Ria Cantrell - Celtic Storm 03 (35 page)

~Chapter Forty-Two~

Erik felt Rhianna beginning to wake up. He was curled around her holding her as she sidled closer to his warmth. His hand gently stroked over one breast languidly and he heard her moan quietly in her sleep. They had completely overslept, but he supposed they would be indulged since it was the night after their wedding. He wondered if the revelers would be pounding on the door first thing in the morning, but so far, they were left in peace. He nibbled against her ear and he heard her giggle softly. So, the little minx was awake after all. Sliding his hand over her hip, he whispered, “Good morning wife.”

She turned in his arms and smiled into his face. Rising up on her arms, she kissed him fully on his mouth and answered, “Good morning, husband. I trust you slept peacefully.”

“Who slept, Vixen? I could scarcely rest before you had your way with me again and again.”

She stretched seductively and she said, “And I was hoping to again before we break our fast.”

“Insatiable wench,” he said playfully. He kissed down her middle, gently circling her navel with tender nips. She sat up, then, and faced him. Her hand rested against her belly and she said, “Erik, Andarra foretold that I would beget a child on our wedding night. Do you think we managed to.…?”

He flashed her that disarming grin she had suddenly grown to love so much. “I would say we gave it a good try. If you are not carrying my babe this day, you soon will be.”

She kissed him and said, “Would that please you?”

“Of course; I want my home filled with babes.”

Then with a wink, he said, “And I shall enjoy the process of getting you with child every time, I think.”

Then more seriously, Rhianna said, “Erik, I was not a maid last eve. Do you think that when they come for the sheets….”

“Shhhh, I will take care of it. You were a maid when you first came to me. I considered you my mate from that moment.”

“What do you mean you will take care of it?”

Erik rose and stooped at the trunk containing his belongings which had been moved to Rhianna’s room the prior day. He pulled out a sheet that bore evidence of her forfeited virginity. There was a small smear of dried blood on the sheet, so Erik took his jeweled dagger and nicked his finger. He rubbed it into the existing spot. Rhianna’s eyes widened as Erik dabbed the blood from his finger onto the sheet. He held it up so that Rhianna could see his handiwork. “There, it is done. No one will question your virtue.”

Rhianna was overwhelmed at his sense of protective honor and his romantic nature that would cause him to keep the bedding they shared that first night together. She had not even realized that he had taken it. It was such a sweet thing for him to do. Rhianna left their bed and met him near his trunk. Holding the sheet to her heart, she leaned up to kiss him. “Thank you,” she said.

He brushed her hair from her cheek and he said, “I never would cause you dishonor, my love.”

“I know. You have ever defended me and protected me. I love you, Erik Ragnorsen.”

He kissed her deeply and he said, “And I love you, Rhianna Ragnorsen. Now, let’s make Andarra’s prophesy come true, shall we?”

Rhianna was about to happily agree, for his sweet gesture filled her with awakening desire, when there was finally the expected knock on their chamber door.  Rhianna scrambled back into bed and pulled the covers up to her neck. Erik pulled on his trews and opened the door, finding two maids carrying pails of steaming water for them to bathe with. Another maid carried a tray of food to break their fast. No one asked for the sheet, so Erik put it carefully back in with his things in case it would be requested later. He suspected that it was known that he had been sharing Rhianna’s bed, so there was no sheeting ritual going to come.

