Wild Is My Love (37 page)

Praying this was Alysa’s chamber and she was alone, Gavin shoved the door open and peered inside. Only a candle was burning near a bed. He slipped into the room and checked the person sleeping there: Princess Alysa Malvern. He smiled, then noticed how filthy he was. Spying the tub, he headed for it. Before rinsing himself with the tepid water, he thought about the door and went to lock it, but it was already bolted.

He quickly bathed and dried off, then washed his dirty tracks from the floor. He approached the bed and sat down near her waist. As he stroked her hair, her lids fluttered and her eyes opened.

Alysa blinked several times, then stared at the incredible sight. Gavin was smiling down at her and caressing her cheek. “If this is a dream, do not arouse me,” she pleaded. Her hands reached for. him and contacted chilly flesh. “You are cold, my love. Lie under here with me,” she said, lifting the edge of the coverlet. Her actions and words were instinctive, for she was still groggy.

Gavin eased his nude body between the covers and snuggled with her, warming almost immediately. “I have been worried about you and aching to see you, m’love. How have you been?”

Now, awakened completely, she replied, “Miserable and lonely without you.” She cuddled against him. “A week is too long to go without seeing and touching you.”

“One day is too long,” he replied huskily. “Tell me everything.”

Alysa did, even modestly relating her visit from Isobail this evening. “What has taken place with you, my love?” she asked after she had finished. “I have worried so about you since Piaras told me of Giselde. She is still missing?”

Gavin began an episode he dreaded, but knew must take place. “I know, m’love, but she is fine.” As Alysa stared at him, he disclosed Kyra’s attack and theft, and Giselde’s survival and escape.

Consternation filled Alysa’s blue eyes. “I knew Kyra was wicked, but not this bad. She married Sunday and left Malvern Castle, I hope forever. What would my stepsister want with dangerous herbs? I wonder if Kyra was fetching them for her evil mother or for Earnon. Perhaps those plants or berries are the ones that keep Father abed or drove Baltair mad. My friend is dead, you know, it was a terrible thing. But tell me, how did you find Giselde?”

Gavin answered, “After I left you here, I went to visit her. I worried over the signs of trouble in her hut, and I searched for her for days and did not find her. I am sure Kyra believes she killed Giselde. Indeed, the old woman would have died if the Druid priest had not found her soon after the attack and tended her in his cave. Trosdan came to my camp Tuesday and took me to her. Wait,” he entreated when she started to ask questions. “There is more you must know. Remember
when you made your confessions in the brigand camp and in the cave?” he said, and she nodded, her dark sapphire eyes wide and full of rising panic. “There are some confessions I must make tonight, and you must hear me out and understand, and forgive me.”

Alysa’s alarm increased. “What is it, Gavin?” she asked reluctantly, fearing this unknown, this nerve-racking mystery, and his strange mood.

“There have been many secrets between us since we met, m’love. We had the same fearful torments, but it is time to vanquish them.” He inhaled deeply and quietly before saying, “I am not unreachable for you, Alysa, nor unworthy of you. I am not an adventurer or a mercenary or a bandit of any kind, and never have been. I am not Gavin Hawk, nor in your land by chance or for hire.”

He gazed into her eyes, which were focused intently on his face. He knew from her respiration that her heart was pounding forcefully in distress. Her bewildered expression seemed to ask: What are you? Who are you? As if she could not speak, she remained silent and watchful.

He continued, “I am Prince Gavin Crisdean, son of King Briac Crisdean of Cumbria. King Bardwyn sent me here to study the trouble in Damnonia and to unmask its villains. I was ordered to reveal my identity and mission to no one. Partly with your help, I gathered proof against your stepmother and the brigands, and I sent word to King Bardwyn to summon his help. Your grandfather should arrive with his men in twelve to fifteen days and defeat Princess Isobail and her henchmen.”

