Wild Is My Love (35 page)

Gavin went to see Giselde and relate Alysa’s rescue, and found distressing evidence of a fight and robbery. He noticed the broken jar with dried blood on it, and the suspiciously dark spots on the hard earth floor. His sharp eyes scanned the plundered abode, and when he saw the unlocked, open chest, worry consumed him. Gavin had seen many coins and jewels there another day, but found none tonight. Anxiously he pried open the secret compartment and sighed in relief to find Giselde’s wedding ring still hidden there. The clues added up badly, especially Giselde’s absence. Knowing something had happened to the old woman, he put the precious ring in a small leather pouch that hung from his belt, then went to look outside.

Since it was too dark to see anything, Gavin returned to his camp without finding her. He told his men about the rescue, and the girl’s identity. He related his grim suspicions about Giselde’s disappearance: bandits or Isobail.
“At first light we must scour the entire area for her. Any news from Skane or Keegan?” he inquired, and was answered no about both.

Gavin was gravely concerned. There was no way to get word to Alysa. Alysa… If Giselde had been unmasked, that meant his love could be in peril. No, he decided, something else had happened to Alysa’s grandmother, and he would discover what.

On Friday Alysa slept until past noon. She hoped by the time she appeared, everyone’s questions about her ordeal would be answered. By now there was no doubt in her mind that Isobail was a traitor, and she could prove it when King Bardwyn arrived. She prayed that her grandfather would hurry, as things got worse each day. She summoned her handmaiden to her side.

During her bath Thisbe related the stunning news about Baltair’s death and Princess Isobail’s commands concerning it and him. She listened as her friend revealed the shocking account of the seneschal’s alleged attack on Kyra. Alysa could not believe what she was hearing. She had known Baltair since her birth and had spent many hours with him over the years. Baltair was a good and kind man; he would never attack any woman! “It cannot be, Thisbe,” she argued. “He was such a gentle man. Why would Kyra lie about him and get him slain?”

Thisbe told her what the guards and servants had said, but Alysa knew something evil had occurred in that room.
Baltair gone… His name and existence stricken from their land forever…
What, she fretted, were Isobail and Kyra plotting these days? Yet in view of Isobail’s clever edicts, she could ask no questions about the shocking incident. She wept for her old friend, vowing to restore Baltair’s honor when this evil was conquered.

Later Alysa headed for the stable, but was halted by Isobail, who asked, “Are you going riding again?”

“Nay,” Alysa replied quickly “I was going to check on Calliope. I wanted to make certain he is all right after that terrible incident.”

Unconcerned and duped, Isobail returned to her business. She despised the idea of having to deal with Alric for the next few days, but in order to delude the people it was necessary to let him make an appearance.

In the stable Alysa stroked Calliope’s neck and fretted over the news of her friend’s death. She had been wise enough to let Gavin keep her pouches to make certain her real actions—that of running away from the castleremained a secret. When Piaras entered Calliope’s stall to check on her, she smiled. Hoping she could trust him, she asked, “Can you get a message to the old woman in the woods for me, Piaras? We are friends, and I do not want her to worry about me. But you must promise to tell no one—no one—about the message.”

Piaras confided, “The old woman has vanished, Princess Alysa. She knew of the trouble here and was trying to help us by getting a message to King Bardwyn. When I went to see her Wednesday afternoon, I found a terrible sight.” He related the grim evidence he had found in Giselde’s hut. “I checked again Thursday and this morning, but she was still not there. She is a good woman. I fear for her life.”

Alysa wondered if Isobail had unmasked Baltair and Giselde and gotten rid of both of them. She feared that help might not be on the way after all. Suppose the messenger had not gotten through… Suppose Isobail also knew about Gavin… He could be in great danger! Yet with the gates locked to her, she could not get away to warn him. The important thing was to protect her father by playing along with these villains until she could slip away unnoticed.

Later she talked with Kyra, telling her stepsister she
was sorry for her trouble, meanwhile hoping to extract clues from her. Kyra offered none, saying she was glad “the ferocious beast” was dead, and reminding Alysa that Baltair was a dead subject because of Isobail’s edict.

