K risten was sent upstairs by Eda. That she was sent alone, unescorted by Eda or her two guards, did much to improve Kristen's disposition. She did not even think to go anywhere but to Royce's chamber.
He was still below. The hour was late. Most of his guests had retired. But the King was still drinking and telling tales to match any minstrel's. It would be unseemly for Royce to retire a second night before his King.
Kristen knew that and had to be patient. Last eve she had been too tired to even remember the bargain they were to speak of. Not so this night. Her load had been minimal today, many of her usual tasks taken over by others. She was allowed to rest often by the window. Eda even took her out of the hot hall for several hours to tend the guests' chambers upstairs.
Kristen remembered last eve and knew her lighter load was by Royce's order. She knew now what he meant by being selfish, but she took no exception to that. She was herself anticipating the pleasure a night spent in his arms would bring. There was no thought now of withholding anything from him. He gave her her freedom. He also gave her many instances that showed he did care for her.
He was coming round, her Saxon. Eventually he would admit he was her heartmate. When he did that, he would marry her. He would also free her friends, and she would get a message to her parents through them. All would work out in the end. It was just a difficult road to that end.
Kristen smiled, seeing that there were two large containers of water on the table tonight, as well as extra cloths for drying and soaking up the water. She made quick use of hers, then slipped naked under the thin sheet on the bed to await her lord. Aye, she could think of him as her lord now, for he would be that in truth once she married him.
Royce came not fifteen minutes later. It would have amused Kristen to know how distracted he had been below after she left, and how Alfred had taken pity on him and retired so that his host could too. As it was, she was warmed by his look of pleased surprise on finding her already abed.
She lay curled on her side, with elbow bent and her head resting in the palm of her hand so she could better watch him as he came forward. God's teeth, but she liked what she saw. His will might be against her at times, but there was not a single thing about his body she could find wanting.
Since the King's party had come, Royce had dressed more impressively than was his custom. He wore a mantle clasped on his right shoulder as the other lords did, his a dark brown with saffron lining of rare silk. The same saffron silk edged his sand-colored tunic at hem and neck, with long sleeves fitted at his wrists. The earthy colors suited him to perfection, making the deep green of his eyes all the more startling. He also wore a wide belt studded round with fat amber stones. Even the dagger in his belt was jewel hilted.
He had not spoken to her since the incident with Eldred. Now he surprised her by saying, "You gave me an apology today that I am not sure I want."
"You have it anyway, milord, to do with as you like," she offered.
"Then I give it back." He sat down beside her on the bed, one knee bent so he could face her. His hand moved toward her hip, hesitated, then drew back. "I have known Eldred long. I know how his mind works to make trouble."
Kristen said quietly, "I did not lie, milord. I did in fact provoke him apurpose."
"But he sought you out, not you him."
She grinned now. "I cannot argue with that."
He moved his hand again toward her, and this time rested it for a moment on her hip. "I did not thank you for your discretion before Alfred."
"Aye, you did," she replied softly.
He had feared she had not understood the smile he gave her when he left with Alfred, but she did. She knew him better than he thought, and that pleased him.
He smiled at her before he stood up to leave the bed. They would get no talking done if he stayed so close to her, and he did want his bargain agreed to. It was not much he would ask of her. As much as she loved her freedom, he did not think she could refuse.
He began to remove his mantle, but his fingers stilled on the gold clasp as Kristen sat up in the center of the bed. The sheet fell about her waist and she did not move to lift it up. She was looking at him expectantly, so at ease with her natural state that she was unaware of how he perceived her. He was in fact mesmerized, his eyes drawn to the soft mounds of her breasts and unable to look away.
"Your bargain, milord?"
"What?"
It was perhaps the hardest thing he had ever done, dragging his eyes up to meet hers. And then to have her expectant gaze jolt him back to his senses. He swung around, feeling heat spread up his neck. This power she had to befuddle his mind and control his body. If she ever knew . . . God help him.
He swallowed with difficulty, keeping his back to her now as he went on to finish disrobing. By the time he was finished, they had best be done with their talk, or it would have to wait again.
He cleared his throat. It sounded like a low growl. "The difficulty you had yestermorn made it obvious to me that you could not effectively defend yourself fettered as you were. I regret that you found it necessary to defend yourself at all."
He glanced over his shoulder to see he had her rapt attention. And she still had not covered herself. He moved to the table to splash cold water over his face and chest. He had to clear his throat again to continue.
"I do not like it that you were helpless, Kristen. I can set men to watch you as I have since, but 'tis not the same as your being able to do for yourself when I am not here to look after you."
"You do not have to explain why you removed the chains, milord."
Without turning to see it, Royce knew she was smiling at him. He sat down at the table to remove his shoes and leather garters.
