Irish Seduction (7 page)

“Anything we can do to help, Jasper. You need only ask,” Helan said.

“You can tell my why you sent her to plague us for a start.”

He looked to his wife before answering. “She was banished for a grave error in judgment. It is not something that I am willing to discuss with anyone for any reason. Let us just say that because of her standing in our family, she could not be sentenced to death. Her powers were stripped and she was outcast to the Americas. We had thought that she would be far enough away to not cause any harm to us and those that we have cause to interact with. Obviously we were wrong, and for that I beg forgiveness, Jasper,” Helan said raising his chin defiantly. “We have had a long and peaceful relationship with the witches of Ireland and wish for this to continue for both our sakes. What can we do to mend our mistake?”

“You can take the powers that she has called up and stop her from getting more,” Jasper suggested.

“I’m afraid that there is nothing we can do to her directly. Once the punishment is set, there is no changing it.”

Jasper’s gaze quickly darted to where the girls were hiding and back again to Helan’s face. “How can you fail to help us? I cannot believe you can say that with the history we share.” Jasper shook his head. “We have done nothing to hurt you or your family. For years my father and those before him have served you and served you well. And yet, you let those that look up to you be slain, robbed, and burned out of their homes, and you stand before me and tell me that you can do nothing.”

“I ask your forgiveness, Jasper. We are two very different races after all.” Helan stood and took Jaspers arm, trying to calm him. “There are rules that govern both our kinds and they very rarely are allowed to overlap. Edrith is now in your world and is no longer one of us. She has taken her punishment for the wrong that she did to us. It is up to you and your kind to bring your justice to her. We have done what we can.”

Jasper felt the shock of the god’s words barreling around in his mind. How could they do this to him and his family? To wash their hands of their problems this way was inexcusable. What had they ever done to deserve this kind of treatment?

He walked away from the thrones and staggered over to the balcony. He leaned his body against the railing and looked over the gods’ domain, his heart full of grief and hurt for his kind.

This was nothing like home. Everyone had enough to eat, a place to sleep, and all they could desire. No one was going to raid them in the middle of the night or while the men folk were out in the fields and raze their homes to the ground. No god’s child would be left alone in the world. Everything in their world was perfect.

He felt her approach before she spoke. Taking a deep breath, he turned to face Elena, trying to control the rage that was simmering inside of him.

“Jasper, how can we ever make up for what we have done?” Elena asked, her face distraught for the harm they had caused. “This is not something that we would have wished on you of all people.”

“What is done is done, Elena. I don’t know if I have it in me to forgive you for what you have cast onto my people. If it was left up to them, I am sure they would cast out you and your laws. But I’m realistic enough to know that that is not possible.”

“There must be something that we can do for you and yours,” she insisted.

Standing tall and determined, she turned to face her people and her husband when she made an announcement. “I will give a token in return for our folly. Never let it be said that the gods cannot admit to making a mistake and atoning for it. Jasper, you have seven days and seven nights to decide what you wish us to bestow upon your people; one request that will be handed to you at the eve of the seventh day. We will abide by your wish. That I promise you in the name of the gods.” Elena leaned in close and, taking him by the upper arms, pulled him down and kissed both of his cheeks. “Blessed be, Jasper.”

Chapter Five

Jasper found himself on the headland, gazing out to sea. The wind whipped his hair into his eyes, but he ignored the sting. He stood trying to digest what Elena had offered him. His first thought was to ask for their daughter’s hand in marriage, but that was selfish. How would that benefit his people, those that were suffering the most? He had to put aside his heart and his body’s lust for her and think of the people first.

Should he discuss this with his mother and Richard or keep it to himself? He had seven days and nights to find the thing that they all needed the most.
I must choose wisely because I doubt that there would ever be another chance to be so bold.

He stood on the hill, absorbing the energy before him and let his mind race through the myriad of possibilities. Jasper grudgingly accepted that he would have to deal with Edrith himself, but his family had been fighting with her since before he was born. The pressing choice was what to ask for that would be everlasting and benefit his people the most. Shaking his head, he turned for home. With little time on his side he would choose wisely, that Jasper promised himself.