He and Rhianna helped each other bathe, enjoying just touching one another. In truth, both were a bit tired from their night of pleasure and love so after they had bathed, they dressed and decided to leave their bridal bed, at least for a little while.

~~~~~

The wedding celebration lasted throughout the week. Finally the merrymakers left to return to their homes and they all settled in to prepare for the final harvest. The fields had been bountiful in their yield. Every hand was needed, including those of the new brides and grooms, so as life settled in to the norm, all had a sense of prosperity. There were harvest celebrations as well and as the feasts of Samhain and All Saints Eve approached, the joy seemed to carry for those who celebrated either of the two or both holidays. After a long week reaping the fruits of the spring plantings, the keep was once again host to celebratory feasts, coupled with dancing. It seemed that the wedding joy had carried through nearly a full moon tide because of it.

It was on such a night when the fires had been lit to signal Samhain, when Rhianna felt more than a little tired. She was glad that Erik had not questioned her allowance of the Old Feast along with the Christian one. Her people were a mix of both and as long as no one minded, the tradition at du Montefort was to combine both feasts into a shared one. Rhianna and Andarra felt the call of the Old Ways as much as the Christian ones. She had long believed that there was room for both. Only this night, she had a nagging ache in her back and she felt as if she had not slept in days. She begged her apologies and made her way to bed. Erik eyed her worriedly and called for Andarra to tend to his lady. Andarra had come in from the bonfires early. Her old bones felt the cold quicker these days, so she was happy to bring some hot mulled cider up and sit a while with Rhianna.

When she arrived at Rhianna’s door, instead of finding her abed, Andarra found her young mistress standing and warming herself by the fire. Andarra let herself into the room and handed Rhianna a mug full of the steaming brew. She was fairly beaming with joy and she said, “Andarra, I do believe I am with child.”

“Aye, it has been foretold,” she said cautiously.

“I cannot wait to tell Erik.”

Andarra felt the trickle of foreboding seeping into her skin. She wanted to warn her precious girl again to never doubt Erik’s love, but instead she said, “Do you feel unwell?”

“Nay. Just tired.”

“Then, come. Let me help you to bed.”

“I am too excited to sleep.”

“You need your rest, Rhianna. Indulge an old woman’s fancy and let me tuck you in like I used to.”

Rhianna took a gulp of her cider and after they had finished their drinks, she changed into a nightrail and climbed into her bed. She patted it for Andarra to sit beside her and she said, “It is almost Samhain, Andarra. Read my palm for me.”

Andarra sighed. She was happy that Rhianna kept the Old traditions in her heart, but she knew that this night was not the night to tell fortunes. She knew that no good would come of it and there was no point in worrying Rhianna needlessly. Instead she said, “Not tonight, love. I am very weary. It has been a long harvest and I am not as young as I used to be.”

Andarra took a brush into her gnarled hands and she stroked the bristles through Rhianna’s long hair, like she used to so many nights when Rhianna was but a girl. She said, “Are you happy, Sweet?”

“So happy, Andarra. You were right. I love Erik more than I could have ever dreamed.”

The old woman smiled and she said, “Good. I am glad. He is a fine man. T’is what I wanted for you always, my wee lassie. Now get some sleep. You can tell Erik in the morning.”

With a kiss to Rhianna’s forehead like she was still a small child, Andarra tucked the covers about her and left her to sleep. She nearly collided with Erik in the hallway and he asked, “Is she alright?”

“Aye, lad. She is just tired from all that has passed amid these walls of late. She is already asleep.”

With a sly wink Andarra added, “Do not wake her, lad. Wait until morning to…you know…love her.”

“Andarra, I am not ruled by my manhood. If my wife is tired, by all means I shall let her sleep.”

Andarra smiled and patted his hand. She said, “There’s a good lad.”

Erik kissed her papery cheek and went to join his wife for the night.

~Chapter Forty-Three~

Erik was up bright and early the next day, even before Rhianna was awake. He went to train with his sword in the lists and was working up quite a sweat despite the chill of the day. He was not aware that messengers had arrived from the king, but as he made his way to the hall, he saw the king’s banner and the new arrivals speaking to Randall. Janelle and Rhianna were standing beside him and all faces looked grim. Erik strode up to Rhianna’s side and he said, “What is amiss, my love?”

