Destiny (36 page)

And then she turned, seemingly fully awake now and made to shriek at seeing him standing there and looking directly at her.

‘Hush, Hela,’ he said softly. ‘It is Cyrus.’

‘What are you doing standing there in the dark?’ she said, trying to cover herself with her hands and hair but deliberately failing.

‘Forgive me. I thought you were asleep.’

‘Were you watching me?’

‘Yes.’

‘Why?’

‘Because you want me to.’

She was glad it was too dark for him to see her blush at the truth of his comment. ‘That’s a stupid answer, Cyrus. Why were you compelled to stare at me in my sleep?’

‘Actually I did all the staring whilst you were awake and showing yourself off to your best advantage.’

Did she see a trace of a smile there? Perhaps not. Too hard to tell as he had moved into a shadow.

He repeated himself. ‘My apologies, Hela. I will leave again.’

‘No!’ she said, loud enough to startle him as he turned to walk to the door. ‘Don’t leave,’ she added very softly now.

He sighed, not looking at her. ‘Hela, I can’t.’

‘Not can’t. More like won’t,’ she said, her voice a little harsh.

He cleared his throat and leaned one long, muscled arm against the mantle but made no further move to leave. Suddenly in the dying glow of the embers he really did look the fully sad man that he was. Proud, strong, impressive but nonetheless vulnerable.

Hela moved swiftly to stand next to him. ‘Look at me,’ she said. It sounded like a command. ‘Please,’ she added.

And he did.

‘Is it so wrong that you could desire me?’ she asked with feeling.

His eyes never strayed from hers. His voice when he finally spoke was soft. She had not heard that gentleness in it before. It melted her. ‘Not wrong at all. What is wrong is that I would use you and you deserve better.’

‘It is my choice. I’ll take the risk.’

‘No.’ He shook his head slowly.

‘Then
you
take the risk!’ she said a little angrily now. ‘Risk it, Cyrus. Chance that you might actually like me. Your wife is dead—long dead by the sound of things. Step back into the light and allow yourself the opportunity to love someone. I’m not naive enough to believe it may be me but risk that it might be. What is so wrong with loving each other for a night?’

She saw his grey eyes soften and mist a little. This was hurting him. And he was so controlled. So strong.
Most men would have at least reached for her naked body by now, helpless against such temptation—but not him.

‘Touch me, Cyrus. I want you to. And I will risk that in the morning you will not want to touch me again. But tonight enjoy me as I will enjoy you. We are two lonely people with no one to love except a child each, neither of whom are ours. We are kindred spirits you and I. And we are walking directly into danger, perhaps death. Who knows? I do it gladly for that same young woman I love. You do it for a young woman you had never met before now. You risk so much for a stranger…why not risk your emotions for someone you know and holds you to no obligation?’

He hesitated and in that moment’s uncertainty she reached for his hand and when he did not resist her, she laid his elegant fingers against her cheek and at his touch let out the breath she had been holding. When she took her own hand away from his, she felt her heart surge when his other hand moved from the mantle to cup the other side of her face.

He held her there for a moment as he looked deeply into her eyes and then he leaned down; Cyrus faltered just for a second and then, as though letting go of all his internal protests, he touched his mouth to hers and for a blissful period forgot everything—from his long-held heartache to his fears about what they faced.

The former prime could no longer distinguish his surrounds— everything was Hela; all he could feel were her hands on his body, the smell of her lingering spicy fragrance, the touch of her tongue, the taste of her smooth skin. He cast away doubt and released years of
passion, allowing his hands to roam over the small, lithe body and his mouth to search hers—sometimes gently, sometimes more forcefully.

Wrapping her legs about himself, Cyrus effortlessly lifted and carried her to the bed where he laid her down, but she refused to let go of his neck, refused to allow him escape from her kiss and so he lowered himself gently and finally surrendered to the intimate pleasures of her body.

Gidyon scanned the audience. The auditorium had filled quickly with happy, chattering folk keen to see one of their favourite travelling ensembles. The acts changed regularly enough on its slow journey around the Kingdom but there were favourites, such as Caerys the Snake and Sword Swallower, who made his name with the famous Cirq Zorros.

