Redemption

The sun was just beginning to rise over the mountains when the raven-haired girl slipped out of one of the huts in the village. Around her, the sounds of others stirring to begin their days struck her ears, but she did not pause. She had been given a chore, and she could not fail. Disobedience or laziness was not tolerated, and she was still smarting from the last beating her uncle had given her. She glanced at the mountains a moment, wondering what it was like on the other side. Here in the southern lands, villages and farms dotted the landscape, protected from the wars and struggles in the north by the borderland clans on the other side of those mountains. She had heard the stories about the people in the borderlands, and wondered if they were true. Depending on whom you asked, they were either ill-mannered barbarians, or courtly yet war-like protectors.
“To your chores, Marit!”
The girl jumped as her uncle’s harsh voice cut through her reverie. She saw him leaning in the doorway of the family hut, filling his pipe. His dark eyes were cold as he glared at her. He had been watching her even more closely this past year; as if he were afraid she would wander off. She was still shivering at the remembrance of how his sallow face had lit with delight last night when he had given her his news: he had sold her! By the end of the week she would be on her way to some other land; belong to a man she had never met. At 15, she was old enough to have a family of her own, Marit knew; but something about being sold like a cow or a piece of property did not sit right with her. Of course, she had not been stupid enough to voice her opinions to her uncle.
“Just think of it, Hanni,” Horis had chortled to his wife only that morning. “Selling the girl brought enough for us to improve this village for at least a decade.”
“But, Horis,” Hanni had frowned and look very nervous. “What about…”
“They can argue it over with the man Marit now belongs to,” Horis had broken in; shooting his wife a warning look.
Marit found the bucket and went to fill it with water for the expectant cows being held in the pens. It was a pleasant day for early Spring, with a slight chill in the air hinting that winter had only just left them. The breeze pulled playfully at her rich black hair, teasing tendrils out of the braid that hung to her knees as she stood gazing out into the distance. She found herself wondering, briefly, why the sunlight was pulsing over the hills. It pulled her mind to it and she found herself standing in a chamber, where she saw a woman who looked a great deal like herself sitting on a window ledge. She was looking out over a rich valley where wolves and other animals moved without threat. The woman raised her head, rich black hair flowing around her body, and her emerald green eyes seemed to be looking directly at Marit. She wanted the girl to come to her; needed the girl, Marit, to come to her. Marit started moving in the direction of that call, heedless of the cattle escaping from the pen whose gate she had forgotten to secure behind her as the call came.
“Marit!”
Her movements were brought up short by the cold, angry voice of her uncle. She froze a moment, frowning in puzzlement as she saw that she was in the middle of the fields, and then turned her head to see the dark haired man striding towards her. His thick brown hair flowed out behind him, threatening to remove his headband; the mark of status. But it was the expression on his hawk-like face that warned her she was in trouble. His anger was quite apparent as he grabbed her arm and she whimpered in pain. The whip was already in his hand and she knew she was going to be punished.
“You left the gate open, girl!” Horis Tun snarled as he grabbed her thick black braid in his large hand and led her towards the cattle pen on the outskirts of the village. “The cows are loosed.”
“I did not mean to leave it open, Uncle Horis,” Marit said softly, still confused as she remembered the urgency in that call. “But…”
“There is no excuse, girl!” Horis snapped. “The men are going to have to go round them up now; wasting time they could not spare.” He saw her turning her head back towards the hills and knew she was not listening. “You must learn to keep your mind on your task!”
He yanked her over to the pen and bound her wrists to the top rail. As she realized his intent, Marit’s eyes widened in shock. Horis was going to whip her out in the open for all in the village to see. He usually kept such punishments for the privacy of their hut. His anger cleared the last vestiges of trance from her mind. Horis ripped open the back of her shirt, letting it fall aside, and Marit did not argue. It was always much worse for her when she argued or complained about what he was doing.
“Elder Horis,” a tall, gray-haired man froze as he saw what was happening on his way to help the youth with the cows. “Is this necessary?”
“It is her due!” Horis hissed at the man. “Go back to your duties, Willem!”
Marit watched the man move off, his eyes meeting hers uneasily as he went. This was the grandfather of her closest friend, Susa. He and his family had always done whatever they could to help her. But not even Willem would disobey a direct order from her uncle. Horis ruled the rest of the village as he did her and his wife, with a very strict hand. Marit bit her lip, knowing that she was going to be in a lot of pain. Did she not deserve it, she asked herself as she saw the young men running after the cattle? She had given everyone more work to do in her carelessness.
“When are you going to learn to pay heed?” he snapped as the whip fell. He continued whipping her until she was on her knees, sobbing. He yanked her head up by the hair and glared down at her. “You’ll pay attention next time, won’t you, child?”
“Yes, Uncle,” Marit sobbed. She whimpered as he let her go and her head hit the rail, stunning her.
“I do not delight in punishing you, niece,” Horis sighed as he stroked her hair. He helped her to her feet with a gentleness that had been lacking during the punishment. “You know why this was necessary.”
“I was wrong to take my mind from my task,” Marit nodded; so weary from the pain coursing through her now that she was beginning to doze off. “I will pay greater heed.”
“That you will,” Horis nodded, as he cut her loose. He struck her cheeks lightly to rouse her and turned her towards their hut. “Go to your aunt now and have her tend you.”
Marit nodded and moved away as quickly as she could, shivering in pain. No other uncle she knew of in the village treated his niece in such a fashion, but she could not complain. Horis Tun was the village elder; there was no one above him to complain to. Her aunt, Hanni, was thoroughly cowed by her mate; she would not listen to anything Marit had to say. She would simply remind her that she should be grateful that her uncle had taken her in when her parents had died. Marit had lost count the number of times her aunt had slapped her for crying out in anger or despair at her ill treatment.
“What did you do this time, child?” her golden-haired aunt, Hanni, asked as Marit came into the hut, holding her shirt to her body. She made the girl sit down and got out the salve. “Your mind is wandering more and more every day, Marit. If you do not learn how to control it, you will end up dead.”
“Think of the money Uncle would lose,” Marit said bitterly. She cried out as Hanni slapped the back of her head. “I am sorry, Aunt Hanni. I meant no disrespect.”
“You are a stupid girl, Marit Tun,” Hanni sighed as she continued applying the salve. “Your uncle does not ask that much from you. But you must insist on mind wandering and creating problems for him.”
“I don’t do it on purpose,” Marit protested.
“It doesn’t matter, girl,” Hanni sighed. She saw the healing salve working and nodded. “Put on a fresh shirt and start preparing supper. Your uncle will be displeased if it is not on the table on time.”
Marit nodded and did as she was told. Her uncle had many ways of making his displeasure known. Marit knew most of them by now. But his punishments seemed to have no effect. Her mind still wandered as it would. She got a bucket and went out to the well in the center of the town square to get some water. She saw a cloud of dust to the north and frowned. They were expecting no visitors; and travelers to their village were quite rare. She couldn’t help it; she stopped and Horis had to come find her. He dragged her to their hut and took her to her room.
“Didn’t we just have a talk about you letting your mind wander?” he snapped as he slapped her across the face. “What am I going to do with you, Marit?”
She was not looking at him, but out of her window. It faced the hills to the north. Horis lowered his hand and his eyes followed hers. He could hear the sounds of men riding into the village and went to the door. He looked out and his expression grew dark and angry. The visitors were obviously not welcome. He came back to Marit and slugged her across the face. She collapsed and was completely unaware as he carried to the trapdoor for the cellar beneath the hut and let her fall. She hit a stack of crates on the way down and came back to awareness; screaming as pain shot through her. Horis kicked her as she moaned in pain, ignoring how pale she was. Then he left the hut and motioned to Marit’s friend, Susa. The girl was slow to come and he slapped her.
“My niece has had an accident in our cellar,” he told the girl. “You will stay with her until the raiders are gone,” he ordered coldly, and saw the girl pale. “Do not leave the cellar for any reason, Susa. She must be kept safe.”
“Marit?” Susa cried as she sank down next to Marit and saw the bruises on her face and wrists. “What has he done to you now?” She found a water bag and a cloth and used it to help Marit rouse. “He was far too angry.”
“I’ve broken something, Susa,” Marit whimpered as Susa helped her sit up. “I can feel it.” She laid her hand on her side and closed her eyes, using her gift to mend the break in her ribcage. The effort was draining her; especially since the whipping had still not healed completely. Her head was aching, blurring her vision. She had to give up, leaving the mending only half done. “It’s too much.”
“You should be apprenticed to a healer, Marit, not trapped here in this village,” her friend, Susa, a short, plump girl with large brown eyes and thick red hair smiled briefly. “A person with gifts like yours is rare and should be treasured.”
“My uncle has other plans for me, Susa,” Marit sighed and tried to make herself more comfortable, “that do not include training to healers.” She tried to get to her feet and the pain had her sitting back down. “I need to get to your mother, Susa.”
“Elder Horis says that we are to remain here,” Susa told her. “Your uncle and the men are preparing for attack…”
“Attack?”
The sound of voices raised in fear hit her ear. Marit forced herself to her feet and went to look out the cellar door leading outside. A band of men was riding in hard. They dismounted and started grabbing people. Susa pulled her back and found a healers kit. As Susa tended to Marit’s injuries, Marit saw the fear in her friend’s eyes. These men were here to do damage. Marit did not need urging to remain where they were then; if her normally calm friend, Susa, was frightened, then they were in trouble. She bit her lip as pain cascaded through her and went white.
“I don’t care what he said,” Susa cried as she went up the stairs and tried to open the door. It was an effort for the slight girl, but she finally got it open. “I am getting Mother for you.”
She was only gone a moment when Marit heard her scream. Marit could tell from the sounds that her friend had been taken and she got up to go to her aid. Marit fell to the ground, crying out in pain and saw the dust-covered boots of someone standing next to her a moment later. She looked up at the leathers of a traveler and her eyes continued up to see a tall, well-muscled young man with rich black hair and deep green eyes. There was something familiar about this man, her mind told her. But she could not find the information in her mind. He helped her to her feet and held her as she swayed. His dark eyes went even darker as he heard her cry out in pain.
“Someone has damaged you!” he snapped as he carried her up the stairs and signaled to someone as he left the hut. Marit found herself being held by a tall, golden-haired woman. “Assist us, lady.”
The young man and the woman helped Marit towards the town square where she saw that the villagers had been shoved into the pens that had housed the cattle. Horis was on his knees in front of an older man with thick black hair tinged silver at the temples, braided and ornamented with beads and leather. He was watching her with an expression of longing on his face and Marit wondered at it. The woman got her seated and raised her shirt slowly, frowning as Marit whimpered. Her hands moved over Marit’s side gently, taking note of the injuries. Marit could feel the pain easing slightly, and she turned her eyes on the older man, who was approaching her with a strange look in his eyes. He nodded to the woman and watched carefully.
“The man who did this to you, child,” the man hissed as he saw the whip marks exposed as the shirt shifted, “will wish we had slit his throat before his ordeal is over.”
He laid the back of his hand up to her cheek and rested it there. His eyes were filled with warmth and relief. What was happening here, Marit wondered. These people were treating her as if they knew her. But that could not be; she was of the village. She looked to Horis for some explanation and he glared at her coldly; as if this was her fault.
“I am the lord Taryn of Stormkeep,” the older man told the villagers. “We have come here to retrieve the princess Marit, daughter of the borderlands king, Marius.” He looked directly at Marit and she shook her head, puzzled. “She was left here with your village elder for protection,” he stated coldly as he looked at Horis directly, “and we find her broken and beaten. How does this come to be?”
“The girl allowed our cattle to go loose,” Horis said, glaring at the man. “Her mind wanders; she does not attend to her tasks as she should.”
“So you whipped her?” Taryn roared. “No one beats a borderlander child; especially not this one.” He nodded to his men and had them bind Horis to the pens top rail. He took the whip off of his belt as Horis’ shirt was ripped open. “You will learn the proper respect, little man.”
“No!” Marit cried as Horis’ pain struck at her mind and body. She tried to get up to make the man stop and was held back by the woman. “Please make him stop,” Marit whimpered as she fell to her knees, fresh pain coursing through her. “It hurts!”
“You must let it go, Princess,” the woman said to her softly, urgently. “Shield your mind or the pain will take you over.”
“Too weak,” Marit sobbed, the combination of her own injuries and Horis’ pain too much for her to control. “Has to stop.”
“Lord Taryn!” the woman cried as she pulled Marit into her arms. “It is proven! She is the one we seek!”
Taryn lowered the whip and turned to see Marit on her knees, pain evident in her eyes. He went down onto one knee and bowed his head, as did his entire band. Marit looked at him in confusion, wondering what was going on. They acted like she was someone special; but that could not be. They had to have confused her with some other child. She was only Marit, daughter of a deceased village elder and his wife. Horis was freed from the rail and left to collapse.
“Princess!” Taryn breathed out in wonder. He came to her and picked her up in his arms. “We have finally found you.”
Marit looked up at him, waiting for him to tell her it was all a jest. But he was serious, she saw in his expression. Overwhelmed by the pain, and the shock, she passed out. She was lifted up into the arms of Taryn’s son; the young man who had found her in the cellar, and he took her to her family hut. Susa and her mother came to help the lady as they tended Marit’s injuries.
“We have no reason to seek retribution from the entire village,” Taryn said as he watched the women go. He sat down on the chair Marit had been using and glared at Horis. “Horis Tun, you are under arrest for assaulting the princess. You will be taken to her father for judgment.” He turned to one of his men. “Tell the lady Sysha that we leave as soon as the princess is ready to travel.”
The women finished mending Marit’s wounds and gave her a sedative to allow her to sleep and recover her strength. She was lifted up into the arms of Taryn’s son and he rode away slowly, not wishing to disturb her. Marit did not wake to see Horis being placed in bonds and tied to the pommel of a saddle. He was dragged behind lord Taryn’s mount while the villagers watched in disbelief. Susa ran to one of the raiders, tugging on his long leather jerkin. The brown-haired man looked down his aquiline nose at her, intrigued.
“Please,” she begged, her eyes dancing in delight, “take me with you. I would not be parted from my friend.”
The man looked hesitant, but something about her utter lack of fear pulled him. He made a decision based on the mounting attraction he was feeling and nodded. The smile that lit her face struck at his heart and he knew he had been right; this one was his. He pulled her up before him in the saddle and they rode out of the village. Susa’s mind was dancing in delight at this change in fortunes. They stopped at the night camp the borderlanders had set up on the other side of the hill and she was taken to Marit. Taryn raised an eyebrow and the young man told him why the cute redhead was here. He nodded permission and left Susa to see to Marit’s needs.
“Imagine it, Marit; my best friend turning out to be the long-lost daughter of the borderlanders king!” Susa smiled at Marit a few hours later, as they made camp for the night. “Isn’t it wondrous?”
“It is puzzling,” Marit frowned, “and frightening, Susa.” She took the bowl of stew Susa had brought her with a nod of thanks. “It is not wondrous.”
Marit picked at the stew, but her mind was not on food. She wanted to know why she was in this situation. She needed to know what these people wanted from her. She remembered stories she had overheard among the older men, when Horis had not known she was listening. Were she and Susa in the company of slavers? Were they to be sold to warm some decadent nobles bed? But then, Marit remembered; she had been sold. What was going to happen to the villagers when that man arrived for her and she was gone?
“Think of it, Marit,” Susa continued talking, her mind locked in delight. “We shall finally see all the wonders of the road.” Susa replied. “It is so thrilling, Marit; I mean, my lady.”
“Never that, Susa,” Marit frowned at the title. “You have always been like my sister.” She looked over at their travel companions. “I shall insist that you be treated as such.”
“You would make a lady of me?” Susa giggled and held out her rough hands, indicated her simple garments. “Can you see me in silks and velvets, Marit?”
“No more than I can see myself in such,” Marit replied. She handed the bowl back to Susa. “I’m not that hungry, Susa. I need to rest.”
“Quit wearying the princess, Susa,” the woman, lady Sysha of Solliston, snapped as she came back to the cart to hear Susa chattering away. “Help Naji and the others see to the men.” Susa smiled and moved away. “That child is truly strange. How do you stand her?”
“Susa makes me smile,” Marit replied, wondering what the woman wanted now, “and has been a true and loving friend all my life. Her mind is open to the wonders of this world.”
“Would that her mouth were not as open,” Sysha muttered. She saw the frown on Marit’s face. “I meant no true offense, princess.”
“Susa would not realize you meant offense,” Marit told the woman. “I accept your apology on her behalf. Now,” Marit said once the woman had settled, “I want you to tell me why you all insist that I am a princess.”
“Tomorrow, my lady,” Sysha answered her; not liking how pale Marit was. She prepared another sedative and added it to a cup of water. “Tonight you must rest.”
Taryn and his son approached Horis, who was bound to a branch of one of the trees surrounding their camp. Horis glared at them both, refusing to be cowed. His anger only increased when Tavin struck him. How had they known to come now, he wondered. If they had waited only a few more days, the girl would have been well on her way to the Overlord. The thought of all the money he was losing only increased his anger.
“Is that the best you can do, pup?” Horis laughed as the blows continued. His eyes lit up with delight as Tavin pulled his knife. “Oh my!” he was actually chortling. “How frightened you make me!”
“I will see you screaming in agony, monster,” Tavin hissed, “for what you did to my cousin.” His eyes began to glow with anger, and he bared his teeth. “I shall rip you to pieces, Horis Tun. Slowly.”
“That will change nothing,” Horis replied, feeling the first weakness in his shield of superiority. “The Overlord is coming for her, prince Tavin. Your pretty cousin will be his!”
“You will be dead long before that happens,” Taryn spoke up from where he’d been watching the interrogation. “Cut him loose,” Taryn said to his man, “and give him a weapon and a head start.” He nodded to his son. “He is yours to hunt, Tavin.”
Horis was cut loose and he backed away as he saw Tavin’s expression. This boy was not who he appeared to be. There was something dark and intensely inhuman in this borderlander’s breast. He did not need to be given a signal. He was already running as the count began. Tavin moved out at the count of one hundred and his smile widened as he stripped off all his clothing, leaving it to rest at the edge of the camp. His eyes began to glow with anticipation of the hunt and moonlight glistened on his skin as he moved after Horis. He would hear the monster scream and beg for mercy before he ripped out his throat.

*
Marit rose the next morning and got out of the cart before Sysha could stop her. Her pain was gone now. The only sign that she had ever been injured was a slight stiffness in her side. She walked up to one of the horses and ran her hand along its nose. When she was younger, Willem used to take her and Susa on rides with him and his sons while they herded the cattle into the winter pens. She remembered the delight at being so high above the ground. Susa’s father had left her and Susa to ride freely on Susa’s pony when they were old enough to handle the reins on their own. Horis had ended this simple pleasure when she had grown from child to maid. She sighed and the animal nuzzled into her and she smiled, pleased that someone liked her. She heard someone come up behind her and turned to see Taryn’s son, Tavin, coming towards her. He bowed his head to her and smiled.
“His name is Windsprinter, Princess,” Tavin told her, his voice warm with pride. “This is his first journey.”
“He is a very handsome animal,” Marit said softly; “not at all like the horses we have at the village. May I ride him?” She saw his hesitation. “I tire of the cart, Tavin.”
“It is easier to protect you there, Princess,” Tavin told her honestly. “You do not realize how valuable you are to us.” He found himself leaning towards her. He realized what he was doing and pulled back, frowning. “You will have to ask the lord Taryn if it is allowed. For now,” he said as he guided her back towards the cart, “you should return to your ladies.”
Marit frowned, but returned to the cart. Sysha and the other ladies were making certain the bed was packed properly so that the journey would not be too uncomfortable for her. Marit tried to help them, but they shooed her off. She was not used to being waited on, it made her feel very uncomfortable. Why was she above work suddenly? She leaned against a tree and felt something sticky on her hand. She looked at it and paled as she realized that it was blood. Someone had been injured here quite recently. Marit looked around and did not see Horis.
“Where is Horis Tun?” she asked one of the men. He looked away uneasily and she knew something bad had happened. She looked around for the lord Taryn, but he was busy discussing the specifics of their journey with the cart driver. “Lord Taryn?” He turned and she caught his anger before he hid it. “I do not mean to interrupt…”
“No, princess,” Taryn broke in over her apologies. “Never apologize to me. You are my liege-lord’s daughter and, therefore, my superior.” Something in that seemed to irritate him. “How may I be of assistance to you?”
“Someone was injured in camp while I slept,” Marit told him bluntly. “Are they in need of healing?”
“It has been dealt with, Princess,” Taryn told her, wondering how she could have known. He smelled the blood and looked over at the tree. “Do not worry. The person is no longer in need of assistance.” He looked past her to the lady Sysha. “Your companion is looking for you, Princess.”
Marit turned and saw Sysha coming towards her. “No,” she shook her head as she saw the cup of water in the woman’s hands. “I do not wish to be drugged, lady Sysha. I want to see the lands we pass through.”
Sysha bowed her head and set the cup aside. The girl certainly had her father’s stubborn streak, the woman thought. The castle was going to see a lot of arguments between this pretty child and her sire before she was married and moved away. The cart moved off and they continued on the trail into the forest region. Marit was entranced by the way sunlight and shadow danced in and out of the trees. For the first time since she had been taken from the village, she felt at peace.
“You promised to tell me,” Marit reminded her new companion, “why you insist I am a princess, lady Sysha.”
“Because you are,” Sysha replied. “You were given into the keeping of Salas Tun and his woman when you were two summers old. They were told to tell you that your father and mother had died in a landslide when you were old enough to understand. All to keep you safe from your true father’s enemies until you were of an age to wed.”
“So you are taking me to be wed?” Marit frowned at this bit of news. “I am not even asked if that is what I wish?”
“Your father chose your mate the day you were born, Princess,” Sysha told her. “Your marriage will form an alliance that will strengthen the borderlands.”
Marit put her mind to some way to end this nonsense. She could not let them take her to an arranged marriage. She wanted that about as much as she had wanted to be sold to some man Horis had found to pay what he asked. Marit wanted, no; she needed to get away from these people and find her own way. Something blinked in the distance and Marit jumped from the cart and started moving towards it. She saw a young russet-haired man and wondered who he was; if he was even real. She could see his toned body struggling as he wrestled with a night black wolf, while a whip was laid across his back to keep him fighting. Someone grabbed her.
“He doesn’t want to fight the wolf,” she heard herself saying. “Someone is making him do it.” She pulled against the grip on her arms, her eyes growing frantic. “I must help them.”
“No, Princess,” Taryn’s voice broke through her trance. He caught her as she collapsed with a sigh of protest. He carried her back to the cart and gave her into Sysha’s care, a worried look on his face. “It is beginning already, lady Sysha. The Overlord knows she has been found and is casting out nets for her.” He looked down at Marit. “You will have to watch her carefully until we arrive at the castle.”
Sysha bowed her head low as the man moved off. He was right to be worried. This girl was the key to power over the clans and beyond their protective circle to power over the outlands. If the borderlands fell, there would be no one to stop the Overlord from controlling all in the name of his Emperor. The peace that the clans had built over the past century would be lost. Marit woke up a few hours later, as they were just moving on from a short rest break and started to get off the cart to stretch.
“Princess!”
She felt something whistle by her cheek and found herself being thrown into the bed of the cart by Sysha. The woman stiffened as something struck her in the back and Marit cried out as the woman’s pain hit her. She moved out from under Sysha and saw the arrow. Thankfully, it was not imbedded anywhere critical; removing it quickly was what was needed. Marit looked around for a knife and cut the shaft down. She did not know how she knew what to do, her mind and body just acted. Naji handed her the healers’ tools and Marit continued to work, keeping low as the arrows continued to strike.
“Hold her still,” Marit cried as the cart picked up speed as the horses panicked and ran.
She finished tending to Sysha and turned to see the driver falling, an arrow through his shoulder. She fought the surge of his pain as she saw Susa climb up to grab the reins and bring the cart under control. Her friend’s arms were aching, and Susa’s hands were burned and bruised, but she got the cart to slow down. Marit was shaking in pain as she went to the driver, who was being helped into the back of the cart, and repeated what she had done with Sysha. Only when every last person who had been injured was treated, did she finally allow herself to lose consciousness. Susa guided the cart into the small town on the banks of a river and stopped in front of the inn.
“See to the princess, Tavin,” Taryn ordered.
He swept in and commandeered the inn. The innkeeper did not argue. This was the lord Taryn of Stormkeep; no one argued with him. The little man watched as a pretty dark-haired girl was carried into the inn by Taryn’s son and taken upstairs. Five women followed, carrying boxes and bags. The child was someone of great importance the innkeeper realized, if lord Taryn was in charge of her escort. She was also related to him, for the resemblance in coloring was quite evident. He did not expect the lord to tell him who she was; Stormkeep men were renowned for being close-mouthed, so he put his mind to the puzzle as he had his servants prepare a meal.
“I was not aware that there had been any reports of trail raiders, innkeeper,” Taryn asked the man as he nodded thanks for the ale he was handed. “Word must be sent along the roads at once.”
“Jenid,” the innkeeper turned to his yardman, “see to it.” He frowned. “These raiders must be desperate to take on your party, king of Stormkeep.” His eyes widened as he realized now who the girl was. “You have found his daughter! The alliance…”
“May still be in jeopardy,” Taryn broke in, frowning at the joy in the man’s voice. How so many people could be blind to the danger an alliance between the girl’s father and the heir of Northfell would cause was something he could not understand. The tentative peace between his people and the rest of the borderlands would be in jeopardy. “My niece may refuse.”
“Refuse, king Taryn?” The innkeeper’s daughter, who was just laying down a large tureen of stew, a ladle, and several bowls; looked at the man as if he’d gone insane. “How could any girl, much less the princess of the borderlands, refuse a man like prince Justin of Northfell?”
“He’s been through here,” Taryn frowned. The girl was besotted with the face of the Northfell pup.
“They were here two nights ago,” the innkeeper nodded as he shoved his girl back to the kitchen to see to the dinner. “The prince is a very well-mannered boy,” the man continued, “but his father…” He could see the muscles in Taryn’s jaw clench. “There is still bad blood between Stormkeep and Northfell?”
“It is not likely to stop any time soon,” Taryn frowned. “My liege and brother-in-law may believe this alliance is good for the borderlands, but we most definitely do not.”
“Nor was ours the only dissenting voice in Council,” Tavin said as he joined his father and sat down. “We may have more trouble on the road, Father.”
“She will be safe once we reach the castle,” Taryn replied, hiding his uneasiness as he sliced off a piece of cheese and slid it into his mouth off the edge of the knife. Once the innkeeper was gone, he leaned towards his son. “If we needed any further proof of the rightness of our actions, this was it.” He lowered his voice as he laid his hand on his son’s arm. “You shall prepare her.”
“Her father will not agree with this choice, Father,” Tavin frowned. He leaned against the table and picked up a piece of meat. “She is his heir; the hope for our future peace, and he has chosen Northfell as her mate.”
“She is also a daughter of our house,” Taryn stated. “She should be given all that a daughter of our blood should possess.” He sighed. “She will certainly be judged by those bastards in Northfell, whether she possesses it or not.”
“Your sister, Margarete, refused the gift, Father.” Tavin remembered the heated argument that had ensued, and the imprisonment that had been imposed on his aunt as a result. “She now lies imprisoned rather than take on her birthright.”
“Margarete was too weak to see what she was being offered,” Taryn replied. “She was content with what she had with her lord husband. Her twin was far more accepting. But then,” he smiled as he remembered his other sister, “Amabet was always the greedy one.” He thought over their choice. “The princess must have the strength and power found only in a full bonding to the house; whether she wishes it or not.” He sighed. “If we were not traveling with his nephew and ladies of the court, we could take her now.” He finished his meal and held the bowl out to one of the servants. “Send one of the men ahead to inform our liege that his daughter will be with him tomorrow.”
Tavin nodded and moved out into the yard. Taryn smiled as the door closed. His son was quite eager to proceed with their plan. He could feel the mounting attraction his heir was feeling for the pretty Marit. It was only right. If Marit had been allowed to foster with her mother’s family, his house would have insisted on a match between the girl and her cousin; in accordance with their custom. Marius might think he had circumvented tradition by hiding the girl, but he had only delayed the inevitable.
Marit was a few hours later and sat up to look around the unfamiliar room. The ladies had been given cots nearby and they were all sleeping. She went to the windows and opened them, enjoying the feel of the night air on her face. As she sat there, wondering what she had ever done to deserve being shot at, she saw someone moving below in the courtyard. Moonlight glistened off of bare skin as he moved and Marit knew she should stop watching. But the sight of the man’s well-toned body as he washed held her entranced. When he turned his head and looked up, Marit cried out softly as, for just a moment, she saw a wolf in his place. She could hear Tavin’s soft laughter as she drew away from the window and went back to bed, struggling not to remember the look she had seen in his eyes. He wanted something from her; something she had an uneasy feeling she had no wish to give him.
“I wouldn’t put too much meaning into his looks, Princess,” the lady Sysha said as she closed the windows and looked at Marit. “Men of Stormkeep are very – intense. He would look at any maid in that same fashion, just to see if he could get a rise from her.”
“He knew I was there?” Marit asked as she looked at the woman with a frown.
“The whole time,” Sysha nodded. “Now, Princess,” she said as she helped Marit lie down, “it’s late and you should be resting. Put that one out of your mind. He is not for you.”
Marit nodded and closed her eyes, trying to ease her mind. A moment later, she was asleep. She did not see Susa slip out of the room for a breath of air. Susa was standing in the doorway of the room when she saw Rafel slip out of his room and go downstairs. She knew it was probably unwise to follow him, but something in his look told her there was trouble. As much as she was attracted to the man, she cared deeply for her friend. And she would not let anyone hurt Marit.
“He accepts your offer, prince,” a tall, bald-headed man with a scar on his face was saying as Susa slipped close enough to hear conversation. “Give your pretty cousin to my employer, and he will assure that you sit her throne.”
“It is time there was an end to this pointless war,” Rafel nodded, the look on his pleasant face turning Susa’s blood cold. “If Marit can accomplish what decades of diplomacy and conflict have failed to do simply through the bedchamber, then I am glad I allowed her to live.”
“You are very harsh, prince,” the man frowned at the younger noble. “She is your cousin…”
“She is her father’s heir, lord Talbot,” Rafel broke in harshly. “The child is in my way. I will do whatever it takes – even murder her – to inherit the throne that should be mine by right.”
The venom in his voice was so unlike the gentleness Susa was used to that she had to bite her lip to keep from crying out in anguish. She had believed this man was good, but here he was plotting against Marit. Susa could not let him harm her friend, so she decided to do what she could to keep close to the man. She would find out what he was planning and warn Marit. If she had to, she would take the man down herself. She slipped away from the two men and hurried back up towards her room.

