The King's Executioner (24 page)

Anger and fear raced through Paine when he saw the Drust squeezing the life out of Anin. He ran to her, yanked the Drust’s arm off his wife, and pulled her limp body into his arms. The Drust was near to death, blood pouring from his arm and shoulder wounds.

“Enough,” Paine ordered Bog and the wolf released the warrior.

Paine left the dying Drust to the King and Wrath, carrying Anin inside the dwelling to gently place on the sleeping pallet. He patted her face repeatedly. “Open your eyes, Anin, Open them! You are safe. Open your eyes
now
!” He got no response. “Listen to me, wife, I will not let you go. You are mine now and you will not leave me.” Again he got no response. The darkness that had taken hold of her would not let her go, but then either would Paine. He leaned down and with gentle strength whispered in her ear, “
Tuahna. Tuahna. Tuahna, Anin.”

He felt her body stir against him and looked to see her eyes flutter and he continued whispering, drawing her out of the darkness and back to him.

Her eyes finally opened and a slight smile touched her lips.

“
Tuahna
,” he said before kissing her lips lightly, wanting her to see and hear him say it and not have her think it a dream.

Anin rested her hand against his cheek. “We are one.”

He placed his hand on top of hers. “Always.”

The door flew open and the King walked in followed by Wrath and a growling Bog, who immediately went to Paine’s side.

Paine stood, but laid a hand to Anin’s chest before he did, letting her know she was to remain where she was.

Anin was glad she did not have to stand, her strength still limp, though she turned on her side, reached out, and rubbed the wolf’s head and whispered, “You saved me, Bog, and I am grateful to call you friend.”

“What did you learn from the Drust?” the King demanded of Anin.

Anin stared at him a moment before recalling what had happened to her and when she did, she felt the shock of it all over again and a shudder ran through her.

“You learned something. Tell me!” King Talon ordered.

Paine reached down and helped his wife to sit up. While he would have preferred to tell the King she had suffered enough and needed time to rest, he knew how important it was to learn what they could as soon as possible.

Anin held onto her husband’s arm as she spoke. “The Drust warrior was intent on seeing me dead.”

“Do you know why?” the King asked.

“He feared that all would be ruined if I was allowed to wed or serve you.”

“He knew of your abilities? How could that be?” Wrath asked.

“That I do not know,” Anin said.

“You will serve me right now,” the King demanded. “You will touch the other two Drust and see if they can tell us more.” The King raised his hand as Paine went to speak. “Anin has suffered an ordeal, but more will suffer and far worse if we do not find out what the Drust have planned.”

As Anin went to slip off the bed, Paine’s arm went to her waist and with little effort helped her to her feet. “I would be only too glad to serve you, my King.”

“You are a wise woman, Anin.” The King turned and walked out the door, a sign that all should follow.

His words froze Anin, the King’s words recalling to mind what the Drust had said.
No woman of the Wyse Tribe will be allowed to serve the King.
The Drust had believed she was from the Wyse Tribe. Why? Whatever would make him think that?

“I will be by your side as will Bog,” Paine said, having felt her resistance to move when his hand had gently urged her forward. “Besides, you are stronger and more courageous than you allow yourself to believe.” He felt the stiffness leave her body and he quickly hurried her out the door before the King lost his patience, something he had a difficult time keeping.

As they kept pace with the King, Anin thought more on her encounter with the Drust warrior. Something had been different about it and it did not take long for her to realize what it was. It had not been only his feelings she had felt, but his thoughts as well. It was as if the two were one. But how had that come to be?

She had no more time to think on it. They stopped and Anin saw two Drust warriors tied to stakes much like Dunnard had been tied. Though, unlike Dunnard who had showed fear, false as it was, the Drust showed none.

Anin stepped forward, Paine right beside her and Bog at her other side, before the King ordered her to do so. She was eager to touch both warriors and see what she could learn from them, and to see if their thoughts opened to her as the other warrior’s had done.

It did not take long to determine that both warriors felt as the first warrior had... anger at the King for failing to keep his word, honor to be chosen to scout the area around the stronghold, hope that the battle to come would be victorious for the Drust.

Anin stepped away and Paine took her hand and walked with her to the King.

“You appear confused,” the King said when she stopped in front of him.

“It is odd, my King. It would seem that these two and the first Drust caught are on the same mission to scout and report, but not so the other one. His mission was clear. He was to see me dead, no matter what it took.”

“It would seem they were on two different missions,” the King said.

