Chapter Nineteen

CHAPTER NINETEEN

T he fires from the army filled the midday air with a haze of smoke. Two miles from Alnwick, Jax's army had set up their encampment and a litter of tents spotted the large green meadow they had chosen for their site. Several fat pigs, stolen from local farmers, were on spits and the smell of roasting pork lingered on the breeze.

Kellington sat beneath a tree with a half loaf of bread, a bladder of wine and a hunk of tart, white cheese. Jax had spread a blanket for her and she lounged comfortably in the shade, watching the activity of the distant camp. Tor and a few soldiers had pitched Jax's tent nearby, something he rarely used but a shelter they traveled with nonetheless. Now that the lady was with them, Jax had ordered them to provide her with all suitable comforts they possessed.

Jax was milling around the camp, attended by Atreus and Tor. She could hear his big, booming voice in the distance. Every once in a while she would catch a glimpse of him as he wandered in and out of the trees and men. She had watched him for a full hour as he had positioned two enormous siege engines in the middle of the field, great catapults on wheels that hurled rocks and other projectiles in the heat of battle. His men were also moving in and out of the nearby forest, cutting down trees and towing the logs out into the field where another group set to work on them. They were building something, though she did not know what that was. It was curious and interesting to watch.

As she finished the last of her wine, Jax finally emerged from a distant cluster of trees and began to make his way towards her. She watched him approach, the way his powerful body moved. It was enough to set her heart fluttering with excitement and not fear as others felt when they saw him. As he drew close, he removed his helm and his shoulder-length hair spilled forth. The sunlight glistened off the black strands as he ducked beneath her tree and set his helm on the ground.

"Well," he said casually, taking the bladder from her to see if there was any left. "Feeling better?"

She nodded, chewing on a piece of cheese. "Much better. When are we leaving?"

Disappointed there was nothing left in the bladder, he tossed it aside and lowered his big body next to her. "Leaving to where?"

"Home, I would guess."

He lifted a dark eyebrow at her as he took the cheese out of her hand and put it in his mouth. "Do we have to speak of that now? Can we just not talk between us of inconsequential things?"

She smirked, scooting over so that she was sitting in the curve of his reclined torso. "Very well. What inconsequential things would you speak of?"

He smiled up at her, tucking a bit of stray hair behind her ear. "We can speak of when we intend to be married."

"All right," she agreed with a sharp nod. "When is that?"

The hand that was smoothing her hair moved to the back of her neck and pulled her down to his seeking mouth. His lips slanted over hers, his first taste of her in days. She was better than he had remembered and he tasted deeply, plunging his tongue into her sweet mouth and suckling furiously. Kellington toppled over, ending up lying on her back as he covered her with his enormous warmth. In the leisure hours of midday, they reacquainted themselves with each other.

"This was all I could think of the entire time we were apart," he said, his mouth on her neck. "I've dreamed of this for days."

Her fingers were in his hair as his mouth worked her flesh. "As have I," she murmured. "I truly did not know if I would ever experience this again."

His head came up, the two-colored gaze intense as he looked at her. "Those who have tried to separate us have either been eliminated or defeated," he said. "Never worry about you and I being apart. We will never be separated again."

She looked like an angel with her braids spread out against the coarse blanket. "What about Amadeo? If what I was told is true, he will…"

Jax put his hand over her mouth, silencing her. "You needn't worry about him. He is no longer an issue."

She wasn't sure what that meant, exactly, but she had an idea. "How did you find me?"

He pondered just how much to tell her, opting for all of it. If she was going to be a part of his world, then she would have to understand that treachery did indeed exist. She would need to be on her guard.

"Atreus and Tor returned to Pelinom and were told that you had left with your father," he said. "The truth of it was that Amadeo had ordered your father to remove you, threatening to kill you if you stayed. So your father had no choice but to take you from Pelinom."

She nodded. "I know," she murmured, touching his face. "He did not tell me the truth, however. He led me to believe that we were taking a trip to Berwick. I only knew the truth once we arrived at Alnwick."

Jax stroked her face, feeling her skin against his calloused palm. "Amadeo's threats were a convenient excuse for your father," he replied. "The man does not want you to marry me, that is for certain. I am not sure I entirely blame him."

