Dare to Defy (11 page)

“The priestess said we must not interfere, Ran. My heart aches for what that child must be experiencing,” Günter said sadly. “She has never been without us to protect her, and never so far from her home. I shamefully do not find much comfort in the silent promises of the gods to watch over her as does my errant wife.”

Kres pulled his thick fingers through his hair in frustration. “The priestess would have us sit like sheep awaiting slaughter? She was as a mother to Daynel! Does she expect us to do nothing but squat like toothless old men after this Prince Ethan has brought insult upon our father, our sister, and our home?”

“Alas, we know not what the gods have reasoned. I struggle with waiting as you do, but we must obey their instructions.”

“I do not follow the ways of the dragon gods,” Ran said angrily. “I will take up my sword and…”

“
Do nothing
!” Günter shouted, grabbing his younger brother by the front of the shirt. “If we disobey, the price will be much more than our pride! Go comfort Father if you really desire to assist, but you are not to raise a sword or an army for this. Not until we are told to do so!”

“Steady, Günter,” the more level-headed Kres said, pulling the two apart. “Daynel’s absence is causing you more pain than any of us and if you believe the instructions of the gods to be true, we will honor your request. Will we not?” He glared at his twin, who nodded. “How else might we assist you?”

“Retrieve my wife and bring her to my chambers. She and I have business to attend to.”

“Hopefully after you wash off the slop from your body. If I were a woman, I would not even so much as glance in your direction, “ Ran said, back to teasing.

“If you were a woman, I would keep myself covered in mud to avoid you,” Günter grunted before turning on his heel and departing.

* * *

Ilesbet inhaled the fresh air deeply as the wind blew by her face, the brisk cold revitalizing her spirit. In the back of her mind, she could picture the gods shaking their heads and clucking their tongues in disapproval for the deplorable treatment she had rendered her husband. The gods demanded that she was to always carry herself with respect and in submission to those they had placed in her life. Particularly to her husband and her Guardian. Shamefully, in a fit of selfish defiance, she showed Günter neither respect nor submission and sadly accepted that she would be facing more than a head shake when she returned to him. Ilesbet did not know what had come over her when she dared defy Günter’s commands—after all, he issued them strictly with the thought of safety for her and the children she carried. She also knew that her delicate bottom would pay dearly for that defiance, and that her husband would not allow her to drift into the warm embrace of her mind’s eye. That was, by far, the worse punishment he could render. To spank her to the brim of floating and then prevent her from entering that space within her spirit where she felt total peace. She knew that he would lecture her endlessly, requiring her to answer him and stay in the present reality. Everything inside of her would ache to touch the realm of the gods, and he would deliberately block her entry, forcing her to continue to feel the discipline that he applied.

She rode to the top of the highest hill in sight and walked the horse in a circle to study the horizon. There! To the east was a ridge of purple-hued clouds. Ilesbet let go with a sigh of relief. Daynel was not only safe, but was on her way to find her destiny. She offered thanks to the gods as well as prayers for the girl’s safety and happiness, as well as a little mercy for herself. She turned her head to the sound of horses galloping near her, and sighed. Günter had sent reinforcements.

“There is our wayward priestess!” Kres said jovially, pulling his horse up next to her. Ran came up to her opposite side. “You have left your husband in a foul mood, Ilesbet. I pity your hindquarters this day.”

“I agree,” Ran said, shaking his head. “I have not seen him so sour since the day he found the two of us trying to sharpen his sword on the side of a boulder.”

“I trust that neither of you will come to my defense this time, will you?” Ilesbet asked, her lower lip pouting quite prettily, making the two large men wince.

“Please, do not try to convince us to intercede on your behalf. We love you as a sister, but Günter’s anger frightens the waters of hell from our veins,” Kres said, patting her arm. “We all have rules we must obey. And his are absolute. He is not just our brother, but our crown prince.”

“You could, for once, not follow orders and think for yourselves, you know,” Ilesbet argued, frowning as Ran took her mare’s reins in his hand to lead them back.

“We could, but then we would be in as much trouble as you. Not just with Günter, but with Father. They are our sovereigns and…” Ran began.

