Knight of Runes (25 page)

Her quick intake of breath signaled she knew exactly how he felt. Wave after wave of emotion swelled inside him. He reveled in the exquisite torture.

“Beka, heart of my heart,” he whispered in her ear. She shivered from his hot breath and he felt her heat as their bodies entwined. His eyes caught hers and they looked deeply at each other while their limbs, their hearts and their souls sought to merge.

“You must be a mystical creature, so strong and handsome.” She gently touched the one glowing rune over his heart.

He couldn’t draw a breath. She was so beautiful, so passionate. And she was his. He turned her around and kissed her back and her neck. He moved her hair and kissed the one glowing rune at the nape of her neck, his heart swelling with pride and joy. He knew she didn’t know it was there, nor what it held, but that didn’t matter.

Like a giant machine with the gears shifting into place, he felt himself awaken. He finally understood. She had been the key all along. But more than honor their ancient betrothal, he wanted to honor her, the essential Rebeka. He would move heaven and earth for her. He loved her. He had loved her when he saw her in the meadow with Doward, when their eyes met during the fight at the river. He had always loved her. Through eternity, he would love her.

He held her, his heart pounding. Her breathing quickened, matching his, and his skin burned as his hands explored her body greedily. The intensity grew as passion overtook him and he sought release. Rebeka cried out his name and, lost in her embrace, he pulled her to him and together, they shattered into a million pieces. He took a golden chain interspersed with two dozen uncut diamonds from among his discarded clothes and used it to bind their right hands together. She didn’t try to stop him. “Let the earth, fire, wind and water bear witness. I bind thee to me for now, for a year and a day.” He sealed the vow with a kiss.
“And forever.”
He closed his eyes, his mouth moving silently.

“Tell me the words to say so I am bound to you.”

“Not now. Now, I want to make love to my wife.” He took her in his arms again, and swept her to a place she could never visit with anyone else.

Satiated, they rested in each other’s arms. “You’re a witch, woman.”

She smiled up at him. “Then you are a wizard and have worked your magic. You’ve touched something in me I can’t describe.”

“Then come to your wizard so I can enchant you yet again.”

A short time later, he woke her gently, kissing her eyelids. “Beka, it’s time to leave.”

They walked from the lake onto the road, leaving the trees behind. As they passed Elfrida’s cottage Rebeka stopped short. Luminaries glowed on each side of the road and villagers lined the walls of the Manor.

“I must leave in the morning but I would not deny my wife a proper wedding celebration.” He searched Rebeka’s face and found it flushed, her eyes glistening with emotion. He let out a deep breath, relieved at her reaction.

“What if I had said no?”

He peered down at her, unable to stop smiling. “We wouldn’t have stayed so long at the lake.” He kissed her nose.

She reached up, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea,” he whispered in her ear. “I have an appetite but it’s not for the wedding confections Jeannie planned. We’ll not stay long.” The hunger in her eyes was his only answer.

He swept her into his arms and carried her up the road, through a gauntlet of well-wishers all the way to the door of the Great Hall where he gently set her on her feet.

Jeannie, Skylar and Aubrey pulled her away. “Quick, Rebeka, you must change. Elfrida brought a gown for you to wear. Hurry, you don’t want to miss your own wedding celebration.”

“Wait. Give me time to catch my breath,” she laughed.

Skylar and Aubrey pulled her up the stairs. She looked over her shoulder at Arik. People mobbed him with congratulations but his eyes never left her.

She blew him a kiss and followed the girls into her room. Thirty minutes later, she stood at the top of the stairs.

He waited for her, his foot on the bottom step. One hand rested lazily on the newel, while he held a tankard of ale in his other. She took the few moments to watch him, admiring his easy casual way with his people, and the respect and honor they gave him. He too had changed clothes and wore polished black boots that came almost to his knee. Tight black britches showed off his fine muscular legs, and he wore a white silk shirt open at the throat. His gold torque was visible around his neck, and a dark blue silk coat set off his eyes.

