Strands of Love (4 page)

Jace shrugged. “Javara is our world.” He turned his back and
strode toward the horses. “Come, we must be on our way.”

She followed him, with Darian right behind her. She didn’t
think he was worried about protecting her as much as he was with keeping her
from running. But where would she run to? She wasn’t stupid enough to take off
into an unknown forest. She’d watch and wait for her opportunity. And, on the
off chance they were being honest with her, and she thought they were, she
could contact Tim when she got to their home. Wherever she was, Tim would come
for her.

Whatever she could say about the men, they were damn fine
judges of horseflesh. Sam’s eyes widened when she got a glimpse of a gorgeous
stallion, a sturdy white mare with black stockings and a black gelding.

“Well, hello.” She spoke low and approached the animals
slowly. The stallion stomped his feet, but the mare put out her head for Sam to
scratch. “What’s her name?” she asked.

“Morning Star.” It was Darian who answered her. “We call her
Morning.”

“A beautiful name for a beautiful girl.” Sam crooned to the
gorgeous animal. Her eyes were filled with intelligence and she had elegant
lines.

“Can you ride?” She turned toward Jace’s gruff voice and
almost laughed. She was born and bred on a Texas farm. Of course she could
ride.

“Yes.” She left it at that.

Darian hovered beside Morning as if waiting to help her
mount, but Sam put her foot in the stirrup and swung up on the horse. She
hadn’t ridden in a few months and the joy of being back in the saddle almost
overshadowed the fact she’d been kidnapped. Almost.

Not matter how much she liked these men, they’d taken her
from her home. The black gelding had no saddle, but Darian mounted him easily,
gathering the reins. Jace swung up on the stallion and they were off with her
horse situated between the two men and Jace in the lead.

The trees were tall and the path narrow. Sam was used to
wide open spaces and now she felt hemmed in, almost claustrophobic at times.
Yet, there was so much lush beauty surrounding them. There were trees of
various kinds, shrubs, flowers and thick mosses on the ground. She saw several
different kinds of mushrooms and heard several birdsongs.

They rode in silence for a long time and finally she
couldn’t take it any longer. “Tell me more about this place.”

“Why?” Jace shot back. “You don’t believe what we’ve already
told you.”

Darian interrupted and picked up the story where Jace had
left off earlier. “Women are scarce here and, as such, are valued. Brothers
will compete with one another to see who can win a woman’s hand. Only one
brother can marry her, but all share in her bed.”

Sam pulled the mare to a complete halt. “Whoa. What do you
mean, compete? And what’s this about being shared between a couple of men?” She
didn’t like the sound of this at all. Were they taking her to a cult of some
kind?

Jace pulled the stallion around in a tight circle until he
was facing her. “The tapestry brought you to us. If you are willing, we will
compete sexually for your favor. If you decide to stay you will pick one of us
to be your husband, but the other brother will also share in your bed.”

Her imagination exploded with images of the three of them
naked in a huge bed. Heat suffused her body and her pussy clenched. Oh God, it
was all too easy to imagine Jace on top of her, plunging his cock into her
pussy while Darian suckled her breasts. She’d read about ménage à trois scenes
in some of the romance books she liked, but never had she really imagined being
part of one.

She shook her head and Jace’s scowl deepened.

He spun the horse back around and continued to ride. “We
will not force ourselves on you.”

Once again, she felt as though she’d hurt him somehow. But
what did he expect her to say?
Let’s get it on
. She’d just met them.
Yes, she was attracted to them, but they were practically strangers.

“It’s only for three days.” Darian’s quiet voice came from
her right and she turned to look at him, trying to gauge if he was telling the
truth. “The tapestry always returns in three days and it is the woman’s choice.
She can stay or go.”

“And women have stayed?” She couldn’t imagine anyone giving
up their life to live with a couple of strange men after only three days.

Darian nodded. “Many of them. Most, in fact. In all our
history, only a handful of tapestry women have chosen to return home.” The path
widened and he rode alongside her now with Jace still in front of them.

Sam was uncomfortably aware of Darian watching her and the
desire smoldering in his pale-blue eyes.

“It would not be so bad, Sam.” Darian stroked one rough
fingertip over her cheek. “Belonging to us. You would want for nothing, in bed
or out.”

Before she could catch his intention, he leaned forward and
captured her mouth with his. His tongue traced the seam of her lips before
slipping inside. He was seducing her with his words and touch.

