The King's Executioner (19 page)

“I wonder then what fate the King intends for me and you, though I do not think he will lose his executioner.”

“The King is a fair man,” Paine said, hoping that he would be more than fair in this matter. “It has been a long journey and a difficult day. We should rest.”

“Aye, my body grows tired.”

“I will sit first, then I will ease you down on top of me.” He was struck with a sudden image of her naked, his manhood slipping into her as she came down on him and he grew aroused and annoyed at doing so.

Once he positioned himself as comfortable as possible on the hard ground, his back against the wall, he said, “Turn so my voice is behind you and remove your cloak. We can use it as a blanket. It will get cold in here tonight. Then stretch your one hand out behind you. I will find it.”

As she did, she realized how small the space was, her shoulder brushing the opposite wall as she turned after removing her cloak. She stretched her hand out behind her as he told her to do and his hand found hers as he said he would.

“Come down slowly. I will guide you.”

She startled when his other hand touched her backside as she lowered herself, though he moved it to her waist quickly.

It took some maneuvering to finally settle as comfortably as the small space would allow. Their legs were bent at their knees with her legs tucked tightly between his and her back rested against his chest. Her bottom fit snugly in his lap, his arousal pressed firmly against her, though she made no mention of it. How could she when it caused tempting stirrings in her?

After she spread her cloak over them, his arms settled around her beneath the soft wool and his hands hugged her arms she had folded over her chest.

They sat quiet, Anin’s fear having dissipated, replaced by a stirring that grew as the warmth of their bodies mingled together and she felt his arousal stirring beneath her.

Paine grew annoyed that he could not stop his desire for her from growing. He could easily poke her here and now and be done with it. After all, she was no longer to be Queen. But that would only prove to the King that he had wanted Anin all along. He had to make the King see that he saw to his task of keeping her safe and no more. Maybe then he would return Anin to her family and it would be done. He would never see her again.

Sorrow that he had not felt in many years washed over him. He had never thought to feel it again, never wanted to, it hurt much too much. It was why he never allowed himself to care. It was why he made a good executioner. Why he would continue to be a good executioner.

He forced the sorrow away, burying it deep before it became unbearable as it once did. He would see this done. He would see that the King sent Anin home. He would see her safe and out of his life... no matter how much it hurt.

Paine woke to Bog growling. “Are you out there Wrath?”

“Aye, and tell this animal of yours to stop and move aside,” Wrath said with an angry tone that intensified Bog’s growl.

“Let the fool pass, Bog,” Paine ordered.

Anin stretched, arching her body against Paine and wincing from the ache in her limbs.

“Stand before Wrath opens the door,” he ordered and grabbed at her waist and hoisted her off him.

Her limbs were stiff from not moving all night and she remained hunched over, having trouble stretching the aches out.

Paine was on his feet with ease and with a hand pressed to her chest and one to her back he eased her up straight just before the door flew open.

“The King commands both your presence,” Wrath said.

Anin gathered what courage she could to help meet her fate.

Though the sky was heavy with clouds, Anin squinted when she stepped out of the hut, the pale light difficult to look upon, at first, after complete darkness.

Paine shielded his eyes after stepping outside, his hand falling away after a few moments. He knew the consequences of spending time in the prison chamber, though they were far worse after spending three days in one. He looked to Bog waiting patiently for a command and signaled him to do as he pleased, knowing the wolf needed time to roam.

The short walk to the feasting house helped dissipate the aches in Anin’s limbs, though only made her worry grow. If the King no longer wanted her as his Queen, what would he do with her?

Anin remained close to Paine when they entered the feasting house and she saw King Talon waiting for them in front of the long table. He appeared even more intimidating than yesterday, garbed in black, his arms crossed and resting on his chest.

“Take her,” King Talon ordered with a nod at Anin and two of his personal guard stepped forward.

Paine stepped in front of her. “Tell me you intend her no harm.”

“You dare question me?” the King snapped angrily.

“I do,” Paine said without hesitation. “Anin is a kind woman and does not deserve harm.”

King Talon dropped his crossed arms away from his chest and stepped forward. “That is for me to decide.”