She smiled ironically at him. "Now you speak the truth of it." Her smiled faded as she thought on her father, of his last words to her. "Perhaps given time he will understand."

Jax watched her carefully, trying to gauge how much sorrow she felt over the rift he had caused. He wondered if it would cause her to resent him someday.

"Perhaps," he agreed with her, not knowing what else to say. "In any case, we are together now and that is all that matters. The town of Alnwick is back over the rise as, I suspect, are a church and a priest. I will send Atreus into town to scout it out and make the arrangements."

She nodded, gazing up at him as the branches from the tree created a backdrop for his handsome face. Now that the euphoria of their reunion was wearing off, there were many thoughts on her mind; their marriage, their future. Many things were now becoming reality.

"Where will we live?" she asked.

He shrugged, brushing off a leaf that had fallen into her hair. "Wherever you wish."

"I've only ever lived at Pelinom."

"Is that where you want to live?"

She nodded. "It is my home."

"Then it shall be mine also."

"Jax?"

"What, love?"

"Will you… do you plan to stay home with me?"

He grinned. "Stay home and do what?"

She pursed her lips with irritation that he found something humorous in her question.

"Be lord of the castle," she stated the obvious. "Pelinom is a wealthy, busy place. You would have plenty to do."

He frowned at her. "You run the place. I would only be in the way."

"Then you will not stay with me?"

He leaned down, nuzzling her cheek. "I will stay with you," he said. "But if I were to give up my pursuits and stay with you all of the time, I suspect we would have a dozen children in as many years."

She blushed to the roots of her hair. "But what if it is my wish?"

"To have a dozen children? I think I can arrange that."

"Nay," she slapped him playfully on his shoulder. "To stay with me and be a gentleman knight. You can administer your empire from your seat of Pelinom."

He lifted an eyebrow at her. "I told you that I am an ambitious man, Kelli. I have no intention of changing my plans. And you told me that you would not try to change me."

She made a face at him. "Do you memorize everything I say?"

He suddenly sat up and pulled her up with him. "I memorize everything everyone says. Since I was a small child, I can recall the very last detail of conversations I had weeks or months or years ago. It is a strange gift I have."

"Then you are telling me, in essence, that I can never take back anything I ever say to you?"

"Never. I will remember it."

He had her on her feet and gripped her hand. "Where are we going?" she asked curiously.

He was pulling her towards his pitched tent several feet away. "I'd nearly forgotten; I have gifts for you."

She eyed him warily but he raised his eyebrows at her as if to calm her fears. "No worries," he told her as he pulled back the tent flap. "I did not steal them. I purchased them, just as you asked me to."

It was her turn to lift an eyebrow at him as she entered the dark tent. "Really?" she asked skeptically. "And just what did you purchase for me?"

He rummaged around in the saddlebags that were propped against the wall. It was dark and he was having trouble finding what he was looking for. But he finally came across it and pulled forth the silk purse that Lady Anne had given him, stuffed to the seams with goods. He extended it to Kellington.

She looked at him long and hard before accepting the purse. Carefully, she pulled back the ties; the gorgeous emerald and silver ring was the first thing she saw. With a gasp of delight, she pulled it out and inspected it in the weak light.

"Oh… Jax," she breathed. "It's lovely. Absolutely lovely."

He grinned, pleased at her reaction. "Do you like it?"

She nodded eagerly. "I love it."

He took it from her and gently took her left hand, sliding the ring onto her third finger. It fit snuggly.

"It will make a fine wedding ring," he said, then gestured to the bag again. "See what else I have brought you."

Kellington did. She dumped the bag on the rug that covered part of the ground beneath her feet and picked through a sapphire necklace, several brooches, more rings and two sets of earrings. All of them were very nice quality and very expensive.

"Where did you get these?" she asked as she held up one of the earrings, made from a large yellow stone. "They are magnificent."

He watched her face as she inspected the earring. "I purchased them from a woman," he said honestly. "I bought almost everything she had."

He braced himself, waiting for her to ask more questions, but she was apparently satisfied with his answer and left it at that. He almost sighed with relief. But he suddenly remembered the perfume and pulled that out of his saddlebags as well, handing them to her shoulder.

Kellington saw the phials clutched in his big hand and she put the jewelry down, carefully taking the glass tubes from him. She set them gently on the ground and picked up the first one, pulling out the stopper and smelling lilies.

