Born of Stone

Chapter Fourteen

Three weeks had passed since her arrival at the Master’s castle and Phaidra didn’t know what to do with herself. She often joined Astrid in the library and helped dust the shelves or straighten books while the new mother took care of her baby. Phaidra truly enjoyed her afternoons with Astrid and Ourania. Even with the differences in their cultures and upbringings, they had a lot in common. She couldn’t help but notice how Nel and Orestes encouraged their friendship. The two couples and one tiny child often shared the evening meal together.

Phaidra also enjoyed her time spent with Nel. It was often in bed or in the large bathing pool. Sometimes he would also take her through the gardens behind the castle. However, anytime he went to the villages she stayed behind. He was almost more protective of her than Orestes was of Astrid and Ourania. Phaidra understood the need to protect the human woman and child, but she was Kevan. Not only should she have no fear due to the treaties, she also had inherent strength passed down from the lines of her foremothers. Though she had feared much in Keva, she had no fear in the human lands.

When she woke that morning to an empty bed for the third time in a row she grumbled and fought back tears. The library held no comfort and she excused herself once lunch was finished. Now she strode through the vast gardens with no particular destination in mind, almost wishing she were back in Keva. Her life there had been filled with purpose. It wasn’t a grand existence by any means, but she’d had duties and responsibilities. Here she was just one of the Masters’ women, not fit to even help cook.

With a sigh, she sat on the edge of a small fountain and gazed at her reflection. She’d gained a little weight and looked healthier than ever before. She felt better too, physically. Her hair was loose about her shoulders, which were bare in the new gown Nel had given her before he left. He always arrived home with gifts for her, seemingly to make up for his time away. She knew he couldn’t spend every waking moment at her side, but she needed something to fill the times he was gone.

Tired of the melancholy image, she slapped the water in annoyance and watched the ripples. As they cleared another image caught her eye and she spun to see Nel standing behind her.

“Nel. You’ve returned.”

Though she smiled at him, she didn’t jump to her feet and run into his arms like she had the first few times he’d returned to her. With a frown, she realized she hadn’t had the urge to do that in a few days.

“Yes. I didn’t mean to be away so long,” he said.

He was only a few steps away from her but it was the greatest distance they’d had between them since his escape. She sighed and knew this was the beginning of the end. It was almost a relief. Upon her arrival, she had been worried about how she would keep his attention. Now that she knew she had failed, she could move on. But where would she go?

“So…you had a successful journey then?”

He never told her much about where he was going or why, and she never pried. Her curiosity was great but she had hoped he’d learn to trust her with such information.

He shrugged and slowly moved to join her on the side of the fountain. She straightened when he sat beside her so they didn’t accidentally touch.

“Yes it was,” he said. “I returned to Keva with two of my brothers and one of the Twenty. We stood before the Council of Firsts and they relayed the charges against the House of Iva.”

Phaidra stilled, unsure if she wanted to hear any more but needing to know. “Oh?”

“Yes. Iva and Kalypso were both found guilty of treason and conspiracy against the Kingdom of Halstrid. There were also other charges. The House is being dispersed. Your housemates are being taken into other households.”

“Oh.”

She turned away from him while pain lanced through her. As a girl she had thought Kalypso and Iva cared for her in some small way. She knew now that wasn’t true but it hurt to realize she had no one.

“Phaidra?”

He gently laid his hand against the back of her head, stroking her hair as if he was afraid to hurt her.

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry to bring news that disturbs you. I was hoping it would bring some relief.”

She looked at her feet and gave a slow nod even though she was in more turmoil than ever before. If there was no House of Iva, she had no home to return to. With the others blending into other households, she might be able to as well. However, she knew no other Firsts or Seconds that might take pity on her and take her in. She would have to petition the Council for placement and that was a humiliating ordeal. It rarely happened but the orphan was always looked upon like an unwanted thing. Though she felt that was an accurate assessment for her, she didn’t want to face the humiliation of the Council.

“At least they are facing justice for their treatment of you,” she said.

She truly meant that and had nothing else to say. They sat in silence for long minutes before he finally huffed out a breath and stood. She turned away again, not wanting to watch him leave. In her heart, she knew it would be for the last time and she simply couldn’t watch another person walk away from her like she meant nothing.

Nel paced away from Phaidra and ran his hands through his hair. The woman was driving him mad. He’d spent the past three days in Keva ensuring there were no ties to pull her back there. He checked every accounting of her birth and up until the day he met her. He spoke to every member of the House of Iva who would see him. He even asked the Council themselves if he could keep her with him. As far as he was concerned, he had full permission to make her his just like Orestes had with his woman. The only problem now was convincing Phaidra to stay by his side. He’d noticed her unhappiness but had no idea what to do about it, and now it was slowly pulling her away from him.

