Demon Within (16 page)

The ground, for the first time in months, softened. Its thirst for water made swift use of the rain. A cool breeze accompanied the downpour making the air fresher; over the mountains and farther the gathering clouds waiting to release their load onto thirsting land. Free from the constraints of rationing, the withering crops now revitalized, would provide nourishment over the winter months. In Blackhill and the surrounding regions everyone would feast well that evening and celebrate the end of the drought.

Watching sheets of rain fall and drench the soil around them, Eloise nestled against Kai’s body and sighed. Some may complain. Being soaked through to the skin with a chill setting deep into their bones would send others to seek shelter. But the heat from Kai’s body and his appreciation of her performance, kept her body and mind warm. Feeling valued for the first time in her life and enjoying the elated feeling she nestled in the opening of his shirt to rest her cheek against his bare skin.

Walking their horse at a steady pace they were almost home. Kai, still overwhelmed at the miracle Eloise had performed and astounded she wasn’t held in a higher regard by her family, squeezed her lovingly. Feeling her warm breath fall against his skin, he’d never appreciated how pleasant the sensation could be; he felt a connection he’d not had with anyone else.

Robbed of emotion his whole life, Kai struggled to connect emotionally with a woman. Having satisfied his sexual demands he’d dismiss them afterwards with no further need for their counsel. After winning his first fight at sixteen and rewarded with a young woman to use for his sexual pleasure, his education had begun. Equal to a stallion used for stud, he’d perform his duties well. Detached from the emotion he didn’t need to know the names of the women he serviced. They were slaves, like him. Once he’d completed his task and they were removed from his cell, he’d never see them again.

As a child learns the difference between right and wrong from his parents, Kai learned the same from his slavers; a twisted education that taught him killing earned rewards. Years of systematic training made him a warrior and a fighter. They didn’t teach him about love; that would have to come from someone who could forgive his life of butchery and carnage.

Eloise’s delicate form nestled against him making his blood heat more than any other woman he’d ever touched. Looking forward to the bonding ceremony tomorrow, he prayed she wouldn’t shun or recoil after hearing his truthful replies to any questions she asks. Feeling her gentle breaths fall against his chest he dared to hope Eloise would open her mind and see past the horror he’d inflicted in his past; take a chance, and choose to understand that as the ground needs rain, his heart needs love. He drew in a deep breath while resting his chin on the top of her head and wondered what he’d done to deserve such a blessing.

Eloise stirred in Kai’s arms, feeling dreamy and relaxed; she’d been staring at the gold band on his arm for a while. Reaching to touch her fingertips to it, she brushed them along the ridges and carvings and wondered if they had meaning. No words, just icons and symbols wrapped around the band which she’d never seen previously made her curious. The size of them impressed her, as did his arms; thick and bulging beneath the gold restraint of the band, she moved her fingers lower and made circles with her fingertips on his bronzed skin. Kai watched her play, pleased she felt comfortable enough to explore his body.

‘Do you like the band?’ His soft voice interrupted her doodling.

‘Yes, it’s beautiful.’ Remembering he had one on each arm. ‘Is the other the same?’

Raising her head to look at him, seductive green eyes greeted her. Fluttering in her lower belly made her gasp.

‘Almost, I had them made to honor a friend.’ Kai frowned and remembered the friend he’d tried to save from the mines when he’d first broken free.

Eloise wondered what happened to him, but unsure whether she should ask, remained quiet.

‘He was a slave, like me…his name was Lorne, but he died working in the gold mines.’

Watching Eloise nibble her lower lip, he gave her a gentle smile.

‘I closed the mines after I’d…’

Eloise suddenly straightened, remembering what Dori had told her, she kept his gaze. Kai didn’t finish the sentence; he thought it would be better to not mention what happened at the gold mines.

Moving her hand from his arm, Eloise pressed her fingertips to his cheek and ran it down along his jaw; her eyes followed her fingers before glancing to meet his.

‘I didn’t mean to make you remember. I’m sorry’

‘I’m more concerned about what you’ll think of me, if I continue.’ He lowered his gaze.