"Oh," she gasped and inhaled again, more deeply. "This is wonderful. Jax, where did you get this marvelous perfume?"

"From the same lady," he was congratulating himself at again being truthful with her. "The other two are rose and lilac."

Kellington was poisoned by selection; she loved everything and wanted to wear it all. But she settled on the lilac because Jax liked it the best and she dabbed it on her neck and wrists. The jewelry was another matter; she had him put the sapphire necklace on her and she pinned what appeared to be a matching brooch on her shoulder. She was so involved in deciding what next to put on that she was startled when Jax suddenly put his face into her neck, inhaling the lilac scent deeply.

"Sweet," he murmured, kissing her skin after he smelled it. "Like you. Are you pleased?"

She nodded happily. "I am, thank you. You are most generous, my lord."

"My lord, is it?" he growled, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against him. "You only address me formally when you want something. What more do you want?"

Her giggles turned to gasps as his mouth began to move against her neck. "There is nothing more I could possibly want," she put her hand on his head, entwining her fingers in his long hair as he kissed her shoulder. "I have everything I have ever longed for."

Jax could not think of a witty reply; he was too involved in the tender delicacies of her flesh. He finally had her in his arms, no interruptions, no distractions. He had been waiting for this moment for years, or at least it seemed like it. He could not remember when he had not desperately wanted this woman.

He pulled her down onto the rough rug that covered the floor of his tent. His mouth moved from her neck to her lips, kissing her so deeply that she was in danger of fainting. He held her tightly in his massive arms, overwhelming her with his presence, gorging himself on her. The more he tasted, the more he wanted.

For Kellington, it was a new and overpowering experience. He was so big, so powerful, that she could do nothing more than allow him to work his magic on her. She had no idea how to respond, only what her instincts told her. They told her to hold him close, to kiss him just as strongly as he was kissing her. When his hand moved to her breasts and fondled her through the fabric, she encouraged him. When he tried to pull the neckline of her gown away but was thwarted by the fastens, she sat up and moved her hair aside so he could unfasten the bodice.

Her blue garment fell away as Jax grabbed hold and pulled. He realized as he did so that his hands were quivering with excitement. His hungry gaze fell on her beautiful breasts, remembering them from that day in the vault when he had demanded she disrobe for him. He remembered everything from that day, the sweet curves of her tender flesh, the gentle flare of her hips and the swell of her buttocks. At the time, he had only felt the heat of lust. Now, with emotions involved, he felt so much desire and joy that it was making him mad. As he pulled the dress away from her legs, he also tore off his mail coat and ripped free his tunic. His movements were harsh and eager. As his breeches came off in the dimness of the tent, he descended on her once again with his enormous body.

Kellington gasped as he came down on top of her, his lips to her lips, his hand to her breast. The other arm wrapped around her, holding her close against his torso. As his feverish kisses plundered, his fingers began to play with the nipple of her left breast, creating a hard little pellet that sent bolts of pleasure through her body. He would alternately tease the nipple and squeeze the breast, creating such heat that Kellington began to tremble. When his lips finally left hers and descended on the taut nipple, she groaned with delight.

He had done this to her once before, in the solar of Pelinom. Kellington remembered how his hot, wet mouth had caused all thoughts to flee from her head. She remembered how it had turned her into a weak, boneless thing that was purely dependent upon his touch. When his mouth moved from one breast to the other, she savored the new sensations, hardly having been able to imagine what intimate relations with a man would have been like. For everything she had ever thought about the subject, it was nothing compared to the reality.

He played with her delightful breasts for some time. His attention had sparked a roaring blaze in her body, raging through her and seeming to culminate in the private area between her legs. Everything seemed to begin, and end, there. Her legs came up, instinctively, her body twitching and thrashing as his mouth and fingers stoked her fires.

Jax lifted himself up, settling his massive body between her slender legs. His enormous hands took her own within them, kissing each one sweetly before stretching her arms high above her head. As he did so, he lowered himself atop her, his dual-colored gaze boring into her. Wide-eyed and gasping, Kellington looked up at him, no words to describe what she was feeling. One hand kept her arms gently pinned above her head as the other roved her body freely, tenderly fondling her breasts, moving down her torso and soft belly to the fluff of curls between her legs.

