Guardian's Challenge (13 page)

“You were exhausted. Besides, you’re here to heal the children—not us.”

A sweet smile curved her lips. “And you two distracted me this morning.”

He cupped his hand around the back of her neck and drew her forward. He captured her mouth, pouring all of the words he couldn’t express into the kiss. She speared her fingers through his hair and swept her tongue into his mouth, tasting him deeply.

He gathered her in his arms and rolled her beneath him. “You’re amazing. I can’t get enough of you.”

Her cheeks colored and she shook her head. “I have a feeling you could find plenty of willing women to fuck you and Joseph.”

“There’s only one I want.”

“Asher—”

The opening door interrupted her, and she turned. Joseph had returned with a tub and an army of servants bearing hot water.

“Tyr and Alarik are preparing a feast in your honor,” he said to Neeve. “We’re expected in the great hall as soon as possible.”

As soon as the servants left the room, Neeve pushed Asher off her and crossed the room to stand in front of Joseph. His gaze softened as he looked at her, and Asher had to tamp down the spurt of jealousy that flared to life in his chest. Taking his forearm between her hands, she closed her eyes and sent healing energy into his body. Joseph watched wide-eyed as his cuts healed and his bruises faded.

“Thank you.” His gaze lifted to hers and he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “Now, into the tub with you.”

Though Asher wanted to finish their conversation, he didn’t want to do it with an audience. Telling her the truth about how he felt would have to wait.

Chapter Six

Asher slipped his arm around Neeve’s waist as they made their way into the great hall wearing the clothing Tyr and Alarik had provided for them. Neeve smiled as they entered the bustling room, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

He lowered his head, his lips brushing her ear. “What is it?”

Her smile faltered as her gaze flitted over the room. “I’m just anxious to get home.”

He wanted to ask her if she meant Maelgwn or wherever she’d disappeared to, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear the answer. And this wasn’t the right place to convince her to change her mind.

One of the keep’s servants met them at the door and led them to the head table where the rulers sat with their children. Dark smudges still circled the boys’ eyes, and it was apparent they’d been ill, but they no longer looked to be hovering within death’s grasp.

The younger of the two boys threw his arms around Neeve’s legs and clung to her. The wariness in her eyes vanished, replaced by tears as she squatted down to hug him. The older of the two children presented her with three silver bracelets.

Asher watched as she graciously accepted them, slipping them over her slender hand to jingle merrily around her wrist. He thought again of the other jewelry with which the rulers had gifted her along with the clothes. It wouldn’t be the last time the trio used those. He started to harden at the memory of her breathless response.

Willing away his reaction, he sank in the chair offered to him beside Neeve. Tyr took the seat next to her, leaving Joseph looking annoyed. Grumbling under his breath, he took the chair on the other side of Asher.

Something isn’t right about this,
he said into Asher’s mind.

The seating arrangement?

Get your head off your woman, and pay attention. Something is off here.

Asher spread his awareness outward. He sensed nothing from Tyr or Alarik, but Joseph was right. There was an undercurrent of unrest and a sensation of malice, but he couldn’t tell where it was coming from.

He glanced at Pryderi’s rulers. Both bent toward Neeve, and she murmured quietly to them, glancing every so often to where the children sat farther down the table with several slightly younger children. A woman hovered over the children then approached Tyr and Alarik. Laying a proprietary hand on each of their shoulders she stared down at Neeve.

“Thank you for healing the boys,” she murmured. “The entire kingdom thanks you.” The woman glanced around then leaned forward conspiratorially. “You don’t think it’ll return, do you?”

Asher felt Neeve stiffen almost imperceptibly. “It shouldn’t.”

“Oh good. I’m so relieved.”

Somehow, Asher had a difficult time believing that. Tyr smiled and patted the woman’s hand absently, and she wandered away.

A flurry of servants entered the room bearing trays of steaming food. The dishes were set on the head table first, and Tyr placed the finest pieces before Neeve.

“You have our undying gratitude for the gift you’ve given us.”

She bowed her head in acknowledgement. “You’re welcome. I’m so pleased to see how well they’re doing.”

“Are you sure you wouldn’t consider staying with us? We’d give you, and your mates, of course, anything you could possibly want.”

Neeve looked up from her trencher. “You’re kind to offer, but I must return home. I have people there who are depending on me.”

Tyr nodded. “I understand. However, should you change your mind, you’ll always have a spot at our table. We’ll ready a ship on the morrow to return you to Maelgwn.”

“Thank you.” Neeve bowed her head at Tyr, more anxious than ever to be out of there. Though there was nothing untoward in her behavior, the woman who’d come over to speak with her unsettled Neeve. She guessed from her behavior that she was Tyr and Alarik’s lover. Perhaps she was hoping to replace their late mate. Glancing down the table, Neeve saw her sitting with the lords’ sons and several other children, one of whom sat on her lap…and looked startlingly similar to the boys who’d been ill.

