Conquering the Dark Axe Read online

  Alexa would not let him steer her down a path to make her lose her temper. If this marriage were to work, she wanted to know about this man that had invaded her home and her body.

  “That is not so. You jest when I try to be serious. ‘Tis obvious one must be reared in that way to turn out like-“she stopped. One green eye popped open and glared at her. She licked her lips.

  Then with a look of boredom, he closed his eyes again, “I do not remember much about the man that claimed to be my father other than the fact that his fist was like iron. And I felt it plenty in my young years when one should not.”

  His tone was flat and Alexa waited, hoping for more. But he said naught.

  “Your mother?” She prodded nervously as she picked among the nuts and berries. He had touched upon his mother briefly the other night and Alexa held her breath, hoping he would take the moment and expand upon it.

  An annoyed sigh came from between his parted lips and Alexa did not think he would say more.

  But when he opened his eyes, burning her with his stare, she let out the breath she held as he said. “My mother was a favorite tanner and bleacher of William’s wife Matilda as well as a friend. She had taken us in when my bastard of a father left us on the side of a road to starve.”

  Alexa gasped and his jaw clenched. But he went on, “I was a fast learner. Big from the beginning, agile and caught William’s eye.”

  Rourke went on to tell her how he was soon called into the king’s court with a few other wayward bastards like himself to start their training. His knighthood came early due to his fast agility, quick learning skills and growth.

  “So, you grew up a favorite of William’s, the court at an early age?”

  He shrugged.

  ‘Twas like pulling teeth! Alexa picked up the carafe.

  “More wine?”

  “Nay. But, I tire of this conversation.”

  She licked her lips and returned the carafe back to the table, then fisted her hands in her lap. “It is good we talk, it helps ease the…the not knowing with this person wishing to do me harm…out there.”

  “Conversation will not catch him. I will. Now come, I am ready for bed.”

  Alexa expelled a long frustrated exasperated breath and glared at him. He lifted a golden brow, adding, “And I am too weary for a fight.”

  Alexa tensed. He normally left the chamber after the meal, then returned after he’d believed she’d slept the past two nights. Something ignited within her. She did not wish to fight either. Would he touch this night?

  She inhaled sharply when she realized how much she wanted him to. She blamed her crazy thoughts on the angst she held over not being able to find this person and everything else that was going on. But she knew it was more than that. Being so close to him, smelling his musky scent, feeling his hard body against hers the past nights-

  ‘Twas utter madness and she didn’t know how much more of it she could stand. Was he not affected?

  She wiped her hands clean and moved over to the bed. In a matter of minutes he seemed to be naked and at her back whilst she still had yet to remove the thin shift.

  “Do you need my help?”

  “Nay.” She swallowed nervously and removed it quickly with shaky hands and made to pull the thick furs across to cover her nakedness. She was startled by his light chuckle.

  “There is naught to hide. I have seen everything quite thoroughly already, Alexa.”

  Alexa’s gaze shot to his. Passion flamed inside her at the smoldering look he gave her. She asked boldly, “Must you always be so brutish?”

  A finger touched her nipple; she flinched and bit back a moan. “Only you make me that way. Come, lie back. This time you start calling me by my given name.”

  Shock had her stare at him. “Is that so? Why?”

  “Because I wish it so and I want to hear it on your tongue before my weary bones put me to sleep. Speak it.”

  The pad of his thumb brushed over her nipple as the heat in her belly uncurled and Alexa stared down at him and knew what he was doing. Conversation would not catch the killer, but he was trying to ease her fear. She sighed when he pinched her nipple and she heard herself say it. “Ro-Rourke.”

  And she repeated it louder again when his hot mouth replaced his fingers and he suckled her and she knew no more.

  He had lied. He’d said he was weary yet he made passionate love to her twice like a man possessed through the long night before he allowed the both of them to rest, totally exhausted. Snug and holding her up against his side, his snores soon reached her ears. Alexa rested a hand over his heart. He had opened up to her in more ways than he’d known this night and her heart blossomed. The unrest in her was gone and she smiled as sleep welcomed her.

