A Dark Guardian (5 page)

“Immediately,” Aimery said. “Ride to the woods. I’ll meet you there.” And with that he was gone.

It didn’t take Roderick and Val long to gather their few belongings. Hugh and the rest of his men walked to the bailey to see their friends off.

After brief good-byes and Godspeeds, Val and Roderick rode their horses through the open gate toward the forest. Hugh didn’t know if he would ever see them again, but he sure hoped he would. These men had become friends. Family even.

They had lost men before, and they would again, but he refused to believe he would loose either of them. Val had seen much while fighting for the Romans and Roderick was immortal. They would survive.

He turned to follow Cole, Gabriel, and Darrick into the castle when he spotted Mina atop the steps. He stopped when he came to her.

“I won’t ever see them again, will I?” she asked.

“I honestly don’t know.”

She looked past him. “I wish them well.”

He waited until she entered the castle before he followed. They had wasted most of the morning instead of preparing for the creature. The sooner they killed this one the sooner they could meet up with Val and Roderick.

His men and Mina waited in the hall for him. “Tell me about your trap,” he told Mina as he sat down.

“It didn’t work,” Bernard stated as he walked to the table. “That was proven last night.”

“What was proven last night was that you told the men to return here,” Darrick said. “You left your sister to die.”

Bernard’s pasty faced flushed with anger. “’Tis she the creature wants.”

“How do you know that?” Hugh asked. “Did the creature tell you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Bernard hissed and reached for a goblet a serving girl handed him.

Hugh’s gaze flickered to Mina to see her eyes downcast. He couldn’t tell if she was angry or embarrassed. “Then how do you know?” he asked Bernard again.

“It only makes sense.” Bernard drank deeply and slammed the empty goblet on the table. “’Twas she who let it loose. That creature will trouble us until he has her.”

“We don’t know who let loose the creature.” Bernard laughed. “Do you think I would believe the word of a traveler? A Shield,” he said with contempt lacing his voice. “I am lord here.”

“Frankly, I don’t care what you believe,” Gabriel stood and began to unsheathe his sword.

“Gabriel,” Hugh said softly in warning. It would do them no good to kill the lord of the castle, regardless of whether Bernard was a pompous pain in the arse or not.

To his relief, Gabriel resumed his seat though he kept his gaze on the baron.

Hugh knew there would be trouble unless they could convince Bernard to help them.

“Don’t you want to see your village free of the terror that hangs over you?” he asked the young baron.

“Of course I do,” Bernard answered without raising his gaze from his goblet.

Hugh rose to his feet and walked toward Bernard. “Then aid us instead of hindering us.”

“But Theresa said I shouldn’t allow you to help,” he said and looked at Hugh, his bloodshot eyes staring coldly.

Hugh looked into the blue eyes of Mina’s brother. “You are lord here as you said, not Lady Theresa. What does your instinct tell you?” For several tense moments, Bernard stared hard at the table. Then finally, he raised his eyes to Hugh’s. “It tells me not to stand in your way.” Hugh let out a breath and found himself smiling at his little victory. “Then let us plan.”

For the next few hours they huddled around the table, plotting the evil creature’s demise. When their plans had been finalized, Hugh leaned back to find Theresa standing in front of him and directly behind Mina.

“You all have been very busy,” Theresa said and let her eyes roam over the men until they reached Bernard. “I would see you privately, brother.”

“Not just now,” Bernard said and poured himself more ale. “We’re busy. Find me later.”

Hugh looked at Mina in time to see her flinch and then his eyes found Theresa’s fingers digging into Mina’s shoulders. But Theresa seemed oblivious to her actions as her gaze shot daggers at Bernard.

In the silence, Bernard looked up. “You’re still here, Theresa? Run along. This isn’t a place for a lady.”

“Mina is here,” Theresa said.

Bernard rose and opened the map of the castle on the table. “Yes, well, Mina isn’t exactly a lady.”

Mina bit her lip and tasted the metallic tang of blood as Theresa’s fingernails dug agonizingly into her neck. Just as she was about to cry out, Theresa loosened her hold and flounced from the hall.

