Tapestries 04 - Threads of Destiny (12 page)

He felt anger at himself that he hadn’t known about her illness. He should have known. Hadn’t he thought she was too thin, like someone who has been sick? Christina had taken him aside and told him exactly what an ulcer was and that the cause was usually stress. He realized then that he had no idea exactly what kind of life she’d come from. What little he’d seen hadn’t been good.

He’d staked his claim in front of the other men as soon as he’d walked into the room. Mostly because a bolt of white-hot jealousy had hit him when he’d seen her in another man’s arms. These men had a history with her that he did not, a connection that was obvious to anyone who watched them together.

Once again, Marc felt as if he were on the outside looking in.

It hurt when it was his brother and Christina. With Kathryn, he felt a devastating sense of loss. At least he and the other two men were in accord. They would not allow Kathryn to be taken from them. Marc would fight everyone and anyone to keep her with him. They were meant to be. He only needed the time to convince her of that.

Time. Time was the enemy. There was only today and tomorrow left before the tapestry would return and the day was almost half gone already. “Do not be afraid,” he whispered. “I will be beside you.”

She glanced up at him but said nothing. He wanted to carry her to his room, strip off the trousers and tunic she wore and love her until she screamed with pleasure.

Kathryn was an enticing combination of shyness and boldness. One moment she seemed embarrassed that people knew they’d spent the night together, the next she was kicking him in the shins. She was unpredictable and the more he learned about her the more he wanted her.

It had been hard to leave her side this morning. He’d watched her in the early morning sunlight, loving the way her red hair shone. The strands seemed almost alive as he’d gently combed them over his pillow. And soft, ah, her hair was so soft against his cheek. He’d buried his face in the mass and inhaled her unique essence.

His cock had been fully erect and aching from the moment he’d opened his eyes.

But he’d seen the dark shadows under her eyes and known that she was unused to late-night sexual activity, on top of everything else that had happened, so he’d left her to sleep. Now, he wished he’d stayed and awakened her properly, licking her soft skin from head to toe before sliding into the moist warmth of her sheath and rocking both of them to completion.

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His cock jerked and he swore under his breath. Now was not the time. He discreetly adjusted the bulge in the front of his pants. Luckily, Kathryn didn’t seem to notice his discomfort. Even though she was right beside him, she seemed far away at the moment.

He knew she was worried about what was to come.

Annoyance ate at him. Did she think he would let them just take her? Didn’t she have any faith in his skills?

How could she, he reminded himself. She knew almost nothing of his skill with weapons or in battle. His hand went to the hilt of his sword, his fingers wrapping around it. He glanced over his shoulder and met Tienan’s gaze. Both men were now armed with swords as well and Marc had no doubt that they could use them. They handled them with a familiarity that bespoke experience.

The noise below reached up the stairs. All were gathered for the midday meal and for a chance to see Kathryn. She hesitated. Marc paused on the stairs beside her, not wanting to rush her. Squaring her shoulders, Kathryn continued down toward the waiting crowd.

Pride filled him to bursting. With her red hair gleaming, her chin tilted upward and her expression determined, she looked like a queen. “I will lead you to the head table where you will be seated between Jarek and myself. Everyone will know that you are under the protection of the House of Garen.”

“Fine. But I plan to set everyone straight about the situation immediately. I am not some object to be fought over and claimed. I am a woman and I make my own choices.” Marc inclined his head, all chance for further conversation gone as they entered the room. As their appearance was noted the voices dropped away until silence reigned. All eyes were on Kathryn and the two men who’d arrived with her. All the unmated men in the room would covet her, while being suspicious of Tienan and Logan.

By now all had heard about their arrival and how Kathryn had performed surgery on Tienan. Her shoulders were set back squarely but her hand shook slightly as they walked toward the head table where Jarek stood waiting with Christina by his side. He squeezed her fingers lightly and was pleased when she returned the gesture.

Mennoc Fairmount stared at her with open lust in his gaze. Marc shot him a glare but it didn’t deter the other man. The Dannon and Nardor families, as well as the Forrester and Hunter brothers all looked on with interest. Marc knew they all had unmated brothers who would want the beautiful and skilled woman who walked by his side.

