Sold Into Marriage (6 page)

They awoke and packed up the camp as the rising sun glowed faintly behind a distant mountain. Birds chirped in the woods nearby, and the chorus of nighttime insects waned under the lightening sky. The last few stars faded overhead, and the horizon became a picturesque swirl of orange and pink. When the sun spilled into the valley where they’d set up camp, Varron welcomed the warmth of the early morning rays.

“I can’t believe how hot it is here,” Meadow said in amazement as they reached the well worn dirt road that led to the capital city.

“Himma is on the southern shore and far from the mountains. Our winters are short. Sometimes we’ll go years without seeing a flake of snow. This past winter it flurried once, and that was it.”

“I’ve always detested the snow,” she said with a smile in her voice. “My cousins used to throw snowballs at me as I went about my chores, feeding the livestock, where I grew up on the mountain. By the time I came back inside, I would be frozen from my head to my toes. Summer is my favorite season by far. I can’t think of anything better than a scorching hot summer day.”

“I think you will like Geshema then, for it is always warm there. The forests are always green, the beaches around the large island are covered with fine white sand, and the ocean is warm enough to swim in.”

She leaned back against him as the troop continued down the road to Himma. She was quiet for a while, and he eventually felt her body tense as she drew a quick breath. “Why aren’t you married already, Varron? You’re older than I am, and you own property.”

He opened his mouth to reply, but hesitated. The truth was complicated, and though he felt a stab of guilt for not being completely truthful with her, he opted for a simple explanation, leaving all the bad parts out. “I traveled frequently as a soldier. I didn’t wish to take a wife only to leave her for most of the year, especially since I have no family in the capital city. My parents died not long after I left Geshema, so I couldn’t have sent a wife to live with my family there either. Any wife I took would’ve been alone far too much.”

She made a noise of understanding in her throat and gazed at the multitude of wildflowers along the road.

“Legend says all these flowers were planted in celebration after the Great Dragon of Mount Heia was destroyed. After the dragon attacked the castle in Himma, the last knights drove him out and killed him beside Doma Lake, where they tied bricks to his body and pushed him into the water. It’s also said that the reason Doma Lake is so warm, even during the winter months, is because the dragon isn’t actually dead, and his heart is still beating at the floor of the lake, warming the water even when the weather has turned freezing.”

She laughed. “I’ve heard the story. I’m not sure I believe it, though.”

“You don’t think dragons were real?”

“Stories like that are as old as the earth. But if dragons existed once upon a time, wouldn’t someone have stumbled upon dragon bones, or some proof? I’ve never seen a lick of proof or heard of anyone else who has.”

He found it curious that she was such a skeptic. Most villagers were uneducated and believed all sorts of fanciful stories, and most of them were so superstitious that they would dance naked under a full moon if they thought it would bring good luck. But he thrilled at the possibility of proving to Meadow some of the stories about the old days were true. He imagined the expression of surprise on her visage when she came face-to-face with the intangible proof that dragons had once been very real.

Putting his mouth to her ear, he said, “What would you say if I told you I’ve seen dragon skulls?”

She pulled away and turned to peer into his eyes, looking every bit the skeptic. “Well, sir, I would say that you have imbibed in too many spirits. I don’t believe there were ever any dragons, and I find it curious that a worldly man such as yourself would believe in such childish stories,” she said teasingly.

“How about a bet?”

“A bet?” She looked intrigued.

“Aye, my wife, a friendly bet. If I can show you concrete proof that dragons lived upon the earth, you will go over my knee.”

“A spanking? You would punish me?”

“Not a punishment spanking,” he clarified, “but a fun spanking.”

“I can’t imagine a spanking being fun, but very well. I will humor you, especially since I am confident I will be the victor. So, husband, what do I get if—
when
—I win the bet?” She batted her eyelashes at him, a seductive smile curving her lips. “Do I get to spank you?”

He chuckled. “Is that what you want?”