With her eyes closed against the pain her sister had wrought, Mina thought over Bernard’s words. So, she wasn’t exactly a lady. His words shouldn’t upset her, but they did. More than usual.

Mina opened her eyes to find Hugh staring at her. His dark gaze was always on her, and if she didn’t know how ugly she was, she would be flattered. In the end, she knew it was pity that brought his attention to her.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

She gave him what she hoped was a bright smile. “Never better.” To her surprise, the corners of his mouth tilted upwards. “You aren’t a very good liar.”

“I know.” It never occurred to her to lie again, it just wasn’t in her nature.

“Did I miss something?” Bernard asked as he looked up from the map.

“Not at all,” Mina hurried to say. She leaned up at the same time as Hugh and their heads bumped together. She grabbed her head. “I’m sorry.” He rubbed his head and eyed her warily. “I beg your pardon. Ladies first,” he said.

She laughed as she once more leaned forward, but the laughter died on her lips when she saw Bernard staring at her oddly.

“Strange,” Bernard said.

“What

is?”

“Have your eyes always been that unusual blue color?” Would her family never cease to embarrass her? “Aye.”

“I never noticed,” he said softly.

She wanted to ask him just what he had thought the color of her eyes were all these years, but Cole had pointed to something on the map that took Bernard’s attention.

It was just as well, she thought. He would probably say something harsh to hurt her again.

Hugh watched brother and sister and noted the differences. Bernard and Theresa’s eyes were blue, whereas Mina’s were bluish-green. Bernard and Theresa had blonde hair and Mina had strawberry-blonde.

Could it be that Theresa and Bernard treated Mina differently because she had a different father or mother? He suspected that was the case and Mina just didn’t know it.

Mina smoothed down the tight fitting bodice of her pale green gown and ran her hand along the floral patterned wide trailing sleeves. She wrapped the braided belt around her waist and hips and tied it so that it hung down her front and the tassels at the ends brushed against the floral pattern on the hem of the gown.

She looked into the mirror and was rather pleased with what she saw. The gown had belonged to Theresa, who hadn’t liked the floral pattern, but Mina loved it and had hurriedly accepted the gown before Theresa changed her mind.

As quickly as she could with her still injured arm, she braided her hair in two separate braids that hung over each shoulder and fell across her breasts. She then wrapped thin strips of leather around each braid from base to tip for added affect.

It was the first time in years that she actually felt somewhat pretty. Even her bandaged arm couldn’t be seen. Before she lost her nerve, she rushed from her chamber to the hall below.

She took a deep breath and walked to the dais. Not even Theresa sitting between Bernard and Cole could upset her. It was the first time in years she felt like a lady, and she planned to act like one, just as her mother had shown her.

When Mina approached the table, the men rose. The only chair available was at the end, but she didn’t mind. It put her well away from Theresa and Bernard.

“Here, my lady,” Darrick said as he scooted out of his chair. “Take my seat.” Mina raised her eyes and saw Hugh staring at her. She gave him a small smile and bit her lip to stop herself from laughing at finding herself sitting beside the one man she had wanted to. Once she had taken her seat and Hugh and Darrick resumed theirs, the food was quickly brought out.

“You look lovely,” Darrick said when she passed him a platter.

Not one to hear compliments, Mina found herself uncomfortable. “Thank you.”

“You do look beautiful,” Hugh murmured next to her ear. “That dress becomes you.”

Her heart fluttered at his praise. She turned her gaze to him, and her mouth went dry. “Th…thank you,” she stuttered.

His warm brown eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. “I’m only speaking the truth, my lady.”

Mina knew she ought to look away, but men like Hugh didn’t come to Stone Crest. He was all muscle, good looks, and warrior. A perfect combination, to her way of thinking. Too bad she wasn’t pretty enough for him.

He turned away to listen to something Bernard said, and she took that time to let her eyes roam over his body.

His hair was still damp at the ends. She found that she wanted to reach up and tuck the hair behind his ears as he pushed it out of his face. His large, rough hands bespoke many battles, proving he was a man to fear.

Tonight, he wore a tunic of dark brown that complimented his eyes and hair nicely, though she imagined there wasn’t anything that would look bad on him.

