Born of Magic: Gargoyle Masters, Book 2 (10 page)

That made the humor drain from her face and he wanted to punch himself, though he didn’t know why his words distressed her.

“I suppose you dine with women often,” she said quietly.

She stirred her stew and kept her head bowed. He reached across the table and used a finger to lift her chin so she faced him again. “Not as often as you might think. However, I’m over seventy years old and was created as a full grown man. So, of course there have been other women in my life.”

She released her spoon and turned her head away, but he wasn’t going to let her go so easily. He rounded the table and pulled her into his arms.

“Right now you’re the only woman that matters. To be honest, I can’t think of any other who came before you.”

He didn’t want any to come after her either, but feared it might be too soon to mention that.

Surprise widened her eyes but she remained pliant in his arms. “I’m not sure I believe that.”

He took a deep breath and considered how much to say to allay her doubts. “I’ve never been in a relationship before, Theda. That hasn’t been our way. But with you, I can imagine being with only you. I like the images that brings to mind.”

“But once our journey ends—”

“I’m taking you to Halstrid, by your own request. That is also my home.”

“But once we get there, we don’t know where I’m going or what will happen.”

He nodded in agreement but wasn’t very concerned. “I am free to travel with you for as long as you’re willing to have me along.”

A hint of guilt snaked up his spine at his lie of omission, but it wasn’t his place to reveal who she was if she didn’t already know. He still needed to find out more about her mother and learn if the woman had ever revealed Theda’s birthright. Plus there was the fact that her name had been changed. This was going to get a little tricky. In the meantime, he still had plans for her tasty body.

“Are you finished eating?” he asked.

She looked at her nearly empty bowl and his half full one. “Um, yes. But you still have—”

She gasped as he lifted her into his arms and headed for the bed. “I still have places on you I haven’t kissed yet. My food can wait.”

“Oh…but it’ll grow cold.”

He set her on the bed and stretched out beside her. “I don’t mind cold stew. Especially when I’m trying to cool down from all the things I plan to do with you tonight.”

For a moment she looked worried, but then he pulled one nipple into his mouth and she sighed in pleasure. The next time he glanced at her face, all her concerns had cleared away.

Much later, he watched her sleep as he finished his now cold meal. He grimaced at the taste but ate it anyway. He needed to be at full strength as they continued their journey north, in case Albain returned. So far the piece of Wizard Stone around his neck seemed to be working. He certainly felt as if he retained his strength. Hopefully he wouldn’t be tested before reaching the gates of Halstrid.

* * * * *

Albain cursed his bad luck, but how was he to know the gargoyle had been following them so closely? Now the Princess was with the Master instead of with him where she should be.

No matter. There were still many miles between the inn where they were spending the night and the King’s castle. Albain would find a way to get her back in his clutches. The King would pay dearly to have his precious daughter back.

Chapter Ten

Weeks had passed since the attack on her brother, and Zephara and Wynn were now at Frederik’s castle, the final wizard on her apprenticeship tour. Zephyr remained in Gregori’s care, fully healed physically but not, she feared, emotionally.

Damn that stubborn gargoyle, Steinn, for tying her brother in knots over their interrupted affair. She had never seen Zephyr pine after a man before. He usually remained carefree as he flitted about from lover to lover. But now something about this particular gargoyle had arrested him and stolen the light that usually shone in his every gesture. She hadn’t seen him smile since the attack.

Wynn entered the library, far larger and less tidy than Gregori’s, and his gaze immediately found her among the stacks of books. Her breath caught at the sight of his grin, as it did every time she looked at him. He closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms.

“You’ve been in here for hours,” he grumbled.

It was so out of character she laughed. “It’s been no more than three hours, my love. Have I missed dinner?”

“Not yet. I told Frederik I would find you before the beef had time to cool.”

“Ah, then I best clean up so we can eat.”

He pulled back enough to look her over. “Clean up what? You’re beautiful as ever.”

“Most of these books are dusty. I don’t think Frederik allows the servants in here to clean.”

He chuckled. “Perhaps, but that hasn’t had an impact on you at all. Come. Bastien and Gregori have also come for dinner and we shouldn’t keep even one wizard waiting, much less three.”

She conceded his point and allowed him to lead her to the dining room. The wizards were deep in conversation in their own language, which she hadn’t quite mastered yet. She caught a word or two she understood, but couldn’t grasp their deeper meaning before they silenced.

“Ah, Zephara, good eve,” Bastien said.

She nodded at him and Gregori as Wynn pulled a chair out for her. “Good eve, sirs. What a pleasant surprise.”

Gregori winced. “I wish our conversation could be more pleasant, but I’m afraid we’re here on unpleasant business.”

She sat and Wynn took the seat to her right so they faced the two wizards. Frederik sat at the head of the table to her left.

“Does this have to do with my brother?”

“It does. But fear not, he is fully recovered and being escorted back to the King’s castle,” Bastien replied.

“Escorted by whom?” Wynn asked.

“Dunstan and Sakhr will be escorting him. Then Sakhr will remain for his month with the King.”