She felt like she floated down the stairs. Elfrida had brought her a white silk gown, shot through with silver threads that sparkled like diamonds and twinkled in the soft candlelight. White and blue sapphires edged the deep plunging neckline that accentuated her figure and the sleeves, puffed at the shoulder and tapering off to her wrists, were layered with deep pleats in sapphire-blue silk. The final touch was the sapphire-and-diamond amulet that hung low on her chest, teasing the cleft of her breasts.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Arik closed his eyes.

“Arik, what are you doing?”

“Hush, wife, I’m making a wish. You’re as radiant as any star. Surely I can make a wish and you will grant it.” He peeked at her with one eye.

“We can see about your wishes later, m’lord.” She gave him a deep elegant curtsy.

“Are you ready, Beka?” He stretched out his hand to help her up.

“Yes, m’lord.” The room hushed as they entered the Great Hall and walked through onto the terrace to the cheers of their well-wishers.

Logan was the first to step forward. A hush came over the crowd.

“Lord Arik, brother, I’ve come to greet my new sister. What say you?” A serious expression replaced his usual light-hearted attitude.

“Brother, this is my wife, Rebeka. I charge you and everyone here and beyond to treat her as you would me, with obedience and respect. Come, greet your new sister.”

Logan came forward and bowed elegantly. He took her hand and brushed his lips across her knuckles.

Arik looked at him with a mocking raised eyebrow.

“Arik, I will love your wife, Rebeka, as a true sister and protect her as I would you, my brother.”

Arik grabbed Logan’s hand, crushed him close to his heart and clapped him heartily on the back. “You do us both honor, Logan.”

What have I done?
She knew handfasting was a solemn commitment of one to the other, but down by the lake, it had felt right. But now…
Handfasting is one thing, only a temporary arrangement. This feels very much like forever.
She looked out at the smiling trusting faces of the crowd. A longing began in the pit of her stomach that she couldn’t control. She wanted to belong here, to these people. With a heavy sigh, she looked at Arik. She would speak to him later. She looked at him and thought he glowed, but it must be the candlelight. She didn’t want anything to stop the magic they had woven.

After every guest had paid their respects to the newlyweds and had a drink, Arik called for their attention.

“My wife and I would like to thank all of you for celebrating our good fortune. May this be the first of many such celebrations.”

“Hear, hear,” the crowd responded.

His eyes focused on Rebeka as he raised his glass to her.

“To my wife, Lady Rebeka Hestia. You are my hearth and home.”

“To Lady Rebeka,” said the crowd in unison.

She started when he said her middle name. No one knew it. “Arik…” She lost the thought as she watched him finish his wine. She scoured his face and noticed his strong chin. Had she touched that spot while they were at the lake? Perhaps she had overlooked it. She licked her lips trying to remember his taste. She wanted to feel his soft skin under her hand, his strong muscles wrapped around her, his hot kisses cascading all over her.

They said their good-nights and left the hall, the hoots and hollers of their guests following them as they climbed the stairs.

She looked at Arik a mixture of love and confusion in her eyes as they stepped into his room. “Arik, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Only my father knew my middle name was Hestia.”

Arik whispered in her ear, “Your name is inscribed in runes on your staff, underneath the leather bindings. Rebeka Hestia Tyler Parsons.”

Arik stood at the tower window looking over the courtyard. Objects started to take shape as the light inched toward them until, finally, the sun climbed over the horizon banishing the darkness for another day. Rebeka slept soundly in his bed. He hadn’t given her much rest.

After what seemed like hours of wrestling with the problem of adjusting the wards, he found his answer. He crafted the formula to allow her one trip through the time portal. He was satisfied she would still be able to make her choice.

There was one last thing to do before he left with Logan. He took Rebeka’s amulet. He was relieved when he discerned the amulet was innocent of any magic. He looked at it now and cleared his mind.

He prepared the pentagram with formulas and sat in its middle, facing the fire in the hearth. He chanted, holding the trinket, and invoking the four elements. First, earth and wind. He raised it to the hearth and continued to chant, passing it through the fire to sear in the magic. He placed the talisman into a bowl of water, finishing the chant and fusing the spell to the amulet forever. The amulet was now Rebeka’s and anyone with a trained eye would see the soft violet glow—a nice touch he thought. Pleased with his work, he left his tower to meet Logan. It was time to leave.