He spoke, his deep voice soothing her. Never had a man affected her like the mere presence of Hugh did. What was it about it him that drew her?

She held her breath when he placed his hand on the table next to hers. The need to reach over and touch him was so strong that, for a moment, Mina found herself doing just that. She stopped herself in time.

“Something wrong?” Darrick asked.

She jerked her head around. “Nay. Where are your families?” she asked quickly to change the subject.

One side of his mouth lifted in a smile. “With what we do, it is better if we don’t have families.”

“So, none of you are married?”

“Nay,

my

lady.”

She nodded and turned back to her trencher. She had been ravenous when she’d come into the hall, now all she could think about was the man sitting beside her and the pull he had on her.

Whatever she did, she would have to be most careful that Theresa never discovered her feelings for Hugh. If she did, Mina didn’t want to think about what would happen.

She made herself take a bite, making sure to keep her eyes anywhere but on Hugh. It wasn’t easy. Especially when his leg or arm would brush up against her, but she was nothing if not determined. If she could survive years with Theresa and Bernard, then she could survive a few hours next to Hugh.

“We begin tonight.”

She was so engrossed in turning her attention away from Hugh that she almost didn’t hear his words.

“What do you begin?” she asked before she could stop herself.

He turned toward her. “The hunt for the creature.” Whatever hunger she had conjured up immediately disappeared. She hadn’t expected them to start tonight. Didn’t they need to practice or something?

She kept her thoughts to herself and listened as Hugh and his men explained what would happen. It was obvious they expected her to go to her chamber once the meal was finished. She, of course, had other plans.

Hugh watched as Mina walked from the hall. When he turned back to his men it was to find Darrick watching him.

“She is something, isn’t she?” Darrick asked as they walked from the hall to the armory.

Hugh briefly thought about feigning ignorance, but he realized it would be folly.

“I suppose.”

The laugh that followed his words did little to comfort Hugh. He didn’t even glance at Darrick, but that didn’t stop his friend from speaking his mind.

“I noticed how you found it hard to concentrate tonight at the meal.” Hugh stopped and let the others go on ahead of him. He waited until they were out of earshot before he said to Darrick, “’Tis because I haven’t been around a lady in some time.”

Darrick smiled and shrugged. “That’s a plenty good reason, but I didn’t see you having that problem with Lady Theresa.”

Hugh ran his hand through his hair. “What is it you want?” The smile left Darrick’s face. “I don’t know. I saw how Lady Mina watched you.

You intrigue her.”

“Do you worry I’ll harm the maid?”

“Never,” Darrick said with conviction. “But I also have never seen you act like this around a woman before. At least not since.…” Hugh knew Darrick wouldn’t finish the sentence. There wasn’t a need. He knew exactly who Darrick referred to. “We have a mission to complete. Let’s concentrate on that right now.”

Darrick seemed relieved that he didn’t chastise him for bringing up a painful part of his past. In truth, Hugh was more than glad to drop the subject.

After she had changed into her man’s attire, Mina walked to the table where Hugh and his men gathered their weapons in the armory.

“Just what are you doing?” Bernard asked as he strode up to her.

She didn’t look to her brother because her gaze was locked with Hugh’s. “I’m gathering my weapons.”

Bernard sputtered at her side. “The hell you are. I’ve been a fool before, but not this time. You will stay in the castle where you will be protected.” She didn’t answer him. There was only one man who could make her stay, Hugh.

“Hugh,” Bernard said. “Tell her to stay put.” The men quieted and stilled, waiting to hear what Hugh would say. Mina found herself holding her breath. Would he give her the right to fight the creature that had taken her parents and terrorized her village? Or would he treat her like a pampered lady and keep her locked safely inside while others risked their lives?

“We need every person that can help,” Hugh finally answered.

She bit the inside of her mouth to keep from smiling. But Bernard wasn’t done.

“I am lord here, and I demand that you return to your chamber,” he said as he grabbed her arm.

She looked up at Bernard. He was dressed in his armor, armor that hadn’t been worn in a terrible long time. “Why? Last night you wished me dead. What has changed between then and now?”