Destiny of the Heart (Viking Destiny) (33 page)

Derrick sat across from Scott and waited for the
explosion he was sure was coming. Oliver and Charlie had
been called and were standing there, surprised to see Tristan
was finally home. Oliver stepped forward and gave Tristan a
bear hug, he was so glad to see him. Charlie hung back. His
sad expression morphed into one of guilt, and he was awfully
quiet. Tristan looked at Charlie when Oliver finally released
him. He understood Charlie's reaction and held out his hand
for his brother to shake. Charlie grinned.

"Bloody hell, mate. Never was." Tristan responded,
surprised that Charlie had thought Tristan hated him.
Charlie clasped his brother's hand and pulled him in for
a bear hug equal to Oliver's. Tristan grunted, but laughed.
"Well, it's about bloody time you got yourself home."
Scott said in all seriousness.
Oliver and Charlie looked at him as if he'd gone daft,
but Derrick knew the two of them had been communicating
since Tristan had been gone. Derrick suspected that Scott had
told him to come home on more than one occasion, and
Tristan was just being stubborn.
"Wouldn't have left in the first place if someone wasn't
so bloody pig-headed."
Scott stood up and walked around the desk. He didn't
care that Tristan had just insulted him, it was good to see him.
"Yes, yes I'm a horse's ass. Can we get on with it?"
Scott held his arms open for a hug himself.
Tristan's lips twitched. He knew Scott was sorry for
kicking him out, and Scott really wasn't to blame. Tristan had
gone too far, and it was Scott's duty to protect the whole
family. So, Tristan conceded, albeit with ill grace, and snorted
as he hugged his brother.
"'Bout time you admitted it, indeed it is." Tristan said as
he embraced his brother.
"Hang on, what've we missed?" Oliver asked, confused.
Derrick looked at Scott, wondering how much he would
tell Oliver since Oliver was the only one who didn't know the
whole story. Scott flicked his eyes to Derrick and Derrick lifted
a brow. Either Scott could tell him, or Derrick and Tristan
would. There had been too many secrets between them, and
that had to stop.
Scott sighed. "Very well, it seems if I don't tell you
someone else will. Have a seat everyone. We need to talk."
Everyone sat as Scott told the story of why Tristan was
banished, and that he had contacted Tristan shortly after the
decision to rescind it and requested Tristan come home.
Tristan had refused, still angry and blaming Scott, but they
began a correspondence and exchanged information. It was
Tristan who had first informed Scott of Derrick's nocturnal
affairs, at which point Derrick threw a lamp at Tristan's head,
and Scott continued by telling everyone that he and Tristan
had conspired to involve Kristen by adding a cease and desist
clause to her marriage contract.
Tristan filled in the blanks there by adding that Kristen
flat out refused to add something like that to her contract
because she had no wish to make Derrick unhappy. Derrick
smiled sadly. His little Viking was quite endearing. Once the
story was told, Derrick glanced at Oliver to see his reaction,
and he almost laughed. Oliver was the unflappable brother.
Nothing ever got to him, and he was happy to go with the flow
whenever possible. But, just now, he was staring daggers at
Scott.
"Unbelievable. You all kept this from me?" He looked
accusingly at Derrick.
Derrick raised his hands. "Don't look at me, dear
brother, I was in the dark until recently myself."
Oliver frowned and looked at Charlie. "What the hell,
Charlie?"
"It wasn't my decision, Oliver. I wanted to tell you both."
Charlie said quickly.
"The blame is with me. I made the decision for Tristan
to leave, and I chose to keep it from you and Derrick." Scott
interrupted before Oliver exploded.
"Well, you're a bloody idiot." Oliver huffed.
Everyone looked at Oliver in surprise. He was not the
type to outright disrespect his brothers, especially Scott. He
was more the type to charm them out of whatever pique they
found themselves in. Even when the girl he was set to marry
broke his heart, he was still willing to believe there was
someone else better for him. He was so positive all the time
that an outburst like that was definitely a shock to them all.