"Very well. What I need from you is your word that you will leave off your attacks against my cousin until Alfred and his party go."
"You ask for much," she replied softly.
"Think what 'twould mean were you to bring deliberate harm to Alden while Alfred is here. He is a fair man, but you saw for yourself today how he protects his nobles at this time. By rights, I should have been able to challenge Eldred. Alfred knew how dearly I wanted to. Yet he sent the cur home and away from my wrath. Every man he has now, he wants to have when the Danes come again. He deals harshly with any who deplete his army."
"Your point is taken, milord. But why do you ask for my word only until your King leaves?"
He answered easily. "When all his nobles are gone, you will be safe again."
"And after that?"
"The danger will be gone. We go back as before. So will you give your word?"
Kristen continued to sit there for a long stunned moment, staring at his broad back. Then she slipped off the bed, taking the sheet with her. She came up behind him so quietly that he tensed for a second when she wrapped one arm about his neck, for he had not heard her approach.
"Aye, I give you my word I will not touch your precious Alden," she purred into his ear. "But as for you . . ."
She yanked hard with her arm, toppling man and chair over backward. She heard his hiss of pain, then the violent curse he shouted, but she was already running for the unlocked door. Once in the corridor, however, she was faced with the frustrating knowledge that she could not go below as she was. She dashed for the nearest door instead, intending to hide behind it no matter who occupied the chamber.
A fine plan under such short notice, but she had not counted on this particular occupant. A candle still burned by the bed, allowing her to immediately recognize the King of Wessex as he sat up, sword in hand. They were both stunned, but he only for a second. He smiled, taking in her dishabille: the tawny hair cascading over her shoulders, the sheet simply hanging in front of her, for she had had no time to wrap it around.
Unfortunately, Kristen stood there too long in her own surprise. She had closed the door to Royce's chamber, but he threw it open now. She could not close herself into this room. She could not hope to hold the door closed against Royce, nor would his King let her. And she had nowhere else to run now that he couldn't quickly catch her.
She thought of all this before she turned to face Royce, unmindful that she was giving Alfred a trim view of her naked backside. But Kristen did not give the King another thought, not once she saw the look of fury on Royce's face as he stalked toward her.
He said not a word to her, but caught the hand she put out to ward him off. She let go of her sheet to hit him with the other, but he caught that too, bringing both hands up behind her back, which pressed her hard against his chest.
"Your pardon, milord," Royce said to his King.
Alfred chuckled. "Nay, 'twas most entertaining."
Tight-lipped, Royce nodded and closed the door. He then dragged Kristen back to his own chamber. He did not trust himself to speak yet. He felt like throttling her and was very close to giving it serious consideration.
He kicked his own door closed and dragged her with him to the bed. He sat down on it, yanking her across his lap as he did. He held her in such a way that she could not move either hand, and her legs were likewise of little help. For long moments he just held her, trying to bring his fury under control while she jerked and twisted to get loose.
Finally, Kristen's strength was expended and she became still. But her eyes were smoldering with blue-green fire. Royce did not see it. He had closed his own against the sight of her squirming naked on his lap.
"I hate you!"
The words jolted him, they were hissed with such rancor. A tight feeling twisted at his chest, defusing most of his own anger. As unpredictable as Kristen was, he had never thought to hear her say that.
His eyes locked with hers, probing. "Why?" he asked her quietly.
There was more heat to her own voice. "You tricked me! You knew what I thought, and you let me think it!"
"I cannot know your mind, Kristen."
"Liar!" she fumed. "Why else would I come to your chamber without protest? You take off my chains and you say we will make a bargain. You said naught of it being only a temporary bargain."
He had indeed been surprised by her acquiescence, but had been too pleased to wonder long about it.
"You say me wrong, wench." Royce sighed. "How could I know what you assumed, when a permanent removal of those chains was never my intention? If the notion did not cross my mind, how could I know it did yours?"
"So, I am the fool—again. I see in you what is not there, what will never be there."
He was stung by her bitterness. "What do you see? God's mercy, Kristen, what do you want from me?"
"There is naught that I want—anymore—except to be left alone."
He shook his head, slowly, his eyes almost regretful. "I would if I could."
"If you could?" she sneered. "Have you no stronger will than that, Saxon?"
"Not in dealing with you."
It was something, for him to admit that. But it did not placate the deep resentment she was feeling at the moment.
He spoke again, softly. "You do not hate me, Kristen. You are angry with me, but you do not hate me. Admit it."
It was true. She still didn't hate him. She wished she did, but she didn't. Still, she kept her lips sealed.
"Then if you will not say so, show me," he said in a whisper as he bent to kiss her.
Kristen wished it otherwise, but she did show him.