Anin would not see Paine suffer for defending her. She stepped around him. “I will go with the warriors.” She turned to Paine, sensing he was about to say something and laid her hand on his arm. “I will be fine. See that you are as well.” She could feel her words console him some, but she had not eased his worry. “Truly, I will be fine.” She turned and went with the two warriors before Paine said or did something that would only make the matter worse.

“Wrath tells me you saw some Drust meet with one of my warriors and that a Drust death trap has been found near Pictland. Tell me about it and I may be lenient with you and Anin.”

Paine detailed what he had seen and what had happened, though he did not mention that he had kept Anin tethered to him.

“You could see nothing of the man’s face who betrays me?” the King asked.

“He kept himself well concealed, but that is not all I have to tell you. Anin and I came upon a Wyse settlement and I requested their chieftain meet with you.” He went on to explain the many things he had learned about the Wyse Tribe and about his brief stay there.

“You may have just saved Anin’s life,” King Talon said.

If he told the King the suspicions he had about Anin, he wondered what would happen. Would he use her to his benefit? He certainly would not wed her if it turned out that Anin was from the Wyse Tribe, for their firstborn would be a daughter and he needed a son. And what of Anin’s mum? What would be her fate for lying to the King? It was his duty to speak the truth to the King, but so far it was only a thought on his part. He had no proof to present. Still he was honor bound to inform the King, but what of the consequences for Anin?

“You do not ask about your own life,” the King said.

Paine shrugged as if it mattered not to him. “It is for you to decide.”

“You have nothing to say for yourself.”

“I did what was necessary to keep Anin safe. If it was not for her, we would have never known about the Drust death trap, then in death the Drust may have claimed one of ours.”

King Talon tilted his head, his eyes narrowing in question. “How was it that Anin learned of the trap?”

“She fell into the trap.” Paine wanted to pull his words back once they slipped out. Now he would have to explain it all to the King and Wrath, and he would never hear the end of it from Wrath.

“How was it that Anin did not get hurt from her fall into the trap?” King Talon asked.

Paine explained, though he had no wont to. “She was tethered to me and I stopped her fall before she suffered any harm.”

“Tethered?” Wrath said with a grin. “She gave you such trouble that you had to tether her?”

“She did not obey you?” King Talon asked before Paine could answer.

Wrath answered for him. “Since he had to tether her, I would say she paid no heed to his word.”

“The more I hear about this woman, the more I believe you saved me from a dreadful union. I want no wife who will not obey my word or a woman so weak that thunder frightens her.”

Anin was far from weak and Paine made that known. “Anin has courage as she showed when she met the Giantess.”

“No one meets the Giantess unless she allows it and it is the same with the Wyse Tribe. They choose who they will let enter their villages,” King Talon said, settling a stern glance on Paine. “What is so special about Anin that not only the Giantess, but the Wyse Tribe welcomes her?”

Paine caught Wrath’s grin and he knew what he thought. Now he would have to tell the King what he had refused to tell Wrath. Paine saw the disappointment on Wrath’s face when he said, “I would rather be sure of what I suspect than say and be wrong.”

King Talon turned and poured wine from the small jug on the table into a glass vessel, one of many, a foreign merchant had brought for him. He looked back at Paine and took a sip of wine before asking, “Or is it that you do not tell me for fear of what I may do to Anin if it proves I was deceived?”

“I believe Anin has been deceived as well, though until I can discover more I cannot say for sure.”

“I will give you until mid-day to get the truth from her,” King Talon said.

Paine glared at him. “You expect me to torture her?”

“If necessary.”

Paine took two quick steps toward the King.

King Talon’s hand shot out to stop Paine from taking another step. “So far, Paine, your mission has been more than successful. You delivered Anin safely. You made contact with the Wyse and asked for a meet. You warned that the Drust still war with me. I strongly advise you not to add to that... betrayal. Find out who perpetrated this deception against me and why, and not only will you remain in good stead with me, but I will generously reward you. Now go and see it done.”

Paine nodded, knowing if he did not do as the King ordered, someone else would be given the task, and that he could not abide. He also wanted no reward. He only wanted Anin safe from harm.

Wrath followed him out of the feasting house. “Do not challenge the King. He gives you a chance to prove your loyalty. Do not do something foolish.”

