The King's Executioner (12 page)

“I know nothing of any secret,” Anin said, though wondered again if he could be right. Her mum had gotten so upset when she had learned the King wanted Anin as his Queen. She had known her mum to be stubborn, but the news had made her more obstinate than ever before. Her mum and da had argued, he trying to make her see the benefits of such a union, not only for their daughter, but for the tribe as well. She had refused to listen.

“It must be a powerful secret for her to be willing to die for it,” Paine said.

Tears sprang to Anin’s eyes. “I would never want my mum to do that.”

He stopped and turned to face Anin, wanting to see her when he asked, “And you are sure you know nothing about a secret that pertains to you?”

She shook her head. “My mum said I was born in the midst of a thunderstorm and was a good
bairn
, giving more than demanding. There is nothing special about me.”

“In that you are wrong. There is something very special about you.” He took a step toward her.

Anin did not know what made her do it, his words, the look in his eyes, or was it what she felt rushing from him into her? He was only a few steps from her, but she could not stop herself. She hurried forward to meet him.

“Stop!”

He had not raised his voice, but his warning rang so strongly that she stumbled slightly, coming to a fast halt.

“I can see in your eyes what you intend and I can tell you now if you dare kiss me again, it will not stop there this time, and then we are both doomed.”

Disappointed, but heeding his words, she asked, “Why then did you approach me?”

He remained silent, staring at her.

Anin smiled softly, sensing again what she felt before. “You wanted to kiss me as much as I wanted to kiss you, but I frightened you off.”

“I do not frighten. You but brought me to my senses, but since you knew my intention and are not a seer, then I would say that there is something special about you. I only hope it is nothing that will force me to take your head.”

They walked until almost dusk and then ate sparingly of the food Conmar had given them, wanting to make it last. Night had brought a sharp chill with it and Anin was grateful that Phillia had given her a cloak. It was not as warm as her own had been, though it provided some warmth against the cold night air.

She turned on her side from time to time, letting the fire between her and Paine warm her front and back. She had thought Paine would join her after a while as he had been doing of late, wrapping himself around her and keeping her warm, keeping them both warm. But he remained where he was with his back turned to her.

Anin thought on what he had said about her mum and a secret. Was the secret about her? Was her mum trying to protect her from others learning about her strange ability to feel what others felt when she touched someone? How, though, could that prove dangerous to her?

She would know how the King felt every time she touched him. She would know if he cared for her or felt nothing for her, which could prove difficult for her. But if she laid her hand on others, she would know how they felt toward the King? Would that not be beneficial to him?

Or would it prove too much for the King for his wife to know more about him and those around him than he did himself? How could any man? Was that why her mum had warned her against letting anyone know?

Through the ensuing years her odd ability had manifested several times and while she had tried to conquer it, she was never successful. She simply learned to keep from touching others. That had all changed upon meeting Paine. Once she touched him, she wanted to touch him again and again. She had never felt things as potently as she had since meeting Paine, and what she felt when she touched someone now seemed to be growing even more powerful.

What would the King think of it all when he found out?

Anin shivered. Perhaps her mum had been right, though perhaps if she informed the King of her strange ability, he would choose not to marry her. What then? Would he allow her to return home or would he make use of her odd skill? And did she dare take the chance of telling him or having him find out?

Troubling thoughts delayed her sleep until she thought for certain dawn would wake before she slept. Exhaustion finally claimed her and not even the cold earth that seeped into her body could disturb her as she fell into a deep slumber.

Paine watched her eyes finally close and he fought the persistent urge to go wrap his body around hers and keep her warm. If he was honest with himself, he would admit that it was more than warmth he was looking for from her.

