Rowena Through the Wall: Expanded Edition (17 page)

I didn't know whether to cheer for the man with ale on his face or the other one, so I yelled like I was at a WWF match. Beside me, Rhys hollered too.

It was all great fun, except for one thing. I couldn't raise my arm to cheer. The shoulder of my gown had slipped dangerously low and the whole bodice would be down to my waist before long.

I wondered how Kendra was faring.

When I spotted my wayward student, Logan had her in a firm hold, out of the way. He seemed prepared to run if things got rough.

"Okay, that's enough," Sargon said when he returned. Standing behind me, he gathered me in his arms, which was a good thing as I was having trouble staying upright.

"Well, my wanton bride, are you prepared to do your wifely duty?"

I leaned back against his chest and sighed. The drink would make this easier, I hoped.

"Not too much ale, I hope," he said. "I want you wide awake for me. Up you come." He lifted me in his arms as easily as he would a child. "Thane, take care of the celebration."

This time I couldn't meet Thane's gaze.

Sargon carried me out of the room. Raucous cheering followed us down the corridor.

Two candles burned in our bedroom. Sargon must have lit them before returning to the hall.

He set me down by the bed and closed the door.

The rest of the world went away.

With rough hands, Sargon unlaced my dress.

"Don't rip it," I pleaded.

Slowing, he slipped my gown over my head.

I crawled onto the bed, stretching out on my back.

Sargon undressed with haste. I couldn't see his scars in the dim candlelight, just the illumination of his strong body.

Think like a scientist, I willed myself. You are conducting an experiment. Play the part and all will be well.

I reached up with one arm.

"Impatient, aren't you?" he murmured, holding my hand down. "We'll start when I'm ready. I am the king."

He leaned over and kissed me. A light kiss on the mouth, sweet and unexpected. Then he kissed my chin, my neck. His mouth traveled down my body, his lips caressing each breast, my tummy and down further. Then lower still…

I gasped.

"Alright," he growled. "I'm ready."

His body moved over mine. I tried to meet his mouth. There was no small movement this time, no gentle rocking to start, but a hard, determined surge. I was breathless. I rolled beneath him, fighting the vortex that sucked us down into a burning fire.

In blinding color, I saw myself through his eyes―the brightness that he saw, the beauty that left him breathless, a carnal beauty, not untouchable. I saw the relentless loneliness break free, the pure joy released within his soul. I swam to it, joining him
, breathing in his air, living in his mind.

His mind.

Dear God, I was in his mind. How could that be? I had one special talent and one only. I could see into the minds of
animals
, not men.

Like the flick of a remote control, the vision was gone.

I hardly noticed when he stopped moving.

"Good God, wife."

Panting, he rolled to one side, but kept his hand cupped on my breast. We lay like that for several moments.

"My wife," he whispered. "My love."

He took me twice more that night, once in the middle and once more at dawn. I guess that made me his in the most traditional laws of the land.

But my mind was absorbed with other things.

Awake in the dark, I relived the visions I had seen, the terror there and the pure animal power.

Sargon slept soundly beside me.

Finally, I slept.

The sun was high when I awoke the following morning. Sargon was dressed and seated on the bed. He stared at me and I tried to smile. Taking my hands, he eased me into his arms.

"It is the most amazing thing," he said. "I understand what the world is all about now. Why we live. Why we breathe. And why we fight. It is not a game. It is as though God has cleared my mind and given me this tremendous wisdom."

His black eyes glowed. "I understand why Huel came willingly to meet his death. I know for certain that Norland will come south to fight me. You are worth it. Our children will be worth it. Nothing else matters."

Sunlight streamed through the window.

Like a Roman god, Sargon stood with his back to the light.

"I must go now," he said. "There are things I must do. Wait dinner for me."

He strode out the doorway.

Chapter 19

When Kendra came to wake me, it was midday. She bounced in and settled at the end of the bed.

"Well?" she said, grinning. "Still in bed, I see. That was quite a night, huh? Spill it!"

How good could I act? We were about to find out.

I rose up on one elbow. "Kendra, you're my student. I shouldn't be telling you gory details of my love life."

Her mouth turned down in disappointment.

I winked at her and she clapped her hands in delight.

"I knew it, Row! I knew you had a hot night. Everyone's talking about it."

"Oh no! What are they saying?" I shot up in bed, forgetting the sheet.

"Man, you really are stacked, aren't you? Lucky king."

I hit her with the pillow.

"Okay." She let out a snort. "They're saying he was at you all night and he can't keep his eyes open now. They say he is walking two feet off the ground. They say if you want something from him, go today 'cause he's in such a good mood."

"Nuts." I held my head. "This is embarrassing. How am I going to face everybody?"

"You'll face them with me. I am your cousin after all. And you really should see Gramps. He's waiting anxiously for you."

So Kendra was calling Grandfather "Gramps" now? I wonder what he thought of that.

"You're right," I said, sliding out of bed. "Hand me the rose dress over there."

"Shouldn't you wear fancier outfits now that you're queen?"

I nearly choked. "Kendra, don't ever call me that. I can't get my head around it. Besides, it scares me half to death."

She swung her feet off the side of the bed. "Gramps has already told me how to behave. I don't have to curtsey because you're my cousin, but I need to nod my head in public."