“They are your brother and your father. Men, like you. Please…”

“Argue as you must, dear Ilesbet. Eventually, you must return home to your family and your discipline,” Kres stated firmly.

“I cannot believe you used your power on Günter,” Ran chuckled. “What I would have given to see the look on his face!”

“Aye, myself as well,” Kres agreed. “It is not often that he is silenced.”

Ilesbet pouted as they walked her horse back to the castle and handed the reins to the ostler. Ran held out his arms to lift her from the horse and gently place her on the ground. He kissed her cheek and departed with a pat on her backside. Kres laughed at the scowl on her face and held out his arm for her to take.

“I will escort you personally to your husband. I trust you will not use your magic upon me, yes?”

“I will not. I give my word,” Ilesbet sighed, feeling him squeeze her hand as they departed the stables. “How is it that you and Ran believe in magic, but refuse to believe in the gods?”

“When I see the gods, then I will believe in them. I doubt not their ability to exist, but am not convinced that they do.”

“It is this lack of faith that is causing the destruction of our world, Kres. Apathy and disbelief is what gives the Darkness its strength.”

Kres did not respond as he considered her words. He continued to lead her through the main hall and nearly collided with the king. “I apologize, Sire,” he said, offering a polite bow and Ilesbet curtseyed. “I did not see you lurking around the corner.”

“Since when is it considered lurking when I peruse about my own home?” King Rufus grinned. “And what trouble might you be in, my darling?”

“What gives you reason to believe that I am in trouble?” Ilesbet asked smartly.

Rufus laughed. “I have seen that expression many times over the years of my life. That, and the fact that my son is clutching your arm tight enough that you cannot escape.”

“I defied Günter and went riding,” Ilesbet admitted, facing the floor.

“And then she called upon her power to prevent him from stopping her,” Kres added humorously.

“My, my…it seems that you will not be joining us at our table this evening then. I will miss your beauty gracing my table. Have you word of my daughter?” the old man asked, suddenly solemn. Ilesbet nodded and shared what knowledge she had, hoping to procrastinate longer to allow Günter more time to calm himself. The old man listened carefully, concern painted over his face as he stared up toward the high ceiling.

“I know my child well,” he said thoughtfully. “She and Günter are very much as I was in my younger days. She will find a way to handle herself and be free of him. I agree that our kingdom is also in danger and we need to prepare for attack. I do not believe that Ethan will allow this insult to his pride go unpunished. Kres, I wish you and Ran to rally the soldiers and advise them to keep ready, and to warn the townsfolk to prepare for the event when Ethan comes upon us.”

“I do not understand, Father,” Kres frowned. “Ethan has Daynel with him. Why would he attack?”

“Because,” Ilesbet intervened, “as your father said, she will find a means to escape him. She knows she does not belong to the southern kingdom and is being called east. She cannot fulfill her destiny as his prisoner.”

“If she has shown any hint of having the power in her, as you suspect, my Ilesbet, then he will want to keep her captive and use her for his own bidding. She is more valuable to him alive than dead, which also means he will become more desperate. He is a cruel, arrogant, and greed-driven man…he will stop at nothing until he gains what he desires. Please do as I say, my son,” Rufus request gently.

“As you command, Sire.” Kres gave a small bow. “Now, if you would please excuse me, but I have an unhappy package to deliver to the crown prince.”

“Go in peace, children. To you, my dear,” King Rufus kissed Ilesbet’s forehead, “I wish that the gods be merciful upon your bottom end.”

“‘Tis not the gods I worry about, Father,” Ilesbet sighed, lifting the edges of her gown as she began to walk with Kres, She bit her lip as the two entered her chambers and saw Günter sitting in wait, his long, white sleeves rolled up past his elbows, and wearing soft, leather leggings and high boots. He nodded his acknowledgement to his brother, who quickly kissed the woman’s cheek and departed without a word.

“Present yourself to me, Ilesbet,” Günter ordered firmly, his eyes narrowed. Ilesbet swallowed, trying to remember the last instance when he was truly angry with her. It had been many years. So many that the memory had been wiped from her mind. She glided toward his chair and knelt at his feet, her head bowed respectfully before him. Her trembling was noticeable and Günter reached to stroke the top of her head.

