Read Beneath a Midnight Moon Online
Authors: Amanda Ashley
Beneath a Midnight Moon (28 page)
Chapter 46
Selene rested her hands on the arms of the throne and smiled. At last she was where she had always wanted to be.
She glanced down at her gown of spun cloth of gold, at the rings glittering on her fingers, the wide gold band on her left wrist. There was a bejeweled crown on her head, a rope of pearls around her neck. And in her chambers there were boxes and boxes of jewels, of gold, of silver. The wealth of the kingdom. And it was hers.
She slid a glance at Renick, seated on the throne beside hers. He would have been a handsome man but for the scar on his left cheek. Still, he possessed an air of virility, a latent sense of danger, that excited her. She had been his wife for nearly a month now, and she knew the shape of his body, the texture of his short blond hair, the way his icy blue eyes blazed with desire when he took her in his arms.
She knew the touch of his hands upon her willing flesh.
She toyed impatiently with a fold in her skirt, waiting for him to finish the business at hand. Spies had recently returned from Argone and she was anxious to hear the news.
Earlier, she had listened intently as Renick conferred with the minister of war, silently agreeing with every decision her husband made. When the time was right, when their army had been gathered together, when their allies had arrived, they would attack Hardane and the riches of Argone would be theirs.
Renick had indicated it might be necessary to dispose of Kylene as well as Hardane. He had looked at her closely, his cold blue eyes probing deep into her soul, as he awaited her reply. She knew he had expected her to shrink from such a possibility, to object to anything that would harm her sister, but then, he didn’t know she had once tried to drown Kylene in the bathtub. She had met his level gaze with one of her own.
You must do whatever is necessary, my husband,
she had replied.
she had replied.
At first, he had been stunned by her answer, and then he had smiled, obviously pleased to learn that they were much alike.
She glanced at him again. They were well suited, she mused. Both sure of what they wanted. Neither afraid to do what had to be done. The day after Bourke’s funeral, his two-year-old daughter had been sent from the castle, given into the care of a farmer and his wife who had been warned that their lives would be forfeit should they ever divulge the child’s identity.
Soon, Selene thought, soon she would rule the countries of Mouldour and Argone. With Renick at her side, nothing and no one would be able to stop her.
Chapter 47
Sharilyn gave Morissa a last hug, pressed a gentle kiss to her granddaughter’s cheek, and hurried from the keep, tears stinging her eyes. Her visit, which was to have lasted several more weeks, had been cut short by an urgent message from Hardane.
She blinked back her tears as Carrick handed her into the closed carriage, then followed her inside and shut the door.
A moment later, the carriage lurched forward.
For a time, they traveled in silence. Sharilyn gazed out the window, her mind troubled. Bourke had been killed, and Renick had seized the throne of Mouldour. Deep in her heart, she knew that only misery and bloodshed would come of such a coup. And Selene ruled with him.
Selene and Renick. Truly a match made in the bowels of Hades.
“I’m sure everything will be all right,” Carrick said after a while.
Sharilyn smiled at him. He was a kind man, good to the depths of his soul. It was no wonder Bourke had managed to steal the throne. Carrick saw only the good in the people he cared for. With him on the throne of Mouldour, there might have been peace, but Bourke and Renick wanted only war, needed war as an excuse to plunder the wealth of other, weaker lands.
With a sigh, she stared out the window. What a godsend Carrick had been to her in the days following Kray’s death. He had ever been there for her, willing to hold her while she cried, willing to listen while she talked about Kray and the good times they had shared, their laughter, their tears.
And when she had shed her tears, he’d told her of his exile, how Bourke had robbed him of the throne, how he and Selene had spent the last few years hiding in caves and farmhouses on the islands surrounding Mouldour.
Looking away from the window, she met his gaze, felt her heart flutter within her breast. He was a handsome man. His hair was a dark, dark red sprinkled with gray, his eyes the same warm shade of brown as Kylene’s. The first time she’d seen him, he’d been pitifully thin and pale, but he’d gained weight from weeks of eating Nan’s good cooking; nights of resting without fear had brought the color back to his face.
She chided herself for being attracted to a man when Kray had been gone such a short time, and yet it was not the Wolffan way to mourn overly long for the death of a loved one. Life was a gift to be lived to the fullest; it was not to be wasted in sorrow or regret.