"What? Don't look at me like that." Oliver said. "There
were any number of ways to cover that up that didn't involve
sending Tristan away. That simply made him look guilty. And,
you shouldn't have put the burden of secrecy on Charlie,
either. All you've managed to do with your meddling is drive a
wedge between us all when a solid front against the ton would
have been the better option. We are weak apart, you know
that. It is better that we are all together on an issue, and we
can't be that when you keep us in the dark. We are no longer
children, Scott. It's high time you stopped treating us as such."
The silence in the room following Oliver's speech was
deafening. Derrick was proud of Oliver for speaking up, and
grinned ear to ear. He glanced around the room, and the rest
of his brothers had similar reactions. Oliver had given voice to
complaints they'd had for years, and it felt amazing to have it
out in the open. Scott, on the other hand, looked taken aback.
Scott looked at his four brothers in surprise. There
weren't many issues that united them in agreement, but in this,
they were agreed. Scott supposed he had been trying to
protect them their whole lives. He raised them after their
parents died and he supposed he never left the father role in
favor of the brother role. He cleared his throat.
"Everything I've done, I've done for the four of you. I
may not have made the best choices, but I only did what I
thought was right. I realize that none of you are children, but
my greatest fear is being awoken in the middle of the night
with the message that one of you is dead, just like our parents.
It is not a pleasant thing to live with. But, I'm sorry."
Tristan cleared his throat. "Bloody hell, it's getting too
emotional in here. Let's skip the touchy-feely nonsense and
get down to business. I think we're all in favor of forgiving each
other, right?" He glanced around the room as each brother
nodded in turn. "Excellent. Moving on."
Scott laughed. Leave it to Tristan to be uncomfortable
with discussion of any kind. "Very well, let's discuss Kristen's
disappearance. How the devil did you two make it back if both
of your ships were destroyed and Derrick's crew was killed?"
"We had a small stroke of luck. Guy Atchkinson was
sailing back from America and was planning to stop by
Tristan's island to let the crew stretch their legs a bit. When he
saw the smoke, he came ashore himself and found us. We
sailed back to England straight away."
"Where is Guy now?" Scott asked.
"With his wife." Derrick answered.
"Well, he would make a very good ally in this, being the
king's ambassador and all."
"He's already offered to speak to the king."
Scott nodded. "And what is your plan, then?"
"I have to find her, Scott. My guess is they took her to
Norway, so I'll sail there and tear the entire country apart if I
have to."
"But, you have no plan?"
"No."
Scott sighed. He wanted to help Derrick, he did. But, he
didn't think it was a good idea to go head first into a situation
they knew nothing about. "Derrick - "
"Don't bother. I'm aware of the risks I'm taking, and
you'll just have to accept them. If it were Nicole you would do
the same."
Derrick had a point there, Scott reasoned. But, still. It
wasn't in Scott's nature to just let this happen. He pinched the
bridge of his nose as he thought.
"I'll make this easy for you, Scott. I'm going, whether
you like it or not." Derrick stood up and strode to the door. "My
ship leaves in two hours, so I must be off."
"Wait!" Oliver cried. "I'm coming with you."
"Me too." Added Tristan.
"Now just a minu - "
"We just discussed this." Oliver said pointedly.
Scott swallowed his objection. Oliver was right. They
were adults and they could do as they pleased. Besides, he
would want all of them to help him if it were Nicole.
"Very well. Just watch your backs, if you please." Scott
grouched. He understood, but he still didn't have to like it.
Derrick nodded solemnly from the door, and then left.
Oliver and Tristan were close behind.
Chapter 36

Kristen was escorted to the palace throne room by the
guards who had been with her since the docks. As they
approached the double doors leading into the throne room,
Finn tightened his grip on her arm.

"When we get inside, bow when I bow. Don't speak
until you're spoken to, and watch your tone. The king is easily
offended and will order you to your death. Do you
understand?"