Gidyon had briefed Figgis and Themesius on their ‘turn’, as the giant liked to call it.

‘Are you sure?’ Figgis had asked.

‘No one will be able to account for it,’ Gidyon had replied. ‘And it’s quick and simple. Let’s not forget what my father urged. We must leave as soon as we can.’

The giant had nodded then. ‘I have spoken with Tyne. It only involved a small lie. He understands.’

‘Good,’ Gidyon had replied. ‘What about the Fat Lady? Is she happy with my plans?’

Themesius had smiled at this. ‘She’s intrigued…and er…more than happy to be handled by a young man.’ His deep voice had rumbled with amusement. ‘Said it would be the first time in a long while.’

‘I’m going to check for Yseul.’

Gidyon stared out across a sea of people who had taken the advice from Tyne’s hastily posted message that for one night only, the Greatest Show on Earth would play in Brittelbury.

Gwerys, his eyes shining with anticipation, spotted him first and waved, nudging his sister. She turned and a look reserved for new lovers softened across her face. Gidyon’s heart felt as though it had flipped. He remembered their kiss from earlier that day and wished he could taste it again. Was this love? He did not know. All he wanted to do was to hold her close and never let her go. She raised her hand and waved shyly. He swallowed hard. How would he find the courage to leave her?

Several acts preceded theirs, all enjoying loud and boisterous applause from an eager audience, happy to lap up all of Master Tyne’s curiosities and strange people with even stranger talents. None, Gidyon could tell, had wielded any magic and so when the tall young man walked out on stage looking anything but odd, an expectant hush gripped the crowd.

He chanced a glance towards Yseul and Gwerys; both looked radiant for different reasons—he could not help but flash a smile for them alone. Gidyon had given Tyne only a brief description of the act they would perform tonight. The Master of the Show could not believe his ears but the young man’s confidence forced him to permit what sounded like utter folly.

Tyne told the audience this was their most dangerous act. He truly believed it too. ‘Could everyone move back as far as possible and give Master Gidyon the room he requires,’ he said in a reverential tone. His sombre expression encouraged them to take him seriously and the crowd shuffled backwards as one. This was all showmanship—Gidyon needed no more room than he already had but he did not tell Tyne this.

Tyne introduced Figgis, who walked out proudly into the arena to applause. Dwarves were not common but neither were they particularly spectacular, so the applause reflected a polite appreciation of a race long forgotten. He took a bow. Next it was the Fat Lady’s turn. The audience had already met the Queen of Pork and although familiar with her incredible bulk they greeted her once again with resounding appreciation for her enormity. She smiled and waved warmly. Now it was the giant’s turn. No one in Brittelbury had caught a peep of Themesius prior to this moment. The huge, strong man strode out into the main arena to shrieks of disbelief at his size and roars of approval for a genuine ‘freak’.

Meet a real showstopper,
he said, for Gidyon’s and Figgis’s benefit, grinning widely.

Figgis, keen to get the whole thing over and done with, turned to Gidyon.
And so you just want me to leap towards you now? Is that right?

Gidyon nodded.
At my signal.

The audience hushed again until several hundred people finally managed to achieve silence. A slow smile spread across Gidyon’s face.

‘To me, dwarf!’ he called loudly, reaching out his hands.

Figgis sighed inwardly but ran as commanded and as their outstretched arms touched, the dwarf flipped into the air and landed, feet first, on Gidyon’s hand which was raised high into the air.

Impressed?

Only slightly, like them,
he replied
,
nodding towards the audience.

The crowd cheered warmly to reward the grace of the dwarf and strength of the man holding him in one hand, but they expected a lot more was yet to happen. It was supposed to be dangerous after all.

Gidyon ignored Figgis’s contempt. ‘To me, Fat Lady!’ he yelled, his voice carrying into the night.

Everyone laughed as what was surely the Kingdom’s largest woman did her best to move quickly. Arms outstretched, she managed to get up a surprising gallop. No one in the audience for a second believed she could do anything much more than bowl the handsome young man and his balancing dwarf over into the dust. They held their laughter as her hands made contact and then silence again as she too flipped effortlessly into the air, balancing on his other hand.