Did he have any idea how appealing the idea was to lay all
her troubles down and have someone else take care of them and her? To forget
about the much-needed bank loan, the money she already owed the bank, the
drought and poor crops and the worry of bills and simply allow herself to sink
into the sensual spell he was spinning. It had been months since a man had
kissed her. The last one had been George “The Snake” Rawlins and she wanted to
forget him.

Darian’s lips were warm and tender as he drew back, leaving
her slightly bemused and more than a little aroused. “Give yourself some time
with us.”

Sam sucked in a deep breath and shook her head. As appealing
as it was, she was the kind of woman who stood on her own two feet and dealt
with whatever life threw at her. And right now she was trying to save her
family farm.

“We are home.” Jace’s voice cut through her thoughts and Sam
jerked her head in his direction. Heat crept up her cheeks. She’d kissed his brother
even after everything he’d told her about the two brothers competing sexually.
What kind of woman did that make her?

A horny one for sure. She fought the urge to squirm in her
saddle and did her best to ignore the ache in her breasts and the dampness
between her thighs.

She rode up alongside Jace. “Where exactly?”

“Home.” Jace pointed and she realized they’d left the woods
behind them and open land lay before them. “Welcome to Hunter Keep.”

Her gaze followed his hand and she gasped. There before her
was a small stone castle, like something out of a history book. She blinked,
but it didn’t disappear.

The castle rose up out of the base of the mountain that
loomed behind it like a hulking protector. Dark-gray stones shone in the
afternoon sun. A huge wall ringed the castle. Beyond it were smaller huts with
thatched roofs. There were fields in the distance with some sort of crops and
several pens with sheep and chickens.

Wherever she was, she sure wasn’t in Texas.

Jace did his best to hide his disappointment and anger at
Sam and his brother. Maybe he was being too hard on her, but he’d hoped in his
heart she’d give his world a chance. He wasn’t sure she even believed either
him or Darian when they’d explained about the tapestry and Javara.

And who could really blame her? It would seem a lie, nothing
more than a story to her. To him, it was all the hope he had of ever having a
family with his brother.

At least Darian had managed to kiss Sam. It was more than
he’d done. He longed to know her taste, to feel the softness of her lips
beneath his. But he’d given his promise he would not force himself on her. She
would have to come to him and that was as likely as the sun rising at night and
the moon at dawn.

He watched Sam as they rode toward the stables. She hadn’t
been lying when she’d said she could ride. She sat on the back of the horse
with an ease that told him she’d been doing so for years. And Morning Star
eagerly responded to her easy commands. Sam had a light hand on the reins,
which came only from years of experience and a confidence in her own skills.

Rex, the stable master, hurried out to greet them. Whatever
he’d planned to say died on his lips when he caught sight of Sam. He glanced at
the brothers before nodding to her. “Welcome to Hunter Keep.”

Sam nodded. “Thank you.” She looked around. “Where’s the
phone? I need to call Tim.”

The sound of another man’s name on her lips angered Jace.
“Who is this Tim?” He swung down off the back of the new stallion and handed
the reins to Rex.

Sam dismounted before either brother could help her. “He’s
my father’s best friend and the closest thing I have left to family.”

Jace frowned and wondered what had happened to her family.
Once again, he was reminded of just how alone she’d been when they’d found her.
“He will worry about you?”

She shrugged. “Both he and his wife Mary will. I’m supposed
to go to dinner at their place tonight. If I don’t show, yeah, they’ll be
worried.”

There was nothing they could do about that now. When she
returned home in three days they would discover Sam was fine. Putting the
matter from his mind, he turned to his brother. “Take her to meet Mother.”

“Where are you going?” Darian asked him.

“To work.” Anything to get his mind off Sam’s soft skin, her
full lips and distressed blue eyes. He wanted to scoop her into her arms, carry
her to his room and spend the next three days with her in his bed. And if he
did that, she’d hate him. And, while she might not be planning to stay, he
couldn’t bear the idea of her thinking of him with fear and possibly hate in
her heart. He’d told her he wouldn’t force himself or his company on her and
the only way to keep that promise was for him to stay far away from her.

Otherwise, he might compromise his honor and love her until
she screamed his name. He turned his back on all of them and walked away,
heading toward the fields.

It was a first for him. Jace had been born responsible. A
good thing since his sire and uncles were anything but. It had been Jace and
his mother, and later Darian, who’d kept their people fed, sheltered and
clothed, who’d kept the storage rooms filled with food and goods for
consumption and trade.

But, for the first time in his life, he didn’t care about
responsibility or about Hunter Keep. All he cared about was Sam and the fact
she didn’t want him, didn’t want to stay and didn’t even seem willing to give
them a chance.

