King Dom Comes (17 page)

"Yes," she said distastefully. "My ass feels
as though I sat in a bed of coals. I also feel as though I slept little last
night. I was plagued by strange dreams after you beat me."

"I did not beat you, woman," Dom rolled his eyes.
"I spanked you. If your bottom is so tender, ride in the carriage."

"I told you, I am not riding with him."

"Then suffer in silence. Until he recovers, he will be
in that carriage."

"You are a cruel man," Shannon whined, rubbing her
rump. She squealed as Mistress Aida came up behind her with a smack.

"Mind your king, child. Will I see you again,
Domitri?" the elegant woman asked, touching his boot as she looked up at
him.

"I do not know when. I am sorry I missed seeing your
king, though. When he returns from his journey, please give him all my regards
and regrets."

"What makes you think I have his ear?" Mistress
Aida asked, with a mischievous grin.

"Because you have the ear of whatever man or woman you
choose, and I am certain he would be one of them."

"You are correct. Shannon? I am sorry we had no time to
spend together. You were so tired after your travels, your bath and your
beating."

"I did not beat her!"

"Perhaps another time," Shannon said. She ignored a
nagging feeling inside of her that she had forgotten something. She sighed as
one of the guardsmen offered her a leg up, and winced as she settled herself
upon the saddle.

"I supplied you with some garments that are a little
more comfortable than braies," Aida said, fingering the soft linen
breeches and loosely fit, embroidered blouse. "You should find them very
pleasant to ride in."

"I feel like a pirate wench, but this clothing is much
more practical than skirts. I can run from King Dom far more easily this
way," she snickered.

"Run, but he will still catch you. Be safe, have good
health and a life filled with happiness," Aida said, curtsying before the
company, and again to Dom. "Be kind to yourself, my friend."

"You as well. Thank you for your patience and
understanding last evening," Dom said, squeezing Aida's hand. He raised an
eyebrow as she slid something into his palm.

"What happened last evening?" Shannon asked.

"You fell asleep and left me alone to listen to the man
whine," Aida laughed. "Off with you now. The sun is growing
high."

The clip-clopping of the horse's hooves along the
well-traveled road was the only sound which could be heard, other than the squawking
of a distant bird. Dom had warned Shannon that this leg of the trip would be
long and uncomfortable, with few inns to visit. Two weeks passed slowly, and
Shannon found herself growing restless. She had taken over the job of cooking
for Dom and his knights, a task much appreciated by all.

It was on the third week that she found herself, once again,
nose to nose with Dom about a horse. "I want an animal of my own. I am not
going back to riding in that awful carriage just because your guardsman is feeling
better."

"Where am I to find a horse?" Dom gestured around
the dark, thick forest. "Am I to just pull one out of my ass? Be
reasonable, woman."

"Give me your horse."

"This destrier was given to me by my father, and will
not allow another to ride him. No."

"If you give me some time, I am willing to bet that he
would cooperate with me."

"Must I spend a lifetime repeating myself? No. Go into
the carriage."

"I will not."

"Then you may walk."

"That is fine with me," Shannon said, lifting her
chin and starting down the road.

"Damn stubborn woman," Dom grumbled behind her.
"Do not wander away! There are thieves in these woods. Stay close to the
main road and within the sound of my voice."

Shannon waved him off as she stepped off the main path and
rummaged for herbs and wild edibles. She did not pay attention to the distance
she drifted further away from the company. Pleased with the greenery filling
her basket, she turned around to discover that she had gotten herself lost.

"He is going to kill me for this," she grumbled
aloud, trying to backtrack through the thicket. She stumbled upon a campsite
that held a smoldering fire, several bedrolls, and multiple weapons. She looked
closely—the weapons were clearly stolen ones. These were bandits!

Cursing under her breath, Shannon followed a careless trail
of broken twigs and grasses. A group of five men were splashing lazily in a
pond, bereft of clothing. With her decision made, Shannon silently gathered
their boots and trousers, and snuck off back to their camp. She made quick work
of the weapons, tossing them over the side of a small cliff, along with their
clothes, and then lurked in the bushes to figure out a way back to camp.

She nearly jumped out of her skin when her shoulder was
tapped. It was the guardsman who had been injured. "Madam, you have a very
angry king looking for you."

"Shh, there is a camp of thieves nearby. I—"

"A king's knight and a comely wench? Tell me,
dear," a knife tip touched Shannon's throat, "are you the one
responsible for stealing our clothes?"

"I obviously forgot to look in your flea-ridden
saddlebags. Unhand me."

"Where is your master?" the man asked the
guardsman, holding the knife firmly at Shannon's neck. "Will he miss his
whore?"

"I am not a whore," Shannon hissed, as he used her
braid to pull back her head and expose her throat. "I am a witch, and if
you do not release me, you will die."

"A witch, are ye?" the man laughed. He forced his
mouth down on hers, laughing as she struck him heavily across his scarred face.
"Kill the guardsman and let's find the king's company. There are always
good things to be had when a ruler travels with whores."

Shannon stumbled backwards, filled with rage. The keening
came out slowly, deliberately, and she released her fury upon her assailants.
One by one, they dropped their knives as they raised their hands to their ears
and stumbled to the ground. Each had a glazed look on his face as she took
their minds from them, not stopping until the guardsman placed his hand upon
her shoulder.

"Mistress, they are dead."

Shannon stared, stunned, at the men she had just killed. She
began to tremble, and sank to the ground. The guardsman sat down beside her,
offering her a sip from his wineskin. "Are you well?"

