Chapter Nine

Nori woke with a smile that only grew as she took in every delicious ache in her body. Most importantly, the one between her legs. The one that meant she was officially Eleanor Montrose. No. Queen Eleanor Montrose, wife of War King Gavin Montrose. And there was nothing anyone could do to change that fact. She enjoyed every ache because of what they represented.

She was disappointed to find the bed empty. Gavin had promised her they had the whole night, but after that first time, she'd passed out on his chest and didn't even know when he'd lifted her off him much less when he'd left it. She wished he were here so she could talk him into doing it all again. Well, maybe, they could start with her using her mouth on him the way he had her. She'd wanted to feel him against her tongue and see how he tasted. She wondered if every time with him would be as frenzied and impassioned.

Gingerly slipping from the bed, she saw a bowl of water, cloth, and soap left on the table. She used them to clean as best she could. She'd have to ask Gavin if it were possible to have another bath. She pulled on a fresh gown then brushed her hair, leaving it to hang down her back. She wasn't surprised to see Cris when she opened the chamber door.

"Just the man I wanted to see." She looped her arm through his and laughed at his lifted brow.

"I'm almost afraid to ask," he admitted.

She rose onto her toes and gave him a soft peck on the cheek. "Thank you for not allowing Robert to get to me. He's not a very nice man."

"Don't thank me for doing my job, my queen. Also don't kiss me unless you'd like to see my head removed from my body by your husband."

"You're safe," Nori tried to assure him. "Gavin knows I like you best."

His face turned red as he came to a halt.

"Between you and Con. Gavin knows I prefer you."

"I think I might prefer that you didn't prefer me," Cris told her.

"Nonsense. We're going to be good friends, Cris. I know it. Now, I'm starving. Escort me below, so I can break my fast."

"Of course, my queen."

He gave her curious looks as they walked but didn't say anything else. She pulled away when she saw Gavin was at the table and practically ran across to him. He'd gained his feet by the time she reached him, and she didn't pause before throwing herself into his arms. She accepted the kiss he offered.

"I missed you when I woke up," she admitted then blushed when someone cleared their throat. She hadn't paid attention to who was at the table with him. She'd seen Gavin, and everything else had faded away.

"Soon, we'll wake up together," he promised, dropping another kiss on her lips before helping her to a seat then filling a trencher for her.

"I'm glad my mother isn't here to see your behavior. She'd be appalled."

Her gaze jerked to Robert then to her grandfather, who sat beside him. At least, he didn't look disappointed in her. He appeared curious.

"There is nothing appalling with my wife's behavior," Gavin snapped at Robert.

"His mother didn't teach me anything, anyway," Nori said as one of the kitchen maids filled a mug for her. "She couldn't be bothered to do it for her own daughter. Why would she for me?"

"How dare you!" Robert pushed up from the table.

She flicked her gaze at him then glanced at Gavin, who nodded for her to continue.

"Let's be honest, Robert. I may have lived in your home, but I was never a member of your family. I was another mouth to feed, and unless my grandfather was there, I was mostly taught to fend for myself and stay out of sight. If it weren't for the staff, not a one of you would have cared if I'd disappeared."

"Is that true?" her grandfather demanded.

"No." Robert's face turned red with rage.

"Be honest. You wouldn't have noticed until you needed me around, so I could be presented to my grandfather with demands for more money for this or that, which were required to educate and make a lady out of me. Funny. I was educated by your father's steward, who taught me how to read, write, and calculate numbers. Old Moses taught me to ride a horse and took care of any injuries I had as a child. He even comforted me when your father sold my first pony because a selfish child like me didn't deserve such a fine animal."

"They sold your pony? Why wasn't I told of this?" her grandfather demanded, and as much as it hurt her, she knew it was time to admit what Gavin had seen from the very beginning.

"Because you were never around," she whispered, only realizing her hands were clenched when Gavin took one in his hand, forcing her fingers away from her palm and linking his between hers. He gave her hand a squeeze, letting her know he was there, though he didn't interrupt the conversation.

"I'm the king. I couldn't always be there."

"No, you didn't want to be there." She lifted her hand when he would have spoken and for once, didn't feel guilty. "I'm your granddaughter, not your subject, but you've never been able to make that distinction. You put me out of sight, sent money, and expected everything would be fine. It wasn't. I used to cry for you, wishing and begging for you to come visit and take me away with you. I prayed and prayed and prayed. You never did. Then I stopped. No more wishes or prayers. I know I look like my mother because Lady Buckingham used to tell me I did, and that was why you didn't want me around. Because Rosamund, my mother, had sullied herself with a soldier, marrying in secret. I was told the best thing my mother had done was die while giving birth. That it was a shame I hadn't died with her."

"I never…" Phillip opened and closed his mouth several times, his head swinging back and forth. "I'll kill her for that. I'll see her hanged."

"I won't have these lies spread about my family!" Robert bellowed. "Not by some ungrateful brat, who should be thankful we took her in."

"Sit down!" Phillip yelled.