*
Morning came and the lady Naji gave Marit a long emerald wool gown and silver leather over gown to wear. The leather had been softened and designs punched into it at the collar and down the front to the hem in varying colored leathers. Soft leather boots that covered her legs to just under the knee were put on Marit’s feet. She wondered how they had known what size to bring as they combed out her hair and braided the front with emerald green cords to form a coronet at the top of her head. The last pieces were laced leather bracers at her wrists embellished with designs matching those on her over gown.
“We will be arriving at the castle later this day, Princess,” Sysha told her, “and you will be presented to your father.”
Marit felt a shiver of anticipation course through her. This was the man who had sent her into hiding to keep her safe. What was he like? Would she find him as noble as the lord Taryn? No one had mentioned her mother, Marit found herself thinking as she left the inn with her companions. Was she still alive? Her mind was filled with questions as Tavin met her in the yard, his hands on the reins of a chestnut mare. Marit’s eyes widened in delight as she approached the beautiful creature and it lowered its head to her. She stroked the animal’s nose as Tavin watched her indulgently. His cousin reminded him of his younger sister, Tessa, at that moment.
“Princess,” he bowed his head to her. “A gift from your sire. Her name is Skydancer.” He handed the reins to one of the other men and helped her into the saddle. His hands remained on her a moment longer than was exactly proper and Marit bit her lip as she felt a blush color her face. Tavin smiled at her warmly and she was mortified. He was doing this to her on purpose! Then he mounted his own stallion and moved next to her. “I shall be close, if you need assistance, Princess.”
Marit nodded, missing the expression in her cousin’s eyes. She saw that everyone in the party, except Susa, was now mounted. She was riding in the cart with the driver, her eyes dancing in joy as she laid a hand on the man’s arm. She was chattering away, as always; and the man had a slightly stunned expression on his face. Marit was used to seeing that look on the face of most of the people Susa spoke to, so she missed the steel in Susa’s eyes. Marit smiled and turned to see the party moving off. They rode through the forest without any further incident and came out onto a hillside several hours later overlooking a town of tents along a river. On the other side was a large castle fortress.
“The Borderlanders Fair,” lord Taryn told her as he came up beside Marit. “It is held every year at this season under the protection of your sire, king Marius.” He saw her look of outright shock. She had still held out some hope that they were confused at her identity, he realized. “This is where marriages are arranged, alliances are formed and renewed, and other borderlander business is conducted.”
Marit nodded and found Sysha bringing her a sheer green veil and a circlet of gold set with a medallion of a strange bird set out in red stones surrounded by white stones in the center front. Taryn placed the veil and circlet and found himself fighting a smile as she fingered the silk with childish delight. The party moved down the hillside and past the tents to a bridge over the river. The occupants of the tents came to stand along the roadway as they passed, their heads bowed in respect. It made Marit feel very uncomfortable to have so many people treating her with deference.
“They will speak of their first sight of you for years to come, Princess,” Sysha said as she rode up beside Marit. “You should smile at them and let them know you are not annoyed at their presence.”
“They would actually think this?” Marit asked the woman, shocked that her emotions could be so important to others now. She turned her head and smiled at the people as they rode along. The outright joy on their faces lightened her own mood and her smile widened and warmed.
“You will grow used to the reality of your new status, Princess,” the lady Naji said from just behind her. “As your ladies, Sysha, Celia, and I will do our best to guide you.”
“I hope I don’t give you too much trouble,” Marit sighed. “I am not used to such a life as this.”
Marit listened to the assurances of her new friends that she could never be trouble and nodded absently. They crossed the bridge and approached the fortress of Sylvan Ford through the center of two lines of armed men at attention. Inside the castle yard, the nobles of the borderlands bowed or curtsied as a tall man with thick deep brown waves caught up in a circlet matching her own, and neatly trimmed goatee, strode down the stairs from the main building. Her father, Marit realized as he helped her off the horse. His green eyes were warm and welcoming and Marit felt her fears ease. He pulled her arm through his and held her hand, then led her inside. Once the doors closed, he cupped her chin in his large hand and looked down at her.
“You look so much like your mother, my child,” he nodded. Marit felt like she had just passed another test. “It is almost as if she is back with us.” He looked past her a moment to where Taryn and Tavin were entering the hall. “I trust your uncle and cousin served you well on your journey here.”
“Uncle?”
“Taryn is your mother’s older brother, my child,” her father nodded. “I am surprised he did not speak of this with you.”
“He had other things on his mind,” Marit replied.
“Perhaps that is best,” Marius nodded. He motioned to the brown-haired man that had caught Susa’s attention. “Am I to assume then that your cousin did not properly introduce himself to you either?” He struck the young man upside the head. “Rafel, you have far better manners than that.”
“I bowed to the greater wisdom of king Taryn, Uncle,” Rafel blushed. He took Marit’s hand in his and bowed over it, smiling. “Princess Marit. Allow me to introduce myself to you. I am Rafel, your father’s nephew and ward.”
“I hope this does not mean you have been trifling with my friend’s affections, cousin,” Marit frowned as she glanced over to the group of ladies who were introducing Susa to their acquaintances. “Because if you are…”
“I have nothing but the utmost respect for the little one,” Rafel broke in, his eyes warming as he looked over at Susa.
“She has been my closest friend, Father,” Marit told Marius, who had listened to this exchange with great interest. “I would not have Susa treated like a mere appendage.”
“The lady shall be treated with the utmost honor,” Marius assured her. “In fact,” he said as he motioned to someone, “we have need of a family to stand as overlords for the valley her village resides in. We shall contact her family elder and make the necessary arrangements for a patent of nobility.” He saw her shock. “Your little friend with be a lady of the court in all respects from this moment on.”
“Thank you, Father,” Marit smiled up at him in gratitude.
“It is a minor thing, but we are glad it pleases you.” He signaled to a tall, thin man with white blond hair, pale skin and deep black eyes. “This is the lord Kedys. He is our steward. If you have need of anything, you have merely to send a woman to him to make request. Kedys, show our daughter’s companion, the lady Susa, to the chamber adjoining the princess’ rooms. We would spend some time alone with our daughter.” He led Marit to the gardens and they sat down by an immense fountain. “You look puzzled, child.”
“I was told my father and mother were dead, sir,” Marit told him honestly; “only to find that you are quite alive. And that I am expected to marry a man I have never met to form an alliance?” She sighed heavily. “My life has become unreal to me.”
“Would you prefer I had left you to Horis Tun?” her father asked her bluntly. He saw her shudder. “I did not think so.”
“My uncle was bringing him here to you, wasn’t he?”
“The man has paid for the abuses he heaped on you, my child,” Marius told her. “You can put him out of your mind.”
“They killed him, didn’t they?” Marit cried out in horror. She remembered the blood on the tree and went pale. “But…”
“Do not defend him, daughter,” Marius snapped. “What he did to you made him beneath notice.” He cupped her chin in his hand. “You will be meeting your future husband soon.” He motioned to four young men standing nearby. “These nobles are your personal escort, daughter. They are husbands or relatives of the ladies who were chosen as your companions.”
Marit smiled as they approached her. They were all rather young, she thought, but very self-assured. Edmund of Fellstone, she learned, was brother to the lady Naji. Lorenz, son of the Duke of Thaxton, was courting the lady Celia. Martyn of Solliston was the husband of her first companion, the lady Sysha, and Teodor of Marshwood was soon to be married to the lady Naji. Marius finished the introductions and looked past her to where Kedys was waiting.
“Lord Kedys will show you to your chambers now,” he told her. “You will have time to refresh yourself before we greet the nobles in the Great Hall.”
Marit smiled as her father kissed her on the forehead. She followed the steward up a staircase to the third floor, followed by her personal escort, and the guards opened a set of immense doors for her. The men bowed their heads to her and closed the doors once she was inside. Sysha and the other women were waiting for her. Susa was missing, and Marit found herself worrying. Her little friend had become quite enamored with the cart driver who had turned out to be her cousin. What if he took advantage of her?
“The lady Susa is in the next chamber, princess,” Sysha told her when Marit asked after her friend. “She will be with you shortly.” She took the circlet and veil off Marit’s head and set it on a stand on an ornately carved cabinet along one wall. “Your father will expect his daughter to be the most beautiful woman in the room tonight,” Sysha smiled as she looked Marit over critically. “It will not be a hard task to make that be so.” She saw the girl blush, and wondered how such a beautiful girl could not be aware of her own beauty. “If you will remove your travel clothes, Princess, Naji will show you to the bathing chamber; while we ready your silks.”
Marit removed the leather over gown, boots, and bracers and followed Naji into the next room. An immense pool of heated water waited there. Naji helped her remove the rest of her clothing and Marit stepped into the pool. She sighed as the warmth pulled stiffness from her muscles. But she was not allowed to bask. Naji helped her out once she had finished washing and wrapped her in a thick towel. They went back into the bedchamber and the women helped Marit into a silken undergown of emerald green. It flowed around her body soft as a whisper and she ran her hand over the fabric. She had never felt anything like it. The sleeves went down to the center of her hands and were laced from elbow to wrist with golden cords that had beads of emerald and gold dangling from the ends. The trim around the lacing points was gold chased with designs in emerald. The neckline rose up over her throat to just below her chin and the collar was banded in the same design as the trim on her sleeves.
An over gown fashioned from emerald green velvet that laced up the sides with golden cord was drawn over her head and laced up. Embroidery in gold and set with pearls and diamonds edged the neckline and hem. The sight of herself in the rich gown astounded Marit; this was a dream, she told herself as she spun. She stepped into slippers of emerald velvet embroidered in the same fashion as the over gown and sat down so Sysha could place the sheer gold veil over her head and put the circlet in place. The door to the other side of the room opened and Susa came to her side, wearing a plainer outfit in silver and blue. An engraved circlet of silver held a matching blue veil over Susa’s hair.
“It’s so beautiful,” Marit sighed as she sat down and they combed out her hair and braided it with cords of emerald and gold. She fingered the fabric, delighting in the feel of it against her skin. “I’ve never felt anything so soft.”
“You are beautiful, Marit,” Susa sighed.
“Indeed she is,” her father said as the doors opened. All the ladies went into a curtsey as the king entered. He held his hand out and pulled Marit to her feet. “My daughter,” he smiled as he looked down into her eyes, “you do our house proud.”
He put the circlet Sysha brought over on Marit’s head himself, then tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and led her out. The ladies fell in behind them in rank order and followed. They swept down the main staircase and were joined by their men. Susa smiled as she found she was to stand next to Rafel. Trumpets sounded as they entered the Great Hall and the nobles rose to their feet and bowed their heads or curtsied as gender demanded. King Marius took his daughter to the dais and they took their thrones, leaving the others to find their own places. Kedys stamped his staff three times and silence reigned.
“His Royal Majesty, King Marius, and Her Royal Highness, the Princess Marit,” he intoned, “stand ready to greet the worthy lords of the borderlands.”
Marit nearly jumped as the doors at the end of the hall burst open and two lines of men, dressed in court versions of traveler garments strode in. They were all tall and well-formed she noted, and of varying ages. From the resemblances, the older men on the left were father to the younger man at their right. The two lines stepped out and two tall men with russet-hair and blue eyes strode down the center of the lines and went down on one knee, heads bowed before Marit’s father. Whoever they were, it was obvious that they were of a higher rank than the others as heads bowed while they passed. Marit felt as if her heart had stopped when they looked up and she saw the expression of relief and then pleasure on the younger man’s face. He was the man from her waking dream.
“We welcome King Jozef and Prince Justin of Northfell to our court.” Marius’ voice boomed into the hall. “It is our pleasure to present to you our daughter and heir, the princess Marit.”
“Greetings to you, sovereign lord; most beauteous princess,” Jozef bowed his head briefly, his eyes cold and arrogant. This, Marit noted, was a man who was filled with his own self-importance. She fought the chill his gaze on her engendered. “My heir and I give you all due allegiance.”
They rose and took their seats, King Jozef to Marius’ left, and Prince Justin beside Marit. She blushed as he bowed his head to her before taking his seat. The rest of the introductions continued and Marit did her best to commit face and name to memory. Once the other lords were seated with their ladies the banquet began. A table was brought out and put in front of the thrones. Marit watched the servants as they moved among the tables in surprise. Several near collisions nearly made her gasp. She heard laughter to her right and looked up at Justin.
“I understand that you were raised away from the court, Princess,” Justin smiled down at her. “You will get used to the sights and sounds quite quickly.”
“I hope I never get so used to it,” Marit told him, as she saw one of the nobles cuff a servant for moving too slowly, “that I forget that even the lowliest ranked person is worthy of regard.”
“What a quaint notion.” Jozef frowned as he and Marius listened to their children. He looked at Marius. “Such feelings will end soon enough.”
“I think it is a belief that should be encouraged, Father,” Justin replied tightly. He frowned as Marit jumped at the sound of his voice. “I hope I do not frighten you, my lady. It would not be an auspicious start to our union.”
“Our union?”
“You were told that you were to wed, surely?” Justin frowned and looked past her to her father, the king, who was regaling king Jozef with some old war story.
“I was not told who I was to wed,” Marit told him, the confusion in her voice drawing his attention back to her. She found she liked having his beautiful blue eyes on her. The frown eased and the smile returned to his handsome face. “Only why I was to wed.”
“I am as pleased as you are,” Justin said as he took her hand and kissed it, “to find my future mate is easy on the eye.” He saw her blush and he was enchanted. “You are a delightful child, Princess.”
“And you,” Marius’ voice cut in coldly, “are a presumptuous pup.” They looked over at him and saw his frown. “You will refrain from pawing my child like one of your sluts, boy.”
“I meant no disrespect, Your Majesty,” Justin replied, letting go of Marit’s hand with great difficulty. “Your Highness, forgive me if I took liberties.”
“I was not aware that it was a liberty,” Marit told him honestly. “Father, I am at a disadvantage here. I do not know the rules.”
“It shall be the role of your ladies to teach them to you,” her father replied. “Let us say for now that no man is allowed to touch you except your doting sire.” He laid his hand on hers as he saw her frown. “Do not let it sadden you, child. You will know the prince’s touch when you become his bride.” He saw her blush and he was enchanted with his child. Knowing what she had been through, it was amazing she could still blush like an innocent. “Allow the prince to entertain you with tales of his travels while you finish your meal.”
Marit nodded and turned back to Justin, who was eyeing her father with some anger. She wanted to touch him; to assure herself that he was real and not a figment of her imagination. But she had just been told that he could not touch her, so she assumed the reverse was true as well. She contented herself with the thought that she would soon belong to this handsome man. She picked at her food as she listened to his tales of travel and discovery with some jealousy. She had only known the village until she had been brought here. Music began to play and she looked across the table to see a band of troubadours moving in. Servants were moving aside the tables as the nobles began to gather elsewhere.
“There will be dancing now,” Justin told her, “to celebrate your safe return to your father.” He saw her frown and knew why. “Your Majesty,” he said to Marius. “I believe your child would prefer an early night to the dancing.”
“You may spend an hour in each other’s company,” Marius told Marit and Justin. “Your ladies await you in the gardens, daughter. They shall entertain you while you get to know your future husband.”
Justin rose to his feet as a servant pulled out Marit’s chair. He offered her his arm and she laid her hand on it, shyly. As if she feared she was breaking the rules, he guessed. He escorted her out to the gardens where Sysha and the other ladies were waiting with their instruments. Marit sat down on a bench and Justin stood nearby, admiring her beauty. He watched as she asked Naji if she could handle the woman’s instrument. Her long fingers strummed the strings and the smile of delight on her face made his heart sing in joy. Her laughter was music itself, he thought as he listened.
“Do you play an instrument, my lord prince?”
“I had little time for such niceties, my princess,” Justin told her sadly, “except when I was younger. My tutor told me I should stick to swords and daggers, for my fingers mutilated the strings.”
“You can’t be any worse than I am, lord prince,” Marit’s laughter cascaded around him and eased his stiffness. He had never felt such ease around a woman before. “Show me how you mutilate the strings.”
“If it will please you, my lady,” Justin bowed his head.
Justin held his hand out to Celia, and the small blonde woman handed over her lute. He strummed the strings and began to play. Far from mutilating the strings, his fingers danced nimbly and with great expertise. Marit shook her head at him for leading her on so falsely and his smile widened. It died as his aide came to retrieve him at the end of the hour. He took Marit’s hand in his and kissed it as he bowed.
“My lady,” he said softly. “I look forward to our next meeting with great anticipation.”
Marit nodded, her throat choked with emotion. She watched him leave until she could no longer see him and heard the laughter of her ladies. She blushed, knowing they had seen her pining after the prince like a lovesick girl. But wasn’t that what she was; a lovesick girl. She was going to be married to this handsome prince, like she was a character in one of the old tales that Susa’s mother used to tell her when she and Susa were little. It was so unreal to her; she kept expecting to wake up and find herself on her way to the man Horis had sold her to.
“The thought of an arranged marriage does not displease you as much as it once did, my lady?” Sysha laughed as she saw Marit’s blush deepen. The ladies accompanied her to her quarters and sat down a few moments longer. “He is a good and honorable man. He will make you an excellent husband.”
Marit sat down and Celia brought over the lute and showed her how to play it. Marit was pleased to find she picked up the skill readily and was soon playing a simple tune that the other women sang the words to. Her father strode in, interrupting their laughter. The women curtsied and left the gardens at his sign. He came to sit next to his daughter and she showed him what she had just learned. He smiled absently and patted her hand.
“You are weary, Father,” Marit said as she caught his mood. She set the lute aside and looked at him seriously. “May I do anything to help?”
“You are doing it, child,” Marius replied, patting her hand again. “He is a fine man. I believe you will be happy with each other.”
“But you are worried, Father,” Marit said, knowing it was true. “Is there going to be trouble? Someone who does not wish this alliance to go through?”
“You are an intelligent and perceptive child,” Marius smiled at her. He stroked her hair, remembering her mother. “If only your mother could have been here with us.”
“Tell me about her, Father,” Marit asked, knowing he wished a change of subject. “Am I like her?”
“You favor her greatly, my daughter,” Marius smiled at her gratefully. For the next several moments he told her of her mother, Margarete, and their life together from courtship to her untimely death. “She would have been so proud of you, Marit.” He rose to his feet and kissed her on the forehead. “I know I am.”
Marit watched him go, wondering why he could not talk freely to her of the threat looming over her and the alliance. He saw her as a helpless child, she realized, and he was not that far off. She knew nothing of kings and alliances, she knew only hard work and whippings. She smiled as she thought of the way Justin had looked at her with increasing respect and delight. She was blushing as she made her way out onto the balcony of her chambers and enjoyed the feel of the night air on her skin. Sysha called her in and she moved away from the railing just as an arrow struck where her body had been.
“Princess!” Sysha cried as Marit fell backwards in her haste to be off the balcony. She saw the arrow and picked it up, frowning. She took it to the guards and one of them went running. “Are you all right, my lady?”
“It was a warning,” Marit told her, shaking at her near escape. “Someone does not wish me to marry.” She accepted the cup of wine Celia brought to her and sipped at it. She made a face at the unfamiliar flavor and set it aside. “What do you think my father will do?”
“Lock you in your rooms with no way out except under heavy guard?” Sysha saw Marit’s look of horror. “Whatever he feels will keep you safe, Princess,” she amended as she patted the girl’s hand. “It is his duty as your father to see you safe to your marriage.”
“I am not used to having someone care for my welfare, Sysha,” Marit sighed. “It makes me feel safe and shackled at the same time.”
“Welcome to the life of a noblewoman, my lady,” Sysha smiled briefly. She frowned over at the balcony. “We are going to have to close the shutters now. No more strolling out for a breath of night air.” She saw Marit redden in shame. “You were within your rights to be there, Princess. It is the assassin who was in the wrong.” She nodded to Celia. “The hour grows late, my lady. Let us help you ready yourself for bed.”
Marit allowed them to help her out of her court garments and into a sheer silk nightgown of palest blue. A garment of deep blue velvet and delicate silver embroidery on the high collar and down the edges of the open sides was belted over this. Slippers of blue velvet and embroidery were placed on her feet. Her wavy black hair was left loose around her; falling in a silken curtain to her knees. Celia combed it through and braided it into a coronet around her head with deep blue and silver cords.
“Sleep well, my lady,” Sysha smiled as Marit laid down and the curtains around the posts were drawn closed. “I shall return to help Celia and Naji assist you in the morning.”
Marit nodded and closed her eyes. She fell asleep quickly and found herself dreaming of Justin and his quick smiles, his loving looks. As night continued, those dreams changed and she was tossing and whimpering as she saw him in torment. She knew it was because of her, and she could not bear it. She sat up, tears streaming down her face, and pulled back the curtains. Naji and Celia were asleep in a side chamber. The shutters had been closed to the balcony and were fastened tight. So Marit pulled on her slippers and the night robe she had laid at the foot of her bed and moved out of her room. The guards followed her like silent shadows as she went down to the kitchens. A young boy servant jumped to his feet and brought her some cheese and fruit. He filled a cup with juice and set it down next to the plate for her.
“May I join you, little cousin?”
Marit looked up and saw Tavin leaning against the doorframe. His hair was tousled from sleep and his shirt lacings were loosed, exposing his chest. Her cousin was an exceptionally well-formed man, Marit found herself thinking as she found herself unable to look away from his glowing eyes. Should she be feeling such things about her own cousin? Tavin saw her blush and he tied the shirt closed, hiding his smile; his goal had been achieved. He stepped into the kitchen and noted her guards for the first time. He nodded to them and took a seat on the other side of the table from Marit. He nodded to the servant as the boy handed him a plate of food.
“We are keeping the boy from his slumber,” Marit frowned.
“He is used to wandering nobles,” Tavin said, shrugging. “No, boy,” he said to the boy as he started to pour out a second cup of juice. “I can share with my cousin. Return to your well-earned rest.” He waited until the boy was down and then turned to Marit. “Someone tried to kill you tonight, cousin.” He shifted the fingers on his right hand as he kept it hidden from her eyes. “You must be protected from such occurrences.” His left hand came up to her cheek. “You have it in you to fight, little one. There is power in our bloodline that can help you.”
“I don’t understand,” Marit whimpered as he moved closer to her. “Why does it matter so much to you that I am safe?”
“How could it not, Marit?” Tavin asked as his fingers stroked her lips. Marit whimpered as she felt strange sensations coursing through her mind and body at his touch. “Has no one ever told you how desirable you are?”
“You’re playing games with me, cousin,” Marit protested, struggling to hold on to control. “Please,” she pleaded with him as he moved even closer, “stop this.”
Tavin’s laugh was low in his throat and the sound of it filled her with intense dread. He did not care that he was frightening her, she realized. He wanted her to be afraid of him. She tried to back away and was confused when she found that she had risen and been backed up against a wall, without even realizing that she had moved. Tavin’s body pressed against hers now and she was shaking in reaction to his nearness. It wasn’t right to feel such things for a cousin, she reminded herself fiercely. She tried to push him away, but he was not moving. Marit shook her head, struggling to free herself as his lips approached hers.
“NO!”
Tavin released her and Marit looked up to see her father standing in the doorway, his eyes blazing in anger. Marius strode down the stairs as Tavin backed away, bowing his head. He looked at his daughter and saw only her confusion. No pain, no illness. He relaxed and looked at Tavin coldly.
“It should be her choice,” Marius told his nephew stiffly. “Not as the result of a sneak attack. You dishonor your house by such tactics.”
“You know it is needed, my uncle,” Tavin replied tightly. “The storm is coming. She must be strong enough to survive it.”
“You will not be alone with her again, nephew,” Marius snarled, making Marit back away at his ferocity. “If I hear you have, I will have you executed.” Tavin started to say something, but thought better of it. He bowed his head and left. Marius sank down at the table, his head in his hands. “I had hoped they would accept the decision with better grace.”
“What is going on, Father?” Marit asked him, totally confused by what had just happened. “Was Tavin going to hurt me?”
“He would not see it that way,” Marius told her wearily. “It did not happen,” he sighed in relief as he took her hand in his and rested his cheek against it; “that is all that matters.” He saw her confusion but knew he could not speak to it. “Trust me, child, and let us be done with this for now.” He nodded towards her guard. “Go to your rest.”
Marit kissed his cheek and left the kitchens, wondering what had happened. It was obvious that her cousin had been meaning to do something to her that her father did not approve of. She remembered the way Tavin had been looking at her and she shivered. This new life of hers was far more complicated than she had thought it would be.
“You only postponed the inevitable, brother-in-law,” Taryn said as he stepped out of the shadows. “You know we are right.” He saw Marius’ eyes heat up. “You would give your child to that bastard’s son without her full inheritance! What kind of protection would that be?”
“The prince would never allow them to harm his wife,” Marius argued.
“He is one boy, Marius,” Taryn replied tightly, “against centuries of prejudice and stupidity. You overestimate his powers of persuasion.”
“And you give him no chance,” Marius replied, his voice filled with weariness. “She is my daughter, Taryn; allow me to see to her welfare.” He held his hand up as Taryn began to argue further. “Enough, old friend. Enough.”

*
Marit rose the next morning still wondering what the argument between her father and Tavin had been about. It had been important to both of them, but they had not told her why. Since it had been about her, she found this quite wrong. She dressed and went with her ladies and the guards to the courtyard. Prince Justin and his men were waiting for them. Justin helped her onto her mare, his hands moving quickly as her father watched, so that he could not accuse the prince of any impropriety. Then they rode out, crossing the bridge to visit the Fair. Away from the castle, Justin found ways to touch her, stand close to her, as often as possible. He left her head and her heart spinning with confusion and delight; quite a change from the terror that Tavin had evoked in her only the night before.
“Why won’t he tell me why he is worried, my lord?” Marit asked Justin during one of their rare moments together. “It is about more than the alliance.”
“You must allow him to tell you his worries in his own time, my lady,” Justin told her. He had been warned that Tavin was seeking to undermine the alliance by playing on Marit’s innocence, and he was finding it very hard to keep from going after Tavin and murdering him. His attack was jeopardizing everything they had worked towards for so long. “Let us think of pleasanter matters,” he continued. “Such as where we shall live once you are mine.”
“We would not live here?” Marit asked him, wondering why she would have thought that. He would be king of his own family holdings. Why would he want to live here in her father’s lands? She saw a length of silk that shimmered like a rainbow and moved away from him before he could answer. “So beautiful,” she sighed as she held it to her cheek.
“Then you must have it,” Justin replied, smiling at the way her eyes lit up in delight like a child’s. There was no artifice about this girl, he realized. She was the first truly honest female he had ever known. He turned to the merchant. “Deliver all that you brought of this fabric to the castle.”
“No one has ever given me such a gift,” Marit smiled up at him. “But it is too much. The monies could be put to better use, surely.”
“My people will forgive me for wanting my future bride to have something lovely,” Justin told her bluntly.
“Whose food rations will you cut to pay for it, prince?” Tavin asked as he strode up to them. He bowed over Marit’s hand and glared at the other youth.
“No one in Northfell is in danger of starvation,” Justin frowned as he saw Marit’s joy die. “Your cousin is being deliberately divisive.”
“Perhaps you can tell my cousin why, prince of Northfell,” Tavin suggested as he moved behind Marit and laid his hand on her shoulder. He leaned in close, the warmth of his cheek making Marit feel strange. Like she was prey, and he was the predator. She moved away from his touch, remembering the wolf she had seen in him, and met his cold eyes. “Has he told you anything about the minds of the people he rules, Marit?”
“How Northfell feels about this alliance is not your business, Stormkeep!” Justin snapped at the other, his fists clenching in anger. “Keep your nose out of what does not concern you.”
“But it does concern me, Northfell,” Tavin snarled. “Marit is my cousin. I will not have her going in to alliance with you blind to…”
“Enough!” Marit snapped, causing them to turn her way. “If you are going to fight,” Marit told them both, her eyes going cold in her own anger, “then you will take it elsewhere, my lords. No,” she said, holding her hand up to them, “I do not excuse either of you. Leave me alone.”
She watched them glare at each other and then move off in opposite directions. Again she saw the image she had seen of Justin earlier; him being whipped to fight the wolf against his will. Is that what this was between Justin and Tavin; a fight someone else was orchestrating? Marit felt as if a storm was gathering around her, and these two men were part of a darkness she did not wish to experience. But she was blind to what was coming, and she did not like the feeling one bit. She jumped as Sysha laid her hand over hers and saw the woman’s nod of respect. That lightened her mood, and they returned to examining the silks and other fabrics.
“That was well played, Princess,” Sysha smiled as they moved on to another stall. “Do not let either of those pups get away with such ill manners in your presence.” She shook her head as she saw the question forming. “I can not tell you why, my lady. That is for them to speak of; if they will.”
“I have a feeling,” Marit said as she picked up a particularly lovely silver bracelet engraved with scrollwork that confounded the eye’s ability to follow its pattern and examined it, “that they must speak of it or it will never be resolved.” She handed the bracelet to the merchant. “We will have this and any matching pieces, Merchant.” She turned to Sysha. “Is it too much as gifts for my ladies?”
“They are very lovely, Princess,” Sysha told her and beckoned to the man holding the purse for them. “You have a good eye.”
“And her father’s temper,” Celia said as she joined them. She was on the arm of her own affianced lord, Lorenz of Thaxton. They both bowed to Marit. “The story of your put down of prince Justin and prince Tavin is spreading through the Fair like a wildfire, my lady.” She giggled in delight. “It’s about time someone put those two down a peg.”
“I will not,” Marit defended her actions, “have them fighting in my presence.” She bit her lip and looked at her companions. “Was it wrong of me to make such a condition?”
“You are the daughter of their liege lord, Princess,” Lorenz told her firmly. “They were treating you with disrespect, and you were within your rights to let them know you did not approve of their ill manners.”
“I could become quite a little tyrant,” Marit frowned as she realized what the man was telling her. Her companions looked at her. “Were I a different sort of person, that thought would delight me.” Instead it sent a chill running through her. She turned to the next stall and her smile returned. “Susa! Look who is here!”
Susa raised her head from where she was listening to something meant only for her ears and her eyes shone with delight. Prince Rafel watched as the girl ran to a tall, brown-haired man standing next to a silver-haired elder. She threw her arms around his neck and then the older man’s. He felt jealousy surge through him until the men were introduced as her father and her grandfather. The men bowed to Rafel and he nodded to them with a smile of welcome. Willem and Walter bowed low before Marit and she smiled and held her hands out to them happily. She saw Sysha’s look of censure and did not care.
“These two men and their family,” Marit defended the familiarity, “kept me as safe from Horis Tun as it was possible for them to do, lady Sysha. I will not act the noble to the point of snobbishness with men I consider my own.” She looked at Willem, whose smile widened. “Why are you here, Willem?”
“The death of Horis Tun left a position open in our village,” Willem told her. “We come to your sire to ask approval for our choice of Elder.” He shook his head as Marit looked at him happily. “Not me, child,” he laughed at her expression. “I am too old to take on an entire village. No,” he said, putting his hand on Walter’s shoulder. “My oldest son will have the position, if it is approved.”
“How could it not be?” Marit asked him. “Walter is a fine choice for village elder. If I am allowed to voice my opinion, I will tell my father so.”
“I do not think, my lady,” her lady Naji smiled as she turned and saw king Marius standing behind them, “that you will need to worry about it being allowed. Your Majesty,” Naji bowed her head and curtsied. “We were just making the acquaintance of men from the village where your daughter was raised.”
“Indeed,” Marius stated, looking at the two men and liking their attitude. The older man raised his head and he smiled. “But you are known to us, Willem of Sovertun.” He surprised everyone as he put his arm around Willem’s shoulder. “Come with us, you and your son, and tell us how things have been since last we met.” He looked at Marit. “We shall discuss this later, daughter.”
He led his friend and the bemused Walter off and people bowed as they passed. Marit wondered if she was going to get a lecture about her behavior. She could feel her back aching with remembered pain. Marius would not strike her, surely. That was something a man who did not care would do and, despite the fact that she had known her father only a day, she was certain he cared very deeply about her. She came back to her self to find the lord Martyn and the lord Edmund bowing to her.
“That was – odd,” lord Martyn of Solliston said as he and Edmund joined them. He lifted Sysha’s hand to his lips. “My wife. There is something I wish to show you that I believe our Verina would enjoy. If you would excuse us, Your Majesty?”
“Of course, lord Solliston,” Marit replied, smiling as she saw the joy in Sysha’s eyes. “It would be selfish of me to keep you from your lady. I will be fine with the guidance of the ladies Celia and Naji and the lords Edmund of Fellstone and Lorenz of Thaxton.”
The couple moved away and Marit continued on with her companions, delighting in the various wares on display at the Faire. She had heard about such things as fairs, and some of the villagers had been allowed to attend the closer ones. But Horis had kept her close to the village; knowing why, as she did now, did nothing to alleviate the hurt and disappointment she had known. She heard a gentle music in the air and turned to see a stall with strands of crystals formed into delicate pieces of art that set off the sweet sounds as they struck each other in the breeze. Something in them reminded her of the woman she had seen and she lifted her hand to one.
“You must come, daughter,” the woman said to her, urgency in her tone and her eyes. “Time grows short and you are in danger.”
Marit was held frozen in that place and time. The woman reached out to her and she felt love, and acceptance floor through her. This woman was a part of her and there as something she needed Marit to do. One moment she was in the woman’s arms as her hair was being stroked; and a soft lullaby was being hummed to her. The next moment, she was tumbling into the darkness, accompanied by sounds of alarm from her companions.
“It was nothing,” Marit was protesting as her father strode into the tent she had been carried to. She could not tell him what she had seen. It was a daydream; she had told herself, nothing to worry about. “Faintness from lack of food, Father. That is all.”
Marius looked at the healer and the woman shook her head. There was something more at work here, the woman’s expression told him. But what it was, the woman did not know. Marius allowed Marit to believe what she did, holding his arm out to her and escorting her to the refreshments tables. They sat down among the minor nobles and the merchants, shocking those people immensely, and had a meal. It was apparent to Marius that the attacks against his child were only going to get more frequent as the days drew nearer to the wedding. He could do nothing more; she had guards and companions to keep watch over her, and there was no safer place for her than the castle.
“We have been told that you gave the princes of Northfell and Stormkeep a dressing down, daughter,” Marius whispered as he leaned close to his child in the pretense of picking up a piece of fruit. He felt her flinch and look up at him. His own eyes were sparkling. “Well done.” He finished the fruit and rose to his feet. Then he bowed his head to her. “We leave you to the Faire, daughter. Your companions will know when to bring you back to the castle for the evening court.”
“Princess?” Celia asked as she saw the stunned look on Marit’s face a moment after Marius left. “Are you all right?”
“He approved of me,” Marit said softly, a smile lighting her lovely face. Her eyes were shining with joy as she looked at Celia. “He said I had done well in my censure of the princes.”
“You are not used to having people approve of your actions, my lady?” Naji’s lord, Teodor of Marshwood, asked her. “How could they not? You are a delightful young woman.”
“The man who raised her managed to find fault with her at every turn,” Susa spoke up from where she was sitting near prince Rafel. Her eyes were quite cold. “He was a hateful man. We are all better off without him.” She saw Marit’s frown. “There is no defense for what he did to you, Marit! None.”
“It is enough, Susa,” Marit sighed, wondering if there wasn’t something she could have said or done to keep Horis alive. “He is gone.” She saw Justin and Tavin hovering nearby and looked at each of her companions in turn. “Have they been punished long enough,” she asked their opinion, “or should I make them suffer a bit longer?”
“That is up to you, Princess,” they all concurred. “If it were me,” Celia spoke up a moment later, “I would keep them at a distance until at least the evening meal.”
Marit nodded and put her mind to a decision. She finished her meal and rose to her feet. The others fell in around her and she went back to the booths to continue her inspection. She took a route that led her past each of the men and they bowed to her and looked wounded when she barely acknowledged them. She did not speak to them and she could see their confusion and hurt. Perhaps they would quit lying to her, Marit decided, if they knew it would earn their dismissal from her presence.
“You possess a cruel streak, daughter,” Marius said to her later as they were heading into the gardens after court. “The princes of Northfell and Stormkeep did everything but go down on their knees to regain your favor.”
“Perhaps they will understand then,” Marit replied as she sank down on the bench near the fountain, “how important it is for them to be honest with me.” She saw the frown on his face. “I don’t understand how I know this, Father, but this anger between them has to stop. They need to set it aside and start to work together.”
“My daughter is very perceptive,” Marius smiled back at her. “You are correct in your feeling that the feud between their lands is the weak point in the borderlands. If it can not be strengthened, we may yet see the loss of all we have worked so hard to accomplish.”
“You married my mother because of your wish to keep the borderlands strong, Father,” Marit realized. She laid her hand on his as he sank down next to her on the bench. “Is this alliance truly the only way we can keep our lands safe?”
“There are those who do not believe so,” Marius sighed, wondering why he was being so open with her now. She was just a child, he thought as he looked into her concerned eyes. She is my child, he thought proudly; and she needed to know all. “Justin of Northfell will be able to hold the borderlands together.”
“If he can let go of the past enmities and meet Stormkeep as a true ally?”
“Exactly, my child,” Marius nodded, looking down at her proudly. “And I am more certain than ever that you are the one to help him do that.” He got to his feet as he saw Susa coming into the gardens with Rafel. “I will leave you with your companion now. Rafel,” he beckoned to his nephew, “I would speak to you.”
“Yes, Uncle,” Rafel bowed his head. He kissed Susa on the hand, turned to kiss Marit on the forehead and then followed his uncle away.
“You didn’t tell your father about your visions, did you?” Susa asked the moment the men were gone. Her expression was exceedingly worried.
“They are nothing, Susa,” Marit frowned at her. She saw that Susa was not in the least convinced. “You’re right. I’m afraid that my father will look at me with disgust if he finds out that I see things.”
“King Marius is not Horis Tun, Marit,” Susa told her firmly, gripping Marit’s hands in her own. “He is an intelligent, well-educated noble man. He will understand what you are going through.” She pulled Marit to her feet, smiling. “Now, what do you say to a late night raid of the kitchen? There was some of that wonderful desert left over after the banquet.” She saw Marit looking at her blankly. “You know the one! It was made out of that brown stuff that the ladies told me is called chocolate.”
They linked arms and made their way to the kitchen. The staff was washing up but the cook was more than happy to have someone find them a plate and two forks to share a piece of the desert. Marit thanked the woman with a warm smile that had the cook red-faced with delight. Susa found out that some of the servants were from a village near Sovertun and she encouraged them to share some of the songs they had learned as they had grown up. The kitchen filled with song and laughter and, for a moment, Marit forgot her situation and felt happy. It ended as the lord Kedys swept in, yelling and waving his arms.
“Do not chastise them, lord Kedys,” Marit said softly as she rose to her feet. “It was our wish to hear their village songs.”
“Princess!” Kedys whirled in mid-scolding and paled even further than his usual pale tone. “I did not see you…”
“Obviously,” Susa broke in, sneering. She thanked the servants and put her arm through Marit’s. “Come along, my lady. It is late and I am certain the others are worrying where you are.”
“Lord Kedys,” Marit said once more as she left. “You will not punish them for wishing to please me. Is that clear?”
“Of course, Princess,” Kedys bowed his head low, hiding his anger. He did not see the smiles on the faces of the servants.
“I don’t like that man,” Susa said as they went up the stairs to the residence level. “He always makes me feel like he’s up to something.”
“Don’t start poking your nose in, Susa…”
“Me?” Susa laughed as hugged Marit’s arm. “When have you ever known me to intrude?”
“Shall I begin from the very first instance,” Marit laughed at her friend, “or the last?”
“Marit,” Susa giggled as they went into Marit’s rooms, “you can be so cruel.” She froze as she saw Justin seated on the lounge. “It’s late,” she said as she stepped away. “I will leave you now.”
“There’s no need, Susa,” Marit said, eyeing Justin’s hopeful expression harshly. “Prince Justin has obviously gotten lost.” She looked at her escort. “Please help him find his way back to his own rooms, lord Edmund.”
“Princess,” Justin stammered, shocked at her refusal to speak to him, “I need to talk to you…”
“I am sorry, my lord,” Marit broke in. “I do not wish to speak to you. Not right now.” She stepped away from him and went to her ladies. “Perhaps tomorrow.”
Justin was stunned. He had never had a girl refuse him entry to her chambers before. It was a new experience for him, and he did not like it one bit. He bowed his head to her and stormed out of the room, leaving Edmund shaking his head. Justin slammed into the chamber he’d been given in the west wing and saw his father waiting for him. Jozef shook his head, knowing from his son’s expression that things had not gone as Justin had hoped.
“What do you expect, my son?” Jozef said as a servant brought Justin a goblet of wine. “She was not raised as you were. You have seen how her beliefs differ from our own already.”
“I thought if I went to her,” Justin frowned as he accepted the wine and sank down, “she would at least speak to me about what angered her.”
“The princess is sensitive,” Jozef frowned. “It is obvious from what you told me that your display of anger disturbed her. She was right to ban you from her company.” Justin glared at him and he shook his head at his son. “She is only a child. She will let go of her anger soon enough.” He was intrigued. “With the proper training, this princess will become a true asset to us.”
“Don’t start, Father,” Justin warned his father as Jozef got up to go. “I am not going to let you damage Marit like you did…”
“We do not speak of her,” Jozef snarled at his son. “Ever!” Jozef left his son to his thoughts and made his way to his own chamber where Rafel was waiting for him. “Have we received word yet?”
“The attacks will begin in earnest tomorrow,” Rafel replied. “He is quite eager to have her in his hands.”
“I wish him well of her,” Jozef sniffed. “As much as I might want an alliance between Northfell and Sylvan Ford,” he said, as his eyes grew hard with hatred, “I am not going to allow someone with Stormkeep blood in her veins to join with my heir.”
“Your hatred for Stormkeep is working to both our advantages, King Jozef,” Rafel smiled back at him. “By this time tomorrow, my pretty cousin will be in his hands, and we will have an end to worrying about his attacks.”

