A Nymph Without Mercy
XVIII

Garrick stalkedahead, a young and bashful stable hand stammering his apologies as he led himout into the yard. “Get on with it, boy! What is wrong with my horse?”

So help him, if theyhad poisoned him...

The stables wereneatly kept, but Garrick could not appreciate the smell of sweet hay and warmoats—not when Callum might be ill.

The boy brought him into the stall, and atfirst glance Callum seemed well. “It’s his hoof, m’lord. The shoe is loose.”

Garrick sighed,trying to keep his temper. To be pulled away from a feast by a servantgenerally meant something dire—and he did not appreciate being worried forsomething so inconsequential. “So take him to the marshal. I fail to see why I shouldneed to be consulted.”

The stable handlooked to the ground, pushing at errant bits of straw. “Aye, m’lord, and I dobe beggin’ your pardon for interrupting. But we haven’t got a marshal and our smithyhas contracted a sickness and won’t be able to see to it for another fewdays—not ‘til the shakes stop. And his apprentice is just a lad and hasn’t beenwith him more than a fortnight, and I don’t think you’d be wanted to let himnear such a fine beast. Not ‘til he’s surer in his craft.”

“I think not.” Garricksighed, terribly annoyed at the whole inconvenience. With a steady hand hepulled up the troubled foot and he could clearly see that the shoe was indeedloose. He could ride to the next village and see if they had a blacksmith whowas not apparently near death’s door. But to do so could risk Callum losing theshoe completely, and possibly damaging the sensitive tissues and leave himlame.

They would have towait.

“Keep me informed ofyour smith’s condition.”

“Of course, m’lord!”

Garrick leaned closeto the horse’s ear, his voice low, “Try not to get too fat, my friend. Enjoyyour rest for I shall have us travel twice the distance to make up for it!”

Callum only swishedhis tale and bobbed his head in response.

And with a finalaffectionate pat on Callum’s long neck, Garrick returned to the castle, notwaiting for an escort. He remembered the way well enough, and now that he wassure that his friend was in no imminent danger, his desire to return to Mairiwas at the forefront of his mind.

It went against hismost protective instincts to leave Mairi alone in a strange and unknown place.But she had not yet eaten her fill and he would not allow her to go hungry—notbecause of his insipid jealousies.

He was not obliviousto the looks she received.

Noblemen and servantalike sent many long glances to the head table, though his wife did not seem tonotice. It made him almost wish he still wore his armour, for at least theirattention would be drawn to the formidable knight and perhaps then less likelyto the beauty at his side.

But he trusted her.If there was one thing he had come to realise, it was that Mairi would neverbetray him with another—it went against the whole of her being.

So he had left her toeat and he was certain that none would attempt anything too untoward while insuch a large gathering.

She was preciselywhere he left her, though her plate seemed hardly less full than when he hadlast seen it.

Mairi glanced up athim as he approached, her relief readily apparent. “Is something wrong?”

He sat, turning hisattention to his own considerable meal. “Aye, but nothing too dire. It doeshowever mean we shall be remaining here for longer than I had intended.”

The king clapped hishands. “Excellent! Does this mean you shall be participating in our littletournament?”

Garrick’s eyesnarrowed. While many kings took pleasure in the participation of their finestwarriors, it was not as though he hadsworn his loyalty. His success would not bring glory to this man’s realm, and Garrickwas hard pressed to replace a logical reason why it was so important. Did he trulyhold such a thirst for bloodshed?

He supposed it wasentirely possible, especially given his initial instructions for disposing ofthe man in Monavyn.

“I shall need tospeak to my wife on the matter.”

He leaned closer sothat only she could hear, “What is wrong, little nymph? Why will you not eat?”

She nibbled her lipand peered at him, her body tense. “I have need to speak with you also.”

He studied her for amoment, trying to determine if something had occurred that required hisintervention. Her hair had dried, both from the attention he had paid it withthe bath linens and also from the warmth of the room. Her dress was rumpledfrom use but still was much finer than anything the other women wore. He notedruefully that he was actually assessing her for injury or sign that she hadbeen harassed in his absence, but there was none.

“You must eat,dear-heart. There is no meat, I swear it.”

Some bit of tensionleft her at his endearment, and he was surprised at himself for its use. But itfelt natural, so wonderfully natural, to shower her with sweet words and gentletouches.

And he would not beashamed of it.

Not when she warrantednothing less.

“I never would havetaken you for the type to require conference with your lady before accepting achallenge. Has married life changed you already?”

