“I would have your oath as a knight first.”
“And I give it.”
Denedor’s problem was that he trusted knights. He believed them all to be men of their word. As he turned back for the open gates, he did not see Atreus cast a long look at Jax, who refused to look at him. He did not see Keats hang his head in sorrow. All he could think of was allowing Kellington a few moments with de Velt so that the man would leave them alone. Perhaps it was a foolish belief and deep down, he really didn’t think that Kellington would let de Velt go so easily. He fully expected tears, screams and all things similar. Moreover, he didn’t really think that de Velt would leave as simply as all that. But in lieu of a full-blown siege, he was willing to try something that could be potentially painful for the lady. But it would only work if de Velt stuck to his word.
Jax stood tall and silent as he await Denedor’s return. Keats was several feet away, staring at the ground, as Atreus casually moved to Jax. He stood next to him but faced away from the castle. He did not want Keats to overhear him.
“What are you doing?” he whispered.
Jax did not change expression. “Waiting for Kellington.”
“That’s not what I mean and you know it. Tell me what you have planned so that I might at least be prepared.”
Jax shifted on his enormous legs. “I have nothing planned other than that which will naturally take place,” he said quietly. “Let Kellington see me and we will see if her father does not change his mind. I have seen her when she becomes irate; Keats will not be able to deny her.”
“Your whole plan hinges on this?”
“It does. I know I am right.”
It seemed simple enough but Atreus was still dubious. Puffing out his cheeks, he exhaled sharply and resumed his post over near the chargers. He, too, would wait and see. He wondered what would happen if the lady did not react as Jax anticipated. Or if her father did not react as Jax anticipated. There were too many variables in the mix and he was on his guard.
What he did not expect was the expression on Jax’s face when Kellington emerged through the cracked main gates. With her long braids and delicious blue dress, she looked like an angel. Jax looked as if he was about to collapse. Denedor had her by the arm as he led her out, but the moment she saw Jax, her face crumpled into tears and she yanked herself harshly from Denedor’s grasp. As she raced for Jax, Keats managed to get a hold of her arm but Kellington pulled hard, so hard that she lost her balance and went stumbling with the momentum. Jax was there to catch her, and he swept her possessively into his arms. It all happened in a split second and suddenly, they were together. He had her now and he would never let her go again.
Kellington threw her arms around his neck, holding him tightly enough to strangle him. She wept loudly into his shoulder, her tears falling upon the mail and armor that protected him. He took a step back, away from Denedor and Keats as they advanced. With a pointed look at Atreus, the man understood the silent command and unsheathed his broadsword, leveling it at the two knights.
“Come no further,” he ordered firmly. “De Velt has what he came for. He will leave you now in peace.”
“Nay!” Keats roared. “He cannot have her!”
“But he does,” Atreus said evenly. “Turn back for the fortress and we will leave without incident. Pursue this and we will have no choice but to destroy you.”
“Nay,” Kellington’s head came up, her face wet with tears. She looked at Jax, an almost panicked look on her face. “You will not harm these people, Jax. They are only trying to protect me.”
Jax looked at her, so glad to have her in his arms that he could hardly think straight. He kissed her, eagerly, his raised visor bumping her forehead. She seemed not to care or notice as she returned his tender kisses.
“Let me take you back to the wagons,” he said. “We will speak of….”
She shook her head. “No, Jax,” she insisted softly. “You will leave Alnwick alone. Please. I am asking you to.”
Jax looked at her, knowing what he had promised his men. They were expecting Alnwick. He couldn’t lie to his men; if he did, their loyalty to him would be at an end. But if he did not, he suspected Kellington would take great issue with him. A new, more dangerous kind of turmoil began to breed in his chest.
“Kelli,” he said quietly. “My decisions with my army are my own. Although I respect your request, you must let me do as I must.”
She stared at him. “But I have asked you not to raze Alnwick. These people have been kind to me. It was not their fault that my father brought me here. I forbid you to attack this castle.”
His expression flickered. “You do not make demands.”
“I am not demanding. I am telling you not to do this. Will you honor my wishes?”
He sighed, not wanting to get into a battle with her when he had only just gotten her back. He wanted to kiss her until she swooned, then make love to her until she fainted. He wanted her so badly that his entire body ached for her. But there was an obstacle arising that could ruin everything.
He looked away, turning around and making way towards his charger. Kellington released her grip on his neck and pushed herself from his arms. He tried to reclaim her, but she moved away from him.
“You cannot punish these people,” she said in a low voice. “They have done nothing wrong other than offer me shelter. Why would you punish them for this?”
He put his hands on his hips, massive fists that rested against the armor. “I will ask you a question, then,” he fired back quietly. “Tell me of this Denedor and how he came to be your betrothed.”
She looked at him as if he was speaking of something highly inconsequential. “My father promised him my hand to put me out of your reach,” she waved him off. “It means nothing. I would not have permitted it.”
Jax cast a long glance at Denedor, still being held at bay by Atreus’ sword. “He called you his wife.”
“I am not his wife. I will be yours.”
“He has not touched you?”
“Not at all. Do you really think I would allow such a thing? Have you so little faith in me?”