Every muscle in his body tightened in protest and he had to force himself to relax and keep his expression impassive as they finally gained the head of the room. The tapestry had brought him to Kathryn. If she belonged to anyone, it was to him.

Marc seated Kathryn and waited until Christina sat before taking his chair. Logan and Tienan sat to his left, Kathryn to his right. Immediately a voice rang out, breaking the silence. “I challenge for the woman.” It was Mennoc Fairmount. The man didn’t even have the decency to wait until after Jarek spoke.

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Marc began to rise but his brother beat him to it, surging to his feet. As the eldest, it was Jarek’s right to speak first but the need to claim Kathryn as his own burned in his gut.

Jarek was wearing the family torque, proclaiming his power and authority to all.

“Kathryn Piedmont is a guest of the House of Garen. As such, she is under our protection.”

“You already have a woman,” another man shouted. Marc’s eyes narrowed as he recognized Brand Forrester. There were three Forrester brothers and they had no woman.

“The tapestry has brought her here for a reason,” Jarek began, only to be rudely interrupted.

“She was brought here to be a bride to one of us.” The four Fairmount brothers all jumped to their feet. Not to be outdone, the Forrester brothers stood and pushed their claim. The Nardor brothers quickly joined in the fray, arguing with the other two families. The two Hunter brothers appeared more amused than anything else, while the Dannon brothers appeared disgusted by the outbreak.

The Bakra brothers sat with their wives and mother, watching the scene unfold.

They had already told Jarek that they would support the House of Garen whatever decision they made.

The room was fraught with tension as the arguments mounted. The men’s voices rose with each passing second. “She belongs to us!” Mennoc bellowed.

Kathryn was watching it all with wide eyes. Her hands were wrapped tight around the arms of the chair, her knuckles white. Logan and Tienan shifted restlessly beside him. Enough was enough. Marc pushed back his chair and rose to his feet.

Kathryn beat him to it. Jumping up, she grabbed her goblet and flung it at Mennoc’s head. The man yelped and jumped back as liquid splashed over his chest. Luckily, the goblet itself missed his head, although not by much. All eyes fell on Kathryn.

“Enough!” she yelled. She stared at them all, disdain in her eyes. “I am not some cow to be bartered over at market.”

Mennoc started to speak but she held up her hand to silence him. “You’ve had your say, now I will have mine.” He nodded abruptly and she continued. “You all argue and speak as if your words matter.” She rested her hands on the table and Marc could see the fine quivering that shook her arms and shoulders.

“I would not have any of you after this display.”

“It does not matter what you want. You are a woman, meant to be a bride to one of us.” Marc wanted to hit Enoc Fairmount. Slightly younger than his brother, he had little common sense. Plus, Marc didn’t like the way he was staring at Kathryn.

Kathryn shook her head. “I do have a choice. The tapestry brought me here and the tapestry can take me away just as easily.” She turned to Jarek and Christina. “Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll just wait here until the tapestry returns.” 65

Shouts of denial and dismay erupted. The Forrester brothers turned on the Fairmounts, accusing them of driving Kathryn away. The Nardor brothers began to offer pretty words and compliments to sway her. Marc could have told them it was a waste of their time. Kathryn was not a woman to have her head turned by such things.

“I’m leaving.” Kathryn pushed away from the table. Marc fell in beside her, not willing to let her out of his sight. Tienan and Logan were right beside them, arranging themselves so that Kathryn was boxed in on three sides.

The sound of steel being drawn from a scabbard sliced through the arguments.

Mennoc Fairmount and his brother Enoc stepped in front of Kathryn, swords drawn.

Marc’s sword was in his hand before he actually thought about drawing it. Positioning himself in front of Kathryn, he faced down the brothers.

“Stand aside, Garen, you have a woman. Your brother has a wife.” The words were painful daggers in his chest. His woman was behind him. “You will step aside and allow Kathryn to pass.”

Mennoc waggled his sword. “We merely want to talk to her and get to know her better.”

