Love's Call (12 page)

He’d yet to choose a man in charge of the castle men-at-arms. Jorrin hadn’t pressured him, but perhaps they needed to speak of candidates. He and the personal guard couldn’t pull double duty forever.

Young
seemed to be a common trend at Castle Aldern, but Leargan didn’t mind. They were shapeable, trainable, and proving to be loyal and competent. Sometimes experience wasn’t everything.

Lucan and Brodic walked ahead of him, whispering excitedly to each other.

“Goodnight, sir.” Brodic whirled and bowed deeply, his blond locks falling into his eyes.

Leargan couldn’t help but smile.

Young
was refreshing. Made him remember his own training days, and how good it felt to learn; have a purpose.

The lad had been his, first as page, then squire, since the tender age of eight. He idolized Leargan. Most of the time that wasn’t hard to live up to, it made him want to be a better man, a better knight. Although, Leargan was only three and twenty, Brodic looked to him like a father, more than anything.

“Goodnight, lad.” He ruffled Brodic’s fair hair and winked. “Goodnight, Sir Lucan.”

The other lad beamed and Leargan chuckled, inclining his head as Lucan returned his gesture.

“Good job tonight. You both did excellent. I’ve some news I haven’t shared with anyone just yet, but you will have another joining your lessons with Roduch.”

Both young men watched him, waiting for Leargan to continue.

“I know you’re both familiar with the stable boy, Alaric.”

“Aye, sir.” Brodic nodded. “He’s our friend.”

“Good. Sir Niall will take him to squire. He’ll start tomorrow, or today, depending on how you look at it.”

Lucan whooped and Brodic grinned.

“I’m glad you’re both excited for him. However, he’ll have an advantage over you lads.”

Brodic and Lucan froze, shoulder to shoulder and stared Leargan down.

He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. “Relax. I only mean he’s been able to sleep all night and you two only have about four hours until morning meal.”

The lads looked at each other and made a dash for the castle, leaving him chuckling in the courtyard.

Leargan headed toward the servants’ entrance through the kitchens instead of the main doors to Castle Aldern like the lads. He always did a final round of the castle innards before climbing into bed. It made him feel more secure.

A familiar voice made him pause.

Ansley.

What the hell was she doing awake, let alone outside at this time of night?

Leargan’s stomach fluttered.

“Ali, come on! Why do I have to be with you?”

He relaxed a tad at the annoyance in her voice. So nothing was
wrong.
Her bondmate was just demanding her attention.

The wolf heard his steps.

His eyes met her yellow ones when he’d rounded the corner.

She crouched, with her ears pitched forward. A low growl sounded.

Leargan tensed, tempted to draw his sword. Ali was about to rush and pounce.

“Ali?” Ansley’s voice held alarm.

“Only me. Leargan.” He put palm out flat.

Aye, like that would help. Just gives her something to sink her teeth into first.

The she-wolf didn’t pause, and his heartbeat kicked up.

Was she going to attack?

“Ali, stop!” Ansley came around the corner with wide teal eyes.

The beast froze.

Leargan flexed his grip on the hilt of his sword, his pulse thundering in his ears. His temples throbbed. He cleared his throat when his gaze met Ansley’s, but he didn’t want to take his eyes off her bondmate.

“I’m so sorry, Leargan.”

At least she’d finally dropped the
Sir.

Ansley slid in front of the beast.

Ali made a noise in her throat, but her mistress ignored her.

“It’s fine. She’s protecting you. Her job.”

“She overreacts. We’re within the castle gates, there’s nothing to fear. You’re in charge here, we’re safe.”

Pride at the compliment rolled over him, and Leargan smiled. “Thank you. I appreciate your faith in me.”

She smiled, and his heart flipped. “I mean every word.”

Gorgeous.

He needed a distraction; Leargan burned to snatch her up and kiss her.

The area was lit by a magic orb attached to the castle wall. Lucan had installed the lights all over the Castle—inside and out. They sensed light and dark, only coming to life when necessary.

Their magic wore off every few months, and the mage would have to cast his spell again. The lad was getting stronger, and so was the power of the lights. Lasting longer.

Leargan inclined his head. “I’d ask what you’re doing up, but you’ve a finicky bondmate?”