“The unpleasant business we speak of has to do with his and Steinn’s attackers,” Gregori said.

“They’ve been found?” Wynn asked.

“Yes,” said Bastien.

“And no,” added Frederik.

Bastien looked at Zephara. “Have you heard much of the Varish in the Eastern Isles?”

“The Eastern Isles? Aren’t they mostly myth?”

“Mostly, but not all.”

“Then, no I haven’t,” said Zephara. “Only tales. Ones I’m not inclined to believe.”

“They are a very private people,” Frederik conceded.

Gregori nodded his agreement. “A few of us met a handful of them many, many years ago, before the Masters were created. They choose to stay on their island for the most part, but it isn’t unheard of for one or two of them to cross the waters every few moon cycles.”

“And these Varish are the ones who attacked our brothers?” Wynn asked.

The wizards nodded.

“All signs points to them as the most likely culprits, but we found further evidence at the campsite,” Bastien said.

“What evidence?” Zephara asked.

“Traces of magic that only the Varish could leave behind. You will soon learn how to differentiate between flavors of magic from various beings,” Gregori said. “They have their own unique essence.” He turned to Wynn. “We’ve taught you very little about them, but it is all we know. Physically they look like any human. They do nothing to draw attention to themselves but have very strict religious beliefs they adhere to. Attacking your brother, a known protector of the realm, is very out of character. However, we believe they may have been offended in some way, and that prompted the attack.”

Zephara clutched her hands together and Wynn’s jaw tightened. It wasn’t their story to tell. Zephyr wouldn’t care if the wizards knew every lover he’d ever taken, but Steinn would be upset if his actions with her brother were revealed.

Wynn cleared his throat. “It’s not my place to tell you anything other than what Steinn has already revealed. However, he may have offended them that night…unintentionally, as he didn’t know of their presence until after the attack.”

The wizards nodded.

Bastien ran his fingers through his long beard. “They are a mostly male race as nearly all children born of a Varish coupling come out male, but they are strictly heterosexual. When they visit the mainland, they usually convince a female or two to accompany them back to the isle to have more children.”

“It’s not unheard of for more than one man to share a woman,” Gregori added. “But for a man to bed another is a criminal offense.”

Frederik leaned on the table and looked Zephara in the eyes. “We do not judge Zephyr or any man he takes as a lover. It’s not our concern. However, this is a problem, because the Varish have broken a peace treaty by attacking a Master. We’ve asked your brother to remain with the King until this mess is sorted out and we can ensure his safety.”

She nodded. “I believe that is for the best. We are not expected home anytime soon. If need be, I can report home briefly to update my father and the High King. But for now, a messenger will do. They may wish to know why Zephyr lingers.”

“That can be arranged,” Bastien replied.

The conversation steered away from the serious to the casual and they ate a delicious dinner, but Wynn couldn’t ignore the tightening in his gut that forewarned of something bad. He saw Zephara smile as Bastien told a funny story, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She still worried over her brother, of course, but was that all? Her final test loomed mere days away and Wynn had done all he could think of to support her in every way. Now, when she needed him most, he had no idea what to do for her.

“Your final test will be the day after tomorrow,” Bastien said. “In the morning you will sit with the Nineteen to ask questions and clarify any of the lessons you’ve been taught. Perhaps you should have an early night.”

“Yes, of course,” Zephara replied.

That was his cue. Wynn rose quickly and pulled her chair out, holding out his arm for her to take as she stood. They said their goodnights to the wizards and headed to their room.

“Are you worried?” he asked.

She gave him a small smile and shook her head. “Terrified. I’ve run through every spell, every conjuring, every bit of information I’ve learned these past weeks, and I still have no idea what I’ll be facing.”

“Perhaps they’ll give you a better idea in the morning.”

“Perhaps.”

She didn’t sound encouraged.

He had her sit by the fireplace as he filled a hip tub for her bath. Then he knelt beside it and washed her slowly, sensually, until all thoughts of the coming test eased from her mind.

“You spoil me so.”

Wynn smiled and kissed her lightly. Then he stood and held out a hand to help her from the tub. “Of course I do. You deserve no less.”

She ran both palms over his chest. “As do you, my mighty Gargoyle. I hope I’ll have the opportunity to spoil you nightly.”

“I like the sound of that.”

He wrapped her in a drying cloth and carried her to the bed. She’d learned not to try talking him out of carrying her when the mood struck him.

As he stood over her gloriously naked body and ran the towel gently down her skin, his breath caught and he was reminded of how lucky he’d been in finding her.

“You’re so beautiful. I’ll never tire of looking at you, touching you.”

“I can say the same of you.”

He grinned. “I don’t know that I’m beautiful.”

“Glorious? Amazing, perhaps? There are other words with much the same meaning.”

“And you are all of those as well.”

She smiled and held her arms open. No way would he ever ignore that invitation. He joined her on the bed and kissed her.

“The wizards suggested an early night,” he teased.

She laughed and ran a hand down one side of his face. “Yes. But you are impossible to resist. Perhaps we can be quick?”