*
Marit finally relented and allowed Justin and Tavin back into her company the next day. She and Justin were walking the parapet together after the morning meal; followed at a discreet distance by her company of eight and his man, Bernard. Justin pulled her into the shadows of one of the towers and raised her lips to his, angry when she pulled away from him. He had never known a woman to hold a grudge so long. But then, he had never known a woman who did not use anger as a tool to gain something she wanted from a man. Marit was honestly angry for the way he and Tavin had acted in her presence. He did not blame her for it; he just did not understand it.
“I am dying, my lady,” he sighed as he pulled away. “The days until you are mine can not pass quickly enough.” Marit blushed and he kissed her on the hand. “You color so beautifully, my angel.”
“And you lie so wondrously, my lord,” Marit smiled. “I am red with the wind and my hair is all in tangles.” She turned from him and looked over the parapet at the river. “Tell me why you and my cousin were so angry with each other, Justin,” she asked him bluntly. She saw him frown and shake his head. “I can not marry a man who can not be honest with me, Justin.”
“It is not something you should have knowledge of, Princess,” Justin told her forcefully.
“I do not agree, my lord,” Marit began to argue and then quieted as she saw something that didn’t seem right. Fires off on the edge of the Fair away from the river. “Should fires be lit so early in the day?”
“It is probably in preparation for the feast,” Justin said as he held a handful of her hair to his cheek. He looked where she was and frowned. He dropped her hair and turned to his man. “Bernard! We must go!” He bowed to Marit and turned to her guard. “Look to your lady, men! I fear we are in for a long day.”
Marit wondered what he was talking about as he and his man took off. She watched as the fires grew and knew that the tent city was in jeopardy. She was running as she heard the screams of fear. Her guards cut her off and guided her to her rooms, locking her inside despite her protests. Pain hit her as people were injured and she finally had to be sedated. Sysha sat down next to Marit and stroked her back as the girl moaned, the pain being experienced by the people fighting the fires striking her sensitive mind despite the drugs. Marius arrived several hours later and sat with her as she was taking some nourishment.
“She has the gift, my lord king,” Sysha told him. “As you knew she would. The injuries suffered by your guests were felt very deeply by her.”
“How is it, Father?”
“The worst of it is over, daughter,” Marius told her before she could ask. “The healers are out attending to the injured, which were thankfully few, due to your timely warning.” He saw her look and shook his head. “You will not be joining them, child.”
“I can help, Father,” Marit frowned. “You know I can.”
“You can help, daughter,” Marius told her sternly, “by not placing yourself in jeopardy. These people came to see you wed. They would be disturbed if they knew their distress had led to your becoming injured or worse.”
“Is it not more of a dishonor for me to sit here in safety,” Marit asked him as she rose from the bed, “when I could be using my talents to help them?”
“You argue prettily, my child, but I will not be swayed in this matter.” He kissed her on the forehead. “It is time to dress. We have another banquet this evening.” He saw her frown. “It is almost over, Marit. You will soon be a bride.”
She smiled and he left her with a very pleased look on his face. Marit allowed her women to dress her and entered the banquet on her father’s arm. There had to be nearly a hundred people in the hall, she thought as she was seated next to Justin. He squeezed her hand where it lay on her knee and she smiled back at him warmly. He knew she was made nervous by this great assemblage and was doing what he could to comfort her. She had never been happier than he made her. She could see the burn on his arm as his sleeve parted and she healed it. He looked down at her in shock.
“You did not know?” she whispered as they leaned towards each other briefly.
“It was rumored that a princess of your house might have such a gift,” Justin told her, “but it was considered myth. A lie perpetuated through the ages to make marriage with such a woman highly desirable.”
“I would not marry a man who could be so easily deluded,” Marit told him fiercely. “Are you such a man, my lord Justin?”
“No,” Justin told her simply. His eyes were warm as he looked down into her worried face. “I prize you already, my sweet lady. This gift of yours changes nothing.” He leaned closer. “Your father is scowling at me. We had best leave our wooing to the gardens.” He turned to the lady on his other side and Marit turned to her father, who was doing his best to look like he had not been keeping an eye on her.
“He is to be my husband, Father,” Marit whispered as she leaned over and laid her hand on his. “You act as if he were bent on dishonoring me.”
“If I believed him capable of such an act, my child,” Marius whispered back, “I would not allow this match.” He laid his hand on hers, smiling. “He will make you a good husband. I am just jealous of the time he steals from us.” He turned and nodded to Kedys and the man stamped the staff as Marius rose with goblet in hand. “A toast,” his voice echoed through the hall. He turned to Marit and Justin. “To the union of our daughter, the princess Marit, to the honorable prince Justin of Northfell. May their life together be a long and joyous one.”
The hall resounded with cheers and applause. Once it had died down, those nobles who had not yet presented a gift came forward to lay their offerings before Justin and Marit. She watched the piles of rich fabrics, jewelry, and other gifts mount and Marit was overwhelmed. Justin looked at her father and he nodded. Justin rose to his feet and led Marit away. His man and her ladies and guard followed them to the gardens at a discreet distance.
“Such ceremony overwhelms you, my lady love,” Justin smiled as he sat her down and joined her on the bench. His hand lay over hers and he felt her shiver at his touch. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “We shall have to spend some time away from court, in peace and solitude.”
“I would like that, my lord,” Marit smiled. She could feel pleasant little shivers coursing through her at his touch and wondered if it would always thrill her so to feel his touch on her skin. “I think you are being indiscreet, my lord prince. You should stop now while I can still think clearly enough to stop you.”
“Do you want to stop me, my angel?” Justin asked as he leaned towards her. “Then you must,” he continued as he stopped just short of taking her lips, “for I find it increasingly difficult to keep from claiming what will soon be mine.” He jumped back as the sound of an explosion rocked the fortress. “Look to your lady!”
Marit rose to her feet as Justin and his man ran into the Great Hall. Smoke was billowing out of it and she could feel pain striking at her mind. She started forward and her ladies pulled her away, insisting that she not involve herself. It was too hard, Marit’s mind screamed as they got her into her chamber and locked her inside. She was on her knees, shaking with pain, when there was a secondary explosion. She looked up to see the shutters to her balcony in flames. They were kicked open and a man strode into her chamber. His eyes were cold and filled with a purpose that sent terror coursing through her. He was here to do her harm.
“No!” Marit screamed and ran for the door. “Let me out!” she cried and beat on the door. “Please…”
More men came inside and subdued her ladies as they tried to keep the first man from getting to Marit. The doors to her chamber burst open and Justin strode in with the guards. He and the guards chased off the attackers as Marit’s men surrounded her. She was shaking in reaction to her near abduction, but set aside her own distress when she remembered her women. She ran to their aid, healing their bruises and easing their pain and distress.
“They were hurt because of me,” Marit sobbed as she was taken to her father’s study. “I can’t be responsible for people being hurt, Father.” She was shaking as he took her in his arms. “Please call off this alliance.”
“It is not going to stop now, child,” Marius told her bluntly. He saw the look of confusion in her eyes. “This is not all about the alliance, daughter. It is about you,” he continued, wishing he could spare her, “and what you bring to a man through marriage.” He stroked her back as she burst into tears. “I’m sorry, Marit. I wish I could spare you this reality, but it is how things are.” There was a knock on the door, and he frowned. “Enter.”
“Your Majesty,” Kedys said as he came in and bowed to them both. “They have found two of the men who tried to abduct your daughter.” He looked at Marit. “I am gratified to see you well, Princess.”
“Thank you, lord Kedys,” Marit said softly. She looked up at her father. “I wish to see to my ladies, Father.” Marius nodded and kissed her on the forehead. “Good night.”
“Try to get some rest, child,” Marius told her as she left. “We will discuss this later when you have had time to calm down.”
Marit nodded and left the study. Her guard was waiting for her, but she did not feel safe. This last attack had left her feeling very vulnerable and that made her angry. How dare someone think they could just walk into her rooms and carry her off. How dare they hurt her friends! She entered her rooms and found that her ladies had poured themselves each a goblet of wine and were trying to relax. They rose as she entered, and she waved them to their seats. She smiled absently as Naji handed her a goblet of wine.
“Not fair,” she sighed as she realized they had drugged her. They got her to bed and settled in around her as their lords took up positions inside the room and out on the balcony. “All my fault.”

*
Marit insisted on visiting the Fair the next day. She did not want anyone worrying about her after news of the failed abduction swept through. She wanted them all to be at peace when they left Sylvan Ford. She was exhausted from speaking to all those wishing her well by the afternoon meal and decided to share it with the fair-goers. Her cousin, Rafel, joined her and she smiled as she saw Susa on his arm. They had been growing very close since Marit and Susa had arrived.
“I am relieved to see you well, cousin,” Rafel said as he kissed her on the cheek and sank down next to her. “But should you be out so soon after what happened?”
“I do not want these people worrying about me,” Marit told him candidly. She saw his look. “Is it so unusual for people to care about other people’s distress?”
“Among those of our rank,” Rafel answered her, showing shame, “yes. Among those of our house, no.” He squeezed her hand and smiled. “You prove yourself truly one of us by such behavior.” He looked over at Susa. “But the lady Susa tells me this is how you have always been.”
“You haven’t told him everything, Susa,” Marit asked in mock horror. “Please tell me he is not privy to all of our secrets.”
“Our secrets?” Rafel was intrigued. He leaned towards Marit. “Perhaps later, cousin, you can tell me things about my lady that…” He suddenly frowned and rose to his feet. “If you will excuse me, cousin. Lady Susa.”
They watched Rafel head across the fairgrounds and meet a strange, dark clothed man with a bald head and scarred face. Something about the man made Marit cringe, but she already had her attention being pulled away by a blushing Susa. There was a booth that had the most beautiful art pieces that Susa wished to visit. One of the pieces reminded her of their village. Marit went with her, still trying to control her reaction to the man Rafel had approached. What was her cousin up to?
“Marit?” Susa was frowning as she tugged on Marit’s sleeve. “You’re not paying attention to a word I say!”
“I’m sorry, Susa,” Marit smiled. “I was distracted by that man that Rafel went to speak with.”
“The lord Talbot?” Susa asked her. “Rafel introduced me to him at the banquet last night. He has a holding on the northernmost edge of the border and is here to petition the king for assistance.”
“There have been attacks there?”
“Nothing he hasn’t been able to handle so far,” Susa replied, feigning boredom by the conversation. She picked up the art piece she had her eye on and showed it to Marit. It was an exquisitely carved cow and calf in a field of flowers. “Do you think Mother would like this?”
“It’s beautiful,” Marit smiled and ran her hand over the wood. “But what kind of wood renders such a softness when it is carved?”
“It is called satinwood, cousin,” Tavin’s voice sounded at her shoulder, making her jump. He took the piece and handed it to Susa. “This man is a well known craftsman. Any piece of his becomes a treasured heirloom.”
“Your Highness is too kind,” the man behind the table actually blushed. “I do what I can to make pretty toys, but treasure? That is far too kind.”
“And you,” Tavin laughed at the man, “are far too humble, Samuel.” He offered his arm to Marit. When she did not take it, he frowned. “Frightened of me, cousin?”
“I distinctly remember my father telling you to stay away from me, Tavin,” Marit told him bluntly. “I would hate to be responsible for you coming to harm.”
“Very well,” Tavin bowed his head. “We have this conversation with witness then.” He smiled at Susa and watched her melt under his regard. “I hear you asked your father to break your alliance to Northfell last night.” He saw her frown. “You don’t need to know how I heard of it, cousin. Is it true?”
“My father did not agree with me,” Marit told him, even as she nodded. “He said I was merely reacting to my near abduction and thinking with my emotions.” She shook her head at his crestfallen expression. “I am sorry to disappoint you, cousin, but the alliance has not been broken.” She looked past him and smiled. “My lord prince,” she said, her voice warm and loving, “we were just talking about you.”
“Nothing good, I’m certain,” Justin said as he held his arm out to her and she took it. He moved close to Marit, and Tavin’s expression went dark. “My father would like us to join him for a few moments.”
“Your father!” Tavin snapped. “I hope you are strong enough to stand up to him when he comes for Marit like he did your…”
“No!” Justin broke in and slugged Tavin across the jaw. “You will not speak of that to me, you bastard!”
Marit backed away as the two young men began to fight. Susa drew her aside as the combat continued. Justin was pulling no punches but, Marit was certain, Tavin was holding himself back. He had only pushed the man so that Marit could see what Justin was made of. She was angry at them both for continuing this fight. So she stormed off, ignoring Susa’s cries for her to remain. She rounded the corner of a row of booths and someone grabbed her and drew her inside a booth.
“You’ve had your fun, lady,” a harsh voice said in her ear as she was bound and gagged. “There is a man who paid good money for you and is through waiting for his property to arrive.”
The blindfold came down and Marit was hefted over a shoulder and carried away. She struggled as she was put inside of a sack and tried to free herself as she was dumped down on something hard. A moment later, she was moving. They had put her in a cart, she realized. She could feel someone near her and his cold laugh made her freeze. Where were they taking her? Who was this man who would dare to move on her like this?
“Marit?”
Marit heard Susa’s voice crying out in alarm as the cart moved out of the fairgrounds, but there was nothing she could do. She could not cry out for help; her abductors had seen to that very quickly. She laid back and prayed that someone would come to her assistance. Tavin’s head snapped up as he had Justin on the ground, one hand clamped to the other’s throat. Something had happened to Marit. He could sense the change in her scent; a scent that was moving further away.
“Lady Susa?” he snarled as the redhead came running. “What has happened to your princess?”
“She ran off,” Susa told him. “Your fight with her affianced lord angered her and she would not listen to me. I looked for her,” she said to Justin as that man rose, evidently worried, “but she had vanished.”
“She has been taken,” Tavin snarled. He was on his way to his horse, barking out orders to his men.
“To arms! To arms!” the call rang through the fortress as Justin got his weapons and armor and prepared to ride out. “They have taken the princess!”
Marius’ men were on the alert immediately and rode out without order. They knew what they must do. But they had not seen the cart, so the band riding to the west overlooked it as it stood in the shadows of the trees lining the roads west. Marit heard the horses moving past and tried to get their attention, but the gag and bonds stilled her attempts. And someone was lying on top of her, keeping her from getting up. Once the horses were past, the cart moved off again.
“I will not return without her, my liege,” Justin told Marius as he bowed his head on bended knee. “I will bring your daughter back or I will be dead.”
Marius nodded and the boy leapt to his feet and strode out, followed by his cousin and the four nobles Marius had chosen as Marit’s personal escort. He prayed that they would find Marit before something foul happened to her. He also prayed that his daughter and Justin would have their chance at a life together. He turned to Jozef, who clapped his hand on Marius’ shoulder.
“He will keep his word, old friend,” Josef said as they went to the chapel to pray. “Justin will not fail your child.”

*
Marit could hear men talking somewhere off to her right as the cart came to a halt several hours later, throwing her roughly against the rails. They were angry and there were blows exchanged. Then there were screams of pain. Marit was shaking in reaction to that pain as she was lifted out of the cart and the blindfold taken away. Tavin was seated on a bale of hay nearby, his eyes shining with relief as he removed her gag.
“There were no others,” the man who stepped in bowed to Tavin. “We stopped them before they could get your cousin to the Overlord.”
“You did not do this?” Marit was confused.
“We do not abuse our own, cousin,” Tavin told her as he removed her bonds. “Men of Stormkeep would never act with such dishonor.” He saw the door opening again. “She is ready.”
Marit froze as she saw the woman from her trance-states, and yet not the woman. They shared a face, but there the resemblance ended. This one had silver hair and deep near black eyes. And Marit felt menace radiating off of her, not love. She could not help stepping back as the woman came up to her, smiling almost hungrily.
“She has been calling you,” the woman in black said softly. “The lady in the mountain.”
“I don’t know,” Marit told the woman. “I only know that I have been brought here against my will.” She frowned as she felt something about this woman. “Do I know you?”
“No, princess,” the witch smiled gently, “but I know you.” She moved her hand and Marit felt bonds tighten around her body. “The only weapon that can be wielded against the coming storm. Blood of our blood.” She was laughing now. “But before we can use you, child, we must open your eyes to all you have been given.”
“The mark of our house is a wolf,” Tavin said as he stepped up to Marit’s side, “for a very good reason.” He removed his clothing and shifted his form. Marit began to whimper in fear as the wolf-Tavin nuzzled her frozen body. He shifted back with equal effortlessness. “You must not be afraid, little cousin. You are of an ancient and powerful bloodline,” he said as he put his clothing back on, “and you must receive that power. You must become my mate.”
“I am your cousin,” Marit argued, “and I am promised to another man. One I wish to belong to.” She glared up at him. “Take me back to my father!”
“He had his chance to keep you safe, little one, and he failed you,” Tavin frowned at her. “You shall come with me now to our family holding at Stormkeep. Where,” he continued as he looked down into her eyes, “you will become mine.”
“I don’t want to be yours, Tavin,” Marit protested as he put a pair of delicate silver bracers on her wrists and pressed them together. She tried to part them, and found that she could not. “Tavin, please don’t do this.”
“It is the way it must be, little cousin,” Tavin replied. “The witch will give you something to keep you silent, and then we will be on our way.”
Marit watched him leave and then watched the silver-haired woman. She could not move as the witch took out a powder and put it into a cup of water. Marit was forced to drink the mixture; it burned her throat as it went down, and she fell to her knees sobbing in pain. The woman stroked her hair, and Marit heard the same lullaby from the earlier trance. The woman smiled as Marit quieted.
“You will remain silent now, princess,” the woman said softly. “Now,” she continued as she helped Marit to her feet, and the strange bond on her body was lifted, “it is time for you to go.”
Marit found herself being taken out of the barn. One of the men put a cloak on her and lifted her up to Tavin. He held her close as they headed away from the area as quickly as they could. She had to find some way to get free of them, Marit thought as the miles passed. She belonged with Justin, and she was not going to let her cousin’s strange demands get in the way of her being with the man she wanted. Several hours later, they stopped at a town along a river and entered the inn grounds. Marit was lifted down and she struck the guard and ran. Tavin yanked her back, his eyes showing his delight.
“Truly a daughter of our house,” he smiled and kissed her, enjoying the way she struggled against him. “I shall be a most fortunate man with you as my mate.” He looked at his men. “Get yourselves something to eat. We remain only long enough to complete this interview.” He entered the inn; his hand clamped on Marit’s arm painfully and they approached a table in the corner. “Lord, you are early.”
“There is no time to waste,” the lord Talbot frowned. He looked at Marit, whose features were hidden by the hood. “New plaything, prince Tavin?”
“My future mate,” Tavin replied shortly. “And therefore, none of your concern.” He beckoned to a serving wench. “So,” he said as he removed his coin bag, “you know what I require?”
“It is in motion,” Talbot nodded. “You are certain that you are ready to make such a bold move?”
“It is past time,” Tavin replied coldly. “You deal with my cousin’s intended, lord. Once the blame for his murder and my cousin’s abduction have been laid neatly at lord Barnabas’s feet, the rest will fall neatly into place.” His eyes were deadly cold. “Her father will have an accident and mine will become her guardian.” He yanked Marit back to his side roughly as she started to rise. “She will have to do whatever we ask of her then.”
“You are cold, prince Tavin,” Talbot smiled broadly. “I believe I can do business with a man like you. I am certainly looking forward to seeing an end of that bastard, Barnabas of Atherton.”
“Keep the drink coming for lord Talbot and his men as long as they require it,” he said as he handed the coin bag to the serving wench, “or until the coin is gone.” He pulled Marit to her feet. “Come along, my lady.”
Marit accompanied her cousin out of the tavern and to the ferry. The man on the ferry did not question them, especially when Tavin crossed his palm with more silver than he had seen in a week. Marit settled down to watch the ferry move across the water, intrigued. She had never been on a ferry before. It was a novelty she had never thought to see, much less use. They moved off into the forests beyond and made their camp deep in the shadows. She tried to run and Tavin shifted to wolf and ran her down. He took her back to camp, with her hand clamped gently but firmly in his jaws. He shifted and gave her some water with the antidote for the drug that had kept her mute.
“Lovely Marit,” he sighed as he pressed her down on the ground. “I have longed for the day you would return to us.” He ran his hand along her body and smiled as she shook her head in refusal. “You are mine now, little cousin. There is no refusing.”
“This is not right, Tavin!” Marit protested. “I don’t belong to you!”
“It is the way of our house,” Tavin told her. “As it has been since the first of us walked two and four,” he explained to her; “the alpha pair of our line has always been cousin to cousin.” He sighed as he saw her anger. “I must send thanks to your sire that he did not allow your mother to be taken from him. For then you,” he smiled as he lowered his lips to her neck and trailed kisses along her skin, “would not have been created.”
“Tell me why you and the prince Justin were fighting,” Marit asked as she tried once more to move away from him. “It isn’t just about me.” She saw him frown, as if he intended to ignore her question. “You dishonored your house and me by your behavior, Tavin. Tell me why.”
“It is a feud that has been in effect between our houses for centuries, Marit,” Tavin told her as he let her up. He helped her to a fallen log, his hand gripping her wrist at all times. “Northfell has no understanding of our kind. In the earlier days, they would hunt us and execute us as demons.” He nodded as he saw her look. “After it became apparent to all, save Northfell, that our abilities made us valuable allies, the executions ended. But the hatred and prejudice remain.”
“Prince Justin would never…” She quieted as she realized that she really had no idea what the prince would do. “My father must have felt that an alliance between me and Northfell might help end this ancient feud of yours, Tavin.” She saw his disbelief. “I do not have this ability to alter shape that you do…”
“You could,” Tavin broke in, his hand moving to her cheek. She pulled away from him and he saw the fear in her eyes. “You are of our house, Marit, and even you look at us with fear.” He pulled her to him, his eyes soft. “Open your mind, little one,” he whispered as he leaned his cheek against hers. “Would it be so bad to be able to run four and two as you willed? To feel the wind against your face as it brought you scents and messages? As a wolf, you would be stronger and faster…”
“It is not something I want,” Marit told him. “Not if it keeps me from being with him!” She pushed him away. “I want to be with Justin! Can’t you see that?”
“What I see, cousin,” Tavin told her as he stepped towards her, his eyes cold and angry, “is a frightened child who is denying her heritage. So you can be with that milksop from Northfell?” His eyes were blazing now and Marit backed away from him, her fear building. “Not while I live, Marit!”
Marit did not wait to see him shift. She turned and ran for her life. He was going to harm her; force her to become a monster. All so he could take her away from Justin. She ran, oblivious to the twigs grabbing her skirts, scratching her face and hands. Her cloak became caught and she undid the clasp and continued to run. The howl as he came after her made her blood run cold. She tripped and cried out in pain as her hands and knees hit the ground hard. By the time she was back on her feet, he was behind her. His eyes were still cold and angry and she knew she had to keep him away. She found a fallen branch and held it tight as he came towards her.
“Stay away from me!” Marit sobbed as he continued coming towards her. She backed away slowly, keeping her eyes on him as he came at her. “I will hurt you if you touch me!” If a wolf could laugh, then that was what Tavin did next. “I am not going to let you do this to me!”
Tavin stiffened and she heard them then; horses coming in their direction. Marit started towards them and Tavin pushed her down on the ground, hard enough to daze her. The branch fell from her hands and she tried desperately to get it back in her hands. Tavin clamped his hand over her mouth and pulled her to her feet, pressing her wrists together. He hefted her over his shoulder and ran; away from the horses. When he finally stopped, they were at a waterfall. He carried her behind it and dumped her in the back of the small cave hidden by the curtain of water. Then he shifted and laid at the opening, glaring at her. When she tried to get up, he growled at her softly. Marit sank back down, knowing he would hurt her if she made any noise or did anything else he did not approve. She dozed off and did not see him leave her. All she knew was that she woke up with her cloak covering her, and Tavin was dressed once more.
“I will not press the issue, cousin,” he told her as he saw the anger in her eyes. “Just don’t rule out the possibility before you see what you are being offered.”
“You still mean to take me to Stormkeep?” Marit cried in protest. “No, Tavin. You must take me home to my father.”
“I can’t, cousin,” Tavin told her. “I scouted the area while you were sleeping, and we are cut off by a man who works for the Emperor, one of your father’s enemies. He is called Barnabas of Atherton. If we try to go back, we will be taken. And if that one gains a foothold through you in the borderlands,” he said as he showed her the first sign of real fear she had ever seen in him, “he will make Northfell’s atrocities seem quite gentle by comparison.”
He held his hand out and they left the cave as quickly and quietly as they could. For several hours they managed to keep ahead of their pursuers. Marit was impressed, despite her fear, by her cousin’s abilities. He had been right when he told her there were advantages to being a shape shifter. That did not make her want it for herself, however. He caught her as she tripped over a fallen branch and frowned when she pulled away from him as quickly as she could.
“I will not force you, little cousin,” Tavin told her. “You can quit looking at me like I’m going to eat you.”
“I’m sorry, Tavin,” Marit apologized, but maintained her distance. “I’m not used to being treated like the prize in a game of fetch and carry.” She saw his hurt look. “You must admit that you have not truly stopped to consider what your decisions are doing to me, cousin.” She held up her still shackled wrists. “Is this really necessary?”
“If you give word that you will not try to run,” Tavin said as he locked eyes with her, “and will listen to me as we try to cut around our pursuers; they will stay open.”
Marit nodded and they continued to move through the forest, after he opened the shackles. They came out near a river and paused just long enough to catch their breath. Then Tavin pulled her to her feet and they moved on. Marit did not know the lands they were moving through. She was totally lost, and dependent on a cousin who wanted to turn her into a monster to guide her through it. She was being unkind; she knew he was serious about his belief that doing so would help her, not harm her. She watched him carefully as they continued on their mad dash, and he did not try to force her to make the decision he wanted her to make once.
“Tell me what it’s like, Tavin,” Marit asked as they hid among the shadows during a rainstorm and watched a band of six men ride by.
“What it’s like?”
“Becoming a wolf,” Marit whispered, keeping her voice low to keep from being overheard. “Does it hurt?”
“The first time,” Tavin said to her, encouraged by her curiosity, “it is agony unending; or seemingly so. But very soon, it is just slipping from two legs to four without even a twinge of pain.” He pushed her hair out of her eyes, smiling at her warmly. “It does not change who you are, little cousin. There is no demon that overtakes your mind and body. You simply become something else.”
“Why?” Marit asked him bluntly. She saw his confusion. “Surely you’ve thought such things yourself…”
“No,” Tavin shook his head, laying his fingers over his lips as she heard something. His head went up and she could tell he was testing the scents in the air, using the abilities gained through his dual nature. “Our men,” he said in relief. A moment later the four men joined them and he listened as they made their reports. “They have cut off our route to Stormkeep and Sylvan Ford now. There is only one road open and they will most assuredly be watching it.” He looked at his men. “We are not far from Fellstone now. Scout ahead and see if the back trails are clear for us.”
“That is where the lord Edmund and his sister, Naji, are from,” Marit smiled. She felt a flood of relief fill her. “Surely we’ll be safe there.”
“We can hope to be safe there,” Tavin replied darkly, “but one never knows what will come across their trail in such uncertain times as these.” He pulled her cloak closer around her and settled back. “You said something in your trance that puzzled me, cousin.”
“Prince Justin is being forced to keep up the feud,” Marit told him what he was probably meaning to ask. “He has no more wish to break alliances in the borderlands than you do.” She thought it over. “I think that someone is doing all they can to make certain that Stormkeep and Northfell fall into outright conflict.” She saw his expression. “You know more of these lands and their histories than I do, Tavin. Who would gain from such a break?”
“Northfell, if they won the conflict,” Tavin told her truthfully, “and the forces of the Emperor and his foul Overlord who are currently making incursions into our lands to test our defenses and alliances. And, I’m afraid,” he continued as he looked into her eyes, “your own cousin.”
“Rafel?” Marit asked, stunned by this information. “What would he gain if the borderlands fell?”
“Your throne,” Tavin told her. “It is all he has ever wanted. The attack on the road as we traveled here had his mark on it.”
“He tried to kill me?” Marit shook her head. “He was with us, Tavin. He took an arrow himself.”
“What better way to draw off suspicion?” He pulled some travel rations out of his pack and handed her a piece. “I’m sorry it is not finer fare, cousin, but until we are away from our pursuers, it will have to do.” He could hear the rain slowing now and he relaxed further. “Tell me of your life in the village, cousin. Was it all nightmare?”
For the next few hours they shared stories of their upbringing. Tavin was amazed at the tortures his young cousin had endured at the hands of Horis Tun. He was glad now that he had ripped the man apart as he had. Such an animal should have been ended long before he could torture a child. But she had not been damaged by it; if anything it had made her stronger. His respect for the pretty girl mounted and he began to wonder if he and his father might not have been wrong. What could she have faced at Northfell that was any worse than what she had already endured? His head came up as he caught a scent and he frowned.
“Stay close, cousin,” he whispered as he helped her to her feet slowly. “We are about to have company.”
Marit could feel Tavin’s anger as he held her hand in his. Why did they not just run? Tavin moved in front of her as a tall man with white blond hair and black eyes stepped out of the shadows. A man grabbed Marit from behind and pulled her away and Tavin turned to help her. He fell as the other four men moved in and struck him down. The intruder smiled as his man brought Marit up to him. He ran his fingers along her cheek and Marit flinched as if his touch burned her. His smile was wide with pleasure as he saw her eyes blazing with anger.
“You are very lovely, princess,” he said as his man pressed the shackles closed behind her back. “I can see why your cousin went to such lengths to protect you.” He looked down at Tavin. “The beast is to be locked in form and put in a cage,” he told his men. He led Marit to where their horses were waiting and he mounted his night black stallion. Marit was handed up to him and she shuddered as his arm went around her, pulling her close against his body. “You will learn to enjoy my touch, lovely one.”
Marit closed her eyes a moment to fight the tears. The man holding her captive looked down at her bowed head and smiled. Were this his daughter, he found himself thinking, she would have been placed in a chamber in the very heart of the fortress where no one could approach her after the first abduction attempt. They stopped at an inn for the night several hours later and he handed her down to his lieutenant. He pulled a cloak out of his saddlebag and wrapped it around her, hiding her bonds from prying eyes.
“We shall rest our heads here for the night, princess,” he whispered as he leaned close to her. “I apologize for continuing the use of the bonds,” he continued as he led her inside; his grip causing pain, “but my lord is quite insistent that you arrive at my fortress without further incident.”
Marit looked around the small room, with only the bed, a table and a chair as furnishings. There was a door to one side of a fireplace, and a window. She was dumped on a chair by the window and the hood of the cloak was lowered off her head. Her captor was smiling at her. She heard a familiar voice calling out and turned her head to see Justin riding in with his cousin and the lords of her personal escort. Marit’s scream died as Barnabas pulled her to him and held his blade against her cheek. He leaned his cheek against hers and she stiffened in anger at this familiarity.
“It would appear that your erstwhile suitor is quite eager to find you, Princess,” the man laughed softly as he saw Justin and the other young lords look up and see a man and a woman in seeming embrace in the shadows above. “So close, he is,” he taunted her, as he pulled her struggling body closer to his, “could you but alert him to your presence.” He looked over at his man. “Prepare the drug, Tovik. We must keep the little lady calm this night.”
Marit kicked and struck out at him with her bound wrists. He clamped his hand on her throat and she stiffened. By the time she recovered her wits, the end of the rope he tied around her already shackled wrists had been drawn through a ring embedded in the beams in the ceiling. Her captor pulled on it and Marit’s arms were pulled up above her head. He tied it off and sat back to watch as his man brought out a small clay pot and set fire to the contents. He held it under Marit’s nose and she could feel her mind spinning. She tried to turn away and he held it closer. She could not prevent the fumes from entering her body. Her last sight was her captor’s cold smile.
“A truly beautiful prize, my lord,” the lieutenant said as he saw Marit collapse. “She will make our Emperor a most excellent bed mate.”
“She will be more than that to him,” the Overlord replied as he ran his eyes over his helpless prisoner. “This princess is key to our Emperor’s conquest of the outlands.” He got up and ran his hand along Marit’s arm. “Her sire will not dare to act against me once the Emperor marries her.” His hand moved down to Marit’s abdomen and his eyes went warm at the thought of her in his bed. “She will give him heirs who will rule the outlands for the Empire.”
Unaware of Marit’s presence in one of the upper chambers, Justin and his fellows settled down for a meal. They had no time to rest, they had to find the princess. He pulled out a map and noted where they were, as the innkeeper and his servants set out a meal. Edmund Fellstone leaned in, frowning.
“How can we know the Overlord has taken her?” he asked Justin what the others were thinking. “There are plenty of others who wish no alliance between Northfell and our king Marius; including her own mother’s people.”
“But none would make so bold,” Justin’s cousin, prince Henryk, protested. “To send his men into the Fair itself so his foul men could carry her off like baggage at the first opportunity! It is not right!”
“Besides,” Justin replied, “this is the direction the trail led from the site where we found the cart and two of Atherton’s men.” He laid his head in his hands. His eyes were cold and hard as he looked at his companions. “If they have harmed my princess, I will rip their hearts out…” The world suddenly started to spin around him and he knew something was wrong. “We have been betrayed!” he cried as he turned to glare at the innkeeper. “You dare!”
The innkeeper backed away as Justin came at him. He watched as the man fell to his knees, shaking in anger. He half expected the prince to rise up and strangle him, but Justin did not. He collapsed as the drug took over and he was frozen and mute. The door opened and a tall, bald man with a scarred face strode in. He tossed the innkeeper a large sack of coins and looked down at Justin.
“My lord prince,” he bowed mockingly; “we meet again.” He fingered the scar along his left cheek, put there by the helpless prince. “I promise you,” he said as he hefted Justin up on his feet and met the youth’s cold and angry eyes, “our reunion will be quite entertaining – for me.” He hefted Justin over his shoulder. “You know what to tell his companions?” The innkeeper nodded. “Do exactly as you have been instructed and your pretty daughter will be returned to you.”
The innkeeper watched as Justin was carried off, shaking. He knew his child was lost to him. He had been a fool to believe the lord Talbot’s assurances. Well, he could do something to make up for his cowardice; once the other guests were gone. He took Henryk and the other young lords to some rooms upstairs and made them as comfortable as he could.