“I am very disappointed in you, my love,” he said in a deep, soft voice. “I never believed I would see that day when you not only blatantly defied me, but used your powers against me. Did you also enchant my horse so that he refused to pursue you?”

“No, husband. I did not,” Ilesbet whispered, feeling tears pool in her eyes. Günter’s calm demeanor frightened her more than his anger.

“Hmm…for whatever reason, Firestar did not feel it urgent to follow you and rolled me to the ground. You swear you had nothing to do with that?”

Ilesbet hid a smile as she imagined the giant warhorse dumping his rider in the bog. She simply nodded. Günter sighed, standing. He lifted her chin to look up at him, his towering form more intimidating than she could remember. Ilesbet was a tall woman, at 5′8″, yet Günter still loomed over her head as though she were as tiny as the 5′1″ Daynel.

“To the bed, Ilesbet. You will be punished severely this evening, and there will be no pleasure for you, nor will you be allowed to enter the Gates of the gods.”

“Günter…husband…please allow me to explain.”

“Explain what? That you wished something and took it, despite my instructions? That you bound me with air to prevent me from stopping your foolishness? You carry
my
babes within you as well as yours, and I have never allowed you to ride with nary a one cradled inside of you. Would you believe I would have changed my thoughts knowing that you carried two? And one a female?”

“No, but…”

“But you wanted what you wanted, and decided to take it. Thus, you will now suffer the consequence. I would have ridden with you, wife, upon Firestar. He is the only horse I would trust to protect you and the infants, especially if I was in saddle with you. Now, to the bed.”

Ilesbet flushed, slowly standing. She suspected his discipline would be inventive while she carried a child, sparing all jarring to her womb. She dragged her feet to the edge of the tall bed and waited his direction.

“Remove all your clothing and be quick. Turn and I will untie your laces.”

There was no seduction in his nimble fingers as he speedily undid the back of her dress, nor was there the typical longing in his eyes as the gown fell to the floor, the mudded edges reminding her of what had transpired. His impersonal stare told her that he only thought of business at hand, and that his heart had been neatly tucked away for after the unpleasant task had been completed.

Ilesbet peeled the chemise from her body, then slowly removed the small clothes and long-legged bloomers that protected her limbs from cold. The room was already warm, thanks to the great, crackling fire that blazed in the hearth, but it did not prevent yet another chill of dread from speckling her bare, pale skin.

Günter gestured to the mattress and waited until Ilesbet sat herself on the edge, worrying her lower lip between her teeth. In silence, he seized her wrists and knotted silk ropes around them. Ilesbet’s heart began to pound, knowing that her punishment was to be severe if he felt the need to restrain her. She suddenly began to regret her actions as he repeated the gesture to her ankles.

“Lay back and keep your feet upon the floor.”

Two tears dripped from the woman’s eyes as she obeyed. He took the ropes attached to her wrists and firmly tied them to the bedposts, spreading her arms wide above her. He then took the ropes adorning her ankles and looped them high over the top frame of the bed, forcing her legs into the air, spread wide and exposing her womanly charms, as well as her bottom, to his full view.

“Günter, please. This position. It’s so…”

“Humiliating? Does it remind you of the position one takes while being swaddled as an infant? Your behavior, wife,” he smacked an exposed, white buttock with his hand, “was as childish as a newborn babe!” He smacked the other cheek sharply, pleased to hear her yelp.

He stepped back to view Ilesbet fully bound, noting that her snow-white globes carried the print of his hand. He produced a tawse and slapped it against his palm, watching as Ilesbet’s eyes widened. The leather instrument was about 18″ in length and was split into three wide tongues of about one inch in width each. A handle adorned the base, obviously made to fit Günter’s large grip.

“Lovely, isn’t it? The saddle master quickly fashioned this for me when he witnessed your obstinance. Smart man, wouldn’t you agree? It is thanks to him that you will not be tasting the birch this day. He voiced concern that a woman carrying a child would struggle too much under the punishment of wood,” Günter said, pacing the room. He paused to glance at Ilesbet’s womanhood. The little wench was wet! Well, he knew that her state of arousal would not last.