Impending Reprisals (10 page)

“Anya, please—”

“I am making it easier for you to stay.” She wiggled her body down as her breath washed over his chest.

“You are making it harder to leave,” he qualified as his voice shuddered.

“It will be easier,” she promised, creeping lower.

Merivic’s eyes rolled back as her tongue caressed his skin, her firm breasts molding to his body. He allowed her touch, reveled in it, unable to resist but still attempting to muster the strength and clarity to do just that.

His frame tensed and his heart leapt as he felt a tug at his belt and the slide of his pants being drawn down.

“Anya.” He whispered a breathless moan, his belly quivering as her mouth traveled across it.

A hush was her only response, and her simple command bent Merivic’s will to where he was powerless to refute her intent. Anya’s curious mouth and questing hands went down on him, found him hard as stone, and began to pleasure.

A fire rolled through him, scorching his body as it consumed with its heat, pinpointing his focus to the source—Anya. Nothing mattered except her, this beautiful creature exploring him with a patient passion before turning urgent and hungry. She was all he could hear, all he could see, all he could feel.

Merivic’s hands fisted in the sheets, his moans breaking free until his body quaked and he tumbled into a blinding euphoria.

Anya rose up to lay across his chest as his numb arms snaked around her. “Stay with me tonight.”

Merivic rolled them to their sides, holding her near. “How could I not?” he replied, matching her quiet tone.

“I love you, Merivic.”

His mouth curved with a surge of absolute ecstasy, one even more powerful than what he had just experienced. “I love you, too, my precious Anya.”

*****

Anya and Merivic were nearly asleep when a soft knock preceded a muted voice. “Sire.”

Merivic groaned with a flash of irritation as he got out of bed and yanked on his pants. He swung open the door as he growled, “There had better be a good reason for the interruption.”

Gerhard bowed his head respectfully and held out an envelope. “Another urgent message, My Lord.”

Merivic snatched it and scanned the contents. “I will be out in a moment. Fetch another guard to stay in your stead. We have work to do.”

“Very well, Sire.”

Merivic closed the door and lowered his head against it.

“You must go?” Anya asked from the bed, holding the blankets up around her.

He looked into her distressed eyes and strode back to the bed. “My apologies, my dearest love. There is no other place I would rather be than here with you. But there is a situation I must rectify.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “Please understand.”

“Of course.” She said the words, but it was hard to feel the sentiment behind them.

“You are disappointed. I know.”

“You will return to me?”

“Not tonight.” He kissed her forehead and drew her close. “I will see you in the morning.” After a quick squeeze, he released her and pulled away.

Anya began fidgeting with her amulet as he turned and then paused, eyeing up the jewel around her neck while donning a thoughtful expression.

“How does that work? Can you call Tajvek at any time?”

She nodded, still a little choked up about his impending departure.

“The situation I need to tend to… It will keep me from you the remaining nights of our journey.”

“Why?” she demanded, though there was no force in her tone.

“Because it is the only time I can see to it, the only time my messengers travel—under concealment of darkness.” He reached down to stroke her cheek. “I want you to call Tajvek to stay with you at night.”

Anya gestured at the door. “But there are always soldiers around.”

“What if someone got past and approached you as you slept? Would you know to call him?”

She was about to explain that Tajvek would appear based on her fear alone, but the words failed her as a realization occurred. If someone got close enough to her in slumber, it could be too late before Tajvek arrived. With that startling thought, she mentally called her guardian.

The great white tiger materialized beside Merivic and nudged him in the hip. Merivic scratched him behind the ear as he leaned in and gave Anya a kiss. “Thank you.”

Another soft knock sounded. “Sire?”

“Gerhard’s relief is here, and along with Tajvek, I can be assured of your safety.” He stole another kiss. “I will see you in the morning.”

And with that he strode off, leaving Anya as she curled up with thoughts of the man she had come to love.

She already could not wait to see him again.

Chapter 14

The passing days blurred by for Anya. The constantly changing scenery and landscape as they came closer to Decessus made for an interesting journey. All the new sights kicked her excitement up a notch as each minute ticked by, and she was absolutely tickled she had Merivic to share it with.

But as fast as the waking hours on the road sped by, their travels seemed to come to a painfully slow crawl as the nights left her alone with only Tajvek and her thoughts. It did not matter if she was staying in her tent in the midst of a settled camp, or if she was staying in a manor within the walls of a bustling allied city—she may as well have been staying in the middle of a wasteland for as isolated as she had felt.