There was a note of pleading in his voice that Kristen
frowned at. She still had no idea what was intended for her,
but word of her arrival had spread quickly. There were hushed
whispers as she and her guards passed through the court.
But, Kristen would not cower before a false king, no matter
how much Finn begged her.

"I cannot make that promise, Finn. I'm sorry." She held
her head up high.
On the one hand, Finn was certainly proud. She was
everything he hoped his daughter would be. On the other, he
thought her a fool.
"You are making a mistake. It would be better for you to
go along with his majesty's wishes."
"I will hear him out, but I promise nothing beyond that."
Finn frowned. She certainly had her mother's
stubbornness. They reached the doors to the throne room and
the guards standing at attention threw them open, admitting
the party. Kristen immediately looked around for any and all
threats and exits. There were the double doors behind her,
some windows, and the doors at the back of the thrones which
no doubt lead to the royal chambers. But, there were also
enough Viking guards to make Kristen rethink her plans of
escape.
They approached the dais and Kristen noted there was
a king and queen, as well as a prince, looking regal upon their
stolen thrones. On the one hand, if they hadn't done what they
had, she might not have met Derrick. On the other, her mother
and grandfather would still be alive and she would know her
father. She still couldn't bring herself to feel any sort of respect
for them.
Several feet from the dais, Finn stopped and dropped
to one knee, bowing his head. All of the other guards did the
same. Kristen stood tall, her spine erect and her chin high.
She would not be cowed by the likes of them. The king and
queen chuckled their amusement, but the prince frowned. He
and Kristen stared at each other for several seconds before he
turned away and looked at his father.
"You cannot be seriously considering a marriage
between me and her, father. She is rather plain. And
insubordinate." The prince yawned in boredom.
Kristen lifted a brow but didn't say anything. She
studied them carefully, taking in anything about them that
would help her. The king was advancing in age, so it made
sense that he wanted to marry his son off and ensure his
bloodline continued. But, there was a dangerous power just
below the surface that promised trouble for Kristen if she didn't
cooperate. The queen was a simpering fool. She married the
king because of his ambitions to be king, and his plan to
execute those ambitions. She had nothing of value to offer
beyond her looks. But, she was rather handsome, even in her
older years.
But, when Kristen's eyes came back to the prince, she
was surprised. Before she had seen someone who had
destroyed her family, but that was the father, not the son. In
the son she saw compassion. There was more going on there
than met the eye, and she briefly wondered if perhaps she
might have an ally in the prince. He was handsome enough,
she supposed. He was tall and broad, like most of the men
there, and his blonde hair flowed in soft waves to just below
his shoulders. His blue eyes were vibrant, and could easily be
seen from across the room, and there was stubble on his
cheeks and chin that made him look rugged and charming.
If Kristen hadn't met Derrick first, she could have easily
said the prince was one of the most handsome men she had
ever laid eyes on. But, in her mind, he didn't compare to
Derrick. Still, something about him told her not to dismiss him
completely.
"Son, I'm sure you can handle a little willfulness.
Besides, marrying her will ensure your rule continues
unquestioned."
Kristen's eyes returned to the king. She kept her face
neutral, though she truly wanted to leap across the room and
scratch his eyes out, and she stared at him with the same
intensity she had given the prince. The king laughed again.
"She certainly has no fear. Finn, rise and report."
Finn and his men stood up, and Finn recounted the
details of their journey. Kristen remained quiet and still, waiting
to see what they would do with her. After Finn finished his
report, the king nodded and scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"She's a bit willful, so perhaps a week in the dungeon
will teach her to be more appreciative of her good fortune."
The king rose from his throne and walked down the steps
toward her.
He was perhaps twice as large as his son, and he wore
a heavy mantle and helmet that indicated he was a warrior. He
was battle-hardened, and years in the sun had made him tan
and leathery looking, though he looked fit all the same. But,
his eyes were a stormy gray that weren't the least bit friendly.