  TWENTY-TWO

  It took only one more day and he allowed her freedom to roam with guards hidden at every turn about the manor. Alexa was glad to stretch and her eyes greedily ate up every new change she spotted. From new furniture added, to his coat of arms on a large banner splayed above the hearth in the great dining hall, to the servants, Saxon and Norman the like, working side by side as they bustled about doing their chores.

  She wanted to be angry, but found she could not. Everyone looked healthy, robust and occupied with what it was they were doing. All greeted her as she passed and Alexa found surprisingly that the changes were not so bad after all.

  Upon reaching the small room, one of the guards assigned to her veered off to one side out of sight and the other, stayed hidden in an alcove within the room with her. With her out in the open, Rourke had argued mightily betwixt her and Goran until they lost and that one guard would be visible at all times. Her being out of the chamber was the second part of the plan and they hoped it might flush the person out.

  The plan had produced no one in the two days and Rourke believed the killer would strike again when they thought his and her guards were down.

  Alexa sighed and unsheathed the wooden makeshift squire blade he’d left at the foot of their bed this morning. At first she had been angry. It wasn’t her true blade, but it was damn better than a candle stick. Soon enough she would have her own sword back in her hands, she hoped. Alexa readied for some eager exercise.

  The airy room had always been empty of furniture and a place for her and Lisbeth to engage in a fun game of chess and for Alexa to practice her weaponry when thick snow blanketed the grounds or when their father feared the marauders from the forests might pounce. The wide windows in this room sucked in the sunlight this frigid day. She stretched this way and that and practiced. All the while mumbling aloud her thoughts as she attacked the makeshift clothed dummy in front of her over and over with much skill and zealous.

  “Were it a real opponent, I fear I would be walking knee deep in blood and you would be the victor, my lady. Your skill is one to be much admired.”

  Goran came into the room with hands clasped behind his back and a sweet smile on his handsome face. Alexa found herself returning it with one of her own. She nodded at him.

  “Sir Goran, I thank you for your too kind words.”

  She was surprised when he blushed under her words and adjusted the cloak buttoned at his neck.

  “’Tis true. Who taught you?”

  “My father.” Alexa’s hoarse response choked her.

  “He was a fine swordsman then. I fear a warning must be given to one when a true blade is in your hands. A woman should be lauded simply for picking up a blade. Your father taught you well.”

  ‘Twas Alexa’s turn to blush. Soon enough the uncomfortable feeling vanished from them both and he drew her into light banter and had her thoughts elsewhere and laughing aloud. Alexa found she enjoyed the time with him and for one moment she wished. Why could Rourke not possess such a pleasant side to him as his friend?

  Their laughter was soon interrupted by the large presence in the doorway.

  Alexa’s breath hitched in her throat as her eyes fell upon the man that occupied her thoughts. He was head to toe in
black except for the gray fur lining his leather boots. He looked so handsome with his hair pulled back from his face. His dark look shot from her to Goran and Alexa and let out a tense breath.

  “Exercise is over. Come, Goran, we have a matter to see to.”

  His gruff tone shattered the good feelings she had. Goran nodded and quit the room, but Rourke entered and came to stand before her. Alexa let her neck fall back to look up at him. “Where do you go?” She asked him.

  “A short bit away. We will be back before dusk.”

  His throaty response shot a tingle to her belly. He was standing so close to her and those lips she so wanted to kiss parted. He seemed angry, but he was looking at her in that way he usually did when he wanted to be inside her.

  “The guard will see you back to the solar. You will- nay, Alexa. You will remain there until I return.”

  She clamped her mouth shut then opened it again. “My first day of freedom cut short. Naught has happened. Can I not stay just a little longer here?”

