Unicorn Bait (11 page)

“It's probably for the best that it stays,” she said softly.

He rose from his chair and stepped over to her. She looked at him calmly. “Close your eyes, Naomi.” She stiffened at the request then she saw the blindfold dangling from his hand. She grimaced and did as she was told. He tied the blindfold across her eyes securely.

“Swivel your chair toward me.” Goosebumps were already rising on her arms. She carefully turned her chair toward him. His hands settled on top of hers on her lap. His breathe brushed her forehead. “Lift your face.” She tilted her head back. His lips grazed her cheeks, her nose, and her chin with soft touches.

She breathed shallowly through her mouth under the gentle kisses. His mouth slanted over hers and gained access easily. She gave into the kiss. He certainly kissed her like he liked girls. She was ashamed at the feeling of relief that caused her. His sexuality should not matter to her. The fact was it would be better if he were gay. There would be no chance of her tempting him then. He pulled on her arms to get her to stand. She rose without breaking the kiss. He began backing her to her bed. He switched her wrists to one hand and wrapped his other around her to hold her close. Any lingering thoughts of Tavik being gay swiftly were blasted away by the bulge she felt against her hip.

“Gods, you make me do dangerous things,” he murmured against her mouth.

“Why is this dangerous?” she whispered back. His answer was another kiss and another step back toward the bed.

She took another blind step back as he kissed her and felt something furry tangle with her feet. She faltered to try and get clear of it, but Tavik had already taken a step for them. She lost her balance and began to fall. In the back of her mind, a voice cried, ‘Timber!’ She landed on her back without her arms to offer any buffer, and then a second impact as Tavik landed on top of her, squashing her. 

She groaned in pain and tried to shift him off her. “Goddamnit, Kitty!” Her hand went to remove the blindfold so she could glare at Agatha, but Tavik's hand intercepted hers and jerked it away from her face.

“This is why it's dangerous,” he said.

“What is the big deal? Why can’t anyone see your face? Are you terribly scarred, disfigured, what? It doesn’t matter!”

“It does matter. I'm sorry.” Holding her hands immobile, he leaned forward and gave her a lingering kiss, but it wasn’t a kiss to ignite passions but a kiss of farewell. He rose to his feet and was gone. She waited a moment and heard the door to her chamber close. She reached up and snatched off the blindfold. Agatha crouched under the bed glaring at her. She glared back just as hard.

“What is the big idea, are you trying to kill me?”

“And I want to know what you were trying to do? We need him to stay pure.”

“Are you sure Mr. Squibbles was right because he certainly doesn’t act like a virgin.”

“I’m sure.”

“Well, maybe there’s another virgin in the castle. Have you considered that? Maybe we should expand our options.”

“Why, so you can remove Tavik as an option?”

She blew out a breath in aggravation. She rose up and went to her window to look down onto the courtyard. Maids beat carpets. A blacksmith toiled with a hammer on a piece of hot metal. Children chased chickens. Everyone was going about doing normal, mundane things while she argued with her talking cat and plotted how to kidnap her virgin husband. She wanted to beat rugs.

Agatha leapt up to the windowsill. “I doubt we have much time before Tavik returns to his troops and escapes our grasp,” the witch said. Absently, Naomi stroked the feline’s head.

“What do you suppose we should do?”

“Our best option is to drug him. We can carry him down through the secret passage and be long gone before anyone knows anything.”

“They've placed a guard on the horses due to Mr. Squibbles’ little theatrics the other night.”

“That will make things a little more difficult, but we will be able to get around it.”

“And how do you suggest we drug Tavik?”

“Surely, he would accept a drink with his wife?”

“I wouldn’t count on it.”

“Enough of this gloominess. We must stay confident. We will succeed.” She walked away from the window.

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we’re a team of a mouse, a cat, and a captive woman. What will we succeed except total and utter failure?”

“That’s the spirit,” grumbled a squeaky voice. Naomi looked at their new arrival.

“Do you have any bright ideas? How about we throw a net over him and conk him on the head?”

“Do you still want to get a unicorn or not?” Mr. Squibbles asked.

Naomi dropped her head but nodded.

“We need Tavik, then.”

“Isn’t there another virgin we could get? Maybe instead of kidnapping someone, we could just ask them to help us?”

The mouse shook his head. “The only other virgins in this castle are children. Do you want to take a child?”

“You know that he’s the worst person to take. He’s not only the most dangerous, but a lot of men will come looking for him. How can we be sure we’ll make it to a unicorn before they catch up with us?”

The cat stood up on her back legs and placed her forepaws on Naomi’s knees to look up into her face with large unwavering eyes. “You have such little faith. I am a powerful witch; capable of many things that would surprise you. I bet you are capable of a few things that would surprise you as well. We will succeed. How may not be apparent at the moment, but we will accomplish this because we are capable, determined, and just a bit crazy.”

