Blind Impulse (28 page)

“
Aye,” Simon replied and grabbed Garin’s arm.  They both sprinted to the keep, hesitating only slightly at the stairs.

“
Garin--” Cecily said as he charged past her
.

He ignored her.  Nothing she could say would make this any easier.  The worst had happened.  Alyna had died and he had not been at her side but fighting a worthless battle.  That was why Garin wanted to bring an end to this, so he could be with her when
she gave up her life, but Naworth had stolen that from him as well.  Suddenly Garin vehemently wished Peter was alive so he could kill him all over again.

They entered the solar and Garin hurried to Alyna’s bed.  He shuddered.  Grief threatened devour him
and he feared he would lose himself to madness.

He pulled Alyna into his arms, her head
against his chest. “Oh, God, nay
,” he whispered, his hand touching her face.  She remained absolutely still in his arms.  “I can’t say goodbye, Alyna,” he whispered in h
er ear.  “If you go you will take my soul with you.”  Her skin was much cooler than before, already death robbed her body of warmth.

“
Alyna, nay
, don’t leave me,” he choked.  His fingers slid through her hair, soaked wet with sweat, the blankets drenched. 
He frowned in confusion and touched her face again, his fingers moving from her cheek across her lips.  Soft breath caressed his hand.  He froze, wondering if he dare trust his senses.  His fingers caressed her throat, he felt a greater warmth of mild feve
r but the life-beat pounded steadily.

She was still alive and her skin was not nearly so hot.

“
Alyna?”

“
That’s what I was trying to tell you,” Cecily said stepping up behind him.  “Her fever broke while you were fighting.  She is still very weak bu
t I think she will recover.”

Relief and shock rioted within him.  He felt tears flood down his cheeks but didn’t care.  Something surged, snapping his control.  Cradling Alyna too him as tightly as he dared, he lifted his head and bellowed to the heavens,
not in pain or grief, but in sheer joy.

Feeling suddenly spent and exhausted, Garin lowered his head, rubbing his cheek against hers, whispering his grateful praises.

A strong hand fell on his shoulder.  “I told you,” a deep voice said, gruff with emotion.
  “I told you she took after her mother.”

“
Aye,” he choked.  “And her father too.”

****

Alyna pried open her eyes, agony coursing through her body and pain throbbing in her head.  Her throat burned with thirst.  Slowly, her awareness expanded.  Garin lay
in bed with her, holding her protectively in his arms, wearing nothing but his braies.  For a moment she simply savored the strength that emanated from him even in sleep.

She tried to move and realized her mistake as pain cut through her body and she gro
aned.

Garin bolted awake.  “Alyna?”

“
Water, please,” she croaked.

“
Aye, love,” he said, reaching across her and handing her a cup.  She quenched her thirst, exhausted, and settled her head against his chest again.

“
Are you all right?”

“
Nay, but I’ll live.”

He sucked in his breath.  “Sweet Jesu, Alyna, you have no idea how terribly you frightened me.”

She scowled, her thoughts lost in the confusion of her throbbing head.  “Frightened you?”

“
I almost lost you, Alyna,” he said, his voice thick with unsettled p
ain.

By the saints, what was he talking about?  “The last thing I remember was standing before the sally port....”  Abruptly she sucked in her breath and the wound in her side burned with white hot fire.  “Peter--”

“
Is dead,” Garin said tightly.  His hand
stroked her face but she noted he trembled.

“
What?”

“
I fought him,” he said, his voice only hinting at his deep emotion.  “I killed him for what he did to you.”

“
You did what?”

Slowly, his hands never faltering in their gentle caress, he told her all that
had transpired since her wounding.  “The siege is over and we have won,” he said finally.

Alyna squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face against his chest.  “Hold me, Garin, please.”

His arms wrapped around her, his fingers weaving through her hair.  “Ay
e, my love, and I will never let you go.” 

Chapter Sixteen

Alyna lounged with Garin on a blanket in the castle gardens.  The autumn sun was warm but a chill breeze played through the trees.  Garin leaned closer, nuzzli
ng her ear.  She sighed and closed her eyes, enjoying his attentions
b
ut worry still plagued her.

“
Garin,” she said softly.  “Do you realize what the coming sennight brings?”

“
Nay, my love.”

“
It’s been six months.”

He bolted upright, his face draining of
color.  “Already?”

She felt a smile tug at her lips.  “I was certain you would remember.”

He shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose.  “Forgive me, Alyna, but my head hurt so terribly that day, I had trouble remembering my name let alone know wh
at week it was.”

“
That’s right,” she said, running her fingers through his long hair, enjoying the way the golden strands gleamed in the dappled sunlight.  “My father and Simon had to carry you to the meeting.”