He found a few moments alone with Rebeka before they left.

He put the amulet around her neck, locking the clasp and then took her into his arms. “You’re to wear this always.”

“Of course, Arik.” She lifted her hand to gently touch the necklace.

“No, Rebeka.” He held her by both shoulders at arm’s length. “You don’t understand. Always. You’re never to be without it.” He was emphatic.

“Why? What have you done?” She tilted her head at him, a questioning look on her face.

“We’ll never be far from each other as long as you wear it. Think of it as a wedding gift, wife.” He kissed the top of her head. After a moment, he gently raised her chin with his index finger and looked into her eyes. “I don’t want to leave you but I must. Will my lady give me a favor before I go off into battle?”

She took the violet ribbon from her hair. “You are my champion,” she said. “Take this with you into battle. Let it help you vanquish all foes.” She tied it around his right biceps. “And may it help you think of me while you’re away,” she added more seriously.

He kissed her deeply. “Aye, you are a witch, woman, and have taken a hold on me,” he said to her playfully. He took her hand and they went out to the courtyard.

“Take care of him, Logan,” she called to her brother-in-law.

“I will.” Logan smiled at the newlyweds.

“Stay inside the Manor walls, Beka. I don’t like leaving for so long. Be wary. You can trust in Jeannie, Marcus and Victor.”

“Arik, please don’t worry. We’ll all be safe. Do the warding quickly and come back…to me.” She gave him one last kiss before he mounted Spirit.

A week had gone by since Arik and Logan left the Manor. A variety of activities filled Rebeka’s days. She and Aubrey spent most of the time in the library translating Leticia’s diaries. Skylar, on the other hand, spent most of her time on the terrace speaking to Robert, or at the training field to be near Robert, or well, just about anywhere with Robert.

The evenings were the most difficult. Jeannie had moved Rebeka’s things into Arik’s room, but the first few nights, she found it difficult to sleep. When she looked around the room, she saw him. When she brought the covers up close to her nose, she smelled cinnamon and cloves. On the third night, with her eyes closed she decided to meditate to center her thoughts and quiet herself. She relaxed, took deep cleansing breaths and stilled her thoughts. All her thoughts were easily set aside, all except those of Arik. She unconsciously touched the amulet. In her mind’s eye she conjured up Arik. He lay asleep on the ground shrouded in a glimmering mist. The soft glow of his runes seeped through his shirt. Everything else around him lay in shadow.

“Beka? Is all well?”
He sat up quickly, instantly awake.

“Yes. Everything is fine.”
She was so surprised she almost lost her concentration.

“Ah, so you are a witch, woman.”
He chuckled.
“How did you know to call me?”

“I don’t know. I was trying to clear my mind, to meditate, but couldn’t let the thought of you go. I touched the amulet and I saw you sleeping. Am I actually speaking to you?”

“Yes, Beka. We’re not really speaking. We can hear each other’s thoughts. It has to do with your amulet. I told you it would keep you close to me. I’m glad you found me. I haven’t had a good argument since I left the Manor.”
He laughed.
“Tell me, how are you and what is happening at home?”

Home. Yes, it is home. They exchanged news. Arik stretched out on the ground and looked up at the stars, his hands clasped behind his head.
“Beka, we’ve accomplished much. I’ve told Logan where you came from. And Doward joined us for a day on his way to the Manor. He looked relieved we’re resetting the wards.”

Rebeka laid on her bed, her eyes closed, nestled in the pillows.
“We’re busy here. All these weeks I’ve been traipsing to the meadow for herbs, but there’s a perfectly good garden behind the kitchen. Katherine wouldn’t let anyone near it. Tomorrow we’ll remove all the weeds and dead plants, turn the soil and plant fresh herbs.”

“Good, but be careful. It gets late. Sleep well, wife.”
He placed a kiss on her neck.

“Arik, did you kiss me?”
Her eyes flew open and she sat up, her hand touching the spot.

“Yes, Beka.”
He chuckled.

