Enchanted Lover (32 page)

***

Glenna struggled to keep up with Osred while he moved
at a relentless pace through the thick woods. “Wait for me,” she called.

“There is no time. Keep up or be left behind,” he
told her.

They moved swiftly down the shortest trail to the
road to Edinburgh. It was narrow and winding, little used except by the masked
riders. Just when this thought entered Glenna's mind three men moved out of the
woods to block the trail ahead.

“Sweet Glenna, do you come to entertain us?” one of
the masked men asked. “It has been long since you shared yerself with any of
us.”

“Get out of the way,” Osred warned. “We are on urgent
business.”

“Perhaps we should hold you until we receive orders
from our benefactor,” the man suggested.

Glenna blanched at the thought. All her dreams of
being the consort of their benefactor had evaporated. He would be seething by
the time he caught up with them and she didn't wish to face his wrath for it
could very well spell death for her and the sour-faced counselor.

“Move aside or deal with his anger when he finds you
have kept us from his mission,” she threatened. “If we are caught by Laird
Jared because of your incompetence, our benefactor will surely end your life.”

The three men hesitated standing their ground. “Let
us pass,” Osred chimed in, his voice squeaking in fear.

“Let's hold them awhile,” one of the men suggested.
“They seem too anxious to be on their way. Mayhaps they have deceived our
benefactor and now seek to flee. One of us should go to the castle to see
what's happened.”

“Fools,” Glenna admonished. “You will die for your
impudence!”

The men chuckled and led Glenna and Osred to a small
clearing where they drew straws to see who would ride to Dunbocan. The lone
rider took off and the other two tied Osred to a tree.

“Glenna, I see no reason to waste this waiting time,”
the taller man chortled, roughly grabbing the front of her dress. “I'll have a
little of yer softness to tide me over.”

“Bloody bastard!” she shouted. “I share myself only
with those of my own choosing.”

“Ah, but Glenna, you choose many. What is one or two
more?” Both of the masked men laughed. “We'll even leave our masks on so you
can pretend we are men of power and wealth.”

Glenna could see they meant to have her one way or
the other. “How about a drink while we decide who goes first?” she suggested,
feeling in her pocket for the vial of poison she had used in Asilinn's milk.

“That's more like it,” the taller man said. He moved
to get some wine from a skin on his horse.

“Let me have it.” She ran her hands down his chest
while she took the wineskin from him. She drank deep, allowing the fiery liquid
to dribble down over the creamy softness of her breasts. “Sit,” she urged. “I
will disrobe before you.”

Turning her back to them, she quickly dumped the
entire vial of poison into the skin, swirling it gently. She whirled around.
“Here, drink while I provide the entertainment.” Seeing them start to drink
from the tainted wineskin, she turned her back to them again easing her dress
off her shoulders to their rude urgings.

“Show us the front!” the taller one demanded. He
grabbed her wrist and jerked her to face them with her tempting display. He
stood up with a lecherous leer and ran the wine over her full breasts, licking
it off with his slimy tongue. The other man erupted into gales of laughter.

“Here,” he offered. “Have some wine.”

He grabbed Glenna's hair, pulled her face around, and
ran a stream of the poison liquid into her mouth. Glenna feigned a choke and
spit some of it out but she knew she had swallowed some of the poison. Her
heart beat wildly with the knowledge.

Osred was no help. He sat tied to the tree quaking in
fear while he watched them torture her with their crude suggestions. Before she
knew it, her dress lay in a heap at her feet as the taller one explored her
ripe flesh with his hands.

His companion watched, cackling with laughter at his
friend's performance. They passed the wineskin back and forth, drinking deeply.
Glenna prayed for the poison to take effect before she was forced to copulate
with this rabble, but luck wasn't with her.

The taller man, now completely aroused, shoved her to
the ground and entered her roughly, riding her to his climax while she
struggled beneath him.

It was like some garish nightmare. Neither of them
had removed their masks. They drank the wine through the slit which allowed
them to talk. The first one rolled away, sated for now, but the second was down
on all fours, eager to take his place. She just lay there and took it,
powerless to prevent the assault on her body.

The shorter man was more abusive, striking her
several times across the face when he prepared to mount her. When she gave out
a shrill cry, he slapped her so hard she lost consciousness for a few seconds.
She woke for his release deep within her.

The second man rolled off her into the grass where
the other man sat. They were both beginning to feel the effects of the drug.
Glenna tried to rise, pulling herself upright. Her body was quivering
uncontrollably. Every inch of her felt bruised and her lip had already begun to
swell from the shorter man's vicious attack. She scrambled for her clothes.