Alysa was allowed to see her father for a short time. His head seemed to be clearing slightly, and Alysa guessed why: Isobail must somehow be helping him recover to allow Prince Alric to appear at Kyra’s wedding and allay the peoples fears about his condition. She dared tell her father nothing, as his life could be in peril if he knew what was happening and tried to do something about it. Yet she wondered why he said nothing about his friend Baltair’s alleged behavior and death.

The day’s meetings left her forlorn. If the message had reached King Bardwyn, she thought, as Baltair believed and hoped, the king should have arrived by now….

Saturday morning all Alysa could think about was the trap closing swiftly around her and her father. She knew Moran was on his way, and she feared Isobail would try to betroth them. Guests were arriving steadily for the wedding tomorrow, including Sir Calum, so the gates remained locked and guarded to prevent anyone without reason or invitation to enter Malvern Castle.

News had spread swiftly about the bandits’ alleged ransom of her—the only good news to be heard, along with that of her father’s gradual recovery, which she knew would be short-lived. Even so, she watched him greet his lords and retainers, glad to see a little happiness and health in his life. Yet, again today, his eyes seemed too bright and his mood too gay…

Alysa eagerly waited for bedtime, hoping to sneak a visit with her father, only to learn that Isobail was
spending the night with him. Her choice was made; stay in her room and pray.

Very late that night four things took place of which Alysa was ignorant: Guinn became more discontent and dangerous, Moran arrived and entered the chamber beneath hers, Keegan returned to Gavin’s camp with bad news, and Isobail spent an hour making love to a beguiled and drugged Prince Alric.

Sunday morning Alysa was summoned to join Moran for the early meal. She dreaded it, but complied, surprised to find the entire family and all guests present, except for Earnon. Since there was much to do and time was nearing for the wedding ceremony, everyone hurried.

Again Moran was romantic, allowing his intention to be noticed by everyone, and her fears of coerced marriage increased. When they were alone, he tried to embrace her, but she pulled away from him.

“What is wrong, little mouse?” he inquired peevishly. “We have not seen each other for days. Why are you so cold this time?”

Alysa thought quickly and replied, “You have not been true to me, Moran, even when you were home. How can I take you seriously?”

Moran’s face became red with guilt and fury. “What has Kyra told you?” he demanded, a harsh expression lining his face.

“Nothing. I heard talk from servants and in the village,” she replied, and realized she had guessed accurately.

“Talk is talk, Alysa, put no faith in it,” he commanded.

“If it is not true, why are you so angry?” she retorted.

Moran tried to conceal his annoyance. “Surely you realize that men have needs before taking a wife, but they mean nothing.”

“If they mean nothing, why must they be fulfilled?” she asked.

“You are such an innocent, Alysa. If not, you would understand, and forgive such a normal weakness of the flesh.”

“I understand it. Have you forgotten I was taken captive by men with just such weaknesses?”

“Did they harm you?” he asked coldly, seizing her shoulders roughly.

“You are hurting me, Moran! Stop it.” she shouted.

He loosened his hold but did not release her. “Answer me.”

“No, but they would have if I had not been rescued when I was. They were getting drunk and staring at me in a frightening way.”

“Then we must be grateful that Mother bought your release.”

“I am grateful, but that does not excuse your behavior. You vow you love me, then run off to… You know what I mean.”

Thisbe arrived to tell Alysa she had to hurry to dress for the wedding. Moran frowned at the servant’s untimely intrusion, and said, “We will discuss this later.”

“Yes, later,” she concurred, and left him.

Alysa admitted that Kyra’s wedding was lovely, and most appeared to have a good time, including her father. Guinn entertained at the feast, but appeared darkly subdued. Alysa could not help but notice how the bard kept watching Isobail furtively, hungrily. As soon as time and opportunity allowed, she left the Great Hall, hurried to her chamber, and hid from Moran,
claiming she was still overwrought from her recent misfortune with the bandits.

In Kyra’s chamber early that evening the young bride burst into tears and confessed her tale to her new husband. At first Calum was furious to learn that she was not a virginal bride, but then he calmed down. “I should have told you before the ceremony, but I was so ashamed and frightened,” the girl lied, weeping convincingly.

