The King's Executioner Page 15

  She only knew that she was not meant for the King. She was meant for the executioner.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Paine walked through the village, not knowing where he was going and not caring. He should have never kissed her. Why had he? She was to be Queen. He had no right to kiss her. If the King learned of it, he would take their heads. He knew this and yet he had kissed her anyway. He had been a fool and he was growing more foolish. He had to stop this madness between them before it was too late.

  He rubbed the back of his neck, an ache having settled there and let his glance wander over the village. The people were well-groomed and welcoming, not a suspicious glare from one of them and not a sign of worry. They all seemed confident that they had nothing to fear from the King’s executioner.

  With dusk near at hand, the last of the chores were being finished and some were already headed, while laughing and talking, to the feasting house. Never had he been in a village as pleasant as this one.

  Could this truly be a Wyse Tribe? There was not much known about the Wyse, mostly myths from what Paine had heard. There were some who believed that they were the first people to settle this land, discover its secrets, and learn how to use them. It was also believed that some Wyse tribesmen lived among the other tribes, but never let it be known. They were sent to keep watch.

  King Talon had sent warriors out across the land to try and find one of the mystical Wyse settlements, but without success. If this was a Wyse Tribe, Paine needed to find out what he could about them before taking his leave, though more importantly he had to convince the chieftain to meet with the King.

  “What is it you search for, Paine?”

  He turned to Esplin. “Why do you think I search?”

  “Your eyes, they question.”

  He let his question be known. “What tribe is this?”

  She smiled. “Why ask what you already know?”

  “I prefer to hear it from a Wyse tribesman.”

  Her smile remained as she nodded. “You are among the Wyse.”

  “I am honored,” Paine said. “I know all are not welcome in your tribe.”

  Esplin laughed softly. “All are welcome, though all are not worthy.”

  Her words surprised him. How was he—the executioner—worthy?

  Esplin took his arm. “You need nourishment. Come eat and we will talk.”

  He thought of Anin alone and cast a glance over his shoulder.

  Esplin patted his arm. “Anin sleeps. It is what she needs after such trying events.”

  “How do you know she sleeps?”

  “I keep watch over her.”

  Bog would never allow anyone into the dwelling, so how did Esplin know Anin slept?

  “I will answer what questions I can.”

  “I have many.”

  “Everyone does,” she said as they entered the feasting house.

  Paine found it odd that there was no table of honor for the chieftain. There were only tables and benches, fitting six people, circling and spreading out from the large fire pit. The tables held an abundance of food, the delicious scents causing his stomach to grumble.

  He wondered about the chieftain. It was believed that there were several Wyse settlements. If that was true, in which settlement did the High chieftain reside and did he travel from settlement to settlement?

  Esplin took him to a table where a family sat, a mum, da, and two children, a lad and a lass. She presented Paine and he was surprised when they welcomed him with smiles and kind words and were not at all upset that they shared the table with the King’s executioner. The lad held out his crudely carved animal, that had yet to take recognizable shape and proudly announced that he was going to be a master carver like his da.

  Paine felt a twinge of a memory, recalling how he thought when he was young he would one day do the work his da did, but he never got the chance.

  He smiled at the lad and told him he was doing a fine job.

  The family seemed to know after that that Esplin and he wanted to talk for they kept to themselves. Paine had many questions, though he asked none once he took a taste of the food. He was too busy eating the delicious fare.

  When nearly finished, a vessel of fine wine in his hand and the table to themselves, he said, “Tell me about the Wyse Tribe.”

  “That would take some time, since our history goes further back than most and our tribe is rich with beliefs.”

  “Why hide your settlements from others?”

  “We are there for those who see us and for our own kind when they wish to return home.”

  “So the Wyse do walk among the other tribes.”

  “They do and other tribesmen live here among us as well.”

  “By choice?” Paine asked startled to hear that.

  Esplin laughed. “We do not take prisoners and our own tribesmen are free to explore outside our boundaries.”

  “Many believe the Wyse learned the secrets of this land and have unnatural powers. Is that true?”

  “This land has much to offer if one is willing to listen. The Wyse women and men listened and became sensitive to the land, sensitive to touch. The land and all on it speaks to them and one touch allows them to feel what others feel. There are some that are born more sensitive than others. They usually become our leaders.”

  “King Talon would be most grateful if he could speak with your chieftain.”

  “When he is worthy.”

  Paine came to his King’s defense. “He is a good man.”

  “But is he a worthy man?”

  Paine had no chance to answer, a young lass approached the table.

  “Forgive me, Esplin, for intruding, but Dorsa is close to birthing.”

  Esplin stood. “Hurry back to her, I will be right there.” She turned to Paine as the lass hurried off. “I must see to welcoming a tiny bairn into our tribe, the first for Dorsa. If there is time before you leave, we can talk again.”

  Paine nodded, though wished they had not been interrupted. He had not learned nearly enough about the Wyse and he still wished to meet their chieftain. He swallowed the last of his wine and left. A chill had arrived with the darkness and he realized he had not worn his cloak. Not that it mattered, he had suffered through far worst cold. What disturbed him more was that he carried no weapons. He was never without a weapon and yet he had not given a weapon thought when he left the dwelling.