Garin sighed, lifting his face to the heavens
.  “I must admit I am shocked Naworth has actually left us alone since the siege.  I was certain he would try some other foolishness if only to avenge the death of his son.”

“
I hope he has learned his lesson.”

“
Are we prepared for Father Thomas?”

“
Aye, the
kitchens are well stocked.  I think it was wise you asked your knights to stay even if they are trying to eat the larder bare.”

He chuckled.  “At least
Ousby
keeps himself busy with hunting.”

She laughed and they fell silent for a moment.  Alyna debated i
f she should tell him her news.  Her moon cycle had not come upon her and she knew was breeding.  Should she wait until Father Thomas made a final decision?  She was certain he would allow the marriage to continue.  Garin had proven himself admirably, but
if something unexpected happened, she wondered if it would be easier on Garin if he did not know.

“
What was that?” Garin asked, cocking his head slightly.

She blinked.  “What?”

“
I hear voices approaching the gardens.”  Abruptly he smiled.  “From the whispe
ring and the woman’s soft laugh, methinks someone is planning a tryst.”

Alyna chuckled, taking his hand in hers.  “Then perhaps we should give them privacy since we have the solar all to ourselves.”

Garin’s smile turned wicked.  “Wonderful idea, my love.”

They stood and Garin picked up the blanket.  Alyna looked up, seeing movement as two people entered the garden.  The woman nearly threw herself into the man’s arms
and the man kissed her passionately.  Suddenly Alyna’s jaw went slack.  “Oh...,” she whisper
ed.

“
What is it?” Garin asked in confusion.

“
The two lovers are....” S
he swallowed hard, not believing her eyes.

“
Who?”

“
Your sister and...Simon.”

“
What?” Garin asked, his voice barely audible.  Suddenly, his face reddened and he stepped forward.  “Simon!”
he roared.  “What are you doing to my sister?”

Alyna barely managed to guide him around a bench as he stormed toward them.

Both Juliana and Simon flinched, staring at Garin in horror.  Juliana’s face turned white and Simon’s turned bright red.

“
Garin, I--
” Simon began.

Alyna hauled on Garin’s arm trying to stop him a pace away, but he shrugged her off and grabbed Simon’s tunic with his left hand.  Before she could move, he cocked back his right fist and let fly.  The punch caught Simon squarely in the jaw,
knocking him flat on his back.

“
Garin!” Juliana screeched.

“
Stop, Garin,” Alyna said, trying again to grab him.

Simon snarled and jumped to his feet.  He charged and tackled Garin, the two rolling on the ground, trading blows equally.

“
Garin, please stop!
”  Juliana cried.  She tried to rush forward but Alyna grabbed her arm.

“
Nay, they may strike you by mistake.”

“
Garin, Simon, stop!”

But the two only fought harder.

“
Garin,” Juliana shrieked.  “Cease
this, he’s the man I told you about!”

Garin, on top of Si
mon, froze, his fist raised.  “What?” he asked in confusion.

Suddenly, Simon’s fist caught him in the gut.  He doubled over
and slid off of Simon, trying to catch his breath.  Alyna feared the fight would start again but both men only sa
t on the grass, Garin clutching his stomach and Simon shaking his head, wiping the blood from his lip.

“
Garin,” Juliana said, her voice pleading.  “Remember when we spoke of this?”

“
Aye,” he replied, still panting.

“
Remember also when I said you would have
no doubt of the man’s honor and integrity?”

“
Aye,” he said, his shoulders slumping.  “But Juliana, you and...
Simon?
”

Alyna clapped a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing at Garin’s baffled expression.  While Garin thought of Simon as a brother, Julia
na obviously thought differently. 

Alyna had seen the two together in the keep on various occasions and wondered if Simon’s influence had something to do with Juliana’s blossoming.  She returned to the kind and gracious girl they had
known.  Alyna gl
anced at Juliana and saw her also fighting a smile.

“
Boys will be boys,” Alyna whispered.

Juliana laughed and Alyna lost her control.

“
Methinks they are finding sport at our expense,” Garin said to Simon.

Simon stood and pulled Garin to his feet.  “Most ce
rtainly.”  He paused, again rubbing his jaw.  “Damnation, Garin, you still have a bloody strong haymaker.”

Garin chuckled.  “Sorry
,
friend, but I couldn’t believe it when Alyna told me it was you.”

“
Garin, I give you my word, I have not sullied your sister
.”

“
I believe you.”

“
Then why did you hit me?”

Garin clapped him on the shoulder.  “I thought you were going to.”

“
Garin,” Juliana said.  “I have been telling Simon to talk to you.”

Simon hung his head, his cheeks darkening.

“
Well, Juliana,” Garin replied.
  “Our conversation still stands.”

Simon’s head shot up.  “You mean you do not mind the differences in our stations?”