“What did you do to us?” the tall one cried out,
holding his stomach. “Witch!” he screamed as he fell back on the ground
writhing in pain.

The other man tried to come after her, but his legs
would not support him. He fell backwards striking his head on a rock.

Glenna dressed and ran over to free Osred. “If you
tell anyone of this, I'll kill you,” she threatened. They mounted their horses
and rushed down the winding path.

For about an hour, they made good time. Then they
came to the last stretch of bad road. In her hurry to keep up with Osred,
Glenna took the trail too fast and her horse stumbled throwing her into the
ravine that ran along the narrow roadway.

She struggled to her feet and called to Osred for
help. He pulled his horse up and looked down at her. “Your horse has broken its
leg,” he called.

“I'll have to ride with you,” she answered. “But my
ankle is sprained and I need yer help to get back up to the road.”

“Good-bye Glenna,” he shouted as he wheeled his horse
around and took off at gallop.

“Come back,” she screamed. But she knew the bastard
had deserted her. In anguish, she threw herself on the ground and cried.

“Milord, the men are ready. Did you get much
information from Ivy?” Morven asked as Jared stood in the main hall preparing
to leave.

“Ivy participated in the ruse Asilinn was ill in the
tower, but I think she knows little else.”

Skye came running into the hall in tears. She threw
her arms around Jared and buried her head in his chest. “You must find her,”
she sobbed. “Please find her.”

“I'll do all in my power to find Asilinn.” He stroked
Skye's long, dark tresses.

“I couldna bear it if she were dead.”

“Dinna give breath to such thoughts,” Jared chided.
“She's alive and I will find her. I'll tell you a secret which may ease your
mind.” Skye leaned back from his chest and looked into his eyes.

Jared glanced up and noticed Morven stood by
listening attentively. “Asilinn told me to leave for Cairngorm Castle after her last vision. She saw me holding her hand while she gave birth to our son in
the tower room. I cling to this as my assurance we will find her.”

“‘Tis true, Jared. I know it. It was Asilinn's vision
that foretold us finding you alive in Burnum Woods. ‘Tis truly a gift from
God,” Skye assured him.

“I pray you're right,” he said, kissing her lightly
on the forehead. “And now I must go.”

Flanna and Wynne arrived to comfort Skye and Jared
left with Morven and Liam trailing behind him. While they walked toward the
stable, Morven questioned Jared. “Do you believe what you told Skye about the
visions?”

Jared studied him a moment. “Aye, Asilinn’s visions
have not been wrong since I met her. I sense you're skeptical, Morven.”

“It is a strange gift.”

Jared walked on to the stable where Fergus greeted
him. “Ailleagian has been fed and groomed as you ordered, Milord,” he told
Jared.

“Thank you.”

“Milord,” Fergus said. “I want you to know our
thoughts and prayers go with you.”

“I appreciate that,” Jared replied, mounting his
horse. “I know you and Flanna support me.”

“Most of the people of Dunbocan support you, Milord.
Lady Asilinn used her cures to help them. They are grateful for her
generosity.”

Jared managed a wry smile. “That's good to know.”

The column of men filed out of Dunbocan. They rode
hard until they got to Burnum Woods. Jared pulled up.

“Morven, take the men and search the woods,” Jared
ordered. “Liam and I will ride after Osred and Glenna.”

“I'd like to go with you, Milord,” Morven entreated.
“Liam is more than able to guide the search here.”

“Liam saw them leave. He rides with me.”

“You seem always to choose others in my stead of
late. Could it be you no longer value our friendship?”

Jared stared at him in disbelief. “Are you jealous of
your own brother? I have no time for this bickering. Do as you have been told!”

Morven drew his troops up in the clearing and barked
out orders. Jared and Liam struck out along the other trail.

***

It was past time for Glenna to bring her food. At
least that was what Asilinn's stomach told her. Perhaps they meant to starve
her she thought with a shudder. Alone in the endless midnight, she had looked at her situation from every angle and still she couldn't comprehend their
plan. On the rare occasions when Osred and Glenna came together to her cell,
they talked as if they awaited some event which would justify their action
against her. Asilinn wracked her brain for the answer, but it eluded her.

A tiny noise in the corner interrupted her musings.
Glancing over, she saw the feral gleam of a pair of eyes in the darkness. The
rats were getting bolder. Asilinn feared they saw her as a potential food
source. Digging a small stone out of the wall behind her, she threw it at the
gleaming eyes. She must have hit her mark because there was a squeal and a
scurrying noise in the blackness.