One of the king’s messengers handed him a missive with the royal wax seal intact. “Sir Ragnorsen, by order of the king, we bid you read his message.”

Rhianna watched Erik as he opened the missive and scanned its contents. She hoped he was not being pressed into service. She did not wish him to be in battle now that she had news of her own to tell him.

A look of annoyance filtered into his eyes and his brows drew together in consternation. Something was amiss, Rhianna was quite certain of it. The two men waiting for Erik to finish reading the decree eyed him. Finally one spoke up and said, “What is your answer to His Majesty?”

Erik looked over at Rhianna and said, “I need a moment to talk to my wife, first.”

“Wife? But the king has decreed.…”

“I know what the king has decreed. Rhianna and I have wed nearly one moon past. I need to speak to her first.”

Rhianna looked alarmed. This sounded serious. She went to Erik, but he seemed distant. It was almost as if he could not meet her eyes. Taking her hand, they walked out of earshot of the others assembled in the great hall.

“What is it, Erik? Something is very wrong.”

“Yes, but I am certain I can fix it. It is just a misunderstanding, I am sure.”

“Tell me.”

Erik looked down at his boots, struggling to find the words to tell Rhianna what was in the king’s missive. Rhianna was not one to wait idly when news sat within the parchment Erik held. She plucked it from his hand and took it to read while Erik decided the words to say to her. “Rhi, don’t…Let me explain.…”

You are hereby commanded to not wed the Mistress of du Montefort Keep. Since it has become clear that you neither want the match nor wish to obey my original decree, We release you from this duty. We have learned that the actual heir of du Montefort has returned and you are no longer needed to take the holdings in hand. Your services are required for a much more urgent matter.

We affirm, do not marry Lady du Montefort. The treaty between Scotland and England depends upon it. We shall have you wed to forge the peace with Scotland. The daughter of a powerful Scottish laird has been granted to seal the agreement. You are to return to Court immediately so that your betrothal and the banns may be posted.

-By my hand this 9
th
day of the tenth month, in the year of our Lord 1361 - Rex Veritas, Edward III

Rhianna looked at Erik with confusion, hurt plainly evident in her gaze. “I do not understand. You asked the king to release you from your marriage to me?”

“Yes, but it was before I fell in love with you.”

“I did not want to marry you, either, Erik, but I did not petition the king to release me from my duty.”

“No, you set your archers upon me in welcome if I recall.”

“That is entirely beside the point. When did you petition the king to release you?”

Erik swallowed what suddenly felt like a lump of lead. “Rhi…it was when it seemed we could not come to an amiable union. You know, when we were fighting constantly. I had been particularly frustrated and disheartened that we could come to an amenable truce and I sent the missive, not really thinking the king would even give it a thought.”

“So it
was
after you met me?”

“Yes, but.…”

“I see. And if you did not think the king would give it merit, why even send it in the first place? Was I that horrible a prospect to marry? I thought--I thought that we….”

Rhianna felt tears prickling behind her eyes and she slapped the missive back into Erik’s hand. Gathering her skirts in her fists, she hurried away from him and ran out into the bailey. Erik tried to follow her, dropping the letter to the cold stone floor. He had never seen such a look of hurt on Rhianna’s face and he hoped to never see it again. He had to stop her. She was upset and he did not want her to be hurt. He called after her as she ran through the main hall to the outer bailey. She made it into the stables but she turned, casting her glare filled with ire and pain toward him. There were tears clinging to her long black lashes; tears that refused to fall. She said, “No! Don’t come any closer to me Erik! You have seen the king’s decree. He has released you from having to marry me and I release you, as well!”

“Rhi, please, you are upset, you do not mean it.”

“For once, Erik Ragnorsen, do not think to tell me what I mean or do not mean.”

She mounted her horse, barebacked and clung to his mane in a mad attempt to put distance between Erik and herself. With a nod of his head, Erik motioned for Drew to follow her. It would do him no good if he were to try to reason with her now. He knew that Drew had a way with her and she usually listened to him when she had time to cool her temper. Erik knew he would be unable to say the words that Drew was so good at saying. It would only fuel her temper if he were to try to appease her now.