A flush crept up from her neck to cover her entire face. Her expression turned ponderous for a moment before her eyes lit up and she replied, “No, sir, but I would like a tour of the castle.”

“It’s a deal then, wife.” His cock hardened against her. “I look forward to proving you wrong and reddening your little bottom tonight.”

Meadow stared at the massive dragon skulls mounted on the stone wall above King Baltus’ throne. She couldn’t believe she was standing in the castle in Himma, preparing to meet the king and queen, and looking at dragon skulls.

Dragon skulls!

The stories were true. Dragons had once called the huge mountain caves home and flown over the villages and cities of the world, occasionally attacking and breathing fire upon the tops of buildings. She was glad to have been born now, rather than hundreds of years ago when such a threat existed.

She glanced at Varron as they waited for their turn to speak with the king. He winked at her and her bottom involuntarily clenched.

“Guess who’s getting a spanking tonight?”

She felt herself blushing hot as a delicious pressure coiled in her nether region. Gulping hard, she wondered over her excitement at the prospect of going over Varron’s knee for a fun spanking. Would it really be enjoyable? Or would it be as painful as the two punishments he’d given her?

“Ah! Commander Varron. Please come forward.” The king beamed at them, looking at her curiously, and motioned for them to walk closer.

Varron grabbed Meadow’s hand, whispered, “bow” to her, and dropped to his knees in front of the king and queen. Meadow did the same, looking at the floor in a show of respect until Varron urged her back to her feet.

“Your highnesses, may I present my new wife, Meadow.”

The queen smiled down at them. “You’ve taken a wife finally, Commander? Well, congratulations.”

“Thank you, your highness.”

The king glared at him for a moment before smiling what appeared to be a forced smile. A rapid motion and a gasp from Meadow’s peripheral vision caught her attention. A lady of the court dressed in a gorgeous red gown hurried out of the hall, appearing distraught.

Meadow glanced at Varron with a sinking feeling. Did he know the lady? Was the lady upset he’d taken a wife?

A sudden wave of jealousy descended upon her. Perhaps a woman from the city had indeed been sweet on him, but he had failed to mention it to her. Would he still carry on with the lady, despite being married to her? Tears stung in her eyes and she blinked rapidly, not wishing to fall apart in front of the king and queen.

Meadow’s heart hardened as she thought about the fun he’d promised her later.

She would not submit to him tonight. She would fight him. If he wished to have some fun, he could visit the lady in the red gown. She resisted the impulse to sniffle and tried to keep her face impassive.

Varron and the king discussed his venture to the northern regions to collect the annual taxes, and she stood quietly beside him. No one seemed to notice that she was falling apart.

Mercifully, as Varron spoke to the king he omitted the part about the villagers in Monnaka attacking his encampment, as well as the hangings. Though she honestly couldn’t say she felt sadness for her stepfather’s fate, she still didn’t wish to be reminded of that frightening day, especially in this moment when her heart was breaking. She wanted to put that day behind her, as well as all the years she’d lived in her stepfather’s house.

She hated him more fiercely in this moment, her stepfather. Because of him she’d been forced into a marriage with a man she hardly knew. She’d initially thought Varron a decent man, a respectable man, but watching the lady in the red gown run from the hall made her question her new husband’s character and her own ability to read people’s characters. He’d told her no lady was waiting for him in the capital city. That had obviously been a lie.

Seething inside, she felt relief when the topic of conversation turned to Varron’s retirement. If they left for Geshema Providence, surely the lady wouldn’t be a threat to Meadow anymore. But what if Varron visited his paramour in Himma from time to time? What if they exchanged letters, or what if by some twisted fate the lady relocated to the island in order to be closer to him?

Varron’s tone deepened and he stood straighter beside her, drawing her from her miserable musings.

“Your royal highness, I am grateful for the time I have spent serving the crown and the capital city, however now that I am a married man, I wish to return to the land of my upbringing. With your blessing, I would like to retire and return to Geshema Providence with my new wife.”

