Donovan's Woman (14 page)

Unable to sleep, Gryff shifted into the wolf and stalked the night. But for once, he couldn’t put the worries of the day behind him. Taking Marri home still seemed like an incredibly bad idea. Serepta knew about Artur. If the two joined forces…

He growled deep in his throat. He didn’t even want to think of such an eventuality. He needed to find a place for Marri, somewhere no one would ever think to look for them. Off-planet was the only solution. It wouldn’t be easy to find transport from Brynn Tor. He would need a disguise. So would Marri. Then there were travel papers, passports, cash...

He was nearing the shack when an unfamiliar scent reached his nostrils. Slowing, he padded silently toward the front door, hackles raising when he realized there was a stranger inside the house. Supernatural power rippled across his skin.

“Come in, wolf.”

The voice — male — compelled him to cross the threshold.

The stranger smiled at him. “A shapeshifter.” He clapped his hands. “I didn’t know there were any left on Brynn Tor. Gryff, is it?”

The wolf growled.

“Marri is in the other room,” the wizard said. “She is unhurt, and will remain that way, as long as you cooperate.”

With a shake of his head, Gryff resumed his own form, only to find he couldn’t move. Damn and blast. More witchcraft. “What do you want?”

“Can you transform into other beasts?” the wizard asked. “Other beings?”

“When I want to,” Gryff replied curtly. “What do you want?”

“I’ve come to take the two of you to Brynn Castle.”

“Returning means death for Marri.”

After a moment’s hesitation, the wizard said, “That is not my concern.”

There was no emotion in the wizard’s voice, no hope of changing his mind, so Gryff didn’t bother trying. “Why are you doing this?”

“It is Artur’s wish.”

“Why do you care what he wants?”

“I have aligned myself with the royal family. I find it lucrative in many ways.”

“So it’s all about the money?”

The wizard shrugged. “Artur’s father is my friend. I do not have many.”

“Yeah? Well, you’re about to lose the one you have.”

A flicker of emotion slid behind the wizard’s eyes. “Explain.”

“Artur intends to murder his sister, and then his father, so that he can rule Brynn Tor.”

“You have proof of this?”

“You’re a wizard! Can’t you discern a lie?”

“I’ve heard nothing of the king’s illness.”

Gryff shrugged. “Of course not. If you knew he was ailing, you might have healed him. Artur wouldn’t want that.”

“What are you to Serepta?”

Just her name sent an icy chill down Gryff’s spine. “Is she there?”

“Yes. Waiting for you.”

“I was her slave. In her mind, I belong to her. I have the scars to prove it.”

“She was once a lovely young thing, but she has perverted her gift. Sooner or later, it will destroy her.”

“Not soon enough.”

“I told Artur I would have you back by morning. You will spend the night here. I will return at dawn.” The wizard murmured an incantation. “You will not be able to leave the house. I suggest you spend this night with the woman. You might not get another.”

* * *

Marri looked up when Gryff pushed the curtain aside. A wordless cry rose in her throat as she slid off the bed and into his arms.

She stood there a moment before murmuring, “Not long ago, I wished Nardik was with me.”

“Looks like you got your wish,” he muttered.

“I never thought he’d turn against me. When I was a little girl, he entertained me with magic tricks for hours. On my fifth birthday, he conjured a unicorn for me. Oh, Gryff, what are we going to do?”
“You wanted to talk to your brother. It looks like you’re going to get your chance.” Taking her by the hand, he moved to the bed. Sitting on the edge of the mattress, he pulled her onto his lap, one hand idly stroking her back. “Whatever happens, I’m glad you wandered into my tavern.”

“Are you? Even though I’ve brought you nothing but trouble?”

“You’re no trouble, sweetheart.”

“I love you so much.”

“I love you, too, wife.” Cupping her face in his palms, he whispered, “You’ll never know how much.” And kissed her.

Marri melted against him as his tongue plundered her mouth. His hands caressed her. And even as she surrendered to his touch, his words repeated in her mind —
I love you, too, wife
. Truly, the sweetest words she had ever heard.

He pressed her back on the mattress, eased her out of her clothing, cast his aside.

She thought briefly of Nardik — what were his intentions? But Gryff’s caresses swept worries of the future from her mind. This might be the last time he held her in his arms, the last time she could touch him and taste him. The last time…she gasped with pleasure as their bodies came together, straining, reaching, grasping for that one instant when two truly became one — heart and soul, mind and body.

She felt the sting of tears when, at the moment of climax, he whispered again that he loved her. Would always love her.

* * *

In the morning, Marri feigned sleep as long as possible, wanting to spend every moment she could in Gryff’s arms. But, all too soon, Nardik was there, demanding they prepare to leave.

Any hope she’d had of making some kind of miraculous escape vanished when Nardik wrapped them in one of his magic spells and whisked them off to the throne room of Brynn Castle.