She felt a little better. Agatha was an amazing woman. She was sure she could do lots of things that would astound her, and Agatha was more than willing to help her. If she couldn’t have much confidence in herself, she should at least have some in her new friends.

“I’m sorry. I do believe you, and I’m grateful for all the help you've given me. I wouldn’t have a chance without both of you.”

Agatha and Mr. Squibbles nodded accepting her apology. “So what do you have in mind really?” Naomi asked.

Agatha opened her mouth to reply, but her head whipped to the door. Yula cracked the door open and peered in. Naomi groaned.

“Milady, who is in here with you?” she asked tentatively.

Hoping Yula hadn't heard anyone but her, she chuckled thinly and indicated Agatha. “Just the cat. I know it’s silly, but I just started talking to her and couldn’t stop.”

Yula pushed the door open and slipped in. She looked around the room. “I thought I heard other voices.”

She laughed again. “I may have been answering myself with a pretend voice. I’m not crazy. I swear.”

Yula didn't look convinced that she was not actually talking to someone else, but the only other being in the room was the cat. Mr. Squibbles had run back under the bed as soon as they became aware of her.

“Was Lord Tavik here?” she asked.

She rolled her eyes when she nodded. “Yes, his grand lordship graced me with his presence.”

Yula smirked at her but didn't comment. She took the seat left behind by Tavik. She continued to grin at her until she began to wonder what she found so amusing. Her comment hadn't been that droll. She waited for her to let her in on the joke, but Yula’s smile only widened into a Cheshire cat smile.

“All right, I give up. What’s so funny?”

“You seem to be missing a ribbon.”

She looked down, and saw that the ribbon that laced up the front of her dress was gone. She hadn't noticed Tavik tugging it off during their lip lock. She looked around the room and saw Agatha playing with it near the bed. When she bent down to pick it up, she whispered, “You could have told me.”

Agatha merely reached up and batted at the dangling ends. She snorted at her behavior. She returned to her seat and began threading the ribbon back into her dress. Yula’s eyes still danced in amusement.

“I have no idea how this happened,” she muttered. Yula chuckled at her expense.

There was a tap at the door. Yula went to see who it was. A maid stood there. She spoke softly to Yula for a few moments. “Milady, Lord Tavik requests your company for dinner tonight.”

“Who'll be dining with us?” she asked.

“It’s to be a private dinner in his chamber.”

Agatha immediately went to the door and meowed to be let out. Naomi assumed she was going to consult with Mr. Squibbles and create a plan to kidnap Tavik. She hoped the two would remember that she would most likely be tied up for the meal and unable to slip something into his food, and Tavik would probably notice a cat or a mouse trying to get at his cup or plate.

Chapter 10

Taking a unicorn’s horn won’t kill it, but he’ll die before letting you have it.

Yula pulled the brush through her hair and quietly said two hundred. Naomi thought fifty strokes had been more than enough, but Yula had paid no attention to her opinion. She was more excited about the private dinner than her. Naomi tried to dampen her zeal, but Yula was having none of it. She kept muttering things like how nice holding a baby again would be. Needless to say, Yula’s excitement was freaking her out. When she saw her reach for the perfume bottle again, she jumped up from the vanity.

“I don’t need anymore perfume! The cooks can probably smell me from the kitchen while chopping onions!”

Yula wielded the perfume bottle expertly out of her reach and still managed to dab the pestle in Naomi’s cleavage before she could stop her. “We want you to smell nice everywhere,” she countered, but she put the perfume down. She picked up the hairbrush again. Naomi began backing away with her hand protecting the back of her head.

“Get away from me, Yula. You’ve gone bonkers.”

“Just a few more strokes, milady. We want you to look your best for Lord Tavik, don’t we?” She tried to dart behind her with the brush, but Naomi skipped back and stepped on the bed to get away from her.

“No, we do not! I looked perfectly fine for Tavik an hour ago!”  She felt quite ridiculous delivering this protest standing on the bed, but she was not going near that woman until she put down the hairbrush.

“At least put on a little more jewelry. I think Lord Tavik especially liked that ruby pendent. He stared at it quite a bit at the banquet.”

“Are you sure it was the pendent he was staring at?” She knew the pendent had rested in her cleavage.

“Well, we should at least give him an excuse to look there,” Yula said coyly.

Naomi stomped her foot in frustration and toppled forward when the bed bounced. Her hair fell across her face, and she felt the combs that were holding it shift out of place.

“See, this is what you get for being obstinate,” Yula scolded. Naomi muttered curses to herself as she rolled off the bed and let her put her hair back to rights. Tavik better come get her soon because the evening would probably be ruined if she killed Yula.

She sat still as Yula rearranged her hair. The older woman had a serene look on her face. “You really care about him, don’t you?” she said.