“I believe they were,” Anin agreed and turned to look at the two Drust, then turned once again to the King. “They are good men. They do not deserve to die. Perhaps if you speak with them, you and they will learn the truth of this situation.”

“That is for me to decide,” the King said.

“Then please decide wisely, my King.”

Paine saw annoyance, but also admiration for Anin speaking as she felt, though respectfully. Perhaps his wife was finally finding the courage she always possessed, but doubt and fear had held prisoner.

“Wrath, bring the two to the Council Chamber,” the King ordered and walked off, his personal guard following close behind him. He stopped abruptly and looked to Paine. “There is something your wife does not share with me. Find out what it is or I will?”

Anin stared after the King, her insides feeling as if someone was squeezing them. She was not sure what the King was referring to. It could be only one of two things. That the Drust had mistaken her for a woman of the Wyse Tribe or that she now could sense thoughts as well as what someone felt.

Anin watched as Atas approached the King with a sway in her generous hips and a smile that invited more than simple kisses only to be rebuffed by him with a dismissive wave of his hand. She lowered her head and took hasty steps away from him, but beneath her submissive response, Anin could see that Atas was angry.

“Atas holds herself in more esteem than the King does,” Anin said.

“How do you know of her?” Paine asked, tugging at her hand for her to walk along with him.

“She brought food under the guise of a message she wished to deliver. Her message was clear. The King belonged to her and no other woman. I was to keep my distance from him.”

“That is odd. Atas knows full well that the King would not join with a woman who belongs to another man and that she is not the only woman the he joins with daily.”

Anin turned wide eyes on her husband. “How many women does he join with daily?”

“That is no concern of ours.”

A gentle wind snatched up her soft laughter and sent it twirling in the air. “I do not ask out of concern, I ask out of curiosity.”

“It is not something you need to know and it will do you no good to try and distract me from finding out if you hide something from the King.”

Anin turned silent.

Paine let his wife linger in her silence, though he knew it was more in her thoughts that she lingered. When they reached their dwelling, he did not take her inside, he sat with her on the bench near the door.

“There is trust between us, so why do you hesitate to share something with me?”

Anin shrugged and continued her silence, not sure what to say.

“Would you want me to keep things from you?”

“Do you?” Anin asked surprised at her question and his hesitation was his response. “You keep something from me?”

“I have wanted to speak to you about it. It is only a thought, I have nothing to say it is so. I could be wrong.”

“Tell me,” Anin urged.

“When we were at the Wyse tribe, I spoke with Esplin. She told me a little about the tribe. The Wyse have occupied the land far longer than any would believe. Through the years the Wyse became sensitive to the land and to touch. One touch and the Wyse feel what others feel.” Paine saw Anin’s mouth drop open slightly and her eyes turn wide. “You are like the Wyse. One touch and you know what others feel. It made me wonder since you are not anything like your mum’s tribe the Lammok that perhaps you truly come from the Wyse Tribe.”

This time she did not remain silent by choice. Her husband’s words had robbed her of her speech.

Paine continued. “The day I spoke with your mum to find out your whereabouts, I knew she would reveal nothing. She would die to protect you. I knew then that it was much more than you simply wedding the King that she wanted to protect you from.”

Anin looked down at the ground, shaking her head slowly. Could this be possible? Could she be a Wyse woman? If so, that would mean her mum was not truly her mum. And what of her da? Was he not her da?

“It is only a thought,” Paine reminded. “Your mum would be the one to know the truth.”

Anin looked to Paine. “She would not be the only one.”

“What do you mean?”

“What I did not tell the King is the reason the Drust wanted me dead... no woman of the Wyse Tribe would be allowed to serve the King.”

“If it is true and the Drust knew it, then—”

“Others know as well,” Anin finished and gripped her husband’s hand tightly. “How do others know of me and I know nothing of who I am?”

“We will find out. The King has ordered your mum and da to Pictland.”

“The King knows of this?”

“I had to tell him of my suspicions.”

“Before you told me?” she yanked her hand away from his.

“I could not keep it from the King.”

“But you could keep it from me?” She stood and went to walk away.

Paine’s hand shot out, grabbing her arm.

“Let me go!” Anin demanded.

“No!” Paine said as he got to his feet. “You will listen to me. I know you are angry with me.”

She shook her head. “It is not anger I feel for you. You hurt me by keeping this from me and confiding in the King before speaking with me.”

“I had good reason.”

“No, you have poor excuses.”

He yanked her up against him. “I make no excuses nor do I have any regrets for my decisions. I did what I thought best.”

“Best for who?” she challenged.

He brought his lips down until they almost touched hers. “For us.”