His chest ached and he looked ahead to all the lonely years
that loomed ahead. He knew in his heart this was their one and only chance for
a bride.

“Where is he going?” Sam felt as though she’d driven him
away. She also felt abandoned, which was stupid. He didn’t owe her anything.
Nor would she see him again once she was home. Why then did she feel as though
something special was slipping through her fingers?

Darian shrugged. “The fields. Come inside. I want you to
meet our mother.”

Their mother. They really had been telling the truth about
that. Sam pulled her phone out and tried again. It was still dead.

“Sam.” Darian’s voice was soft and gentle. “Whatever that device
is, it won’t work here.”

“Right. Because we’re in this other world called Javara.”
How long would they keep this up?

He put his arm around her waist and guided her toward the
small castle. She glanced over her shoulder, wanting to catch another glimpse
of Jace. He seemed so alone. She knew what that felt like. But he wasn’t alone.
He was home and had his brother and mother, and a whole lot more people. She
couldn’t afford to empathize with him.

She faced forward and squared her shoulders. “Let’s go inside.”

Sam followed Darian up the wide stone stairs to a massive
wooden door. This place was truly amazing. He held the door open and she
stepped inside, stopping for a moment to allow her vision to adjust from the
brightness of outside to the more muted lighting inside. They were in a foyer
of sorts with stairs off to her right and left and an open archway before her.

“This way.” Darian pressed his hand against the small of her
back and urged her forward. The warmth from his palm sank through her T-shirt, warming
her. It was chillier here than it was at home. Just how far had they brought
her?

“I really need to use your phone.” If her cell phone
wouldn’t work here that had to mean they had a landline she could use.

When Darian said nothing, she glanced back at him. His jaw
was tight, a muscle twitching in the side of his face.

“Welcome home.” The deep female voice gave her a start.
She’d thought they were alone. A woman rose from a high-backed chair that sat
in front of a cold fireplace. She was probably in her early fifties with long
white hair that had tinges of blonde in it. Her figure was well rounded and a
smile wreathed her face. Her familiar pale-blue eyes told her this woman was
related to them. She was wearing a dark-green dress that fell to her ankles.

“Mother.” Darian strode toward the woman and embraced her.

Sam watched them, jealous of their obvious closeness. She
was very conscious of her old jeans and scuffed boots. She started to brush
them and stopped. Anger flooded through her. Why should she care what she
looked like? What they thought of her? She was the one who was kidnapped.

“Excuse me, but I need to use your phone.” She really should
tell the woman her sons had kidnapped her. But maybe that wouldn’t surprise
her. Maybe they did this all the time.

That thought was depressing.

She felt like banging her head against a wall. Why should
she care if they kidnapped women all the time? Because, in spite of it all, she
wanted to be special to them, to feel as if it was her they wanted and not just
some random woman.

She really needed therapy. She’d obviously been alone for
way too long.

Darian released the older woman. “Mother, this is Sam
Calloway. Sam, this is my mother Edwina.”

“Samantha,” she corrected as she stepped forward and offered
her hand. “But everyone calls me Sam.” The older woman took her proffered hand,
but held it rather than shake it. Edwina studied her, taking in Sam’s
appearance.

“You’re not from here, are you?” She looked at her son for
confirmation.

Darian shook his head. “The tapestry brought her here.”

Sam noted he didn’t tell his mother that the tapestry had
brought him and Jace to her ranch first. At least, that was the story they told
her. She didn’t know what to believe any longer.

Edwina paled and her grip on Sam’s hand tightened. “Oh, my
dear, I’m so thrilled you’re here. Welcome to Javara.”

While the woman really did appear to be happy, Sam had had
enough. “Look, I really don’t know what kind of con you and your sons are
running.” She slowly disengaged her hand and took a step back from mother and
son. “But enough is enough. I need to get home.”

Edwina glanced at her son for an explanation. Darian
shrugged. “She doesn’t believe what we told her.”

The older woman waved her toward a second chair before the
empty hearth. “Sit, Samantha, please. I’ll answer any questions you have.”

“I don’t want any questions answered. I just want to go
home.” Sam was suddenly tired. Tired of the lies and tired of the pressures of
her life. She didn’t need this whole kidnapping thing on top of everything
else.

Sadness suffused Edwina’s face. “And you shall go home, if
that is still your wish in three days when the tapestry reappears.”

“More like two and a half now.” Darian didn’t sound the
least bit pleased.