*
Marit woke up to find herself once more pinned in the man’s arms on the back of his steed. They were heading up into the mountains now and the road was growing increasingly rough. The man dismounted at the side of a stream cascading down from the foothills of the mountains and cupped some in his hand. He looked up at Marit, who turned her head away from him. She was such a fierce little thing, he thought. Horis’ punishments had not cowed her in the least. He finished drinking and pulled a cup out of the saddle bag. He filled it for her and held it out.
“Drink, my lady,” he ordered her. “This is the last fresh water for some miles.” He yanked her down out of the saddle and shoved her face down into the stream when she refused to move. “Drink.”
Marit took the cup and filled it from the stream, knowing he would not hesitate to dunk her again as punishment. She drank her fill and sat back to look around. It was a pleasant place they had moved through. Ahead of them, however, the grass gave way to rock. The journey from this point on would be much rougher. She watched as one of the man’s lieutenants filled their water bags and hung them off the saddles. He pulled a piece of travel rations out and offered it to her. She turned away and he shrugged as he began to chew on it himself.
“You only weaken yourself by refusing, princess,” her captor said from where he was seated on a boulder, watching her. “How can you have even a hope of escape if you are too weakened by lack of nourishment to move? What?” he laughed as she turned away from him. “No words of protest? No pleas for release?”
“Would it do any good?” Marit replied tightly. “You think you are in control, lord Atherton.” She saw his shock at her knowing who he was. “My cousin warned me you and your men were in the area.”
“You are an intelligent child,” the man nodded, pleased. She was quickly proving to be worthy of him. “My lord is going to be very pleased with you.”
He raised his head as a band of men rode towards them and got to his feet. He pulled Marit up on her feet and had his lieutenant hold her as he mounted. Once she was back in front of him, he held her tighter than usual. They watched as the men rode up, followed by a cart. A man was dumped to the ground and dragged over to the cart. His captors tied him to the cage holding Tavin locked in wolf form. Marit bit her lip as pain flowed over her, and paled.
“I see your hunt was as successful as mine, lord Talbot,” her captor laughed. “Though my prey is far easier on the eye,” he continued as his hand moved to Marit’s cheek. She tried to pull away and he yanked her back. “Show the Princess your prey, my lord.”
Talbot bowed his head and raised the man’s head with the butt of his whip. Marit gasped as she saw Justin’s bruised and battered face. She looked at her captor in shock and anger. He smiled down at her and his grip tightened even further, making her gasp in pain. Justin opened his eyes and saw her, and his eyes blazed with anger as he recognized the man holding his Marit captive.
“You go too far, lord Atherton!” Justin hissed and strained against his bonds. “Her father will have your head!”
“Her father,” Barnabas laughed, “will do as I wish, prince Justin. His daughter is the property of my lord, the Emperor Alexander, now.”
“King Marius will never agree,” Justin exclaimed. “He would rather see her dead than in your Emperor’s foul hands!”
“You are not Marius’ voice, lord prince,” Barnabas replied evenly. “Now, you are no more than another hostage, like her cousin, prince Tavin. Lord Talbot is going to see just how valuable you are to your own sires. Unlike the princess,” he continued, his voice going soft and deadly, “he has no limits on how far he can go to keep you under control.” He saw Talbot’ cold grin. “I believe he wishes to repay you for the scars you put on his handsome visage the last time you met.”
“No!” Marit cried in protest. “Let them go, lord Atherton.”
“I wouldn’t dream of denying lord Talbot his fun, my lady.” He cupped Marit’s chin in his hand and looked into her eyes. “Take one last look at your beloved prince, my dear lady. He will be much changed the next time you see him. If he survives Lord Talbot’ entertainments, that is.” He looked at Talbot and a thought crossed his mind. “Cut your prey down a moment, my lord. Let our guests have a few moments together.”
Talbot nodded and pulled out his knife. He cut Justin’s bonds and shoved the man out of the cart. Marit was lowered to the ground and she ran to help Justin to his feet, shaking from his pain. Someone handed her a water bag, and she helped her beloved to drink. He looked up at her, his eyes searching her face for any sign of harm. His relief was plain as he saw her untouched.
“Lord Talbot,” Barnabas’s smile was deadly cold as he watched their prisoners. “I have a thought you might find interesting. Ride with me a moment.”
Marit and Justin ignored their captors. Justin pulled her into his arms and kissed her, wincing as his cut lip protested the action. A moment later, it was healing and he looked into Marit’s face, saw how pale she was. He pulled her closer and held her as she shivered in response to his pain. His brave darling princess, his mind sang. He had to find a way to free her from this torment.
“You must fight your compulsion to heal, my love,” he whispered as he rested his chin on the top of her head. “These monsters must not know of your gift. They will turn it into something dark and ugly.” He could feel her shivering. “Be brave, my angel. Rescue will come.”
“It is not kind to lie to a lady, prince Justin,” Barnabas laughed as he returned. He pulled Marit to him. “It is time to go.”
“Let her go, you bastard!”
“When we have only just laid my hands on her, prince?” Barnabas laughed as he maintained a hold on Marit’s hair. He pulled her close and heard her whimper. “I have decided that you will be coming with us. Your screams of pain as Lord Talbot tortures you and her cousin will show the pretty princess just how helpless she is.” He yanked Marit away and mounted his steed. She was lifted up into the saddle in front of him. “We shall see you at the fortress, lord Talbot. The princess and I will ride ahead.”
Marit winced as his arm tightened on her as he spurred his mount forward. She grabbed the pommel as she felt herself slipping from the saddle. Her mind was spinning with the pain she had pulled from Justin. She had left the injuries, as he had asked, but she would not leave him in pain. Their progress slowed as the ground grew rougher, and they finally stopped at the opening of a pass through the mountain in front of them. Her wrists were bound to the pommel and her ankles tied to the stirrups, and Barnabas’ lieutenant led the horse along. Marit heard what sounded like an explosion and turned to see walls closing the pass behind them.
“The lord Talbot and his party will take the southern route,” he told Marit as he came to the side of the horse and laid his hand on her leg possessively. “It will take them two days to arrive at my fortress. During that time,” he smiled up at her nastily, “you and I could become better acquainted.” Marit bit her lip to keep from screaming as his hand moved under her skirts and his fingers stroked her leg. “Were you not destined to be bride to my lord, I would quite happily enjoy you in my bed.”
Marit shook her head, refusing to believe that she was being taken to some man other than Justin. Who was this ‘lord’ that Barnabas kept referring to? And why did he want her as his bride? She remembered then what Tavin had told her and froze in shock. Atherton was a minion of her father’s enemy, the Emperor Alexander, the very man whose armies were making incursions into the borderlands. She could not let herself be taken to that man. He would use her to destroy everything her father and his allies had built here.
“You are still such an innocent, my lady,” Barnabas laughed as the horse was pulled forward. “I thought Horis had cured you of that. I remember giving him orders to that effect when I bought you for my lord.” He shrugged and missed the horrified look on Marit’s face. “No matter. He will enjoy taking your innocence himself.”
They came over the crest of the rise and Marit’s eyes widened. In the center of an immense lake, a fortress rose up carved from the mountain stone. Thick walls surrounded an immense central tower. She could see smaller towers on the corners of the fortress, and what looked like dozens of men walking the parapets.
“Enjoying the view, princess?” Barnabas smiled as he looked up to see her astonished expression. “It is not nearly as impressive as your father’s fortress, but it will keep you secure.” He mounted behind her and ran his hand along her cheek, feeling her shudder. His hand continued down her arm as his eyes remained fixed on hers. “With your father allied to my lord, there will be no stopping my armies.” His eyes went quite cold. “King Marius will wish some token to prove we have you.” He removed the brooch from her cloak and held it out to his lieutenant. “You will take this to the noble king with our lord’s demands for alliance.” Marit hissed as he stroked her arm. He felt her shudder and knew a strange sense of triumph. “You are right to fear me, Princess. I hold your life or your death in my hands.”
“Then let it be death,” Marit snapped at him. “I am not going to let you use me to destroy all my father has built here.”
“You really think you have a choice?”
He clamped his hand on her throat and Marit clawed at him, trying to make him stop. When he finally released her at the steps of the keep, she was shaking in weakness. She glared up at him coldly. He yanked on her hair and saw the blaze of anger in her eyes.
“Such looks, fair lady,” Barnabas laughed as he saw her fall to her knees. “Not at all the genteel maiden. You would scratch my eyes out if you could.”
He took her inside the great hall and froze as he saw a tall, chestnut-haired man seated on his throne. Barnabas was on his knee, bowing his head as Marit stood next to him, looking at the man in confusion. She had never seen a more perfect man in her life. There was not one flaw in his face or form. And the look on his face, as he looked at Barnabas made her feel hopeful.
“You were told to bring the princess to us undamaged, lord Atherton,” the Emperor Alexander said coldly as he looked at Marit. “Remove the shackles at once and leave us.”
“Yes, Excellency.”
“Did he harm you, Princess?” Alexander asked once they were alone. He saw her look and laughed. “I understand that you are angry at the way my invitation was issued…”
“Invitation?” Marit laughed. “Is that what you call being forcibly abducted?” She narrowed her eyes. “Who are you?”
“Where are my manners?” Alexander frowned. “I am the Emperor Alexander. And I,” he continued, his warm brown eyes shining with amusement, “am here to claim you as wife.”
“What?” Marit took a step back, shaking her head. “All noble men are insane, my lord?” He looked at her in confusion. “I am not in the market for a third husband.”
“I was under the impression that you were unwed, my lady,” Alexander frowned back at her.
“I have been promised to Justin of Northfell,” Marit told him. “My cousin, Tavin of Stormkeep, has declared his wish to make me his wife. And now you,” she snapped, “heir to my father’s enemy, send men to abduct me so you can make a claim?” She shook her head. “I won’t have this! I would rather be locked in a convent…”
“Unfortunately for you, my pretty princess,” Alexander broke in, laughing at her childish display, “a convent will never be your destination.” He saw her look. “You are the daughter of the king of the borderlands, ruler over his and seventeen other lands, protector of the outlands to the south. There is only marriage in your future.”
“I could die,” Marit told him. “Then my father would leave all to my cousin, Rafel.” She saw the knife on the belt of the guard next to her and she pulled it out before he could stop her. “It would solve all of this quite neatly.”
“It would only cause civil war, Princess,” Alexander replied as he met her frantic eyes. He rose and she backed into the guard who, very gently, removed the dagger from her hand and put it back on his belt. Alexander took Marit’s hand and lifted it to his lips, feeling her shiver. “Your cousin, Rafel, is not old enough or experienced enough to command the respect of the lords under your father’s hold.”
He led her to the kitchen, where he made her sit, and went to pour himself some wine. She stayed as far away from him as she could get, keeping her eyes on him warily. He had been right in his choice of her as a bride; this princess would not go down easily. It was only right; considering who her parents were. He would have expected no less from the daughter of the Borderlands king and a daughter of the royal house of Stormkeep.
“Northfell and Stormkeep are on the way here to act as witnesses to our union.” He looked at her over the rim of his goblet. “Neither of them is worthy of you, lady. I am the much better choice.”
“But you are not my choice,” Marit cried in protest. She saw his expression and frowned. “I suppose you will now tell me that a woman of my rank has no choice?”
“Of course you do, Princess,” Alexander replied, enjoying her dancing emotions in those glorious emerald eyes of hers. “You marry me or you watch everyone you care for die.”
Alexander waited for her to say something to his threat. When she did not, he shrugged. Her eyes were so expressive there was really no need for her to speak. Anyone with a brain could tell that she was angry, and willing to do harm if she got even half a chance. He was still stunned that the girl had proven to be as fierce as she was. He had expected her to be easily cowed, given her upbringing. Obviously her heritage had kept her from falling into the despair Atherton had hoped to engender in her.
“You are a strange child. Obviously your time away from court has given you a far different view of things than I expected.” He shrugged and rose to his feet. “It doesn’t matter. You will soon be seeing things my way.” He walked towards her and she was watching him warily. He laughed as he took her by the elbow and led her upstairs to a chamber. The guards opened the door and Alexander set her inside the room. “Shall we make a wager, dear lady, on how long it will be before you break?”
Marit heard his laughter long after the door was bolted fast. She went to the bed and sank down on it, fighting the tears that were pricking at her eyes. She wiped them away angrily, determined to fight her captor as long as possible. She finally dozed off and when she woke the next morning, it was to find that she had been stripped of her clothing and put into a plain emerald green wool gown. Her hair was loosed about her and her feet were bare. Something hard and cold was around her throat and wrists.
“Do you not like your wedding gift, my lady,” Alexander said as he came in and saw her at the mirror, looking at the ornately engraved collar around her throat. It matched the bracers on her wrists, and the girdle at her hips. “They were prepared especially for you, my bride.” She shuddered as he came up behind her and put his arms on hers, holding her in front of him. Alexander pushed the gown off her shoulders. He ran his lips along her shoulders and smiled. “One day quite soon,” he said as he met her eyes in the mirror, “you will shiver for a far different reason when I touch you.”
He moved away from her and went to pour wine into two goblets. He took a sip and watched as she removed the restraints. He hoped he would never have to show her how they worked, he thought to himself as she set the bracers down; quickly followed by the girdle and the collar. Her expression dared him to make an issue of her removing them. He merely shrugged and she looked at him in confusion. Let her think they were merely trinkets for now.
“Come talk with me, princess,” Alexander said, his words no mere request. Marit sat down across from him, her attitude telling him he would hurt if he tried anything. He held the goblet out to her and she took it, warily. “I would hear your beautiful voice.” She took a sip of the wine instead and he found her obstinancy quite annoying. “I shall have to see to it that you receive some education in courtly manners, Princess. Your rebellion in light of your situation will only bring you to grief.”
“I will not blindly accept that this is the end of the matter,” Marit told him stiffly. She looked into his eyes. “It is not my way to simper and sigh.”
“No,” Alexander said softly, admiration plain in his warm eyes. “It is not.” He saw her blush and he was intrigued. He gained control of himself. “Your cousin thought to blame your abduction on my man, Atherton,” he told her as he watched her in growing delight. “He thought it would go unnoticed long enough for him to get you to Stormkeep. He lost his gamble.” He rose and held out his arm to her. “Your cousin and Northfell should be here now, my lady. Shall we go see?”
Marit rose and laid her hand on his arm. She felt the chill stone on her bare feet and looked around for footwear. Alexander found a pair of soft leather boots trimmed with embroidery and fur and laced up the front. He had her sit down and he drew them up over her feet and legs; his hands stroking her bare skin. Marit shivered as his hands touched her. He continued putting on the boots and then pulled her up into his arms. His kiss sent chills shooting through her and she whimpered as her body surrendered to him without a moment’s hesitation.
“I could not help myself,” Alexander said softly as he drew away from her with true regret. He was astounded to find that he truly meant it. “You are so very beautiful.” He backed away and held out his arm. “Shall we?”
Marit nodded and allowed herself to be escorted down the long flight of stairs and out into the Great Hall. He showed her everything, introduced her quite proudly to the servants as ‘his future bride,’ and continued on. They came out into the courtyard and the first darkness touched the glow around her mind. Justin and Tavin both hung in frames, their wrists shackled to the thick wood. Barnabas was standing nearby, talking to their torturer, lord Talbot, with evident delight. Her cousin’s and Justin’s pain struck her mind and she paled.
“Their lives are in your hands, my lady,” Barnabas told her. “Refuse the Emperor Alexander and your father’s forces lose two able warriors.” He nodded to the guard and water was thrown. Justin looked up and his eyes widened as he saw Barnabas. “Welcome to Atherton, prince Justin. I believe you know my other guest?”
“You will pay for this, Atherton!” Justin exclaimed, pulling on the shackles holding him. “Her father will destroy you!”
“Her father will do nothing,” Barnabas laughed. “He has been given a choice, princeling,” he continued as he nodded to Marit and Alexander. “If Marius agrees to give his child to the Emperor, the Emperor’s armies, including mine, will cease attacking the borderlands. Through alliance with the Emperor, Marius assures that his domain and the lands he protects will remain safe from the war and devastation my lord would have wrought on them.”
“It is a sound plan, Princess,” Alexander smiled down at Marit. “Think of all the innocent lives that will be saved once you are mine.”
“Don’t listen to him, cousin,” Tavin cried. “He will not keep faith with your sire! “The moment he feels your sire lulled into complacency, he will attack.”
She could see his rage and knew it mirrored her own. But she could not answer him, she had no knowledge of the man who was standing next to her. How could she trust that her cousin was telling her truth, after what he had tried to do to her? She looked over at Justin and he was staring at Alexander, puzzled. Alexander’s face was carefully schooled. Something was going on between them that she had no knowledge of. More secrets?
“Prince Justin and I are known to each other, my lady,” Alexander said, looking down at her face. His willingness to tell her what was going on softened her feelings towards him even further. “He was sent to Dunlevy when he was younger for schooling.”
“I thought you my friend, Alexander,” Justin snapped at him. “The princess Marit is promised to me.”
“You could never protect her, Justin,” Alexander told him firmly. “Your people would rise up in arms if they learned your bride was of the Stormkeep bloodline.”
“They would learn to accept her,” Justin protested. “We could make them see that the old prejudices should be set aside.”
“Before they had her burned as a demon?” Alexander asked his friend. He saw Justin cringe. “You did not tell her about that, did you?” He saw Marit’s face going pale and knew he’d pushed too hard. “It is not my place to tell her of that incident.” He looked at Justin and nodded as the boy hung his head in shame. “I am sorry you do not approve of the change in alliance, prince. Your approval is of no concern to me.” He turned to Barnabas. “Cut them down and give them guest chambers. They are to be guests at the wedding. Afterwards, they will be returned to their sires after certain concessions have been made.”
He went inside, knowing his orders would be followed, and went to his chambers with Marit on his arm. Alexander sent the servants out and closed the door behind them. He brought her a goblet of wine and Marit took it and sipped at it, making a face at the taste. Such a beautiful child, Alexander thought, as he watched her. She blushed so prettily under his regard. He waited until her goblet was empty and then he drew her into his lap and claimed her lips.
“My beautiful lady,” he smiled as he heard her whimper of protest. “Tonight I shall finally be allowed to know you.” He pushed the gown off of her shoulders and trailed kisses from her shoulder to the top of her breast as she shuddered. “You are,” Alexander smiled down at her as he lowered her gown further to expose her breasts, “a pearl beyond price.” He lowered his head and claimed her breast, her body arching as his suckling sent waves of desire shooting through her. She was whimpering with need now and he was delighted at how easily she had fallen. There was a knock on the door and he put her on her feet and pulled her gown up. “Enter.” He nodded as the servant women came in. “I will leave you with your slaves, my lady. They will prepare you for the feast.”
Two hours later, Marit was escorted down to the feast hall on Barnabas’ arm. Alexander and the rest of the guests rose to their feet as she entered and she smiled up at him as he came to give her his hand. He pulled her hand up to his lips, his eyes shining with what she saw as attraction. He truly wanted her to be his own, Marit realized. She waited for the thought to anger her, or frighten her, but it did not. She felt only a strange warmth cascading through her; along with intense confusion over why she was so attracted to a man she should abhor.
“Drink some wine, my lady,” Alexander smiled as a servant filled their goblets. “It will help you relax.”
He leaned close to her and rested his cheek against hers. As he did so, he saw the look on Justin’s face and it made his blood boil. But the look on Tavin’s face was quite intriguing. Alexander hissed as he realized what it meant. The animal had plans for mating with her, his own cousin.
“You go too far, prince Tavin!” Alexander snarled as he yanked Marit to her feet. “She will not be tainted by your foul practices.”
“It is the way of our house,” Tavin shot back. “Marit was bred for me!” he snarled and jumped to his feet. “No other male may have her!” He saw the look of shock on Justin’s face. “Did you really think you were worthy of a daughter of our house, prince of Northfell?”
There was the sound of fighting as the gate was attacked. Marit looked up to see men in her uncle’s house colors coming through. At the same time, winged creatures descended and began to attack them. She grabbed a fallen knife and held them off as Alexander motioned one to take her away. She was not going to let Alexander keep her, she decided. In fact, she was never going to let any man near her again. But her plans were changed when Tavin grabbed her and they ran into the courtyard where his men were waiting. He lifted her up to one of his men and followed the retreating horses as a wolf.
“You would have been as weak as your mother,” Tavin said as they stopped for camp several hours later, “when you were meant to be so much more.” He kissed her to keep her quiet, enjoying the feel of her in his arms. His mate, his mind and heart sang. “My mate,” he sighed as he began to nip along the back of her neck, “If only I could have you now.”
Marit shoved him away from her and turned to run. He yanked her back, pressing her face down against a tree. She could not help the whimper as he nipped at the nape of her neck. She was shivering in horror at what he was doing to her; her mind screaming in protest. This was not right! She did not want him. Tavin leaned over and kissed her gently. Then he shifted and went to hunt; leaving Marit shackled and under guard. They never took their eyes off of her, so Marit knew she could not hope to run. Tavin returned with a deer and he left it to his men to dress and roast it. When it was done, he brought her a piece.
“You must eat, little cousin,” he said as he looked down into her angry eyes. “You will need your strength for the first time.” He nodded as she bit into the meat he held out to her. “You are beginning to feel it, aren’t you?” he asked as he saw her expression. “Your body is telling you what your mind will not accept,” he smiled at her gently. “You belong to me.”
“No!” Marit protested. “You are misreading me; seeing only what you want to see.” She glared at him coldly. “I hate what you are trying to do to me, cousin! If you take me, it will be against my will!”
“My lord,” one of his men hissed as Tavin set the meat aside and pressed Marit up against a tree. “She must be a virgin for the ceremony.”
Tavin snarled and moved away from Marit. He motioned her back to her meal and moved out of camp. Marit watched him go, frowning as she remembered how her body had responded to his nearness. But not like it had with Alexander, she realized. Despite the way he had introduced himself to her; she wanted him with an intensity she had never felt before. She finished eating and went to the water bag to pour some out to wash. The guards watched her alertly. She would have to wait until they were asleep and take her chances on the one left to guard. Her plans for escape died, however, when her uncle and his men rode in.
“You are well, niece?” Taryn asked as he strode over to her. He cupped her chin in his hand and saw her anger. He nodded as two men brought in a sack that was struggling and kicking. “We brought you a companion, child.”
The men dropped the sack and cut it open. Marit pushed them away as she saw Susa and untied her friend. Susa was in tears as she looked up at her friend. For once, the irrepressible girl was truly frightened. Marit helped her to her feet and took her to the fallen log near the fire. Once Susa had eaten, she was less cowed. She glared at the men who had brought her in coldly.
“They attacked us while Rafel and I were out riding,” Susa told Marit. “He had no chance to fight them all off.” She shuddered as she remembered the sight. “They left him lying there as if he were nothing…”
“He is nothing,” Tavin broke in as he returned. He clamped arms with his father, pleased at the success of their actions. “You will be companion to my cousin now. If you behave,” he continued as he met Susa’s stunned eyes, “we may find a mate for you in our house.”
“I don’t want any of you,” Susa protested. “I want Edmund!” She turned to Marit. “He asked me to marry him, Marit!”
“But I thought you and Rafel…”
“Your cousin?” Susa laughed. “That’s only what I wanted him to think so I could keep an eye on him.” She leaned closer to Marit. “He has been behind a lot of the things that have happened to you, Marit. I overheard him talking to lord Talbot…” She frowned as she saw the strange expression on her friend’s face; a hopelessness that Susa had never seen there before. “You can’t let them do this to us, Marit!”
“Silence the animal,” Tavin hissed and shoved Susa towards his men. “Her chatter annoys me.” He caught Marit as she tried to go to Susa’s aid. “Oh no, my lady,” Tavin said as he yanked her to his side. “You must learn that these animals are not worthy of your notice. She will not be harmed,” he continued as he saw her watching Susa being gagged again. “Your little magpie is here only because you care for her.” He saw Marit’s tears. “If you wish it, she will be sent back to her lord Edmund. But,” he continued as he leaned in over her lips, “only when we have mated.”
“Tavin!”
Tavin released Marit and moved off with his father. Susa came back to Marit’s side, her eyes showing her anger. Susa was not used to being manhandled in such a fashion. And hearing herself being referred to as an animal and unworthy had only made her angrier. She tried to undo the knots on the gag and her fingers could find no purchase. Marit removed it, after a great deal of trouble, and they moved off. There were men guarding everywhere, so they knew there was no hope of escaping.
“He really means to force you to marry him?” Susa asked, stunned. “But he’s your cousin, Marit! It is not done.” She saw Marit’s tears of frustration. Susa put her arms around her and stroked Marit’s back. “Don’t you worry,” she said to her friend. “Edmund will come. He won’t let these monsters keep either of us.” She frowned when Marit shook her head. “You are not going to marry him to save me, Marit! I would slit my throat before I let them use me against you.”
“Fiercely spoken, girl,” Tavin’s voice sounded behind them, “but wasted words.” He nodded towards the man behind him. “You will return to camp with Zel,” he ordered Susa. “My cousin and I want to be alone.” Once Susa had gone, after Marit had nodded, he pulled Marit up against him. “Your suitors have joined forces and are hunting us, cousin,” he smiled down into her face. He saw the hope in her eyes and frowned. “You can not truly want either animal, little one,” he said coldly. “Neither is worthy of you.” Tavin turned her and parted her hair so he could nip at the back of her neck. “You are mine, Marit!” he cried as he felt her stiffening in anger. Why wasn’t she surrendering to him, he wondered briefly. “I will kill any man who thinks to take you from me.”
“I don’t belong to you, Tavin,” Marit cried. She slapped him as he yanked her away, but he did not stop. Only when they were alone, did he stop. “Let me go!” she screamed as he shifted and pressed her down on the ground. His head lowered towards her and she was struggling wildly in terror. “No!” He clamped his jaws on her arm and she screamed as he bit in deep, drawing blood. “Don’t do this to me!”
“It is too late now, cousin,” Tavin laughed as he shifted back and drew her to her feet. He ripped her sleeve and kissed and licked her wound. “You will never be free of your heritage now!”
He left then and Marit knew he still meant to cause harm. There had been such rage in his eyes as he had left. She started after him, laying her hand on his arm. When he turned, she stepped back, terrified by the expression in his eyes. She watched him shift and run off and looked around for her uncle. He could not allow this to happen. Taryn saw the fear in his niece’s eyes and knew Tavin had done exactly as he had instructed. The girl was convinced Tavin would murder her precious prince, and would do whatever they asked to keep him safe.
“Go after my son,” he told two of the men, “and see that he does no harm to our hunters.” He looked down at Marit’s arm and smiled. “There is no need.” They shifted and ran off and Taryn looked down into his niece’s eyes. “You will accept him, Marit?” Marit lowered her head in defeat and he kissed the top of her head. He turned her towards Susa, who was waiting beside a pavilion. “Go to your pet and let her bandage your injury.”
Marit did as she was told, knowing she had no choice. Tavin would murder to possess her; she had seen the truth of that in her cousin’s eyes. She entered the pavilion and Susa lowered the flap. At least in here they were alone. Marit poured a cup of wine and drank it. She didn’t say a word as Susa cleaned and dressed the bite. She could already feel a strange fever building inside of her, and her entire body was beginning to ache. She could feel her talent already struggling to combat what was happening.
“They think me cowed, Susa,” Marit whispered to her friend. “But I have no intention of allowing this marriage to happen.” She looked around for some weapon, but there were none. “We will make our plans as we go.”
“You would be wiser to accept your fate, princess,” Amabet’s cold voice came in ahead of her. The tent flap was held aside by the guards outside and the woman who had chained Marit’s voice came inside. “Go to your place, little animal,” she ordered Susa, pointing to a small cot in the corner. “I would have words with your mistress.”
“Do not speak to her like that,” Marit hissed, angry on her friend’s behalf. “She is not my property; she is my friend.”
“You are above such things now, niece,” Amabet told her. She saw Marit’s shock. “I am Amabet; your mother is my twin.” She looked Marit over. “You have her look, but,” she continued as she saw Marit’s rage, “you have my temperament. A merging of light and dark.” She nodded, pleased. “As it should be in our next alpha female.”
“Why is this being done to me, Aunt?” Marit cried. “I have no wish for this union.”
“As I am certain your future mate told you,” Amabet smiled darkly, “your wishes are of no consideration at this point. Once you have survived your first shifting, and been mated to Tavin, you will understand why this was done.” She walked around her niece, her eyes filled with delight. “You will be preserving a tradition that has been passed down among our kind from the first.”
“Why?”
“It is time for us to take our place as rulers,” Amabet told her as she went to pour herself some wine. “And we can only do that through you.” She took a sip of her wine. “Your father will be joining his wife in confinement once you are mated. Tavin will rule the borderlands as his heir through marriage.”
“My mother is alive?”
“Of course she is,” Amabet replied. “Have you not seen her in your visions?” She saw Marit’s shock and smiled. “Margarete has a very powerful mind. She has been trying to warn you.”
“She didn’t want this for me,” Marit guessed and saw Amabet nod. “You allowed her to remain alive to see what she’d do.”
“Because she is of our house,” Amabet nodded, quite pleased with her niece’s intelligence, “she was not destroyed for her part in hiding you from us. Instead, she was sentenced to return to our house.” She ran her finger along the rim of the wine cup. “Margarete will be so happy to have a companion in her cage.” She poured out another cup and poured wine into it. She took out a packet and put a powder into it, her movements hiding what she was doing. Then she picked the cup up in her hand and held it out to Marit. “Join me in a toast to your mating, niece.”
“I would rather die,” Marit cried and moved away. A moment later, she saw a wolf’s paw on her arm, the claws pricking her skin. She turned to see Amabet glaring at her coldly. “No!” she screamed as the woman shoved her on the bed and straddled her. “I won’t!”
“Don’t fight me, little niece,” Amabet laughed as he yanked Marit’s head up and forced the wine into her. “You will not win!” When Marit was unconscious, Amabet turned to Susa. “Dress her, slave. The guards will be coming for her soon.”
Susa watched the woman leave shaking in anger. She went to Marit and found her friend merely sleeping. Susa dressed her friend as she had been told and turned as two guards came in. One of them carried Marit out and she heard a horse leaving. The other man shoved Susa face down on the bed and bound her wrists behind her back. Then he dumped her outside next to a tree and blindfolded her. He left her lying there as the sound of more horses was heard outside. They were leaving her behind, Susa realized. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or horrified.
“You will not remember you were here among us, animal,” Amabet smiled as she crouched down next to Susa with a cup of drugged water. “The last thing you will remember is riding out with your lord Edmund.”
“What have you done with Marit?” Susa demanded as she struggled to sit up.
“The princess is quite well,” Amabet replied. “She is being taken to her wedding place by her future mate.” She forced the drug into Susa. “While you will be returning to yours, as she wished.” She saw Susa’s relief. “Do not be too relieved. Our house will soon be ruling the borderlands and you will all be ours to do with as we choose.”
Her cold laughter was the last thing Susa remembered as the drug took hold. When she woke up, she was looking into the eyes of the prince Rafel. He freed her and she looked around in confusion. She could not tell him why she was here, or who had been behind it. Rafel frowned, knowing she had been drugged to keep this from her mind. He carried her out as she proved too weak to stand and his frown was almost as dark as Justin’s and Alexander’s.
“She has been robbed of memory, my friend,” he said as he handed Susa up to one of the men. “Take the lady Susa back to my uncle,” he told the man. “Give her into the lady Sysha’s care.” He mounted and looked at Justin. “Now that the lady Susa is safe, let us see what we can do about freeing my cousin.”
It was the early hours of the morning when the party from Stormkeep arrived at the river and found the ferry gone. The ferryman was found bound and gagged in his home. He told them that he had been attacked a few hours earlier and his ferry cut loose to drift downstream. His attackers had been hooded and masked, so he had no idea who they were. So they set up camp, and the ferryman gave his home over to Marit and Amabet. They were both asleep when the trap door in the building opened and two men crept in. They sedated Amabet where she was lying and carried Marit down through the tunnel to a cave system further down the river. Marit was laid down on a pile of furs in a boat tied to a thick iron stake at the entrance by the river and taken downstream.
“Princess?” Edmund Fellstone’s warm voice sounded in her ears, causing the waking Marit to frown. “You must wake, Your Highness,” he said to her is a soft, urgent tone. “We still have a long way to go before you are safe.”
Marit opened her eyes and found herself looking into the eyes of one of her personal guards. She sat up slowly, helped by a nun she had not noticed and found that the other three men from her personal guard were waiting by the door of the chamber she was in. She was shaking with cold now, and her mind felt like it was disconnected from her body. Her senses were becoming hyper alert and she knew it was part of what Tavin had done to her. She struggled to fight the changes she could feel happening in her body but could only ease the pain and fever.
“Your father thought it wise,” Edmund told her as he held out a cloak for the nun to help her into, “if some of us augmented prince Justin’s search for you.”
“I am most fortunate that he did,” Marit nodded. “My uncle and cousin were taking me by force to Stormkeep.” She accepted the cup of wine from the nun and sipped at it. She rubbed at the place on her arm that had been bitten, absently. “Has prince Justin been found?”
“He and his companions will join us shortly,” Lorenz told her as he looked out the door briefly. He looked at Marit seriously, noting how shaky and pale she was. “We are in for some hard riding, princess…”
“I will do my best not to hold you back,” Marit broke in. She finished the wine and nodded her thanks to the nun. “Your attitude tells me we must hurry. Shall we go?”
The men nodded and fell in around her as they made their way out into the corridor. The Abbott was waiting for them at the end of the walkway that connected the Abbey with the convent. He bowed to Marit and handed her a package. She opened it to find herself looking down at a necklace of silver. A medallion bearing the emblem of her father’s house, a phoenix etched into the metal and filled with rubies, surrounded by emeralds and diamonds, sparkled in the sunlight. The Abbott picked it up and lowered it over her head.
“A welcoming present from your great uncle,” he smiled down at her fondly. “Tell my nephew, your father,” he continued, “that I expect to be attending your wedding.”
“It is a beautiful gift, Uncle,” Marit smiled. “Is it considered proper for a great niece to kiss her father’s uncle? I don’t care,” she said as she went up on tiptoe and kissed her great-uncle on the cheek. “Thank you.”
“A message arrived here a few moments ago,” the Abbott choked out, struggling not to blush. He was addressing Edmund. “The hunters were just approaching the village of Lower Arnot.”
“Then we must leave now,” Edmund nodded. He bowed to the Abbott. “We thank you once again for your hospitality, lord Abbott.” He held his hand out to Marit. “If you will, Princess.”
Marit nodded and left with her escort, catching their urgency. She was helped onto a waiting mare and waited as the young men mounted. Then they rode south as quickly as their mounts could carry them. Marit smiled as the miles passed. She was safe now from her uncle’s plans, from Barnabas’s plans, from Alexander’s plans, and she would soon be with Justin again. They stopped to rest their horses and themselves at a farmstead and Marit found herself thinking about the village. She was looking back along the road when she saw a mounted party coming towards them.
“We have company,” Teodor spoke up as he turned from the well with a scoop of water to his lips. “Four men,” he said as he put the scoop back in the bucket and put his hand to his weapon. “Riding hard.”
Marit went into the farmhouse with the farmer and his wife and children. She heard the other men arriving and the murmur of voices. As long moments passed, and there were no sounds of violence, she decided it was safe for her to leave. The farmer watched her as she started towards the door and shook his head. He was standing by the window, listening. He pointed her to a chair and she sat down. She had no reason to believe he would lie to her. She was growing increasingly worried as time continued to pass.
“I am told,” Justin said as he stepped into the house, smiling, “that my future bride is in here.”
“Justin!” Marit cried in delight and took a step towards him. She saw his smile and then the brief shake of his head and she bit her lip. She grew quiet. “That would be correct,” she said, “if you are prince Justin of Northfell.” He held his arm out to her and she laid her hand on it correctly. “You are well?”
“A few bruises only, my lady,” Justin replied. He took a sack of coins off of his belt and handed it to the farmer. “In gratitude for caring for the princess,” he told the astonished man. “If you will, Princess.”
He led Marit to her horse and helped her mount. They were on the road again, their escort now seven. Justin had caught up with his cousin, Henryk, and his man on his way south. Edmund and the others had headed towards Stormkeep and taken out the ferry. They had ridden quite hard, Marit noted, to join up with them here. They lessened their speed only slightly as they continued on their way back to her father’s castle. Two days passed, without incident. They were within sight of the castle itself when they saw their first obstacle. An army was camped across the river from the castle.
“That is lord Atherton’s emblem,” Marit stated as she noted the mark on the banners. She turned to the men and they were looking at her oddly. “It is the same as the one that was flying at his fortress.” They still looked at her strangely. “I have very good eyesight.”
“Your maternal gifts have been unlocked,” Justin frowned. His expression was far colder than Marit found comfortable. “This alters things, my lady. I leave you to see her safely home,” he told Edmund and the others. “I must go to my sire.”
“I don’t understand,” Marit cried as she watched Justin ride off with his cousin and Bernard. “Have I done something wrong?”
“Only in his small mind,” Edmund assured her. “We know that you did not allow yourself to be dishonored by your cousin.” He saw her confused look. “There are only two ways your maternal line abilities could be set loose, Princess,” he explained it to her. “You allowed yourself to lie with prince Tavin,” he saw her shocked look and nodded, “or he blooded you.”
“The bite?” Marit asked, biting back her anger. “That was why Tavin bit me, wasn’t it?”
“King Marius knew,” Martyn spoke up into the silence, “that the lord of Northfell was leery of accepting you for his heir; fearing that the ‘taint’ of Stormkeep blood would mark his bloodline should there be children.” His expression was dark with anger. “The men of Northfell are small-minded and short-sighted.”
“I could lose Justin over a bite?” Marit asked her men. They could not meet her eyes and she was angry. “Tavin knew this would happen, didn’t he? He and his hateful sire planned for this to happen!” She looked back at the army and stayed silent. “We have other matters to deal with now,” she finally nodded. “How do we get past Atherton’s men?”
Lorenz smiled and turned his horse north along the ridge. She followed him, leaving the other three to fall in behind. They rose into the forests and came to the mountainside. An immense waterfall dumped its waters down into the river at this point. Lorenz led them into it and continued riding along the tunnel beyond. An immense iron door cut them off and he pulled out a key. Once they were through, he locked the door and they continued on. Four more doors at least an hour apart, with increasing sign of guard, finally let them out into the dungeons of her father’s castle. Lorenz took Marit upstairs, leaving the others to see to their horses.
“Daughter,” Marius smiled in relief as she found him in his study. “We are relieved to see you well.” He nodded towards someone sitting in the corner of the room. “We have just been having a very interesting conversation with the Emperor Alexander.”
“Indeed?” Marit asked as she moved to her father’s side and held his hand. “And what lies has the Emperor been telling you?” She glared at Alexander. “Did he tell you that he laid hands on me in a most improper fashion?” Marit asked, her father’s hand tightening on hers in anger. “I was unable to refuse.”
“I will submit to whatever punishment you choose my lady,” Alexander said, and Marit felt even more confused. He actually meant it. He turned to her father. “I was quite annoyed to hear that you were giving her to Northfell, Marius. I was under the impression that you had agreed to my offer of alliance and were giving her to me.”
“Father?” Marit sputtered in anger as she looked from her father to Alexander. “You promised me to him first?” She moved away from her father, shaking her head. “Is that all I am to you, a bargaining chip?” She slapped her father across the face. “You should have left me in the village.”
She left the study and ran up the stairs to her chambers. Marius watched her go, stunned at the anger he had felt from her. Alexander was astounded. He had never thought to see the day when anyone would get to Marius like that. He bowed his head and went out to the courtyard where Barnabas and his brother were speaking. The castle steward, Kedys, was directing the servants in unloading supplies that had just arrived.
“The princess is becoming more and more desirable by the moment,” Barnabas said as his brother nodded. “I have been told that Northfell may remove his heir from consideration as her consort. That means we may have a chance at her father’s holdings without force.” He looked up and saw the princess watching him from the walkway along the parapet. Her expression told him that she had heard his words and she was not at all pleased. He waited until he saw her move away. “Go ahead with the plans for weakening the castle guard.”
“You would move against the Emperor, brother?” Kedys asked as he saw Alexander speaking to the prince Rafel in the doors into the Great Hall.
“He won’t care,” Barnabas laughed. “What’s one princess, more or less, to a man like the Emperor when he is so close to having the borderlands?”
“You are planning something, brother.”
“Even Emperors are known to have accidents, brother,” Barnabas replied. His eyes narrowed as he watched the princes walking away. “I have waited too long for this to let the Emperor just drop into my place at the last moment.”
Marit entered her rooms and sank down on the lounge, shaking in anger. Alexander was obviously an extremely accomplished liar. So where was the truth in him? Was he the victim of lies, or a man who could twist and turn the truth as needed to get what he wanted? She had the very uneasy sense that until she knew the truth, life around that man would be very uncomfortable. She set aside thoughts of Alexander, and turned her thoughts to the man she feared would be the more immediate threat.
“Lorenz,” she said to the young lord who was seated near Celia, admiring the woman. He looked up and waited. “How well do you know the lord Atherton?”
“As well as anyone ever has, my lady,” Lorenz told her. “He is a very private person. No one knows what he is thinking or planning. Why?”
“I have a very uncomfortable feeling,” Marit told him bluntly, “that he is drawing our castle steward into a plot against my father.” She looked up at him. “Is that something he would do?”
“If it meant he got his way?” Lorenz asked, frowning as she nodded. He nodded in return. “Yes.” He got to his feet, kissing Celia’s hand and bowing to Marit. “I will speak to His Majesty at once.”
Marit watched him go and put her mind to the other man; pondering over what she knew of Alexander. She had never known a stranger person. He had the ability to take negatives and turn them to his advantage. And this was a man her father had thought would make a suitable husband for her? He had frightened her from the very moment she had fallen into his hands. And she still remembered how her body had responded to his first look, his first touch; as if she were meant only for him. Why did he want her so badly?
“Your father is king of the borderlands, Princess,” Sysha replied when Marit posed the question to her. “Any man who marries you will be his heir through marriage, and lord over those who have given allegiance to king Marius.”
“I don’t want to be just a tool, Sysha,” Marit sighed as she moved towards the bathing pool to prepare for the evening meal. “Surely there is one man out there who will want me because I am myself, and not my father’s daughter?” She looked down at her arm through the sheer white of her shift where only a tiny scar remained as evidence of her cousin’s attack and sighed. “I had thought that would be Justin.” She was in tears as she slipped into the water. “What kind of man would break a promise because of a bite?”
“One who is not worthy of you, my lady,” Naji spoke up as she washed Marit’s long, thick hair. She saw Sysha’s look of censure. “Am I wrong, Sysha? Our princess is a woman without peer. To judge her deficient because of…”
“Naji!” Sysha broke in. “Go see to the princess’ gowns.”
Naji moved off and Marit was even more confused. She had been about to tell Marit something very important. Why had Sysha silenced her? Was it really so bad then to have the abilities that Tavin’s attack had unlocked inside of her? Marit could not understand why that should be so. She moved through dressing obliviously, her mind spinning with questions that none of her ladies would answer. Only her father would speak of this with her, she realized. She reddened with shame as she remembered how she had left him. She had been wrong to strike him; especially in front of Alexander. She stepped out of her chambers and smiled as her guard of four joined her and her ladies. Edmund, as senior, offered his arm to her.
“Father,” Marit said to Marius once she had a chance. “I must apologize for my actions earlier. It was wrong.”
“No child,” Marius replied, as he raised her hand to his lips, “you were not wrong to be angry with me. I should not have kept it from you.” He looked down the table where Alexander was seated. “His father was a good and honorable man once,” he said as if to himself, “but he grew far too greedy. His son…’
“I don’t trust him, Father,” Marit broke in. She saw her father looking towards Barnabas with a cold look on his face. “You didn’t need my warning about lord Atherton, did you?”
“It was appreciated none-the-less, child,” Marius replied. “I am beginning to realize just how much like your mother you are. She would not allow herself to be sold off like a piece of property either. So,” he said, as if deciding something, “I will not force you to marry anyone you do not wish to marry. If Northfell wishes to form alliance with us, his son will join the other suitors in offering for you. And you,” he smiled down at her fondly, “shall be allowed to make your own choice.” His eyes were dancing at the thought of seeing his own daughter with young men buzzing around her. The way her eyes light up at the thought of having a free choice reminded him quite pointedly of his lost wife. “As it should have been.”
Marit’s smile of gratitude lit up her eyes and he was struck again at how much like Margarete their child was. He lost himself in memory for a while, reliving the days when he and his late wife had been together. How joyful they had been to learn that they were going to have a child. How terrified they had become when their child had been born a girl and Margarete’s family laid claim to their infant daughter. Had they been wrong to hide her as they had? Seeing her now, while she spoke to the lord Edmund at her side, her face lit with joy, he was more certain than ever that they had done the right thing. Marit should never be forced. He turned his mind to other matters.
“Lord Kedys,” Marius called to his steward. The man came to his side and bowed. “I would like you to taste my wine. It tastes strange to me.” When Kedys froze, Marius brought out his dagger and pressed it to the man’s private regions. “Or just tell me what is in it,” he continued; “poison or sedative?”
“Poison,” Kedys stammered, his eyes wild with terror. “Just a mild dose,” he choked as the knife pressed down, “to make you and your men ill so that lord Atherton’s men could take the castle.” His eyes suddenly went cold. “Look to your daughter, sire,”
Marius turned and Kedys drove his dagger towards Marius’ back. Marit screamed and pushed her father aside; the dagger plunging into her arm. She slipped towards the ground, as her father sent someone running for the healers. He had been so distracted by the attack that he had not noticed Barnabas’s men moving in to surround the hall. Marius glared at the man as the healers moved in and he rose to face his attacker.
“You dare!”
“I told you, my lord king,” Barnabas said coldly. “You stand in the way of what I want; what my lord Emperor wants…”
“He will destroy the borderlands in his march south, lord Atherton!” Marius snarled. He did not fight as his wrists were bound behind his back. “You will pay for this treachery.”
“I fail to see how,” Barnabas laughed. “I have your castle. I have you, and,” he continued as he watched the healers help Marit to her throne and saw her recovering, “I have my future bride.”
“You would take what I have chosen for my own?” Alexander lunged at him then and was struck down.
“I will rule the borderlands now, my lord Emperor, as your staunchest ally. You don’t need this marriage.” He met Marit’s cold eyes and was delighted. “Rouse the priest from his bed and bring him here at once.” He nodded to one of his men. “The princess wishes to marry me while her father is still alive.”
“I will not,” Marit shook her head. She saw his men stepping closer and knew they intended to do damage to the others in the hall. “I would dishonor my people if I married you, lord.”
“What they want, Princess,” Barnabas snarled as he yanked her to her feet and held her wrists in his hands, “is about as important to me as what you want.” He nodded towards the priest, who was pulling his cassock around him, flustered. “The first person who dies will be the little priest.” He grabbed her braids in his hand and drew her down to her knees at his side. “We will be married, Priest. Now!”
“No!”
Marit shoved Barnabas aside and ran. She didn’t know where she was going. It was only a matter of time before they caught her. But she was not going to let anyone force her into marriage, or any other act, she did not want. She was through the courtyard and out the gates before she remembered that Barnabas’ army was stationed on the other side of the river. She saw that her escape had not been noted and headed towards the forests. She was grabbed as she entered the forests and taken to a camp on the other side of the pass. Marit recognized the man who rose from a seat inside the pavilion.
“The little animal that calls herself a princess,” Jozef sneered as he grabbed her wrists and bound them. He shoved her to his man. “Cage her.”
“Your Majesty, what…”
“Speak to me again, animal,” Jozef told Marit harshly, as he backhanded her, “and I will have your tongue removed.” He nodded to his men. “You have your orders.”
Marit was taken to their camp and shoved inside a cage in the main pavilion. She watched the men leave, her anger mounting. How dare they treat her like this! She was no animal! She was her father’s child. Jozef came into the pavilion with his commanders and they gathered around a table and began to plan their assault. Then he had an idea. He took a whip off of a stake in the center pole and unfurled it.
“Bring her out and fasten her to the pole,” he told his aide. “We’ll have answers from the little beast.”
Marit was dragged out of the cage and her wrists put into shackles joined by a thick iron chain. The chain was hung on the stake and her arms were pulled up over her head. The men ripped open the backs of her gowns and stepped aside. Jozef snapped the whip alongside her head. Marit could feel the air stirred, hear the whistle as it missed her skin by the slightest measure. He was actually going to hurt her! The father of the prince who she had given her heart to was going to whip her.
“You and your escort got into the castle without rousing Atherton’s army, beast,” Jozef said coldly. “Tell us how.” When Marit did not answer, he struck her with the lash and she winced in pain. “It does no good to keep silent, animal,” he said coldly. “I will not stop until you give me the information I am seeking.”
“I will not betray my father!” Marit shot back, steeling herself. She had been whipped before; how much worse could it be now. “Not to a monster like you!”
“You call me monster?” Jozef hissed. He raised her eyes to his by the butt of the whip. “You?” He whipped her for at least a minute before he stopped. Why wasn’t she screaming? She was just a child; she should be screaming for him to stop. But he could see from her expression that she was not going to break. “Bring the salt,” he said to one of the men. “Let us see how strong the animal remains once that has been applied.” The man handed him a jar and Jozef poured salt into his hand and blew it onto Marit’s back. She began to whimper as fire ran along the whip marks. “The pain will stop as soon as you tell me what I need to know.”
“She’s strong, sire,” his aide said five minutes later when Marit passed out, still not giving them anything.
“The animal in her,” Jozef replied coldly. “Take her to Northfell and lock her in the chapel,” he told his men. He looked at Marit as if he were looking at a piece of trash. “Let us see if the trackers have learned anything.”
Marit heard them moving but there was nothing she could do to stop them. They put a cover over the cage and she felt it being raised and then dropped down onto a cart. They were not gentle, and Marit cried out as her body was bruised. She was still shaking with the pain of what had been done to her, as well as the knife wound in her arm, but she would not let them win. There was no way she would ever betray her own father for anyone. Why should the fact that her mother’s line was shape-shifters make such a difference? It did not make her any less than her self. Being raised in the village, Marit had heard of such prejudice from Willem; but it was completely foreign to her to judge another so harshly because of a fact of their nature they could not control. She tried to pull the chain off the stake and only succeeded in her body reminding her of the abuse it had gone through. She couldn’t help the scream that broke from her.
“Awake already, animal?” Jozef’s cold voice preceded him into the chapel she had woken in a moment later. He unlocked the door and came towards Marit, unfastening the front of his trousers. “I understand that Stormkeep matings are like those of true wolves,” he said as he raised her skirts and pressed against her. “Is this how he turned you?” he demanded. “Is it?”
“No!” Marit screamed as she realized what he was going to do to her. “You’re wrong,” she sobbed and tried to pull away from him. “He never had me. Never!”
“Lying bitch!” Jozef hissed as he shoved her down on the floor. He righted his garments, shaking with anger. It was only increased as he heard her sobbing. “You will pay dearly for that lie, female.”
“You go too far, sire,” Justin hissed as his father’s guard brought him to the chapel. He saw Marit and started towards her, only to be held back by his father’s men. “You can’t do this to her! She is Marius’ daughter!”
“She is tainted, my son,” Jozef replied. He looked at Justin as if his son had lost his mind. “Can’t you see that she’s not worthy of you now?”
“No, Father,” Justin replied as he tried to pull free of the guards. “All I can see is a man who can’t see past his own prejudices. Marit and I belong together.”
“You shall never mate with this animal,” Jozef hissed. “I am going to have her destroyed.” He was laughing now. “Imagine what her father will think when they find her mutilated body at Stormkeep’s door!”
“You can’t do this,” Marit cried out in disbelief. “You can’t!”
“You are so monumentally naïve, girl,” Jozef laughed and stepped away. “Your death will destroy any hope of Stormkeep ever being treated as an ally again! We will be free to put an end to that foul line once and for all!” He looked at his son. “Your poor husband will be so grief-stricken at their foul deed, he will order their exterminations willingly.”
He poured himself a cup of wine and sat back to watch her. She really had such beautiful eyes, he found himself thinking. Justin glared at his father, as the older man sat down. As if he had just not relegated the daughter of the most powerful lord in the borderlands to the status of sacrificial lamb. Justin tried once more to pull free and his father laughed.
“I will never do as you ask, Father,” he said as he met his father’s triumph with anger. “I am not going to be a party to your plans to destroy the borderlands.”
“You will do as you are told, boy,” Jozef told his son and heir, “or I will slit her throat now.” He saw that he had their attention. “You will remain here while I prepare for the wedding.”
He and his men left Justin and Marit locked inside the chapel and moved away. Marit shook her head as Justin came to her. This was all his fault. If he had not gone to his father, then neither of them would be in this situation.
“Do you hate my house so much,” she finally said when she could stand the silence no longer, “that you would go this far?”
“My father…”
“He would never have known,” Marit broke in, shaking her head at his apology, “if you had not gone to him. No, Justin,” she said as he stepped towards her. “You abandoned me; believing that I had….” Her eyes were swimming in tears. “As if I would allow Tavin to do such a thing to me willingly.” She saw his question. “He attacked me, Justin! What was I supposed to do?”
“My lady!” Justin cried as he took her in his arms. He held her as she began to cry. “I should have known you would not…” He let her go and moved away, frowning. “I was wrong to come to my father. I knew he would not take the news well, but I never expected him to use it as an excuse for a return to enmity.”
“Your father is insane, Justin,” Marit told him. He nodded his head in agreement. “We have to get out of here.”
“It will not be easy, Marit,” Justin told her. He saw her shaking and recognized that she was in pain. “It is starting? The change?”
“I believe so,” Marit told him bluntly and saw him frown. “Does it really make such a difference?”
“It is a prejudice beaten into us from an early age,” Justin told her honestly. “But,” he continued as he saw her face, “it is wrong. I will not let him destroy you or destroy what we could mean to each other.” He went to the door and tried to open it. “You will let us out of here at once!”
He turned as something came flying in through the windows and reached for a weapon that was not there as he saw the large black wolf. Tavin shifted form and turned to catch a packet that was shot in after him. He dressed as Marit turned her back on him, then turned to Justin.
“I take it your father was not pleased to hear of the change in my cousin?” Tavin asked as he moved to the window and signaled.
“You heard?”
“Your sire’s voice travels far when he is angry, prince Justin,” Tavin replied. He looked over at Marit. “He had no right to abuse her so.” He watched as a bolt shot through the window and embedded itself into the wall, carrying with it a thick rope. He helped Marit onto it and showed her what she had to do. “I should leave you here, prince, but you were not at fault.”
They climbed down the rope to the courtyard where men and women of Stormkeep were keeping Northfell’s men at bay. The men of Northfell froze as they saw Justin. He ordered them to lower their weapons and led Marit and Tavin into the great hall where his father was making his plans for defense with his lords. The lords bowed to Justin, who strode up to his father and slugged him across the face.
“You acted in a dishonorable fashion, sir,” he said harshly as he took his father’s sword from the man, “and are not fit to carry this weapon.” He turned to the lords. “If you serve Northfell, you will put this coward in chains. He will be taken to King Marius for judgment.”
“You choose the bitch over your own people?” Jozef snarled. He shoved Justin aside and attacked Marit. His hands clamped over her throat. “You are going to die!”
Justin struck his father down and watched as Jozef was dragged away. Marit turned to Tavin and Justin frowned. He knew it was going to be a hard battle to get her to believe he had not condoned his father’s actions. But he was determined to win back her favor, now more than ever.
“We will start out at first light,” Justin decided as he took his father’s throne. “See our guests to the guest chambers, lord Traba.” He saw Tavin watching him. “If you would remain, prince Tavin. I would like your insight into the best way to approach Sylvan Ford.”
“Lord Atherton has fifty men inside with him,” Marit told him, as she remained as well. She thought over the situation as the two men thought over this news. “If we can find lord Lorenz, he has the key to the hidden passages. The bulk of your joint forces can get in that way.”
“You are not going back in there, princess,” Justin exclaimed, as he guessed her intent.
“He is holding my father and the Emperor captive, prince Justin,” Marit argued with him. “My people are in trouble because of Atherton, not yours! I will not be left out of this.”
“You are the one he wants, my lady,” he continued as he looked at her sternly. “If you go back, and fall to him…”
“I was no safer outside,” Marit broke in coldly. “We take king Jozef to my father for judgment.” She saw Justin flinch. “He beat me like an animal, prince Justin, and brought me here by force. He must pay for that.”
Justin frowned but knew it was probably the best plan they had. So the next morning, he and Tavin escorted Marit and his father back to Sylvan Ford and approached the castle with a small escort of two men. Just within the pass, the bulk of their forces waited and watched as several of Barnabas’ men rode out and escorted Marit and her escort into the castle. Marit frowned as she saw that Barnabas was standing at the side of her father’s throne. Marius looked quite ill.
“What has he done to you, father?” Marit asked as she went to her father’s side and began to heal him without thinking.
“I have just helped your father see the truth, princess,” Barnabas replied smoothly. He turned to her companions. “I have been looking forward to seeing you again, prince Tavin.” He saw the look that passed between the prince and Marit and frowned. “Am I too late?” He yanked Marit up to her feet and looked into her eyes. “No,” he relaxed. “She is still untouched.” He shoved her to his guards. “Take the princess to her chambers and lock her inside. I will visit her later to discuss our alliance.”
“You will not touch her!” Justin hissed and started forward. “Marit has agreed to be mine!”
“His Majesty has decided you are not fit for his daughter.” Barnabas laughed at the boy’s face and then turned to glare at Tavin. “As for you, prince Tavin; King Marius has issued an edict against your house. Your young will be locked in form and sold as pets. The rest of your house will be executed for daring to take his daughter captive.”
“You have no right!” Marit snapped. She pulled free of the guards and knelt at her father’s side. “Father, please. They have done no wrong. This edict, Father, is unjust! I was not harmed when Tavin took me from the castle to keep me safe. He did not treat me as other than a beloved cousin. Anyone,” she looked at Barnabas now, “who tells you differently is lying to you.”
“You see, my king,” Barnabas said softly as Marius looked to him. “It is as I told you. They have chained her mind with their foul magics.” He nodded to his men. “Get her out of here now! This is no place for the idle chatter of women.”
“Let go of me!” Marit exclaimed as his men dragged her off. “Father!”
“She is a confused child, Your Majesty,” Barnabas said as he looked at his victim. “Once I have made her my wife, I will teach her to see the truth.” He turned to Tavin, who was glaring at him coldly. “You and your men will be caged as the animals you are, prince Tavin; to await execution.”
Marit was shoved into her room and was surprised to see that she was not alone. Her ladies and their husbands were also there. She saw Lorenz and beckoned to him. He handed her the key when she asked for it. Then she asked them all point blank what they felt about the king’s latest edict against the people of Stormkeep. She was pleased to hear that their disagreement was why they were all locked in the room.
“I need a length of leather or cording, Sysha,” Marit asked her lady. “No,” she said as she stumbled and they stepped towards her, “I will be fine.” She looked at her companions and friends. “I am going to get some help.”
She put the key on the cording and went out on the balcony. She climbed up on the railing and looked for a way. Then nodding to her astonished friends, she jumped onto the parapet, and climbed over the crenellations and down the wall outside. She was so happy to be out of that place, she almost forgot what she was doing. Only when she hit the edge of the forest and found herself facing Tessa and the men of Stormkeep and Northfell, did she remember. She lead them to the waterfall and in through the tunnels. She took the key and unlocked the door. When they came out into the dungeons, Marit found the keys to the cells and let her father’s men out. They told their rescuers where Barnabas had posted his men and they all moved out. All save Tavin’s sister, Tessa and Marit, who could not help but notice the look that passed between Tessa and Justin before he left with the men. Something was going on between them, and Marit wondered why she wasn’t the least bit jealous. She found her eyes going to Alexander and remaining on the stairs long after he had gone.
“This we leave to the men,” Tessa told her cousin, as she held Marit back. “You and I must be in position to help your sire.” She smiled at Marit’s look of anger. “It may seem that the males are getting to have all the fun, but that is not so, cousin. We have the honor of taking down the monster!”
Marit smiled at that thought and led Tessa up the back stairs that the men had said were clear and watched Tessa as she walked past the guards on her chamber door. They went after her and Marit went into her chamber. She told Lorenz and the others what was happening and the men left, smiling broadly. Tessa came back, looking inordinately pleased with herself. Marit changed in a simple wool gown and slippers and nodded to her ladies. They marched down the main stairs and entered the Great Hall.
“How did you get out of your chambers?” Barnabas roared as she appeared.
“I asked your guards ‘nicely’ to let me and my ladies out,” Marit replied sweetly. She nodded to Tessa, who drew a dagger and put Barnabas on his knees, with the blade to his throat. “They were quite displeased to hear your appraisal of our gender, my lord.” She turned to her father and went to his side. She healed him until she saw the blankness lift from his eyes. He blinked and looked at her, momentarily confused.
“You do your father proud, my daughter,” he said as he pulled her into his arms. “I assume you did not come alone?”
“No, Father,” Marit replied. “Warriors of Northfell and Stormkeep accompanied me here.” She saw Barnabas blanch. “We were taking no chances with your safety.” She nodded towards Tessa. “I don’t believe you’ve met princess Tessa; Taryn’s daughter?”
“A warrior of Stormkeep?” Marius was impressed. He bowed his head to the girl. “We are honored by your visit, princess.” His eyes went cold as he saw Barnabas on his knees at the girl’s feet. “You can let the man up, princess. I have a feeling we are secure now.”
“Then you would be wrong, Majesty,” Barnabas snarled as he grabbed Marit the moment he was free. He held his own dagger at Marit’s throat, and pulled her with him as he backed away. “Your daughter comes with me now.”
“No!” Marit shook her head as she dug her nails into his arm. She forced his hand down and he was stunned. Then she twisted in his hold. “This ends here!” she cried as she drove the dagger into her own side. She fell to her knees, stunned by the pain. But not as stunned as Barnabas, who looked from her to the dagger. He dropped it and ran, just as the doors opened and Alexander, Justin and Tavin and their men came in. Alexander ran to her side and she smiled up at him. “Don’t look so worried,” she sighed softly as she began to lose consciousness. “it’s just a little prick.”
The pain of the knife wound broke through her controls over the toxin flowing through her system and Marit began to scream. Tessa and Tavin, understanding what was happening, took Marit to her rooms and locked themselves in with her. They refused to allow anyone to enter as Marit went through her first shift, accompanied by agonizing pain. Her body felt as if it were being ripped apart as the transformation progressed. Tessa stroked her brow with a cool cloth. Tavin held her down as the worst of the pain struck. For two days, she writhed in agony. When it was over, she opened her eyes to see her cousins looking at her in confusion.
“You never altered form, cousin,” Tavin frowned from where he stood by the balcony. He was actually quite disappointed. “You suffered through all the agonies of a shift but you never shifted.” He looked over at his sister. “It would appear that the myth is not without some basis in fact, sister.”
“You must look elsewhere for a mate, brother,” Tessa nodded. She watched him go, scowling. Then she turned to Marit. “You are rare among our kind, Marit. Only once before has there been one who reacted as you have. You will have all the benefits of an altered form without ever having to take on that form.” She laid her hand on Marit’s arm. “But it means that some of your offspring may never know that part of our heritage.”
“So your brother is abandoning his claim,” Marit asked her as she got up on her feet, still shaky, “because some of our children may never be wolf if he mates with me?” Tessa hung her head and then looked up in shock as Marit began to laugh. “But this is wonderful, Tessa! Don’t you see?” She had to sit down as weariness struck her. “Justin doesn’t want me because I am too much of Stormkeep; Tavin doesn’t want me because I am not enough of Stormkeep. Now,” she said softly, her mind spinning, “all I need do is find some way to keep the Emperor Alexander from insisting on an alliance, and I am free!”
“You are a strange female, cousin Marit,” Tessa smiled as she brought Marit a cup of fortificant. “How could you not want to be a wife and mother? It goes against a woman’s nature…”
“I still wish such things, Tessa,” Marit told her cousin firmly. “But I will not be treated like property.” She was remembering something Lorenz had told her. “I will be my own lady, until such time as I find a man who sees me as my self.”
“Noble sentiments, daughter,” Marius said as he came into the room at that moment. He kissed her on the forehead and Tessa left them alone. “Unfortunately, for you there is no choice.” He saw her shocked expression. “Your marriage, to the proper lord, is all that stands between us and chaos. I appeal to your sense of duty…”
“You ask me to agree to be some man’s wife,” Marit broke in harshly, “with the very real possibility that I will never be more to him than a symbol of power?”
“I am asking you to remember who you are, daughter,” Marius told her, his voice tight with censure. “There can be no alliance with Northfell now,” he said as he went to pour himself a cup of wine, “and Tavin will not have you, either. That leaves only one claim to consider.”
“No!” Marit cried, actually rising to stamp her foot like a spoiled child. “I will not consider it!”
“He cares for you, child,” Marius started to say only to watch her storm out of her room, her hair flowing behind her like a banner. “What a match that will be!”
Alexander was in the gardens when Marit found him. He rose to his feet, looking at her standing in the moonlight, her pale face illuminated by its touch. He had never seen anything more beautiful in his entire life, and he knew he had to have her. She came up to him and he began to smile. But then she slapped him across the face and turned to go. He grabbed her hair and yanked her back; retaining a hold on it as he kissed her. He did not let her go until she surrendered.
“We will marry the moment we arrive in Trent,” he told her softly as she gazed up at him helplessly. “There will be no argument.”
“There must be other princesses that you could marry.”
“Of course there are,” Alexander nodded, loving her for her concern. She looked up at him, hurt. “But I only love one,” he continued as he pulled her close, “and she is standing here in my arms.” He cupped her chin in his hand and raised her eyes to his. “Say you will marry me, Marit.” He held her hand to his heart. “I shall die if you refuse me, my lady.”
“You are an idiot!” Marit laughed. She tried to remove her hand from his chest but he would not relinquish it. “Let go of me, Alexander.” He shook his head and she kicked him in the shins. Pain shot up her foot and she cried and sank down on the bench. “You brute!” she cried out in pain, as he looked stricken. “No,” she shook her head and shoved him away. “I don’t want you near me! Go away!” He picked her up in his arms instead and carried her out of the gardens. “What are you doing?”
“You’ve hurt yourself, beloved,” Alexander told her as he continued walking. “I am taking you to a healer.”
“Put…me…down!” Marit hissed with such venom that Alexander actually froze. He set her down on her feet, but did not release her. “I am a healer, Alexander! I don’t need to be taken to one!”
She hobbled away and he started after her. But the look on her face as she turned towards him stopped him. He fought hard not to laugh, she was so very serious about her need to be independent. He loved her even more at that moment than he had ever thought possible. He turned to go to his own rooms and ran into his aide, and cousin, Count Nikolas of Lancaster. His expression told Alexander that things were not going to go as smoothly as he might have wished.
“He is not pleased, cousin,” Nikolas told Alexander bluntly. “He had plans for the borderlands that did not include his heir marrying Marius’ heir.” He laid his hand on Alexander’s shoulder, smiling. “I, for one, am delighted at your choice. She will make your life a delight and a headache.”
“She hasn’t accepted me yet, Nik,” Alexander frowned.
“Does she get a choice?” Nikolas asked, confused. “I thought you and her father had more or less agreed…”
“I will not marry her,” Alexander told his cousin, “unless she agrees.” He frowned as he remembered her face as she had left him. “Marit should be courted and wooed, not bartered away like property.”
“Come share a goblet with me, cousin,” Nikolas laughed as he guided Alexander away. “I would hear these puzzling views of yours.”
Marit watched them leave from where she had hidden herself with her men and found herself smiling. So Alexander wanted her, but not unwilling. She had never felt such happiness in her short life. A man she could quite whole-heartedly give herself to wanted her as well. Wanted her enough to allow her to make the choice. She heard someone moving nearby and froze. One, no three men were moving in around her. Marit could smell the sweat of their fear as they came closer. They knew what they were doing could end in their deaths, but their desperation kept them coming. She motioned her men to remain hidden and headed for the great hall and could hear them speeding up their pursuit.
“Princess? Is something wrong?”
Marit looked around as she heard Nikolas’ voice and the trio moved in on her. They led her over to Nikolas, whose eyes were hard and cold. He moved to touch her and she pulled away from him, glaring in anger. He laughed in amusement and then went still. He slugged her across the jaw and she glared at him coldly. Nikolas looked at his fist and then at her, stunned. It took all four of them to subdue her. Nikolas looked down into her angry eyes as they hid from the guards her screams had brought running.
“If you tell anyone what happened, Princess,” he told her harshly, “I will slit Alexander’s throat.” He saw her reaction and knew this meant something to her. “I see that he means something to you, after all. Good.” He nodded to his men. “We are going to release you now, Princess. If you wish Alexander to live, you will say nothing.”
“What have you done with him?” Marit demanded as they released her. “If you have harmed him…”
“I would never harm my cousin, Princess,” Nikolas laughed as he broke in over her anger. “He is far too valuable as a hostage. No,” he said as he looked into her angry eyes. “He is going to be just fine. I am merely returning him to his grandfather for a little family conversation.”
“You are not taking him against his will, my lord Count,” Marit hissed at him. “He walks out of here on his own volition, by his own choice,” she ordered the man, “or I will have you and your men arrested.”
“You really think you can make such demands?” Nikolas laughed at her. “You are alone, Princess…”
“Is she?” Edmund of Fellstone asked as he stepped out of the shadows, followed by Lorenz and Martyn. “We heard everything, Princess. Shall we call the guard?”
“No,” Marit replied. “Count Nikolas is going to tell you where he has taken Emperor Alexander now. If he does not, you are free to do whatever you must to get him to tell you where he is.” She saw the guards coming. “Take the count’s men into custody until he is ready to leave.”
Nikolas watched the princess leave, stunned. How had she known he was moving against Alexander and herself. He had been very careful in his behavior. There was no sign he could remember that would have alerted her. He looked at the three men glaring at him and knew he was in trouble. He led them out to a cart waiting near the stables and watched as they untied Alexander and helped him inside. Nikolas found himself locked in his chamber under guard.
“Your cousin was very insistent that you go to your grandfather, my lord,” Marit said to Alexander as he was shown to her father’s study. “It would seem that he is not as happy about our alliance as you might hope.”
“I don’t care what my Grandfather wants, Marit,” Alexander told her bluntly, holding the wet cloth against the bump on his head he had not allowed her to heal. “All that matters to me is what is best for you and the borderlands.” He saw Marit’s look and hid his smile. “If you feel that it would be best not to incur my Grandfather’s anger and refuse my suit, I will accept your choice. I won’t be happy about it,” he continued, looking at her and then her father, “but I will accept it.”
“It is your choice, Marit,” Marius told her. “We had an agreement, as I recall.”
“I need time,” Marit told them both. “It’s not that I don’t like you, my lord,” Marit continued, blushing as she admitted this. “I do, but…”
“You have been through a great deal since you found out who you really are, Princess,” Alexander guessed her reasons. “You are correct in wanting to spend some time getting to know your father, your house. I would not take that from you. So,” he said as he rose to his feet and bowed to her father, “I will take residence at Atherton and wait. I trust,” he said as he took Marit’s hand in his and kissed her palm, “that you will allow me to court you, as you should be courted, my beautiful princess?”
“But your Grandfather…”
“My men should already be at Atherton,” Alexander broke in, turning to Marius. “I and the 3500 men I bring with me are at your command, Your Majesty.”
“Your allegiance is most gratefully accepted, Excellency,” Marius nodded and smiled in relief. He was impressed that the man could command such a force. He was glad that it was on his side. “We expect to see much of you here at Sylvan Ford.”
“You will think me a resident, Your Majesty,” Alexander nodded. He kissed Marit’s palm again, bowed to Marius, and left them alone. He went out to the courtyard and mounted his horse. He waved to Marit and saw her blush as she moved back a step. Such a delightful child, he thought as he rode out with his guard and Nikolas and his men in bonds. They rode for several hours before he let his cousin loose. “Well done, cousin.”
“She fell for it?”
“How could she not?” Alexander laughed, his eyes cold. “The pretty princess is falling right into my hands, as I planned.”
“So you plan on playing the doting lover a while longer, Excellency?” Nikolas asked.
“She won’t make me wait too much longer,” Alexander smiled. “Princess Marit knows she belongs to me.” He looked to one of his other men. “Have you located the witch yet?”
“She is waiting for you at Atherton, Excellency,” the man bowed his head. “The woman is quite eager to hear your plans for her house.”
“I’m certain she is,” Alexander frowned. “Cousin,” he turned back to Nikolas, “you will return to Dunlevy and make arrangements for a royal wedding. I want all the nobles in the Empire in attendance.”
“She may yet refuse you, Excellency,” Nikolas dared to suggest what Alexander now felt was completely improbable. “You’re that confident?”
“If I were not,” Alexander said tightly, “she and her father would now be in chains on their way to Dunlevy.” His expression grew even more satisfied. “The borderlands are nearly in our grasp. Once the princess is our wife, they will be part of our empire, as they were always meant to be.”