Kathryn pushed her way in front of him. “I have no desire to talk to you. Any of you.” Her gaze swept the men who now blocked their way. She lifted an eyebrow.

“And in this instance, mine is the only opinion that matters.” Marc fought to hold back the grin that threatened. Damn but she was a spirited woman. Mennoc frowned and then scowled. “By law we are allowed to challenge.”

“You may challenge but that does not mean you will win,” Marc shot back. He wrapped his arm around Kathryn’s shoulders and they continued forward. The Fairmount brothers stood their ground with the Forrester family behind them. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the Nardor brothers watching with interest.

Mennoc’s sword lowered to halt their passage. Before anyone could react, another sword shot out, twisting beneath Mennoc’s blade and sending it flying into the air, where it clattered as it hit the wall and fell to the floor. It was a daring move and a quick one. Marc’s gaze darted to his left, expecting to see his brother. Instead it was Logan who stepped forward, the tip of his blade level with Mennoc’s heart.

“The woman does not wish to speak with you.” Logan’s voice was low but all in the room could hear the menace in it.

“You are a stranger here,” Mennoc sputtered. “You do not know our laws.”

“I care not for your laws. The only thing that matters is Kathryn.” He pricked the other man’s skin and a thin line of blood trickled down his chest. “That is my law. Do you understand?”

Mennoc nodded and stepped away. Logan nodded but did not lower his blade until Marc and Tienan had ushered Kathryn back up the stairs.

She was shaking almost uncontrollably by the time they reached her room. “I can’t believe them.” She slammed into the room. “Who the hell do they think they are? They 66

can’t just claim me because they want me.” She glared at Marc. “Your world has serious problems.”

“And yours does not?” he countered back. He was furious. The actions of the men below had made her even more determined than ever to leave.

“At least I understand my world,” she muttered, absently rubbing her stomach.

“Sometimes…”

Marc’s anger fled. “Your belly is paining again.” He ushered her over to the bed.

“You should rest. Mara will be up shortly with something to ease your stomach.” She started to protest and then subsided. “I’d like to be alone for a while.” Every cell in Marc’s body rebelled against this but he knew she needed this time.

He had plans for later but first he wanted to talk with Logan and Tienan. He cupped her face in his hands. “Promise me you’ll rest.” Her expression softened and she sighed. “I promise.”

“Everything will work out.” He’d make certain of it.

She closed her eyes and shook her head slightly. “I don’t think anything will ever be all right again.” Pulling away from his grasp, she turned away from him, curling on her side on the bed.

He pulled a fur over her body, hesitating before leaning down to kiss the top of her head. “Rest. I’ll be back in an hour or so.” He’d need that much time to talk to Tienan and Logan and to respond to the challenges that would be put forth.

Gesturing to the other men, they all left the guest room, closing the door behind them. They were a grim trio as they went down the hallway to Marc’s room where the men had passed the night.

Tienan spoke first. “What’s going on? What do they mean when they said that they want to claim Kathryn?”

Marc motioned for them to sit. Tienan threw himself down onto a chair, Logan leaned against the wall and Marc propped himself up against the fireplace mantle. In simple, concise words, he explained about Javara and the history of the tapestry.

He told them how women were scarce in this world and brothers competed for a bride. Only one man could marry the woman but she would spend one night a week with each of his brothers. That way no man did without and peace was kept among all.

There was one woman to no more than three men, so if there were four brothers in a family, they had the right to claim two brides. And if the husband was killed or died, the woman still had the protection of the brother, whom she could then wed if she desired.

The tapestry was a gift from a sorceress. It appeared once each generation and on the rare occasion, twice. A tapestry bride was thought to bring luck to the family and the union always bore female children, which was important to all. This third time was unprecedented in their history and no one knew what it meant. The tapestry had never taken one of them away from Javara. Marc was the first.

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Tienan contemplated Marc for a few moments before speaking. “If I’m understanding your laws, it is illegal for you to claim Kathryn.” Marc’s heart clenched, but he ignored the pain. “It does not matter.” He would break any law, do whatever it took, to be with her.