Ansley came closer, the large she-wolf at her side. Her hand was buried in the fur at the back of the beast’s neck.

The gesture was something he’d witnessed often since her arrival. Evidently the immediate way for Ansley to calm her wolf.

“Aye. She insisted I come outside with her. Not sure why, she’s already been hunting with Trik and Isair. I was up anyway, with Cera and Aimil in the Duchess Solar. Avril stayed for a while, too. Until Sir Roduch collected her.”

“Ah. Glad she’s relaxing and making some friends.”

Her shoulders loosened when Ali’s did. Ansley’s wolf leaned into her thigh. “She kind of clings to me. I don’t mind. But I’ve told her Cera and Aimil want to be her friends, too. Since they’re noble, my guess is she thinks of them differently than me.”

The thin material of her shirt clung to her body, and Leargan tried not to stare.

She wore no jerkin, just a soft tan tunic untucked from her brown breeches and hanging mid-thigh. Her braid looked hastily made and messy, quite the opposite of normal. Strands escaped, red locks dancing around her face, and he itched to touch her.

“You’re wellborn.” He forced words out, clearing his throat.

“Right. But no title. I think it helps her.”

“You found her.”

“That, too.” Ansley nodded. “But you found her, too.”

“You’re female. She won’t let any male near her except Roduch.”

“Sir Roduch is a good man. If she can move passed all that happened to her, he’d be good for her.”

Leargan nodded. He didn’t want to talk about his friend and the girl. He wanted to kiss Ansley. He planted his fists at his sides, chided himself to focus on her words. Discussing someone else was for the better.

They were supposed to meet in the morning.

He needed time to gather his thoughts.

Apologize.

Why’d she agreed to speak privately?

Alone.

Even if he mustered the guts to apologize, how could he keep his hands to himself? The struggle was on right now. They were outside. Contained in a room? It wouldn’t’ be good for his self-control.

Jorrin had advised telling her about the scroll. Could he? Perhaps propose?

Right. She’d think you’re crazy.

Ali growled and darted after something in the shadow the light cast.

Ansley groaned and it made his cock twitch. Her gaze was locked in the direction of her wolf.

“I’m tired. I’m about to leave her out here.”

“One of the guards will let her back in. The night watch often has to keep an eye out for Trikser and Isair.”

“I’ve thought-sent my threat; we’ll see.” She smiled.

Leargan met those teal eyes and smiled back. “All right. I’ll escort you to your chambers.”

Nodding, she jumped when he looped his arm in hers. But she didn’t pull away.

His heart sped up again. It was
right
to have her at his side. “Ansley,” he croaked.

“Aye, Leargan?”

He cleared his throat. “When we get back to your rooms, may I speak to you tonight instead of tomorrow?”

No.

Wait ‘til tomorrow when you’re calm. When you know what the hell you’ll say.

The blush that lit her cheeks made his mouth go dry.

He needed to kiss her more than he needed to breathe.

Please say no.

He’d never be able to keep his hands to himself, if she allowed him into her chambers. Maybe they
should
wait for Ali. At least the beast’s distaste for him would help. Fear of remaining in one piece would give him something to focus on other than the memory of her taste.

“Aye.”

Leargan was doomed.

****

Ansley’s heart raced as her pace matched his. Even though he had no interest in her, it wasn’t proper to see Leargan in her chambers.

So why had she agreed when he’d asked to escort her?

She should’ve been asleep hours ago, anyway. Instead, Ansley, Cera, Avril and Aimil had gone to the Duchess Solar to lounge around a cozy fire, settled into overstuffed chairs and wrapped in warm furs.

Sir Roduch had come to get a sleepy Avril several hours after supper.

The three of them remained, talking as they hadn’t since they’d been young girls bunking together at Rider Barracks.

All three of their wolves had joined them, napping near the fire until the need to hunt had Aimil letting the small pack out.

Ansley concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other, trying not to be too obvious as she glanced down. It’d be just like her to trip and fall on her face in front of him. Heat crept up her neck.

Leargan’s words at evening meal tickled her mind. What could he possibly want to talk about that required them being alone?

They should’ve kept their appointment for the morning.