Yula stopped brushing her hair and looked at her through the mirror. “No, I don’t. The fact is I often hate him.”

“You do? But you look after him. Take care of him.”

“It’s what I have to do to stay close to him.”

“Why?”

She began brushing her hair again. “Because I’m more likely to find my sons if I’m with him.”

Naomi felt a jolt. She hadn’t ever suspected that Yula had a family. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t asked. Maybe she was more a ‘lady’ than she thought, since she hadn't wondered about something so important to another person.

“What happened?”

“Lord Tavik’s men go to the towns and enlist the young men. It’s either enlistment or pay for exemption. We were too poor to pay the exemption fee. They were swept up into the army three years ago. I couldn’t follow them. The soldiers wouldn’t let me. I finally latched onto a camp and became one of the cooks. I asked everyone about my sons, but no one knew them. When I was offered the job of cooking for Tavik, I took it. He visits all of the camps. I’m sure to find my sons someday. I pray that they are alive and well.”

Naomi looked down at her hands. She remembered her request to keep Yula with her. She hadn’t known how selfish her request had been. “So you want to go back with Tavik when he leaves.”

“I don’t know, milady. I enjoy being with you, but I want to find my sons, and I can’t do that if I stay here. Don’t worry about this now. It’s time to go.”

She escorted her to Tavik’s room. When she raised her hand to knock, Naomi caught it and turned to face her. “I’m going to help you find your sons. You will see them again.”

She smiled at her, but it was a touch sad. “That’s kind of you, but don’t trouble yourself with my problems. Have a lovely dinner with your husband.”

“How can you say that? He took your family. Don’t you want him punished?”

“The gods will punish him for any crimes he has committed. Remember he is your husband. You can’t trouble yourself with these things.”

“So I shouldn’t care that I’m married to a war monger?”

“You’re his wife. You can’t look at him that way.”

“He is what he is, Yula.”

“Yes, he’s your husband. He is the man that controls your fate. Don’t go against him. Be his wife. He seems to care for you. Don’t give him a reason to stop.”

Yula reached past her and knocked on the door. Tavik called to enter. Yula opened the door and her hand on Naomi’s back propelled her in. Naomi had to clench her jaw to keep from protesting her forced entrance. 

Dinner was already set. Tavik stood by the fireplace waiting. He was dressed in a long shirt and soft pants. She looked around the candlelit room. Effort had been made to make the room look softer and romantic. The draped cloth, the flower garlands, the scented candles were appealing, but she also found all the preparations somewhat sardonic, after all she wouldn’t be able to enjoy them behind a blindfold. “This looks lovely. What's the special occasion?”

He pushed off the mantle and walked over to the table. He held out a chair for her. “Can’t a husband think dining with his wife is special enough?”

She slipped into the seat and put her hands in her lap. With relief, she saw the glint of yellow eyes from under the bed. She smiled demurely and reached for her wine glass. Be polite, be cordial, maybe even flirt a little, she instructed herself. She didn’t know what the plan was, but those actions would surely help it go smoothly. She still clenched her jaw when the blindfold appeared. After he tied it, his fingers trailed over her hair. They swept forward and brushed her neck and under her jaw.  She swallowed nervously.

He leaned down to whisper into her ear, “What were you looking for when you came to my room?” Shivers went down her spine, but they weren’t good shivers.

She leaned away from him to try to maintain her composure. “You,” she said.

“But I wasn’t here.”

“I know.” Her mouth was dry. She reached blindly out for her goblet and knocked it over. She felt the wine spill onto the lap of her dress.

“Let me,” he said. She stilled as his hand brushed over her lap. His breath tickled her neck. It was going to be like lunch all over again. There was a low growl, and Agatha knocked his hand away by jumping into her lap.

“I didn’t know she was in here,” he said in surprise. Naomi petted her shakily. The cat meowed petulantly. She could just imagine the scolding look she was receiving from the feline.

“She likes to follow me everywhere.”

“She's a fine looking cat.” Agatha hissed, and he jerked back.

“Who doesn't seem to like me at the moment.”

She grabbed her to hold her still. “Did she hurt you?” Agatha let out a low growl.

“It’s nothing.” She smirked and shook her head.

“What?”

“We certainly are a pair. Just can’t seem to keep our hands off each other.”

He leaned into the back of her chair and stroked her shoulders. Agatha growled louder. Her hold on the cat tightened. He chuckled. “She acts like your chaperone who is very displeased with me.”

“I wouldn’t say she’s my chaperone,” she said, thinking of whose purity they needed to keep intact.

“Maybe she is your familiar, and you cast a spell on me.”

“I’m not a witch.”

“How can I be sure?”

She rolled her eyes from behind the blindfold.

