The King & His Queen (Pict King Series Book 3) Read online

  Hemera laughed softly. “Did you not know that the King commands fate?”

  Anin smiled and patted Hemera’s arm. “Then the King will not fail you.”

  Hemera left, wondering over Anin’s words and went to the one place that never failed to comfort her...the woods.

  The King wore a scowl. He did not know he wore one as he walked through the stronghold, but others saw it and moved out of his way. His strides were strong, his shoulders thrown back, and his hands fisted. He appeared ready to fight and everyone wondered who the unlucky recipient would be.

  Talon stopped at the bow maker’s dwelling. Bower was so engrossed in refining a newly made bow that he did not hear the King approach.

  “Bower!” Talon snapped annoyed the man paid him no heed.

  Bower jumped, the bow falling to the ground. “Forgive me, my King, I did not know you were here.”

  Talon was there for one thing. “You spoke with Hemera earlier.”

  Bower bobbed his head. “Aye, my King, I did. Paine said I should when I inquired about the search for a husband for her. She is a beautiful lass and seems pleasant enough.” He scratched his head.

  “Something troubles you about her. Tell me,” Talon ordered, seeing that the man looked reluctant to say more.

  Bower did not hesitate to obey the King. “I offered to make a bow for her and she offered to show me what trees would produce the strongest bows. My father and his father before him were bow makers and they have taught me since I was a wee bairn. I know what it takes to make a fine bow, but she told me I was using the wrong trees to make my bows. Now I hear she has told Ebit the soil was not fit for planting.” Bower shook his head. “She is also slow to speak sometimes and other times she does not seem to grasp what I say.”

  “Then you are no longer interested in taking her as a wife?” Talon asked, annoyed for feeling pleased rather than disappointed.

  “No, my King. Oddly enough, I enjoyed the time I spent with her and I would like to come to know her better before I make a decision. As I said, she is a pleasant woman to be with and a woman like that is not easy to find,” Bower said with a grin.

  Talon had an overwhelming urge to reach out and strangle the man, but he forced his clenched hands to remain at his sides.

  “Am I permitted to continue to speak with her in hopes of a possible union, my King?”

  Again he wanted to strangle the man, but he said as he turned, “Aye, but do not let it interfere with your chores.”

  “I am grateful, my King,” Bower said with haste, but the King was already a distance from him.

  Talon’s temper grew and his scowl along with it as the thought of Hemera joining with Bower filled his head. The idea that Bower—good man that he was—would touch Hemera intimately, infuriated Talon. And it was the very reason why he had to encourage their union.

  He stopped suddenly, hearing a growl behind him and turned.

  “Your angry snarls are frightening everyone, including Bog,” Paine said with a nod to the black wolf growling beside him. “Enough, Bog, the King is in a foul mood this day.” The wolf quieted, though kept his eyes on the King.

  “Bower spoke with Hemera,” the King said.

  “That makes you angry?”

  Talon stifled the aye that wanted to rush from his lips and instead said, “Hemera makes me angry. She obeys none of what I command, speaks without permission to me and places her hand on me without permission. She needs to be punished.”

  “Then let her punishment show it,” Paine said as if the solution was easy. “I will take the switch to her. How many would you like me to deliver to her back? Ten? Twenty?”

  Talon turned silent, the thought of Paine striking Hemera’s smooth back over and over, leaving gashes and welts, some that no doubt would scar, had his insides roiling.

  “Or you could put her in the prison chamber for three sunrises, no less, since it is the least amount of time required when sent there. It is a tight space and will be cold, the sun not hot enough to warm it yet.” Paine shrugged. “Either way she must be punished, the people will expect it after what she did in the planting field today.”

  Talon knew he was right, which only fueled his anger more. Hemera’s disobedience could not be allowed to go unpunished. Not after she had displayed it for all to see.

  “I would use the switch on her. It will be done and over quickly,” Paine advised and he looked down at his side upon hearing a deep growl. “Bog does not agree, but then he favors Hemera and will have to be locked away while she is punished or he will not hesitate to protect her. Shall I use the switch on her?”

  “You are no longer my executioner.”

  “Would you want someone else delivering the blows to her back?”

  Talon felt like roaring out his rage. He did not want to see this done to Hemera and yet he had no choice. He had never been reluctant, uncertain, or regretful when handing out a punishment, until now.

  “Ten blows, no more, to her back on the morn,” Paine ordered and turned and walked away.

  Anin appeared from around one of the nearby dwellings and approached her husband. His arm went out as soon as he saw her and she, as always, drifted into his embrace.

  “You are feeling well?” he asked and gave her brow a kiss.

  “I am, though I believe our daughter will be a mighty warrior like her da, her kicks are so strong.”

  Paine rested his hand protectively over his wife’s rounded middle. “I will teach her well.”

  “I heard what you said to the King,” Anin said, covering her husband’s hand with hers. “Why do you torment him?”

  “Why ask me when your touch tells you why?” Paine said with a quick kiss to her cheek. He was growing accustomed to her feeling and knowing things when she touched him. He kept no secrets from her, so it did not matter. He especially enjoyed it when they mated, for she felt his pleasure along with hers.