  Her eyes pleaded with him to trust her and Rourke’s gut clenched. His jealousy at hearing and seeing the way she laughed and seemed to be enjoying herself in Goran’s presence ate at him. Yet, he wanted to kiss her. She looked so beautiful, open and carefree talking to his friend. She had yet to bestow this side of herself to him. He cursed aloud over his thoughts and she took a step back from him.

  He cleared his throat and fought the urge to reach out and undo the long braid at her back. So he bent and picked up her wooden blade and handing it to her, he signaled the guard. “Nay. You know it is unwise until the threat has passed.”

  He waited to see if she would argue. She didn’t, but the look in her amber pools told him she wanted to. She turned away from him and followed after the guard. At the door she turned to him.

  “I wish for Camm’s company later.”

  “Aye, and have your maid help you free your hair from that ugly braid.”

  They said no more to one another and Rourke waited until she and the guard disappeared from the top of the wooden staircase before he walked out to meet Goran. A different anger firing his blood this time.

  He wanted the bright look of life back in her eyes, not the dull one he’d seen just before she’d left with the guard. Hopefully after this errand, Rourke sighed, he would be able to see more of it.

  “What do you mean to bring my lord way out here to see a bag of bones? We cannot get any answers from this. Our source told us you would have answers. You have wasted our time.” Goran’s shout was full of fury.

  Rourke squatted near the bones scattered upon the worn pelts, looking them over. The woman’s skull had been bashed in. The hunter that claimed to be a witness to who the woman was stuttered as he backed away from Goran’s wrath.

  ‘My lords, wa-wait. See. You will see your time was not wasted.”

  “See what old man?” Goran asked through clenched teeth.

  “Goran.” Rourke’s deep timbre shook the rafters in the small hut.

  The small fire coming from the pit in the center of the one room hut left the place feeling as if they were still outside. Rourke’s breath puffed out a white cloud as he stood. Goran grunted and took a step back.

  “Who is this woman to you, old man?” Rourke asked, his dark gaze lit on the man.

  The old man shook visibly even more under the direct scrutiny of his overlord. Holding his hat clenched tightly in his fist, he pleaded.

  “My dogs found her, my lord. I thought they had found a rabbit they were so hot and fevered to get at it. But when I was able to get them away, I saw- I saw-“ tears filled the old man’s eyes as a sob choked off his words before he continued, “I saw ‘twas she. The flesh may be gone from her bones but I’d know her all the same. They left behind this.”

  He turned his cap right side up and held it out to Rourke. Rourke at first believed Goran to be right. The tip was a waste. But soon, he found himself frowning as he looked closer at what was inside the cap.

  It was a red and black strip of cloth. He reached in and pulled it out. It was dirty, torn with frayed edges, but it was the same material as that of the strip that had been tied to his Alexa’s sword.

  He closed his fist around it and handed the old man back his cap.

  “What is this?”

  “’Twas a tunic she had made for my lady, my lord. Looks like someone ripped it.”

  “Aye. She made it for my wife?”

  “Nay”, the old man frowned and gave him a strange look. “Lady Lisbeth, my lord.”

  Rourke could feel Goran’s eyes on him as he stared at the man. A chill slid up his spine and he put to the old man, “You know this is so because?”

  “That be my daughter Emma that lies dead upon those pelts, my lord. Her mother died from a broken heart this past spring.” Fresh tears rolled down the old man’s cheeks. “She and Emma made the tunic at the request of your wife. Emma was with Lady Lisbeth after she took ill. She said it was not right what they had done to the shy mistress.”

  Rourke looked from Goran back to the man. “What had they done?”

  “Don’t rightly know much other than Emma said she was going to speak with Lady Alexa about it. But,” the old man cried in earnest and he talked around his sobs. “I guess she never got the chance.”

  Rourke understood what the man was not saying. His daughter had been murdered for whatever it was she had known. ‘Twas a common occurrence for serfs to be especially careful and not to accuse a noble or anyone in the manor house of a crime without fear of what punishment wouldst rain down upon their family. Sometimes imprisonment or worse, like in this case, death. Even if the claim proved true. But Rourke did not think the man was accusing Alexa.