Eloise breathed deeply. She wasn’t sure she wanted the tale confirming. It was just a story at the moment, albeit graphic. Hearing Kai confirm it would bring it to life. She wasn’t ready to hear about it, just yet.

‘Don’t be.’

Eloise couldn’t believe her boldness, as her finger smoothed along the seal of his lips. Kai breathed in deeply and let out a quiet groan his eyes growing wider. Taking her fingers in his hand, he pressed them against his lips before moving them to rest against his chest.

‘Tomorrow, we’ll go to the temple under the mountains, for a bonding ceremony.’

He swallowed, knowing Eloise could ask questions he wouldn’t want to answer; lying would bring bad luck to the marriage.

‘You can ask anything, and so can I. We’re bound to answer truthfully.’ Pausing, his eyes narrowed as he continued. ‘Our marriage won’t be blessed if we lie.’

Wide eyes stared back in disbelief as Eloise listened to Kai’s warning. She’d never heard of this ceremony, and assumed it was something only practiced in Wild Plains. How anyone would know whether a lie would be told or not, she deduced that honor and respect bound a person to tell the truth to their betrothed. She wondered if anyone had refused to marry their intended after hearing something that shocked or surprised them. It would be interesting if nothing else, although at the moment she wasn’t sure she wanted to ask Kai anything.

‘It sounds interesting. Should I make a list?’ she wondered what Nissa would make of it. No doubt she’d compose a list for herself, being a nosey person.

Kai chuckled, but inside he worried. They wouldn’t be doing the ceremony if he’d had his way, it was Sabe’s idea; pointing out it wouldn’t set a good example to the people at Blackhill if their leader didn’t do it. The point of the ceremony was to form a bond with the intended spouse, making for a stronger and happier marriage. Kai had sighed and rolled his eyes at Sabe’s insistence, but he’d gone along with everything else he’d arranged and thought he might as well let him arrange this too.

‘At least you’ll get a warm bath.’ He mocked.

Frowning, Eloise questioned his words. ‘What do you mean?’

‘The temple is hidden in the mountains; it’s in a cave with a natural warm spring. We get to bathe each other while we ask questions.’

‘We?’ she frowned.

Nodding, Kai grinned. ‘Me and you, together.’

Gasping and pushing away from his body, Eloise straightened and stared.

‘Naked?’

Kai’s amusement grew. ‘How am I to wash you if you’re clothed?’ Raising both brows, he added. ‘Don’t worry, we won’t be alone.’

Feeling her face redden. ‘Who else is going to be there? Unable to wait for his answer she burst out, ‘If it’s my father or anyone else I know, I’m not doing it!’

Laughing out loud, Kai couldn’t contain himself after seeing Eloise’s horror stricken face. He moved his arm around her waist and pulled her back to lean against him, missing her warmth and her relaxed state, he tried to settle her.

‘It won’t be, I promise.’ Kai gently pressed his lips to her head as she fell against him. Tightening his arm around her waist, he spurred on his horse and broke into a canter.

Racing through the gate and up towards the courtyard Kai pulled up by the main door where Sabe was waiting. Shouting to the staff indoors, Sabe had blankets brought, while the stable boy took care of Kai’s horse. Both he and Eloise were completely soaked. Carrying her under the terrace and placing her down, she shivered after the long exposure to the rain and chilling breeze.

‘Did you have a good time?’ Sabe’s brows rose, he grinned and looked over the drenched figures.

‘Yes, we did.’ A wry grin bit him back. Taking a towel and a blanket handed to him, he quickly covered Eloise.

‘Put some water on the fire to heat, and have it taken to Eloise’s room.’ His order to the house woman made Eloise startle.

‘Are you sure it will be alright?’

Grinning, he leaned forward and nuzzled his face close to hers. ‘I think you deserve it, after your hard work.’

Smiling and blushing, Eloise politely nodded and scurried off inside; she had lots to tell Nissa and needed to get out of her wet clothes.