  “I am practicing what my grandmother taught during our recent visit there. How not always to feel what others are feeling when I touch.”

  He nipped at her ear, whispering, “I like when you know what I feel.”

  Anin closed her eyes and smiled, her husband’s desire flaring her own.

  “You should rest,” he whispered in her ear.

  “Only if you join me.”

  Paine turned her around in his arms. “You will get no rest then.”

  “Promise?”

  “You are a wicked woman.” Paine laughed.

  She poked him in the chest. “And you are wicked for tormenting the King.”

  “He needs tormenting.”

  Concern rested in her furrowed brow. “You cannot mean to take a switch to Hemera.”

  Paine kissed her quick. “You know as well as I do that the King will never allow it.”

  “I do not know that. He is a stubborn man.”

  “He more wise than he is stubborn,” Paine argued. “Mark my words he will rescind his edict.”

  “I hope he does, for Verity will not stand by idle and see her sister beaten and... neither will I.”

  Paine’s eyes shot wide, then his brow narrowed to a scowl and his arm hooked snug around her waist as he stepped closer to her. “Listen well, wife, you will not put yourself and our daughter in harm’s way.”

  Anin eased out of his arms, resting her hand over her rounded middle. “What is there for you to worry about when you believe the King will rescind his order? I must see to an errand. I will see you later.” She turned and walked off, leaving a scowl on Paine’s face.

  Hemera had barely settled the loose fence board in place and emerged from the small wooded area behind her dwelling when Verity and Anin appeared. From the worried look in her sister’s eyes she knew Verity had brought alarming news.

  Hemera did not need to hear it to know what it was... her punishment had been decided.

  “Ten strikes of the switch on the morn,” Verity said.

  Hemera stepped away from her sister before she could hu
g her, the words echoing in her head like a resounding bell.

  “I will beg the King for mercy,” Verity said.

  “You will waste your breath,” Hemera said and shook her head, turning away from the two women. “Please go. I wish to be alone.”

  “I cannot leave you—”

  Hemera went to her sister and took her hand. “You can, you will, and you must not do anything that will bring you harm.”

  “We have been through much together. I will not see you go through this alone,” Verity insisted.

  “You bear no burden in this, Verity, and you will leave it be. You have the bairn you carry to think about. Now go and worry on it no more.” Hemera turned away once again.

  Verity watched her sister enter her dwelling and she wanted to rush after her and hold her tight, keep her from harm, keep the switch from striking her back. They had suffered much together while with the Northmen and she did not want to see her sister suffer this alone.

  An arm wrapped around Verity’s shoulder, feeling like a warm blanket that was much needed on a cold day.

  “All will be well. Do not worry.”

  Verity took solace in Anin’s words, but then she had little other choice.

  Talon lay on his sleeping pallet, wishing his chaotic thoughts would settle and he would slip into the oblivion of sleep. Not that it would matter, since deep sleep rarely claimed him. The endless battles he had fought had taught him to always remain alert even in sleep. Enemies could lurk anywhere, though this time he was his own enemy.

  He could not get the feeling of how helpless he had felt when Hemera fell limp against him. He had reacted instinctively, his arms going around her to protect her and keep her safe. There was also the troubling thought that she did not do well with pain. How had she survived her time with the Northmen if she could not bear pain? With the way she spoke or acted without first thinking, surely the Northmen had found reason to punish her at times.

  His thoughts had him bolting up in bed. Hemera was not a weak woman. Why would she say she was not good with pain? Unless...

  Talon hurried off the bed and into his long, open tunic, belting it at his waist. He wore nothing else but his foot coverings. He went to a section in the wall, furthest from his pallet, and eased his finger into what appeared to be a small hole and, with a lift, the section of the wall opened. He slipped around the narrow door, closing it behind him. He took narrow steps down and lifted another small toggle when he got to the bottom and stepped out into the dark night.

  He had not planned the secret exit. It was done by one of his warriors, an older one who had since met death with valor. He had shown it to Talon when it was finished, explaining to him that a King always had to have a private exit for those private times. He had not fully understood the man’s reasoning, but in time he had learned what he meant, and even more so this night.

  The stronghold was quiet, all asleep, except the guards who were on alert and who he avoided, the shadows providing cover as he moved among them with ease. Once in the area of the executioner’s dwelling, he need not worry. It sat so remote from others that no guards were present anywhere near it. And this night he was grateful for that.

  Talon did not bother to knock once at the door. He flung it open and was not surprised to see Hemera pacing by the fire pit. She stopped abruptly and her eyes took on the glare of an innocent animal, knowing there was no escape... it had been caught.

  He shut the door and stepped further into the room and though the fire pit separated them, Hemera took a step back as if the distance would offer her more protection.

  His intent was not to frighten her, but to learn the truth. “Show me your back,” he ordered.

  Hemera stared at him, frozen where she stood. She could not. She would not do as he commanded. She did not refuse him, she simply did not respond to him.

  He took a hasty step forward and she instinctively took another step back.