*
Several months passed and Marit was beginning to wonder what it was about Alexander that bothered her. He was the same attentive and affectionate friend, but there was something off about his eagerness. He was pushing her, without really pushing; and she found that she did not like it. She began to wish she had not given him any encouragement for a future with her. She found reasons to keep her companions around her when he courted her, and saw his anger and impatience mounting. She was in the gardens with Edmund, learning a new piece on the lute, when he came to find her. He glared at Edmund, heir to one of the sub-kingdoms in the borderlands, and waited.
“Edmund and I are not quite through here yet, my lord,” Marit told Alexander bluntly. “If you would care to return in;” she looked at Edmund, “twenty minutes?” The man nodded. “I will be free to walk with you then.” Alexander’s face fell and grew quite angry. Then he turned on his heel and stormed out. “There is something very wrong in his behavior, Edmund,” Marit said as she held the lute to her chest. “Am I the only one who sees it?”
“No, Princess,” Edmund replied firmly. “All of us have been watching him, as you suggested.” He had not liked the man from the very beginning. “I took the liberty of contacting some friends of mine in the Empire. Their replies to my inquiries should be arriving soon.” He held out the lute. “I think we have had enough of music for today. Come riding with us, Princess.”
“I should at least allow him to pay court, Edmund,” Marit told her friend. “If he is planning something, the sooner we are aware of it the better.” She smiled at his worried look. “I know, my friend, you are worried. I am fortunate to have such loyal companions around me.” She remembered where they were going. “Please give my regards to their Majesties, Justin and Tessa of Northfell. Tell them I will try to visit with them soon.”
Edmund nodded and left her alone in the gardens. She was not left that way long, but it was not Alexander who came to find her. She rose to her feet as Tavin strode in. He was looking very anxious and she knew something was wrong. He was not looking for her, she saw, but she made him stop anyway.
“There is trouble in Stormkeep?” she asked bluntly. He nodded and she frowned at his news. “Since Atherton fell into Alexander’s hands?” He looked at her in shock. “Don’t be shocked, cousin. I have been keeping a very close eye on the man. He is not as he appears to be.”
“There is no proof the men pushing into Stormkeep’s lands are Atherton, cousin,” Tavin told her, “but…”
“We can not take any chances,” Marit nodded. She heard the man approaching and turned to Alexander, her hands out. “Emperor Alexander,” she smiled her sweetest. “You know my cousin, prince Tavin of Stormkeep?” Alexander nodded tersely. “He was just sharing the most worrying news with me. Have your lands been suffering attacks from raiders these past weeks?”
“We have managed to keep them at bay,” Alexander lied to her easily. He looked at Tavin, who was watching him closely. “If Stormkeep requires assistance, prince Tavin; I would be more than happy to…”
“Stormkeep holds its own, Emperor,” Tavin broke in. “I will speak to you later, cousin. When you are free of distraction.”
“Your cousin is quite angry,” Alexander said as he watched Tavin storm off. “He can’t think that Atherton has anything to do with the raids?” he asked, feigning alarm. “My men would never…”
“There is no way to prove whose men are raiding Stormkeep lands, my lord,” Marit broke in over his false protestations. “Your Grandfather could have sent them, or they could be their own men.” She smiled up at him. “You surely did not come all this way to talk of border raids with me?”
“Of course not, Princess,” Alexander smiled back at her. “This time with you is the only peace I know these days.” She blushed and he kissed her palm, enjoying the way she responded to him. “You keep me dangling, my lady. I would set a date.”
“I know you are impatient, my lord,” Marit told him, feigning softness when she wanted to harm him. “Please give me just a little more time to know my own heart.” She laid her hand on his arm and looked up at him imploringly. “I shall have an answer for you soon, my lord.”
“Make it very soon, my lady,” Alexander told her firmly, trying to remain gentle with her, “or I shall not be able to prevent myself from carrying you off.” He saw the pain in her eyes and knew he’d pushed a bit too far. He raised her hand to his cheek and held it here. “Forgive me, Princess. I did not mean to push.”
“I know, my lord,” Marit replied. “I am being selfish by making you wait for an answer. Please be patient,” she smiled up at him warmly. “It will not be much longer.” She looked past him, frowning. “Susa?”
“Forgive me for interrupting you, my lady,” Susa said as she saw who Marit was with, “but I need to speak with you, urgently.”
“Of course, Susa,” Marit nodded. She rose to her feet and frowned as Alexander did not let go. “Please let me go, my lord. I will only be a few moments.” She followed Susa to her chambers and closed the door. “What’s wrong, Susa?”
“What you are doing to the Emperor Alexander,” her friend replied, “that is what’s wrong, Marit.” She saw Marit’s astonishment. “He had proven himself to you over and over again. Why do you keep him waiting?” She sank down on a chair. “Rafel says your marriage to him could keep the Emperor out of the borderlands for good.”
“Rafel has been talking to Alexander about this?”
“Please forgive him, Marit,” Susa cried as she heard Marit’s anger. “Rafel is very concerned about you, but he is more concerned about the borderlands. This waiting is only making the situation more tenuous.”
“And if I marry him,” Marit sighed as she sank down onto a lounge, “only to find out that he was planning this so he could take over for his uncle? It can not be undone, Susa. A marriage is not to be gone into lightly.”
“The Emperor Alexander would never betray us,” Susa shook her head. “He is the borderlands staunchest supporter. I have heard him, Marit,” she continued, her babbling betraying all, “when he has come here for meals. Oh!” she clamped her hand over her mouth, and looked alarmed. “I wasn’t supposed to tell you that.”
“He’s been soliciting Rafel’s assistance in his suit,” Marit guessed and saw Susa’s nod of confirmation. “And gained a supporter in you as well?”
“How can you continue to refuse him, Marit?” Susa asked her bluntly. “He has never proven himself false to you. It’s obvious he adores you. And yet, you continue to leave him hanging. It’s not right.”
“No,” Marit agreed, “it isn’t.” She turned away a moment and did not see the powder Susa slipped into her goblet. “Thank you, Susa,” she smiled as her friend gave her the goblet with the drugged wine in it. She caught the strange scent and set the goblet down. “No,” she shook her head, “it’s time I spoke to my father about this.”
“He is with Rafel and Tavin now, Marit,” Susa said as she picked the goblet up and held it out again. “Please join me in some conversation,” she continued, smiling. “It’s been so long since you and I had time alone.”
Marit smiled and took the goblet from Susa. She knew it was drugged, she had recognized the scent from earlier encounters with being drugged. She settled back and listened to Susa chatter on about Alexander and Rafel, nodding every once in a while. Marit took a fake sip of the wine and set it down so that it fell to the ground. Susa’s look was the last confirmation she needed; her friend had been trying to drug her.
“They’re ready for you, Marit,” Susa said as she went to the balcony and waved to someone. She came back inside followed by three men. “Are you certain that this is the right course of action?”
“We have to force his hand, Susa,” Marit replied as the men grabbed her and bound her wrists behind her back. “Are you certain you want to be a part of this?”
“How could I not?” Susa asked bluntly. “You are my friend, my sister. I would go through the fires of hell to keep you safe from lecherous and manipulative men.”
Susa left the chamber and locked the door behind herself. She nodded to the guards and told them that the princess was asleep and did not wish to be disturbed until morning, by anyone. They nodded and let her go. Inside Marit’s chambers, she was carried out along the parapets and down through a tower to the stables. Marit struggled as they tried to force her into a waiting cart. She managed to get loose and they had to strike her as she ran. She did not wake again until they were nearly to Stormkeep. And then it was to the sounds of fighting. Marit sat up and watched as her ‘kidnappers’ struggled to defend her from the men who had attacked their camp. She pulled off the gag and struggled to free herself from the bonds. Giving it up, she struggled to her feet and climbed out of the cart to run, only to find herself being grabbed around the waist.
“Running away so soon, Princess?” a tall, golden-haired man with dancing blue eyes laughed as he looked down into her stunned expression. “When my men and I are working so hard to free you?”
“Don’t lie to the lady, Raven,” another of his band laughed from where he was binding the men who had abducted her. “It’s not kind.”
“You’re the men raiding the borderlands!” Marit guessed. “Why?”
“Why not?” the one called Raven asked her. “A man needs to eat. With you as our hostage, we’re certain to get quite enough ransom to feed our people for quite some time.”
“Just let me go,” Marit cried and tried to pull free of his hold. “My father will listen to whatever you ask. You don’t need to abduct me…”
“You’d turn us into supplicants?” Raven laughed. “You are a naïve child, Princess. Men of the Northlands do not beg,” he continued coldly; “they take.” He dragged her over to his horse and forced her into the saddle. She kicked him in the face and took off, only to fall as his whistle brought the animal to a stand-still. “So,” he laughed as he yanked her to her feet, “the little princess is not as helpless as her looks would lead one to believe.”
“Take your hands off me!” Marit hissed as she struck out at him. The force of her blow rocked him back on his feet and he let her go, stunned. “I am not going to let yet another man force his will on me!” She freed her wrists and threw the ropes on the ground. “If you want to be big, bad border raiders, then do so,” she snapped, her eyes sparkling with anger, “but leave me out of it!”
“What a woman!” Raven marveled as he caught Marit around the waist again and held her struggling body to his chest. He finally kissed her and she stiffened in shock. When he looked down at her, her eyes were blazing with fire. “I want you, Princess.”
“I don’t want you!” Marit snapped and slapped him across the face. “Put me down.”
“No,” Raven said simply. He took her back to his horse and hefted her over the saddle. Then he mounted and held her down. “I want you, Princess,” he repeated his earlier statement, “so I am taking you.” She cursed at him and he laughed in delight. “I am never going to be bored with you in my bed.”
“You are not going to live if you try to bed me,” Marit snapped back at him. She twisted her body and slid from the saddle. Then she ran, giving herself full rein. She could hear the horses gaining on her, but she did not stop. And then the wolves moved in. She nodded as a night black one surged past her and attacked her captor’s horse. “No,” she cried as she heard it scream in pain. “Bring them to the Keep.”
She was in the Great Hall seated beside Tavin on the dais when Raven and his men were led in. Raven looked from her to Tavin and frowned. Were they mates? He had been led to believe that the princess Marit was virgin and unwed. This would change all their plans. Tavin got up and bowed to his cousin as his superior and Raven knew the truth. She was not his mate; she was his liege’s child. Relief flooded through him. He would have hated to go through Stormkeep to get to her.
“I have just informed my cousin,” Marit said to him coldly, “that you are behind the raids on his lands. I could leave you to his justice, Northlander,” she continued, her eyes watching the arrogant man, “but I do not believe you would care for it.” She accepted a cup of wine from one of her other cousins with a nod of thanks and took a sip. “You will tell us why you are raiding the borderlands.”
“And why should I tell a mere child,” Raven returned, annoyed by her arrogance, “why we do anything?”
“Because dog,” Tavin snarled as he struck the man down on his knees, “the princess Marit is no mere child.” He waited until the other men were down. “You look upon the child of Marius, king of the borderlands. He has named her his voice among the border clans, his justice. She stands in his stead among us and is treated as he would be.”
“But she is…”
“Female? Child?” Marit broke in, coldly. “Go ahead, Northlander; say what you will. I have heard it all these past months since my father made his choice. It changes nothing.” She cocked her head, as if she was listening to something only she could hear and then turned a deadly smile on him. “Your men are growing impatient, Northlander. They have disobeyed your order to remain in hiding, and have moved into Stormkeep’s lands. Tavin…”
“We move on your word, cousin,” Tavin bowed his head and picked out several of the house. “How many?”
“Twenty five,” Marit told him, her eyes remaining on Raven, who was growing increasingly astounded. “They are just south of the falls. Take them alive, if you can.” Tavin bowed and led the group of men and women out personally. Marit looked at Raven. “Twenty five, my lord? You are working at someone else’s order. You are no more than a band of mercenaries.”
“And you are a Goddess!” Raven cried and bowed his head in shock.
“Hardly,” Marit laughed shortly. “There are always at least twenty of our house on watch. They simply alerted me.” She saw the disbelief in his eyes, in the eyes of his men. “Whoever sent you against Stormkeep failed to tell you how it is with those of our bloodline, Northlander. And that tells me,” she continued, “as it should have told you, that they were not in the least bothered at the thought of you falling to us.” She rested her hands on the arms of the throne and looked at him coldly. For the first time since he had laid eyes on this beauty, he saw the danger in her. “Tell me Raven,” Marit asked as she met his eyes without fear, “since all you were was a distraction; what am I to do with you?”
“They know more than their employer thinks they do, daughter,” Margarete said as she came into the hall. Marit rose to her feet, smiling, and took her mother’s hands in her own. “Men like this one here always do.” She took the throne Marit had surrendered and Marit settled down on the floor at her feet. Margarete stroked her child’s hair, a contented smile on her face. “However, since they are also men who will sell people out at the offer of money, can we trust what they might tell us to save their lives?”
“We are not without integrity, great lady!” Raven protested her appraisal of his and his men’s character. “This task gave our people needed resources. Times have been hard in the northlands.”
“And that excuses raiding other people’s lands,” Marit asked him coldly. “No, Northlander. Your reasons show us no cause for mercy.” She looked at her mother a moment and Margarete looked worried. But then she nodded, with great reluctance. “We will go to your lands and see how things are with your people. Then we shall make our judgment.” She laid her hand on Margarete’s; nodding to her mother. “Do not worry, Mother. If this man is as honest as he wishes us to believe, he will do me no harm. Besides, I will be taking twenty men from every one of the border clans with me, as is my due.” She nodded to the men. “Show our ‘guests’ to rooms. We will leave when my escort is complete.”
Raven and his men were taken away, and his mind was still spinning as the door closed on the rooms they were given. Not a cell, he noted; but rooms fit for a guest of the keep. He sank down on a seat and accepted a goblet of wine absent-mindedly. He found himself unable to think of anything, or anyone, but the strange child. He had been told she was merely a child; that she would be no trouble. Instead, he and his men were now her prisoners, and she was bringing a force of borderlanders along to see how his people were doing. Twenty men from each clan meant that a force of three hundred and sixty men would be accompanying the child. There would be no chance to get her away and take her to their employer now.
“We are in trouble, Raven,” his brother, Fox, said simply. “Perhaps we should consider sending the money back.”
“We used it to buy the food and medicines we needed, Fox,” their other brother, Badger, reminded the youngest son of the chieftain of their clan. “Heaven only knows what we do when that runs out.” He looked at Raven, worriedly. “What could they do to us, Raven?”
“I am not familiar with borderlands law, brother,” Raven frowned. “It all depends on the princess’ impressions.” He saw their frowns. “Yes, I agree. We are in trouble.”
“Would it help,” Fox asked his older brother, “if you apologized for treating the princess like a common wench?”
“I did not!” Raven protested. “I treated her as our kind have always treated our women. We want, we take.” He thought over the encounter and realized that the girl had not enjoyed being handled roughly. He remembered her words and knew that she had run afoul of men like him before and was justified to be angry. “Maybe women here in the borderlands are not taught to appreciate strong, decisive men.”
He looked at his brothers and shrugged. How could he apologize for behaving in a manner that was seen as acceptable in their lands. If the princess was not used to such behavior, that was not his fault. She would just have to excuse him for his bad manners, or not, as she saw fit. He remembered the rage in her eyes as he had tried to take her; but most of all he remembered the force of her blow. No girl her age and size should be that strong. It was just one more thing that proved she was more than mortal. That explained why the Empire was so eager to get its hands on her. With such a woman in their control, there would be no preventing them from sweeping over the face of this world and bringing all lands to their collar.
“Whatever happens to us,” Raven said after a few moments silence, “the rest of our people must ally themselves to this princess. She may be the only hope we have of keeping the Empire out of our lands.”