Her own shocked expression told the watchers that this was something beyond comprehension. It had to be trickery for no man was that strong. No woman as large as that could flip into the air with so little effort or balance with such ease. Murmurings of disbelief combined with wonder could be heard.

All heads now turned towards the giant and then back again to the trio. Gidyon moved to balance Figgis on his head.

Is anyone going to believe this?
the dwarf asked, a little bored.

Does it matter?

I suppose not,
Figgis replied.
Don’t tell me the Fat Lady now stands on my head!

I’m afraid so,
Gidyon said and with a small flick threw the Fat Lady high into the air. She screamed hysterically. Her terror was picked up by the already tense mob as they watched her spin with grace and land on the tip of her toes on the head of Figgis. The dwarf sighed theatrically across the Link.

Now ask her to do what I told her earlier,
Gidyon asked Figgis.

‘Fat Lady!’

‘Yes?’ Everything was wobbling.

‘Do what he instructed earlier.’

‘I’m not sure I have the courage,’ she hissed.

‘Just do it,’ Figgis offered gently. ‘You will not fall.’

Delicately she lifted one foot away from the dwarf’s head and struck a dancer’s pose.

The crowd went wild.

Gidyon began to laugh. He could keep this up all night. It required so little of his power.

Next Themesius stepped forward. It could not happen. This man already stood head and shoulders above the exceedingly tall younger man. Surely these three people could not balance on top of each other with the anchor man at the bottom just grinning.

‘Themesius…to me!’ Gidyon suddenly called.

Many could not watch, including Gwerys, but as the giant began to lope towards the other three, Yseul burst into laughter and whispered to him: ‘Trust Gidyon.’

Not only did the giant flip, he managed several somersaults before landing in the arms of the Fat Lady.

The crowd broke into shouts of laughter. They pinched themselves, fully convinced they would never see such a bizarre sight again. Now Gidyon began to circle with his load, even daring to do a little jig which won more rapturous applause. Waiting in the wings, Tyne rubbed his hands gleefully. It was a pity the three men would leave tonight, although the giant—his prize—had assured him they would return shortly. Tyne could only think of the riches to be earned from this act alone. He began to imagine how he might structure the show around this piece, making it the climax—if only he had known earlier how spectacular it would be.

Gidyon circled the arena once more with his friends suspended magically above him and then one by one they jumped down to be caught by him. People were still shaking their heads. If any suspected magic, it was not talked about. No one wielded that sort of enchantment these days, if ever.

Back at the main caravan, Gidyon and his friends were congratulating themselves on a fine performance. The Fat Lady accepted their warm thanks but she was still in some shock and was in urgent need of a tot of something to steady her nerves.

Once she had departed, Figgis looked seriously towards his friend. ‘What about the stone?’

‘Yseul has brought it. Would either of you mind if I escorted her home? She’s with her small brother.’

They both shook their heads.

‘Tyne will be here any moment, I imagine, so you might as well make your escape now,’ Themesius
suggested. ‘Where does she live, anyway? We can meet you there with the cart and horses.’

Gidyon gave the same directions he had learned from Yseul earlier.

‘Hurry, lad,’ Figgis cautioned. ‘Keep your farewell swift.’

‘See you both soon,’ Gidyon said making to leave.

‘Gidyon!’ Figgis watched him turn back. ‘Make no promises to the girl. Dangerous times are ahead.’

Gidyon nodded and disappeared into the dark. He found Yseul and Gwerys waiting for him at the back of all the travelling caravans where he had suggested they find one another. The show was continuing so the crowd was still to disperse.

‘Gidyon!’ Gwerys yelled and ran towards him.

Gidyon grabbed the youngster and swung him high.

‘You were marvellous,’ the boy said breathlessly.

‘Was I?’ he replied, eyes only for Yseul who stood back a little self-consciously yet enjoying her brother’s pleasure.

‘I see you continue to be a man of many strange talents,’ she said. She leaned close and kissed him lightly on the cheek, pressing the stone into his hand at the same time.

Gidyon was flooded with relief at having the stone back in his possession. He felt it gently hum in his palm before he pocketed it.