Frowning as he studied Kai, Sabe hadn’t expected his temperament to be so jovial after he’d stormed out earlier with Eloise. Something happened between them to change his mood and whatever it was, Sabe liked it.

Kai waited until he was sure Eloise had left before turning to Sabe with raised brows.

‘What do you think to the rain?’

Sabe frowned. ‘It’s wet’ He looked to the sky to confirm his deduction.

Kai shook his head and sighed. ‘Did it look like it was going to rain this morning?’

Shrugging his shoulders Sabe continued to frown. ‘What’s your point?’

‘It was Eloise!’

‘What was?’ Sabe shook his head. ‘Are you feeling alright?’

‘Eloise made it rain! She’s got some magic gift or something... She thought about it raining and it happened!’

Kai’s frustration started to show; raising his voice to drum it home and waving his arms about, he tried to make Sabe understand what he was saying.

Confused why Sabe didn’t look impressed with his news, Kai frowned and stared at his friend with his mouth partly gaping, and sighed. After a moment, Sabe’s eyes widened and Kai grinned; it was finally sinking in.

‘You’re not serious, are you?’ Looking out into the courtyard with furrowed brows, Sabe had to admit he wasn’t expecting rain that morning.

‘Yes! I am!’ Kai threw his hands in the air and slapped Sabe’s arm. ‘She was amazing!’

Sabe’s silence and lack of excitement on the news brought Kai to remember what Eloise had told him about Roulan, and he swiftly changed the subject.

‘Roulan is up to something, I’m sure now. He told Eloise she wasn’t to let their father know she could do this kind of thing.’ Gesturing his hand he pointed at the rain. ‘He’s trying to control her, but I don’t know why just yet.’

‘Is he now?’ Sabe’s interest peaked.

Nodding with a sneer, Kai decided he really didn’t like Eloise’s brother. ‘He’s lying to her. I think he wants to use her gift for himself, but I can’t think why.’

‘Funny you should say that.’ Sabe moved towards the doorway, and stepping into the hall he waved Kai inside.

‘I think we need to have a drink, while I fill you in. I’ve had an interesting conversation with Leon while you were gone.’

‘You know where Roulan’s been?’ Kai eagerly followed him inside.

‘No, that’s still a mystery.’ Sabe scratched at his chin, ‘But Leon was having him followed back at Brightstone and you’re going to be interested to know who he’s been meeting with.’

Instructing the house woman to fetch some wine and a bite to eat, Sabe glanced back to Kai and shook his head at the pool of water collecting at his feet.

‘I think you should change first, don’t you?’

Pursing his lips and looking down his body at the state of his clothes, he nodded his reply. With a smirk he hurried off to change; shouting over his shoulder while he was still in earshot.

‘Don’t drink all the wine!’

***

Nissa rocked on the bed with her arms cradling her knees, eyes focused on the door, doing nothing but waiting for Eloise to return. Concern for her mistress gnawed at her stomach despite Sabe’s assurance she would come to no harm. But the moment her thoughts turned to Sabe, her stomach twisted in a more pleasant way. Memories of the encounter with his lips brought heat to her cheeks; closing her eyes she drew in a deep breath, expanding her lungs to bursting point and releasing the air slowly she tried to regain her composure. It wasn’t working; about to draw in another breath, but distracted from a faint sound, she stilled her body and listened intently to scuffling of feet behind the closed door.

Nissa watched the door open slowly at first, and then jumped off the bed when she saw who was there. Greeted with a tentative smile from Eloise, Nissa’s eyes widened as she took in the wretched form before her. Hurrying towards her mistress, she reached her arms wide in readiness to cradle Eloise’s drenched body.

‘You’re soaked!’ Pushing off the blanket draped around Eloise’s shoulders, Nissa quickly turned her around and started to unfasten the soaked fabric, tugging at the ribbon to loosen the clinging dress.

‘Kai’s having hot water brought up, for a bath.’ Her excited tone caused Nissa to pause.

She gave a knowing look. ‘Well, I’m glad you’re finally getting one!’