She glared at him bewildered.

He kissed her lightly. “Listen well, wife, for I have much to say. Everything changed when I met you. Your smile, your endless chatter, your kind nature, and that you did not fear me—the executioner—stirred things in me I thought I had buried forever. The more you made me feel, the more I began to care for you. I fought against it, knowing no good could come of it. It was that day in the pool of water when you begged me to kiss you and I could not resist that I knew I could never let you go. Never let you wed the King. I continued to fight the thought, for I knew it could bring harm to us both. But then I had already brought harm to us by sleeping beside you, swimming naked with you, kissing you, and falling asleep with you naked in my arms. The King would learn of it all and I did not care any longer. When I learned the Wyse women possessed your skill and you could possibly be one of them, I knew the King would not harm you and he would definitely not wed you. I needed to know that you were safe from wedding the King and safe from punishment from the King before I spoke to you about it. You and you alone were foremost in my thoughts and everything I did was to keep you safe. And it matters not if you are Lammok or Wyse, since now you belong to me.”

Anin threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Paine’s arms went around her and held her tight, never intending to let her go, and her heated kiss let him know that she felt the same.

Anin tugged him toward the door and he lifted her off the ground with one arm and with his mouth not leaving hers, shoved the door open with his shoulder and shoved her against it to close it. Their mouths never parted, their kiss demanding more.

Paine was about to lift her and carry her to their sleeping pallet when he heard his name shouted. He moved Anin away from the door and ordered, “Do not move.”

She smiled and peered around the door when he stepped outside. It was one of the King’s personal guards and she wondered if the message had to do with the Drust. She saw that Bog sat next to the door, his eyes and slight snarl focused on the guard, which was why the guard stood a distance away.

It was not long before the guard walked off and her husband turned and hurried toward her. Something was wrong.

Anin stepped around the door and took quick steps to him.

“I must go to the King.”

“What is wrong?”

“A troop of dal Gabran warriors come from the south. They will reach the stronghold on the morrow.” He reached out, his arm circling her waist.

“Tell me,” she said, feeling there was more.

“Your mum and da reach the stronghold on the morrow as well.”

Paine listened as the King and the High Council spoke of the situation, though his thoughts kept drifting to Anin. He had not wanted to leave her after telling her of her mum and da’s near arrival, but he had no choice.

He was brought back to the meeting by the loud bickering of the council members. Some of the council wanted the King to strike at the dal Gabran before they got any closer to the stronghold. Others argued that the troop had not hidden their presence, but rode openly toward the stronghold. A ruse, the others were quick to predict and so it went on.

The King listened to all before making a decision, though Paine knew King Talon well enough to know his decision had been made before anyone had spoken. His quick response in many situations had been what made him victorious in battle. Some were happy with it and others were not, but the King’s word was final.

The King announced a message would be sent to the dal Gabran demanding their reason for being here in Pictland unannounced. Scouts would be sent to track them. Some discussion followed, though in the end the King’s edict stood and Tarn left annoyed that Wrath would decide on the warriors who would deliver the message and the scouts who would track the dal Gabran.

The King ordered Paine to stay and Wrath to return after he saw to sending the warriors off on their mission before it turned dark.

Atas entered the room after Wrath left and Paine saw the surprise and disappointment in her eyes to find the King was not alone.

“Do you need anything, my King?” she asked.

“No, go and wait my summons,” the King ordered.

“With pleasure, my King,” she said.

“Did you find out what your wife failed to tell me?” the King asked as Atas closed the door behind her.

“The Drust believe Anin is a woman of the Wyse Tribe and that she cannot live to serve the King.”

The King looked puzzled. “How would they know for sure she was a Wyse woman?”

“I do not know, but I believe we will have answers when her mum and da arrive on the morrow.”

“With Anin’s abilities I might have been wiser to wed her.”

“It was wiser you did not.”

“Why? Would you have battled me for her?” the King asked.

“If I had to I would and I would make certain I won, but that is not why. You see all Wyse women birth a daughter first and birth more daughters than sons.”

“Then you saved me from joining with a woman that would not have suited me at all. So, you think you would have won in a fight against me for her.”

“I would do anything to make and keep Anin mine.”

Wrath entered the room and talk turned to the dal Gabran once again, then to the Drust.

“The Drust warriors were surprised when I sat them at this table, gave them food and drink and told them what the other Drust warrior’s mission had been,” King Talon said. “They knew nothing of it. They were to scout as Anin said and nothing more. I also learned that it has been some time since they last received supplies from me and with little food they feared their tribe would not survive the cold that comes soon.”

