The Crimson Castle (19 page)

She scrambled over the bedclothes to him, laying her head against his
bare back, brushing her hands over his shoulders and down to his waist before
encircling it, trying to offer some form of comfort. His chest heaved and
glistened with moisture as he held his head in his hands. Moving her way around
his body, she pushed his hands away from his face so she could straddle him,
placing kisses along his neck and jawline.

His breathing eased and his tense body relaxed under her attentions as
he reached for her wrist. He brushed his lips across the delicate skin
underneath, murmuring against it, “Did I hurt you?”

She shook her head, holding back a shiver as he brushed his lips up her
arm, whispering her name. His stubble brushed the side of her breast as he
continued upwards to her shoulder and a whimper escaped her lips. The small
sound of pleasure ignited a flame of passion in his eyes and he bit into her
shoulder as she dug her fingernails into his back. Gone was the gentle
tenderness, replaced with a fiery thirst within them both.

Pulling her tightly against him, she felt his hardness pressed against
her delicate sex and his name shuddered from her. In response he claimed her
mouth with hot and demanding kisses, their tongues dancing, their teeth
clashing, in an effort to devour one another. Their bodies rocked together,
both now sheening from the torturous sensations.

Gabriel bit his way down her neck before pressing his face between her
breasts, forcing her up on to her knees so he could revere her form. Taking one
nipple, then the other in his scorching mouth, Evelyn’s head lolled back and
her lips parted in ecstasy, her eyes clamped shut as she pulled at his hair,
clamping his head to her chest.

Emboldened by desire, Evelyn moved her hands down between their bodies
until they brushed at the sensitive skin of his manhood. When she wrapped
delicate fingers around it, marvelling at the feel of his straining fervour, he
looked up at her in surprise and groaned at the sweet torture of her
inexperienced hands. Her tongue traced a line over her bottom lip and she
looked at him, pupils wide, as she slid out of his embrace and dropped to the
floor in front of him.

The need to taste him consumed her and Gabriel watched in awe as she
dipped her head to touch her tongue to the soft tip, licking at the salty heat.
His body trembled at this timid touch and he tangled his fingers through her
curls as she took another taste, this time taking him into her mouth. His hips
jerked and she smiled at his response, continuing to lick and taste.

Unable to take any more he pulled her to her feet and they stood skin
on skin. With nothing but the moonlight highlighting their bodies, they took in
the sight, before grasping each other and their lust enflamed once more.
Gabriel’s rough hands clutched at her face as she gripped at his shoulders and
they stumbled backwards in a searing embrace.  Her back met the cold stone
wall and forced a gasp from her which he absorbed with the gratifying warmth of
his mouth.

His hands roamed her body, the careful, caressing touch from earlier
that night gone, replaced with sheer desperation, and she whimpered as his
fingers worked their way through the dampness between her legs to increase the
feelings building within her. Her legs quivered but he kept her pinned with the
honeyed torment of his touch until she feared she could take no more.

Calling his name pleadingly as he plundered her mouth once more, he
finally released her, callused hands grabbing her buttocks and lifting her so
her legs encased his hips. His teeth bit at her neck and he pushed against her,
her heat encompassing him swiftly, causing them to still in shock at the
sensation.

Gabriel hesitantly moved against her and feeling her clench in
response, he quickened the pace. Spurred on by her quivering sighs, he drove
himself into her as she tracked her lips across his face and they set up a
frantic pace. Echoing cries of pleasure sounded as they clutched at each other
and Gabriel thrust with unflinching power until she wilted with gratification
and he felt his answering release consume him.

They stayed coupled until the intensity abated and Gabriel slowly
released her, still holding her weary body. He cradled her against him as he
took her back to bed, laying her down with such tenderness that Evelyn feared
her heart might break in two. As he brushed a gentle kiss down her nose, she
smiled up at him.

His returning smile was so filled with gratitude and love that she
momentarily forgot what was awaiting them that very day. The sunlight began to
flicker in through the window, bringing an unwelcome reminder of reality, and
Gabriel turned his face towards it, a grim cloud of realisation casting its
shadow.

