The chance of a child of his falling into Serepta’s hands cooled his ardor.
Easing away from Marri, he kissed the top of her head. “You should get some rest.”
She slipped under the covers. When Gryff moved toward his own bunk, she grabbed his hand. “Stay with me?”
He hesitated a moment before stretching out beside her, careful to keep the blankets between them. It didn’t help. His body reacted as expected as she pillowed her head on his shoulder. It was, he thought ruefully, going to be a long, painful night.
“Gryff?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m curious about something?”
“What’s that?”
“I’ve never known a shape-shifter before. Are there others like you?”
“I’ve never met any.”
“What did you mean the other night, when you said the wolf is what you are?”
“It’s part of me. Changing into anything else requires a lot of effort and concentration. But, like I said, the wolf is who I am.” He paused a moment before asking, “Does it bother you?”
“No. On the contrary, I rather like it.”
She was one in a million, he thought, and wondered how he would ever let her go.
Chapter 20
Artur sat back, his hands stroking the carved arms of his father’s throne — the throne that would soon be his. But at the moment, his attention was on the woman who had requested a private audience with him. She was stunningly beautiful, with waist-length hair and slanted eyes as black as onyx. An air of power clung to her.
Steepling his fingers, he asked, “How may I help you, my lady?”
“I have news of your sister.”
“Marri?” He leaned forward. “Is she well?”
“First, a favor.”
“Name it.”
“She is traveling with a man. I believe they are on their way here.”
“Who is this man in league with my sister?”
“He is of little consequence, milord. But he is mine.”
“Then what is he doing with my sister?”
“You misunderstand. He belongs to me. I am willing to pay you well for his safe return.”
Artur regarded her for a moment, then nodded. “Very well. Should he come here, I will hold him for you.”
Serepta smiled inwardly. She had attempted to conjure a locator spell to find Gryff and the woman, but it had failed. And she had her mother to thank for it. But it didn’t matter. The locator spell would have allowed her to find Gryff sooner, nothing more. Gryff was on the run. There was no place for him to go, and to her knowledge, nowhere for the woman to go but home. Gryff wouldn’t let her make the trip alone.
Serepta nodded. For all she knew, Gryff had always intended to return the woman to her brother and claim a reward. Whatever his intention, she would collect him and he would be in her power again. Whether he arrived in days or weeks was of no consequence. Her mother had taught her the value of patience. Sooner or later, Gryff would be hers again.
This time for good.
In the meantime, she would make herself at home in Brynn Tor.
Chapter 21
Marri woke slowly, reluctant to leave her dreams behind. In them, Gryff had made love to her, sometimes quickly, sometimes slow and tender, as if she was made of fine crystal. But, fast or slow, it mattered not because she had been in his arms, lost in a magical world that could never be more than a dream.
His arms…she opened her eyes to find that she really was in his arms.
“Morning, princess.”
Her gaze slid away from his as, remembering her dreams, she felt a flush climb up the back of her neck.
“You all right?”
She nodded.
“We should be on our way.”
“Yes, but…couldn’t we wait a few days?”
“You’re the one who’s in a hellfire hurry to get to Tarnn.”
“I know but…” She bit down on her lower lip.
Lifting his hand, Gryff traced the curve of her cheek. “I don’t want to leave you, either.”
Frowning, he weighed the danger. As far as he knew, no one was hot on their heels. Seleena had conjured a spell to prevent Serepta from locating their whereabouts. The food she had packed them would last for a couple of days if they ate sparingly.
“Two days,” he said. “No more.”
* * *
Marri glanced at Gryff as he climbed into the cockpit, smiled as she admired his profile. He had a fine straight nose, a strong jaw, sculpted lips…she blushed as she wished her dream the night before had been reality. Had he grown more handsome since they met, or was it just that she fell a little more in love with him with every passing day? For love him she did, whether he believed it or not.
Feeling her gaze, he smiled at her.
She felt it all the way to her toes.
Turning his attention back to the road, he checked the nav system, made a hard right and then a left. Thirty minutes later, he brought the skiff to a stop in the middle of a glade surrounded by a pine tree forest.
Marri looked out the window. Tall trees surrounded them. Beyond the trees, a lake sparkled in a splash of sunlight. Lush, rolling hills rose beyond the lake, a refreshing change after days of barren desert. “Where are we?”
“The outer boundary of Tarnn. The convent’s about thirty miles east.” Stepping out of the craft, Gryff rounded the front and opened her door. “Come on.”
“It’s beautiful here,” Marri said, taking his hand. “It reminds me of a story my mother used to tell me, about an enchanted land inhabited by fairies and elves.” She looked up at him, a twinkle in her eye. “Can you transform into an elf?”
“No,” he said. And then he laughed “A troll, maybe, or perhaps an ogre.”
“No need. I have my brother for that.”
Hand in hand, they walked down a gentle slope to the lake. As they drew closer, she saw that it was ringed with flowers in rainbow colors. Tall ferns slow-danced in the faint breeze. She wouldn’t have been surprised to see a water sprite or two flitting about.