“Someone wants them to believe you are not an honorable King,” Paine said.

“The traitor is using the Drust, trying to turn them against me and force a battle between us. I think this person intends to see me dead and the Drust as well, claiming the throne for himself.”

“Do you think the arrival of the dal Gabran is in any way connected to the Drust?” Wrath asked.

“The Drust made no mention of them, but that means little if a secret alliance has been formed between them. We will find out soon enough,” the King said and looked to Wrath. “The warriors are ready?”

“They know what to do,” Wrath assured him.

Paine was glad when the King stood, signaling the meeting was at an end. He was eager to return to Anin. Paine left Wrath in the feasting hall as he watched the two guards at the council chambers doors follow the King to the second floor. It was not something they usually did, but with the present problems, Wrath had ordered guards to stand ready at the King’s door.

Paine hurried off, though once outside he stopped abruptly a few steps passed the end of the feasting house. He thought he heard footfalls and saw movement in the shadows. Hearing and seeing nothing, he walked on. He turned at the storehouse and stopped, then as quietly as possible peered past the corner and waited.

It was not long before someone stepped out of the shadows. It was Tarn, the King’s Warrior Commander. He looked quickly about then hurried away.

Paine wondered what he was doing lurking in the shadows and was about to turn and leave when another person stepped out of the shadows. Paine was surprised to see that it was Atas. What was the unlikely pair up to? He was sure the King would want to know as well. He would tell him on the morrow.

Paine smiled at his hasty steps. After late meetings with the King, he never rushed to his dwelling, but then he never had reason to. Now he had Anin. The thought had him quickening his pace.

Bog lay in front of the door, though he sprang to his feet when he saw Paine approach. Before he reached the door, Bog turned and headed to his shelter.

“Bog,” Paine said and went to the wolf as he turned. “You did well, my friend. You protected what is ours.” He gave the wolf a quick rub behind the ear and before Bog turned away he rubbed his face against Paine’s leg.

Bog went to his shelter and Paine to his dwelling.

He was disappointed to see that Anin was asleep, though not surprised. The day had not been easy for her and she could use the rest. He stared at his sleeping wife as he shed his garments. He never planned to wed, never thought a woman would want him, and never did he think any woman would care deeply for him, and certainly not one as beautiful and kind as Anin.

He slipped beneath the covers and curled himself around her, and she turned in his arms to snuggle against him, her head resting on his chest.

“I will never let you go,” he whispered and kissed the top of her head.

Anin raised her head, her eyes drifting open. “I will have your word on that.”

Paine smiled. “You have my word and my heart. You have all of me.”

Anin smiled and stretched her head up to kiss him.

Paine lifted her so their lips would meet and he savored her sweet kiss, fighting his need for more. She was tired from her ordeal. She needed to rest. She needed to sleep.

“I need
you
,” she whispered.

He moved her gently onto her back and eased his body over hers. She was warm and soft and he was hard and aching. He nuzzled her neck, her skin sweet tasting. His head snapped up when he felt her capture him in her hand and tug gently. He groaned as she continued to tug. “I will spill in your hand if you continue to do that.”

She stopped. “I want you inside me. I cannot wait. I need you now or I will burst whether you are inside me or not.”

He did not wait. He spread her legs further apart with his knee and slipped into her with ease, his pleasure that she was so ready to receive him exciting him even more. He set a quick pace and she joined him, her passionate sighs pleasing to his ears.

Anin felt herself drowning in a pool of pleasure. Never had she felt with such intensity and it continued to build with each thrust of her hips against her husband. She wanted him as deep inside her as he could go, so they could share the power and the pleasure that joining as one could only bring.

Paine groaned and Anin felt him ready to release. She threw her hips against him, forcing her own release along with his, crying out as she felt them burst together and his seed spill into her. She hugged him tight never wanting this moment to end, never wanting to let him go.

When the last shudder left their bodies, Paine rolled off her and before he could slip his arm beneath her to ease her close, Anin snuggled against him.

She rested her head on his chest and smiled listening as the mighty thumping of his heart slowed. She draped her arm across his middle and sighed contentedly. “You do so please me, husband. I believe I will keep you.”

She felt his rumble of laughter before she heard it.

“You have no choice, for I will never let you go.”

She laughed. “It pleases me to hear that.”

“You always please me, Anin.”

She looked up at him with a smile, though a yawn quickly stole it away.

“You are tired, sleep.”

“I am too curious to sleep. Tell me of your meeting with the King. Do we go to war?” she shivered at the thought.