Tears coursed down her cheeks in the loneliness of
her cell. She leaned her head back against the hard stone wall behind her.
“Hurry, Jared,” she whispered into the darkness. “I need your strength to
comfort me.”

***

Thundering hoof beats awakened Glenna from her
stupor. Shakily she rose to her feet watching the trail above to determine who
was coming. She recognized his broad shoulders the minute she saw his
silhouette against the trees. “Laird Jared,” she called, but it came out as a raspy
croaking noise. At first, he did not hear her, but when he and Liam stopped to
examine her injured horse, her dim cries drew their attention.

“Please, I'm down here.”

Jared dismounted and rushed down the steep slope. She
threw herself into his arms but he pushed her back, grabbing her arm and
jerking her around to face him.

“What have you done with Asilinn?” Glenna hung her
head sobbing. “Answer me! Where is my wife?”

“In the dungeon,” Glenna sobbed. “Osred locked her in
the dungeon, but you'll need me to find it. The cell is far back a little used
passage.”

Jared let out a sigh of relief. “Asilinn is not ill?”

“Nay, Milord, she is fine. I'll take you to her.”

Seeing Glenna could barely stand, he scooped her into
his arms and carried her up the steep slope. Reaching the roadway, he handed
her up to Liam. “Dinna drop her. She knows where Asilinn is.” Mounting
Ailleagian, he turned and headed back towards Dunbocan.

Jared had a thousand questions for his ex-mistress,
but he held his tongue. Glenna was in no shape to give him the details and he
was determined she should conserve her strength in order to lead him to his
wife. It was several hours before they reached Dunbocan. Night had fallen over
the castle and their entrance was not observed.

Jared slid off his horse and walked over to take
Glenna from Liam. His heart sank when he felt the limpness of her body. “She
passed out on the way in,” Liam said.

They carried her into the first floor of the castle
and laid her on a cot in the armory. “Fetch Flanna,” Jared ordered.

Liam went off to find Flanna and Jared brushed
Glenna's red hair back from her pale face then dipped a cloth in cool water and
wiped away the dirt.

“Glenna,” he whispered. “Come on Glenna, you must
wake up.”

She tossed and moaned. Her eyelids fluttered.
“Jared,” she said in a hoarse whisper. “I was such a fool. Please forgive me.”

“Glenna, you must tell me where Asilinn is.”

Her head rolled back and she gave out a throaty
laugh. “The virgin bride has stolen your heart from me,” she moaned, tears running
down her cheeks. “And now I am dead by my own folly.”

“Dead, what do you mean? You will recover. Now tell
me of Asilinn.”

“I have drunk poison and all you can do is beg for
your wife. I was raped and beaten….” Her voice faded as she started to drift
from consciousness. Jared grabbed her face and shook her.

“Glenna, right the wrongs you have done before you
meet your maker. Tell me where Asilinn is.”

She stared at him with glazed eyes. “In the main
dungeon there is a cell with a secret staircase which leads to a separate
level. Asilinn is in the last cell on that hallway.”

“Which cell holds the staircase?”

“It is the one with the window facing the east gate.”

“Thank you, Glenna,” he said, rising to go after
Asilinn.

“Laird,” Glenna pleaded. “I'm dying. The poison runs
through my body like fire. Have mercy, I ask for one last kiss.”

Jared's face clouded. He was in a hurry to find
Asilinn but by Glenna's color, he knew she wasn't lying. He bent over and
kissed her lightly on the mouth. “God watch over you, Glenna. Everyone has used
you badly, including me. I shall pray for your eternal soul.”

She grabbed his jerkin when he sought to leave.
“Jared, there is a traitor on the High Council. He plots to kill you and take
your place.” Her voice was growing dimmer. “Come closer, the traitor is….” her
voice fell to a weak whisper. She tried to tell him but fell back on the cot,
her eyes rolling back in her head. Jared let out a heavy sigh and reached over
to close her lifeless eyes with his hand just as Liam arrived with Flanna.

Jared looked up at them. “She told me where Asilinn
is before she died.” Rising he hurried to the appointed cell and examined the
floor. Before long, he had uncovered a trapdoor leading to the stairway. Taking
up a torch, he hurried down the narrow hall. The ceiling was so low he was
forced to stoop over to make his way down the passage. “Asilinn,” he called.

Asilinn couldn't believe her ears. “Jared!” she
screamed. Straining to the limits of her chains, she peered out of the small
window eager for the sight of him. He ran to her reaching into the tiny cell to
stroke her hair as she sobbed with joy.

