Rowena Through the Wall: Expanded Edition (16 page)

I nodded. "It's not the Britain we know. It's an alternate world with a different history. They have adopted some Roman customs like cleanliness, thank goodness, and the men wear tunics that look more Roman than dark ages. The church seems a form of early Christianity, but it isn't our world."

"Spooky," she said. "So we haven't so much as gone back in time, but traveled across to some other place."

"As far as I can figure out," I said. "I get dizzy thinking about it."

How my mother must have felt walking into twentieth century America.

"Kendra, we better get our story straight. You're my cousin from my father's side, okay? Let's say your mother was my father's sister. That will explain the different last names."

"Sure, but why are we lying?"

Hard to put into words what I was thinking. "It's a precaution. If you are related to me, it protects you more. Sargon will have an obligation to you that he wouldn't have otherwise."

"Fine with me."

"And you're originally from New York, which is why we don't know all that much about each other. We can catch up on details as we go along."

"Sounds good."

"As a matter of fact…" I was scheming. "Let's test it out now on my Grandfather. I should introduce you to him before anyone else."

"Okay." Kendra stroked her gown. "Can I wear this?"

I smiled. "No, sweetie. That's for tonight. T
ry on this one here. It's a day dress."

I tossed her a dusty pink muslin. It would be pretty with her hair, not to mention comfortable.

Once she had changed―and I was right, it was great on her―we made our way to Grandfather's room.

He was resting in bed,
but stood when we entered. "Rowena, child. I was so worried."

I hugged him. "I'm fine, Grandfather. I went home for my medicine bag. Surely they told you."

"They did, but I worry anyway."

I laughed and stepped back. "Grandfather, this is my cousin Kendra. Kendra, my Grandfather, the Earl of Huel."

Grandfather bowed. "Enchanted."

Kendra had the quickness of mind to nod her head. Then she smiled. "Pleased to meet you."

Dang, I was proud of her.

"Grandfather, Kendra is my cousin and my apprentice. She wanted to come back through the portal with me. I thought it would be okay with you."

"I'm honored. So truly honored to have you in our family. Are you ortho-cousins?"

"Cross-cousins," I replied. "Kendra's mother is my father's sister."

"I'm from New York," Kendra said, grinning.

Grandfather smiled in return. "Then I shall be very pleased to know you better, Kendra from New York."

Well, hot damn. The old man was taken big time. I was inordinately pleased that he had refrained from commenting on her hair and piercings. I was sure he'd hit me up for that story later.

Grandfather turned to me. "Rest assured your cousin will have my complete protection."

I could see that having Kendra around was going to have a sunny effect on the house of Huel.

"Thank you, Grandfather. And you should know in return that Logan has asked for her."

I heard his sharp intake of air. "Already? Does she accept this?"

I rolled my eyes. "You try talking to her. I can't do a thing."

Grandfather sighed and patted the bed. "Sit down, Kendra, and tell me all about New York."

At midday, we took a tour of the stables. We caused a near riot crossing the yard. Everyone stopped and stared. To Kendra's credit, she held her head high and didn't make eye contact.

I caught a sense of mild distress when we entered the stables. I immediately went to the animal in question.

"This mare here is almost ready," I said. "One, maybe two weeks."

Kendra stroked the mare's muzzle. "I thought you were a small animal vet."

I shook my head. "Horses mainly, but I do my time i
n the university clinic. I love dogs. It will be lambing time here soon. You'll like that―it's quite life-affirming."

"M'lady, can you look at this gelding here?" the old groom asked in a shy voice.

"Sure. Is he limping?"

I knelt down in the straw and felt
down the right foreleg.

"Aye, a bit," the groom replied.

"Not a break. Probably just a strain. Keep him off it for a few days. Kendra, feel along here."

A shadow blocked the light. Logan.

He fidgeted, anxious. "Could you come, m'lady? The king has requested your presence immediately. He needs you."

I sprang to my feet. "Of course. Is he unwell, Logan? Is the wound bothering him? You come too, Kendra."

We rushed from the stables and crossed the courtyard.

"He said for you to come quickly," Logan warned.

I hiked up my skirt and ran up the steps to the castle, into the entrance hall and down the corridor that led to his private chamber.

"M'lady!" Logan called behind me.

I burst into the room.

Sargon wasn't there, but I could hear voices around the corner. I dashed into the next room, which served as an office and library, as evidenced by the rows of books on wall high shelves.

Beside Sargon stood Thane and an older man.

I jerked to a halt, confused. "Is it your wound? Has it reopened?"

There was merriment in Sargon's eyes. "You can put your skirt down now, Rowena."

"Oh." I glanced down. "Logan said to come quickly."

"You have something here." He plucked a piece of straw from my hair.

"I was with the mare," I said, panting. "She's due to foal."

Logan and Kendra had followed me into the room.

Thane shifted in discomfort as though he'd rather be somewhere else. He wouldn't even look at me.

"What's going on?" I asked, nervous.

Sargon chuckled, then waved a hand.

The older man stepped forward, holding an open book. "W
e are gathered here today―"

"Oh crap," I said. "Not now. Not in these clothes."

Sargon's eyes danced as he clasped my hands. "I'm not taking any chances, Rowena. I want this done now, in secret, so that none can interfere. We will celebrate with the others
tonight."

And that is how I became the reluctant queen of Land's End, in a rose muslin dress, with straw in my hair and smelling of horse.