Richard was hovering around the stables when he came down the hill. He picked up his pace and walked beside his childhood friend, knowing full well that Jasper would eventually talk to him and tell him of what happened. They wandered into the stables and stopped in front of Windamere’s stall. She came to the half door and leaned out, nuzzling Jasper’s shirt with her soft muzzle, trying to find the apple that was her usual treat.

“Sorry girl.” Jasper ran his hand gently up and down her face. She closed her eyes and leaned into his hand, enjoying the contact from her master. He looked past her to the foal that was close to his dam’s body. He was looking stronger every day and the soft down of his coat would soon be falling out and replaced by a dark glossy coat like his mother’s.

“Have you decided on a name for him, Jasper?”

“Not yet, my friend. I have been otherwise occupied and haven’t had time to give it much thought.”

“Aye, it has been a little rough with the not-so-friendly lady across the hills,” Richard said.

“I had an audience with the gods, Richard. I’m afraid that I lost my patience and may have offended them.”

Richard drew in a breath, well aware of the wrath that they could send down on them if they so chose to.

“We will have no help from above with Edrith and her cronies.” Jasper continued rubbing the horses head with his hands, flicking a glance at Richard. “They banished her to the Americas many years ago and stripped her of her powers. Being one of them, they could not kill her and so we have inherited her and all of her ill feeling toward them that she now directs at us. They refuse to help us with her, saying that they can no longer interfere because they had already heaped punishment on her. It is up to us, my friend, to deal with it.” Jasper leaned his head against his mare and closed his eyes.

Richard took stock of his words and the questions tumbled from his mouth in a rush. Jasper held his hand up to stop the flow of words. He put his arm over his friend’s shoulder and guided him out of the stables. They walked together until they were away from the castle and in a small clearing bordering a stand of trees. Jasper leaned against one and pinned his gaze on Richard.

“They were very apologetic, Richard,” he said picking at a small patch of bark. “They even went so far as to offer me one request. Anything that I ask for, I shall have. Unfortunately if can have nothing to do with Edrith,” he added with bitterness. Her name alone left a nasty taste in his mouth.

“Anything at all, Jasper?”

“Aye, anything and they cannot refuse me. It must be something that will benefit all of us, especially those that have lost someone or something because of this senseless battle with the neighbors.”

“Do you have any idea what you want?”

“None at all,” Jasper lied, pushing aside the face of the women that he loved. “I want to erase the last couple of years and get back all we have lost, but that is not possible. I have seven days and nights to work it out. Might I ask for your help?”

“You know the answer to that. I have always been there for you and you for me,” Richard said. “You may be my lord but apart from that you have always been my best friend.”

“I know, but what we are sharing could have far-reaching repercussions on all that we know and love for the rest of our lives,” said Jasper. “I just want you to know what you might be getting yourself in for.”

“Since when has that stopped us?” Richard laughed. “I think I know what you need, Jasper. A workout with the swords will get rid of some of that tension you have. Who knows, we might even come up with some good ideas with a clearer head. Shall we?”

Jasper let a small laugh escape his mouth. He stood from where he was leaning on a tall tree, headed to the house, and retrieved his longsword. He hadn’t had a training session with Richard since before the last attack on their neighbors and the anticipation made the blood pump through his veins.

They were both excellent sword fighters who had been trained by Jasper’s father when they were still children. First they trained with wooden wasters and then they progressed to the real sword. Forty-eight inches of sharp, deadly, cold steel that fit snuggly in his palm. And nothing could please him more at this point in time.

It took some time to soothe his mother’s fears that all was not amiss with the gods and he had not upset the balance of power just yet. Jasper took his sword down from its holder above the fireplace before he returned outside. Richard was standing out in the garden talking to one of the scullery maids. When she saw Jasper approaching, she dropped a quick curtsey and raced toward the kitchen, blushing furiously.