*
The hope for freedom was at that very moment climbing trees with the younger members of the house. She had grown up in farmlands and had never had the freedom to just be a child. Horis had made her responsible from as early an age as possible. She found the sheer joy of being quite exhilarating, and was laughing in delight as the children practiced their shifting abilities around her when Tavin returned. His face was scratched and bruised, but his smile was proof that their mission had been successful. He watched her for a few moments and wondered how he could have been so blind as to refuse her. She was life itself, unhampered by fear, or worry, or chains.
“I was wrong to let you go, cousin,” Tavin said as he sank down on a boulder near the pool she and the pups were dancing in and out of. “You are so…” He held out his hands. “There are no words worthy of you.”
“Flatterer,” Marit laughed at him and paused as she realized what he’d just said. “You still want me? Even knowing that our heirs might never know the joy of being fully blooded?”
“Has it handicapped you in any way?” Tavin asked himself more than her. “No. In fact,” he continued as he pulled her down onto his lap, “you are exceptional!” He nipped along the back of her neck and did not argue when she got up and shook her head at him. “Too fast?”
“Perhaps,” Marit told him. “You took them all?”
“All relatively undamaged,” Tavin nodded. “They argued a bit about coming,” he said as he saw her frown. “What were we to do?” He laid his hand on her arm. “The healers are with them, cousin. Walk with me awhile.” He held his hand out to her and was pleased when she placed hers within it. “I would like to show you something you may not have seen before.”
They walked into the forests followed by some of the children for a while. As the trial continued, the pups dropped away until it was only them. The trees grew thicker and thicker and Marit tightened her hold on Tavin as she felt a chill from the increasing shadows. There was something different about these woods. They were older, and more capable of doing harm. But they seemed to welcome them as they walked on and the chill passed. They came out against the mountains to an immense cave. Inside were the remains of an ancient city.
“The first keep,” Tavin told her as he led her inside. “Where we first learned to walk four and two.” He took her inside the main building and she saw the statue. “There was another mated pair once,” he said as he ran his hand along the gray stone lovingly, “where only one walked four and two. I had forgotten of them.”
“Who were they, Tavin?” Marit asked as she saw the woman’s face and was shocked. “It’s my face! How is this possible?”
“These were Gyr and Ashya, our first alphas,” Tavin told her. “From them all of our house descended.” He pressed a place on the wolf and it shifted and became Gyr, the man. It had Tavin’s face. “I don’t believe it.” He looked at the statues. He looked at Marit. Then he took her hands in his and held them to his heart. “It is fated, Marit. We were meant to be!”
“That was them, Tavin,” Marit argued, shaking her head in disbelief. “Not us.” She laid her hand on Ashya’s statue and froze as images flooded into her mind. She saw it all, the pain, the fear, and the bloodshed. What had transpired from those days and tears flooded down her cheeks. She felt Tavin’s hand on her shoulder, warm, comforting, and she knew the truth of things. “You are right, cousin,” she said softly as her mind was filled with what was. “We were meant to be.” She shook her head as he stepped towards her. “But in my time,” she told him as he leaned towards her, “not yours.” He looked confused. “By all means,” she smiled up at him, her hand on his heart, “do all you can to convince me that we should not wait. But I have the final decision, or this,” she indicated the statues, the keep, “will be forgotten.”
“As you wish, little cousin,” Tavin nodded. His smile was slow, and warm and she felt something stir inside of her. He leaned in just shy of her lips. “Shall I begin now?”
“Court me, coax me,” Marit sang as she backed away from him. She turned on her heel and ran from the cavern. “Catch me!”
Tavin gave her a start, loving the way her laughter wrapped him in its warmth. Her joy was infectious, he thought as a smile widened on his face. He was laughing himself as he took after her, remaining on two feet to give her a chance. But when he left the cavern; expecting to see her nearby, she was already out of sight. He had known she would be fast, but he had not expected such speed. He shifted to four and raised his head, seeking her unique scent. Then he took off in her direction, scattering pups as he saw her headed towards the keep. He cut her off as she got to the entrance and she sank down on the ground and threw her arms around his neck. He shifted and carried her up the backstairs to his chamber.
“You’ve seen my body before, little cousin,” Tavin said as he saw her uncertainty. “This is no different.” He lowered her gown off of her shoulders and began to nip along her neck. “Perhaps,” he said softly as he continued to lower her gown, “it would help if you were as natural as I am.” The gown fell to the floor in a pool and he lifted her out of it and lowered his head to suckle her breast. He heard her whimper and slowed down. Her eyes were filled with confusion. “Don’t be frightened, Marit,” he said as he rubbed his cheek against hers. “I will not take what you are not ready to offer.” He laid her down on her front and began to nibble the nape of her neck. He continued nibbling along her spine, feeling her beginning to respond. “It is your decision.”
“I can’t think,” Marit protested as she felt her body lose control to the sensations his lips were drawing from her. “Is it supposed to feel like this?”
“It is supposed to be much, much better,” Tavin said as he ran his tongue along her spine and she cried out in shock. He turned her over and saw no fear, just questions and mounting wonder. “Let me show you, beloved.” She nodded; but there was a pounding on the door. Tavin tossed Marit her gown and she drew it on as he went to yank open the door. “What?”
“Highness,” his aide squeaked as he saw Tavin’s state of undress. “Highness.” His voice rose another half octave as he saw Marit. “I am sorry to interrupt, but there is news from Sylvan Ford. The princess must come at once.” He kept his eyes averted. “King Marius…” His expression was filled with anguish as he looked at Tavin, who had pulled on his leggings. “He has been assassinated. The lady Susa and her accomplice, lord Edmund of Fellstone, are being sought.”
“Susa and Edmund?” Marit shook her head and looked over at Tavin. “No,” she frowned as she pulled on her boots. “No.”
“It is obvious to us that the couple is being framed,” Tavin told the man. “Send out scouts. Tell them they are to find the pair and bring them to Stormkeep for safekeeping. If anyone asks,” he said as he held out his arms and Marit came to him, “the princess asked us to take over the investigation.” The man left and the door closed. He kissed the top of Marit’s head and just held her as she struggled to control herself. “Don’t hold it in, beloved,” he said gently. “He was a good man. He should be mourned.”
“He isn’t dead, Tavin,” Marit argued. She pulled away from him and ran from the room. She found her mother in her rooms and saw Margarete’s face. “You heard?”
“It’s not true, daughter,” Margarete told her fiercely. “I would know if your father was dead.” She held out her hand. “Help me find him.”
Marit sank to her knees at her mother’s side and held her hand. Together they moved out mind to mind, seeking. They found themselves moving through Sylvan Ford and along each clan. Marius was not there. His mind was faint and distant, but alive. Marit felt it first and she broke contact in shock. She was shaking in anger as she realized where her father had been taken. Why this lie had been set on them.
“My own cousin,” Marit hissed, her eyes blazing as she got to her feet, “has sold my father to the Emperor! He is on his way to Dunlevy on one of the Emperor’s vessels in chains!” She was on her way out the door when Tavin caught her. “Let me go, Tavin! He can’t do this to my father! I am going to make him bring my father back!”
“He did this to get to you, Marit,” Tavin told her as he set her on her feet and held her in place. “If you go to him, we’re lost.” He looked at her sternly. “He is not going to harm your father, at least, not until he has you. And you, my little one,” he said as he raised her eyes to his, “are mine! You said so yourself.” He looked over at Margarete, who was looking stunned. “In the first place, Aunt. We saw Gyr and Ashya in their true forms.”
“It is said,” Margarete said softly as she rose to her feet, “that one can see the face of their true mate in those statues.” She was smiling as she remembered. “I saw Marius and myself when I went there the night I ran from the courtship ritual. And you,” she looked at her daughter, “saw each other?” They nodded. “It is meant to be!”
“No,” Marit cried and backed away from them both. “Not at the cost of my father’s life, Tavin! Not at the loss of your beloved husband, Mother! The borderlands need their king. We must get him back.”
“Then we will, Marit,” Tavin told her firmly; “but not at the risk of losing you! I have friends and;” his eyes widened as he had a thought, “we have mercenaries! Marit! This is their sentence!” He kissed Margarete on the forehead and led Marit down to the rooms where the three brothers were being kept under guard. The guards opened the door and the three men rose to their feet. “You have one chance to prove yourselves worthy of mercy.”
“Our cousin, Andrew,” Raven said once they had told him their problem, “has a fleet of pirate vessels that work the waters between here and Dunlevy.” He looked at his brothers and they nodded. “We will send him word to strike all imperial vessels and release the prisoners.”
“Don’t tell him who the prisoner we are looking for is, Northlander,” Tavin told the man. He saw Marit frowning at him. “In case they are caught,” he told her firmly, “they will only be able to say that they were harassing the Emperor on sheer principle.”
“That helps your king,” Raven said to Marit and Tavin, “but it does nothing about the princess’ situation or her promise to visit the Northlands.”
“They will expect me to go home,” Marit frowned, “and will be waiting for me to arrive.” She sank down on a chair. “Tavin, please…”
“No,” Tavin broke in, knowing what she was going to ask. “You are not going.” He saw her frown. “I have already sent Janisa in your place. She has like enough coloring that those who do not know you well will be fooled. And since you are supposed to be in mourning, she will go veiled.” He looked at the north men. “We will go with you to your Northlands, just Marit and I.”
“Tavin,” Marit sighed and held her hand out to him. “I do not think that is wise.” She was suddenly feeling very strange. “I do not…”
“Marit!”
He caught her up in his arms and carried her to her mother. Then he ran for the healers. While he was gone, Amabet entered Margarete’s rooms. She met her sister’s eyes and Margarete could see what was happening. She watched as the guard to carried Marit out of the room and Amabet closed and locked the door, laughing in triumph. The guard followed Amabet down the back passages and out the bolt hole where the Emperor and his men were waiting. Marit was lifted up in front of Alexander.
“We caught it just in time, Excellency,” she told Alexander. “The princess and her cousin were about to be mated.”
“I want him dead,” Alexander told the woman. “I don’t care how you arrange it. I want his head as a display piece.”
“It will be done, Excellency.” Her mind was already spinning with plans. “I shall arrange it so that the North men take the blame.” She was already on her way back inside. “The house will believe it readily when one or two of them are found dead along with the boy.”
Alexander nodded and turned his horse towards Sylvan Ford. His men fell in behind him, as hard-faced as he. They arrived at the Abbey of Terrance and Marit’s great uncle came to them, his eyes filled with worry as he saw his great-niece’s palor. He followed the Emperor to the infirmary and stood near as the nuns tended to her. Marit came awake, screaming for her father. The Abbott held her in his arms as she sobbed, and he believed it to be grief.
“Give her something to help her sleep,” he told the nuns. “We will leave in the morning for the funeral.”
“He’s not dead, Uncle,” Marit cried, her eyes going cold as she saw Alexander watching her from the corner of the room. “It’s not true,” she said to her uncle, begging him to tell her the truth. “Susa would never hurt my father. Never!”
“There now, child,” the Abbott soothed as he patted her awkwardly on the back. “I know it’s a shock to hear of this. People are not always as we see them.” He handed her the cup the nun brought. “Drink this, Marit. Sleep is what you need now.” Marit did as she was told. She was in position to argue at the moment, and she still felt sick from whatever had struck her at the Keep. When she was asleep, the Abbott motioned Alexander to leave with him. “Poor child! She has gone through such horrors these past months.” He looked at the Emperor and saw only concern in the man’s eyes. “It will be better when she has a good, loving man at her side.”
“I care very deeply for her, lord Abbott,” Alexander lied easily. He looked towards the door and sighed. “I will devote myself to helping her forget all the pain she’s suffered.”
“You are a good man, Excellency,” the Abbott nodded. “It makes me wonder why my nephew was so unwilling to agree to your marriage to his daughter.” He turned away and failed to see Alexander’s frown. “Probably just wanted a chance to get to know his child after all the years they missed.” His smile was gentle. “She’s such a beautiful child; so gentle, so intelligent. The best of both her parents is in that girl.” He laughed and turned to Alexander, who was still looking back at the infirmary door. “She’s in good hands, Excellency. Come join me at supper.”

*
Marit whimpered as pain struck her over and over again and something cool was placed in her mouth. She sighed as it flowed down her throat and then there was a brief moment of peace. It ended as hands moved over her body and began to touch her in ways meant only for Tavin. Her eyes shot open and she saw who was attacking her, but she could not scream. Her voice was gone. She tried to fight him off, but her body would not obey her. Her mind was screaming as he continued his attack, sending pain cascading through her with no regard for her innocence, or her inexperience. He finished the rape and sat next to her, his hand stroking her hair.
“Now you are truly mine, Princess,” Alexander laughed down at her harshly. “Once we have ‘buried’ your father, we will be married.” He ran his fingers over her lips and felt her shudder. “He will remain alive, my pretty princess, as long as you do as I wish of you. Say one word, to anyone, of what happened here tonight, and he is dead for real.” He saw the defeat in her eyes and knew she understood. “Very good. I was certain you would understand.” He heard someone coming and pressed a kiss on her lips as the door opened. Then he turned to the nun. “She woke up when I came in to check on her, Sister.”
“She should be sleeping, poor lamb,” the woman sighed. She fixed another sedative and Alexander sat Marit up and held her so the nun could give Marit the drug. “She’ll sleep until morning now, Excellency. You should go to your own bed.”
“I’d like to sit with her a little longer, Sister,” Alexander said. He picked Marit’s hand up and held it in his, stroking her gently. She whimpered in her sleep and he leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Soon, my lady love,” he whispered in her ear; “you will be all mine.”
When the nuns came in the morning, Alexander was sleeping in a chair near the bed. He was still holding Marit’s hand and she was awake, tears glistening in her eyes. She knew why he was there. He wanted to make certain she didn’t say anything to the nuns. He needn’t have bothered, she realized as she tried to say good morning and her voice refused to sound. She looked his way and saw the delight in his eyes as he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
“Good morning, my lady,” he smiled down at her. “I will leave you to the gentle sisters now. We will be leaving for Sylvan Ford right after breakfast.”
Marit bit her lip and fought to control her tears. She got up and had to sit down again as weariness hit her. How much sedative had they given her last night, she wondered as she put her talent to work to counteract the effects of the medications. The nuns helped her dress in somber hues of black and gray and placed a veil over her face. She was in ‘mourning’ now and must go garbed in such darkness. Marit could only hope that the north men’s cousin and his pirates would free her father before he got to Dunlevy and disappeared where only the Emperor’s word could reach him. She ate breakfast with the nuns and felt some peace in their loving company. It ended when Alexander came for her. He helped her on a mount and took her reins in his hand after he had mounted his own steed. Then they waited as the Abbott and his people and all the other borderlanders who had stopped at the Abbey fell in behind them.
Marit was glad that no one spoke to her. They kept their comments for Alexander and the Abbott and left her to her own thoughts. It made being in this farce a little more bearable. Until they stopped the first night and she found herself alone in a pavilion with the Emperor’s guards at the entrance to the tent. She backed away as Alexander came in, followed by a couple servants. They set out an evening meal and left. The tent flap was closed and tied off and she was trapped with her rapist. He pushed her over gown off of her and watched it fall in a pool of black silk around her feet. He removed the braids from her hair, enjoying the way it fell around her lovely body like a cloak.
“This is how I see you every night, my lady,” he said as he sat her down at the table. “No boundaries, no bonds. All ready and willing for me.”
“I am neither,” Marit snapped back at him. “You think because you forced yourself on me that you own me?”
“It is a basic law, my lady,” Alexander smiled at her. He enjoyed the way her eyes lit up like gemstones when she was angry. And she was enraged at the moment. “The marriage began the moment I had you. The wedding ceremony is a mere formality now.” He caught her arm as she tried to leave. “Oh no, Marit,” he laughed as he pulled her down into his lap. “You are mine now. You will go nowhere, do nothing, say nothing, without my knowledge or consent. And right now,” he said as he got up and put her back in her chair, “you will eat the meal our servants spent hours preparing for us.”
“No,” Marit snapped back at him. “I will not.”
“Good,” Alexander smiled coldly. “Then we can get to the creation of my heirs.” He yanked her out of the chair and dragged her over to the bed. Marit kicked and clawed and struggled, but he was much stronger than she was. He ripped her under gown off of her and used it to bind her wrists behind her back. “You will learn to obey me, Marit,” he said as he removed his clothing while he held her down. “Until you do, I will not be deterred by your temper tantrums. In fact,” he said as he drove into her and felt her stiffen, “I rather enjoy you like this; all fire and fury.” He raped her then, laughing as she screamed in pain and protest. He did not stop until she was dazed and confused. Then he took her again, this time slow and gentle, watching in delight as she struggled to keep herself from responding to him. She was in tears as she realized she had no chance. “You put up a good fight, my princess. Do not hate yourself because I know exactly how to manipulate your lovely body.” She got her wrists free and tried to slap him. He caught her arm, laughing; wrenching it up behind her back so that she was pressed against him. He ran his tongue along her lips and they parted in a sigh as her body responded. “So lovely, Marit. So mine!”
Marit shook her head, her mind still her own, despite what her body seemed to want. Her tormentor merely laughed and continued what he was doing; ignoring her protests. He left her unconscious on the bed, covered by a fur and dressed. He went to finish dinner, looking over at the beauty in his bed and smiling happily. Willing or not, she was a glorious bed mate. He was going to enjoy teaching her how to please him properly. Until then, he would enjoy her struggles to remain free of his control. It didn’t matter to him if she wanted what he was doing to her; she was his now, and that was all that mattered. He took her twice more before the morning came, leaving her bruised and numb. The veil over her face hid the bruises, and her numbness was attributed to deep grief over the loss of her father. When they finally arrived at the castle, Rafel had given him the chambers next to hers. Everyone saw it as his sign of deep concern for his affianced lady.
“We must put on the proper show of grief today, my lady,” Alexander said to her at breakfast in her rooms. They were alone. Her ladies were kept out so that the couple could have time together. He took a packet out of his pocket and dumped the contents into her cup of juice. He swirled it with his finger. “Drink this.” Marit did as he told her, knowing he would only hurt her if she refused. “That’s my love,” he crooned as he reached over and stroked her cheek. “I will leave you to your ladies now so I may prepare.” He got up and kissed her gently. “I will return to escort you.”
Marit did not move. What was the point? He had her where he wanted her. He held all the cards. People would die if she fought him, and he knew that was her only real weakness. She was in tears as Sysha, Celia and Naji came in to help her. She was numb as they readied her for the funeral. And then she was shaking in weakness. She could barely stand by the time Alexander came for her. He supported her down the corridor and held her tight as her knees buckled under her weight during the funeral ceremony. She fainted as they laid her ‘father’ in his grave; exactly as he had arranged. Alexander carried her back to her room as she lost consciousness and remained frozen in a false sleep for the rest of the day. He kept her in this state for the next three days. On the fourth morning, he gave her the antidote.
“You understand how things are going to be between us now, my love?” he asked as he took her once the numbness had word off. “Let me hear you confirm it.”
“I am yours,” Marit choked out past the last of her refusal. “We will marry and I will give you heirs. I will not run. I will not refuse you. But,” she continued as she saw the triumph in his eyes, “I will hate you for the rest of my life.”
“You are entitled,” Alexander shrugged. “Once we marry, I will have what my family has been struggling to possess for decades – the borderlands. Having you in my bed, while enjoyable, is just a minor perk.” He laughed at her face. “You thought I really meant it when I declared love for you, princess? You really are naïve.” He pressed her down and moved his leg between hers. “It was always about the land.” He took her again, not stopping until he collapsed in utter exhaustion on top of her.
Marit tried to move and he tightened his hold on her, keeping her pinned beneath him. She laid as still as she could then, not wanting him to wake and force himself on her again. She didn’t care that her body was beginning to enjoy what he did. To her mind, it was always going to be rape. She had thought she wanted him once; but she now knew he had been manipulating her the entire time. And that thought made her very angry; with him, but more especially with herself. She finally dozed off but came awake as he began to force himself on her again.
“After this,” he smiled down at her as he drove inside of her brutally, “our mating will be legitimized.” He kissed her on the lips once he was done and returned to his own chambers.
“Princess?” Sysha’s voice broke through the numbness on her mind. “He did that to you?”
“He couldn’t wait,” Marit said to her as she got up, whimpering from the pain. She started towards the bathing chamber and her knees buckled. “No, Sysha,” Marit said as the lady tried to help her to her feet. “I’ll be fine in a moment.” Marit struggled to her feet and started to the other room, shaking from the pain but determined to move. She sank into the water with a sigh. “That’s better.”
“It’s not right, my lady,” Sysha said as she watched the servants bathe Marit. “No man has the right to brutalize a woman to such a degree. I don’t care who he is.”
“Enough, Sysha,” Marit snapped. She closed her eyes against a fresh wave of tears. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
Sysha nodded, not in the least mollified by Marit’s apology. She helped Marit into her wedding gown without a word. She stood with her husband behind the Emperor and the princess and listened to the ceremony. And she prayed that some miracle would occur that would put this madness to an end. Then, just as she thought all was lost for her beloved lady, the doors at the end of the hall opened and Marius strode in, followed by Stormkeep and the other clans warriors. But it was the man at Marius side, a silver-haired version of Alexander, who stunned them all. This was his grandfather; the Emperor who all had thought had abdicated his rule to his grandson.
“This will cease at once, Alexander,” the Emperor Nicholas snarled. “I do not remember sanctioning this alliance.”
“I don’t need your approval, old man,” Alexander hissed as he pulled Marit up in front of him. “She is already mine. The ceremony is merely words at this point.” He glared at Marius and his grandfather. “You allow this wedding to proceed or we will be having a funeral.”
“Let her go, Alexander,” Nicholas replied coldly, “and stand for justice.” His eyes narrowed as Alexander tightened his hold on Marit and she whimpered from the pain. “I will not ask again, boy!”
Alexander opened his mouth to refuse and the next moment he was on his knees sobbing and in pain. Edmund helped Marit to her feet and she shook him off, unable to stop herself from showing him all the pain he had put her through over the last several days, physical and emotional. He was trembling and sobbing, refusing to believe he could have been that cruel, that demanding. Alexander’s grandfather’s men took him away; as Marius went to his daughter. He caught her as her knees buckled and she collapsed.
“My child,” he cried as he saw her face, “what did he do to you?”
“It’s only bruises, Father,” Marit sighed as she tumbled towards the darkness. “They’ll heal.” She had an image of Tavin being run through with a large sword of some kind and his pain reached out to her, slamming into her weakened mind. She screamed and reached out to him. “Tavin!”

*
Tavin raised his head from where he lay on the floor of his chamber and looked up in confusion. She had called to him, and he had felt her pain as his own. Marit needed him and he was lying here like a helpless child while his aunt laughed down at him. He struggled to his feet wondering why his side felt so strange. Then he saw the sword sticking out of his body. He pulled it out and raised it in his hands, shaking as the weight of it made his arms ache. But that did not stop him. He had to get to Marit, and that meant he had to stop the witch. Her laughter died the moment he sent her head flying. Then he dropped the sword and collapsed to his knees.
“It will be all right, Tavin,” Margarete’s voice, so much like his beloved’s voice entered his ears. He was helped to his feet and guided to the Infirmary. “Marit is all right.” She mopped his sweating brow as the fever hit. “She will be with you soon. You hang on to that thought, boy. Marit is yours and she will be with you.” She looked over at the North men. “How are they doing, Nara?”
“They are strong these northern dogs,” the healer said with outright respect. “A lesser man would be dead from such wounds.” She looked over at the bed where Amabet’s body lay. “We will have to burn her, lady. Her evil must be purged from our house quickly.”
“Have Elder Sodu see to it, Nara,” Margarete said wearily. “Where is my brother, Nara? How could he had let Amabet do such horrible things?”
“He had no choice, lady Margarete,” a young female voice spoke up from the doorway. Margarete turned to see Reyma, Amabet’s daughter, standing there. “My mother?” she asked as she looked at the covered body. Nara nodded and the girl sank to her knees. “Thank the fates. She is gone!
Margarete wondered at the expression of glee on Reyma’s face, but didn’t have time to dwell on it as one of the other men, Badger, began to moan. Nara and Margarete went to his aid and did not see the hungry look on Reyma’s face as she looked at Tavin. She went to his side and ran her hand down his arm. He should be her mate, she thought as she looked down into his handsome face. She was his cousin, too. And she was full blooded; not like the princess Marit. How could he want a mate who could not join him fully in the delights of four and two? It made no sense to her. She added a sedative into two cups of water and gave them to her aunt and the healer. When she was sure they were asleep, she lifted Tavin to his feet and half dragged, half carried him away.
“Hello, beloved,” Reyma purred several days later when the worst of his injuries had healed. “I am happy to see you recovering.”
“Marit?” Tavin’s eyes opened and he looked at Reyma in confusion. “Reyma? What are you doing here?” He sat up and heard the rattle of metal. He looked down at the shackles on his wrists; felt the collar around his throat. “What are you doing?”
“You belong to me, Tavin,” Reyma said to him simply. “I brought you here so that I could convince you of that fact.” She ran her fingers along his bare chest, and he realized that he was naked. “By the time I am through with you, my love; you will not even remember Marit. She will be nothing to you.”
“It will never happen, Reyma,” Tavin snapped at her and tried to pull the shackles free. “Marit and I are fated. We saw it at the first place.”
“Old superstitions,” Reyma sniffed. “I can see you are going to be stubborn about this. So,” she said sadly as she forced him to drink something and the freed him from the shackles and helped him outside, “we are going to have to be harsh with you.”
“What have you done?” Tavin screamed as the pains ripped through him. He watched as his arms and legs began to transform. Not to wolf, however, as they should. He was being turned into a – a mule! “Reyma!” he screamed and turned to look at the delight in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Tavin,” Reyma said as she put a halter on his face and snapped a lead to it to tie to the rail around the pen where two other mules were tethered. “But until you agree to be mine, you are just going to have to be a dumb animal.” She got her packs and put them on his back. “And we are going to have to go somewhere we are not known.” She finished putting packs on him and then got the other mule and untethered it. She mounted this one and moved around to pull Tavin’s lead free. “Just you, me, Susa, and your father.”
Tavin’s mind screamed as he trotted along after her like the dumb mule whose form she had locked him in. She was riding his father! Like he also was a mule. And Marit’s childhood friend was also sharing this nightmare; the poor child who knew nothing of transformation and magic. He was angry, but his mind was impotent in the new form. Whatever magicks she had used on them were unbreakable. They left Stormkeep and headed north away from the borderlands. His mind screamed out for Marit but he could not feel her now. What had the witch done to him? This was not right! He belonged with Marit. It didn’t seem to matter to his cousin, Reyma, what he wanted however. He and his father were hers now and she delighted in reminding them of this fact at every possible moment. Three days north, they came to a harbor town and she returned Tavin to his human form. She rendered him mute and chained his body to respond to her commands. He watched in horror as she sold his father and Susa, still chained as mules, and they boarded a ship headed even further north.
“From this night on,” Reyma said as she fixed her potion and added it to some wine, “you are mine. Body and soul, mind and heart.” She stirred the potion and repeated her spell three times. Then she handed him the cup. “Take this, Tavin and drink.” He could not refuse her, his body was hers to command. He drank the wine and screamed as he felt something settle on his mind. “Now, my cousin,” Reyma smiled as she removed her dress and came to stand before him. “You will love only me.”