“Do not distress yourself, woman,” Calum soothed, for his desire for her was enormous. “Come, I will be gentle with you.”

Kyra knew she had to submit to Calum tonight and other nights, although she had told Earnon she would find an excuse not to do so. She could not allow Calum to become suspicious of her. Earnon had tried to find a way to prevent Isobail from giving her in marriage to Calum, but he had failed, so he yielded for now. They both agreed that in time they would be together again.

To avoid seeing her with Calum, Earnon had remained in his chamber as much as possible since the hasty marriage preparations began. Kyra was not particularly unhappy about this, as she was eager to experience “passion with another man. And, after all, her husband was handsome. She smiled and yielded to Calum’s embrace, covering his face with kisses. “Tell me what I am to do.”

“Do nothing except undress and lie upon the bed. Tonight I will pleasure you. Later, I will teach you all you must know.".

Isobail was duping Alric in a similar manner in the prince’s chamber. As she tantalized him with her skills, she confessed, “I have been slipping a newly discovered
herb into your food, my lusty husband. See how beautifully it works. You are getting well. Soon it will be as it was between us long ago.”

With passion and drug-glazed eyes, Alric smiled as he watched her naked figure perform. “This has been a marvelous day, my precious wife. The feasting was fine, but two nights with you can compare with nothing else.”

“Only two nights with me?” she teased. “Nay, my love, we will have many nights together. Your stamina has returned, and we must fulfill your every desire. It has been a busy and tiring day, relax while I tempt you beyond control,” she purred as she worked upon him. Isobail closed her eyes and pretended it was Gavin Hawk who lay beneath her hands and lips, and then her hips, driving him to writhing pleasure and bliss. When Alric was sleeping soundly, she glared at her husband and vowed,
That was the last time you will ever touch me, foul beast
…

Gavin and his men made plans. Keegan had rested, gathered supplies, then left the camp with Bevan for Cambria to speak with King Bardwyn. Upon his return from his last mission, Keegan had told Gavin that their messengers’ camp had been deserted and the men could not be found. Suspecting treachery, Gavin ordered Keegan to deliver the news to the king personally—they could no longer rely on other messengers to carry the report to the king. To prevent more trouble, Gavin instructed Bevan to accompany him, each man leading an extra horse to make the journey pass swiftly. Still unable to locate Giselde, Gavin was deeply worried about the old woman. He was also concerned about Princess Alysa and Prince Alric. He asked the king to come quickly, but knew that if this was the first message
to get through to the king, the preparation and trip to Damnonia would require at least seventeen days.

As he had agreed, Gavin met again with the sheriff, but told Trahern he could not locate Skane and slay him. Gavin suggested that the brigand leader had somehow learned that he was in danger of revolt and gone into hiding. Gavin promised to find the man, kill him, and take over the band. He was pleased to learn that Alysa had played her part well and was safe at the castle.

The Cumbrian Prince was surprised when Trahern asked him to meet with the mastermind behind the rebellion on Wednesday night. He did not need more evidence against Isobail, but he knew he must continue his dangerous ruse until help arrived.

Monday morning the guests departed Malvern Castle, as did the newly married couple. Within an hour Isobail went to Alric’s chamber and handed him a specially prepared drink, telling him it was an aphrodisiac. But recalling the previous reports and suspicions he had had about the food and wine he had been served, Alric declined the offering.

Isobail had reached the end of her patience, and no longer feeling the need for pretense with Alric, returned with Trahern and Earnon. The two men imprisoned Alric’s wrists while Isobail forced the liquid into his mouth, clamping his nose until he was forced to swallow the draught.

He glared at her, outraged. She laughed and said, “There is no more need for caution, dear prince. You are a weakling, and soon you will have little value to me. Then, with great pleasure I will slay you. I alone shall rule this land, and soon others will follow. Trahern will sit beside me.”

Trahern’s worshipful eyes followed Isobail as she spoke and he restrained Prince Alric from shouting for
help until the herbal brew took effect. After which, Isobail commanded Earnon, “Make sure his head does not clear again before I end his miserable existence.” Earnon nodded and vowed to comply.