Chapter 24 Sylvia’s Revelation
That night as Sylvia stopped at Ian’s chambers to pick up Mora before sneaking back to their own rooms, Mora had some news for her about Emmett’s talk with Ian. Mora told Sylvia what had happened in between dodging centuries and darting between shadows.
"When I requested that he be sent to you, I had only his survival in mind. I knew that he had been a burden to his other commanders, but I have a soft spot where he is concerned and would ... well, I am sure you know well what happened." Mikail nodded. "In a war, he was only likely to get himself and others killed with behavior like that, so I requested that you take him. You have a reputation of being able to handle issues like that and I wanted to see my son return from this war alive." He paused and smiled to himself."Since he has left you, I have received complaints about my son," Mikail’s gaze grew sharper, "Complaints that he has taken on some of your attributes that other generals find irritating," he smiled, "He has taken to not using anything better than the rest of the men in his care, refusing extra privileges, and inspiring loyalty to rival only your own among other traits that he has picked up from you.
Emmett was watching with increasing interest. This was indeed explaining much, but where was the connection? If it didn’t get to somewhere these men could understand better, she was never going to wear the dress she and Mora had been making."I never intended to like any of you, but the more I studied our captain and his men, the more I was drawn to you. Finally, after spending time with you, I began to understand your loyalty and honor. I did not intend for any of you to like me, because I knew that it would not be long before I would have to leave you for the sake of the captain’s honor. But youdidlike me and you taught me to like you all in return. When I did leave, I thought that I would give our captain an out by making it look like I had taken myself prisoner. When that did not work, I thought that if I gave you closure you would all be able to move on with your lives and forget the kid that h
Chapter 25 The GiftThe wedding plans proceeded, Sylvia collected the lace from the merchant whose shop she had been in the night Emmett had arrived, the seamstresses finished Mora’s dress and both Ian and Mikail’s outfits. The appointed day drew nearer and nearer until it was finally upon them.
"Would you back up?" the king’s voice was barely audible over Sylvia’s soft crying and the murmur of the hall, "We are in no danger from Mikail’s menorhis bride!" His comment made Sylvia smile, though for a different reason than he thought.If he only knew who I really am, those would not be his words..."Forgive them. They are overcautious in these perilous times.""There is nothing to forgive, Majesty, they were only doing the job loyalty demands of them," she replied, "It would be disappointing if they were to shirk their duties. Enemy spies have been known to infiltrate even the most watched places." The old king put his hand over Sylvia’s and nodded approval."Spoken with great wisdom, Lady Chadwick, it is good to see that Mikail has chosen well," he removed his hand from hers after giving it a slight squeeze.
She stepped out of the bath. He watched her. Her wet hair contoured to the shape of her body. He heard her sultry voice telling him there was not a single towel in the entire room, but they could use one of his fine linen shirts if he would be so kind as to retrieve it and would he mind drying her?Mind? Any excuse to touch her was reason enough for him to do so ...But when he arrived at the chair where a shirt lay, she guided him into it and sat across his lap. He let out a groan of pleasure.Through the course of the night, she brought him to the brink of release and back again so many times that he lost count. Finally, as the sun began to peak over the horizon, they reached the peak of ecstasy and drifted into peaceful slumber.Somewhere around the noon meal, Sylvia appeared in a dressing robe that belonged to Mikail and requested food
Chapter 26 DeloraShe crept quietly along the second floor ledge. They had been gone from the merchant’s home for three days and now it was time to return. She pulled her black cloak over her leathers. It would not do for anyone to see what she was wearing - after all there were few who even knew she wasn’t always in a skirt. She found the room she wanted and carefully slid the shutters
Delora allowed herself to be carried the rest of the way to the tree house without incident. There was terror in her eyes and etched in every line of her face. If anything, it increased when she was securely tied to a chair and her gag removed. She managed to speak after Retribution had pulled up the other chair in the small room and sat backwards around it looking at her. "W-What do y-you want f-from me?"Retribution smiled with such maliciousness that she could have made most of the guild counsel turn tail and run. "I know what you have been doing to your husband and his family, but I want to hear your story. Your fate may be a little less painful if you comply with my wishes." Delora paled then reddened. She started to let out a string of curses and insults, but was interrupted by Retribution’s steel re-enforced bracer coming hard across her face. "Insolence is not becoming of a fool." Disdain d
"Because ... well ... you first saved my brother from certain death and then you requested that the medicine man come here and tend to my father who had been poisoned by Delora, thus saving our family again. He refuses to take even the smallest payment for his services. You," he paused and looked at her as though she were not entirely human, but in a good way, "I would swear that you are part or all angel sent from God’s own side to help this land recover from its sorrows.""You are too kind, Cole.""There is one other thing I must request of you," he told her hesitantly, "I must ask that you say nothing to the authorities of what we have done ... The consequences could be terrible for us.""I will keep your secret, Cole, just be careful who elseyoutell," she said with a maternal s