Kellington started when she felt his fingers tenderly stroking the exterior of her Venus Mound. He was extremely careful, acquainting her with his touch before finally parting the lips and inserting a gentle finger into her. She gasped with surprise and some fright as he plunged deeper and deeper. She was so slick that her moisture was saturating the rug beneath them. He could insert two fingers into her quite easily and did so, listening to her groan. It was too much for him to take; removing his hand, he looked her in the eye as his enormous member pushed its way inside of her.

Kellington bit her lip and closed her eyes as he slid firmly into her quivering flesh. Jax watched her face, his entire body trembling as he struggled to control himself. She was too delicious, too beautiful, and he could contain himself no longer. He had waited for this moment since nearly the moment they met, claiming this woman who had very quickly become all to him. He loved her with everything he possessed. And now he would possess her.

He thrust forward, seating himself to the hilt to her soft cries of surprise. He paused to allow her to absorb the feel of his flesh within her, but a momentary pause was all he was able to give. Then, gathering her into his arms, he began to move, thrusting into her with gentle strokes, feeling her nubile body respond to him freely and innocently. Sex to him had always been a physical need, never a pleasure. At times it had been a mode of conquest. But at the moment, he was beyond pleasure. He had found that little corner of heaven he had told her about, once. He had finally achieved it.

His thrusts became stronger, faster, as delicious friction built. Kellington's arms were around his neck and she held on tightly, moving with him, feeling the new sensations consume her. His flesh against her, his power in her, around her, consumed every thought. Whatever maiden's fear she had felt was gone; there hadn't even been any pain when he had finally entered her. All she had felt was an intimate fullness, a satisfaction, that had been difficult to comprehend. All she knew was that Jax had taken control of her heart, her body, and she willingly gave it. Even now, as he held her tightly and plunged deep into her slick body, she wished it could go on forever. It was a moment like none other.

One of Jax's muscular arms unwound itself from her slender torso and he turned slightly so that they were nearly lying on their sides. His fingers found the fluff of curls between her legs again, feeling where their bodies joined, and began to stroke her. Kellington was suddenly lifted to a higher plane of pleasure; within three strokes of his tender finger, her loins exploded with delicious tremors and a scream pealed from her lips. Jax suddenly thrust very hard, a grunt escaping his lips as he spilled deep into her welcoming body. But he did not stop moving; he continued to move, magnifying their pleasure, until there was nothing left but sweat, warmth, and the sounds of their pleasurable gasping.

Kellington thought she might actually have fainted. From the moment that stars burst before her eyes, she was cognizant of little but heated pleasure. Now she was in the warm, muddled world between consciousness and unconsciousness, feeling Jax's warm body around her and wallowing in the sensation. She finally opened her eyes when Jax shook her gently.

"Are you all right?" he asked, nuzzling her cheek. "Did I hurt you?"

She shook her head, so weak and satisfied that it was nearly impossible to do anything else. "I am fine," she murmured. "You did not hurt me at all."

He stopped nuzzling and looked down at her. She could feel his gaze and she opened her eyes to find the dual-colored orbs staring at her. She smiled weakly.

"What is it?" she asked, touching his cheek. "Why do you look at me so?"

He didn't say anything for a moment. "Because… because never in my life did I imagine I would have something as wonderful as you. It does not seem real."

Her smile broadened. "It is real."

"I know. But it still seems like a dream."

"To me as well."

He gathered her up in his arms again, holding her tightly. Gone was the feverish kissing, the passion, the force behind his actions. Now, he simply wanted to hold her.

Kellington closed her eyes, feeling more safe and comforted than she ever had in her entire life. Never did she think she would experience the love of a man, the tender comfort and scorching passion it would bring. It had been beyond her comprehension. And of all the men she imagined she would marry, the brutal warlord Jax de Velt was not among them.

If this is a dream, do not let me wake up.

She slept.

*

"Their army is camped about two miles to the west," Keats said. "They are just sitting there, enjoying the spoils of their thievery, including my daughter. I say that now is the time to strike."

Keats, Denedor, de Vesci and Piers Michelson were standing in various positions around the baron's solar, discussing the best course of action against de Velt's army. It had been almost two hours since de Velt had left with Kellington, and he and his army had retreated to the west to set up camp. It had been a brittle, confused two hours. Now, the men of Alnwick were gaining steam and formulating a plan. They knew de Velt was coming for them. They would not go down without a fight.