Privacy could have meant the great hall after breaking their fast, a sitting room, the Duchess Solar, a ledger room…any place without a bed.

The thought jolted her, and she jumped beside him, inadvertently tugging his arm.

Leargan paused, shooting her a concerned look. “Are you all right?”

“Aye.” Ansley looked away, her cheeks burning. She’d embarrass herself for sure.

Ali had taken her threat to leave her out in the dark alone seriously. Her bondmate dashed in front of them, stopping by the servants’ entrance and glanced over her shoulder. She grumbled mentally to Ansley, unhappy feelings washing over her. The wolf didn’t like Leargan’s hand on her.

She ignored her bond, and they went inside, Ali plastered to her thigh. Ansley chided her because Ali was making walking difficult, but the wolf wouldn’t break physical contact.

Leargan said nothing when they arrived at her room. He gestured for her to enter, following and closing the door.

The lack of sound was like her pulse, pounding in her ears. Ansley jumped.

Her bondmate immediately lay by the banked fire, claiming the hearth. The big she-wolf looked at the captain, her deep growl reverberating.

“Hush,” Ansley admonished, glancing at the man who’d stolen her heart.

His shoulders were stiff, his chest rose as if he’d taken a breath.

Ali wuffed, her thoughts a small argument, but Ansley reinforced her command mentally, softening it with love, and her bond whined, thumping her tail.

Never hurt him, Ali. I love him, as I love you,
she thought-sent.

Lowering her head to her paws, Ali’s body relaxed.

One corner of Ansley’s mouth lifted as she watched yellow eyes slip closed, and her wolf gave a large sigh.

After Ali had dragged her all over the gardens and courtyard, it figured her wolf would be the exhausted one.

Leargan shifted on his feet.

Panic washed over her. She’d not guarded her thought-send.

Could he communicate mentally?

Had he heard her?

“I’m sorry.” Words tumbled out of her mouth. “She’s rather possessive of me. She even growls at my da once in a while, so she’s not singling you out. If that makes you feel better.”

“I don’t blame her.” His gaze was intense, and Ansley couldn’t look away.

What does
that
mean?

Her heart stuttered. “Do you—” she cleared her throat. “Do you want to have a seat?” Ansley gestured to the small table and two chairs by the fireplace, but Leargan’s dark eyes hadn’t moved.

Her body heated, limbs tingled.

The captain wasn’t looking at her like someone with
no
romantic interest.

Calm down, clear your head of nonsense and get this over with.

She pulled out a chair and winced at the screech it made on the stone floor. “Anyway, Ali won’t hurt you. I’d never let her, so you don’t have to worry about it.”
Babbling?
Really? Ansley swallowed hard, chiding herself.

“I’m not afraid.” Leargan’s voice made her freeze. He hovered near the door. “I’ve been living with Isair and Trikser for almost a turn.”

“She won’t hurt you,” Ansley repeated, forcing herself to relax her hands and shoulders.

“I realize that,” Leargan said. He came toward her, every step making her heart pound harder.

Ali made a noise in her throat and Ansley sucked in a breath.

She needed to calm herself before wild emotions affected her bondmate.

When Ansley glanced over her shoulder, Ali lifted her head, studying them both. She commanded her mentally to stay put.

“What…what did…you want to talk to me about?”

Leargan took a seat, pulling her chair closer to his and gesturing for her to join him. He cleared his throat right after her bottom hit the cushion, wringing his hands together.

Should she feel better or worse that he was nervous, too?

Ansley shifted, grasping the chair arms. His knees were close enough to touch hers, and she could feel the heat coming off his body.

“I wanted to explain myself to you. The other day, in the corridor—”

“You don’t have to. It’s fine.” Ansley spoke quickly, shaking her head. She didn’t want to hear it. Her chest ached. Couldn’t take the hurt and humiliation of his rejection again, even in privacy.

“No…please. I’ve some things I need to say to you,” Leargan said softly, meeting her eyes.

Ansley blinked away sudden tears, averting her gaze.

Ali whined, and they both looked in the wolf’s direction, but neither said anything, and her bond made no moves. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”

“Ansley.” He rose from the chair, pulling her to her feet and into his arms.

She yelped, but Leargan tugged her closer, and her arms shot around him of their own accord.