  Tall torches on poles buried in the ground lit a path through the village and made it easy to see his way back to the dwelling. He opened the door slowly and was pleased when he met resistance from Bog’s body. He was sleeping in front of the door and he stretched as he moved away to drop down next to the fire pit.

  “Well done, Bog,” he commended, but the wolf’s eyes had already closed.

  He glanced over at the sleeping pallet and saw that Anin was curled up tight, a slight shiver to her body. She had fallen asleep without a blanket over her and the fire in the pit had dwindled. He saw to both, adding more wood to the fire and taking the blanket from the end of the bed and draping it over Anin.

  He wanted to climb in beside her and wrap her in his arms and keep her warm as he had done for the last few nights when the cold ground began to send shivers through her. He could do that no more, not after today, not after their kiss, not after feeling her naked body fitting so perfectly with his.

  With a shake of his head, he reluctantly left her and went to the door, lowered himself in front of it, and dropped his head back against it. He had thought this would be an easy mission for the King. Collect the future Queen and deliver her safely to the King. Nothing had gone easy since he had found Anin hiding in a tree. Together they had faced far more danger than he ever would have anticipated, and in doing so he discovered a woman who was more fearless than she realized.

  Anin was a woman who had the courage to dare fate and lose her heart to a man who did not deserve it. And though he protested, he could not deny how he felt. He had lost his heart to Anin... to a woman he
could never claim as his own.

  ~~~

  Anin woke with a stretch and a smile, lingering on her sleeping pallet, though she did not remember it being this soft. Had her mum had a new blanket made for her? If so, she favored it greatly. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes, knowing she should be up and about and seeing to her daily chores. She sprang up when she saw that she was not in her room and looked around, and it all came rushing back to her.

  Paine, the pool, the kiss, and how his words had hurt though they were false, at least how he felt about her was false. She knew full well the truth. He could not hide that from her, though he was not aware of that. However, she did not know if he had truly meant that he would find a willing woman to ease his ache. She hoped it proved false as well.

  She gave the room another glance, surprised to find herself alone, neither Paine nor Bog were there. She hurried off the raised pallet and ran her fingers through her hair. It felt smooth and free of the grime it had collected during her journey. She quickly plaited it and placed the braid over her shoulder to rest on her chest. She brushed at her garments to chase the many wrinkles away as best as she could and grabbed her cloak to hurry outside.

  With the sun not high in the sky, it was not long since dawn. Anin breathed deep of the chilled air. She looked around as she walked, wondering where Paine had gone and wondering why he had left her alone. Unless he thought it was safe to do so.

  She walked around the village, enjoying the scents and sounds and the people, so warm and welcoming. Her stomach grumbled while speaking with one woman who was busy fashioning a basket. She was quick to give Anin some food, which she did not refuse. She continued on, though stopped from time to time to chat with people, only to be given more food.

  The village reminded her of home and she felt a catch in her chest. It surprised her that while she missed her home and family, she missed Paine upon waking this morning the most. She wondered again where he had gone off to. Had he not returned at all last night? Had he spent it with whatever willing woman he had found? Bog had been there when she had fallen asleep, but not when she woke, so who had let him out? Paine could have earlier, after he left the woman.

  There was only one way to find out. She had to touch him, but where was he? And why had they not left yet? It was passed dawn and they usually started their journey shortly after dawn. Had he decided to remain another day? It would not bother her if he had. She was not in a hurry to meet the King.

  “Good, you are awake. We need to be on our way.”

  Anin turned around and could not stop herself from smiling when she saw Paine approaching her. She truly had missed him, though it was not right for her to feel that way—she could not stop herself. She could not change how she felt.

  She hurried to him, reaching out to take hold of his arm. “Did you get enough sleep?”

  He backed away from her. “Not nearly enough.”

  She moved closer and got upset when he once again backed away from her. “I did not hear you return.”

  “You slept soundly. You did not even stir when I placed the blanket over you or stirred the embers.”

  She slowly stepped to the side of him, hoping to reach him before he could step away again. “I am grateful you looked after me.”

  He was quick to put further distance between them. “It is my mission.”

  A spark of annoyance had her snapping, “I thought you wanted to leave at dawn.”

  “With all you have been through, I thought to let you rest a while longer. Once we leave here, our pace will be rapid with few stops and little rest.”

  Anin asked what she truly did not want to know. “How long before we reach Pictland?”

  “Keeping a good pace, we will reach the border of Pictland in three sunrises.”

  They both turned quiet and Anin did not need to touch him to see that his words had brought him as much displeasure as they did her.

  She tried once again to get close enough to touch him, and once again he put distance between them.

  “Meet the most recent member of our tribe, Serene.”

  Anin and Paine turned to see Esplin with a small bundle cradled gently in her arms.