“Asilinn, are you all right?” His voice was hoarse
with emotion.

“Aye,” she cried. “Please get me out of here.”

Jared drew back from her to get a look at the door
separating them. That was when he saw the keys perched on a hook just beyond
the reach of the door. Thankful, he grasped the keys and unlocked the door,
taking Asilinn into his arms before he unshackled her. For a few minutes, he
just held her and then he freed her, picked her up, and carried her from her
prison.

A sea of welcoming faces greeted them in the armory.
After Asilinn had received a hug from everyone, Flanna hurried them to the
kitchen where she served up some lamb stew and fresh baked bread. Asilinn
cleaned her plate before she looked up and caught a glimpse of her reflection.
She had totally forgotten her grimy clothing.

“Milord, why did you not remind me I look and smell
like a stable boy?”

Jared caressed her cheek. “In truth, I did not even
notice. I was so delighted to find you safe I paid no heed to your ill-fitting
garb.”

She studied him for a minute. “So am I now a
treasured wife, more than a vessel in which to create your child?”

“I think you know the answer to that.”

“And still you canna say it.” She pushed back from
the table and stood. “I need a bath.”

“I’ll heat some water, Milady,” Flanna offered.

“No,” Jared interrupted. “Lady Asilinn will bathe in
the Dragon's Spring.” He took Asilinn’s hand. “Wife?”

“Aye, the Dragon’s Spring.”

***

The light from the torch lit their slick, wet bodies
with a lustrous glow. Asilinn felt clean for the first time in days and now the
man she had longed to see was close beside her, so close she could reach out
and touch him. And suddenly she felt shy. She had a thousand fantasies about
Jared when she fought off the rodents in her tiny windowless cell—how he would
love her—care for her the way her father had always cared for her mother. But
now he was before her and she didn’t know if any of her dreams could become
reality.

He seemed to be waiting for her to touch him—to
initiate what she knew they both wanted. She reached her hand over to stroke
his muscular chest.

“Asilinn,” he murmured, bending to capture her lips
with his. He broke off the kiss. “Asilinn, I was desperate to find you.”

She pressed her fingers to his lips. “No words,” she
breathed, not yet ready to examine her own feelings. Embracing him, she found
his lips again. His hungry mouth devoured hers while his hands fed her rising
desire with bold exploration—her breasts—her thighs—her buttocks. She gave out
a small throaty moan when he slipped his fingers inside her. Her full breasts
teased the mat of hair covering his chest as he pressed her against the wall of
the pool.

Asilinn wrapped her legs around him while he eased
her up out of the water and impaled her softness with his rod. The tight fit of
his sword within her sheath felt so right. She pressed him deeper and moved
against him. Jared grabbed her hips and drove into her repeatedly.

A tidal wave of desire threatened her sanity and she
called his name with same frantic need she had known the last time he had taken
her—the time he thought she had betrayed him. But there was a difference. Jared
was not punishing her with his body, he was making love to
her—strong—penetrating—raw, but there was no anger in him, only passion.
Asilinn felt her body open more with each thrust—embrace him with hot tight
spasms—taking him deeper and deeper into her. With one final drive, Jared exploded
inside her burying himself in her depths and crying her name.

Asilinn arched wildly and quivered in his arms as her
body writhed with spasm after spasm of pure ecstasy.

There were no words between them just a desperate
need for fevered mating. When the storm of passion subsided, Asilinn clung to
him while he lifted her out of the bath. He dried her off and wrapped her robe
around her.

Before she knew it, she snuggled tight against him in
their bed. He was saying something, but she couldn’t hear him.

“We'll talk tomorrow,” he promised her unhearing
ears.

The constant pounding on the door brought Jared from
his sleep. He opened his eyes and sought to orient himself. It was morning,
probably late morning by the look of the sun's rays as they traced a pattern
across the floor. He hopped from the bed and grabbed his plaid, wrapping it
around him while he went to the door. Throwing back the bolt, he jerked open
the door to stare into Morven's face.

“What is it?” Jared asked, somewhat irritated by the
intrusion.

“Milord, the council desires a meeting. They bade me
request your presence at the earliest hour possible.” Morven glanced over at
the soft form stirring in the bed. “Forgive me for disturbing you.”

“I'll be down in a few minutes,” Jared said abruptly.

Morven nodded and Jared closed the door, leaning back
against it to gaze at his wife. His fondest desire would be to spend the rest
of the day in bed with her. He grinned at the thought. But there were issues to
be resolved and he was anxious to have this matter put behind him. He hadn't
had a chance to tell the rest of the council about the peace treaty.