“You think me foolish?” Paine snapped.

“Aye, you are foolish when you challenge the King.” Wrath went to put his hand on Paine’s shoulder and Bog snarled in warning. He dropped his hand. “He could have had your head for what you did with Anin.”

“We did nothing,” Paine snapped and heads turned to stare at the two men.

Wrath pointed to the corner of the feasting house, a more secluded place to talk and Paine followed him there.

Wrath kept his voice low. “I see the way you look at Anin, the fierce way you protect her, even from the King. She has bewitched you. She has robbed you of your senses. Do the task the King has ordered you to do and discover the truth before you lose your head over a woman that may have been sent to destroy the King.”

“You are wrong,” Paine said, “and I will prove it.”

“Good, that is all the King asks of you.”

Paine walked away, Bog keeping pace beside him. He had little time to prove Anin innocent and he could not let how he felt about her interfere, not if he wanted to keep her safe. But how did he prove her innocence? The thought troubled him all the way to the dwelling that purposely sat a good distance away from the other dwellings in the King’s stronghold. However, the distance still could not keep the horrifying screams from being heard.

Anin would soon realize how truly evil he was and she would care for him no more.

Anin wondered where two of the King’s personal guards were taking her. When the King had dismissed her, the guards had brought her to a small room where she had been given something to eat and drink. She had eaten little, her thoughts on Paine and what could be happening to him.

They stopped in front of a dwelling, larger than most. One guard pushed the door open and the other shoved her in, the door closing behind her. Her eyes widened at what she saw and she wrinkled her nose at the unpleasant odor that lingered in the air. She wanted to turn and run, but her legs would not move. Besides, the two guards probably stood outside the door to prevent her from leaving.

A fire pit sat in the middle of the room and a long narrow table sat to one side of it. Two lengths of ropes lay at either ends of the table, one end appearing to be fastened to something under the table. On another table were different shaped metal and wood objects and it did not take her long to imagine what they were used for or the suffering they brought. Two leather coverings hung on pegs on the wall not far from the table and several empty buckets sat beneath them.

“These are the tools of my trade.”

Anin jumped, but was relieved to see Paine step out of the shadows, though at first glance she felt a twinge of fear. The fire’s light flickered across his naked chest, causing his numerous body drawings to appear as if they came to life and moved in a macabre fashion. The look in his blue eyes was far different than it had been when last she saw him. There was a coldness to them that almost caused her to shiver. What had happened since they were last together only a short time ago? She had to touch him. She had to find out what had happened.

With strength having returned to her legs, she approached Paine slowly. “Why am I here?”

“The King wants answers.”

She kept walking towards him. “He need only ask me.”

Paine stood where he was. “The King looks for the truth.”

“The truth is all I have to tell.” She stopped in front of him and gasped when his hands shot out and clenched at her waist, lifting her to quickly deposit her on the table. She cringed, knowing she sat where suffering and death took place.

His fingers dug in at her waist. “No, you hide something and I want the truth.”

Anin was quick to lay a hand on his arm, needing to feel for herself what he felt. The room spun from the barrage of feelings that assaulted her. The emptiness she had felt when she had first touched him was there, warring with the part of him that cared deeply for her. It took a moment for her to understand what had happened to him.

“Anin!”

She shook her head as she fought her way past all his mixed and potent feelings, past the spinning to be able to open her eyes that she had not realized she had closed and look at him. It was all too much what she had felt, what he had felt, and what the King expected of him, and her head fell against his chest.

Paine wanted to hold her tight and protect her, but he had only so much time if he was to see her kept unharmed and to do so, he had to make her think she was no longer safe with him.

He grabbed her chin and lifted her head off his chest prepared to squeeze hard and when he looked into her soft green eyes and saw no fear only caring, he did what he never expected to do... he kissed her.

Anin felt her heart soar. He cared for her much too deeply for the emptiness in him to win the battle. As soon as his hand fell off her chin, she quickly slipped her arms around his neck and savored the hungriness of his kiss. It overwhelmed her and all she wanted to do was get lost in it.

Paine thought of nothing but the taste of her, sweet, warm, and giving. She gave of herself more deeply to him with every kiss. He could only imagine how it would feel when they joined. His thought startled him and made him realize that it was not Anin who was being tortured but himself, for they would never join as one.