His disturbing thoughts kept him from a sound sleep. He dozed and woke, and dozed and woke again, each time keeping a keen eye on Anin. He would not let her out of his sight again.

~~~

Paine woke with a groaning stretch, his eyes opening to gray skies. He turned to see if Anin was awake, wanting to get a quick start on the day. He bolted to his feet when he saw that she was not there. He glanced about, his head turning faster than his body, but still no Anin and no Bog as well. Was Bog with her or had he gone off on his own?

The crunch of footfalls on fallen leaves had him reaching for his battle axe until Anin stepped from behind some large foliage.

She smiled upon seeing him, though it vanished when she saw his blue eyes ablaze with anger and she retreated several hasty steps back as he advanced on her rapidly.

He grabbed her by the shoulders before she tumbled back into a prickly bush. “What did I tell you about remaining by my side?” He gave her a hard shake. “Never do that again.”

Anin’s hand went to rest on his chest and she was startled to find not anger but fear rushing through him like a mighty river about to overwhelm the land. That he should feel that way for her meant only one thing... he cared for her more than he wanted to admit.

“I am sorry,” she said softly. “I was not far.”

“If I cannot see you, it is too far.”

“I will remember that.”

“Make certain you do.”

“I did not mean to upset you.”

“Yet you did.”

She ached to step closer to him, to slip her arms around him, to rest her head on his chest, to feel his caring, his strength, his passion that she felt mounting, and to kiss him, if only her lip was not sore and painful... if only he would allow her to.

Paine eased her away from him and the prickly bush. Reluctantly he let his hands fall off her, then turned and walked a few steps away. He told himself it did not matter that her eyes filled quickly with desire or that the heat of her touch branded his chest so deeply he was sure she had left her mark on him. He had to ignore it. He had to keep his distance from her. He had to stop feeling the way he did about her or he would do something foolish.

Try as he might, he could not stop his chest from pounding, his arousal from growing, or his need to kiss her from flaring. He balled his hands into fists, fighting the urge to turn and go to her and—what? What would he do? Make the situation worse? Condemn them both with his foolish actions?

“We go!” he commanded and stumped on the last of the embers in the cold fire, trying to stump out his desire for the future Queen.

“Paine,” Anin said softly.

He turned and once again advanced on her, though he did not lay a hand on her this time. “Do not look at me with such wanting or speak my name with such caring, not only for your own sake but for mine as well.” He turned and walked off.

Anin hurried after him, Bog joining them after a few moments from wherever he had gone off to. Tears welled in her eyes. Why did she care for this man so much? Why did it feel that they were joined as one? She knew he felt the same. She had felt it herself when she had touched him and it was stronger than the last time. They were growing to care more deeply for each other as each day went by. But if she truly cared for him, she would have to curtail her feelings or chance placing them both in danger.

A single tear fell from her one eye and ran down her cheek and before she could wipe it away, Paine stopped, turned and was in front of her, wiping her tear gently away with his thumb.

“It cannot be. It can never be,” he said and pressed his cheek to her damp one, lingering for a moment, as if branding her as she had done to him, before turning and walking away.

Anin followed along behind him, her hand faintly touching her cheek where his had touched. She had never felt anything so wonderful and she had never felt such unbearable pain as she did when he stepped away from her. He was lost to her and part of her had gone with him.

~~~

It was hours yet before dusk would touch the land when Paine stopped, his brow narrowing as he looked around him, then he sniffed the air. “Do you smell that?”

Anin took a deep whiff and smiled. “A delicious scent. Is there another tribe nearby?”

“Not that I recall.”

“You know this area?”

“I came to know it.”

“So no tribes occupy this area?”

Paine shook his head. He had traveled this particular path, knowing that after the Corsar tribe, they would not come upon any other tribes. “I can recall none, though perhaps it is a group of travelers.” He turned a stern look on Anin. “Must I remind you—”

“Stay close, do not leave your sight,” she finished with a soft smile.

“See that you do,” he snapped and turned away.

They crested a small rise not long after and they both stared at what they saw in the glen below, remnants of a dwelling that weather and significant time had claimed. Only part of the front had survived, supported by the trees and foliage that grew around it. The door stood open as if still welcoming people to enter.

Anin followed Bog who was already headed down the rise and Paine trailed, keeping watch around them.

“Do not go through the door,” Paine ordered when she approached it.

“Why?” she asked, turning to him.

“It is not wise to step through a door whose dwelling no longer exists.”

“Why?” she asked again.

“You may not find your way back again.”

Anin smiled. “That is nonsense. Beyond the door are the woods, you can see that yourself.” She pointed at the thick forest visible beyond the open door.

“It is not nonsense. I have heard warriors tell tales of such things. We will walk around it and follow the scent.”

“It is easier to go straight through the door,” she argued.

“I will say no more, we go around.”

Anin thought it foolish and was about to step away from the door when a tug so strong pulled at her that she hurried through the opening, Bog following her.

Paine rushed after her and his wolf, having to duck his head to get through the open door. He intended to give her a good tongue lashing when he got hold of her. The thought died when he almost barreled into Anin.

“It is a village and a thriving one,” Anin said her eyes wide with surprise.