Whatever softness Garrickhad acquired from caring for Mairi swiftly departed. “Other men must have themisfortune of being displeased with their wives—otherwise they would think it ahardship ensuring their continued contentment.”

The king raised agoblet to his lips, a furtive smile in place. “I would know little of wives.”

“Uncle, perhaps youshould commence the dancing. Lady Flincher appears to have finished eating,”the young man at the king’s side suggested—though he was not so very young nowthat Garrick gave him a closer look.

The king’s attentionsufficiently drawn, Garrick returned to his own meal, relaxing as the sovereignrose and did indeed begin the dancing.

Mairi nibbled on abit of fruit, watching the couples absently. “Do you care for dancing?”

Garrick took a sip ofwine, briefly appreciating its quality. “Nay. That would require a partner.”

She smiled up at him,and it sent a familiar flutter through his belly. “I never had a partnereither. But I quite like the one I have now.”

He swallowed. “Shouldyou... care to dance?” He grimaced even as he said it, having no desire to makea fool of himself by parading about with the other couples. He would not objectto holding her in his arms—never that—but he did not know the steps and he wascertain his lack of comportment would cause quite a commotion.

But blessedly sheshook her head. “I should like to retire. When you are finished, of course.”

He made haste withhis meal then, liking nothing better than the idea of holing themselves awayfor the rest of the night. He had no affection for feasts aside from theplentiful drink and array of foods, but now he was anxious and uncomfortableand wanted nothing more than to seal himself away with his new wife.

After all, this wastheir wedding night.

The mere thought senta shiver of anticipation down his spine.

He was not certainwhat had come over him. Never did he think he could have been so bold as todraw her into the bath as he had done, nor touch her and speak so intimately.

But he had.

It was as ifsomething compelled him onward, as if his soul had overtaken his mind and withit his inhibitions—and he was not convinced that theirs was any great loss.

Not when she was so amenable,so perfectly and wonderfully receptive to his touches and his kisses. She hadassured him over and over that their relationship was impeded only by his ownreticence, not by her unwillingness.

And he finally feltready to believe her.

With her sweetlyreceptive touches he was ready to consider that even if his face had not beenhealed by their unforeseen union, she would have cared for him.

His perfectlywonderful wife.

He took her hand androse, ready to depart this farce of festive making and commence with their ownprivate celebration. But before he had passed, the young man previously seatedby the king rose and waylaid him. “Lord Garrick, I shall not detain you but Iwould ask an audience with you on the morrow. I believe we have a mutualproblem that could be remedied through joint... cooperation.”

Garrick stoppedassessing the man before him. He bore a passing resemblance to the king, brownof hair and handsome enough features. But it was easy to conclude that this wasnot the king’s son. “And you are?”

He gave a short bow.“Cyrus; nephew to the king and heir to our little patch of misery and woe.Would you agree to meet with me?”

Garrick did notparticularly want a new charge at this moment, but it was always worthwhile tomeet with potential employers. “Aye. I shall replace you out, do not seek mycompany.”

Cyrus nodded. “Wise,I am sure. But do not let me keep you, I am certain your lady should like torest.” Unlike his uncle, his words were genuine and he offered Mairi a sinceresmile as he bowed and said goodnight.

He was rather proudof himself for not tucking her behind him, preventing her from even being seenor addressed by another man.

Perhaps he wasimproving.

Mairi kept close tohis side as they traversed the many stairs and passages to their chamber. Heliked the feel of her against him. Usually when they walked he was fullybedecked in metal plates, and while he could appreciate the idea of her softness beside him, hecould hardly feel it for himself.

“What do you thinkCyrus wanted?”

Garrick grunted, notwanting to discuss such things with her—especially not tonight. “To discuss abusiness proposition, I am certain. Nothing you need be concerned about.”

He opened the door oftheir chamber, satisfied that a servant had stoked the fires in their absenceand it burned bright and hot, warming the room nicely.

Mairi was quiet,moving to stand before the flames, looking pensive. “It seems an odd thing, toplan to kill a man with so little recourse.” She sighed, rubbing her armsabsently as if the very thought chilled her. “But I must not know enough ofyour ways to understand it.”

He approached hercautiously, not wanting her to dwell on these unpleasant matters. “You do notneed to understand, little nymph. You shall not be sullied by any of it. I willnot make you eat meat, and you shall not have to know about my more... grislyaffairs.”