“You’ve done that before,”
she whispered. She thought back to her first visit to the Grand Gallery with George.
“Teach me how to kiss you,”
she said to him with a laugh in her voice.

“You’ll have to wait to find out. I’m not ready to give all my secrets to my witch wife.”
He kissed her again.

Rebeka waited for the boys to light the pyre of garden debris. A picture of the August festival bonfire flashed in her mind. She looked at the man standing with the torch and for a moment thought him one of Marcus’ soldiers. Clearing her head of the festival, she looked again and realized it was the boy, Luke. He stood taller than she remembered and his developing forearm muscles were more prominent holding the torch.

“Rebeka, we’re ready to start.”

His rich voice startled her. When had his voice changed? When had he grown? She had only been here four months. He was still looking at her for the signal. When he smiled, she saw the impish boy.

She gave him a nod. “You can start,” she said.

Luke touched the torch to the pile of dry leaves and branches, sending a plume of smoke into the air. The flames began to lick out and soon totally engulfed the pyre. The crackling whisper of the burning debris with the acrid smell of the smoke looked like a peaceful New England autumn day. She sighed at the thought. The fire quickly burned out leaving only ashes. The boys worked hard and turned the rich healthy soil.

She and Jeannie inspected the newly turned garden. She bent down and looked at the fresh soil, rubbed some dirt between her index and thumb, and inhaled the rich earthy smell. The herbs would do well here.

“This must be what she was trying to hide.” Jeannie stood near a blackened stone planted deep in the ground.

“Do you think it’s a warding stone?” asked Skylar, bending down to look at the stone. “Why would she burn Mother’s things on top of it?”

“She may have wanted to destroy your mother’s diaries. Perhaps she was concerned there was damaging evidence in them. Or she may have wanted to destroy the inscription with the intense heat.”

“It’s outside the pattern,” said Rebeka.

“Maybe this stone has a special significance,” said Jeannie.

“The stone’s intact. It’s only barely cracked but I can’t see an inscription.” Moving toward the stone, Rebeka felt a tingling down her back. “I’ll get my supplies and make a rubbing.”

The finished rubbing appeared to be a series of runes and lines. No one could understand what it said.

“Arik and Logan will be back soon enough. I’m certain they’ll be able to read this,” said Rebeka. Jeannie’s idea nagged at her. What could it control? She examined the rubbing in her hand and was able to make out several incongruent characters. “How strange,” she said aloud. “These runes are different than all the others.”

Rebeka concentrated on the garden stone. She examined the inscription with a magnifying glass and copied the runes. Being precise, she lined up copies of all the runes and compared them. Each one had the same anomaly. The ward stones struck by lightning had one altered rune. Someone changed the
duir
rune to the
huath
rune by removing one stroke. She sat back and pinched the bridge of her nose trying to reduce the strain, the copy of the garden stone in her hand.

“Rebeka, I think I found something important. It’s a section in Mother’s journal about protecting the land.”

Rebeka dropped the document and bent over Aubrey’s shoulder.

“I can read some of this. Let me check my notes.” She sat down next to Aubrey and picked up her journal. Her eyes focused in deep concentration while she jotted down notes as she read. “Leticia says she’s been given information.” Putting the book down, she stared in disbelief. “She says the wards must be altered to continue to protect the family here at the Manor and at Autumn Chase. She worked out the formulas with someone but she didn’t say whom. Ach, this is frustrating.” She waved her hand. “We’re so close.” She searched through Leticia’s journal for more information. “She worked out the formulas with someone and seems to have given them something. This is the part I can’t make out—someone must alter the wards. I’ve looked at a few pages but she never says who directed her, taught her or actually made the alterations.”

“Maybe it was Cousin Katherine. She couldn’t do it all herself but maybe she told Mother and made Mother help figure it all out. Or she could have taken something of Mother’s and changed the wards.” Aubrey’s face was white with fear.

“Aubrey, you have an active imagination.” But inside, Rebeka was troubled. The child was bright and she was on to something. The picture of Katherine searching the bodies in her vision struck her. “Enough imagining for right now. Jeannie’s called us to eat. Let’s not keep everyone waiting.”