  “I will strip you myself if you do not obey me.”

  What choice did she have? Let him strip her? Leave her feeling vulnerable. Nay, she had not lacked courage in front of the Northmen, she certainly would not lack courage in front of the King.

  She wore only her shift and to show him her back she had to remove it. She had to stand naked in front of him. She raised her chin and turned, presenting her back to him as she gripped the sides of her garment and began to remove it.

  Chapter 10

  Talon stood rigid, his eyes on Hemera as she slowly lifted the garment. The back of her legs bore not a single mark on her lovely pale skin. Her backside was the same, as it came into view. Not a mark on it, smooth, taut, and round. The thought of caressing it, squeezing it, kissing it, was enough to stir him to arousal.

  As the hem of the garment reached her waist, she suddenly yanked it up and over her head, grasping it to her chest and her whole body grew rigid.

  Talon stood there stunned, unable to move or speak, his eyes wide, and his anger quickly turning to rage.

  Her back was covered in scars that had left welts and gorges from what could only have been a brutal or several brutal lashings. Fury rose in him as he imagined the hand of the man, who had delivered her torture, come down again and again on her lovely smooth back. He could almost feel every blow she suffered and feel the never-ending pain as she was struck again and again, helpless to do anything.

  He took slow steps to her, his eyes focused on her back and the suffering she had endured. He did not think her body could turn more rigid, but it did. She stood as stiff as the trees she favored spending time with in the woods. He stood there staring at her scars, seeing how they crisscrossed one another and he knew for sure that she had suffered more than one lashing.

  His hand reached out and touched her back gently.

  She startled.

  “I will not hurt you,” he said, his whispered breath stirring the strands of her long, red hair. He gathered her hair in his hands, the feel of her wild curls softer than he expected and as he placed it over her shoulder to rest on her chest, he caught a whiff of pine. She carried the scent of the forest upon her and it reminded him when he would take to the earth floor at night to sleep. The familiar scent would welcome him and wrap around him like a woman who had long missed him and was eager for his return.

  His fingers faintly traced the many scars, going from one to another as if his tender touch could make them disappear.

  Hemera closed her eyes, his gentle touch feeling much too good. The way he purposely touched each mark on her back made her feel that he actually cared for her. She lingered in the thought, finding it pleased her.

  His other hand went to rest at her waist as his hand continued to caress her back while question after question rushed to his lips, but they died there. This was not the time for questions. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I will never let anyone hurt you again.”

  His warm breath tickled her cool skin and she shivered, though it was more of a tingle.

  Talon felt her quiver and knew it was not from a chill, for his body had tingled along with hers. He told himself not to do it. He warned himself to step away, but her bare, silky smooth neck beckoned his lips.

  One taste. Just one.

  He brought his lips down on her neck, softly and inquisitively, and tasted. He shut his eyes against the pure, intoxicating pleasure.

  One taste would never be enough.

  His kisses grew more ardent. Never had he found the taste of a woman as appealing as Hemera. It was as if he drank of a rare brew that he could not get enough of.

  She shuddered, drawing her shoulders up as a soft sigh escaped her lips. That she enjoyed his lips upon her only encouraged him, and his kisses soon turned to nips, and she shuddered once again. And he turned hard.

  Stop now. Right now, a voice in his head warned.

  He did not listen.

  He continued to nibble along her neck while his hand slipped around the front of her and with one sharp tug at the garment she grasped to he
r chest, it fell from her hand, and dropped to the floor. His hand slipped beneath her breast to cup it, feeling its full softness and squeezing it gently, and a strange thought entered his head, one he never had before when with a woman. He thought how much he would enjoy feeling her breasts heavy with milk for their child.

  She drew him out of his musings when she dropped back against him with a soft moan. She hungered for more just as he did.

  His fingers grazed her nipples, already puckered from passion and his hands went to her waist to turn her and taste the tiny buds, hard and ready for his tongue to enjoy.

  He stopped when she looked up at him, eyes full of passion, ready to surrender to him. If she did, what then? What would be left for her? She would be his woman, no more than that. Never more than that.

  He pushed her away and she almost stumbled, but he paid her no heed. He swerved around and left the dwelling, closing the door strongly behind him. His strides were angry, his temper mounting and he wished he was in the heat of battle right now, for he would strike down warrior after warrior and still not assuage his rage.

  He should have never gone to her, never touched her, never kissed her. Now he hungered for her like a starving man. Never had he felt desire rip at him, tear at every part of his body as it did now. Never had he wanted a woman as badly as he did Hemera. He was insane with the need for her. It was not good. He could not surrender to it. He would not surrender to it.

  An image of her naked rose in his mind, her pale body soft and supple. Her arms reached out to him, inviting him and urging him to join with her. She climbed on top of him and he could almost feel himself slide snug inside her. She felt as if she was made for him and him alone.

  Mine.

  For the first time ever, Talon lost a battle. He turned and hurried to her dwelling, swung the door open and swung it closed with just as much strength. Hemera had not moved from where she had been standing and he went to her, shedding his foot coverings and his garments as he did.