A hushed silence claimed the hall. The queen raised an eyebrow and looked at the king.

Meadow waited on pins and needles, hoping the king gave Varron his blessing. She was used to small villages and had been overwhelmed as they traveled through the busy streets of Himma to the castle. Geshema Providence sounded lovely, and she had a better chance of her husband remaining faithful if they lived on the island. At least she hoped.

Finally, the king spoke. “I am saddened to lose a man of your talent, Commander Varron, but you have served Himma well for many years. You fought bravely in the Fifty Year War and helped us in our victory, no doubt, and I believe you should be rewarded for it. Very well. You will retire with full honors, and you may return to the land of your birth. I wish you a long and prosperous life.”

Varron relaxed beside her and bowed deeply before King Baltus. “Thank you, your highness.”

The queen’s smile turned radiant, and the king exchanged a knowing look with her. At a glance Meadow could tell they were deeply in love, and also that the queen—though she had mostly remained silent in the hall—had a certain influence over her husband. If not for the raised eyebrow and look she’d given him earlier, the king might not have granted Varron’s retirement.

The king dismissed them with a nod and a wave of his hand, and the man in line behind them stepped forward and brought a grievance against one of his neighbors, whom he claimed had stolen his prized milk goat. Their conversation faded as Varron guided her through the crowd and outside the castle into the warm night air. He clasped her hand and led her through the beautiful gardens, illuminated by the full moon above as well as lanterns scattered throughout the paths, and Meadow had to force herself not to flinch at his touch. She was still fuming over his lie.

If she lied to him and he found out, she had no doubt he would punish her. How dare he hold himself to a lower standard than her. As they passed a group of ladies fanning themselves in front of a fountain, a flash of red caught Meadow’s gaze.

The very lady who had rushed from the hall in an apparent fit of emotion glared at her from the gathering of women. The vehemence of the lady’s stare prickled her spine. It was the most hateful glare anyone had ever directed upon Meadow.

Varron walked faster as they passed the ladies, and her heart shattered into a thousand pieces. She felt ridiculous and stupid for her sadness over the whole situation. He’d married her because he felt sorry for her and nothing more, or perhaps because some dark part of him liked having bought her.

The lady was beautiful too, with stunning dark eyes and black, wavy hair that reached her waist. Her generously sized breasts had been pushed up in her elegant gown, and jewels had adorned her slender neck. Meadow felt inadequate in comparison. What was the lady’s name? How long had she been sweet on Varron, and how intense were his feelings for her?

“Are you all right, my wife?”

Meadow kept her eyes on the expanse of garden in front of them. In her deep heartbreak and blazing anger, she found herself unable to look at him in this moment. How would she ever find love with a man who longed to be with another? She wouldn’t. Their marriage would be one without love, just like her mother and stepfather’s brief marriage.

“Meadow, are you all right?”

Her throat burned and she swallowed, wishing she had the ability to just disappear and live on her own somewhere. But she had no money, no living relatives, and nowhere to go. “Aye,” she forced out, still not raising her gaze to his. “Aye, I am fine. Only tired.”

“We’ll arrive at my city home shortly.” He rubbed his thumb over the top of her hand as they walked. “I will book passage to Geshema as soon as possible. Ships sail there frequently for trade, so I expect we’ll set sail within a fortnight. I see no reason to wait. It’s been too many years since I’ve been to the land of my birth, and I am a fortunate man to be returning with a beautiful bride.”

At his false words, Meadow felt herself snap inside. She snatched her hand from his and walked angrily toward his horse. Tears streamed down her face, and she wiped them away, upset with herself for crying in front of Varron.

Damn him. Damn him for making her dream she had a happy future ahead, only to snatch all that hope away in a single instant. If he’d had a woman waiting for him, he should have been honest about it. She might have still married him, if only to escape a lifetime of slavery, but at least she wouldn’t have allowed herself to believe they might one day love one another.

“Meadow, stop.” He reached her side and spun her around to face him. “What is wrong?”