Neeve nodded toward the child the woman held. “Is that your sons’ brother?”

The man nodded. “Half brother,” he clarified. “He’s my son with Brianna. She’s been so good with the boys since her sister died.”

“Her sister was your mate?” Neeve asked, a horrible sense of clarity settling in the pit of her stomach.

“Brianna cared for our mate constantly. And the boys, too.”

Neeve bit her lip to keep from saying anything she’d later regret. There was no sense in accusing the woman without proof. “She seems incredibly kind.”

She kept an eye on Brianna during the meal, but the woman did nothing questionable. Perhaps, Neeve was imagining duplicity where there was none.

Though she’d begun doubting her feelings about Brianna, they came rushing to the fore again when she, Asher and Joseph were woken from a sound sleep several hours later by a servant begging her to see to the children who’d fallen ill again.

Quickly pulling on her clothes while Asher and Joseph did the same, she followed the servant to the children’s chamber to find the two boys even sicker than before. They thrashed weakly on their beds, fevers claiming them. Brianna tried to spoon what looked like broth down their throats.

Tyr paced the room, dragging his hands through his hair, while Alarik tried to help Brianna by holding the boys’ mouths open.

As soon as he spotted Neeve, Tyr grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her toward the beds. Both Asher and Joseph started toward the man, intent clear on their faces, but Neeve shook her head, urging them back. The last thing she needed was to have them dragged from the room while she was stuck in here alone.

Brianna eyed Neeve warily as she approached the children.

“What are you giving them?” Neeve asked.

“Broth with herbs to lower their fevers.”

Barely control raged surged through Neeve. This woman was poisoning her nephews and had likely murdered her sister. “Did you make it yourself?”

“Of course,” she replied indignantly.

“Please stop.”

“I will not.” The woman began spooning it faster and faster.

“I need you to stop so I can heal them.”

Brianna ignored her.

“Cease, woman!” Tyr demanded. “Let the healer do her work.”

Glaring at Neeve, the woman rose and stood against the wall watching. Neeve once again laid her hands on the boys’ fragile chests and began to pull the poison from their bodies, replacing it with energy. She let it seep into their tissues until their bodies were filled with a brilliant, golden glow.

Her body grew heavy as it absorbed the toxins. There were even more this time. With as much as she pulled from them, Brianna must have planned on them being dead by morning. Neeve forced herself to stifle her anger and focus on the children. Drawing the last of the poison from their bodies, she released the energy into the floor where it would harmlessly dissipate.

Stumbling to her feet Neeve, stalked toward the other woman and glared at her. “Is this how you killed your sister?”

Brianna’s eyes widened, and she blanched. “What are you talking about?”

“Let me guess, you stayed by her side, tending her faithfully as she grew weaker and weaker.”

She caught a glimpse of Tyr from the corner of her eye. His lips were pressed in a tight, bloodless line, and his eyes were hard as he stared at them. She could feel his rage rolling off him in waves, but she wasn’t sure if it was directed at her or Brianna. It didn’t make a difference though. Neeve refused to let the other woman get away with murder.

“How long did she suffer?” Neeve pressed on. “How long did it take to kill her?”

“I didn’t.” Her gaze flew wildly around the room. “Tyr, Alarik, you don’t believe her, do you?”

Neither man spoke.

“She was my sister,” Brianna screeched. “These are her children.” Tears sprang to her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. “They’re my last connection to her. Why would I kill them?”

Neeve shrugged. “My guess would be to make it easier for your children to ascend the throne once you take your sister’s place as their mate.”

“Is that true, Brianna?” Tyr rumbled dangerously.

“No! I swear it.”

Neeve stared at the large bowl in Brianna’s hands, hoping Tyr would take the hint.

“Then prove it,” Alarik said evenly. “Drink it.”

If possible, the other woman paled further. “What?”

“Drink. It,” he reiterated.

“I don’t understand why you don’t believe me. I can’t believe you’d take the word of this stranger over me. You
know
me.”

Both men stepped closer, flanking Neeve, their arms crossed over their broad chests.

With shaking hands, Brianna lifted the bowl to her lips, but it slipped from her grasp and clattered to the floor, splattering the contents everywhere before she’d had a chance to taste it.

Alarik and Tyr exchanged a wordless glance, and Alarik grabbed Brianna’s arm and pushed her, sobbing, from the room.

Neeve returned to stand between Asher and Joseph who each slid a protective arm around her waist.

Tyr leaned over the bed and laid his hands across his children’s heads, checking their temperature. Though they both slept, they were far more peaceful than they had been when she’d entered.