She screamed Gryff’s name when one of Nardik’s spells sent him to the dungeon.

“Really, sister, that is most unladylike.”

“You!” She whirled on her brother like a bear defending her cubs. “Why are you doing this? I don’t want the throne! I’ve told you that again and again. Why won’t you believe me?”

“I wish I could.”

“It’s true! Just let me go away with Gryff and you’ll never see me again.”

“I’m afraid that’s impossible. I’ve promised him to the witch. Serepta.”

“No.” Marri shook her head. “No.”

Artur summoned one of his guards with a wave of his hand. “Take her to her rooms. Make sure she doesn’t leave. It will be your head if you fail me.”

“Yes, majesty.”

“Please, Artur…”

“Be gone!”

Marri squared her shoulders. Lifted her chin. And marched up the winding staircase to her room. Only when she was safely behind closed doors did she let the tears fall.

* * *

“She’s telling the truth, you know,” Nardik remarked. “She doesn’t want the throne.”

“That may be true today, but what about tomorrow? Next month? Next year?”

“I am not a prophet. I cannot see her future. But I can see yours.”

Artur’s head jerked up. “What does that mean?”

“It means if you harm a hair on that child’s head, you will not live long enough to regret it.”

Artur shook his head, eyes wide with disbelief. “You dare threaten me?”

“I would not call it that.”

“What would you call it?”

“A promise. I have no children of my own, nor do I want any. But I watched Marri grow up. I will not see her robbed of her future. You would be wise to let her go away with her young man. If you keep her here, if any harm befalls her, I will hold you responsible.”

Speechless, Artur could only stare at him. And then, in a blinding blue flash, the wizard was gone. But his words lingered in the air, like smoke.

If any harm befalls her, I will hold you responsible.

Chilled to the marrow of his bones, Artur paced the floor, Nardik’s threat hanging over his head like the sword of doom. Damn the man! Who’d have guessed that, under that stern exterior, the wizard harbored a soft spot for Marri? What if she really was telling the truth? What if he let her leave Brynn Castle with the promise never to return?

Could he count on his sister to keep her word?

Did he have any other choice?

He slapped a hand to his brow. Of course! He would have her renounce the throne in front of the knights and the villagers, as well as the leading brethren of the church, and proclaim that he, Artur, was the sole heir to the throne. . A vow like that, spoken before highborn and peasant alike, could not be recanted. Why hadn’t he thought of it before?

Feeling like a fool, he shook his head. He’d been so focused on dispatching Marri, he had overlooked the most obvious solution

Pleased to have solved the problem, he ran up the stairs to tell her the good news.

When Artur reached Marri’s room, the knight guarding the door came to attention. Artur brushed past him, his excitement smothered by a sudden sense of impending doom when he lifted the latch.

The chamber was empty.

Gryff regained consciousness slowly. He didn’t have to open his eyes to know where he was. The cold stone floor, the dampness, the combined stink of old blood and sweat and urine were all too familiar.

He groaned softly as he sat up. Damn Serepta. Had she spirited him out of Brynn Castle with no one the wiser? Or had Artur given her the okay? Either way, he was back in hell. He rubbed a hand across his jaw. Had she taken Marri, too?

He called the witch’s name, felt his gut tighten when he called it again and there was no answer.

Where was she?

Rising, he paced the floor, his agitation growing as his imagination painted one horrible possibility after another — Marri was dead. She had been given to Serepta’s henchmen. She had been tossed in a pit and left to die. She was in Serepta’s torture chamber, her hands bound to the iron rod over her head, being beaten, whipped, slowly bleeding to death.

“Serepta!” He roared the witch’s name.

“You called?” She appeared outside his cell in a puff of smoke.

“Where is she?”

The witch smiled. There was no warmth in it. “On her way to the slave auction in Bosquetown. She should fetch a pretty price, don’t you think?”

Gryff’s hands fisted around the bars. “Bring her back.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Please.” He hissed the word through clenched teeth.

“Are you willing to beg for her life?”

He dropped to his knees, bowed his head. “Please spare her.”

“And if I agree? What will you give me in return?”

“Whatever you want.”

“Your loyalty. Your promise not to escape again, and to make love to me often of your own free will. Your presence at my side every day and night as long as you draw breath.”

“And you’ll let her go wherever she wishes?”

“Will you do as I ask?”

“Yes.”

“Swear it on her life.”

He answered without hesitation. “I swear.”

“Very well.”

Still kneeling, he looked up at her. “I’ll want proof that you’ve kept your part of the bargain.”

“When she returns from Bosquetown, I will bring her here so you can see she is unhurt, and then my mother can take her home, or anywhere she desires to go. Does that suit?”

Gripping the bars in both hands, Gryff pulled himself to his feet. “One more thing. I don’t want Marri tortured or imprisoned while we wait for your mother.”

“I promise she will be treated like the princess she is.”