He abruptly pulled away from her, shaking his head. Time was drawing near and if he did not have answers, she would suffer for it. He stepped back in front of Anin. “I need you to be honest with me.”

“I have been.”

“No, you harbor a secret. Do not make me force you to tell me.”

“You would never harm me,” —she raised her hand when he went to argue— “but the King would and you would defend me. I will not see you harmed. I will tell you, though my mum has repeatedly warned me against telling anyone, but you are not anyone. You are the man who holds my heart and always will.” She did not wait for a response, though he did take hold of her hand and that pleased her. She was concerned of what he would do and how he would feel when he learned the secret she had kept for so long.

He squeezed her hand as if reassuring her and she felt a tug to her chest. He had given his heart to her as well, whether he realized it or not and she had nothing to worry about. They were one and nothing would change that.

“It all began when I was young and would follow my brothers into the woods. They did not want me there with them and would run off and leave me on my own. I was too small to catch up with them and I would sit and cry until one of them returned for me and dragged me home, warning me never to follow them again.”

“I am going to beat your brothers.”

From the angry look on his face, Anin believed he would. “One day, when they had run off without me and I was in desperate need of comfort, I hugged a tree and—” she hesitated.

“Do not be afraid to tell me. It will change nothing between us,” he said, though wondered how it would change her.

“The tree whispered comforting words to me and told me I was in no danger, I only needed to reach out to the trees, the foliage, to the animals and they would help me, protect me. I was so excited to tell my mum, but she scolded me and told me it was nonsense and I was not to tell anyone. But the trees continued to whisper to me and I continued to listen.

“Then one of my brothers had an accident. I grew upset upon hearing him cry out in pain and I went to him and placed my hand on his shoulder to comfort him. I suddenly found myself feeling his pain. It tore through me and I cried out, telling him I was so sorry he suffered so badly. My da yelled at my mum to get me away while they tended his wound. While she dragged me away I told her how I could feel my brother’s terrible pain and how frightened he was and they had to hurry and help him. She shook me hard and warned me never to say such nonsense again. I did not know what I had done wrong, but when it happened again and she punished me again I knew I had done something terribly wrong. After that I was careful of touching others, but then I met you.”

“What difference did I make?”

“You made all the difference. When I touched you, it was as if something opened in me and it grew stronger and stronger each day I spent with you, every time I touched you. It was as though you freed me. That is my secret, all of it.”

Paine reluctantly stepped away from her. He could not let her feel what he was feeling, not take a chance of her realizing that there was more to her ability. He needed to talk with her mum. She was the one keeping the true secret.

“I have told you everything. There is nothing more I keep from you,” Anin said and hopped off the table. “What happens now? Am I to be punished?”

“You did nothing wrong,” Paine said, walking to the door and opening it before Anin could question his actions.

The guards stepped in.

“Take her back to the room where she waited,” Paine ordered.

Anin walked over to Paine. “I can only assume you do what you do to protect me so I will not question it... for now.”

“I will come for you as soon as I can.”

“I am pleased to know that.”

Paine left after them, going to the practice arena where he knew the King would be. It was an enclosed area and the only ones permitted to enter were the King’s personal guards and those he invited. Paine was allowed in anytime and when he entered he stopped and watched as the King stepped into the sparring circle naked to fight two of his personal guards. It did not matter that it was a chilly day, the air crisp. The King made his guards fight naked in all different weather. He wanted them prepared for anything.

Paine had to laugh. The two guards did not stand a chance against the King. There were none who stood taller than the King and he was stronger than most. He was skilled in all weapons, though his prowess with a sword was unbeatable.

Today they used no weapons, only their hands.

Paine joined Wrath where he stood removed from the other warriors. He was naked as well, his body dripping with sweat. He had already battled the King.

“The King bested you again,” Paine said with a grin.

Wrath shook his head. “I thought I had him this time.”

“Paine!”

He turned at the King shouting his name.

“Come fight me. I have no worthy opponents today.” The King pointed to the two fallen warriors on the ground.

One warrior struggled to his feet and hobbled over to the other warrior to help him up and holding on to each other they stumbled out of the sparring circle.