"That's crazy. Absolutely insane."

"I don't mind. After all, you are a lot older than me."

I reached for the pillow again and she squealed.

"But to answer your question, Kendra, you wear a day dress during the day and the fancy ones for dinner. We don't have that many good ones. This one is my favorite."

My wedding dress. How many women g
et to wear their wedding dress again?

"It
is
pretty," she said. "That U neckline suits you and the ruffle is cute. I always feel stupid in ruffles."

"Nonsense, sweetie." I ran the brush through my hair several times. "Okay, I'm ready. Oh―just a sec."

I gra
bbed a package from the pink leather backpack.

We dashed through the corridors. Eyes were on us, but I tried not to think about it. At one point, Kendra grabbed my hand to keep me focused.

Grandfather wasn't in his room, so I deposited the parcel on the table by the window. Looking out, I saw him in the center courtyard, enjoying the sun.

"Grandfather!" I waved.

"Wait there," he called, smiling. "I'll be right there."

It was a sweet reunion.

He held me close and I melted into him. Then he moved away and stared at me. "You are well, child? You have been treated well?" His dear face was stressed with concern.

"Yes, Grandfather. I'm content." I faked a contented smile.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he sighed. "I swear the two of you will be my death. I worry every moment now. It is so much easier with sons."

"Oh, that reminds me." I picked up the parcel that I had placed on the table. "I have something for you. A present." I handed it to him.

It was a framed photo, taken about ten years ago. I was a teenager with long auburn hair. A woman with shoulder length hair the same color stood behind me, her arms around me. My mother. We were both smiling widely.

I heard Grandfather's sharp intake of air.

"It's mom," I said. "Taken right before she died. See how similar we are?"

Tears welled in his eyes. "What is this image? How did you get this?"

"It's a photo, a true image taken right on the spot. It's something we can do in my land. And I brought it with me when I went back for my medicine bag. I wanted to give it to you."

He could not take his eyes from the photo. After a while, he kissed my forehead. "This is the best thing ever given to me."

Kendra stood on tiptoes, trying to see. "You really are alike."

Grandfather put his arms around both of us. "My two lovely girls."

In the afternoon, Kendra and I kept busy in the kitchen. It was situated at the back of the castle in a separate building for fire reasons. Smart. If the kitchen caught fire, it wouldn't burn the whole castle down.

There was a spacious open fireplace
and a large stone oven. Herbs and spices dried on hanging strings. Shelves of preserves lined the walls. Ralph, the kitchen mutt, sprawled on the floor, happily panting. He liked the company―especially the treats we dropped.

Logan arrived. "They said you
were here. I couldn't imagine why."

"I'm checking supplies." I smiled. "To see if I could bake a cake."

"A cake?"

"I'm a really good cook," I insisted. "And Kendra can cook too."

His brows scrunched. "But we have a cook."

"I don't mean I can cook like George."

George glanced up from the pot he was stirring. He was a big, sturdy fellow with no hair and a jolly disposition.

"I bake sweet things," I said. "For special. Like fruit pies and sweet cakes."

"And George doesn't mind us here," Kendra said. "He likes us."

There was no question that George liked Kendra. He beamed at her like a benevolent uncle.

Logan looked from me to Kendra and back again. She giggled, and that brought him back to his mission.

"Sargon wants you," he said to me. "In the chamber library."

I left them with George and hurried to the library.

Sargon sat at the table with Thane and Rhys.

I peeked at Thane. He smiled, then looked away.

"Rowena," Sargon said. "You remember the three options that you suggested not two days ago? I've thought of a fourth and I'd like you to hear it."

He leaned back in the chair and linked his hands behind his neck. I shivered, remembering those hands.

"Not another test," I said warily.

He laughed. "Not at all, Lady. I truly want your opinion. I'm thinking to announce a tournament."

"A tournament?" I turned that over in my mind. "You mean with jousting and archery?"

"Yes," Thane said. "We used to have them here each year, before the wars. Men would come from every land to test their skills against each other."

"I thought it might diffuse some tension," Sargon said, "and provide distraction. Men like to win in competition. And they like others watching when they win, especially women. We have two here now."

I sighed. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

"Ha! Exactly."

"She does have a way of seeing clear to the heart of a matter," Thane agreed.

"When?" I asked.

"A fortnight hence," Sargon said. "Enough time to allow for travel. And soon enough to offer a distraction from our present difficulties."

Anything was better than war, in my mind.

"You hope to force alliances," I guessed. "Forge some and pry apart others. A tournament is gutsy. They will be mighty curious and I bet the northern men would welcome it. But it is dangerous, Sire. They could turn on you within your gates."

The wolf grinned. "I'll be ready if they do."

Chapter 20

Next morning at early light, the courtyard was already bustling. Without electric power, the people in this world took advantage of every single minute of daylight. They rose with the sun and worked until the light was gone.

I went to the stables.

"Good morning, Avery," I said to the groom.

He brightened when he saw me. "Good morning, m'lady." He bowed deeply, which was a struggle for his back.

"Avery, please. A nod is sufficient when the king isn't around. I feel rather silly about it actually. We don't bow and curtsey where I come from. Not even for kings."