“What will you do now?” she asked.
“Fight for what’s mine,” Carrick replied. “The throne of Mouldour belongs to me. I’ll not have Renick rule in my stead. Not now. Not ever.”
Leaning forward, Sharilyn placed her hand on his arm. “Be assured that the people of Argone will fight with you, Lord Carrick.”
A smile curved his lips as he covered her hand with his. “Did you ever think, my lady, that perhaps it isn’t a mating between your son and my daughter that will bring peace to our lands? Perhaps it isn’t our grandchildren who will be the ones to bring an end to war, but an alliance between us.”
Sharilyn stared at him, stunned by his words. “Between us, my lord?”
“Aye, my lady,” he said with a captivating smile. “Between us.”
“Are you . . . are you speaking of marriage?”
“Aye, lady, when the time of your mourning is past.”
“But . . . what of my Wolffan blood?”
“What of it?”
“It doesn’t bother you?”
“No.”
“But we’ve only just met. I hardly know you.”
“Search your heart, Sharilyn of Argone. You know me well enough.”
He wanted to marry her. The thought of it, the wonder of it, lingered in Sharilyn’s mind all the way home.
Chapter 48
It was raining when Sharilyn and Carrick arrived at Castle Argone. Jagged flashes of lightning rent the angry black clouds as they hurried into the keep.
After Sharilyn and Carrick had changed out of their traveling clothes and had something to eat, the family met in the Great Hall.
Sharilyn quickly gave the details of the birth, assuring Hardane that Morissa and the babe were well. They drank a toast to the newest member of the family, and then Carrick stood up, his hands clasped behind his back.
“Is it true about Bourke?” he asked. “Did the message come from a reliable source?”
“Yes,” Hardane said. “There’s no doubt of his death, or of the fact that Selene and Renick now hold the throne.”
“What will you do now?”
“Wait. My brothers have all been warned. The next move is up to Renick.”
“Wait?” Carrick exclaimed. “That’s all, just wait?”
“My men have been preparing for battle ever since we heard of Bourke’s death,” Hardane replied, the edge in his voice indicating he didn’t care for Carrick’s implication that he didn’t know what he was doing. “Supplies are being brought into the castle in case of a siege. The townspeople and farmers are making what preparations they can. Have I forgotten anything?”
Carrick grinned sheepishly. “No.”
“It’s late,” Sharilyn said, rising to her feet. “I’m going to bed.”
“Good sleep, Mother,” Hardane said, giving her a hug.
“Rest well, son. You, too, Kylene.” She turned to Carrick. “Good evening to you, sir.”
“Madam.” Carrick bowed formally, a smile playing over his lips as he watched Sharilyn leave the room, and then he, too, took his leave.
It was a look that was not lost on Kylene. “Well,” she said, “what do you make of that?”
“I think your father’s in love with my mother.”
“And do you think she’s in love with him?”
“I know it.”
“You know it? How?”
“I just know.”
“But . . . but she’s still in mourning. Isn’t she?”
“Perhaps.”
“Do you think they’ll get married?”
Hardane nodded. “Before the year is out, I should think.”
Rain or shine, Hardane’s men trained in the inner courtyard. From dawn to dusk the sounds of sword against sword and sword against shield rang in the air until Kylene no longer noticed it.
Hardane often trained alongside his men. Whenever possible, Kylene watched them from the parapet above the courtyard. Though she hated to think he would actually go to war, she loved to watch Hardane in action. He moved with such assurance, such inborn grace, that she never tired of watching him. He swung his sword as if it were made of rolled parchment instead of heavy steel, easily besting every opponent.
She watched with pride as her father took to the field. Despite the fact that he was older than many of the other men, he fought tirelessly, and was rarely defeated.
Even the servants took their turn on the training ground. Parah was clumsy and less than enthusiastic, but Teliford wielded his sword with vigor.
Best of all, Kylene enjoyed watching Hardane put his big gray war-horse through its paces. The stallion moved effortlessly, wheeling, rearing, turning left and then right, horse and rider so keenly attuned to one another they seemed like one being. So beautiful were they to watch, it was almost as if they were dancing instead of practicing for battle.