"I agree with Keats," Denedor said in a low, calm voice. "They are planning their siege against Alnwick as we speak. De Velt always attacks at sunset, which means we have six hours left at the most. We must attack them now while they are off guard and take the offensive. If we do not, de Velt will destroy this place and we will all be dead by morning."

"But de Velt has what he came for," de Vesci insisted; he had been existing in the realm of fear and denial since de Velt's army had retreated. "He already took Lady Kellington. Why would he attack Alnwick now? He has no cause."

Denedor shook his head. "My lord, mark my words; de Velt will attack, if not for vengeance, then for spite. Why do you think they are still camped out there? Our spies tell us that they are cutting down trees and constructing something, which I can only imagine to be either ladders or a siege tower. He already has two siege engines; we have seen them. I tell you, the man is planning to attack no matter what the lady has promised us."

Keats was standing by the lancet window of the solar, his arms folded protectively across his body. "I lived through Pelinom's siege but I was virtually the only one. I do not believe de Velt's mercy will hold out a second time." He turned to look at the men in the room. "He will attack us, of that I have no doubt. We must take the offensive immediately and hit his army while they are out in the open if we have any hope of surviving."

Denedor and Keats were of the same mindset. Young, tall and slender Piers would side with his captain. Only de Vesci was the last holdout. He had far more to lose than any of them and was understandably reluctant. He scratched his balding head, thinking of his wife, his two sons and daughter that he must protect.

"Speaking of spite," he said, looking pointedly at Denedor. "Your advice to attack could not have anything to do with Lady Kellington, could it?"

Denedor shrugged. "I intend to reclaim her. I will make it no secret."

Keat's cast a long glance at Denedor before shaking his head. "He's probably already taken her," he muttered. "She is the spoils of a murderer."

Denedor looked at him. "Nothing that cannot be erased given time."

"You are too forgiving."

Denedor's gaze lingered on him, seeing how disgusted and sickened he was by his daughter's behavior. He leaned into the man and lowered his voice. "You will not touch her, is that clear? Whatever anger or hatred you feel, you will not harm her or I will kill you."

Keat's met his gaze, digesting his statement, before looking away. "I could not harm her," he said. "She is still my flesh. But what she has done… it is reprehensible."

Denedor did not reply; instead, he faced de Vesci. "I would like permission to outfit the men and prepare them for battle. If we are going to move, then we need to do it right away. We cannot delay. I would further suggest you move your family into town and away from the castle until this madness is settled."

De Vesci was torn, still trying to deny the obvious but wanting to remove his family to safety at the same time. He knew what Jax de Velt did to prisoners.

"But you are speaking of attacking de Velt," he insisted weakly. "You know the man, Denedor. 'Tis lunacy to move against him."

"If we do not, then we sit here and wait to die."

"But you speak of suicide."

"It would be suicide not to act, for the man is coming whether or not we move first. Is that your wish, my lord? That we sit and wait for our deaths?"

It wasn't. De Vesci scratched his head, shifted in his seat, all of the signs of an agitated man. He finally looked to Denedor. "If you are very sure about all of this?"

The knight nodded. "As sure as I can be. May I again ask for permission to mobilize the army?"

De Vesci sighed heavily, looking to Keats and Piers, before finally nodding his head in defeat. "Very well," he mumbled, wiping at his forehead as he did so. "But give me a contingent of men to protect my family. Twenty soldiers, I should think."

"Ten will be sufficient," Denedor snapped his fingers to Piers, who immediately quit the solar in his quest to form an escort for the baron. With the young knight clearing the room, Denedor turned back to the baron. "Our spies say that de Velt is spread out in the field that belongs to Edward Rest, a farmer who holds a great deal of land to the west of Alnwick. The field is bordered on the west and north by a forest. If we can create two fronts, one from the east and one from the west, we should be able to catch de Velt by surprise. It is our only hope."

De Vesci was resigned to the battle, though clearly still not happy about it. "How many men would you say he has?"

"At least seven to eight hundred," Denedor replied. "A sizable force."

De Vesci nodded. "And how many do we have at Alnwick?"

"Nine hundred and forty six."

"Then we outnumber him?"

"Aye, we do, but we are speaking of de Velt mercenaries. They are not ordinary fighting men."