"I have not killed since… they were going to,"
Shannon stuttered numbly, downing gulp after gulp of the man's wine. "Were
you hurt again?"

"No, I was spared. I only saw you open your mouth, but
did not hear the cry. Drink more," he urged gently. "You saved my
life, Mistress McCleary. They were ready to cut my throat. I thank you."

"These were bandits, weren't they? Please tell me they
were not good men," Shannon stumbled over her words, clearly shaken.

"They were, indeed, madam. They meant no good for you or
for our king."

"Dom is going to roast my tail-end for this."

"I will defend you, my lady."

"You will?" Shannon blinked, perplexed. "Why
would you defend me? I caused you harm, spoke ill of you. I have made no effort
to show any kindness towards you at all."

"You were protecting yourself from my ignorance, Mistress.
I reacted, not just because you were threatening my king, but because I was
afraid of your power. I beg forgiveness," he said, going down on a single
knee and bowing his head. "I give you my loyalty and my life, and pledge
myself to you until such time as you say no more."

"Please stand," Shannon sighed. She placed a hand
on his shoulder. "I ask your forgiveness as well."

"Mistress, the queen does not ask for such from her
subjects."

"I am not yet the queen and, more so, how can subjects
respect me if I do not respect them? We need to find our way back to the camp
and tell Domitri what has occurred before he discovers the truth on his
own."

"I will guard you, my lady. I can block him from harming
you."

"Nay, there is no protecting my backend when he is
discontented with me," Shannon sighed. "Nor will he harm me. Perhaps
one day I will learn to obey him, and will spare myself the flat of his
hand."

The captain smiled and offered her his arm. "I mean no
disrespect, Mistress, but I doubt that to be true. Disobedience seems to run
thick in your veins."

"You are correct, my friend. Is that bellowing I
hear?"

***

"Shannon McCleary! Did I not tell you to stay close and
not wander off? We found traces of bandits…" Dom rushed to her, grabbing
both of her hands in his.

"Sire, the thieves are no more. The lady eliminated
them," the guardsman said, quickly kneeling.

"Stand up, man. What do you mean by eliminated?"
Dom looked suspiciously at Shannon.

"They attacked me from behind. She came to my rescue and
released her wail."

Dom looked confused. "She keened? I heard nothing. Did
anyone else hear her scream?"

"No, Sire." The men behind him shook their heads.

"How was it you heard her cry and you experienced no
pain?"

The guardsman looked at Shannon with confusion. "I did
not hear her wail. I watched as she opened her mouth, but heard no sound."

"How can a banshee keen without a din?" Dom asked,
his brow drawn to a frown. He shook his head, dismissing the question.
"These men are dead, you say?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"Very good. Shannon, walk with me. You and I have a few
things to discuss."

"Your Highness?" the guardsman stepped boldly
between them. "I beg you to show mercy on your lady. If not for her, I
would be dead."

"Sir Jorje," Dom placed his hand on the man's arm,
"if not for her, you would not have been wandering the woods in search of
my wayward betrothed. She disobeyed my instructions,
again
, and this time put both herself and her men in danger."

Jorje looked at Shannon's unhappy face. "I beg pardon,
Mistress. I tried."

"Thank you. I suppose that my chastisement is
well-deserved this time," Shannon sighed despondently.

"Are you saying that your prior chastisements were not
deserved?" Dom asked, his lips curving with amusement.

"I am saying that you tend to be overly hard-handed when
it comes to my posterior."

"Perhaps I need to be even harder to keep you out of
mischief."

"Kindness might serve you better," Shannon argued,
eyeing his outstretched hand.

"Kindness is given as needed, as are proper spankings.
We will be back within an hour or two," he called to his men. "Do not
seek us out."

"You need not bring that leather binding with you."
Shannon shuddered at the thick belt around his waist.

"Why not? Should I feel the need to use it, it is
available."

"I should pray you do not feel that need. It took days
before I stopped feeling that wicked thing the last time you laid it across my
flesh."

"I think my hand, and perhaps a switch, will serve the
purpose this time. That is, unless you provoke me for more." He spoke
lightly, traipsing into the grove with his hand wrapped firmly around her
wrist.

"What if I make a deal with you?" Shannon said,
pulling to a halt and making him face her. She reached her hands around his
neck and gazed into his eyes. "If I pleasure you, may we forego my
punishment?"

"You vixen," Dom's eyes glittered, unwrapping her
arms from his neck. "Do you believe me to be so easily swayed?"

"One can always hope, yes?" Shannon blinked
innocently at him. "I do not know what is happening within me, but I find
myself longing for your touch."

Dom chuckled, knowing that Shannon's need and boldness had
been awakened by the siren conjuring Aida had bestowed upon her. "You will
feel my touch, my lady. Upon your naughty backside. Keep walking."

Shannon pouted, taking his hand and following him to an area
where a clear stream plummeted into a small pool. She looked at him hopefully.
"Let's bathe!"

Dom raised his eyebrow. "Are you able to warm the
water?"

"Yes! Please?" Her wide, blue eyes stared pleadingly
into his dark ones.

Dom sighed, throwing his hands in the air. "I relent. On
one condition."

"Anything!" Shannon said with excitement.

"That you allow me to touch you. With my gift."

Shannon hesitated. "You will not spank me if I allow
that?"

"I did not say that. You will still feel my hand upon
you."

Her face fell. "Oh."

"Do you trust me?" Dom asked, his face serious.

"With my life, my lord. Just not my bottom. It trembles
in great fear of you."