*
Marit woke up screaming. Everything Tavin had gone through had flooded into her sleeping mind. She had seen it all: the abduction; the chained forms; the trip north. She had felt it all: his pain, his grief, his terror, and then the numbness. She tried to get to her feet and someone was holding her down. She opened her eyes to see the healer bringing a cup to her lips. She struck it aside and tried to get out of bed and found herself being forced back by her father. He held her as the healer readied another sedative.
“No,” Marit screamed. “I can’t sleep. She’s taken Tavin away. I must find him and free him.” They got the sedative into her and her screams became muted. “Please, Father. You have to let me go. Tavin has fallen victim to a witch!”
“I’m sorry, daughter,” Marius frowned as he watched her fall to sleep. “It’s too soon. You need time to heal.” He turned to see the door opening. He was on his feet as he saw who was walking through the door. “You’re dead.”
“A lie meant to keep you from looking,” Margarete told him. She looked at their daughter. “It is good you keep her sedated. What is happening to Tavin is not for her.” She sank down on the chair next to Marit’s bed. “Not just yet.”
“What happened?”
“My twin,” Margarete told him. She could see she didn’t need to explain further. Marius remembered the damage Amabet had done to them. “But her daughter; your other daughter, Reyma, is far worse.” She saw him go pale. “You did not know?”
“I thought she was lying,” Marius replied. “Just to make me hurt for sending Marit away.” He went to the window and ran his hand through his hair. “Even if I could have raised Reyma, I would have had to take her mother as well. And I could not have another woman,” he said as he looked at Margarete. “My heart was gone when you left.”
“Amabet damaged a lot of people in her madness,” Margarete sighed. “But I am afraid her daughter is going to be a whole different matter. She has Tavin now, and for now that is enough.” She stroked Marit’s hair, a sad look on her face. “But she is not going to be satisfied until she has destroyed Marit as well.” She heard Marit whimpering and knew the girl was suffering from her bond with Tavin. “They have bonded, Marius.” She saw his shock and shared it. “As we did, they saw Gyr and Ashya’s will in the first place.”
“There is a way to break that bond, Margarete,” Marius said as he came to lay his hand on his queen’s shoulder. “You told me so when we stood there.”
“It is cruel and could cause far more damage.” Margarete looked up at her husband. “He is a good man, Marius. He would have loved her as she should be loved; as you loved me.”
“I have asked Edmund of Fellstone to take her to wife,” Marius told his wife. “He is a good man as well, and he has stood by and watched her suffer the agonies of the past months with mounting affection. He and his sister will take her with them when they leave in the morning.” He looked down at his daughter with regret. “I have already signed the certificate as her father.”
“They will tell her he is dead?” Margarete asked him, her eyes remaining on Marit.
“It seemed the kindest lie,” Marius nodded. He sank down on his knees. “I would have spared her this, Margarete. I never wanted our daughter to know such pain as we did.”
“It would appear that pain is our heritage,” Margarete replied. “I will go with her when she leaves.” She felt him stiffen. “She will need someone with her for a while who understands the torment her mind will suffer.” She laid her hand on his shoulder now. “I will show them how to prepare the medication that will lessen the nightmares.”
“Then you will return to Stormkeep?”
“Only if you do not want me, my love,” Margarete told him.
“You are my heart, beloved one,” Marius said softly as his hand moved up to grip hers. “How could I not want you back?”
Marit woke the next morning to the news that she had been married to Edmund and was leaving with him and Naji for Fellstone. She had been given the first of the drug that was meant to help her forget Tavin and she was numb. She rose in a cart, propped up by pillows and tended by her new sister-in-law and Margarete. She was too tired to cry; too tired to move. She smiled weakly as Edmund joined her at meals and held her hand in his, smiling proudly. He was kind to her, and gentle when he joined her that night in the tent. She knew he would kill himself to make her happy and she wished with all her heart that she could give him some encouragement that his love was returned.
“It is all right, Marit,” he said to her later after he had made love to her with all the gentleness she had never experienced before. “I love you enough for both of us. You will grow to have affection for me, I know.” He put his arms around her and kissed her on the forehead. “For me, it is enough.”
Marit felt safe in his arms, and cherished. There was no force, no manipulation. With Edmund, it was always and ever a gentle affection. His only wish was for her to be happy. He went out of his way to find ways to make her smile and by the end of the first month of their life together, he had succeeded. He was her constant and loving friend and she was not afraid to let him occupy a corner of her heart. At the end of the second month, the nightmares about Tavin had eased until they were only a tiny echo in her mind as she lay in her husband’s arms after their love play. At the end of the third month, she and Edmund were overjoyed to hear that she was with child – his child.
“I do not like leaving you, beloved,” Edmund frowned eight months later when he was called to council at Sylvan Ford. “You are vulnerable here at Fellstone.”
“You worry too much, my love,” Marit smiled up at him gently from her place by the fire in their chambers. “I have Naji here with me, and your entire army is here in attendance. I worry more that you travel with only your personal escort.”
“Silly wife,” Edmund laughed down at her. “No one is going to bother me. I am only your consort; the lord of Fellstone, and we are only two and a half day’s ride from Sylvan Ford.” He looked over at the healer. “Are you certain she can not make this journey?”
“If you want your child to be born without harm, lord Fellstone,” the healer frowned at him, “you will not jostle your wife while he is still developing.” Edmund bowed his head in defeat. He kissed Marit on the lips and left the chamber. “Men are so helpless at this time, Princess. You will be glad of the peace and quiet.”
“He has been very attentive,” Marit smiled, remembering the little gifts her husband kept bringing to her; the way he doted on her and pampered her. “He loves me very much, doesn’t he?”
“He is a good man,” the healer replied, seeing the look on Marit’s face. “He understands your pain.”
“I wish I were worthy of such a man,” Marit said softly. She shook her head to clear it of the depression and got to her feet. “I need some air, Berta. Join me in the gardens?”
“I believe lady Naji is already there, Princess,” Berta replied, looking out the window to make certain. “You are not going to watch the lord Edmund leave?”
“No,” Marit shook her head. “It only distresses him.” She left the room and went to the gardens via the kitchen. She found that the Cook had already set aside a plate for her with fruits and cheese and bread. There was a cup of juice next to it. “You are too good to me.”
“You make him happy, Princess,” the Cook returned. “And that makes us happy.” She frowned as she heard something spooking the chickens. “I’ll be right back.”
Marit nodded and ate her snack. The people in Fellstone were as gentle and loving as their lord. But there was an underlying steel to their nature that most people would miss at first glance. She knew each and every one of them would die for their lord Edmund and, by extension, herself. She heard the chickens continuing to make a fuss and wondered if the Cook needed a hand. She got up slowly and made her way out to the kitchen gardens. The Cook was missing. She saw the gate open and called the guards. They went to look and did not return. Marit went to find Naji and her guards and they were not in the garden where the healer had said they were.
“Don’t worry about them, sister,” a cold voice sounded behind Marit. She turned slowly to see a girl who looked almost exactly like her, but with thick silver hair bound down her back in a thick plait. “I thought it was time we met, Marit.”
“Sister?” Marit repeated. Her mind and body felt dull and she knew this girl was doing something to her. “I don’t have a sister.”
“Yes, you do,” Reyma smiled back at her. “A half sister. My name is Reyma. Please sit down, Marit. You must be weary from carrying such a load.” She laid her hand on Marit’s abdomens and smiled. “Twins! How delightful. Your lord Edmund is going to be so thrilled.” She picked up a piece of fruit and bit into it. “We will leave him his children before we go to Verdis. Follow me, sister.”
Marit got to her feet and followed Reyma up to her rooms. The healer was sleeping on her cot in the corner as Marit was led inside. Marit could not move as Reyma went to the healers kit and took out different compounds. As she mixed them, she hummed a familiar tune under her breath. It was as she was mixing the potion into a cup of water that the spell ended and the guards burst into the room and surrounded her.
“She says she is my sister,” Marit told Naji as her sister-in-law joined her in her chambers. “I couldn’t stop her. She was mixing something.”
“To force birth,” the healer hissed. “She came to steal your children, Princess.”
“Then she is definitely a witch,” Naji frowned. “She had the entire fortress under some kind of spell. We will have to send her to your father in chains of silver and blindfolded. He will know what to do with her.”
“I’m going with her,” Marit said. She saw Naji start to argue. “I need to know what the truth is, Naji. This girl so much like me it is spooky. But neither of my parents said I was a twin.”
“It would not be good for others to learn that your father was seduced by a witch, Marit,” Naji warned her. “Perhaps we should just send word and wait for your father to come here.” She shook her head as Marit started to argue. “No, sister,” Naji said fiercely. “You are not to travel. That is why you were here when the witch attacked.” The door burst open and Edmund came running in. “Edmund?”
“I was nearly to the ford when I had an awful feeling that something was wrong,” Edmund said as he went to his knees beside Marit. He laid his hand on her abdomen. “The guard told me about the witch. Are you all right?”
“You are supposed to be on the way to Sylvan Ford, Edmund,” Marit reminded him, so overwhelmed with joy that he had come back to her that she knew she was in danger of truly loving him. “My father will not be pleased…”
“He will just have to forgive me,” Edmund broke in fiercely, “if my wife’s safety is more important to me than a stupid council meeting.” He looked at the tears in her eyes and frowned. “Marit. I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt…”
“You darling idiot!” Marit laughed as she threw her arms around his neck. “How could it hurt to know how much you love me?” She looked at Berta. “I don’t care what you say, Berta. I am going with my husband. See that a cart is prepared.”
“Marit,” Edmund shook his head. “You have had a scare. You’re not thinking straight.”
“You are my husband,” Marit told him. “I belong at your side. I do not want to be treated like a fragile object.”
“You heard my lady, Berta,” Edmund smiled down at Marit as he picked her up in his arms. “Prepare the cart.” He carried her down the stairs, knowing something had changed between them in the half hour he’d been gone; something very important. “Now, my lady,” he said sternly as he set her in the cart a half hour later; “you will not move from this cart, or your companions’ sides, except when you are with me. Is that clear?”
“Yes, my love,” Marit nodded. She kissed him as he leaned over to tuck the robes in around her and he blushed. “I adore you, my lord.”
“As I do you, my lady,” Edmund nodded and moved off to mount his horse. They moved out of the fortress with most of the Fellstone force joining them this time. “On to Sylvan Ford.”
They arrived at her father’s castle with no incidents, except the numerous stops so Marit could stretch and tend to business associated with pregnancy. She was smiling as she saw her parents standing together at the top of the steps as they drove into the courtyard. Her father nearly beat Edmund to her side, but her husband was the one who carried her into the great hall and had her made comfortable on her throne. Marius remained behind, freezing as he saw the silver-haired girl being brought forward.
“Put her in the rooms next to our daughters for now. She is to be left blindfolded and chained.” He looked over at Margarete, who was frowning darkly. “Come my lady. We have guests to see to.”
“What’s the matter, Father?” Reyma laughed as she turned her head in his direction. “Afraid someone will learn you allowed yourself to be seduced by your own wife’s sister?”
“I allowed nothing,” Marius shot back. He turned to the guard. “Have the healer keep her sedated as well. No one is allowed near her but my queen or myself. No one.”
Marit entered her old chambers and smiled. It was nice to be back here, but she had changed quite a lot in the past nine months. She had been robbed of her true mate, and married to a man who adored her. She was now having his children; and she was finding it possible to love more than one man. She looked at Edmund as he set down her trunk and held her hands out to him with a loving smile. He came to her and laid his cheek on her hands, lost to her. Neither of them heard Naji and the others leave. Much later, Edmund left Marit sleeping in their bed and joined the Council.
“Sister.”
Marit opened her eyes frowning as she heard the voice in her mind. She got up and dressed, wondering if she had been dreaming. But it had felt urgent, like someone was in a great deal of distress. She turned towards the doors adjoining the next chamber and headed towards them, frowning. Someone in the next room was hurting. She turned the knob and it was locked.
“Hurry, sister,” the voice sounded even louder. “I need you.”
Marit walked into the next chamber and saw the girl lying on the bed. She was blindfolded and chained. She had obviously been drugged. What was her father doing with a prisoner here, Marit wondered as she approached the bed. Something about the girl seemed familiar to her but the call in her mind was too urgent for her to recall anything. Pain, the girl was in so much pain. Marit sank down on her knees next to the bed and put her hands on the girl’s arm. She pulled the pain into herself and screamed as it triggered labor. The door opened and the healer came in to find Marit shaking in pain and the witch removing the blindfold and laughing. She froze as Reyma’s eyes met hers and helped Marit to her feet. They went back to Marit’s chambers and Reyma stayed hidden as her half sister had her children. Then, once the children were born and Marit was too weak to fight, she made her move. She sent Marit back to the other room and made her lie down on the bed and then enjoyed the pampering she received in her new body.

*
Marit opened her eyes and wondered why she was seeing nothing but a blur over her eyes. Her body felt strangely light and she remembered having the children. Where were they now, she wondered as she tried to sit up and found that she could not move? She raised her arms and heard the rattling of chain. What was wrong? Why would she be shackled after having her children? She opened her mouth to call for help and heard only a muffled noise. She heard someone coming towards her and they removed a gag from her mouth and helped her sit up.
“Where am I?” Marit cried and then froze as she heard another’s voice coming out of her throat. “What’s going on?”
“Quiet, witch!” Berta’s voice sounded in her ear. “You’re not to speak, not to move; until the king is ready to stand judgment on you.”
“Berta, please…” Marit’s protests were stilled as the healer forced the wine down her throat. “Listen to me! Please…”
“Quiet, witch!” Berta snapped and put the gag back into Marit’s mouth. “You won’t be casting any spells on anyone here. Despite your attack, the princess has had her children. You won’t be getting your foul hands on her or them.”
Marit shook her head in denial. This wasn’t happening to her. They thought she was the witch. But she was still herself; she was not the girl claiming to be her sister. A horrifying thought crossed her mind and she went ballistic. If the witch changed bodies with her, then she would be free to hurt the babies, to hurt her family. And no one would know! She had to get free of these bonds, her mind screamed. She fought the sedative but she could feel herself weakening. She heard her tormentor’s mind in hers, laughing in triumph.
“Just enough to keep her docile, Berta,” Margarete’s voice spoke up as the strange numbness settled on Marit. “There is no need to damage her unduly. She is my lord’s bastard daughter, after all.” The woman muttered and the door opened and closed. The blindfold came off and Marit blinked as light struck her eyes. Margarete removed the gag and helped Marit drink some water. “Hello, Reyma.”
“Not…Reyma,” Marit protested. “Please…listen…”
“What is this?” Margarete asked as the door opened again.
“The witch wants us to think she is not herself, my lady,” Berta told Margarete. “She acted all confused and afraid when she last woke.” She shook her head as Margarete looked thoughtful. “It’s a trick, my lady. Meant to lull us into her clutches.”
“She was such a beautiful child, Berta,” Margarete said sadly. She reached out to stroke Marit’s hair and Marit stiffened as she saw silver in her mother’s hands. “She used to spend hours with me, learning how to embroider.” She dropped her hand. “But that was before my sister took her for training. Amabet destroyed this lovely child with her foul ways.”
“Mother….”
“Your mother is dead, Reyma,” Margarete broke in coldly. “She enchanted the north men into attacking Tavin. He nearly died from that foul attack. Tavin killed her before he fell.” She clamped her hand on Marit’s throat. “You are going to tell us where you took him; what you did to Susa and Taryn. And then you are going to follow her.”
“No,” Marit whimpered, refusing to believe her own mother would do something so cold. “Please…”
“You had your chance to be free of her, Reyma,” Margarete broke in, putting the gag back in place. “Why did you have to follow her lead?” She looked at Berta. “I am going to see my daughter now, Berta.” She put the blindfold back on Marit. “You are a brave woman to sit with her.”
“She’s just a little witch,” Berta sniffed. “Nothing I can’t handle.” The door opened and closed and Marit knew her mother was gone. “Now, sweet princess,” Berta’s cold voice sounded in her ear. “You are going to listen and do exactly as I tell you. Or your sister is going to harm your pretty children, and your loving family. Do you understand me?” Marit nodded and the woman smiled. “Then you are not going to try to alert anyone to your true self again. I am going to give you something to keep you mute, and remove the gag.”
Marit nodded and Berta removed the gag. She helped Marit sit up and gave her something to drink. Soup, Marit recognized the taste as one of the Cook’s best broths. Very filling, very nourishing. Her own body was probably receiving much the same. Berta took the empty cup away and wiped her mouth. She helped Marit up onto her feet and took her to the bathing chamber. She was bathed and given new clothing to wear and then left sitting by the balcony. It was a beautiful day and she wished she could be enjoying it, but every eye that came her way quickly glanced away and there were several who signed against evil. There was a knock on the door and Berta blindfolded her and put her in a chair.
“Your lordship? What?”
Marit heard a thud and knew Berta was down from the pain she was feeling. She got to her feet and backed away from a source of intense anger. The next moment a fist struck her jaw and she collapsed to her knees. Then two hands clamped around her throat and she was gasping for air. She tried to fight, but her wrists were bound. She was relegated to kicking at whoever was trying to kill her. And then the attacker was pulled off of her and she fell to the floor, gulping in air and using her talent to heal Berta and then herself. She lost consciousness then and missed the conversation playing out around her.
“What am I doing here?” Edmund’s voice sounded puzzled from nearby. “In here with that!”
“You tried to kill her, Edmund,” Marius’ voice sounded. “You knocked Berta aside and started to strangle the girl.” He put his hand on Edmund’s shoulder. “I know you’re angry at her, Edmund; we all are, but she is the only one who can lead us to Tavin and his father, and Marit’s friend, Susa. We need her alive.”
“I did what?” Edmund shook his head in denial. “I would never… No matter how angry I was.”
“She must not want us to find her prisoners,” Lorenz’ voice chimed in. “So she reached out to the most vulnerable mind and put the compulsion on him. It would appear our little witch is more powerful than we realized. The blindfold and gag are useless.”
“We have to find some way to convince her that she needs to help us,” Marius frowned. “But what could we say. She took them because she wanted to hurt us. She’s not going to give them back simply because we ask nicely.”
“You could remind her that if she doesn’t cooperate,” Edmund said coldly, “she is under an execution order.” He looked over at Marit. “This creature surely would wish to remain alive.”
“You just saw what she had you doing, Edmund,” Lorenz replied. “Why would she change her mind now?”
“Marit is my wife now,” Edmund suggested. “If she cooperates, she can keep Tavin.”
“You would sacrifice your wife’s cousin?”
“To save my wife and children? Damn right!” He rose to his feet. “We would have a chance to get Taryn and Susa back. Then we could go after Taryn.” He looked around the room. “If it were your family, would you not be willing to be a witch’s slave a little longer to get them to safety?”
The men came to some agreement and Marit found herself being wakened and the blindfold removed. She backed away as she saw the anger in their eyes. They were in dead earnest about hurting her if she tried anything. They put a cloak on her and led her out of the room and down into the courtyard. They put her on a horse and tied her ankles to the stirrups of the saddle. Marit grabbed the pommel as they rode off; her, Lorenz, Martyn, and about twenty other of her father’s men. They did not stop until night was beginning to fall. Lorenz yanked her off the horse and staked her chains to the ground.
“Berta has given us drugs to keep you powerless, witch,” he said as he sank down on a fallen log near her, “so you know to behave. Right?” Marit nodded and lowered her head. She had never seen this man so angry, and she was terrified. He thought she was someone else; someone who had harmed someone he cared about. He would hurt her if he thought it necessary. “Good.” He took a cup that Martyn brought over and held it to her lips. “We are going to sedate you at night so you can’t pull anything. During the day, you will be leading us to where you took Tavin and the others. Is that clear?” Marit nodded again and he helped her drink the soup. “You’re such a pretty creature. Why do you have to be so evil?”
Marit sank down on the blankets he tossed down for her and he covered her. She watched him move away, her eyes filling with tears. This was worse than anything she had experienced before. These men would not hesitate to hurt her. All men she loved and admired. How was she supposed to find Tavin for them? She was not Reyma. She had no idea where Reyma had taken her prisoners. She tried to start getting a sense but the sedative worked quickly and she collapsed. Sometime in the middle of the night, she felt a hand on her thigh. She could not wake as her attacker raped her; could not open her eyes to see who her rapist was. When morning came, she could barely stand from the blows he had rained down on her. Lorenz frowned as she winced when he helped her stand and then he took a good look and saw the bruising. He called Martyn over and the man frowned. The rest of the guard was questioned but not one of them could attest to who it might have been. Marit could tell some of them really didn’t care. She was a witch, did that not also mean that she was a slut?
“If any man here so much as touches the girl to help her as she stumbles and it leaves a bruise,” Martyn said in a voice that had them all snapping to attention, “I will beat them bloody. Is that clear?” He turned to Marit and held her by the elbows, searching her eyes. “Were you untouched before this, child?” Marit nodded, tears flowing down her cheeks and he hissed. “Damn! Someone is going to pay for that affront!”
Marit was so battered she could not ride and it slowed them down as they took turns holding her in front of them. No one wanted to touch her for long, or in the wrong way. They were afraid of her, afraid of Martyn. Marit did not blame them. She was not lying when she had told Martyn Reyma was a virgin. Her sister had not had relations with a man yet. And that made her wonder. She had Tavin; so why hadn’t she made him mate with her? She put her mind to finding Tavin, or Taryn, or Susa and a faint trace led them north. The touch grew stronger as they continued north until they came to a farmstead where a farmer was giving a mug to a familiar figure. Taryn rose to his feet as they rode up and he looked at Reyma.
“What is she doing here?” he demanded as he looked at Lorenz and Martyn. “Why didn’t you bring the witch?”
“This is the witch,” Lorenz replied and then frowned as Taryn shook his head. “But we were told…”
“This is Marit,” Taryn told them bluntly. “Trapped in the young witch’s body.” He helped Marit off the horse and embraced her. “Poor child,” he said as he cupped her chin in his hand and raised her eyes to his. “How could they not see the truth? She waited until you were weakened, didn’t she?”
“Marit had twins a few days ago,” Lorenz told Taryn. “You truly mean to tell us that the witch changed bodies with the princess while she was recovering from childbirth?” He looked at Martyn. “Then she is in the castle with the babies and Marit’s family.” He looked at Marit. “Is anyone else involved, my lady?” Marit nodded. “Who?” Marit put her hand to her throat and he frowned. “Write it down, my lady. We need to warn the castle.” Marit saw a stick and used it to scratch the name into the dirt. “Taryn, do you know where the lady Susa is?”
“Inside with the farmer’s wife,” Taryn told them. “They were quite astonished when the mules they had bought turned into us the morning after. It would appear Reyma was not interested in whether her spell kept going with us.” He looked at them. “My son?”
“All we know is north,” Martyn told him. “The princess does not know exactly where. She is following their bond, isn’t she?” Marit nodded and he looked upset. “What if it isn’t enough?”
“You do not know Stormkeep then, lord Martyn,” Taryn told him. “We can track our mates across thousands of miles, and dozens of years of separation.” He kissed Marit on the forehead. “She will find him.” The door to the farmhouse opened and Susa came out. She froze as she saw Marit and came forward slowly. Then she threw her arms around her friend and held her as Marit shook with silent tears. “Are you convinced now?”
“This makes what happened last night even worse,” Lorenz frowned. “We’ll tell you later, king Taryn. For now, I think you and the lady Susa and a few of our guards should return to the castle to warn them…”
“No.” Taryn and Susa said together.
“Send a guard back with your warning,” Taryn told the men. “I am going with you to find my son.”
“And I am not leaving Marit for anything,” Susa added. “The stupid men didn’t realize you were in there, did they?” She glared at the men and took Marit inside. “Let’s see what the farmstead has in the way of healing tools.”
While Susa and Marit tended her wounds, the men decided what to do about the warning. They decided to send three of the guards back and waited for Marit and Susa. When they did come out, Marit was looking a lot better. That was the last proof they needed that she was their princess and not the witch.
“You can not tell anyone about this,” Marit warned them. “Berta said that Reyma would murder my children if I told anyone what had been done to me.” She looked at the three guards. “You must find a way to get her and Berta to reveal themselves.”
“We will do our best, Highness,” the men nodded their heads and rode off.
“We should be going,” Marit said as she mounted the horse she’d been given. “His call is wavering; as if he is weakening.” She did not wait but galloped on, sending Tavin as much of her strength as she could and following his mind. She arrived in the harbor town and saw the board. “Verdis,” she nodded as the others caught up with her. “Reyma said she was going to take me to Verdis.” She started for the harbormaster’s office and suddenly noted that people were kowtowing to her. “Make them stop, Uncle,” she said to Taryn.
“It is not something I can stop, child,” Taryn told her. “Your sister put a compulsion on them.”
“She really is my sister?”
“Your aunt Amabet forced herself on Marius on his wedding night,” Taryn told her bluntly. “She said it was for insurance, in case the child Marius gave Margarete was a boy. He knew nothing of it until Amabet appeared on his door the night after his wife had ‘died’ with Reyma in her arms. She said he could have his other daughter, as well, if he would marry her.” He raised the hood on her cloak and the people snapped out of the spell and moved on. “Better.”
“There’s a captain who says he’ll take us up in an hour,” Lorenz said as he returned from the harbormaster’s office. “He says the tavern along the pier has relatively good food.”
“We stable the horses then for our return journey,” Martyn nodded. He took his coin bag off his belt and sent it and the horses with the guards. They walked down to the pier and entered the tavern. “Nice place,” Martyn smiled. “Reminds me of some of the places I frequented before Sysha landed me.”
“You?” Marit laughed at the very image of the proper lord being in a place like they were in. “Lord Solliston, you astound me.” She suddenly froze as pain blazed across her mind and turned to see a man just swinging out of a punch. “Oh my! A tavern brawl!” She laid her hand on Susa’s arm as they sat down and the men surrounded them. “We’ve never seen one before.”
“No one ever mentioned the stench,” Susa sniffed,” or the squalor.”
“Wouldn’t be a proper tavern brawl without it,” Taryn laughed and turned his eyes on the fighters. “There are a couple of men across the room who are looking too closely our way,” he leaned back and told Martyn and Lorenz. “I suggest you stand ready to remove our ladies…” He was on his feet as the men from the table he’d mentioned rose to their feet and came across the tavern. “Gentlemen. Can we help you?”
“You’re a long way from home, borderlanders,” the shortest and fattest of the band snarled. “Don’t want your kind up here; frightening our women…” He looked at Marit and Susa. “Ooh! See you brought your own with you. Is it true what they saw about borderlander sluts?” He was held up off his feet as Taryn grabbed his collar and yanked him off his feet. “Meant no offense, lord. But you bring pretties like that in here; there’s going to be trouble.”
“Lookit that hair!” one of his even more inebriated friends marveled as he pulled on Marit’s hair and she had to rise or lose it. “She must be one of the star folk with hair like this!” He cupped his hand on Marit’s chin and looked down into her eyes. “Is that what you are, pretty? A star child?”
“What she is,” Taryn snarled and sent the first man flying, “is my niece. You will take your hands off of her immediately.”
“Sorry, lord,” the man said as he backed away and tripped over his own feet.
He knocked over a servant and the pitchers and goblets went flying. The brawl intensified and in the uproar, the third man of their party grabbed Marit, his large hand over her mouth and carried her out through the kitchen. She was stuffed inside of a barrel as she screamed and tried to push off the lid that was being nailed down. She heard another scream and knew the sound of it. Susa was being handled in the same manner.
“They wouldn’t know how to treat such pretties,” a man laughed and sat down on the barrel holding Marit.
“They can’t keep a better eye on them,” another man laughed, “they deserve to lose them.” He shoved something in the hole in the barrel and Marit began to gasp for air. They were being drugged. “I like the red one. Looks a right active piece of fluff.”
“I could lose myself in the star child’s dark eyes,” a third voice, familiar from the conversation at the table. “A true child of the heavens.” He heard the thumping and gasping stop and pulled out the drug soaked rags. “Ready for transport, boys. Which way?”
“They wanted to go to Verdis,” the first man spoke again. “Nothing up there but the tower.”
“Right nice place for a slap and tickle then,” the second man spoke up. “We have a little fun with the pretties. Leave them trussed up and send their men after them. No one hurt.”
They nodded and carried the barrels holding their prisoners down to the pier. They carried them down to the captain’s cabin and locked the door. Then they took their places in the crew and watched as the borderlander men split up and sent half their party aboard to go to Verdis. The ship set sail, as Andrew had schedules to keep and could not wait the tide. Lorenz and Taryn watched the crew sharply and knew that these men knew something. Two hours later, they were dropped off at the harbor town of Verdis. They watched as the ship continued upriver.
“Those men are up to something,” Taryn told his companion and their guards.
“Then by all means,” Lorenz said stiffly, “let us follow them. If we stick close to shore we should catch sight of them.”
While their men trudged along on foot, Marit and Susa were being unloaded from the ship several miles up river. Marit bit her lip to keep from crying as the barrel was dropped and she hit her head. She felt Susa’s pain and sent her mind out to heal. The lid was raised off of the barrel and she was yanked out roughly and dumped on the ground. The three men who had approached their table only a few hours before and a fourth man, tall, lean, and cold-eyed, stood in a circle around her and Susa.
“Stand up then, pretties,” the newcomer laughed as he blindfolded Susa and then dragged her up on her feet. He ripped her cloak off and then her over gown. “Let us see what we have to enjoy.”
“Don’t you touch her!” Marit snapped and slapped the man across the face. “She is not yours to abuse.”
“A virgin!” the man’s eyes shone with joy. “Then by all means, we must not damage her. We can sell her back for a high price to your companions.” He looked at the other men. “We shall just have to make do with you, star child.” He yanked Marit away from Susa and she was held as one of the men bound Susa’s wrists behind her back and then hefted Susa over his shoulder and carried her inside the ruined tower. Marit tried to follow. “Don’t worry about your pretty friend, lady. He will lock her in the tower and then return for our play.”
Marit was taken into the building and forced down on the floor on the bottom level. They bound her wrists to a thick iron ring in the wall and the leader cut off her clothing as she kicked at him. He laughed in delight at her ‘spirit’ and then opened his trousers and had his turn with her. He was rough, but not brutal. Marit remembered suffering far worse. When each man had his turn, they covered her with a blanket and took out a pack of cards.
“Far too pretty to let loose, brothers,” the shorter man said as he glanced over at Marit. “By all means, let us sell back the virgin,” he said as he deliberately lost a hand and went to sit next to Marit, stroking her bare leg, “but I would like this one as a pet.” Marit flinched as he drove his fingers inside of her. “Can you imagine the money we could get renting her out?”
“Why would we want to rent her out,” one of the other men said as he joined his partner and began to stroke one of Marit’s breasts gently. “She’s far too pretty to wear out that way. She’ll be much more appreciative if she knows we won’t turn her slut.” He smiled down at Marit and she could have laughed at the earnestness on his beefy face. “Won’t you, pretty girl?”
“I want to go home,” Marit whimpered as his continued caress made her body ache with longing. She could not stop the tears flowing down her cheeks. “Please I have babies and a husband…”
“We’ll give you babies, if that’s what will keep you happy, pretty,” the third member of their group smiled as he moved between her legs. “And here,” he nodded around the band, “are four husbands to keep you company.” He wiped the tears off her face as he pushed his chum aside and opened his trousers. “We all adore you, pretty one. We shall be the best of men for you.” He drove inside of her and pulled her up so he could claim her lips, moaning as he lost himself in her. “You are our angel now. We can not let you go.”
“How are we to keep her?” the little man asked his friends. “The virgin will know she was here.”
“But that one never saw our faces,” Andrew told them. “If we are cornered, we say that she ran away from us looking for help after we got a little crude with her. The virgin only heard our remarks outside. She does not know about our little love play.” He looked at his cards. “I take it no one else wants to continue the game?”
“We’ve moved on to other game, Cap,” the little man laughed as he began to tickle the nipple on Marit’s other breast. “Such delightful play.”
“Enough for now,” Andrew struck him upside the head. “Take her clothing and bloody it a bit. Then run up river another ten miles and drop it there. Make it look like some beast snapped her up.” He leaned down and nipped at Marit’s breast and she whimpered. The little man cut her arm and wiped her own blood on her gowns. He ripped them to shreds and continued to coat them in blood. When he was satisfied the ploy would work, he took the bundle and left to perform his task. “Like we mean to, sweet meat.” He nibbled down her abdomen. “One delicious little nibble at a time.” He ended up between her legs and she could not stop the moan that erupted from her throat as he drove his tongue inside of her. “Yes, my friends. I would say our little angel is more than willing to join us in our games now.” He took out his handkerchief and held it over Marit’s nose and mouth until she was unconscious. Then he untied her and carried her out to the boat. He kicked open the hidden passage beneath the bunk and dumped her inside, binding her wrists and ankles to the rings built inside. “All snug and secure,” he smiled as he gagged her and closed the passage. He turned to his friends. “We will leave as soon as our chum comes back.”
As it was, the ship left the tower only an hour before Taryn and Lorenz and their men arrived there. They found Susa, bound and gagged, but unable to tell them what had happened to Marit. She could not describe the men, she told them, for she had been blindfolded the whole time. She knew something horrible had happened to Marit, however, for she had defended her by claiming her virgin and the men would not touch her. Taryn was forced to move on alone as Lorenz and the men took Susa back to Verdis to wait for a ship home. The ship bearing Marit in her ‘cage’ had already left the port with several months’ supplies on board; on its way south.
“Come along, angel,” Andrew smiled as he let Marit out. “We have all sorts of pretty gifts for you.” He held her as his men came in carrying the ‘gifts.’ Marit began to struggle as she saw the slave collar. It was a beautiful item, all silver and engraved with delicate scrollwork. She could see the emblem for this ship set in the center proudly. “Don’t fight it, darling. You know you belong to us now.” The collar was fastened around her throat and she went still, as she realized what this meant. She was now their property. There was no going back. The little man slid a pair of delicate silver manacles on her wrists and then a pair of shackles for the ankles. They were edged with tiny silver bells so that her every movement was accompanied with their music. “Such a pretty little angel.” He saw her expression. “You know what these mean, don’t you, pretty?”
“You own me now,” Marit replied, her eyes flooded with tears. “I can’t go home. I will never see my children again, or be with the man I love…”
“We’ll more than make it up to you, angel,” Andrew smiled at her. “Inside this cabin, these are all you wear. “Up on deck,” he said as the beefy faced man brought out an open-sided robe with a golden girdle to hold it to her body, “this will be your garment.” He ran his hand along her cheek. “We go south, so you will be warm enough. We,” he nodded to the four of them, “will endeavor to keep you warm. Won’t we, chums?” He opened the hidden compartment. “This will be your place if we do not require your company.” He handed her a fine silver chain and fastened one end to the ring inside. “You will fasten the other end,” he said as he demonstrated, “to the front of your collar when you are within.” He stroked her hair. “Do you understand this, angel?” Marit nodded and he smiled. “I knew you were an intelligent animal when you defended your little companion as you did. You will unfasten your collar and go to the galley to help Brek with whatever task he sets you.”
“Yes, master.”
“No, angel,” Andrew shook his head. “I am the Captain. You shall address me as such. The others are Brek, Canby, and Daro. They will choose how you address them.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Good girl,” the man beamed. He turned her and slapped her on her bare backside. “The galley is down the corridor to the left,” he told her. “You won’t need a garment in there.”
Marit went into the galley where Brek, who turned out to be the little man, was peeling potatoes. He had her wash the vegetables and set a large silver tray on the table in the mess. She spent the time washing dishes as he directed and was relaxing when he suddenly forced her to a small cabin where a bucket of hot water waited and some soap with no scent. He directed her to wash herself thoroughly. When she was clean enough o pass his inspection; and he did inspect her quite thoroughly, he took her to the mess and made her lie down on the table. He bound her wrists and then drew the rope under the table and bound her ankles so that she could not move.
“As this is our first night out,” Brek smiled as he ran his hand along her body slowly, “we are going to have a very special feast. You,” he said as he put an apple into her mouth, “will be the serving tray, and the dessert.”
He brought out the vegetables and began to arrange them around her body. He stuck carrots into her braid and decorated her body with leaves. He laid a cloth on the center of her abdomen and put on the roast he had placed in the oven earlier. He had mashed the potatoes and used them to encircle her breasts and form flowers and curlicue designs on her body, arms and legs. He left the remainder of the food in bowls along her sides and went to ring the bell. To say that the crew ‘enjoyed’ their meal would have been an understatement. Marit was writhing in response as they nibbled, licked, stroked, and sampled her and the food. They played cards with her still in the center of the table, using her body as their table, and it was Canby, the beefy-faced giant, who won her for the night.
“Come here, angel,” Canby smiled as he held his arms out to her. “Let me check you out to see if you’ll pass muster. Marit came to him and went to her knees. He drew her up, shaking his head. “Never on your knees, angel,” he told her, “not to any of us. You are as much a member of this crew as any one of us.” He raised her eyes to his. “And no downcast eyes. I like losing myself in the dark depths of your eyes.” He drew her into his arms and made love to her with a gentleness that stunned her. He fell asleep with her in his arms and, when she tried to move, he held her tight and refused to let go. “Lovely angel. You bring peace to this burdened soul.”
Morning came and she was once more sent to help Brek with the meal. Breakfast was a simple meal, and she was allowed to sit and share it with the men. Her men, she guessed she should now begin to think of them. There was a little tickling and pinching and nibbling as she served, but otherwise they were well-mannered with her. Lunch was carried out to each of them at their duties and she was dragged down to the deck by each of them for groping and kissing, quick and fast before they returned to their meal. Daro made her sit between his legs and his hand moved between her legs and stroked her into madness as he ate. He kissed her and sent her on her way, leaving her frustrated. The second night’s dinner, Brek had her play the soup tureen, the large bowl resting on her abdomen as they ladled out into the bowls. He did not bother to tie her down, he expected her to lie still. And Marit would not dare move with a bowl of hot soup on her body. When the soup and bread was gone, Brek brought out a large bowl of thick cream and fruit and began to decorate her. Her men drove her wild as they had the night before. At the card game, it was Brek who won her for the night.
“I like to ride my women, angel,” he told her almost shame-facedly. “Down on all fours, pretty and hold on.” He knelt behind her and his hands moved down and under to stroke and caress her breasts. He caressed her until she was nearly screaming with need and then he slid inside her. “That’s my good girl,” Brek sighed as he came inside of her. He turned her over and pressed her down on the deck. Then he slowly kissed her on her eyelids, on her lips, on her breasts and knelt between her legs and licked until she was limp. “Pretty, pretty angel. Go to your rest now.”
The third morning followed much the same pattern as the other. At lunch, it was Andrew who enjoyed a little extra attention during lunch. She was shivering with longing by the time he was done petting her. So that when dinner came around once more, Marit was more than eager to see what Brek was going to dream up for that evening. She was disappointed when it was a rather sedate affair. They let her eat with them, and then the fun began. Instead of cards, she was blindfolded and spun around. The men came at her and she was supposed to dodge from them before they could take their liberties. But she did not want to dodge; she wanted them to take liberties. They got her down on deck and she was squealing with pleasure as they petted her.
“We were thinking of letting you go home, angel,” Andrew said to her as he drove her slowly and maddeningly towards the edge. “What say you?”
“Home?”
“Back to your children and husband, angel.” Brek said as he suckled her left breast and stroked her right breast, sending her even further.
“Back?”
“Where you would never have us to play with again,” Candy whispered as he nibbled her ear lobe and stroked her slowly towards the precipice.
“Never?”
“Is that what you want, angel?” Daro sighed as he finished the work that had her screaming as she went over the edge and down with him into delight and madness.
“I want this,” Marit sobbed, clinging to them as they continued their deliberate chaining of her mind and body. “I want you.”
“Then tell us your name, pet,” Andrew smiled as he drew out a document and pen, “so we can put it on the ownership papers.”
“Reyma,” Marit lied, as a part of her mind retained enough reason for a brief second before she was completely lost. “Reyma Mariuskaya.”
She was lost then, completely and totally to the wonder of what was being done to her. She did not see Andrew fill in her name, or rather her half-sister’s name, on the document. All she knew was what was going on inside of her as hands stroked, lips claimed, teeth nibbled and tongues licked. She didn’t know whose was doing what to her by then, and she did not care. She was locked into the wanting, the longing, the need to be theirs. She belonged to them, and they, the darling brutes, belonged to her. She collapsed with a sigh of pleasure and they left her lying out on deck, enjoying the sight of her sweaty body glistening in the moonlight. They lit their pipes and sat back, thoughtful.
“We have found ourselves a right winning little slave, brothers,” Andrew smiled as Marit moved over to him and curled up at his feet with a sigh of happiness. “I’ve never seen one to respond so quickly and so completely.”
“Poor little waif must have been longing for someone to pamper and pet her,” Canby said. He leaned over and ran his fingers along the faint whip marks. “Someone was not at all gentle with her.”
“How anyone could brutalize such an angel,” Daro shook his head as he whistled and Marit looked up at him dreamily. “Come here, pretty.” He set her in his lap and began to stroke and pet her and she cuddled into him, almost purring. “Such a darling little pretty. Who could ever hurt you?”
“They could,” Brek sang out from his place at watch. The other three men stood up and saw the sails.
“Go to your cage, angel,” Daro said as he set Marit on her feet, “and don’t make a noise until one of us comes for you.”
Marit did as she was told and was inside the dark little cupboard under Andrew’s bed, secured and the panel closed as the first cannon ball hit the side of their vessel. She bit her hand to keep from screaming as she heard angry voices. Then there were four thuds on deck and a woman’s scream of anger. She screamed as the panel was pushed open and she was freed. The man wrapped her in a blanket and carried her out on deck where other men, who she knew and could not look at now that she was a slave were waiting. Her sister was shoved forward roughly.
“Make the exchange, Reyma,” Tavin snarled as he held her arms behind her back. “Now!”
Marit stiffened as she felt something shifting inside her mind. And then she was standing next to Tavin, his arms around her possessively. Lorenz slugged Reyma across the jaw and put her in the cabinet where Marit had been, fastening the chain. He closed the panel as she revived and laughed as she screamed and demanded to be let out.
“Her mind will not be as they might wish,” Lorenz said as he looked at Marit in sorrow, “but her body will remember what was done to it.”
“You would turn my sister into a slave?”
“She wanted you dead, my love,” Tavin said to her, holding her to him. “She will learn to be happy with these men.” He looked into her eyes and saw how close they had been to losing her. “They almost had you, Marit.”
“They treated me with great kindness,” Marit told him as she looked down at the men. “I didn’t break until after they asked me for my name.” She blushed in shame. “I gave them hers.” The men laughed as Tavin hugged her close. “It was cruel.”
“She’ll learn how to make people happy,” Taryn argued as he hugged his niece. “Something her mother never taught her.”
“We’ll go home now, Marit,” Tavin said as he picked her up in his arms and carried her across the plank to the other vessel. “To Stormkeep.”
“No,” Marit shook her head and tried to get loose. “I belong here,” she said to him, nodding at the fallen men. “I belong with them.”
“No, Marit,” Tavin argued with her, “you don’t.”
“If your lady wants to be our pet,” Andrew snarled as he got to his feet, his weapon ready, “we won’t argue with her.” He looked Marit over. “She looks like our Reyma. We’d have a matched set; light and dark.”
“More variety,” Daro said as he moved in and pricked Taryn with his sword. “Get back on your vessel and leave the girl here.”
“Marit,” Tavin protested as the others moved in and herded him and the others off. “You can’t do this. You are my mate! You belong with me.”
“I don’t want to belong to you, Tavin,” Marit said as she began to remove her clothing. “It hurts too much to belong there. I am safer here,” she said as her cloak and then her gown dropped to the deck. “These men will treat me with kindness.” She approached Andrew. “You will find my sister a little disobedient for the next couple of days. She doesn’t like to share.” She smiled up at him warmly, her hand moving under his shirt. “I want you, Captain.”
“Never let it be said,” Andrew laughed, “that I denied a lady what she wanted.” He picked her up in his arms and carried her to his cabin. He opened the panel and Reyma came out hissing and spitting. She froze as she saw Marit. “You were correct, darling. Your sister doesn’t like to play when you’re around.”
“She’ll never learn to love you, Captain,” Marit sighed as she began to undress him. “Not the way I already do.”
“What did you do, sister?” Reyma whimpered as the other men dragged her out of the cabin. “I was meant to be his!”
“I am Reyma now, sister,” Marit smiled back at her happily. “Isn’t that what you wanted; to have my life, and my mate. Go take it. I have what I want here.” She suckled Andrew and he groaned and took full advantage of her attentions. “I am yours now, my Captain,” she smiled at him. “For as long as you wish it to be.”
“Darling,” Andrew groaned as she continued petting him, “you keep this up and we are never going to let you go.” There was a splash and the men came pounding in. “Let her go,” he said as he pulled Marit into his arms. “We have found a much better angel. This Reyma truly wants to be here.”
Tavin pulled Reyma aboard and wrapped his cloak around her. He pulled her into his arms as she began to sob at her near enslavement. He knew this was not Marit, but he needed a mate and she shared Marit’s blood line. Plus, she could walk four and two at his side. He knew Reyma was messing with his mind, but he was too hurt to care. He held her to his chest and watched as the smaller ship sailed off with his true mate aboard, so lost in her hurt and pain that she would rather be a slave than a princess of the blood.