Gryff paused in the shade of an overhanging branch and drew her down on the velvet grass. Overhead, a gray squirrel with a long fluffy tail chattered at them.
“I don’t think he likes us,” Marri said.
“I could trap him and roast him for dinner.”
“No!” She looked at him in horror.
“Calm down, love, I was joking.”
“I don’t think you were.”
He shrugged. “I’ve eaten my share of rabbits and squirrels in my day, when there was nothing else.” He grinned at her. “Mighty tasty with a little salt and pepper.”
“I think he understood you,” Marri remarked as the squirrel jumped to another tree and disappeared from sight.
“Maybe. Or maybe he sensed the wolf in me.”
Marri looked at him, eyes wide. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. Some animals shy away from me, though not the predators.”
“Are you going to prey on me, Gryff?”
“Marri….” Damn and blast, the woman tempted him almost beyond reason. If she kept looking at him like that….
Muttering an oath, he swung her into his arms and carried her into the lake.
She shrieked as he sank down into the water. “It’s like ice in here!”
“You’ll get used to it.”
When he released her, she let out another cry, then threw her arms around his neck and clung to him like a nettle.
“Come on,” he chided, “it’s not that cold.”
“I can’t swim!”
He immediately scooped her into his arms. “Sorry, love.” Returning to shallow water, he set her on her feet. “I just thought we could use a little cooling off.”
“Next time just say no,” she muttered, and headed for shore.
Gryff stared after her, wondering how much longer he could keep his lust under control, because wet or dry, angry or not, she was the mos
t tempting female he had ever known.
He followed her out of the water. “I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said, sitting beside her. “Forgive me?”
“Maybe.”
He lifted one brow. “Maybe?”
“For a kiss.”
“I’ll have to scare you more often,” he murmured, before claiming her lips with his.
* * *
Later, they stretched out on the grass, side-by-side, while the warm sun dried their hair and clothing. “You’ve never mentioned your mother,” Gryff remarked. “Is she still alive?”
“As far as I know. She ran away after my brother, Cobb, died. He was always her favorite. No one knows where she is.”
“Where do you think she went?”
Marri shook her head. “I wish I knew.”
“Why does your brother want you dead?”
She hesitated a moment, then said, “Because I’m next in line for the throne.”
“Ah. Now it all makes sense.” He thought a moment, then asked, “What about your father? Is he still alive?”
“He was when I left home.”
Gryff dragged a hand across his jaw. Not only was she a princess; one day, she could very well be queen of Brynn Tor.
* * *
Marri sighed with regret as she climbed into the skiff. The two days they had spent in the glade were the happiest of her life. Gryff had taught her to swim. She had been reluctant at first, but there had been no way to resist his teasing smile. He swam in his trousers, she in her shift. She had been embarrassed at first, but he had soon put her at ease. They had spent the day by the lake, talking and napping, and swimming again before nightfall.
The next day they had taken a long walk through the tall grass. She had seen rabbits and squirrels and deer. To her amazement, the animals had not been afraid of them.
And now it was time to leave.
She glanced at Gryff as he climbed into the driver’s seat. Already, her heart was aching at the thought of leaving him.
“You ready?” he asked.
“I guess so.”
His gaze met hers. If he asked her to stay with him, would she say yes? Almost, he was tempted to ask. But he had nothing to offer her, nothing but a life on the run. She would never be safe with him as long as Serepta was alive…
Marri frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing that hasn’t been wrong from the start.”
“I wish we could stay a little longer.”
“Yeah. But we’re almost out of food and water.”
She couldn’t argue with that.
She held onto the door handle as the skiff’s engine roared to life. Moments later, they were speeding toward Tarnn.
Chapter 22
“Well, where are they?” Artur glared at Serepta as if it was her fault his sister was still missing, then returned to pacing the floor. “You said they were on their way here.”
Serepta brushed an imaginary piece of lint from her cloak while she tried to decide whether to answer the impudent whelp or turn him into a wart hog. He had summoned her — summoned her — from her rooms at the inn as if she were one of his subjects.
“Well?” Artur paused again, hands fisted on his hips.
“It was my understanding they were coming here,” she replied, her voice dripping frost. “Is there anywhere else they might go?”
“I thought she might have gone to Aisley Cloister, in Tarnn to visit her sister. I sent Dunnin to inquire after her sometime ago, but she wasn’t there.”
“Are you sure you can trust him?”
“Without doubt. He has served me well in the past.”
“Perhaps you should send him again,” Serepta remarked. “Just remember, the man with her is mine.”
Chapter 23
Aisley Cloister crouched on top of a low rise like a lion about to pounce. Ancient trees lined the road to the entrance. Sunlight glinted off the stained-glass windows, danced across the surface of the stream that meandered down the hill and emptied into a lake that was perfectly round.