“No, the King is too wise to be drawn into a trap, but he also will be prepared if a battle is necessary. He will wait and see what the dal Gabran has to say and they will be followed and watched. He also took your advice and spoke with the two Drust. He offered them food and drinks and discovered much as did the Drust warriors. They were surprised to learn that the other Drust warrior’s mission was to see you dead and uncertain of the King’s word on it. If anything, the King has placed doubt in their minds. They will talk more, but at least it is a start.”

“What will he do with them?”

“Their fate will have to wait until the King deals with the dal Gabran, but they presently have no worry that the King will do them harm.”

“What of the one who betrays the King? Is he not a threat to the traitor?”

“The King has seen to that.”

“But what of—”

Paine kissed her silent. “Sleep. We will talk more on the morrow.

Anin went to protest, but a yawn stole her words and while curiosity had questions tumbling around in her head and ready to slip from her lips, her need for sleep proved stronger.

It was not long before Paine followed her into sleep, though it was concern for his wife that was on his thoughts. He wondered what her mum would say, but then if Blyth of the Girthrig Tribe was not Anin’s true mum... who was?

~~~

Anin pressed her hand to her middle as she had done many times since she woke, wishing she could reach in and calm the flutters there. She was concerned with seeing her mum, though if it was true and she was of the Wyse Tribe then her mum was not truly her mum. Anin was curious and eager to learn the truth and she hoped the truth would not diminish the love she had for her mum.

She had combed and plaited her long dark hair shortly after she woke and had scrubbed her face with the rainwater in the barrel outside. She did her best to freshen her garment and she so wished that she had a decent cloak to wear, the one that had been given to her was almost threadbare. If anything, she would like to look presentable upon seeing her mum and da.

The door opened and Anin smiled upon seeing her husband. Her heart soared every time she laid eyes on him and it brought her such joy to touch him and feel how he cared for her and how content he was. The emptiness she had felt in him when they had first met was gone, not a dark spot left. He had changed and soon it would be too difficult for him to remain the executioner.

“What have you there?” she asked, seeing a cloth draped over his arm.

“A gift from the King for you,” Paine said and walked over to her.

“I got the best gift I could have ever gotten from the King when he joined us, but there is another gift, though not from the King, that would please me.”

Paine stopped close in front of her. “And what is that, wife?”

“Your baby inside me.”

Paine leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. “I will work on that most diligently.” He took a step back and slipped the cloth off his arm and around her shoulders.

“It is a hooded cloak and a most beautiful one,” Anin said thrilled with the softness of the dark blue cloth.

“It is a small show of the King’s appreciation.”

“I am most grateful, especially with the cold not far off.”

Paine slipped his arms beneath the cloak, circling her waist. “I will always keep you warm.” He bent his head to kiss her when the horn blared through the village, halting their kiss.

“Who arrives first?” Anin asked, taking strong hold of her husband’s arm.

“It matters not. The King wants you to be present in the feasting hall for both arrivals. Do not worry, I will not leave your side.”

Anin nodded. The dal Gabran mattered not to her. It was her mum and da’s arrival that held concern for her.

“We must go,” Paine said and Anin nodded again and took hold of her husband’s hand as they left the dwelling.

“What of Bog?” Anin asked, turning her head in search of the wolf.

“He has not had time in the woods of late. He will return later.”

Anin wished she could have gone with the wolf. She missed the solace of the woods and the way the trees would whisper to her. The woods had always helped her clear her head of too much thought. She would need to visit soon, for her head was much too full.

Paine kept his wife close, a crowd having gathered to see the dal Gabran enter. The stronghold was heavily guarded inside the walls as well as outside and the size of the dal Gabran troop that entered was no match for the King’s horde of warriors.

He eased Anin to the side away from the crowd, having seen something he had not expected to see.

“What is it?” Anin asked, feeling her husband’s sudden distress.

“Do you know who that is that rides behind the two large warriors on horses?”

Anin stared at the man. He sat his stallion with authority, his wide shoulders drawn back and his head held high. Even though he was draped in furs, one could see he was a man of good size. While his features were not fine, they were pleasing and the many lines on his face spoke of an aged man as did his long dark hair that held much gray.

Anin shook her head.

“He is Comgall King of the dal Gabran.”

“Why would the King come here to Pictland?”

“A good question. We will find out soon enough.” Paine hurried Anin along and into the feasting house before the dal Gabran reached it.

King Talon stood in front of the long table and his personal guard and warriors lined the side walls. The King waved Paine and Anin to him when they entered.

“You will stay to the side with Anin if I should need her,” the King ordered.