Nori was grateful when Gavin pulled her into his lap, wrapping his strong arms around her, helping her hold herself together while she finally released everything she'd held inside for so long.

"I don't blame you," she told her grandfather. "I'm sure you loved my mother in your own way. The same as you did with Rory's mother. With me. But people aren't objects you can set aside and expect to still be there waiting when you decide to take them out again."

"I loved Rosamund with all my heart. She was my light and joy, and both were gone when she died. My only thought was to see you had the proper care needed for a newborn. As for Anne…" Phillip's gaze conveyed more emotion than he probably realized "I'll never forgive myself for what happened to her or her daughter, but there's nothing I can do now. Nori, I need you to know you're not an object to me. You're the most precious person in my life."

She wanted to believe him, but a lifetime of neglect had proven his words untrue.

"My husband has shown me more affection in the past few days than I've received from you in my whole life. He's gone out of his way to make me feel accepted." She turned and met Gavin's gaze. "He's made me feel many things, but most of all, he's shown me what it is to be treasured. I know my life with him will be filled with new adventures, and all of them will be experienced with him."

"Anything you desire," Gavin promised.

"Gavin won't tuck me away and only visit when he finds it convenient," she continued.

"Never," he swore.

"That's what it means to care for someone," she told her grandfather. "I've waited my whole life to find a place to belong, to build a family, so I'd never be alone again. Who knew I was waiting for a War King to force my hand in marriage and show me a side of myself I never knew I had."

"What are you saying?" Phillip asked.

"I think it's time you left, Grandfather. I'm no longer your burden to bear. My husband has me now."

"Damn straight," Jo said as she marched up to the table and sat beside Gavin and Nori. Theo took the place right beside her. "Nori's ours now, and we're not giving her back."

"Agreed!" Rory called as she and Jamie followed Jo and Theo across the room.

Nori's heart filled up as Rory and Jamie sat on their other side, Rory reaching out to clasp Nori's hand. She noted her grandfather's gaze going between her and Rory. She wondered if he was finally realizing what he'd lost. Maybe, he saw their mothers instead of them. Did Rory look as much like her mother, Anne, as Nori did her mother, Rosamund?

"I've made many mistakes in my life," he admitted. "But none so devasting as the ones I've made with both of you. You!" He pointed at Robert. "Get out. Ride hard for home and let your family know I'll be there soon, so they can feel the full brunt of my displeasure."

"You'll pay for this," Robert snarled at Nori as he moved away.

"His blood is mine," Gavin growled out to Phillip.

"I'll handle the Buckinghams," Phillip countered.

"Not when it comes to my wife," Gavin warned. She saw him nod and turned just in time to see Con and Cris follow Robert out of the keep. She felt no pity for him. Robert deserved whatever her husband did to him.

"I haven't been honest with you," Phillip said, pulling everyone's attention to him.

"Of course not," Jamie stated with no surprise.

"Your father is still alive," Phillip told Rory. "He never knew your mother was pregnant. I thought I knew what was best for her, refused to allow another soldier into my family. I refused to believe he'd be worthy of my favored Anne. I was wrong, and all three of you suffered for it."

"My father's alive?" Rory sat forward. "Who is he? Where is he?"

"I sent word to him, requesting he join me here. I'm truly sorry, Rory. Your mother saw the man in him while I was too blinded to."

"Who is he?" Jamie demanded again when Phillip didn't answer Rory's question.

"A commander in my army. He oversees our eastern border, and the raids that still occur along them. I sent word he was needed here. That was two days ago. He'll need time to put measures in place at his post, then he'll head this way. In another few days, perhaps, depending on how quickly the messengers rode. He won't come alone. He'll ride in with soldiers he's handpicked and trained."

"What message did you send?" Nori asked.

"That his king needed him," Phillip stated.

"He'll come prepared for battle," Gavin warned.

Phillip sighed but nodded.

"You thought to attack a keep full of War Kings and their warriors?" There was no missing the incredulity in Theo's voice.

"At the time, my only thought was to protect my kingdom and my granddaughter."

Nori felt the hit when he put his kingdom first. Before Gavin, she would have never questioned it.

"Don't underestimate Rowan York. He may be called a soldier, but he's more than proved he's a warrior to the core. One, I'll miss terribly," her grandfather added.

"Why would you miss him?" Nori asked then turned to Gavin. "Surely, you won't kill Rory's father?"

"My wife's father will be fine," Jamie answered. "Your grandfather is another story."

"I only meant I'd miss him because, once he finds out he has a daughter, he'll never remain by my side." Phillip laughed, but there was no humor to it. He gave Nori a look she found curious before he continued. "He'll probably attempt to kill me before any of the War Kings, and I wouldn't blame him. I wouldn't blame him at all."

Nori took a good look at her grandfather. She suspected he still hid something. It definitely weighed on him. She wasn't sure if it was the truths, the lies, or just the past catching up with him, but he looked weary. She felt a trickle of unease as she realized how very human he was. Flesh and blood, and flesh and blood could be injured. He was no longer the invincible figure she'd always found him to be. And that worried her more than she wanted to admit.