Anya gazed out the guest quarter’s window, watching the remaining people in the waning dusk as they weaved their way home. She was several floors up and could see for quite a distance, far enough to watch a speck of a person as he, or she, turned down one road to a alleyway, then emerged to the intersecting road behind, and finally entered a small shack nestled under a canopy of trees.

Tajvek made a deep thrumming noise in his chest as he curled at the base of her bed. Anya glanced at him before returning her attention to the city sprawled out around her. And when the light became too faint to make out the people, she turned her sights to the horizon as the sun sank behind the mountains in the distance, coloring the sky to a deep pink before taking away its light altogether.

With a reserved sigh, Anya set her lantern next to the bed and dressed for the night. Tajvek took position between her and the door as she snuggled in and tried to fall asleep. But sleep would not come.

Tomorrow she would arrive in Decessus and, to her, it marked a new beginning, a new life, and the end of the desolate loneliness she had felt for nearly a fortnight. Her happiness mixed with nerves and it left her body buzzing with anxiety. She would be surprised if she was able to sleep at all.

When counting stars through the window did not work, Anya closed her eyes and imagined what Decessus would look like once she arrived. So many times she had pictured it in her head, and in so many different ways had it come alive for her.

Which was the correct image? she pondered, scanning through them one by one, attempting to choose her favorite as if she could will it into reality.

Anya’s ears perked and her heart slowed when she heard the door to her chamber click open. She held very still as she listened to the slow, muted footfalls sounding her way, but she knew she was safe for Tajvek would never have allowed a stranger to approach.

A contented sigh breezed through the air and she smelled Merivic’s familiar sweet scent a moment before his lips brushed against her cheek. It was a gentle, loving gesture and yet it raised alarms within her. She knew how busy he had been with various duties each night, and thought only a dire situation could tear him away from his responsibilities.

“What is wrong?” she whispered.

“You are awake?” He sounded surprised, but pleased.

Anya opened her eyes as he lit her lantern and turned the flame down. She was struck by his appearance as the light cast eerie, haunting shadows on his face, then realized it was not all the trick of the light.

She lifted her hand to trace the dark circles under his eyes. “Do you ever sleep?”

Merivic held her hand to his cheek, then slid it over to kiss her palm before squeezing it tight. “I will sleep better tomorrow, after I have you safe within the walls of our castle.”

“Is something the matter?”

“Why do you ask?”

“You are here. I figured it could only mean something is wrong.”

He swept a lock of hair away from her face as his lips curved. “My sweet, precious Anya. I come to you every night.”

“You do?”

“Certainly.” Merivic planted a kiss on her forehead. “I could not go a night without giving you a kiss, even if it was while you slept.”

“Why did you not wake me so I could see you as well?”

“One of us requires some rest.” He winked at her. “Besides, you still refuse to ride in the carriage, and I cannot have you falling asleep on your feet.”

“I told you, I would if you would.” Her lip slipped into a pout. “But in that respect you would not budge.”

He leaned in with a chuckle, and nipped playfully at her lip. “You know my reasons.”

“Yes, but it would have been a much more enjoyable journey if you and I had simply held each other” —she snaked her arms around his neck—“and cuddled the entire way.” Lifting her mouth, she brought it to his briefly. “Just think of all the wasted time we did not get to spend together” —their lips met again, softly, teasingly—“alone. Just the two of us. To do as we pleased.”

Merivic groaned as his mouth fused to hers, holding her tight as suggestive images danced through his head. Anya pulled him down, wanting him to lay with her, to be with her.

“Anya,” he murmured against her lips.

She loosened her grip as she stated flatly, “You cannot stay.”

“No, my love, I cannot.” He kneeled beside her bed as he drew her blanket around her. “We arrive home tomorrow. One more night, Anya. It is all I will ask of you.”

She nodded, disappointed but hopeful as to what tomorrow would bring—a new home, a new life, and no more interruptions or barriers. After tomorrow, they could be together whenever, and however, they wanted.

“I am holding you to that promise, Merivic.” She attempted a stern expression, but her mouth twitched.

“I would expect no less.” He took her hand and held it to his cheek before folding it across her belly. “But there shall not be a need. I would rather leap into a raging inferno than spend one more night away from you if there is no need to do so. Sleep well, Anya. And tomorrow, you will finally be home.”

*****

Anya sat in the carriage, still irritated by her circumstances as thirty soldiers surrounded her, keeping the pace while keeping the peace. Or that was the intent anyhow. To her, it was simply a show of power, or at the very least, an overreaction on Merivic’s part.

Stay in the carriage, he had insisted. You must not expose yourself to the risk, he explained. There are too many threats, he declared.

Anya sighed as she propped her elbow and dropped her chin into her palm, sulking while she stared through the window at the gloomy sky.

