth.” She thought about biting the hand in front of her, but knew that she needed to wait for Roland. He would help her.
Roland thought back quickly. “I’m on my way. Tell your sisters and father not to go in without me. I don’t want you hurt!”
She thought more softly, “Roland doesn’t want anyone coming in until he gets back. Wait for him.” She was immediately calm, knowing her husband was on his way.
The hand over her mouth was replaced by a cloth, tied around her head and through her mouth, effectively gagging her. She was forced into a straight backed wooden chair and her hands were tied behind her back. The man stepped around in front of her and she saw that it was Alfred, the new servant.
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