He turned back to her, his heart softening at the sight of her. “Of course I have faith in you,” he said quietly. “But I’ve not seen you in days. Why are we at odds right now?”
“Because I have asked you not to punish those at Alnwick,” she moved towards him, pressing her sweet body against his hard, cold mail. He put his arms around her as she spoke. “Please, Jax. There is no need to do this. I beg you.”
“Do not beg me,” he rumbled weakly. “I do not like it when you beg me.”
“Then do not make me beg.” She put a hand up to his face, touching his cheek with her warm, soft palm. “I have grown to love you, Jax. There; now I’ve said it. I have missed you horribly. Please let us ride from this place and never look back.”
He looked as if he was about to have some manner of emotional breakdown. “You love me?”
“I do. Now, will you please leave Alnwick alone and take me away from here?”
His mouth worked as if attempting to find the correct words. He could not believe what he had heard. He never thought to hear those words from her, or anyone, as long as he lived.
“My sweetest little love,” the dual-colored eyes were moist with emotion. “Know that I have loved you since nearly the moment we met. I cannot remember when I have not loved you.”
She forgot all about Denedor, Alnwick, her father, and the situation at hand for the moment. The look in his two-colored eyes erased everything from her mind but the joy of his words. Enveloped in his powerful embrace, she had never felt more fulfilled nor cherish. She smiled broadly and he returned the gesture. Like two giddy children, they grinned at each other, a stolen moment just for the two of them.
“Can we go, then?” she asked softly. “Please, Jax. I just want to go with you and leave this place.”
His smile faded; as much as he wanted to relent, he knew that he could not.
But he could not tell her that; at least, not at the moment. He gently turned her towards his charger.
“Let us return to the rear of my army,” he said. “They are setting up an encampment. We can speak more of things there.”
She was preparing to mount when, suddenly, there were sounds of a battle off to their left. They both turned in time to see Denedor and Atreus locked in mortal combat; when Atreus’ attention had been momentarily diverted, Denedor had unsheathed his broadsword and brought it about. Kellington gasped as Atreus and Denedor lost themselves to the violence of a battle. With the power and skill they were exhibiting, it was sure to be a deadly one.
“Jax,” she touched his arm insistently. “Stop them.”
Jax didn’t say anything for a moment; he was more interested in watching the scene unfold. Atreus was a strong warrior, but Denedor was almost overpowering him. It was impressive to watch. Seeing that Jax had not yet moved to do her bidding, Kellington abruptly rushed forward.
“Stop it,” she demanded. “Stop it, I say!”
Jax came up behind her quickly, quietly, and put his hands on her shoulders to stop her from charging any closer. “Kelli,” he rumbled. “Leave them be. Some things must be settled at the point of a sword.”
She was quickly growing horrified. “Denedor!” she gasped. “Stop it this instant!”
Denedor took his eyes off of Atreus long enough to look at her, nearly getting his head cut off in the process. With blinding speed, he ducked the blade, swung beneath it, and came up behind Atreus. His broadsword went against the man’s neck and all action immediately ceased.
Atreus knew he was in a bad way. With cold steel against his neck there was nothing more he could do. He held up his hands, letting his broadsword fall to the soft green earth, to signal surrender.
“Be quick about it,” he told Denedor.
“Nay!” Kellington cried. “Denedor, do not kill him. Please!”
By this time, Jax had unsheathed his own sword and was stalking Denedor. Denedor saw Jax moving toward him and he pressed the blade more firmly against Atreus’ neck.
“Not another step, de Velt,” he commanded in a tone that Kellington had never heard from him. “Any closer and I will kill him.”
Jax slowed but did not halt. “He is a warrior in my stable,” his voice was deadly cold. “He knows that death is eventually expected. Do what you must with him and then prepare yourself to face my wrath.”
“Nay!” Kellington shrieked, rushing to put herself in the very dangerous position between Jax and Denedor. She held up her hands to Jax to stop his forward progression. “You will not harm him, Jax. Put your sword away and let us leave for your camp. Please.”
It was obvious that Jax was torn. He reached out to gently grasp her hand, trying to pull her out of the way.
“Come away from there, love,” he said. “Let the men do as they must.”
But she wouldn’t move. “I will not let you kill him,” she was suddenly furious, turning to Denedor as he pressed the blade against Atreus’ neck. “Denedor, release him. There will not be any blood shed this day if I can help it. Please do as I ask.”
Denedor’s pale blue eyes moved between Kellington and Jax. “I will release him on one condition,” he said. “That you remain here, with me, and de Velt’s army departs. Those are the terms.”
Jax had come to a halt but he still held on to Kellington. With her gaze on Denedor, Kellington gently pulled her wrist from Jax’s grasp and moved towards Denedor and Atreus. She stood directly in front of Atreus, her gaze on the blond knight who held the man at bay, and put her hands onto the steel against Atreus’ neck. The implication was obvious. She pulled it away, weakly at first, her tug gradually growing stronger until Denedor relented and let her pull it away completely.