Her mind still mulled the issues over when she sat down at the table. The runes diverted the energy from the land and Leticia siphoned it off to someone else, leaving the land and Leticia both dead. Who did it and why? There must be a key. Something was missing or this was all a set up for something else.

“Rebeka, you haven’t heard a word we said,” said Skylar.

“Oh, sorry, I was still thinking about the wards.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Arik will be fine. No one would dare harm him.”

Rebeka stared at Skylar. If only she knew. Someone very much wanted to harm him and the rest of his family. Smiling she agreed with Skylar and ate, not tasting any of the meal.

“Rebeka.”

Rebeka knelt in Leticia’s garden eager to start replanting. “Drago. Is that you?” She hadn’t seen him arrive.

He stood well hidden in the doorway to the garden workroom. “Come quickly, m’lady, Mistress Skylar is on the road outside the Manor. I tried to stop her but she wouldn’t hear of it. She said she was going to Oak Meadow.”

She immediately registered the danger.
Why would Skylar do such a thing?
A chill raced up her spine sending a shiver that settled between her shoulders. She felt his eyes focused on her although she definitely got the feeling he was anxious to be away.

“How did she leave? The gates are locked and no one is allowed off the Manor grounds.”

“She slipped out when the gates opened and the men left for the fields. Come quickly, m’lady,” he implored. “She has a good start. I’m certain you can get her to come back inside the wall without anyone ever knowing she was gone.”

Rebeka stood riveted to the spot, her vision of the family in danger dancing in front of her. Her heart pounded as bits and pieces of the vision returned along with the feeling of helplessness. She pushed the feeling aside and grabbed her staff. She looked around at the empty courtyard. There had been so much activity before, but now no one was about. She returned her attention to Drago. “Let me get Marcus.”

He stepped into the garden, his face ashen. “I have sent for Marcus already.” Still she hesitated. But the vision of the men pouring into the cottage with weapons drawn, approaching the girls, returned. She would not stand by helplessly.

“This way, m’lady, quickly. We can overtake her. I have two horses ready.” She followed Drago.

As they approached the gate, two wagons, one of supplies, the other Doward’s, started to enter. In the midst of the gate, the wheel came off the supply wagon causing it to crash into Doward’s. The contents of both wagons spewed over the road, blocking the gate from closing. Horses nervously shied and reared. Every able-bodied man took action to clear the area and close the gate quickly.

Drago and Rebeka took advantage of the diversion and slipped out unnoticed.

“Logan, I can finish this ward. We’ll be able to get back in time for the evening meal if you go ahead to the ward on the other side of Oak Meadow and set the formulas.”

“I’ll leave right away and have everything waiting for you.” He packed his things and arranged them on his horse. “I’ll ride across the meadow, it’s the fastest way. I must tell you, I’m looking forward to a good meal and a comfortable bed. Maybe tomorrow I’ll visit Autumn Chase to see how Nyx is doing.”

“Nyx? You mean Holly.” Arik laughed.

“Your good fortune and that sappy smile have me wondering.” Logan mounted his horse and turned to face his brother. “Now that I have you settled, it’s time I think of other things.”

“You have me settled? And what exactly did you do?” Arik asked.

Logan laughed. “To hearth and home, brother.”

“To hearth and home,” answered Arik.

He finished the warding and was preparing to meet Logan when he sensed her presence.

“Beka, what is it?”

“Something’s not right, Arik.”
She told him what had happened and that she was at Oak Meadow.
“But Skylar is nowhere in sight.”

“Stay where you are. I don’t like the sound of this. It has all the signs of a carefully laid trap.”

“Arik, there is someone lying in the meadow. Come quickly.”
She broke the connection.

Without hesitating, Arik swung his pouch onto the saddle, leaped onto Spirit and rode hard.

In the distance he saw Marcus with his troops and Doward. In a burst of speed, Arik arrived at the road as the column of men neatly fell in behind. He didn’t stop.

Marcus drew up next to him. “It’s Rebeka. She’s in trouble. We’re following her tracks as quickly as we can.”

“She’s at Oak Meadow.” Arik took over command and set a pounding pace. They raced to Oak Meadow. He raced to Rebeka.