Despite his outward cheery demeanor, Kristen could feel the
waves of loathing rolling off him the closer he came. Whatever
had transpired between him and her family, it was a matter of
pride. He would show her no kindness if she disobeyed him.
When he reached them, he yanked her chin up to look
him in the eyes. Kristen felt Finn stiffen next to her, but he
stayed where he was. The king's amused appearance
vanished, and the hard king appeared before her. His lips
thinned into a straight line, and his eyes became the color of
steel. He pulled her close and narrowed his eyes.
"Listen well, girl. You're here by my leniency alone. You
will do as I say, or I'll have your head on a platter, just like the
rest of your family."
Kristen felt the rage bubble inside of her. She knew she
would regret her decision, but she didn't care. She spit in the
king's face, then squared her shoulders and faced him
unflinchingly. The king backhanded her, knocking her to the
ground. Finn immediately moved to help her up, but the king
interrupted him.
"Leave her. She should learn the position well, for she
will learn to respect her king."
Kristen grinned a little wolfishly as she got her feet
under her and stood up on her own. Even with her hands
behind her back, she had little difficulty.
"I don't respect a false king whose sense of entitlement
outweighs that which he deserves." She said.
Those in the throne room gasped. Kristen saw the
prince hide the ghost of a smile behind his hands and knew
she was right about him. She didn't know how much help he
would be to her, but she knew he was nothing like his father.
The king's face turned purple with rage and he drew back his
fist and punched her in the mouth. Kristen's head whipped to
the side, and she stumbled into Finn who stood firm to help
her catch her balance, though he didn't raise his hands.
Her teeth scraped the inside of her mouth, and it filled
with blood. She laughed as she stood up and spit on the floor.
The punch had hurt, but she wouldn't tell him that. She looked
him dead in the eyes.
"You hit like a girl."
The king blinked. The room was so silent you could
hear a pin drop, until he snarled and punched her again, this
time knocking her unconscious.
"Take her to the dungeon." He spat as he walked back
to his throne.
Finn lifted her from the floor and tossed her as gently
as he could over his shoulder. When he turned to leave the
room, he smiled. Kristen had unsettled Sander, and Finn was
beginning to believe the stories from the soothsayers were
more than just stories. They always said a girl would come
with the courage of one thousand men, and she would destroy
the king who does not belong. Naturally, Sander had ordered
all soothsayers be exterminated. Any whisper of prophecy or
visions was considered treason, and the guards were ordered
to kill them immediately. No trial, just death.
But, as Finn turned to look at the king, there was
definitely concern and a little fear branded in the harsh crease
of his brows. Kristen had waltzed in without fear and done
what no one else had been able to do. She didn't know it, but
she had just earned the undying loyalty of about half the king's
guards.
***
Adrian tossed Alice onto his bed and slammed the
door. He went to the windows and drew the curtains, then
returned to the center of the room where an opulent water
fountain sat, still and out of use. Adrian had convinced the
king that the sound of the bubbling water helped him train his
girls, but the truth was that the sound of water made it more
difficult for the guards outside his room to hear what he said.
Adrian turned a knob on the fountain and water bubbled from
the top and poured over the side of a basin, then splashed to
the collection pool below.
Alice watched him carefully, afraid of what would come
next. The king had granted Adrian possession of her, so she
was his to do with as he pleased. He walked toward her
slowly, his face an impenetrable mask. She searched his
eyes, praying that whatever Kristen saw in him would be
there, but she saw nothing. When he sat down next to her,
Alice curled into herself and tried to pull away, but he grabbed
her arm. She expected there to be pain in that touch, but there
was only gentleness.
She looked at him in alarm, wondering what sort of trick
this was, but he remained silent. His black hair and blue eyes
complemented his tanned skin perfectly, and looking at him
without any of their history clouding her judgment, Alice found
she was rather attracted to him. But, she shook herself
mentally. It was dangerous to go down this path again. She
had loved him once and he shattered her heart.