“So, your sticking to the whole three-day thing, are you?”
Sam went to the chair, sank down onto it and closed her eyes. God, she was so
tired.

Large hands enfolded hers. She opened her eyes to find
Darian kneeling at her feet, concerned etched on his handsome face. Behind him,
his mother stood, one hand on his shoulder. She looked worried as well. You
couldn’t fake that kind of emotion.

“I think Samantha could use a rest and some food.” Edwina
gave her son’s shoulder a squeeze and released it. “Take her upstairs and I’ll
have a tray sent up.” The older woman gave Sam a forced smile. “Please
remember, if you have any questions at all, I’m here.”

“Thank you.” Sam didn’t quite know what else to say. She
should be railing at her kidnappers, demanding to be set free. Instead, she
felt as though she should be on her best behavior, as though she were a guest
in their home.

Darian held out his hand. “Come.”

Sam rose without taking his hand. She was already getting in
way too deep with the Hunter family.

Darian didn’t know whether to curse or fall into the depths
of despair. It was obvious Sam still didn’t believe she was in another world.
She believed they’d brought her somewhere else in her world.

How could she deny the magic of the tapestry?

Neither of them spoke as he guided her up the winding stone staircase.
He thought about taking her to the guest room, but detoured instead, taking her
to his room. He ushered her inside and closed the door behind him.

Sam’s eyes widened as she took in the space, and he tried to
see it through her eyes. The hearth was cold, but there was wood and kindling
waiting to be lit. Two large wood chairs with embroidered cushions sat before
it with a small table in between. A fur rug lay in front of the chairs. There
were two windows, both tall and thin, allowing in light. Two big storage chests
sat along one wall and another at the foot of the bed. He noted it was his bed
she was staring at. He wasn’t a small man so his bed had been crafted with his
size in mind. A carved head and footboard kept it from being too plain.

Some clothing was hung from pegs on the wall by the bed and
several swords and daggers were mounted above the hearth. Darian noted someone
had brought up his baggage from his trip. His sword and his satchel of clothing
sat on the trunk at the base of the bed.

Sam looked at him and swallowed hard. “This is your room,
isn’t it?”

He nodded and slowly walked to her. “You will be safe here.”

Her gaze went to the bundle at the end of the bed. “You own
a sword?”

He inclined his head. “Our world is different from yours,
Sam. We protect ourselves with our swords. I’m also a fair archer and am
skilled with a knife.” He wanted her to understand he could and would protect
her.

Darian went to the trunk and picked up his sword. He drew
the four-foot blade from its scabbard and brandished it in front of him. Sam
made a squeaking sound and took a step back. He ignored the fear in her eyes
and did something he hadn’t planned on doing, something he knew he shouldn’t do
without discussing it with Jace.

The pledge was one every young man learned from his father
from the time he was old enough to understand he might never have the
opportunity to use it. It was a sacred oath, the foundation of their very
civilization. Darian took a deep breath and repeated the words that he prayed
would change his life forever, would make her understand his depth of
commitment to her.

He went down on one knee before her and held his sword in
his two hands, offering both it and himself to Sam.

“You are the heart that beats in this chest and in this home
and if you would take me for husband I will give you my love, loyalty and
devotion for as long as I live. With me, you gain the love, loyalty and
devotion of my brother as well, who will be lover to you, and would also be
your husband should I die before you. In return, I ask for your love, loyalty
and devotion and any children that the gods see fit to gift us with.”

Sam felt lightheaded. This couldn’t be happening. Darian
couldn’t be proposing marriage to her. He’d only known her a few hours. This
was insane. “Why?” The word came out of her as a croak, but it was the best she
could do. Her throat was dry, her knees weak. “I won’t give you my land.” That
was the only reason she could think of for this elaborate ruse.

Darian raised his head. “I want nothing from you but your
love, Sam, and I’m willing to wait for that to grow.”

“You don’t even know me,” she countered, trying to ignore
the rapid beat of her heart. No man had ever proposed to her before. His words
struck a chord in her heart, especially when he spoke of children. But she
wasn’t sure about the whole “having his brother as her lover as well” deal.
Although, there was no denying she was as attracted to Jace as she was Darian.
And what kind of a woman did that make her?

He stood and set his sword aside before coming to stand
before her. “I know you are alone in your world.” He took her hands in his and
rubbed his thumbs over the hard calluses on her palms. “I know you are a hard
worker and a compassionate woman. Courageous too. And I know the tapestry brought
us together and that is pure magic. We are meant to be together.”