He bent to hug Gwerys. ‘It’s good to see you again,’ he said before swinging the little boy onto his shoulders. ‘Hold on tight.’

‘Could you balance me like you did the giant?’

‘With the greatest of ease.’

‘Oh, do it!’ the boy begged.

‘Don’t you dare,’ Yseul cautioned.

‘I’d better not,’ Gidyon said to his excited friend. ‘Your sister will be furious.’

‘Oh, she gets cross with me all the time. I try to ignore her.’

‘And all your other sisters as well?’ Gidyon asked, taking Yseul’s hand.

The boy sighed. ‘Yes, they’re all very tiresome,’ he said.

This made Yseul laugh as much as it did Gidyon.

‘Women just don’t understand the needs of boys, do they?’ Gidyon said.

‘Exactly,’ Gwerys answered, matter-of-factly. ‘Which is why it’s nice to have Papa home.’

‘Your father’s back?’ Gidyon said with surprise.

Yseul nodded. ‘This afternoon he returned. It’s lovely to have him back, if only to help with the patients,’ she said ruefully.

They walked slowly into the town.

‘How are they all faring?’

‘Much better, thank you for asking. One of my sisters is recovered, I believe. My mother feels well enough to cook again so that’s a very good sign. The other two…well, they should be up and around before long.’

‘That’s good, then,’ he said, suddenly feeling uncomfortable but not sure why. ‘May I walk you both home?’

‘Oh yes!’ Gwerys answered. ‘You can meet everyone.’

‘No, little fellow. Not this time. I’ll see you home safely and perhaps visit when everyone is in good health again.’

Gwerys said no more, pleased to watch his small world from this great height as they walked slowly back towards his home in the darkness.

‘You’re leaving again,’ she finally said flatly.

‘I have to.’

She nodded and he felt her hand tighten against his.

‘I travel with Figgis and Themesius now,’ he said for no particular reason. The discomfort had deepened to awkwardness and this seemed the best he could come up with as they left the main part of the town behind them.

‘I see,’ she said, then added: ‘Do they protect you?’

He paused. ‘That’s a good way to describe it.’

‘Where do you travel to?’

‘Tonight we go east. People are waiting for us.’ He was pleased she did not seem more inquisitive about their direction or the people about whom he spoke.

‘Is it safe?’

‘I’ll be safe, I promise,’ he replied, avoiding her question.

‘There it is, Gidyon,’ Gwerys said pointing. ‘That’s where we live.’

Gidyon saw a large, neat cottage; a glow of light in the window and a chimney smoking. A small garden surrounded it and he caught a waft of lavender scent.

‘It’s such a pretty fragrance…my mother’s favourite,’ Yseul said, noticing his pleasure.

‘Your home is lovely. It looks like a welcoming and cheerful place to live,’ he said, setting the boy down on the ground again.

‘It is,’ she acknowledged. ‘You go on in, Gwerys. I just want a quiet word with Gidyon.’

‘Are you going to kiss him goodbye then?’ he asked, grinning.

‘Oh, I hope so,’ Gidyon answered, before she could. ‘Give me a hug then, scamp, until the next time.’ The lad obliged. ‘Now take care of your sisters. When your papa’s away, you’re the man about the house.’

Gwerys nodded seriously. ‘Come back soon. Thank you for the show.’ And then he was gone, skipping away to the back of the cottage.

They looked at one another in the darkness, the glow of candles burning in a few of the houses offering scant light. His sight was so good though, he could see her eyes shining with tears she seemed determined would not fall.

‘I was thinking,’ she said. ‘With my father returned and everyone recovering that perhaps I could—’

‘Don’t,’ he said, putting his fingers gently to her mouth. ‘Please, Yseul. You cannot come with me.’

‘Why?’

The question hurt his heart. Why indeed? He wanted to be with her more than anything at this moment but he remembered his father’s sad voice in his head and imagined his mother lying wounded in the middle of a deserted track.

‘Because I follow a dangerous path just now.’

‘Can’t you tell me?’

He shook his head. ‘No.’

‘Is it connected with that stone?’ She was sharp.