The week before he had visited with the Twenty and asked for anything they’d learned about Astrid’s pregnancy. If he was able to impregnate Phaidra, she would surely stay with him. He ached to hold his own babe in his arms and couldn’t help the spurt of envy he felt every time he looked at Ourania. But would a child make Phaidra happy? For now it didn’t matter because the Twenty were still confused about Ourania. They had no clue how the miracle child had been conceived and gestated so quickly.

Nel spun in his heel to return to Phaidra, noting the way her shoulders were hunched and her hands were balled into fists. She was obviously upset but he wasn’t sure what about. Was she angry about the House of Iva being dispersed? If so, was her anger directed at him? Finally, he could take it no longer and went down on his knees before her.

“Phaidra? My pretty one, please tell me what concerns you. I’m sorry about your House. If I had known you wished it, I would have begged for leniency.”

When she lifted her head true surprise showed on her face. The moisture in her eyes worried him but he tried to ignore it and ran his hands up her thighs to her waist.

“I would never have asked you to do that,” she said. “Iva and Kalypso deserve their punishment.”

His brow wrinkled as he tried to think of what else could be bothering her. “Then what is it? Why are you so sad? Did something happen in my absence?”

She started to shake her head but then simply shrugged and looked at her hands. “I just don’t know what I’m doing here, Nel. I know you wished me in your bed when we first arrived, but now that you’re done with me, I don’t know what to do.”

Shock held his tongue for nearly a minute before he growled low in his throat. The sound had her head jerking up and her eyes widening.

“Done with you? Is that what you think?”

He pulled her into his arms even while he took gargoyle form. Then he shot into the sky. It was early evening and the sky was clear. He held her close and flew away from the castle and into the village. She had thrown her arms around his neck as soon as her feet left the ground but she kept her face turned away from him. He had no idea what thoughts went through her head.

It took no time to reach his destination. The yard before the small church was empty but he knew the priest was inside. He set Phaidra on her feet and turned her by the shoulders to precede him into the building. She went without a word of protest and he hoped that was a good sign. He was almost too angry to speak. He was angry at Phaidra for not trusting him, angry at her former Housemates for making her feel so worthless and most of all angry at himself for not showing her what she meant to him. Tonight that would change.

He took his human form for their walk down the short aisle between the crude wooden pews. The priest was on his knees before the altar, speaking prayers in a lowered voice. As if he sensed their presence, he finished quickly and stood to face them. His brows went up at the sight but he simply nodded.

“Master Nel, good evening.”

“Good evening, Father. I have a favor to ask if you’re not too busy at the moment.”

The old priest waved one hand to swat away Nel’s concern. “Not at all. Certainly not for you. How can I be of service?”

Nel stepped up beside Phaidra, who looked confused. He wrapped one arm around her shoulders and closed the distance to the altar. If this didn’t work he had no idea what would.

“Are you familiar with the Kevan handfasting ceremony?”

Phaidra startled against him and he felt her stare but she didn’t try to pull away. The priest smiled and gave a slow nod.

“Aye, that I am. As the only spiritual leader for many leagues I’m well versed in most wedding ceremonies from the various cultures of Lenara. Do you have a ribbon?”

“Yes.”

Nel glanced at Phaidra before dropping his arm from her shoulders and opening his coat to remove the scarf he’d been given in Keva. Phaidra gasped when he unfurled the colorful silk that had once belonged to her mother.

“Where…who…” she whispered.

He finally turned to face her. “One of the Council members gave this to me when I questioned them about you. She said it was your mother’s.”

“Yes. I remember it from when I was a girl but thought her things had been lost.”

He shook his head and fought down his anger. “No. Not lost, taken. For some reason no one could explain to my satisfaction, your mother’s things were given to another House when you were taken in by Iva. I was told this was the only item that could be located on such short notice.”

She nodded and ran her hands over the scarf he held as if it were a sacred treasure. Tears slipped down her face but she ignored them and returned her gaze to his.

“Is this truly what you want, Master Nel? You truly want…me?”

He tightened his grip on the scarf and went down on one knee. It was well known the Masters bowed to no one but the king. However, where Nel only lowered his head in the king’s presence, he would gladly lower his entire body to the dirt-covered floor for Phaidra.

“I have never wanted anything more. Phaidra of Keva, would you be my bride? With this scarf of your mother’s lineage I would wed you before this witness, to be my wife for at least one year. If after that time you wish to leave me, I will let you go, but not one second before that time.”

Phaidra looked down at the man she never thought she would be able to keep and her heart filled to bursting. He really wanted her. It was a marvel and a miracle. She couldn’t possibly deny him. He had said the right words, as if someone from her home had taught him the ceremonial phrase. Now all she had to do was say it back.

She knelt also and faced him, taking his hands into hers and raising them up between them. “Master Nel of Halstrid, with this scarf of my mother’s lineage I will be your wife. I will wed you for one year and forevermore if you still want me after that time.”