"Can we send for reinforcements, then?"

Denedor cocked a thoughtful eyebrow. "The nearest castle is Edlingham, but she is a small castle and would not hold near the number of reinforcements that we would require. Warkworth is to the south and would carry sufficient numbers, but I suspect we would not see them until tomorrow morning."

"What of Bamburgh?"

"'Tis the same as Warkworth. We would not see any help until the morrow."

De Vesci sighed heavily. "How many men could we get from Edlingham?"

"One hundred at the most."

"Then send for them immediately. And also send for reinforcements from Warkworth and Bamburgh. Even if they do not arrive until morning, perhaps we can hold out with what we have until they come."

"We cannot wait for any of them to arrive," Denedor pointed out. "We must strike without them and strike now."

De Vesci could not disagree. Denedor sent one soldier on the run to Edlingham, two others to Warkworth and Bamburgh respectively, before returning to the solar to find de Vesci and Keats well into their third cup of wine. Each man had his different reason for drinking to the point of drunkenness as a way of easing their guilt and fears, but Denedor could not allow himself that luxury. He was about to take on Jax de Velt and he would need every faculty he possessed.

Leaving Keats and the baron to their wine, he went to speak to his men. He seriously wondered how many he would have left alive come the dawn.

*

Kellington awoke to Jax rising from the rug they were lying on. Wrapped in his massive arms, she had been warm and safe and comfortable. His movement left her feeling alone and she blinked the sleep from her eyes, pushing the stray hair from her face.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

He smiled at her. "I was trying not to wake you," he said, securing his breeches. "As much as I would love to lounge with you all day, there are a few tasks that require my attention. Go back to sleep if it pleases you."

It took Kellington a moment to realize she was stark naked on the rug and she quickly looked around for her shift. Without Jax's massive body to shield and cover her, she felt very exposed. She spoke as she grabbed for her undergarments.

"Can I come with you?" she asked. "I do not want to wait here all alone. I will not be a bother, I promise."

His smile faded as he watched her pull the shift over her head, covering her magnificent body. "Kelli," he said slowly. "There is something you must understand about my army. They are not men of honor or character; they are mercenaries and murderers, and to have you wandering among them, even if you are with me, will only invite their dark fantasies. I do not want you exposed or paraded to my men. It is best if you stay here, protected by a select few men that I trust, and wait for my return."

She pulled her gown over her head, turning her back to him and indicating for him to help her fasten the stays on the back. He did so in silence, his big fingers nimbly navigating the buttons.

"I suppose when the newness of all of this wears off, there will be a great many things that I must become accustomed to," she finally said. "I will have to resign myself to the fact that my life has changed."

He finished the last stay and gently turned her around, his enormous hands on her shoulders. The dual-colored eyes gazed warmly at her.

"It has changed," he agreed. "But hopefully it is a change you will not regret."

She smiled. "As long as we are together, I can adjust. But you and I come from such different worlds, Jax. My world was one of peace and trust. Yours is of war and treachery. I wish I could have shown you my world in the days before…."

Her smile faded, unable to finish her sentence. Anything she could think to say sounded too accusing or bitter. And she was not bitter. Jax's ambition had brought him to her and she was not sorry for it. But she was sorry he had destroyed something very precious that he would never understand.

He knew what she was going to say without benefit of words and he felt a stab of remorse. His hands began to caress her arms. "In just the short time I have known you, I have come to see something of a world that I never knew," he said quietly. "I told you once that you were a corner of heaven I never knew existed; I should like to learn everything I can about it. But, inevitably, when you mix heaven and hell, there are bound to be some adjustments on both sides. I can never fully change and neither can you; but I would not have you any other way."

Her smile returned as she studied his face, the square jaw, and two-colored eyes that were so beautiful to her. "My God, I was so frightened of you when you first came to Pelinom," she murmured, reaching up to touch his face and he pulled her close. "I was certain you were going to kill us."

He kissed her fingers when they moved across his lips. "I knew the moment I saw you that there was something different about you," he said, a twinkle in his eyes. "I decided the moment you asked me why you should beg for your life that I would spare the sassy, outspoken wench."

She pursed her lips threateningly and he laughed. But as they both sobered, her golden-brown eyes were intense on him.

"May I ask you a question?"