“
Nay, Simon.  As long as this is what you both want, you have my permission to court my sister.”

Simon gaped at him.

Garin grabbed him by
the scruff.  “I know the look you must be giving me.  Now come on, let’s lift a mug to this.”  The two men pushed past Juliana and Alyna, heading back for the keep.

Juliana eyes shined joyously.

Simon looked at Juliana, gazing at her intently then flashed
the brightest grin Alyna had ever seen from him.

“
Methinks it will be a good match,” Alyna said.

Juliana looked at her and smiled, wrapping her arm around Alyna’s.  “Aye, ‘twill be a fine match indeed.”

****

The next afternoon, Alyna sat in the solar wit
h Juliana, Cecily and Eleanor, putting the final touches on the tapestries to hang in the great hall.

She leaped to her feet with a small cry of victory.  “Finally!”

“
Let me see,” Juliana said and they spread the huge tapestries across the table. 

A red l
ion rampant, standing above a gold embattlement, adorned Garin’s tapestry with a white background.  Alyna’s was also white with three blue
estoilles
.  The dies had turned out well, giving both tapestries vibrant color.

“
Oh, Alyna, they are absolutely beau
tiful,” Juliana said breathlessly.

“
Aye,” Eleanor replied, her eyes shining.  “They will make a wonderful addition to our hall.”

A knock startled Alyna.  “Who is it?”

“
Your father.”

“
Enter.”

He stepped through the door.  Although his arm continued to pain
him, he had recovered almost full use of it, but still had trouble hefting a shield.

“
Ladies,” he said, bowing, his dark eyes grave. “The sentry in the tower spotted Father Thomas approaching and he has someone with him.  They are accompanied by ecclesiast
ical guardsmen.”

Alyna’s heart dropped to the pit of her stomach.  “Someone with him?”

“
Aye.  They should be at the gates in a few minutes.”

“
Tell Garin, please.  I must change.”

“
He’s working in the lists.  Alyna, I thought it best if Thomas sees him figh
ting.”

Alyna nodded, remembering Garin’s practice.  Because he could not see to block the blows, the men were ordered to defend themselves and stand their ground.  Garin, once he placed them, launched attack after attack.  Unable to counter, this exercise
improved their defensive
techniques considerably.  S
ometimes Alyna wondered just how much Garin’s other senses had taken over.  On rare occasion, the urge to strike back was too strong.  Alyna had seen Garin instinctively block several counter attacks,
somehow knowing exactly where the weapon would be.

“
Alyna,” Juliana said.  “I will see to the feast.”  She paused and caught Alyna’s hand.  “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”

She gulped air into her lungs.  Juliana had been so adamant to the contrar
y in the past.  Could she have honestly changed her mind
? 

“
Aye,” Eleanor replied.  “Cecily and I will help with your hair and gown.”

Suddenly Alyna’s future with Garin once again teetered like a house of sticks.  What i
f they ordered him into a church?  If Garin fought he could be excommunicated at worst, banished at best. 

Oh stop it.
  She was being paranoid.  Garin had proven himself very capable of being baron.  They had succeeded in every requirement put forth by th
e church.

For a moment she paused, wishing she had told Garin about her breeding.  Having an heir on the way did bode well for them.  She forced her thoughts away as Eleanor began to look through her wardrobe.  Then her gaze fell on the tapestries.

“
Father
, would you take these downstairs and have the servants hang them.”

He stared at them a moment, his eyes wide in appreciation then flashed her a bright smile.  “Of course, Alyna,” he said, gathered the tapestries and quickly left the room.

****

Garin hea
rd the shouts welcoming Father Thomas into the gates.  He gritted his teeth, sweat trickling down his body under his heavy mail.

“
Are you sure about this, Geoff?” the last thing he wanted to do was make a fool out of himself.

“
Absolutely, Swein.  Now just
wait a moment, I want to make sure they have full view of you.” 

Garin waited, his hand clenching the hilt of his whalebone sword.

“
All right, they see you and are approaching.”  Geoff stepped back, raising his voice.  “Stand you ready?”

“
Aye,” Garin bark
ed.

“
Aye,” Trey also said.

“
Begin!”

Garin launched into a combination blow which Trey blocked but it drove him backwards.  The other knights and men watching shouted their encouragement, calling Garin’s name.

Garin moved with his opponent, continuing the c
ombination attacks.

“
Remember what I told you Trey?” Geoff barked.

Garin frowned.  What was he talking about?

“
Aye
,
sir,” Trey said, desperately trying to defend himself.

“
Do it now!” Geoff roared.

Suddenly Trey shifted.  Sounds, sensations, and impressions
that Garin could barely define, joined together in a heartbeat to create the picture in his mind’s eye.