His face broke into a radiant smile and a suspicious sheen covered his eyes. The priest stepped forward and took the ends of the scarf, wrapping them around their joined hands.

“Then I do bear witness to this handfasting, and declare you to be man and wife for one year of time.”

A weight lifted from Phaidra’s shoulders and she laughed with the joy erupting from her soul. Nel joined her before pulling her into a deep kiss. Finally, the priest had to clear his throat to gain their attention. Her face heated in a blush, but Nel simply grinned.

“Thank you, Father, I appreciate this more than you could know. In one year we will return to renew our vows.”

The priest nodded and Nel stood and pulled her up by their clasped hands. Then he gently pried them apart and folded the scarf before handing it to her.

“Hold this, my love, and we’ll put it somewhere safe once we’re home.”

She took it without hesitation before preceding him from the small church.

Nel wanted to shout from the top of the tower that Phaidra was now his wife, but he kept it to himself while they returned to the castle. She was quiet when he led her to his room and lifted her to sit on the side of his bed. He lit a fire and locked his door then returned to her. She watched him but still said nothing, just held her mother’s scarf.

“Can I put that away for you?” he asked. “I have a chest that sits empty now.”

She nodded and allowed him to take it. He put it away quickly and went back to the bed.

“Are you hungry?”

“No.”

“Tired?”

“No.”

“Angry? Bored? Annoyed? What still ails you, Phaidra?”

She took a deep breath and he braced for a physical blow. Though he knew she wouldn’t try to hit him he almost wished she would. Some kind of reaction would give him a hint of her mood and where to go from here.

“Do you love me?” she asked.

He froze, but more from the fact that instant denial was not on his tongue. When he didn’t respond right away she obviously took it to mean no. She slipped off the bed and ran to the door. He caught her before she could turn the lock.

“No, don’t leave. Look at me, Phaidra. Please.”

He turned her around and held her against the door. Tears streamed from her eyes but she made no move to wipe them away. He cupped her face with both palms and looked into her eyes.

“Yes, my pretty one, I do love you. In all honesty, I never expected to say that to any woman so I’m not really sure what to do. But if you leave me now I will follow. I’d be helpless to anything else.”

The surprise on her face annoyed him but he fought not to let it show.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I wouldn’t have you as my wife otherwise. I love you.”

Her smile was slow in coming but well worth the wait. Then she stood on the tips of her toes and pressed her lips to his. He growled low in his throat and pulled her into his arms. After a couple of minutes, she finally eased back to gasp in much-needed air.

“I…love…you…too.”

He grinned and returned to his bed. Then he set her on it and started removing her clothes. “Good. I didn’t want to contemplate trying to live without you.”

She sighed and it was a happy sound. His heart lightened to hear it.

“I love you so much, Nel. But being away from you for days at a time is torture.”

She was naked before him, reclining on his bed, so it took a moment for her words to make sense.

“Hmm? Oh… I agree. It’s torture for me also. But there will be times I’m called away to do my duty.”

“I know and I understand that. But what am I supposed to do here in your absence?”

He stopped in the act of removing his shirt and frowned at her. “What?”

She rolled her eyes and sat up, covering her perfect breasts with one arm. His frown deepened and he finished taking off his shirt before unlacing his pants.

“While you’re off protecting the kingdom, I have nothing to do besides sleep, eat and pretend to help Astrid in the library. She certainly doesn’t need my help, even with Ourania in her arms. So, what am I supposed to do besides laze around and grow fat?”

He couldn’t help but laugh, but a glance at her face sobered his amusement quickly. “Forgive me. I don’t make light of your concerns, I swear.”

“Then what do you suggest? I know I can’t go with you.”

He sighed and dropped his pants to the floor before stepping out of them. For once, the sight of his nakedness seemed to have no effect on her at all.

“No, you can’t go with me. I don’t want you acting the servant either while I’m away.”

Rather than go to the bed as he dearly wanted, he turned away to pace across the room. If he got too close to her he wouldn’t be able to think.

“What skills do you have?” he asked.

She seemed to think it over for a few minutes. “Well, I can cook and clean. I can read and write. I’m not a very good teacher though. I can work with numbers fairly well.”

He spun on his heels to face her. “Truly? Do you know how to keep an accounting of money?”

She shrugged and finally dropped her arm. “I’ve never tried with money but if it’s working with numbers, I should be able to do it.”

He nodded and closed the distance, happy to know he might have found a solution to what concerned her.

“Good enough. In the morning, we’ll speak to Petros and he may have work for you. But for now…”

He joined her on the bed and covered her body with his. She opened her arms and legs to him without hesitation and eased his mind.

“For now you should make love to me, and perhaps our own babe will come in time.”

He couldn’t wait another second and took her lips in a searing kiss. She returned his passion and welcomed him into her body.

“I love you so much, my pretty one.”

“And I love you.”

He made love to her until a servant knocked on the door to call them to dinner.