She turned to facehim, her expression shuttered. “We share a soul, you and I. Whether you thinkit or not, your actions will affect me.” She blinked, and suddenly herseriousness had faded to a shy smile. “But that does not mean I will cease tolove you, even if I cannot understand your work.”

Garrick wasconflicted. It seemed absurd to think that his choices, the only skill at whichhe truly excelled would somehow leach through their steadily growing bond andcause her to be tainted. But so much of their relationship was built on ideasand fanciful imaginings that were too incredible to be believed—and yet he did.

It was somethingworth considering.

He pulled her intohis arms. She was warm and pliant, and she nestled as close to him as shecould, her fingers coming to play with the tight laces that fastened hisdoublet. “I think I like you without armour. You are much softer to the touch.”

He chuckled, a low,breathy sound. “I do not know that any have called me soft before.”

She peered up at him,her eyes a dark blue in the flickering light of the fire. “We were marriedtoday.”

His fingers found hertresses, running through them as tenderly as he could manage. “Aye, dear-heart,we were.” He could not help but hold her a bit more firmly at the reminder.

“Does that mean youshall seal us properly?”

He had noexpectations.

Hopes, he couldadmit, but when he drew her upstairs it was the full intention to allow her toguide their evening. He would not presume upon her, no matter how he longed tojoin them, fully and completely, as man and wife.

“Is that what youdesire?”

She nibbled at herlower lip, and he freed it gently with his thumb. “You must be certain, Mairi.Do you even know what it means to consummate a marriage? Is it the same foryour people?”

Now that heconsidered it, there was not guarantee that her kind even mated in the samemanner as mankind. He had seen her breasts, so pale and rosy and absolutelyperfect. Surely that meant that the rest of her would be the same.

She blushed burrowingher face in his chest, her words slightly muffled. “I believe so. But I cannotbe certain...”

Garrick swallowedthickly. “But you should like to try?”

Mairi looked up athim, this time her expression resolved and all hint of mortification absent. “Yes.”

He scooped her upinto his arms with no hesitation. Her steady assurance, her confidence in himthrummed undeniably through their bond, and he had no room to doubt—not withher.

This time when heunlaced the back of her gown, he pressed heady kisses along her delicate spine,relishing in each elusive sigh and quickened gasp that escaped her at hisattentions. She had no shame in her nudity, allowing him to remove her dresscompletely with only a soft smile on her lips as she awaited his approval.

And approve he did.

He had seen thefemale form, not through personal lust but through his many days of creepingthrough the more devious parts of villages and kingdoms, seeking out whateverdegenerate had the misfortune of procuring the hatred of someone with enoughcoin to seek his skills.

But never like this.

Never with eyes sotrusting, with hands that reached and found, a soul that tantalised and sharedin every moment of breathless delight.

His body had neverbeen so freely exposed to another. Moments flickered in his mind, of brutes andbullying youngsters who thought to expose him, to see if more burns covered therest of his flesh.

And he had cried andgrown bitter at being so betrayed by his fellow man.

Only to be healed byhis little nymph.

She peeled away hisclothes slowly, placing kisses in their wake much as he had done. He hadexpected for her to be nervous and shy, for him to lead her through thisancient dance, but perhaps that was the beauty of their bond. There was no needfor hesitance—not when the emotions of the other were so clearly known andshared.

As it should be.

“You are so verywinsome, Garrick. So strong and yet gentle. Always so very gentle with me.” Herhands slipped over the muscles of his arm, a hint of a smile playing at herlips.

He bit back hisretort—his years of practice at spurning any mention of his appearance. Hetried to imagine how this would have occurred should her magic not havetransformed him, but found once her lips nibbled and explored that he could notcomplete the supposition.

It would take timefor him to accept his new features, not to cringe and hide when they wereexposed.

But when he was withher, he did not feel exposed.

He felt loved.

And he would covetsuch a feeling and hold dear it, with all the strength he possessed.

He had neverexperienced such oneness.

Never had he trulyappreciated the marriage vows until this moment. The vows they had spoken andthe confirmation of the cleric that they were now one flesh echoed through himas he joined with her. They were one, bothin mind, in spirit, and in body. His pleasure was hers. It was not simply hersweet sighs that led him to the proper action that might incite more of thedelightful sounds, but the invisible link that entwined them when there wasnary a touch, intensified tenfold when they succumbed. He knew when to ease soas not to hurt her, he knew when to distract her with more of his kisses—allbecause he had surrendered to whatever inconceivable bond had been forgedbetwixt them.