Evelyn cupped his cheek and turned him to look at her. “Run for me,
Gabriel.”

“
Evie
…?” He frowned, not sure what she was
asking of him.

“Do not stay to die. If you can escape after…” she trailed off
unwilling to say the words. “Do not stay. I could not bear to see you face the
hangman’s noose.”

He nodded in understanding and lay down, drawing him to her. He had
already considered running, to France or maybe the north, but he was tired of
trying to escape his troubles and even if he managed to, what life could he
possibly lead knowing he would never see Evelyn again? But he could not refuse
her. He had already proved he would do anything she asked of him.

 “I will try.”

Evelyn saw the weariness in his features and she prayed that events
would allow him to move on, to be truly free. She knew with heart-breaking
clarity that she would never neglect to remember their stolen moments together
but to think of him safe would lessen the torment to her mind.

He skimmed his hands over the contours of her body, tracing her curved
waist and cupping her breast in his hand. “I must away. The servants will be
stirring.”

Nodding, she clung to him, burying her head in his neck and trying to
hide her sorrow. He drew her away slowly and brushed at a tear with his thumb.
He stood and searched out his clothes while she wrapped her sheet around her
naked body, suddenly feeling achingly exposed. She watched every movement of
his lithe body as he dressed, trying to imprint the ripple of each muscle into
her memory.

Fully dressed, he gave her a desolate look which gave way to an
expression of pure determination. “I will not fail you, Evelyn.”

“You could never fail me, Gabriel, no matter what transpires.”

She did not reach out to him, fearing it would break the fragile
restraint she had on her emotions, but he came to her nonetheless, pressing a
final kiss to her lips before turning to leave. They shared a last glance, both
hearts hammering painfully before he closed the door and she crumpled, knowing
whatever happened that would be the last she saw of him.

With a heavy heart, Gabriel met with
Tibald
in the Great Hall, who was sat on the dais tucking into his morning meal with
relish. The hall was deserted and Gabriel looked around cautiously. He had
intended to lure
Tibald
into his solar but now was a
good a time as any.

“Good morrow, Gabe. I did not see you at mass,” he spoke through a
mouth of crumbs, waving his bread at him and Gabriel looked at him in distaste,
“or my bride for that matter,” he added.

Gabriel’s heart started at this offhand comment and his clammy hand
rested on the pommel of his sword. “I was checking the preparations for the
celebrations, my lord.”

Tibald
gave him a disinterested look, not
seeming to notice his nervous countenance and motioned him to sit.

“Will you not dine with me? I have a matter I would speak to you of.”
Noticing Gabriel’s reluctance he continued.
“
‘Tis
concerning the
Merston
lands.”

A puzzled frown crossed Gabriel’s face but he sat, curiosity getting
the better of him, concluding that a few moments longer would not damage his
cause.

Tibald
gave him a grin as he proffered the
wine and pushed a plate of fish towards him. Gabriel had no appetite but he
took a swig of wine, draining the chalice, hoping to ease his tensions. He caught
Tibald
studying him and raised his brows at him
questioningly.

“What of my lands?”

Tibald
pursed his lips and stood, dropping
his hunk of bread unceremoniously on the table. He turned as if thinking and
move towards the fire. Gabriel watched his erratic behaviour with bafflement.
His master was given to odd moods but he seemed more irrational than usual.
Tibald
motioned for him to join him and he obediently
followed wishing he would get on with it so Gabriel could move to the task at
hand.

Putting a large hand to his shoulder, Gabriel looked at him with
unease. “You have served me well these past years, Gabe. I have been of a mind
to reward you.”

“My lord…?” Gabriel blinked as his vision blurred slightly. He became
aware of a tingling sensation working its way through his body and he wondered
if it was a symptom of his apprehension.