He cocked an eyebrow. "Oh, God; here it comes. Well? What is it?"

"I wish for you to be honest with me."

"Is that your question?"

"Of course not. But if there is to be one thing we can both depend upon in this marriage, I will ask that it be truth. Total truth. Do you disagree?"

"I thought we were to depend upon our love for each other."

"That goes without saying. All I will ever ask is that you be truthful with me, Jax. I am serious."

"You have already asked a sight more than that."

She lowered her gaze and he could see that he had hurt her feelings. He squeezed her gently. "I was jesting, love," he squeezed her again. "What is your question?"

She toyed with the ties of his tunic. "Where did you go when you left Pelinom?"

His smile, his light mood faded. "Why do you want to know?"

"I just do. No specific reason."

Jax realized as he gazed down at her that it was going to be difficult for him to tell her. He'd become so accustomed to secrecy within his ranks that it was difficult to divulge critical information. He'd made a life out of not trusting most. But with Kellington, he realized he wanted to trust her. He wanted to tell her everything. He knew that she would never betray him; her integrity and courage was too strong.

"I went to White Crag Castle," he said quietly.

She kept her surprise in check admirably. In fact, she was very calm as she spoke. "I know Lady Jane and Lady Anne Crandall," she said, though her voice was trembling. "You… you did not harm them, did you?"

He touched her face. "They are well and whole," he replied. "So are their father and mother."

She closed her eyes in thanks, sighing heavily with relief. But it wasn't enough to stave off the tears and they spilled over onto her cheeks as she fell forward against him. His massive hand was on her head, clutching it against his chest as his other arm went around her slender body. Her reaction puzzled him.

"What's the matter?" he asked softly. "I did as you asked. I showed them mercy."

She sobbed softly and he pulled her closer, guilt creeping into his veins, knowing instinctively that he was the cause of her tears.

"I… I am grateful," she whispered. "I can ask no more."

That only made him feel guiltier. He hugged her tightly, hoping to ease her sorrow, not knowing what else to say. He did not want to be the cause of her tears. After a few moments of rocking her gently, he pulled her back and wiped her cheeks with his fingers.

"No tears," he kissed her forehead. "There is no need."

She looked up at him with her watery eyes. "But you still occupy White Crag?"

"I do. It is mine."

Just as Pelinom was his. She would not argue with him; she has promised him some time ago that she would not try to change his ambitious nature. But at least he was showing some mercy about it. Perhaps with time, he would show even more. She could only hope.

With a final wipe of her eyes, she squared her shoulders. "Well," she said with more pluck than she felt. "You told me that you have duties to attend to. I will not keep you any longer."

He looked at her, his long hair hanging down across one eye. "It is difficult for me to leave."

"I will be here when you return."

He lifted an eyebrow. "The last time I left you, your father and my knight conspired to take you away from me."

There was truth to that statement. "But you found me," she smiled. "I suspect that wherever I go, you will always find me."

He reached out and stroked her cheek. "Nothing can stop me," he murmured as he took her hand and kissed it sweetly. With a wink, he quit the tent.

Kellington stood there, watching the tent flap as it waved in the wake of his departure. It had been such a difficult path to get to where they were at this moment. Death, life, treachery, lies, hope and tears. But here they were, together, planning a new life. With as insane as the journey had been at times, she would not have had it any other way. It was making them who they were, molding their relationship into something strong and unbreakable. She felt more warmth and fulfillment than she had ever felt in her life.

Moving out of the tent, she stood at the entry, watching the activity about the camp and noticing a few soldiers lingering nearby. They looked at her but did not acknowledge her; she suspected they were the men Jax had assigned to protect her. With a casual sigh, she clasped her hands behind her back and began to walk the perimeter of the tent just for something to do. She had no way of knowing when he would return and, already, she missed him.

That was her last calm thought before rounding the side of the tent. Suddenly, a flaming arrow struck the side of the shelter and immediately the canvas roared into a wild flame. With a shriek, she dashed away from the tent, watching an entire side of it erupt. Then she heard it; yelling coming from the forest off to the west. Her startled golden brown orbs moved to the heavy cloak of trees, watching men emerge with weapons and horses and crossbows.

Though she'd only seen one siege in her life, she suspected that she was about to witness another. She wondered fleetingly if she would survive.