In the evening, she watched the furtive glances, the shared smiles, the touches that passed between her father and Sharilyn. A blind man could have seen that they were smitten with each other. Kylene was happy that her father had apparently found someone to love, but she couldn’t help being a bit shocked at how soon Sharilyn seemed to have gotten over her husband’s demise.
In Mouldour, it was customary for a woman to remain in seclusion at least a year after the death of her husband. But this wasn’t Mouldour.
“The Wolffan don’t stop living when someone dies,” Hardane told her one evening. “The grief is still there, the pain lingers, but they don’t mourn the way your people do. It doesn’t mean she didn’t love my father, or that she doesn’t miss him. It’s just that the Wolffan have a deeper understanding of how brief our life span is. It may seem disrespectful to you, but not to us. Why should my mother waste a year of her life in seclusion when it changes nothing? When she could be spending that time with your father?”
“And would you be so quick to marry again should you find yourself suddenly widowed?” Kylene asked tartly.
Hardane shook his head, and then he took her hand and placed it over his heart. “There will never be another woman for me, beloved. I understand my people’s beliefs, but in this instance we disagree, and even though I understand how my mother feels and wish her every happiness, I’ll never marry again.”
“I didn’t mean that,” Kylene said. “I wouldn’t want you to spend the rest of your life alone. It just seems that everything is happening so fast.”
Lifting her hand, he brushed her knuckles with his lips. “You’re the only woman for me, Kylene,” he murmured fervently. “Now and forever.”
It was on the first day of spring that a messenger arrived at the castle with the news that everyone had been dreading: more than two dozen warships flying the black and gold flags of Mouldour and the green and orange flags of Corianton had been seen approaching the coast of Argone near Dubrey’s holdings.
Other messengers had carried the news to Hardane’s brothers and sister. Farmers from nearby towns arrived at the keep in droves. The men would help defend the castle in exchange for protection for their women, children, and livestock.
The first battle was fought by Dubrey’s warrior knights. Badly outnumbered, they put up a fierce fight before retreating to the protection of the castle. Dubrey sent a runner to Castle Argone to warn Hardane that Renick’s men were heading in his direction.
Kylene read the end of Dubrey’s message over Hardane’s shoulder:
We inflicted severe damage to Renick’s army, but our own losses were far greater than his. Assure my mother that I’m well . . .
Kylene felt as though a cold fist were wrapping around her insides when she saw the look in Hardane’s eyes.
“What are you going to do?” she asked.
“What would you have me do?”
She hesitated to answer even as she refused to meet his piercing gaze. She wished that she possessed the same stalwart courage that Hardane and his family seemed blessed with, but she could not control her fear. For most of her life, she had lived in seclusion, protected from even the mildest acts of violence. The thought of fighting and bloodshed were foreign to her, against everything she had been taught. But overriding all other concerns was her fear for Hardane.
Hardane placed a finger beneath her chin and forced her to meet his gaze.
“What would you have me do, lady?” he asked again.
“I don’t know. I only know that I’m afraid. For you. For us.”
Hardane put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. “I know,” he murmured absently. “I know.”
“Please don’t fight him.”
Hardane drew in a deep breath, knowing that this time he could not accede to her wishes. Had he fulfilled his vow to avenge his father, Kylene’s life would not now be in danger.
“Hardane?”
“Do you want me to run away?” he asked, struggling to control his anger.
“Would you?”
“Not this time, lady. There are too many people depending on me.”
She heard the barely suppressed fury in his voice and was swamped with a sudden sense of guilt, knowing that he was blaming her because Renick was here. Because of her, he had not fulfilled his vow to avenge Lord Kray. Because of her, the Interrogator was here now, threatening the lives of everyone in the castle. Because of her . . .
Before she could apologize, before she could tell him how sorry she was for her cowardice, Carrick entered the room, closely followed by Jared, Sharilyn, and Teliford.
“Well, what are we going to do?” Jared asked.
“Defend ourselves,” Hardane replied curtly. “I want every available archer on the parapets. I want six of our best swordsmen at the gatehouse. Jared, I want you and a dozen of your best men to patrol the keep. Advise Kruck to have the
Sea Dragon
ready to sail at a moment’s notice. Mother, if Renick’s men should make it into the keep, I want you and Kylene to leave immediately.”