“I know about your lies. I know about the woman who was waiting for you here in Himma. She was in the hall. Did you think I didn’t see her leave, visibly upset after you announced our marriage to the king? Well, I
saw
her. And I know you lied to me, you horrid pig-faced scoundrel!”

He crossed his arms and grinned down at her. “Ah, is my little bride jealous?”

“Damn you to hell, Varron, I am not jealous! I am just upset that I am married to a man with the character of a…of a…” She stuttered as she tried to think of a fitting insult.

“Of a pig-faced scoundrel?” Varron supplied, still grinning at her as if he found her upset amusing. Well, of course he did. He wasn’t a man of morals, after all. How could she have misjudged him so? Obviously, her instincts about people were not always right. Perhaps she’d only imagined she possessed some of her grandmother’s gift.

“Maybe you should go to Geshema alone. I can live in your city house. Better yet, go to Geshema with your mistress and leave me here in Himma.” She lifted her eyebrows. “Perhaps I’ll find another man to keep me company, and we can live our separate lives.”

His smile faded and his expression grew serious. “That’s enough, Meadow. You are overreacting.”

“Overreacting, am I? Am I supposed to stand by with a smile while my husband takes up with his mistress? I realize we are still strangers in many ways, Varron, but you should have been honest with me that day in the village.”

He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “You mean on the day I bought you?”

Despite her anger, his words had an immediate affect on her body. A delightful shudder ran through her, her desires awakening at his nearness as well as his seductive tone. Damn him.

“Aye, that’s the day I’m speaking of,” she snapped.

“Meadow, the lady you saw rush from the hall is no threat to our marriage. She’s a spoiled cousin of the king’s, and I have no relationship with her. She’s had her eye on me for years, and I have spurned her many times. She will get over me and move on to another man soon, I suppose, now that I’m leaving Himma. Now, get on the horse. Your pig-faced scoundrel of a husband wants to take you home.”

*****

Meadow remained silent as Varron helped her off his horse. A lad from the small stable beside his home rushed up to take the horse’s reins, and as Varron moved away from his steed he eyed his little wife and hoped she felt as calm as she now looked. Even more, he hoped she believed his explanation of Lady Emerald. He was a man of his word and detested liars and cheats.

He led her into his home and was pleased to find a fire in the sitting room burning. Mrs. Macomb, the plump and ever cheerful elderly woman who cared for his home, bustled up to them with a wide smile. She eyed Meadow with unrestrained delight and bounced up and down.

“Welcome home, Commander Varron. Oh, I’m so glad it’s true!” She grasped Meadow’s hands and shook them vigorously. “It’s so nice to meet you, my dear. When I’d heard on the street that the ol’ commander here had brought himself a wife home, I wasn’t sure it was true or not.” She winked at them both. “Ah, but I’m glad it’s a fact. Long past time you took a wife, if you ask me, Commander Varron. I want to hear all about it, too! How did the two of you meet? What sort of wedding did you have? Was there lots of dancing? Was there—”

“Mrs. Macomb,” Varron gently interrupted. “I would like to introduce you to my bride, Meadow. Meadow, meet Mrs. Macomb. She has been with my family for many years.”

“Since you was a wee babe, I have. Oh, Meadow, what a lovely name you have. It’s so nice to meet you. Congratulations on your nuptials!”

“Thank you, Mrs. Macomb.” Meadow smiled. “It’s nice to meet you as well.”

“Mrs. Macomb, my wife and I are very tired after our long journey.”

“Oh! Well, you must be famished too. I’ve some stew on the hearth. Go on up to your chamber, Commander, and I’ll bring up a tray.” She released Meadow’s hands, gave a quick curtsy, and bustled through the kitchen door.

“Come, wife.” Varron guided Meadow toward the steps that led up to his chamber. Since the stairway was narrow, he urged her to walk ahead of him. As he ascended the stairs, he heard the front door opening and the sound of huffing and of something heavy being dragged across the floor, likely Norm with his and Meadow’s belongings.