The bond guided him,urging his hands to excite, and yet soothe. It made him confident, assured thathow he touched her and kissed her was right,and he thrilled with the contact that was equally pleasing for him.

After, as he clutchedher in his arms and she nestled so perfectly into the curve of his body, heburied his face in her hair so that she could not see the tears that had pooledthere. Every wrong he had suffered, every pain that had been inflicted had ledto this moment—this wonderful moment when he had a wife in his arms that he hadpleasured. And she loved him.

“Do not be sad, my Garrick.I shall never leave you.”

He swallowed,brushing his thumb against her bare skin, ensuring she was real. “How could Ibe sad when I am with you?”

She wriggled,evidently determined to turn so she could face him, and he took a steadyingbreath in hopes of calming his tumultuous emotions before she succeeded. “I amtruly your wife now.”

He smiled briefly,shaking his head. “I have come to realise, little nymph, that you were right.You have been my mate for far longer than simply this morning.”

She looked down, andhe caught only a glimpse of her triumphant expression, and he chuckled lowly.“Does that please you to hear it? That I was dreadfully, terribly, wonderfullywrong?”

Mairi glanced up athim. “I will always be glad to know that you believe me. I realise now howincredible I must have sounded to you in the beginning, for your world is sodifferent than mine.” She sighed, and though she tried to hide it he knew shefelt a moment’s loss as she wondered if that world was truly hers any longer.

“You are still anymph, Mairi. Circumstances may have changed, but you have not. Not truly.” He bowed his head so as to place a softkiss upon her cheek. “You are the greatest gift I have ever known, and I amselfish enough to bless those circumstances for it allows you to be with menow.”

“And I bless them forallowing you to know what it is to be loved.”

They both lapsed intosilence, simply enjoying the feel of one another as the remnants of theirsealing provided a contented thrum between them both.

“What is atournament?”

Garrick sighedresignedly even as he felt a rush of affection for his wife. Of course she couldnot be satisfied for long, and instead must continue to pepper him withquestions. “They are a series of games and challenges, generally with a largeprize for the champion. Larger tournaments include a joust.”

He stopped realisingthat the word would mean little to her. He tried to picture Raghnall on ahorse, charging at full speed toward an opponent. It was nearly laughable.

“Some games are inarchery, others in combat of swords. I generally prefer the latter.”

Her eyes widened.“And the king would ask you to participate?”

Garrick shrugged.“Many do. Kings grow fat and easily bored when there is little war mongering tokeep them preoccupied. They relish the thrill of watching their knights try tokill one another.”

Mairi stared at hischest, tracing errant patterns in the smooth flesh. “And you would like to? Totry to kill them and perhaps be killed yourself?”

He should beaffronted. To ask the question implied that he would lose—something that happened only in his earliest days. But hecould also feel her worry and concern and knew that she meant not insult to hismasculine pride, and he held her face tenderly as he bid her look at him. “Ican assure you, Mairi, no harm would come to me. But I have little desire toadd to the whims of this king, and it is obvious you are wary at the notion.”He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her temple. “And I would much rather besure of your approval than a sovereign who means less than nothing to me.”

“So we shall leave onthe morrow?”

“Nay. Callum cannotrisk journeying with a loosened shoe and the blacksmith is unwell. We shallhave to wait.”

Her brow furrowed.“Callum has shoes? Even I do not have such devices.” Even covered with theblankets Garrick could feel her wiggling her toes as they pressed against hisown legs.

She was his wife now,in every way, and he would need to care for her. Carrying her over twigs andstones was satisfying, but not overly practical. Sharing his cloak had been ameaningful gesture in the beginning—something tangible that showed his growingfeelings for her even when he could not voice them aloud.

But now she needed somuch more. She deserved gowns and shoes and cloaks, all in the finest of stylesand materials.

And she needed ahome, one far better than a small cottage in the woods.

She deserved the homeof his birth...

He pushed suchthoughts away. “They protect his feet, much as my boots do mine and only ablacksmith can see to it properly. I am sorry that I have not taken you to acobbler to have you fitted with a pair.”

She hummed softly indisagreement. “I like when you carry me.”

Mairi nestledfurther, her head resting upon his chest, and he amused himself with brushingthrough her long tresses with his fingers. “I shall not mind staying for a bit.Not when this room is so very fine.”

He paused in hisministrations and raised an eyebrow in question, and she smiled at himcheekily. “Although I replace that I do not mind the company either.”

And when she laysoftly sleeping and his heart felt so very full that he feared it might burst,he decided that he felt the very same.