When Atreus was no longer under threat of having his throat slit, he swiftly pulled himself free and dashed several feet away. Kellington gave a good shove and pushed Denedor back a few steps so that there was space between him and the two mercenary knights. But still, she did not remove her hand from the blade. Her golden brown eyes were fixed on the man she had come to know over the past couple of days. She felt sorry for him, but not sorry enough to accept his terms.
“I cannot stay with you,” she said quietly. “Please understand that it is my wish to marry Jax. He is the man I love. You are a good man, Denedor. A worthy woman will come your way and you will know happiness again someday. But I am not that lady; I belong to someone else. Can you not understand that?”
He just stared at her. Then, he slowly lowered the blade and reached out to grasp her hand. Fearful that he would not let her go should he get a hold of her, she moved out of arm’s length, watching his face ripple with disappointment.
“Is there nothing I can say to convince you?” he asked.
She shook her head. “You must let me go with Jax,” she said. “Not only because I want to, but because Alnwick will be spared if I do.”
“We do not fear de Velt’s army.”
“But I do not want any battles on my account. My life is not worth the hundreds that will die.”
“Kelli,” Keats, who had been standing back for much of the exchange, moved forward, his aged face lined with sorrow. “You do not know what you are saying. If you go with de Velt, your life is at an end.”
Surprisingly, she smiled at her father. “I know you were only doing what you felt best when you took me from Pelinom,” she said. “But you must let me make my own choices in life, father. Only then will I be happy. This is my choice. Please respect that, for better or for worse.”
Keats looked as if he was going to become physically ill; with all the tussling over the past several minutes, he could see the inevitable was about to happen and there was nothing he could do about it. Finally, after weeks of sorrow and pain and struggle, he surrendered to the unavoidable. His daughter was to marry a murderer. With a disgusted shake of his head, he turned away from her.
“If that is your choice, then know that you no longer exist to me,” he muttered. “I no longer have a daughter. ’Twould have been better had you never been born.”
Kellington’s smile faded as she watched him walk away. Then the tears came, filling her eyes and spilling down her cheeks. Her father did not understand what was in her heart and for that, she was deeply sorry.
“Please do not say that,” she begged softly.
He didn’t turn around. “I am done with you. Go away and leave me.”
She watched as he continued walking, her heart breaking into a million pieces. “Father,” she called out after him. “I love you.”
Keats didn’t reply; he just kept walking. Kellington stifled a sob in the back of her hand, knowing it would be futile to beg or pursue him. He was in his own world of hurt and would have to deal with it, for she would not go back on her choice. Perhaps someday he would understand.
Denedor was still looking at her. Kellington cast the man a sidelong glance as if to apologize for his troubles, knowing that anything she said to him would seem trite or inadequate at this point. She opted to say nothing and turned away, walking past Atreus and Jax and going to wait by the chargers. In silence, she hung her head and wept.
Jax still stood with his sword in his hand, watching her as she stood by the horses and wiped at her face. Atreus was already moving to join her, wanting to be away from the volatile situation. Turning back to Denedor, Jax cast the man a long, enduring look before sheathing his sword and silently making his way back to Kellington and the charger. There was nothing more to say and everyone was well aware. The case had been heard, tried, weighed and measured. The verdict had been rendered.
It was done.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The fires from the army filled the midday air with a haze of smoke. Two miles from Alnwick, Jax’s army had set up their encampment and a litter of tents spotted the large green meadow they had chosen for their site. Several fat pigs, stolen from local farmers, were on spits and the
smell of roasting pork lingered on the breeze.
Kellington sat beneath a tree with a half loaf of bread, a bladder of wine and a hunk of tart, white cheese. Jax had spread a blanket for her and she lounged comfortably in the shade, watching the activity of the distant camp. Tor and a few soldiers had pitched Jax’s tent nearby, something he rarely used but a shelter they traveled with nonetheless. Now that the lady was with them, Jax had ordered them to provide her with all suitable comforts they possessed.
Jax was milling around the camp, attended by Atreus and Tor. She could hear his big, booming voice in the distance. Every once in a while she would catch a glimpse of him as he wandered in and out of the trees and men. She had watched him for a full hour as he had positioned two enormous siege engines in the middle of the field, great catapults on wheels that hurled rocks and other projectiles in the heat of battle. His men were also moving in and out of the nearby forest, cutting down trees and towing the logs out into the field where another group set to work on them. They were building something, though she did not know what that was. It was curious and interesting to watch.
As she finished the last of her wine, Jax finally emerged from a distant cluster of trees and began to make his way towards her. She watched him approach, the way his powerful body moved. It was enough to set her heart fluttering with excitement and not fear as others felt when they saw him. As he drew close, he removed his helm and his shoulder-length hair spilled forth. The sunlight glistened off the black strands as he ducked beneath her tree and set his helm on the ground.
“Well,” he said casually, taking the bladder from her to see if there was any left. “Feeling better?”
She nodded, chewing on a piece of cheese. “Much better. When are we leaving?”
Disappointed there was nothing left in the bladder, he tossed it aside and lowered his big body next to her. “Leaving to where?”
“Home, I would guess.”
He lifted a dark eyebrow at her as he took the cheese out of her hand and put it in his mouth. “Do we have to speak of that now? Can we just not talk between us of inconsequential things?”