He warmed to the idea. “Yes, maybe you cast a spell that makes me want to do things that would be very bad for me.” His hands flexed on her shoulders.

“Yes, this is all part of my diabolical plan. While I was tied up that first night, I cast a spell, which I strengthened while being chased by Umbreks. Yula is my second-in-command. Mrs. Boon and Geoff are my allies as well.”

He chuckled. “And what is the goal of your diabolical plan?”

“To corner the market on lederhosen, of course.”

Tavik guffawed. She smiled thinly. He moved his hand to the back of her neck and turned her head toward him. She could feel his breath on her lips. Agatha began clawing her.

“What’s for dinner?” she asked. She winced at how breathy her voice was. 

She felt him shift, and his arm extend from around her to lift off the tops of the platters. The smell of warm food hit her salivary glands, and her mouth watered.

“Lamb, potatoes, green beans, and stuffed mushrooms appear to be our menu. What would you like?” She tilted her head down. She really didn’t want to be fed like a baby, especially without ocular input to help with the judging of distance, mouth opening, and general expectation of what she was eating before she tasted it.

“What’s wrong?” he murmured, and if he were going to reach over her shoulder to feed her, she was going to get food all over her dress to go with the wine. She was sure of it.

“I would rather feed myself,” she said.

“You will have trouble.”

“Not if I’m not blindfolded.”

He sighed. “You don't want to do this.”

“The first time was fun and kind of kinky, but this is no way to eat day-to-day. It’s demeaning. I can feed myself just fine without blindfolds and ropes.”

She felt him leave her back. She listened to him move and sit on the other side of the table. “You can remove the blindfold.” With Tavik out of her immediate vicinity, Agatha jumped down from her lap.

She reached up behind her head and untied the blindfold. When she lowered it from her face, she saw him sitting across from her with the mask firmly in place. If she were to eat, he would not. A piece of lamb and some vegetables were already on her plate. She picked up her utensils self consciously. He was likely going to watch her the entire time. Having someone watch her and not eat, always made her feel self conscious like her table manners were being scrutinized, and she felt guilty that she was eating and the other person wasn't, but this was what she'd asked for. If she didn't eat, he would likely replace her blindfold so he could partake, and her stomach would grumble, and she would be grumpy. She preferred self-conscious and guilty to grumpy. She cut into the lamb and ate a bite. He sat silently across from her, inscrutable in his mask. He had one hand resting on its side on the table in a loose fist while the other rested on his hip, bent in a relaxed position. She hoped he didn't start toying with his wineglass or utensils because the guilt would really kick-in then. She slanted her eyes to the bed to seek out Agatha or Mr. Squibbles as she chewed. She wondered what their plan was and if she were to play a part.

He noticed the direction of her eyes. “Dear Calax, I should have chosen a different room.” She stopped chewing in surprise.

“No, this is fine,” she protested around her food. She dabbed her lips to make sure she didn't have any sauce on her mouth. “I thought I saw something moving under your bed earlier. I was just checking to see if it was still there.” 

Now he turned to look underneath his bed. She wished she'd come up with a better story, but talking about his bed made her extremely nervous. “Was it the cat?” He got up and crept over to the bed. He crouched down and looked underneath.

“No, I’m sure it was my imagination,” she lied.

“We have had a problem with mice lately. Mrs. Boon was telling me that they had been causing havoc in the kitchen. She has never seen rodents with such ingenuity. It’s like they've grown smarter.”

She inwardly groaned. Mr. Squibbles had been getting industrious while foraging and maybe had even unionized his brethren. The idea of mice going on strike with little placards gave her a moment of amusement, which was shattered when Tavik lunged beneath the bed and grabbed something.

Agatha let out a yowl and lunged at his crouched form. She planted all four claws in his back. He shouted and shot up. In his closed hand, a pair of whiskers peeked out. His hand reflexively clenched. She heard the crunch of many small bones. He dropped the mouse from his hand. It landed with a lifeless thump. She felt sick.

“Oh my God, you killed him.”

He wasn’t paying attention to her. He was trying to reach around and pull Agatha off his back but couldn’t reach her. He was going around in circles with the cat just out of his grasp.

“Get your damn cat off of me!”

She approached him, but she didn’t grab her. She began slapping him on his arms and shoulders. “You killed him!”

“Naomi, what are you doing? Stop it!” He grabbed her by the arms and shook her. “What is the matter with you? Get the cat!” She could just make out Agatha’s eyes from over his shoulder. They were filled with rage. He hissed as feline claws ripped into his back.

“Don’t you get it? You killed him!”

“So? It was just a mouse!”

So? Just a mouse? Was? She didn’t know which part angered her more, but each certainly did anger her. She struggled to free her arms and kicked at his legs. He didn’t seem so much hurt by the attack as extremely aggravated by it. Agatha was hurting him. Drops of blood had appeared on the floor.