“Come fight me!” the King shouted and waved Paine over.

It was not a request and Paine stripped off his garments.

Rarely did the King call his executioner to fight him, so all the King’s guards gathered to watch in eager anticipation.

Paine approached the King slowly. The King’s courage was well know, his body lean and taut with muscle and he possessed strength that far exceeded most men. Paine had seen the King snap a large man’s neck with little effort and watched him swing his sword with even less effort and he did so because of his keen mind. He was wise in the ways of battle strategy and wise in taking stock of his opponent. When his anger raged all fled and when he spoke with wisdom all listened. He was a true King, and Paine was proud to serve him.

Paine entered the sparring circle, all eyes on him. It was not often others saw all his body drawings. And once he began to fight they would stare even more intently, each drawing appearing as if it moved of its own accord. It caught the eye, mesmerized, and distracted.

“Do not hold back, Paine.”

“You are the King,” Paine reminded.

The King circled Paine as he spoke. “Not at the moment. I am your enemy, for I hold the fate of the woman you care for in my hands.”

“And I hold the truth of Anin in my hands.”

The King’s nostrils flared with annoyance. “I am not your King while we fight.”

“You mean like the day we met, before you were King, and I pounded you into the ground?”

The King’s dark eyes flared. “I was too far into my cups.”

“You would call that a poor excuse.”

“I say you talk too much instead of fighting.”

Paine nodded, waiting, knowing the King would lunge any moment and when he did... Paine ducked and slipped his arm between the King’s legs to lift him high and slam him down on the ground.

Silence fell over the practice area.

The King lay sprawled on his back, his eyes wide, staring up at Paine. “Damn, I misjudged you.” He stretched his hand out to Paine.

Paine shook his head. “You never give your opponent a hand.”

“I am going to beat your arse,” King Talon said, getting to his feet.

Paine shook his head. “You would need your guards to help you do that.” Paine was sure that smoke would spew from the King’s flaring nostrils. The King lunged at him once again.

This time their body’s locked and no one could take their eyes off the two large men tossing each other around like they were nothing more than sacks of grain.

It went on for some time until the King stood panting opposite Paine and said. “Enough! One day I will beat your arse, but today is not that day.”

Paine nodded. “I am here to serve you, my King.”

King Talon held his arm out to Paine.

Paine reached out and they gripped each other’s arm just below their elbows. Cheers went up.

The King stepped closer to Paine. “Your word you will always fight me to win.”

“I have beaten you once, I will beat you again.”

“One day. One day your arse is mine!” The King turned to his warriors and shouted. “You are dismissed. You know your duties, see to them.”

All left but Wrath. He joined the King and Paine on the one long bench outside the circle. It was only when the three were alone that Wrath and Paine sat beside the King as nothing more than friends. It brought back memories of when the three first met and were young warriors fighting to drive the Romans out of their land. But Wrath and Paine always knew that Talon was meant for greater things. They fought beside each other and when Talon became King, they pledged their fealty to him and once again fought by his side in uniting the tribes.

“So tell me what you learned about Anin,” King Talon said.

“I believe Anin is from the Wyse Tribe, though I need to confirm her innocence, since Anin is not aware of the deception.”

“You believe she is Wyse but does not know it?” the King asked as if not believing it himself.

“After meeting the Wyse I have no doubt. She can feel what others feel with one touch and the forest speaks to her.” Paine went on to detail what Anin had told him and Esplin as well. And whether it was out of duty or the need to protect Anin from herself, he let the King know of her curious spirit. “She is inquisitive to a fault, asking far too many questions.”

“I have no need of a curious wife and with her strange abilities, she would not make a good mate for me. I would not want her knowing what I was feeling, though feeling what others feel could benefit me.” King Talon stood and slipped a cloth around his waist. “Who deceived me?”

Paine stood. “Anin’s mum, Blyth of the Girthrig Tribe, though I do not believe it was intentional.”

“If she kept something from me when I entered into the agreement with Girthrig for his daughter then she deceived me. I will send for her and you will get the truth from her.”

“And Anin,” Paine asked.

“She may be of use to me yet. Have her brought to my sleeping chambers, I will talk with her.” King Talon turned and walked away.