“What’s this, Richard?” Jasper watched him avert his gaze.

“Nothing to be concerning yourself about,” he replied, a twinkle in his eye. “Ready when you are.”

He took his stance and waited. Jasper lunged at him, the noise of the swords clashing loudly in the quiet country garden. The men lunged and struck, pivoted and parried, neither getting the better of the other. They had played this out many times and they would battle until one of them disarmed the other or drew blood.

Richard pushed and headed Jasper toward the stone wall surrounding the kitchen garden. Keeping his face blank, Jasper let himself be led. He turned on Richard and attacked him from behind just before he was trapped, thus changing the direction of the two men when they were almost against the wall. Jasper smiled when Richard realized how he had been out maneuvered.

“Well done, Jasper,” Richard said, the hard glint of determination brightening up his eyes. They continued to try and outsmart each other until they began to tire.

It was then that Jasper’s mind strayed to the mission at the forefront of his mind and the woman that he wanted in his bed. Richard struck his sword from his hand and pinned the tip of his cold steel at Jasper’s throat.

Jasper lifted his hand and pushed the blade away with a small chuckle. “Points to you, my friend.” He was dripping with sweat and his hair stuck to his face. He raked his fingers through the damp locks and tied it back with a leather strip that he had in his pocket.

The choice he had been given was a massive weight on even his broad shoulders. If he made the wrong decision, there would be no going back for another shot. He knew deep in his heart what he wanted to petition the gods for, but it would benefit him alone. That he could not do to his people.

“What ails you, my friend?” Richard asked, leaning his arms on the cross of his sword, the tip buried in the soil at his feet. “It wouldn’t be of the female breed, would it?”

Jasper could feel himself getting uncomfortable under his friend’s gaze. He was not an innocent, neither of them were. They had both had their share of tumbles in the hay loft. This was different; he knew it was. Before he met Leona, he would have happily spoken to Richard of his conquests and vice versa. But he was not ready to tell him about Leona yet. She was his and his alone until he could sort out their future. That was if they even had one.

“No, nothing ails me. I have a lot on my mind of late.” Jasper averted his gaze. “Now we have this to deal with and I am at a loss wondering what my decision should be.”

“How do you plan on making up your mind then?”

“I really have no idea.” He turned to face Richard now that he had assumed control of his emotions. “I would like you to come and join me in the library later. We can discuss it with my mother and see if she can advise us.”

“She was always the one that sorted out our problems when we were but lads. I see no reason to doubt that she will be wise again with this. What time would you like to meet?”

“About seven would be good, if you have nothing else planned, my friend. You can take supper with us.”

“Aye, that would be fine. If you have no need of me for now, I will go and see to the men then.” Richard looked around the garden.

“Don’t forget to tell your latest conquest that she won’t be seeing you tonight.” Jasper laughed, punching him on the shoulder.

“Always time for the ladies.” Richard pulled himself up straight and drew his sword from the ground. He returned the shoulder punch and sauntered off past the kitchen where the maid was waiting. She was throwing quick hopeful glances his way while trying to look busy.

The smell of roasting pheasant wafted through the kitchen when Jasper headed in for dinner. He went upstairs and changed into clean clothing before meeting his mother in the library.

They were talking about the gods when Richard arrived. He crossed the room and bent to give Lady Ellen a kiss on the cheek with a flourishing bow.

“Oh, be away with you, Richard.” She laughed, obviously delighted by his attention.

“There will never be another woman for me while your tender heart beats,” he said to her, his hand over his chest. He winked at Jasper and took a seat in front of the fire and accepted a small glass of port.

“What do you think of Jasper’s last visit to Upper Therrus?” Lady Ellen asked, getting down to business.

“Quite interesting. I was very disappointed to hear that they wouldn’t give us any help with Edrith O’Reilly. We have been dealing with her for years anyway, so carrying on with her is really no major hardship. I must say, though, that I am intrigued with the offer of any one thing they have promised to grant to Jasper for payment in kind. The question is—what do you ask for?”