  Rourke pushed back the animal pelts that hung from the door arch and stepped back out into the night. Soon Goran emerged from the hut after him. Rourke looked to the skies. Snow had yet to blanket the area, but winter was showing its cold snap. The gray skies would soon change over to night and he had told Alexa they would be back by then. Mounting, he reached under his cloak into a pocket near his underarm and withdrew the strip there. He held it out next to the piece he’d taken from the old man. ‘‘Twas the same indeed.

  Goran watched him. “Do you have any idea who it might be now?”

  Rourke said nothing for a long moment.

  His first suspicion came back to him. Neither his wife nor Goran had shared his belief. But now, it pricked his brain again. His wife had asked for her maid’s company tonight. Rourke wanted to believe her innocent as they did. But something niggled at the back of his neck and a sense of urgency ran wild through him. They needed to get back.

  “Come, we ride back. The hour grows late. I need further discussion with my wife on this matter.”

  Goran gave him an odd look, but then shrugged with a nod and spurred his horse into a full gallop following behind him as they raced off back towards Barnett lands.

  TWENTY-THREE

  She was asleep at the bottom of the bed on her belly when he entered the chamber and Rourke did not know that held his breath until his lungs started to burn. With his hand shaking he reached out and shook her shoulder. She started with a shout.

  “’Tis only I, Alexa. I did not mean to startle you.”

  “Is that so? Then why shake me so hard to break a bone? What is the matter?” Alexa asked her voice loud as she sat up.

  Rourke’s eyes ate in the sight of her. She was still dressed in the same clothes she had been in earlier and wisps of her hair kissed her cheeks. He drew back, stunned over his reaction and cleared his throat. “I might ask you that question. You have retired early.”

  Alexa more awake now frowned over his accusatory tone. Rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand she watched him rise from his knees next to the bed and move to the hearth where he began to shed his clothes.

  “I guess I was wearier than I thought. Is something wrong with that? People do tend to fall asleep when that happens, you know.” She told him. Somet
hing was wrong with him. He had his back to her, but she could feel a difference in him all the same.

  “Did Camm visit with you this eve?”

  It took her a moment to understand his question, and then she said. “Nay. I fell asleep right after I returned here.” Fatigue had assailed her the past few days and she simply deduced it had caught up to her. Her hands slid over her clothes and she climbed off the bed and spotted the uneaten platter on the corner table. Camm must have come and wishing not to disturb her, left it. Alexa’s stomach grumbled. She took a step toward it only to let out a shriek when his arm snaked around her waist.

  “Nay. I will send for a fresh tray.”

  Alexa struggled and he let her go. She whirled on him to see that he was naked. She didn’t even blink, but sucked in a hard breath. Would she ever be unaffected by this man?

  “Why? I could not have been out that long. It cannot have grown that cold.” Alexa touched a finger to the meats on the tray. It had, the heat had left.

  “All the same. We will have a fresh tray. We can eat after I have my bath.”

  Rourke took the tray and walked to the door. He turned when he heard a strangled sound come from her. Her wide eyes were on his lower half and Rourke looked down and cursed. He had no qualms about being naked before his soldiers. But he did in his aroused state. He clucked his tongue and balancing the tray in one hand, he reached for the fur on the bench with the other. He groaned when the material slid over him. He gave her a pointed look of blame and opened the door.

  Alexa could not take her eyes off of him. He looked like a Viking God standing there with the muscles rippling across his back. It took everything in her to turn away. He wanted a new platter. Let the man have at it. She shivered at the thought of him taking a bath in her presence. To date she had been spared that.

  She kept herself busy near the window the entire time the bath was being filled and the servants gone, right through him splashing as he washed himself quickly. She was thankful he did not ask her to assist him. Her hands were shaking so badly she did not think she’d be able to hold anything with them, let alone touch that hard body of his. Their platter came after his bath and they sat across from one another to share the warm meal.