Chapter 18

At dusk, I stood in front of the long mirror. The image reflected there was serene and quite unlike the quivering that went on inside me.

The dark cherry dress was stunning, as Kendra had predicted. It clung to me like a second skin. The only thing to mar this regal look was the angry purple bruise that showed on the left side of my neck. I pulled my hair forward to cover it.

Sargon came up behind me and caught my eye in the mirror.

"So beautiful," he murmured. "I have something for you."

A necklace wrapped around my throat, sparkling amethysts embedded in an ornate silver band. A choker, we called it back home.

"This was my mother's," he said, "and her mother's before her."

He kissed my bare shoulder. I trembled. Every time he touched me, a shiver ran up my spine.

"Thank you," I whispered.

He draped his arms around me. "I want to get you something else. A wedding present for you. Can you think of a special gift?"

I put my hand up to my neck. "This is more than enough."

"We'll wait on that then."

I glanced back to the mirror and saw his image reflected there. A full head taller than me, with curly black hair and bright black eyes, he looked like a well-built Roman in his black ceremonial cape with the silver trim. Or perhaps a dashing pirate with that scar running down the side of his face.

"Come. It's time." He led me from the room.

The great hall was rollicking with men. Each table held a hundred and there were four tables within the room. Candles beamed and tankards clinked.

As we made our way to the head table platform, Sargon held my hand and my heart was beating wildly. All eyes were on us and the noisy hall grew quiet. I tried to smile, but I'm sure I looked more like a stricken child. He squeezed my hand.

"Men of Sargonia and Huel." Sargon paused to let the din die down. "Today is a great day for both our lands. I introduce you to your queen, Rowena, daughter of Huel. We were married this day at noon, in the sight of our Lord."

Everyone stared, speechless.

I hardly knew what to do. Then the clapping started. Some men stomped, some yelled and the hall echoed with such a deafening racket that I feared the walls would come down like those of Jericho.

Solemn and resigned, Grandfather stepped forward and kissed my cheek. He gave me a gentle hug, then placed his hand on Sargon's shoulder. "Treat her well."

My husband nodded. "I shall."

Richard, my next nearest male relative, approached the platform. His eyes caught sight of the bruise on my neck and his expression turned grim. When he hugged me, I could hardly breathe.

He moved beside Sargon and held out his hand. Sargon took it and squeezed hard. I think there was some sort of contest going on.

I heard Richard whisper, "You bastard."

Sargon smiled in return―that demented wolf smile of his.

He turned to give one more speech about our lands being united, there being a true blood alliance―yada, yada, yada―and he proclaimed the start of the celebration.

Sargon sat to the right of me, Thane
to my left. The latter still seemed unable to look at me. Grandfather and Richard had chosen seats at the very end of the head table, as far away as custom would allow.

Kendra was being well protected by Logan. As a matter of fact, his hands never left her, one arm always around her shoulder or waist. He was making a solid and indisputable demonstration of claim to all the other young men that this girl was his.
Come no further.

Kendra didn't seem to mind.

Heaps of different meats were carried in on platte
rs―game, poultry and a suckling pig, which I couldn't look at. Other platters of cheese and dried fruit were next to reach the table. Ale flowed freely, our tankards kept filled by the elderly men who did the serving.

We ate our fill and drank too much. At
least I did. I was going to have to drink a lot to get through the night.

I flicked a look down the table to see how Kendra was doing. She was sitting on Logan's lap. When she caught my eye, she winked. I smiled back.

Candlelight beamed across the room, creating giant moving shadows against the stone walls.

I turned to Thane. "I noticed there were several books in the room where we had the ceremony. Are they Sargon's?"

Thane set down his tankard. "My father's. Sargon doesn't have much use for books."

"And
you
? Do you like to read?"

He smiled. "If this castle were to burn, I would rescue the books first, Lady. They have a value to me beyond anything."

Finally, a man who thought of something other than battle and sex.

The ale caused me to be a little devilish.

"You love books that much, Thane? More so than a lover? Then you're no Omar Khayyam."

Puzzled, he frowned. "Explain."

"'Here with a loaf of bread beneath the bough,
" I quoted, "a flask of wine, a book of verse―and thou, beside me singing in the wilderness―and wilderness is paradise enow.'"

He stared at me as if he were seeing me for the first time. The startling blue of his eyes penetrated my own green ones and left
me breathless.

"Who is this Omar?"

I was about to answer him when we were interrupted by a young man, who tapped Thane on the shoulder. The page whispered something in Thane's ear. Thane nodded, signaled to Sargon, then turned back to me. "Duty calls. Back soon."

After Sargon and Thane departed, Rhys moved over to keep me company. He was a middle cousin―a great warrior and horseman, I'd heard. We had a grand time talking equine matters. I told him about my training and the riding I had done.

"Come to the stables to
morrow, Lady Rowena," he said. "You can see the mare I'm thinking of breeding."

After dinner, we played a drinking game. Every time someone said a certain word and clinked a glass, we all stood and drank. I didn't quite understand the rules, but I wanted to be a good sport so that the men would think me approachable and not too proud.

So drink I did.

"Drink, you bastard!" I heard one man yell.

When the other man didn't drink enough, or quickly enough, the first fellow threw his ale in the other's face. This caused a minor rumble. The men jumped to their feet, stomping and cheering.