Alysa’s look said she was stunned by this revelation. Gavin quickly went on. “At first I could not tell you anything about me or my actions because of the same reasons why you could not confide in me. Later I had to keep silent to protect you. When I learned how brave
you were, I feared you would never sit still while I handled everything. I knew you would insist on helping me unmask Isobail, and I could not allow you to endanger yourself or this crucial mission. Giselde is the one who initially sent for help from your grandfather; she wanted to protect you during this mess because she loves you very much. Giselde and I have been working together since my arrival. King Bardwyn sent me to uncover the truth before he and his troops rode into this country. He could not invade without proof of Giselde’s charges. I was instructed to get that proof, and to tell you nothing until your king arrived. But Giselde told me about the secret passageway to you from outside the castle, and I can hold silent to you no longer, Alysa, for I love you. I know you love me and trust me, so I cannot mislead you. I beg you, m’love, do nothing except be patient and careful until these dangerous days are over.”

Alysa’s eyes wandered over his face. Giselde and Gavin had worked together since before she met him, and she had discussed each with the other. Dismayed by his incredible confession, she spoke hoarsely, “You and Granmannie have been lying to me all this time. You doubted my wits, as if I possess none. If you two really love me, why did both of you deceive me? Why was I never included in your plans? Why was I left to worry and fear when the truth could prevent them?”

Gavin tried to recall each of her rapid questions so he could answer them. “I duped you no more than you duped me, m’love. I thought you were a servant, while I was a prince, one day a king; that is why I kept telling you a future between us was impossible. Yet I came to love you and want you more than my own life, and I was determined to find a way to keep you. You felt the same; as a princess and future ruler, you viewed love and marriage to a warrior impossible. We both worried over an-irresistible attraction which we feared could go
nowhere—but it can, m’love. Are you not happy that we are matched perfectly and can marry when this trouble is settled?”

Alysa was happy over that fact, but she was still too angry to admit it. “But you said nothing after you learned the truth about me. Why did you and Giselde keep me ignorant for so long?”

“Until recently Giselde did not know about my secret meetings with you. When I did confess them to her, I said I was in love with Thisbe, as I truly believed you were the daughter of Piaras. Knowing who I was, Giselde tried to discourage such an impossible match, and she fretted over my possible slips to a servant who lived in Isobail’s castle and over my distraction from my mission. One day at her hut I was talking about you and worrying over how I could keep you or part from you. That clever woman suspected the girl I was seeing was not your handmaiden. She asked questions until she was certain it was you I was seeing, then she kept quiet about her amazing discovery for a time. Giselde grasped the depth of our relationship and did not want to confront you about it. She also thought you should be the one to enlighten me, not her. The same was true with you where I was concerned. Finally that sweet woman had to tell me that my Thisbe was actually Princess Alysa Malvern so I could save you from Moran’s pursuit. She confessed it to me the day Moran was knighted, the same day I found the pouch you left for me. Giselde realized we were perfect for each other and hated to see me mess things up for us,”

Alysa remained quiet, allowing him time to explain everything in his own-time and way.

“When I heard the truth,” he continued, “I assumed you were fooling me for the same reasons I was fooling you. I wanted to go to you and straighten out everything, but I did not want to draw you into more peril by letting you help me. I swear to you, m’love, I did
not and do not doubt your wits; I only wanted to keep you safe. After you confessed all to me in the cave, I knew I owed you the same to prevent any misunderstandings. I can no longer bear to keep such secrets from you. I never want you to mistrust me again, or to allow you to fear you-would have to sacrifice all you are and possess to have me.”

Gavin sat up and pulled her with him. Gently grasping her forearms and staring into her troubled eyes, he pleaded, “Do not turn away from me, Alysa, I love you and need you. I want you to become my wife. If I have hurt you or angered you, I am sorry. I truly did what I felt was best for all concerned.”

Alysa could not deny that Gavin had the best interests of everyone at heart and had borne a heavy burden of responsibility. Clearly he loved her and was deeply troubled over causing a rift between them. They were perfectly matched, and soon the trouble here would end. A reality filled her: there was nothing to prevent her from having him!

Alysa smiled as her hand gently stroked the worry lines on his handsome face, and she told him, “You do not need these, my love. My shock is gone and my wits have cleared. I understand and believe you. A prince, the future King of Cumbria…” she murmured, her awe returning. “I should have known you were too unique to be what you claimed,” she teased, hugging him.