He looked her over, his manhood hardening at the sight. “I’ll try, but no promises.”

She laughed again and helped him out of his clothes.

The barest whisper of sound woke Zephara hours later. Her body knew the sun had yet to rise, but someone called out to her. She listened and opened her eyes when she realized it was a wizard’s call, a summons sensed through magic more than heard. She sat up and looked at the man beside her, her Gargoyle Master, her eternal-mate.

She wouldn’t shame him by failing the test tomorrow. Everything rode on it and she would make both her people and her mate proud of her. Though she couldn’t imagine forgetting a second of their time together, she knew the power of the collective wizards was unmatched. She wouldn’t allow that to happen.

After leaving a kiss on his lips, she left the bed and dressed to head downstairs and face the Nineteen.

They waited in the dining room at the massive table that fit them all. Bastien sat at the head of the table, leaving the foot open for her. She sat and mentally prepared herself.

“Zephara, we will begin with our questions, then move on to yours. After lunch is served, you will meet with the King’s Weapons Master for one final lesson. Then you will be taken to the site of your final test,” Bastien said.

A servant set breakfast in front of her but her appetite had fled. She nodded and waited for the questions to begin.

Each wizard quizzed her on various spells and castings, as well as her general knowledge of the people of Haldor and all of Lenara. Though she would remain a citizen of Pastel, and her loyalty to her High King would always come first, the Twenty primarily served the kingdom of Haldor and the King’s people. She was given various scenarios in which her interests might conflict, and asked to resolve the issues. She did so to the best of her ability, remaining as faithful to her people as possible while still holding the King’s best interests.

Though it seemed days had passed, she was finally fed lunch late in the afternoon. Her thoughts drifted back to Wynn as she ate. What was he doing now? Did he think of her when they were apart? Would she see him before being taken to the testing site?

As soon as she finished eating Gregori escorted her to a large work shed beside the barn. A massive human male stood testing swords as they entered.

“Marcus,” Gregori greeted. “This is Zephara. She is already well trained in many weapons, but you are to go over each and every one within these walls and aid her in having a basic grasp of all.”

Marcus nodded to them both but remained silent.

“This will take the whole of the afternoon,” Gregori said. “Then you will be escorted to the testing site, where you will rest until the test begins at dawn. Any questions?”

“Not about the test.” She hesitated, but when he merely waited patiently she carried on. “Will I see Wynn before my test?”

“No. He’s been informed and will know you once the test is complete.”

Then he spun on his heel and promptly left.

“Know me?”

She looked at Marcus but he had turned away to fiddle with an axe. The wizard’s odd choice of words concerned her, but she couldn’t do with the distraction right now. With a shrug she removed her cape and lifted a short sword to begin her lessons.

They went through every type of sword known throughout Lenara. They tested various knives and axes. Marcus seemed especially taken with the war hammer and spiked mace, but she preferred the bow and arrows. Then he showed her how to poison a dart without injuring herself, and how to use the blowgun.

By the time they were through, the sun had set and torches lined the shed. Marcus set down the final weapon, a lance taller than Zephara, and turned away.

“You’ve learned all you can from me, Lady. Good luck on the ’morrow.”

She grinned as the quiet man lumbered off. “Thank you, Marcus. Goodnight.”

He raised a hand but didn’t turn around.

She set to putting the weapons away, admiring some of the swords’ intricate etchings before sheathing them. A sound caught her ear and she looked up to find Frederik approaching.

“It is time, Zephara. Are you ready?”

That was a heavily loaded question. She took a deep breath and set the final sword aside before giving a nod. “Yes, sir. I’m ready.”

“Good. You will find a cot at the back of the shed. There you will rest until dawn. Then you will face your final test.”

“My test will be in here?”

He rubbed his chin. “Perhaps. Perhaps not. It will be clearer in the morning. But know this, what you face at dawn is your test.”

Then he turned around and strode back to the castle.

His words haunted her. What would she face come sunrise? A sliver of fear took hold and she stepped out of the shed to face the castle. Somewhere inside Wynn waited for her, and she ached to be in his arms tonight. But there would be times that proved impossible. As a protector of the realm he would be called away from time to time. She would also have to attend the King as needed and meet with the other wizards when called, possibly at a moment’s notice. Her life wouldn’t be entirely her own anymore. Would Wynn mind? It was a lifestyle he already knew. Surely he would understand.

They hadn’t spoken of their future together. She sensed he was waiting for this final test before they spoke of such things, though he hadn’t voiced any doubts of her passing this test. Where would they live? Would his brothers welcome her into their home? This was the worst time for her to doubt Wynn, but she decided it was better to dwell on something other than the upcoming test and the repercussions of failure.

When no answers were forthcoming and her worries only grew, she found the cot and set it out near the front of the shed. She would sleep with a view of the stars this night and not dwell on that which she couldn’t control. Wynn loved her as she loved him. They would find a way to be together, no matter where they lived. Their times apart would be unpleasant but not impossible. All would be well. She would accept nothing less.