Tibald
laughed and slapped him roughly on the
back, sending him stumbling towards the table as he became unsteady on his
feet. “Well, that was until you helped yourself to your own reward…”

Sweat beaded on Gabriel’s face and realisation hit him with a blow as
pain coursed through his body. He drew his sword, taking a shaky step towards
Tibald
.

“You knew?”

Tibald
sneered, “Of course I knew. I am no
fool. I watched you with her… I watched you pant at her heels for scraps of her
affection. You are weak, Gabe,” he spat.

Gabriel realised now, all those looks of amusement were not directed at
Evelyn but at him. He could not believe he had been so idiotic as to believe
that
Tibald
would allow him to court Evelyn right
under his nose. His obsession with her had drowned his sense of caution. His
stomach clenched in agony as the poison worked its way through his body.

“Did you really think it would be that easy?”
Tibald
drew his sword, waving it in front of Gabriel’s face, taunting him, knowing
full well his weakened physical state meant that this was to be no fair fight.
He stepped into guard, his wrist turned upwards, mockingly inviting Gabriel to
take the first step.

Taking a desperate lunge towards
Tibald
,
Gabriel clumsily swung his sword at him but
Tibald
stepped aside easily. He thrust once more, only to be rewarded by the scrape of
steel upon steel as his blade slide down the length of
Tibald’s
.

He was weakening quickly, the poison taking its wicked toll with a
quick efficacy.
Tibald
was happy to draw the fight
out but Gabriel knew he had little time before his body closed down altogether
so he continued on the defensive, attacking with a flurry of blows, easily
parried but bringing the two men closer together until they were almost chest
to chest.

Breath
coming fast now,
Tibald
slammed a knee into Gabriel’s stomach, forcing the exhausted man to stumble
backwards into the table with a clatter as the goblets sloshed their contents
in a red pool, a stark reminder of what lay at stake.

Fed up with playing,
Tibald
took a lunge
which Gabriel barely blocked, the hiss of the blade slicing through the leather
of his upper arm. Warmth seeped slowly down his arm and he knew he’d taken a
hit but he felt no pain, adrenaline still keeping him on his feet.

Exhilarated by drawing first blood,
Tibald’s
face reflected an excited madness, his eyes wide, tongue darting out of his
mouth to lick at his lips with satisfaction. They circled each other warily;
the only sounds being the light touch of their feet crunching through the
rushes and the inhalation of breath. The agony in Gabriel’s stomach became more
acute, nausea swept through him and he dripped with exertion.

“Pray tell me, Gabe, is she worth dying for?”

The thought of Evelyn spurred Gabriel into action and with a feral
roar; he pushed himself forwards and took a running thrust, throwing what
little strength he had left behind it. He knew he risked being impaled upon
Tibald’s
blade but pure desperation drove him forwards.

The other man saw it coming and, allowing the blow to slide past, he
grabbed at the hilt of Gabriel’s sword bringing it past him, using the
opportunity to smash his pommel into Gabriel’s face. He gasped, a red mist
forming in front of his eyes and he collapsed to his knees. He could barely
feel his limbs now and the sickness overcame him.
Tibald
kicked his sword from his hands and Gabriel slumped fully to the floor, his
breath coming in short pants.

Tibald
circled him with slow measured paces,
his broadsword pointed at his prone body. “After everything I did for you,” he
sighed. “I practically raised you and now you choose to betray me. “

  “You made me into an animal!”

“Nay, I made you into a man!”
Tibald
shouted.
“If I had known your head could be turned with such ease by a female, I never
would have bothered with you. I should have just let you hang.”
Tibald
knelt down in front of him and hissed at him,
spittle hitting his face. “Tell me, Gabe, did you despoil her?”

Gabriel glared at him through a haze of pain as
Tibald
watched for a reaction.

“I hope not, for her sakes.”
Tibald
laughed
as Gabriel tried to grab at him and moved aside, kicking at him, entertained by
his feeble actions. “Oh worry not, you’re not dying.
Just…incapacitated.
I may let you live long enough to see me wed my lovely bride. Mayhap I’ll even
let you watch me bed her.”