“And after Seleena takes her home, I want her to come back and tell me to my face that Marri is safe.”

“Anything else?” Serepta asked, her voice laced with impatience.

“I guess not.”

“Just remember, my pet, if you break your word, she will suffer for it. I promise you that her death will be slow, and you will watch every agonizing moment.”

“I believe you.”

Serepta nodded. “Then we have an accord.” With a wave of her hand, the witch was gone.

Resting his forehead against the bars, Gryff closed his eyes. He had little choice but to take Serepta at her word. He had far more faith in Seleena.

Whispering Marri’s name, he sank down on the cold stone floor.

He would never be free again, but it didn’t matter, as long as Marri was safe.

* * *

Marri sat in a corner of a large room, her fingers nervously worrying a lock of her hair, her heart pounding with fear. Around her, dozens of other young girls and women chattered nervously. Hundreds of men from all over the galaxy circled the floor, their eyes avidly darting from one woman to another.

She was going to be sold as a slave.

As terrifying as that thought was, she was more worried about Gryff. He was Serepta’s prisoner again. No matter how horrible her life as a slave might be, being the witch’s prisoner would be even worse.

Her nerves grew taut as, one by one, the other girls were auctioned off to the highest bidder.

It took hours, as each girl was paraded back and forth.

She huddled deeper into the corner, trembling uncontrollably, as the number of women dwindled. If she revealed the secret of her true identity to her new master with the promise of a reward to return her to Brynn Tor, would he believe her? Or laugh in her face?

She looked up, feeling as though she might faint, as one of the men in charge of the auction pulled her to her feet and dragged her to the front of the room. He had just started to describe her attributes when another man stepped up beside her.

“The Lady Serepta is withdrawing this one.” He didn’t wait for a response, merely grabbed Marri’s arm and hustled her outside and into the back of a familiar transport.

Marri slumped against the side of the vehicle, not knowing whether to be frightened or relieved.

* * *

Gryff caught her scent before she entered the dungeon. Rising, he raked his fingers through his hair, straightened his clothing, and moved toward the front of the cell.

“Marri.” He whispered her name as she hurried toward him.

“Gryff!” She slipped her arms through the gaps in the bars and hugged him as best she could. “I was so afraid!”

His gaze searched hers. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine. But you…” Tears glistened in her eyes. “We have to get you out of here.”

Shaking his head, he took her hands in his. “I promised I’d stay, that I’d do whatever she wanted, as long as she released you. You’re free to go home or wherever you want.”

“Not without you.”

“Marri, she’s won.”

“I refuse to believe that!”

“Seleena’s going to take you home, if that’s your choice. I trust her.”

Marri stared at him, unable to believe what she was hearing. He had voluntarily given up his freedom — his life — for her. How could she accept that?

“Be happy, sweetheart.”

“How can I, knowing you’re here? I love you.”

“I know.” He caressed her cheek, his gaze moving over her face, committing it to memory — the softness of her skin, the deep blue-green of her eyes, the tilt of her nose, the lush fullness of her lower lip. He would never forget her, never regret bargaining with Serepta for Marri’s life. “I love you, princess. Go live the life you were meant to have.”

“Gryff…”

“Go on, get out of here.”

She hesitated, as if she would argue; then, head held high, she walked away, her bearing regal, every inch a princess.

Heart heavy, throat thick with tears he refused to shed, he watched her until she was out of sight.

Marri had no sooner left the dungeon than Serepta appeared. A wave of her hand unlocked his cell. Beckoning for him to follow her, she made her way up the stairs and down the long, narrow corridor to her chambers.

Feeling like a condemned man on his way to the gallows, Gryff trailed in her wake. He had only one thought in mind — to destroy her, even if it cost him his own life.

She ordered him to bathe, clothed him in a pair of tight-fitting black leather pants and nothing more.

He stood before her, feeling dirtier than he ever had in his life, as she reclined on her bed.

“It’s time to make good on your promise.”

He didn’t have to ask which one she meant. Stretching out on the bed, he closed his eyes and drew her into his arms.

* * *

Marri sat in the front parlor, her hands tightly folded in her lap. One of Serepta’s servants had told her she was to wait there for Seleena. After warning her not to leave the room, the servant departed, closing the door behind her.

Marri’s foot tapped impatiently on the plush carpet. How could she leave Gryff in this dreadful place? There had to be a way to free him. Did he honestly think she could just forget the vows they had exchanged and go off and enjoy the rest of her life knowing he had sacrificed his to save her?

She wasn’t a fool. There was no way she could hope to defeat Serepta on her own. But…

Marri looked up when the door opened and Seleena entered the room.

“Are you ready to go?” the witch asked. “My daughter informed me that I was to take you anywhere you wished.”

“Home,” Marri said. “I want to go home.”

Marri’s spirits lifted as she followed Seleena out of the castle. Serepta’s mother had helped them once before. Maybe she would again.