“And you,” he responded merrily, “a princess, future ruler of this land, and future queen of Cambria. And of Cumbria,” he added. “If we remain here to rule after we marry, how can I train to become king of my land? Once I am King of Cumbria and you are Queen of Cambria, where shall we live and rule? Their names are similar and they exist peacefully, side by side, but can we unite them into one land? There are ranks, locations, and dilemmas for us to settle later.”

“Yes, my love, much later,” the happy girl agreed. Their gazes fused and they smiled at each other.

Gavin clasped her to him and whispered into her ear, “How I have loved you so intensely since our first meeting, and I have missed you madly since we left our passion-filled cave….”

“It was good we shared that special time’together before we confront this battle ahead,” she replied. “From now on, Gavin Crisdean, we must share everything. I am glad Gavin is your real name, for it suits you well. ‘Hawk of the peaceful valley’… Yes, it is perfect for you.”

Calling to mind the meaning of Alysa and Crisdean, he replied, “As perfect as ‘Noble of the peaceful valley’ after we wed. That day cannot come swiftly enough for me. I want everyone to know that Prince Gavin has captured the greatest prize of any land, the most exquisite treasure in existence.”

“It is I who have the highest prize: you.” Alysa pressed him to his back and lay half atop him. She spread kisses over his chest and nibbled up his throat to his inviting mouth. Nose to nose, she grinned and murmured, “I love you more than anything in life, more than my life itself.” She sealed their lips.

They made love for hours, leisurely, tranquilly, swiftly, urgently. They shared soft laughter and countless kisses. They talked and embraced, then they planned and loved. It was as if a beautiful dream surrounded and protected them.

It was nearly three in the morning when Gavin told Alysa, “I must go to see your father, m’love. If he is alert enough, I will tell him what is happening and what is going to happen soon. It should put his mind at ease to learn his father is on the way with help.”

“You are thoughtful, my love. I only pray he can be awakened. I will go with you,” she said eagerly.

“No, you must remain here. Someone might come to
check on you,” he said, gently refusing her company. “Your door is locked; if there is trouble, it would look suspicious if you do not answer a summons to it. If you leave it unlocked and someone arrives, it would look strange to find you missing, and we could be sighted returning. I will see you again before I leave,” he promised, hoping to appease her.

“What if someone sees you inside the castle?” she asked frantically.

“I’ll use the secret passage again. It would be safer and wiser for you to remain here. In case of trouble, I can escape easier alone. Please,” he urged.

Alysa realized she could accompany him if she insisted, but she decided against it. Besides, it was doubtful Gavin could arouse her father, considering Alric’s recent relapse. Too, she refused to endanger her love’s life. She smiled and yielded. “I will wait here for your return. Will you tell Father about us?”

A broad smile brightened Gavin’s features. “Yea, m’love, if he is reachable. Do you know how much I love you and how lucky I know I am to win you?” he said proudly and happily.

“Yes, for the same is true for me.”

Green eyes locked with blue ones, and love flowed between them like a peaceful river. Each confirmed the powerful bond between them, and was thrilled that it was shared. Each realized it was more than a physical attraction, much more. Each knew it would last forever.

“If I tarry much longer, it will be too late to visit your father,” he said mirthfully. He finger-combed her brown hair as he gazed longingly and possessively at her, as though he could not absorb enough of her beauty.

“The day will come soon, my wandering warrior, when you no longer have to leave my side.” She laughed and stroked his jaw. “I forget, you are not a wandering
warrior.
Besides being a prince and future king, are you a knight? A lusty dragon? A rogue?”

“I must confess to being all of them, m’love, and I shall be a greedy and demanding husband,” he added, a playful grin tugging at his lips and glimmering in his eyes.

His eyes… She gazed into them. “You have the most striking and bewitching eyes of any man alive,” she murmured dreamily.

“As have your, my blue-eyed goddess. When I look into them, I am lost to all but you. Surely they have enchanted me.”

“We are fated, you and I. Granmannie told me so.”

“She is an amazing woman. I can see why you love her. She has powers I never knew existed, and find hard to believe. Yet she has proven herself to me.” Gavin told Alysa about most of the premonitions, and which ones had come true. He told her other things the woman had revealed to him, and about the removal of his royal tattoo.