  Anin hurried to take a peek. Paine remained where he was.

  “She is so beautiful and so tiny,” Anin said eager to hold her.

  “Here take her. You will have a daughter of your own soon enough.”

  Anin went to hold out her arms, but Esplin walked over to Paine and shoved the tiny lass at him, leaving him no choice but to take hold of her.

  Anin almost laughed. Never had she seen him look fearful, but he did at that moment. He held the tiny lass as if he was afraid he would somehow hurt her. Then she recalled what he had said about his hands. They bring nothing but misery. He should see now that that was not true.

  Paine felt terror rip through him. His hands were soiled with evil. He should not be holding an innocent bairn. The tiny lass squirmed in his large hands and Paine gently moved her to the crook of his arm, keeping her close to his chest, fearful not to crush or drop her.

  She settled herself against him with what sounded like the purr of a kitten, her tiny, fisted-hand going to rest under her chin.

  “Now you will not fear holding your own daughter when she is born,” Esplin said.

  Paine was stern when he spoke. “I will have no children.”

  Esplin laughed softly. “You will have three daughters and a fine son.”

  Her words stirred sorrow in Anin. She wished she could be the one to give Paine three daughters and a fine son.

  Paine caught himself before he snapped at Esplin, not wanting to disturb the sleeping bairn. “How do you know this?”

  “Our future is written upon us. All you need to do is look.”

  “You are a seer,” he said that making more sense to him.

  “I am no seer. I simply see what others refuse to.” Esplin reached to take the sleeping lass.

  Paine, to his surprise, found himself reluctant to let the tiny bairn go.

  Esplin turned to Anin. “I must return her to her mum, but you can hold her for a moment.”

  Anin reached out eagerly and took the little lass in her arms. A lovely, soothing peace settled over her and she wondered if all bairns felt that way after birth. She returned her to Esplin who held out her arms. “She brings such peace.”

  “That she does,” Esplin agreed. “I must get her to her mum and see to another who is about to give birth to a little lass.”

  “You are so sure it will be a lass?” Paine asked.

  “The firstborn of all Wyse women is always a daughter. It is just the way of it.” She looked from Paine to Anin. “You will be leaving us soon?”

  “We will gather our things and be on our way,” Paine said. “We are most grateful for all you have shared with us.”

  “I wish I had more time to speak with you both,” Esplin said. “The next time will be different. We will have more time to talk.”

  “I would like that,” Anin said and feeling the need reached out and gave Esplin a hug, careful not to disturb the sleeping bairn.

  Stay strong.

  Anin rested her hand to her chest after stepping away from Esplin and stood there while Paine spoke with her about the Wyse Chieftain meeting with the King. She barely heard what he said, she was too stunned at what she had heard and felt.

  She was certain Esplin spoke to her, but she had heard it only in her head. As her words had faded, a strange sensation had taken hold of her when she laid her hand on Esplin’s back. It felt as if Esplin was part of her and she part of Esplin long before they had ever met each other.

  “Safe journey to you both,” Esplin said. “We will see each other again.”

  Anin hoped so, for there was much she had to ask the woman.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Anin wondered why Pain had a length of rope looped over his shoulder. She found out when they reached the top of the rise where they had looked down and first seen the Wyse sett
lement. It was visible no more.

  “The King will be pleased that his future Queen met with the Wyse Tribe,” Paine said and slipped the rope off his shoulder.

  Anin had the urge to take a step away from him. “What is the rope for?”

  With deft hands, he worked on the rope. “To tether you to me.”

  “That is not necessary.”

  “After the wolves almost tore you apart, I told you I would not waste words of warning on you again.” He held up the rope. “Now you will have no choice but to do as I say.”

  Anin stumbled back away from him. “That is a hangman’s loop.”

  “It will fit perfectly around your waist. Now come here to me.”

  Any other time he would have ordered her to come to him she would have done so without hesitation, but the hangman’s loop made her think twice.

  Paine did not like the worried look in her eyes. Did she truly believe he would harm her? Was it not better for them both if she finally doubted him, finally saw him for who he truly was?

  He held the deadly loop up, shaking it at her. “You are lucky I am not slipping it around your neck and tether you as I do prisoners.”

  “You would never—”

  Paine rushed at her, grabbing arm so that she could not move away from him. “Never be foolish enough to think I would not do what was necessary or commanded to do.”

  Anin cringed when he slipped the rope over her head and it brushed her neck as he spread the loop wider to push past her shoulders.

  “Lift your arms,” he ordered.

  She did as told and he settled the rope around her waist. His actions and words frightened her and she quickly laid a hand on his arm as he pushed the knot tight against her waist. She shivered at the dark emptiness she felt within him. It was what she had felt when she first met him. She gripped his arm tighter, fighting to get through the emptiness, fighting to find what she had felt several times before that he cared for her more deeply than she thought any man ever could.

  “Paine,” she whispered and the emptiness began to fade and beneath it she could feel tender warmth and—he yanked his arm away.

  “Never touch me again,” he said, though it sounded more like Bog’s snarl. “I have been too lenient with you, but no more.”