Sea Dragon
ready to sail at a moment’s notice. Mother, if Renick’s men should make it into the keep, I want you and Kylene to leave immediately.”
“No.” Both women spoke at the same time.
“I’m not asking you, I’m telling you. I want you both to take the tunnel in my room and leave the castle. The
Sea Dragon
is anchored in the cove east of the waterfall.”
Sea Dragon
is anchored in the cove east of the waterfall.”
“I won’t leave you,” Kylene protested.
Hardane placed his hand over her swollen belly. “Please, lady, don’t argue with me about this. If Renick breaches our defenses, I want you to leave Argone.”
Kylene shook her head. “No.”
“Mother?”
“Don’t worry about us, Hardane,” Sharilyn replied quietly. “We’ll do as you say. Won’t we, daughter?”
Kylene turned mutinous eyes in her mother-in-law’s direction and then, seeing the warning there, knowing that Hardane would be able to fight better if he wasn’t worrying about her, she nodded. “Yes.”
“Good. Once the fighting starts, I want the two of you to go to my room and stay there.” He looked down at Kylene, imprinting her image on his mind. “Promise me?”
“Aye, my lord wolf,” she murmured. “I promise.”
Carrick cleared his throat. “Hardane?”
“Is there a problem?” Hardane asked, his gaze still on his wife’s face.
“No. I . . .” Carrick’s voice trailed off and a flood of red swept into his cheeks. “I want to marry your mother. Now. Tonight.”
Hardane looked up, frowning.
Kylene gasped in surprise. Get married! So soon?
Hardane glanced at his mother. Her cheeks, too, were flushed, but her eyes were sparkling.
“Is this what you want?” he asked.
Sharilyn took Carrick’s hand in hers. “Do we have your blessing?”
Hardane nodded. “Aye, mother mine. But are you sure you don’t want to wait until my brothers and Morissa can attend you?”
“We don’t want to wait,” Sharilyn answered.
Hardane nodded again, readily understanding her urgency. She was afraid Carrick might be killed in battle, afraid that they might never be able to consummate their love.
“Teliford, summon the priest. We’ll hold the ceremony in the castle chapel in an hour.”
“And you, daughter?” Lord Carrick asked. “Do we have your blessing as well?”
“Yes, Father,” Kylene replied quietly. “I hope you find the same happiness with Sharilyn that I’ve found with her son.”
An hour later, they gathered in the small family chapel. The Wolffan priest stood behind the tall white stone altar. He was clothed in a long black robe. In one hand he held a pink candle, in the other, a sachet filled with vervain, yarrow, rosemary, basil, and lovage.
Sharilyn and Carrick stood side by side. She wore a full-skirted pale blue gown that emphasized the ebony of her hair and eyes; he wore a pair of fawn-colored breeches and a wine-red shirt.
Hardane and Kylene stood behind their parents. Behind them, seated in the first pew, were Jared, Hadj, Teliford, Parah, and Nan.
“Sharilyn of Argone, is it your wish to wed Carrick of Mouldour, here present?”
“It is.”
“Wilt thou forsake all others, and honor his name from this time forward?”
“I will.”
“Carrick of Mouldour, is it your wish to wed Sharilyn of Argone, here present?”
“Aye.”
“Wilt thou forsake all others? Wilt thou honor and protect her from this time forward?”
There was a heavy silence as Carrick pondered those words. Protect her. Protect her from harm, from Renick. Aye, he’d protect her with his life, if necessary.
“I will,” he answered solemnly.
“Then I bless this union in the name of the Father of Us All and decree that thou art life-mated from this night forward.” The priest nodded in Carrick’s direction, a faint smile creasing his aged face. “My lord, you may kiss your bride.”
Kylene felt tears well in her eyes as her father placed his hands on Sharilyn’s shoulders and looked deep into her eyes.
“All that I have, all that will ever be mine, I will gladly share with you,” he murmured, and then, very gently, he kissed her.
Kylene glanced up as she felt Hardane’s hand on her arm. “Why do you weep?” he asked.
“It’s so beautiful,” she said, sniffling. “I don’t remember my mother, and I’m . . . I’m just happy that my father has found someone to share his life with.”
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