Paine turned quickly and saw that the open doorway was gone. What had they fallen into?

He turned again and looked to see Anin was right. It was a thriving village. Several dwellings circled a large feasting house and people walked about engaged in their daily chores. To one side of the village lay planting fields. Many had already been prepared for the coming cold, while others were busy being harvested. Anin waited to see if Paine would say what she thought.

“This is not only a thriving village, but an established one,” Paine said his eyes showing caution rather than surprise. It was obvious from the many dwellings, worn from time though well-cared for, and the large planting fields that the village had not recently sprung up.

Anin got the urge to explore the village yet there was also reluctance to do so. It was as if she was being tugged toward it and yet something else pulled her away from it.

“How is this possible?” Anin voiced what Paine thought. “This village has been here for many,” —she gasped and grabbed Paine’s arm— “It is a Wyse village, but why do they show themselves to us?”

He had thought the Wyse Tribe a myth. It was believed the Wyse kept their villages cloaked from sight, letting no one see them unless they chose to be visible. He knew of no one that had ever come upon them. It was a tribe believed to be steeped in secret knowledge and potent powers. A tribe feared yet their secret knowledge and potent powers coveted by many, including the King.

“We shall find out,” Paine said and took hold of her hand, gripping it possessively as he proceeded into the village, Bog at his side. The gesture was meant to protect Anin, to make all that saw them believe she belonged to him.

Relief settled over Anin as soon as Paine had taken hold of her hand. There was strength and confidence in his grip and a fierce desire to protect her. She felt not a bit of fear in him, causing her own fear to dissipate some.

She had heard many different tales about the Wyse. Some believed them good and some believed them evil. Which one were they? The trees started whispering, but too softly for Anin to hear what they were saying. Were they warning her away or urging her forward?

“Welcome,” a woman, the first one to spot them entering the village, called out with a smile.

“Pleasant day,” another woman said, bobbing her head at them.

A man carrying a large basket braced on his shoulder smiled when he crossed their path, “Greetings.”

“They welcome us most pleasantly,” Anin whispered to Paine.

Paine knew that could change in a moment and remained cautious, keeping firm hold of Anin.

An elderly woman approached them. She was tall and slim with long, pure white hair that lay in a braid on her chest. She had soft, gentle blue eyes and lovely features. She wore a plain white tunic that fell to her ankles and a green shawl lay over her shoulders. She wore no shoes.

“Welcome to our village, I am Esplin.”

Paine responded, “I am—”

“Paine, the King’s executioner,” Esplin finished and looked to Anin. “We heard you had a condemned person with you, but seeing how you hold her hand, I would say that busy tongues were wrong. We are pleased to welcome you and your woman to our village.”

“Anin,” Paine said, presenting her, though did not bother to correct the woman. It was safer for Anin that others believed she belonged to him. That way, busy tongues would spread what they had heard and none would know for sure whether it was truth or tale.

Paine was about to ask what tribe it was that greeted them when Esplin said, “You are welcome to stay with us as long as needed.”

“Till morn will do.”

Esplin looked up at the gray sky and wrapped her shawl more tightly around her. “Rain and cold will claim the land tonight. You may want to stay a day or two longer.”

“If it proves necessary,” Paine said and was about to once again ask what tribe welcomed them and how was it that the village could not be seen from the rise, but he waited. There would be time for questions later.

“You look to have been on the road for some time. There is a small pool of water just beyond the feasting house that has yet to completely chill. A quick dunk and wash might be just what you need. Afterwards, I will have a fine meal waiting for you.”

Anin was quick to accept. “That would be wonderful.” Her mum had scolded her for spending too much time in the streams or lakes when given the chance. She had warned Anin that her flesh would melt off her body with all the time she spent in the water. Anin had laughed, always feelings wonderful after a short dunk or a lingering one.

Paine’s narrowed brow and tight lips told her that he did not feel the same.

Anin smiled. “If you prefer not to, you need not join me.”

He turned a smile on her that stole her breath, tightened her chest, and just as a ripple of pleasure passed through her... he yanked her up against him.

“You know I cannot be long without you.”

Though she was aware he spoke such endearing words to her for appearance sake, she took advantage of the moment and pressed her cheek to his, and whispered, “Nor I with you.”

Her warm breath tickled his ear and her words were spoken with heartfelt truth that tore at his insides. He released her slowly and with much reluctance, though he kept hold of her hand.