Marri had thought to feel some sense of relief when they arrived, a sense of anticipation at seeing her sister again. Once, taking shelter with the good sisters had seemed like the answer to all her problems. Now, she felt only despair. And it was all because of Gryff. She had spent her whole life behind walls of one kind or another; with Gryff, she had known freedom for the first time. True, she had also known fear and hunger. She had been imprisoned. Felt the sting of the lash. Seen cruelty in many forms. But none of that mattered now, not when he was going to leave her. If she asked him to stay with her, would he say yes?
She turned her head to look at him. His jaw was set, his expression impassive. By now, she knew him well enough to read his expressions, knew he had already made up his mind. He cared for her, she had no doubt of that, but he was going to leave her at the cloister because he felt she would be safer there.
They drove the rest of the way in silence.
* * *
Gryff parked the skiff a few yards away from the arched doorway. Came around to hand her out of the skiff. Walked her to the entrance. Rang the bell.
Several minutes passed before a rather plump woman clad in a black habit with a white wimple unlocked the door. “May I help you?”
“The lady here is seeking refuge with your order,” Gryff said.
The nun looked at Marri, one brow raised.
“I believe my sister is here,” Marri said. “Annis of Brynn Tor.”
The nun inclined her head. “I am Sister Berrta.” She took a step back. “Please come in.”
Marri stepped inside.
Gryff followed her into a small, square room furnished with a long, low couch and a rectangular table. The walls were pale gray. A single, stained-glass window was set high in the pale gray wall.
“Please wait here while I inform Reverend Mother of your presence,” Sister Berrta said.
Hands clasped, Marri sat on the edge of the sofa. Now that she was here, she longed to be anywhere else. And yet, she had no place to go. Gryff didn’t want her. She couldn’t go home.
She looked up as a tall, angular woman stepped into the room. Her gaze moved over Marri, missing nothing. “I am told you are seeking sanctuary.”
Marri nodded.
“You are welcome here, of course, my child. Your sister has been informed and will join us shortly.”
“Thank you, Reverend Mother.”
The nun looked at Gryff for the first time. “Who are you?”
He shook his head. “No one of importance.”
“I think you are important to Marri.”
He lifted one shoulder and let it fall.
“We are in need of some temporary help,” the nun remarked. “We cannot pay you, but we would provide you food and shelter.”
Gryff glanced at Marri, saw the silent plea in her eyes.
“Mr. Gryff?”
“Just Gryff. Obliged for your offer, ma’am.”
Reverend Mother smiled. It transformed her face, making her look much younger. “Ah, Sister Annis, please come in.”
Marri jumped to her feet when her sister entered the room. For a moment, the two simply stared at each other. And then they fell into each other’s arms.
Reverend Mother brushed a tear from her eye. After a moment, she said, “Sister Annis, why don’t you take Marri to the dormitory and get her settled in the empty room next to yours. Gryff, if you’ll come with me, I will show you to your quarters. You understand they are not within the cloister itself, but in the yard out back.”
He nodded.
Marri broke her sister’s embrace. “Gryff…”
“I’ll be around for awhile,” he said.
“You won’t leave without telling me goodbye?”
“No.” He would have hugged her, kissed her, save for the stern expression on the Reverend Mother’s face.
Annis tugged on Marri’s hand. With a last look at Gryff, Marri followed her sister out of the room.
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* * *
Annis drew Marri down on the narrow cot. Clasping her sister’s hands, she said, “Tell me everything.”
Marri glanced around the room. White walls. A single window. A stone floor. The cot she sat on. A small table with a ewer and pitcher. It was even smaller than the skiff’s cabin.
“Marri?”
“Artur sent Dakkar and Trist to kill me.”
Annis stared at her, her face as white as her wimple. “Are you certain?” she asked, her voice a mere whisper.
“Yes.”
“Talitha drugged me. Trist and Dakkar kidnapped me. I escaped, though I don’t remember it, or anything that happened until Gryff took me in.”
“Who is he? Gryff? He looks…scruffy and uncivilized.”
“Perhaps he is but I don’t care. I love him.”
Mouth open, Annis blinked at her.
“Close your mouth,” Marri said. “And I’ll tell you all about it.”
* * *
Gryff followed the tall nun down a wide hall, through a heavy door and out into the cloister’s backyard. He didn’t know what he’d expected, but it wasn’t what he saw. The yard was large and divided in half by a wooden fence. One side contained a small barn, a corral that housed a brown-and-white cow, a chicken coop with perhaps a dozen chickens, a couple of pigs in a pen. A trio of goats regarded him from the top of what looked like a shed. A garden took up the other half of the yard.
He glanced at the nun. She stood with her arms folded, her expression thoughtful. “Something wrong?”
“Sometime back, a man came looking for Marri. He said her brother had sent him.”
Gryff nodded. “Go on.”
“I told him she hadn’t been here, which was, of course, the truth. I didn’t like the looks of the man. Is she in trouble?”
“More than you can imagine.”
“I see.”
“If you turn her away, she’s got nowhere else to go,” Gryff said flatly.
“Turning her away was never my intention, I assure you. I simply thought to warn you.”