"Alice, you don't know what you do to me." Adrian
whispered.
"I'd like to rip your throat out." She replied coldly.
Adrian smiled sadly. He supposed he deserved that.
She had known nothing but pain and aggression at his hands,
and he didn't know how to begin unraveling that now. If he
could take her away from this place he might have a chance of
making her believe him, but here he still had a role to play.
With his free hand, he reached up and brushed a strand of
hair from her face. It caused him pain to see her flinch away
from his touch, but he had done that to her. She looked at him
suspiciously and the words he prepared failed him. He simply
didn't know what to say.
"Alice - "
"What do you want from me?"
"I want us to start over. Things can be different this
time, I swear it."
"Pretty words for a black heart."
Adrian pulled her to him. She didn't fight him, but she
remained rigid and unyielding. He kissed her forehead and
cheeks softly and ran his hands up and down her stiff arms.
But, she would not soften to him. He sighed and leaned his
forehead against hers.
"What can I do to show you that you mean everything
to me? You always have."
"Then let me go."
"I can't do that."
She hissed and tried to pull away from him, but he held
her firm. "Not for myself, Alice. I swear it. I could endure your
censure if it meant you would be happy and safe. But, if you
leave here, Sander will hunt you. None of you have been safe,
except for as his assassins. I've tried to protect you, can't you
see that?"
"What I see is a man who has shaped me with lies and
cruelty. I am what you made me, Adrian. I will not change now
because you profess to be something different. Why should I
believe you?"
"I knew it would not be easy, but I had hoped the girl
who once loved me was still within you. Can you ever love me
again?"
Alice turned away. For years when she first came to the
palace, she dreamed Adrian would love her as she loved him.
But, he had been cruel and hurtful, deliberately causing her
pain and suffering. It would be foolish to believe his lies now.
He wanted something from her, and she would need to ignore
the longing in her body and pay attention to the truth that her
mind was well aware of when dealing with him. She turned her
head in his direction, her jaw set and lips thinned.
"No. I don't think so, Adrian."
The look of earnest hope faded from his eyes, and his
shoulders slumped forward with the rejection. His mannerisms
seemed so real to Alice that she wanted to cry out and reach
for him, but she stopped herself. She must remember who he
was.
"For what it's worth, I am sorry for the pain I have
caused you. I assure you it has been the hardest thing I've
ever had to do. But, you are safe with me here. Eat, sleep.
We'll speak again tomorrow."
Adrian kissed her hand and left her sitting on the bed.
He closed the door quietly behind him, and Alice stared at it as
if it had grown a tail. She wasn't even sure where to begin.
She was famished, but in her experience, Adrian had drugged
her food to force her compliance. If he were to be believed,
then she had nothing to fear with the food spread out on the
table on the opposite side of the opulent room but, on the
other hand, perhaps she was seeing only what she wanted to
see. It was always best to err on the side of caution where
Adrian was concerned.
Still, as her stomach rumbled, she did need to eat. She
worried over her lower lip as she stood up and walked to the
table where the food was waiting. She glanced at the spread
in awe. It was all of her favorite foods. Breads, cheeses, fruits,
pastries, tea, and duck with creamy potatoes. There was
certainly no way she could eat all of the food herself, but she
suspected that Adrian had intended to share it with her. She
was touched that he should even remember her favorite
foods. They discussed it once when she first came, before she
knew what he was truly like, but that was nearly six years ago.
Alice plucked a grape from the tray it lay upon and
popped it into her mouth. The sweet nectar tasted so good
after weeks of ship gruel that she decided to throw caution to
the wind. She grabbed a plate and piled it high with food, then
poured herself a glass of wine. Perhaps if she were too full to
move, Adrian would not try to force himself on her, which she
was sure was coming. But, in the meantime, all she could
think of was how delicious the food before her was.
Chapter 37