How appropriate, she thought, and how closely it resembles my mood.

Letting her gaze drift outward, her shoulders lifted and straightened as they approached a small dwelling, and then another. One by one, small homes gave way to medium-sized and then slightly larger ones. Her eyes focused as she paid better attention to the details; the carefully maintained gardens, the tidy appearance of the lodgings, the groomed grounds spreading from their doors.

Merivic had told her the next city would be Decessus, but he had mentioned it hours ago, and she was starting to lose hope they would ever arrive before the sun set.  

Anya scooted closer to the window as she craned her neck to see further ahead, and her eyes widened with the sight laying before her. Apparently, she had no idea just how big Decessus truly was.

A huge stone wall surrounded the bulk of the city, and as they passed through the manned gate, quaint dwellings and farmlands immediately gave way to proud, sturdy buildings, and bustling, busy people.

With the throat of his black stallion leading the way, Merivic held his back straight and his eyes alert as he led the caravan through the heart of his city. While passing through its center, patrons of the marketplace turned and bowed respectfully, their eyes averted, their gaze held low.

Anya could not help but feel a sense of pride as she watched the living testimonial as to how the citizens perceived Merivic—they held him in such a high esteem, honored him by their courteous recognition.

Her mouth curved as they rode through, studying each person while they were in her line of sight, and noticing they were not unlike the citizens of Liberwood. It warmed her heart to witness that, and strengthened her belief that she could live amongst them and still feel at home.

Looking forward, Anya saw her future home for the first time. It stole her breath as she appreciated its grandeur—a huge castle up on a hill, nestled between a massive mountain and an endless ocean. The walled enclosure centered on what looked to be an island, with only a single road jutting to meet it, and only then connected by a drawbridge.

Highly defensible, was the single thought popping into Anya’s mind as her eyes dragged over the battlements crowning the thick, stony outer-layer of the compound. Though they were still at a distance, she could see the soldiers on watch from the wall, the barbican, the circular towers dotting the barrier, and from atop the donjon—the estate that would now serve as her home. If she really focused, she could make out, barely, the movement of archers through the bastions and murder holes, although to the casual observer they would probably remain unnoticed—Anya simply knew where to look.

The city buildings dwindled off the closer they came toward the castle. As the structures decreased in number, so did the people. Anya watched as the remaining few continued to bow at their approach, then scurry along their way. But it was not until they rolled across the last intersecting road that her curiosity was peaked.

Several men ducked into side doors as the caravan moved past them. That in itself was not unusual, but the jerky haste in which they did so raised a warning bell in the back of Anya’s mind and had her tense up for a moment. She heard a door slam as the carriage approached a wide alleyway, and caught a fleeting glimpse of a dark figure huddling behind a stack of crates, and then another behind a banded-barrel.

Anya felt an immediate sense of danger, a thickening of the air as if the oppressive weight of a threat had somehow come to fruition within it. Glancing to the soldiers around her, she realized they were completely unaware of the shrouded mens’ presence. She alone was the only one to witness them from her higher vantage point.

She was about to call to them, to warn them of a possible attack, when one of the hidden men lifted his head to the side and locked onto Anya’s gaze. Her words tumbled back down her throat as she stared at the dirt-smeared face, framed by knotted and dingy hair. His dark eyes held her captive, stole her breath and tightened her chest as she read the dark thoughts swimming in their depths. Never had Anya thought she could feel so exposed, so threatened from someone merely looking at her. But his glare sliced her, made her flinch and cringe back before he ducked out of sight.

The whole silent encounter took a fraction of a moment as they crept down the main road, but it had felt like she had been trapped with the stranger for far longer than that. She trembled as she fought to regain control of her nerves, her fear, and her mind. Anya knew how ridiculous it had all been, to have such a reaction from a simple sighting, but she trusted her gut, and it clearly told her that she had just narrowly escaped a very real and tangible danger.

It took all of her willpower to hold Tajvek back, to keep him from materializing based on her fear, for she knew he would certainly not help matters and would most likely alarm Merivic—distract him when he could not afford to be.

Onward they rode, stretching long and thin as they filed across the narrow road to the drawbridge. The strong high walls of the barbican soothed Anya’s tension away, and the rubble of the portcullis dropping into place behind them erased the remaining agitation. They were safe—Merivic, herself, and his men. They had finally arrived without incident, and Anya could not help but wonder how they had managed it as she came to full awareness of what they must have been facing all along, what Merivic had been warning her of, and what she had remained—until now—completely ignorant of.

It was a miracle they, or more to the fact, Anya, had survived at all.