*
For the next four months, Marit was happy with her men. They never beat her, they never bruised her intentionally, and the only time she saw the whip was when they were showing off their skills for her. It was never applied to her body in anger. How could she want anything more than this, she sighed as she had her legs wrapped around his waist as he stood the wheel watch and he groaned while she squirmed with him inside of her. Andrew laughed and pulled her off.
“Not at the wheel, angel,” he told her as he slapped her backside. “We’ll run aground if you do that. Go help Brek with lunch.”
Brek smiled as he saw her bounce in with a pleased smile on her lovely face. He sent her to wash vegetables and cut them up for the soup. Then he set it on the fire and pulled her to his bunk where he engaged in a little petting session. He loved the way her eyes shone with joy as her emotions were engaged. You could practically see the passion building up inside those glorious eyes of hers. She squealed as he tickled her and then licked her. He slid inside of her warm, willing body and they flew to the heights of that passion and dropped down so hard, his head was still spinning when he pulled away from her and washed to return to his chores. He left her where she was for a few more moments and then he whistled. She raised her head and came to him, smiling.
“We’re going to let you decide how to serve lunch today, angel,” Brek told her. “Do you want to share or be shared?”
“Please share me, Brek,” Marit beamed. “It makes me so happy to see the pleasure in all your eyes at the same time.”
“Then we’ll be adding some jams and other spreads for the bread,” he told her. He nodded to the washing cabin. “Clean yourself up right and proper, my angel.”
Marit nodded happily and did as she was told. When she was done, she went to the mess and laid down on the table. Brek decorated her with jams, jellies, butters, and other spreads and set the bread in a basket on each side. The soup bowl sat near her head. The men filed in and beamed in delight at her choice. They had anchored the vessel in a small inlet to wait out a storm looming on the horizon and it was nice to spend the afternoon in such delightful pursuits. When they pulled out the cards, finally, Marit shook her head.
“No,” she said softly, eyeing each of them with love shining in her glorious eyes. “I want all of you. In your favorite positions.” She kissed each of them in turn, slowing, lingeringly. “I love you all so much; I want to please you.”
For the next hour and a half, she and each man delighted each other as the man wished it. When it was over, Marit was left tied to the mast; Brek’s favorite fantasy, dazed and throbbing. One of the men rolled over and his hand stroked her leg. Marit moaned and felt her need building again. Canby came over to her, his eyes dancing with joy and he licked her until the moan became screams. He untied her and pulled her down on top of him. She collapsed on top of him, utterly spent and did not wake when he carried her down to her place and settled her inside as gently as he could.
“She’s running away from something major, chums,” Andrew said after she went to sleep. “We can’t keep her.”
“She wants to stay, Cap,” Canby protested. “How can we just kick her out?”
“Not kick her out,” Brek spoke up as he tamped down the tobacco in his pipe. “More like help her find her way back.”
“What if she won’t go?” Daro said as he looked in at their angel, sleeping with a contented smile on her face.
“We’ll have to make arrangements,” Andrew decided. “I’ve enjoyed having her around, too,” he said as he reached in with his foot and rubbed her back. Marit sighed in happiness. “She’s become more of a pet than a person, and that’s not right for a child like her.”
“She gave her sister to the Stormkeep prince,” Brek tallied off their reports; “Her friend, you remember the little virgin?” The men all nodded and smiled, “She gave her to her husband and children.” He frowned. “Her cousin got the Northfell princes, and the Emperor’s grandson was driven insane by her sister.” He frowned. “There really is no place for her to go back to in the borderlands.”
“Not necessarily,” Andrew smiled. “I spoke to her father, king Marius. Good man, not at all arrogant; and very concerned about his legitimate daughter. He was quite disturbed to hear that she had given her name and place to her illegitimate half-sister. He was more disturbed to hear that the men who he had trusted to love and protect her took her up on her offers. He says he has given her the lands of Atherton as a place for her to heal.” He grinned. “He also says that we are welcome to join her there as her protectors.”
“Landlubbers?” Canby cringed. He looked at the sleeping girl. “Even for her that would be quite a stretch for us. What are we supposed to do?”
“Keep her safe,” Daro said in a ‘duh’ tone of voice. “We been doing that for nearly five months now. But this time, we treat her like our child, not our bed warmer. See that she relearns how to be a lady of rank again.”
“I think he’s got ladies to do that for her,” Andrew told his men. “We can just dump her there and leave,” he told his friends, “but after what we did to her, and for her, I think we owe her more than that.” He stretched. “I’m getting a bit stiff to be a sea captain.”
“And the pirates are taking over these waters,” Canby complained. “Too much competition.”
“We’ll head to Trent and buy her some pretties with our proceeds from the boat sale,” Andrew smiled. He’d known his men would come through. “Atherton is only two days ride northwest of there.” He rubbed Marit’s back smiling. “We’ll send word once we arrive that lord and lady Atherton is in residence.”
“I guess you’ll be playing lord Atherton?” Brek asked Andrew.
“We could play cards for it,” Andrew shrugged. “We’re all pretty disreputable characters.”
“I think you’re a bunch of lovable reprobates,” Marit spoke up from inside her cubbyhole. She opened her eyes and looked out at them. “Would you really give me up so easily when I adore each and every one of you?”
“Is there any law against you having more than one of us to husband?” Brek asked her, quite sincerely.
“I don’t know,” Marit told him. “We’ll have to find out. Until then,” she smiled as she came out to them. “Let Andrew be the lord, Brek be the Major Domo, Canby be the Captain of my guard and Daro be my tutor.”
“Your rank will look down on you for keeping us as pets, Princess,” Andrew told her sternly. She began to remove his shirt and rub her hands over his chest, her eyes dancing with mischief. “I’m not complaining. It’s time we were your pets for a change.”
“Let’s celebrate your new status as my house pets then,” Marit giggled as Daro ran his hands up her spine on their way to her breasts. “Not fair,” she sighed as they ganged up on her. “Four against one.”

*
Marit stood on the wharf in the city of Trent and looked around as her companions made all the arrangements. She had never been to the city and she was astounded by the architecture. There were so many large and important looking buildings around the streets. And the streets were filled with people. Her men had found her a garment in black and gray and a mourning veil. If anyone asked, she and her husband had just lost a family member. No one with manners would ask them which one. Andrew stood next to her, looking down his nose at the people walking by with an ease that astonished her. He had done this before, she realized and wondered who her men had been in their former lives. Canby and Daro drove up in a coach pulled by four beautifully matched gray horses. Brek got out of the interior and held the door for the lord and lady.
“We will be meeting up with an escort of honor on the outskirts of the city, my lady,” Andrew said to her as he squeezed her hand. “They are newly hired by your father,” he felt her flinch. “I mean, his Majesty, and our liege lord, King Marius of Sylvan Ford, to stand as our guard until we can make our own arrangements.”
“The King is very gracious and generous,” Marit said softly, fighting the grief in her heart that this return to the borderlands was causing. “I am certain the five of us can do quite nicely without…” Her eyes widened as she saw the men her father had sent. “No!” she shook her head in denial. “Not them!”
“You know these men, my lady?” Andrew asked her, eyeing the thirty golden-haired, red-haired, and brown-haired men astride their horses. He recognized the look of them. “Northlanders!” He knocked on the slot and Daro opened it. “Northlanders, Daro. Tell Canby to just keep on driving. We are not speaking to them.”
They drove until night forced them to make camp and the five of them kept to themselves. Their escort set up a tent and they moved inside where they merely slept. They didn’t want to have to explain their sleeping arrangements to the cold-eyed escort. They traveled two more days and came to the shores of the lack. Marit shivered as she remembered this place. This had been where she had fancied herself in love with Alexander of Dunlevy. Where his man, Barnabas, had dragged her to after stealing her away from her cousin. And now, it was hers. She saw the chindi circling overhead and wondered if they were friend or foe. She would tell her men about them once they were settled.
“Captain,” the lord Atherton said imperiously to Raven, “I will leave you to settle your men and set guards. My lady is exhausted by our long trip and needs to rest. My men and I will be in my offices upstairs if you require their assistance with anything.”
Raven bowed his head and watched them go, trailing behind the child with an attitude of pure protectiveness. They would not let anyone near their lady easily. But he had to get near her. He was still haunted by her gentle face, her loving ways, and by the guilt he felt for adding to the damage that had caused her mind to snap. He looked at the lord Atherton quite critically and had to admit he was a sold enough man. He would not allow anyone to cause harm to come to his wife.
“All of the rooms in this wing are connected by corridor or adjoining doors,” Daro said as he inspected the wing and came back. “We will have no trouble visiting each other.”
“I suggest that the lord and lady Atherton’s chamber be in the center of the block,” Andrew said, warming up to the planning phase. “So that we can protect our lady more easily.” He saw the map Daro jotted out. “Daro near the stairs, Brek next to him, our lady,” he raised Marit’s hand to his lips, “in the center, then myself and Canby near the other flight of stairs.” He looked at all the men sternly. “I do not need to remind you of our task here; our lady’s safety and welfare. No one gets past us to her, gentlemen. No one.”
“Now that you have settled the sleeping arrangements, my darlings,” Marit smiled at her men, “let’s play to see who shares my bed first. As long as Captain is there in the morning, or I am alone, I don’t think we are going to have much trouble keeping our secret.” She frowned over at Brek. “I’m afraid we’re not going to have anymore share or be shared meals here, Brek.”
“You are supposed to be relearning how to be a lady of rank, Princess,” Brek reminded her, though he looked quite disappointed himself at the loss. “We will find other ways to fill our time.”
“You should see to your duties now, men,” Andrew told them. “The servants should be around for you to give orders to. Daro, as the lady’s tutor, you pretty much have the afternoon off. Why don’t you go supervise our guards while my wife and I rest?”
“Certainly, my lord,” Daro bowed his head gallantly. “I look forward to starting your lessons tomorrow, lady Atherton.”
“Now that they are gone, my dear,” Andrew wiggled his eyebrows as he turned from locking her door; “let’s see how much rest we can get.” He stepped up to her and claimed her lips lovingly as he picked her up in his arms and carried her to her bed. He set her down beside it and removed her gowns gently, his hands caressing her silken skin as he did so. She sighed and moved against him and he was lost. “My lady,” he sighed as he continued to pet her as she removed his clothing with equal care, “you are going to drive me mad if you continue loving me like this.”
“I know no other way to love you, my lord,” Marit said against his lips.
He pushed her gently down on the mattress and they enjoyed each other until they were spent. Raven, walking the parapet nearby to inspect his guards, caught a glimpse of them wrapped in each other’s arms and made a note to suggest the lord keep the balcony door closed as jealousy raged inside his breast. He could have had her once; if he had been willing to push her just a little harder for surrender. Then he remembered the reason they were here was because she had been pushed past her ability to cope and his guilt flamed back to life.
“Captain?” Marit sighed as she woke a few hours later and stroked his back.
“Mmm?”
“We’re having a baby, Captain,” she told him as she nuzzled his ear. He shot bolt upright and looked into her eyes. She nodded. “Yes, my darling. We are having a child. And before you ask,” she said against his lips as he pulled her to him with a cry of delight, “I don’t care who the father is. I love each and every one of you.”
“And we love you, angel,” Andrew choked. What a family they were going to make, he laughed as he took her to him with even more gentleness and care than before the news. He heard the door open as Marit drifted back to sleep and Daro was there. “We’re having a baby, Daro. Tell our brothers, we are going to be fathers.” He stroked Marit’s bare back and she sighed in happiness. “Or I will,” he said. “I should go inspect my new home with Major Domo Brek and make certain it is properly laid out for children.” He nodded to the bed as he dressed. “Take over, brother. She’ll be pleased to have you there.” He went to close the balcony doors, frowning as he saw the Captain standing on the parapet. “I suggest we keep these doors closed from now on. The guards on the near parapet can see into the room. He finished dressing and kissed Marit on the lips gently. “Try to let her sleep, Daro.”
“I’ll be as gentle as a lamb,” Daro nodded as he followed Andrew to the door and locked it behind him. When he turned he was beaming from ear to ear. “A baby! We are having a child with our little angel!”
Andrew smiled as he made his way down the main stairs. He looked over the place and liked the layout immensely. It would be quite easy to defend, should the need arise. He saw Brek coming out of the kitchens, a strange look on his face. Like he had run into a wall and wasn’t certain if he should be happy about it or terrified. He jumped as Andrew signaled to him.
“Major Domo,” he said as he joined Brek. “I would like you to ask the Cook to pay special attention to my lady’s diet. She is having a child and I want…”
“A child?” Brek’s eyes lit up and he let out a whoop of delight before he remembered who he was supposed to be and where they were. “Congratulations, my lord,” he said as some guards came running. “I know you and your lady have been trying for over five months to have a child.” He saw the stunned expression on the face of Canby and then the north man behind him; the one called Raven. Now why should a Northman care about the pregnancy of a lady of rank? He would have to tell Canby to keep an eye on the man.
“I am certain the guards will take special care to keep your lady wife safe, my lord Atherton,” Canby said, bowing his head slightly. He came up with a goofy grin only Brek and Andrew could see. “Raven,” he turned on his heel and led the guards away.
“We’ll alert the house staff,” Brek said and hurried back to the kitchen. He ducked as the cook threw a pan at him and it struck Andrew in the chest. The Cook went pale and fell to her knees, blubbering. “It’s all right, Cook. His lordship is not paying enough attention to anything at the moment to be offended. He has just been informed by his pretty wife that they are going to have a child.” He saw the woman’s face brighten with joy. “I am certain you will do your utmost to make certain that she eats properly.” A horn sounded and he and Andrew went out to the top stair down to the courtyard. A carriage was pulling in. “Oh my God!” Brek whispered as he saw who was getting out. “It’s the king himself, Cap.”
“Your Majesties,” Andrew beamed as he bowed low and approached them. “We have only just arrived ourselves. We didn’t know to expect you.”
“My lady queen was eager to see your lady wife, lord Atherton,” Marius told the man. “Is she about?”
“My lady is resting,” Andrew told him. “It was a long journey for a woman in her delicate condition.”
“A baby?” Margarete’s eyes widened in shock and then joy. “My baby is having a baby!”
“Major Domo,” Andrew said to Brek. “Please see if my lady is well enough to receive visitors.” He turned to Marius and saw the man’s dark look. He leaned forward. “We don’t know, Your Majesty,” he told him bluntly. “During her breakdown, your daughter slept with each of us.”
“That will stop immediately, lord Atherton,” Marius said coldly. “I’ve always wanted to visit this fortress. I had heard it was quite magnificent.”
“And quite easily defended,” Andrew smiled and followed Marius inside. “My lady will be quite secure here.”
Marit was up and dressed and seated on the lounge with a book Daro had brought from his room as he stood by the balcony looking scholarly when her parents swept in. Daro ran from the room after the briefest introductions, terrified by the force of nature that was his angel’s father, and the goddess that was her mother. Marit smiled weakly as they kissed her and sat down near her to wait her pleasure.
“You can’t hide here forever, daughter,” Marius said as an opener, making his wife groan. “Well, she can’t my love.”
“I have only just arrived here, Father,” Marit sighed. “It is going to take some time for me to remember who I was here, and decide if I even want to be that person.” She smiled softly as she thought over the past five months. “I have been very happy at sea.”
“Having multiple lovers is not happiness, daughter. It is confusion,” Marius snapped at her. “And now we are told that you are having a child, and that your lovers have no idea who the father might be.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Marit said simply and saw her father go ballistic. “I am happy with my life the way it is in this moment and this place.” He did not calm and she turned to her mother. “Do I need to explain it to you, Mother?”
“No, child,” Margarete smiled and saw Marit’s mind on the matter. “I will try to explain it to your father in the simplest terms possible.” She laid her hand on Marius’. We did not come here to argue with you. We merely wished to see if you were well.” She laid her fingers on Marius’ lips. “And how could you not be. You are having a child with someone you love.” She heard Marius snort. “If you can not be civil, my love; go find somewhere else to be a grump. Your negativity is harming your grandchild.”
“I do not mean to yell at you, child,” Marius said as he kissed Marit on the cheek. “I only want what is best for you.” He looked at Margarete. “I will be waiting for you in the courtyard. We should not tax her on her first day in her new home.”
“There’s trouble, isn’t there?” Marit asked, sighing.
“When isn’t there, child?” Margarete smiled and leaned over to kiss Marit on the forehead. She leaned her cheek against her daughter’s cheek. “I think it’s kind of exciting, the multiple partners thing. Just don’t get too wrapped up in it that you lose sight of what really matters.”
“Are you certain you can not stay the night,” Marit asked her mother. She saw her mother blush and knew it was probably wiser to let her parents go home. She could just imagine the scene if her father came across more than one man coming out of her chambers. “You’re right. It’s probably much too soon.”
“As for the law,” Margarete said as she started out of the chamber,” it is up to you. While it might be strictly acceptable in other parts of the borderlands, Atherton is your domain. If you want multiple husbands, then it is for you to say. But,” she smiled as she saw Andrew coming up the stairs, “you really should know who the father is, just to keep from being confused when it comes time for them to marry.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
“I may not agree with your decision, daughter,” Margarete told her bluntly, “but if it makes you happy; that is what matters.” She bowed her head slightly to Andrew. “Lord Atherton,” she smiled briefly. “It has been an interesting visit. Next time we will send word ahead of us.”
“Your Majesty,” Andrew bowed his head, smiling. “It was indeed an interesting visit.” He closed and locked the door and went to Marit as she held her arms out to him. She massaged his neck and shoulders and he turned to claim her lips. “My love,” he said bluntly; “you have some very odd relatives.”
“Get used to them, my love,” Marit smiled at him. “Because they will be yours if you accept my proposal.” She told him what her mother had said and he was smiling. “So, we will discuss this with the others tonight?”
“If that is what you wish, angel,” Andrew sighed as his muscles relaxed. “You may lose some of us.” He felt her stiffen. “I think that Brek is forming an attachment to the Cook.”
“I want you all to be happy,” Marit replied; though she had never thought it might be away from her. “I’ve come to depend on my men.” She knew what he was thinking; “maybe a bit too much.” She put her arms around his neck and rested her cheek against the top of his head. “You won’t leave me, my lord, will you?”
“I haven’t seen anyone I could possibly love as much as I do you, my lady,” Andrew told her fiercely. “Are you certain you are strong enough, angel?” he smiled as her hands moved down under his shirt to stroke and caress. “I don’t want to weaken you…”
“Weaken me?” Marit laughed and twisted around so she was in his lap. “Let me show you how not tired I am, my lord.” There was a knock on the door and she frowned and got to her feet. “Whoever it is needs to learn better timing.”
“We have time, my love,” Andrew smiled at her and opened the door. He fell back as Canby fell into the room. He was bleeding copiously from several wounds on his body. “Canby!”
“You call a guard and send for the healer,” Marit cried as she sank down next to Canby. “I’ll do what I can until they arrive.”
Andrew bowed his head to her and ran. Marit locked eyes with Canby and he looked up at her, relaxing as he felt her seeking to help him. He sighed as the worst of his pain flowed out of him. But then he saw the same pain entering her eyes, and knew what she was doing. He shook his head and tried to pull away, but she was not letting him go. He caught her as she collapsed at the end of the healing and carried her to the bed.
“She should have let you die,” Raven said as he came into the room. He glared at Canby as the man turned. “Wearing herself out to save your life may prove a waste of time.”
“Something’s wrong.”
“Yes, sir,” Raven bowed his head. “There is an army camping out on the shores of the lake.”
“Keep close watch on our lady,” Canby scowled at the guards on the door as he started down the corridor. “Have they sent word, Captain?”
“Not as yet,” Raven told him as he fell in at Canby’s side. They went to the parapets and looked out across the lake at the banners flying in the breeze. He saw Canby’s slow smile. “What is it, sir?”
“That is no invading army,” Canby told him. “You are looking at emissaries from the clans allied with our lady through marriage or relationship.” He looked over at the banners. He frowned as he saw one he had hoped would not be among them, and then another. “Her cousin, Rafel; and the lord Talbot. Those two will bear close watch.” He looked at Raven. “Send a guard and have him tell them that one representative from each clan will be allowed.”
“I will go myself,” Raven decided. He looked at Canby closely. “Did you tell the princess how you were injured, Captain?”
“No,” Canby told him, not looking the man in the eye. “I do not want her knowing we might have an assassin in our midst. I leave you to deal with the discovery of their identity.”
“How do you know its not me or my men, Captain?” Raven asked the man bluntly.
“Boy,” Canby said as he straightened to his full height and Raven had to tip back his head to meet the giant’s eyes. “You don’t get to be as old as I am without being able to tell an enemy from a possible ally.”
“Only possible, Captain?”
“You have feelings for her, Raven,” Canby said outright. “Until you bring those under control,” he continued as he locked eyes with the younger man, “you may yet prove to be enemy.” His slow smile made Raven relax. “It’s understandable. I don’t think there is a male alive who wouldn’t want our lady for his own.”
“I’ll take your message, sir,” Raven nodded and strode off.
He had assumed Marit’s companions to be pushovers. The look in Canby’s eyes just then had told him he had been wrong in his assumptions. He would have to tread far more carefully. He went down to the courtyard and turned in time to see Marit joining Canby on the parapet. The man put his arm around Marit’s waist and leaned down so she could say something to him. Their laughter was like a dagger in his heart. The joy on her face as she gazed up at the man was not to be born. She should be looking at me like that, Raven’s mind screamed; and only me. He strode down to the pier with his two brothers at his sides and they took a boat to the shore.
“He is jealous, angel,” Canby told Marit as they stood watching the brothers leave. “It might be wise to ask them to leave and hire other guards.”
“He will get over it,” Marit shrugged, “or he won’t. Having him where we can keep an eye on him is probably better.” She had a thought. “Perhaps we should send some of his men home to their people with an offer of friendship.” He cocked an eyebrow. “The northlands border Atherton. It would be only wise to make overtures to them. Raven himself told me once that his people had fallen on hard times, and we are quite comfortable here.”
“You are a very interesting child,” Canby smiled down at her. He saw her frown and knew what was wrong. “I took a spill down the stairs, my lady,” he said as he bowed over her hand. “Whether it was an accident, or I had assistance, remains to be known.” He put his arms around her, and rested his head on the top of her head. “Brek has fallen in love, angel. He will be leaving our little family.”
“Andrew told me,” Marit sighed. “I guess it had to end sometime. I have been far too happy…”
“And why should that have to end?” Canby broke in and turned her so he could see her eyes. “One man, four men; you deserve to be loved and cherished, angel. All men who spend time in your presence should be on their knees to you.”
“You’re leaving,” Marit saw his hesitation and sadness. She laid her hand on his chest and he frowned and nodded. “Why, Canby?”
“Because you remind me of a daughter I have not see in almost seven years, angel,” Canby told her truthfully. It did not do to lie to this child; she seemed to know. “I have been away from my own lands for far too long. It is time for me to go home.”
“I have been selfish,” Marit sighed. “I was so happy with all of you, I never stopped to consider that you might have other lives, other people…”
“Never regret the time we have had together, angel,” Canby broke in, his large hand cupping her chin and drawing her eyes up to his. “I don’t. None of us do.” He smiled. “I will be leaving once they do,” he told her as he nodded towards the army of tents on the shore. “Once I know you are under no threat.” He turned as he heard someone coming. “Daro,” he nodded to the slightly smaller man. “I will leave you to see our lady to her chamber. I would keep an eye on the situation.”
“Wow!” Daro whistled. “How do they know to show now?” He saw Marit looking his way. “I meant to wait a while before I…” He colored slightly and looked guilty. “Damn, angel. I wish I could stay with you forever, as you deserve…”
“You’re going with Canby,” Marit guessed the reason for his uneasiness. She laid her hand on his cheek and smiled through her tears. “You’re going to leave me with only Andrew for a husband.”
“He is a good man,” Daro told her fiercely. “Saved all of our lives more times than we wish to admit. And,” he said as he kissed her hand and held it against his cheek, “he is very much in love with you. We would not take that from you.”
“You do not lessen what I feel for him, Daro,” Marit protested. “Is that what you both think? That if you leave I will love him more?” They hung their heads and she shook her head at them. “You idiots! I love all of you quite dearly. Having you all around does not lessen my love for any of you.” She saw their fixed expressions. “But you are determined and, as I love you and wish you all happiness, I will not stand in your way. I will miss both of you.”
“She is a rare female,” Daro said as they watched her walk away. “If only we’d found her sooner,” he frowned. “We might have spared her some of the damage she’s endured.”
“It made her the glorious creature she is, brother,” Canby told Daro and they both turned to watch the camp. “Once she has healed, she will be unstoppable.” He nodded towards the tents. “I feel sorry for any of those there who think they can push our lady around.”
Raven, Badger, and Fox got off the boat and approached the camp. They were shown to the prince Rafel’s tent where Lorenz, Martyn, Taryn, and the lord Talbot were waiting. With them were several young women and men, quite obviously from Stormkeep. There was just a look about them that warned of dangers if they were crossed that Raven had come to associate with that house. He bowed his head to the men and met their eyes easily. They might consider themselves his better, but there was no better to a Northlander. Men rose and fell by merit, not by bloodline.
“The lord Atherton and his lady send you greetings and query,” Raven told them bluntly. “As they did not invite this visit, they are at a loss as to its purpose.”
“We come as escort to those who had evidenced a desire to join their household,” king Taryn told him. As the senior member of the escort party, he was deferred to. “And,” he continued, “as her uncle, I was desiring to hear news of my niece.”
“The lady Atherton is quite well,” Raven told him. “She is looking forward to the arrival of another child.”
“She is pregnant!” Rafel hissed, struggling to control his reaction. His cousin was quickly adding to the number of people who would take the throne before he could. “How – nice!”
“Yes,” Raven nodded. “The lord Atherton is quite ecstatic at the news.” He looked at the younger people. “I am certain the lord and lady will welcome the additions to their household. Boats will be sent for you. As for the visit, they have asked that only one person from each of the clans present here accompany my brothers and I back to the fortress. The lady Atherton is in a delicate condition and the lord does not wish her health taxed unduly.”
“His wish is noted,” Taryn nodded. “We would not want to cause her any alarm or strain.” He looked at Talbot, frowning. “The lord Talbot will remain here to oversee the camp.”
Raven nodded and turned on his heel. He led Taryn, Lorenz, Martyn, and Rafel to the boat and they were taken across. The four men entered the hall where Andrew and Marit were already seated and waiting. Andrew rose to his feet and bowed his head to each in turn. Then he helped Marit to her feet. Taryn frowned as he saw how pale she was. She had been pushing herself, as usual.
“Niece,” he growled as he pulled her into his arms. “Your cousins send you greetings. My Tessa asks that you consider a visit to her and her husband. They wish to introduce their children to you. But,” he said as he cupped her chin in his large hand and looked at her face and eyes, “it appears you have been pushing too hard.” He looked at Andrew and the man stepped closer to Marit. Taryn liked the tall, rugged man. He very definitely loved his wife and would see people dead before he allowed them to harm her. “You will need to keep a very close eye on her, lord Atherton. Marit does not know when to stop.”
“I am very aware of that strength in her character,” Andrew replied, his arm going around Marit’s waist. “We are told that you bring us additions to our household.”
“Twenty of the younger members of our house,” Taryn nodded. “They are at the age where travel is encouraged and, hearing of Atherton from my son, they wished to explore. They will be your retainers for the traditional span of five years, and will serve you well.”
“Thank you, Uncle,” Andrew bowed his head, speaking for Marit and himself. “It will allow those of the Northlanders in our guard who wish to return home to do so.” He saw Raven flinch. “Or, at the very least, to accompany our offer of friendship to their people.” He looked at Rafel and found himself instantly disliking the young man. He was a handsome boy, but there was something very dark in his eyes, hidden behind the civility that made his skin crawl. “Prince Rafel. My wife has told me of you, cousin. We hope you will visit us here often.”
“We have missed Marit at Sylvan Ford,” Rafel smiled as he stepped forward and kissed Marit’s hand. “Life has been so boring without her there.” He saw her eyes and wondered where the joy was. “Her father is very busily trying to find me a wife of my own. So far none of them match my cousins.”
“How is Reyma?” Marit asked, her voice tight.
“She has just given Tavin twins,” Taryn spoke up. “They are beautiful children, Marit. Boys.”
“We must not ignore our other guests,” Andrew said as he looked at Lorenz and Martyn. “Lord Thaxton. Lord Solliston. It is good to see you again.”
“Lord Atherton,” Martyn bowed his head; as did Lorenz. “You are a long way from Verdis and your life on the waters.”
“I found life on a ship could not compare with life as my lady’s husband,” Andrew told him, pulling Marit a bit closer. She smiled up at him as she felt his love giving her strength; protecting her. Andrew looked over at Brek. “Major Domo Brek. Please see that quarters are arranged for our guests. They will be spending the night.”
“Yes, my lord Atherton,” Brek bowed his head and left, eager to be gone. The tension in the hall had been mounting progressively since these men had entered.
“Captain,” Andrew said as he beckoned to Raven. “My lady needs to return to our chambers. She requires rest.” He saw her frown and turned his attention to her fully. “You know you need to rest, my love,” he said as he pulled her hands up to his lips, ignoring their guests completely. “It was unwise of you to take up Canby’s healing on your own as you did.” His hand moved down to her abdomen, and Marit blushed. “You carry our child now, and must think of his or her welfare as well as your own.”
“Yes, my lord husband,” Marit bowed her head to him.
She looked up at him with such love shining in her eyes, that every other man in the room was struck dumb. She bowed her head to the guests and left the room, taking the warmth with her. Andrew took his seat as the servants brought in chairs for his guests and all softness fled from his rugged face. Taryn knew he was facing a man more than his equal. Lorenz and Martyn were impressed by the change in tack and knew they would have to watch their step. Rafel began to squirm, realizing that his cousin had, once again, found a man who could quite easily thwart his plans.
“Now, gentlemen,” Andrew said, his eyes hard, his voice chill. “Suppose you tell me the real reason you are here.”
Marit entered her chamber and wondered why the door had not closed. She turned to see Raven watching her closely and she knew there was going to be trouble there. Raven closed the door and she met his eyes coldly. He froze, stunned by the censure in her expression. He had not expected her to be hostile with him. Not when she was so free with her affections among her companions.
“You and your brothers will be leaving us, Captain,” Marit told him stiffly. “It is apparent that you need to find yourself a woman.” She held up her hand as he started to speak. “You will not find me a willing recipient of your affections, Northlander. I am quite happy with the man I have chosen and have no wish to look elsewhere.”
“Man, lady?” Raven hissed and took a step towards her. “Are you not more correct in saying ‘men?’” He had his hands on her arms and held her so she could not move. “Surely there is room in your collection of bed mates for one more?” He clamped his lips on hers and felt her stiffen. He was stunned. He had never had a woman refuse his touch before. “No?”
“No,” Marit shook her head, enjoying this newfound ability to shut her responses away. “You will take your hands off of me and make your preparations to leave. My lord husband will tell you what is required.”
Raven released her and bowed his head, still stunned. This was not the same girl he had run across only last year. This princess had a core of steel that had been only hinted at before. And she stood there looking at him with such disinterest that he felt his anger mounting. How dare she treat him like he did not matter! He had to admit that, if she had to choose a man other than him, she had chosen well in the lord Andrew. There was a man who could face down a full-grown bear and not flinch, especially if it had to be done to protect his wife.
“I will not apologize for being attracted to you, lady,” Raven told her. “I pray you are always as happy with the lord Atherton as you are today.”
Marit nodded and watched him go. She locked the door behind him and then collapsed onto a nearby chair, shaking. It had taken a great deal to keep from responding to his touch, his kiss. Raven was a man that any woman would kill to possess. But she was not in the market for another man. She was, as she had told Raven, quite happy with Andrew. She had chosen him, and her other men, freely and with her whole heart when she could have been with Tavin. But leaving Reyma in her place at that point had not been right. She would have turned her glorious men into people they were not meant to be. Marit had seen that in her sister’s eyes. There was a knock on the door and Marit unlocked it.
“My lady,” the guard bowed as he remained in the corridor. “The new members of the household have arrived. “Lord Atherton thought you might wish to greet them.”

*
Marit stood at Andrew’s side at the evening meal that night and smiled to herself. Her men were near her, and their household had grown by thirty. The children of Stormkeep, all around her own age, were quite eager to serve and learn. And it was nice to have people near her who were of an age with her. She had forgotten what it was like to be so eager to learn and experience new things. Her own attempts, she frowned a moment, had only led to heartbreak and pain. She gripped Andrew’s hand and he looked down at her. The love shining in his eyes soothed her and she smiled up at him. She found herself turning to her cousin and surprising a hate-filled expression on his face. Rafel blinked and smiled at her. He patted her hand and Marit controlled the shudder his touch awoke.
“We really have missed you, cousin,” Rafel told her, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. “Your old friend, the lady Susa of Fellstone, was asking after you just last week.” He had a wistful expression in his eyes. “She is happily expecting a child with your former husband.”
“I am glad,” Marit said honestly. “She will give Edmund another heir to love.”
“Yes,” Rafel nodded. “They are very happy with each other and they raise your son and daughter quite well.” He looked at her curiously. “Are you not in the least bit curious to see how your own children are doing?”
“They are loved,” Marit replied. “That is what is important. Perhaps one day,” she added as she thought it over, “after their father has explained things to them, I will wish to be presented to them.”
“I would speak with you in private, cousin,” Rafel said as he rose to his feet. He held his hand out to her. “Would you walk with me?” Marit told Andrew and saw her husband frown. She did not need to see it to know that he had alerted the guard to keep an eye on her and her cousin. They went out into the gardens and Rafel took her over to a bench and saw her seated. His civility slipped as he met her eyes. “I must admit, Marit, you are not the same wide-eyed child who was brought to court last year. I quite admire you now.”
“I am not in the mood for this falseness, Rafel,” Marit told him and watched him flinch. “I know you are angry that I appeared in your life just when you thought you were going to inherit the throne. I also know that you went out of your way to look innocent when your men tried to murder me. I have been told of your meetings with the lord Talbot and remember how he tried to murder Justin of Northfell to keep the alliance between us from occurring.”
“You have been a busy girl,” Rafel smiled coldly. He caught her arm as she rose to leave. “Oh no, cousin. Please stay.” He leaned closer to her and his voice was hard. “You are correct,” he told her bluntly, “about all of it. But let me add one more event to your little list. I know you are not married to the lord Atherton, for all the show.” He saw her flinch and knew he was correct. “So you,” he smiled coldly as he pulled her towards him, “and your little heir are going to come with me. You are going to marry me, Marit, and keep the throne in our family; where it belongs.”
“You are crazy, cousin,” Marit laughed and shoved him away from her. She was on her feet and heading away. He yanked her back and slugged her across the face. “How dare you!” she snapped as he dragged her into his arms. “Let me go!”
“Why should I, cousin?” Rafel laughed as he planted his lips on hers and heard her choke in protest. “Come on now, Marit,” he snarled as he pulled her closer; “you are no virgin. Surely you can spare a little affection for your loving cousin?” He bit back a cry of pain as she bit him and he slapped her. She hit the wall and crumpled to the ground. “Little slut! How dare you put on airs to me!” He hefted her over his shoulder and carried her along the back passages and down to the boats. He dumped her inside one of them and took off. “Hurry, Talbot,” he hissed as the other man joined him. “They will be raising an alarm.” He fell to his knees as Talbot struck him across the jaw. “What are you doing?”
“I am tired of being ordered around by you, brat,” Talbot told the stunned Rafel as he bound the prince’s wrists behind his back. “You, I take to your uncle,” he told the boy as he dumped him in a cage. “Your cousin,” his smile went quite warm, “I return to her husband.” He turned as Andrew came out of the shadows. “It is good to see you again, brother.”
“As it is you, Lawrence,” Andrew smiled and picked his wife up in his arms, holding her close. He glared at Rafel coldly. “You are a fool, prince Rafel. Did you never once stop to consider how the lord Talbot could still be alive after apparently betraying the lord Barnabas, the prince Alexander, and others? He is your uncle’s man, through and through; set out as a stalking horse to keep Marius apprised of threats from outside the borderlands. And,” he said as he nodded to his brother, “he is my brother.” He looked over at the fortress. “Atherton is once more in our family, where it belongs.”
“And allied through marriage to the King of the Borderlanders himself!” Talbot smiled as he looked at his brother and the princess in his arms. “There is to be marriage is there not, brother?”
“Only if that is what my lady wishes,” Andrew smiled down into Marit’s eyes. He saw the joy blossom in her eyes as she finally found a man who thought of her feelings before his own need for status or power.
“It is,” Marit nodded and claimed her husband-to-be’s lips with all the fervor in her healing heart.

Impressum

Texte: M J Marlow
Bildmaterialien: Bookrix
Lektorat: M J Marlow
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 11.01.2010

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