The Bewitching Twin, page 11
Aliss was anxious to talk with Rogan and see what he thought of her proposal. She had had no time to give her swift decision thought, and now, as she considered it several hours later, she wondered over her own sanity. But what was done was done.
She was disappointed to see John waiting outside the cottage.
“A problem two fields and a hill beyond,” John said, letting her know that Rogan would not be returning soon.
“He is safe?”
John nodded though he averted his eyes.
“You are sure?”
“Rogan will return,” John said, his head held high and his eyes on Aliss.
His response relieved her and she entered the cottage, turning briefly to say, “I am safe here in the village. There is no need for you to stand guard.”
“Rogan commands, I listen.”
There was no point in arguing with the young man. He would obey his chieftain, as he should.
As she snuggled beneath the covers, a strange thought came to her. Was John protecting her or making certain she did not leave?
Chapter 16
Rogan returned home to an empty cottage the next morning, his mind in turmoil. The news he had received had been unexpected and to make certain it had been correct he had gone to see for himself.
To his regret, the message had proved true. He had perhaps four maybe five days left with Aliss before hell descended on them. Aliss had given him the perfect opportunity with her proposal to settle the matter to his advantage. But what would happen when she learned the truth?
Dusty and dirty from his tiresome journey and plagued with a weighty mind, he decided a dunk in the river would refresh him. Then he would find Aliss, accept her proposal, and pray he had made a wise choice—for them both.
He grabbed clean garments from his room and a towel and headed to the river.
Rogan washed the grime from his body, dunking himself repeatedly in the cool water and scrubbing every inch of his flesh. He wished he could cleanse his mind and heart as easily.
He had waited a long time to lay claim to what was rightfully his and had thought it would be an easy task. He had not counted on the healer stirring his blood or haunting his thoughts. Most of all, he had not expected a marriage proposal, the easiest of solutions to his problem.
Rogan stretched his way out of the water, raising his arms up to the heavens, expanding his chest to ease his aching muscles then swinging his head to shake off the water that soaked his long hair.
He gave one final stretch, extending his arms out to his sides and dropping his head back, and released a howl that trembled the woods.
Refreshed and revived, Rogan smiled and walked toward the river’s edge, stopping when he caught sight of Aliss standing not far off on the grassy knoll.
Her eyes were wide, her mouth hung open, and her cheeks were tinged red.
She had been watching him and he had no qualms about letting her continue to watch him. He walked slowly out of the river, the water level dipping lower and lower, exposing his navel and gradually drifting farther and farther down.
He was not surprised to see her turn her back to him in a flash when the water had dipped close to exposing all of him.
He kept his laughter silent and hurried to dress, noticing Aliss shift from foot to foot, plop her hands on her hips then drop them to her side, then cross them over her chest, then sigh heavily enough for him to hear her.
She was anxious, all right, enough that she chanced turning around on his possible nakedness.
“Have you given thought to my proposal?” she said, her fingers twisting the material of her skirt.
He approached her, tucking his brown and black kilt in at his waist and feeling her jitters as he got closer. “I have.”
“I think it is a fine solution to my problem. You had said that when the malady was discovered, we could focus on finding a solution to my situation.”
“I did—”
“It is a crazy thought, I know,” she said with a shake of her head. “Though the more I thought about it the more it seemed to make sense. At least I hope it does—to you. It took me a while to rationalize it, but once I did, it struck me as the perfect choice. It made all the sense in the world.”
Rogan remained silent since Aliss seemed unable to stop talking.
“I require a husband who will respect my penchant for healing and not deprive me of it but encourage me, which you do. Of course, I would like to reside near my sister and hope that there is a way we can resolve that issue. It certainly is a practical solution for me, and a beneficial one for you. Your clan will gain strength and respect being united with the Hellewyk and Blackshaw clans.”
She finally stopped, took a breath and stared at him. “You must think me foolish or perhaps desperate and perhaps I am. But I realized that I give everything I have to my healing work—my mind, heart, and soul. I wonder if there is anything left to give to someone. Therefore, I am not certain that I can love someone the way your wife loved you. And I do not know if you would settle for less. However, I felt compelled to be honest with you about the reason for my proposal.”
She spoke the truth to him, yet he could not do the same with her?
“It is not necessary you answer me at this moment. I understand if you are hesitant. The choice will alter our lives greatly and rushing into—”
“I will marry you.”
She stared at him. “Why?”
He laughed and shook his head. “I thought that was what you wanted.”
“I do. I do,” she assured him. “It is just that I want to make certain you realize how much this union benefits both of us.”
“I am well aware of the benefits and I accept your marriage proposal most willingly.”
Aliss sighed with relief. “We will marry—”
“Immediately.”
“I had thought to have my sister and family present but . . .”
“You know that is not possible. Tarr will never allow you to marry me,” he said, and walked away from her to fetch his shirt on the ground nearby.
“Tarr assured me the choice of a husband was mine.”
Rogan shook his head. “Tarr would never have imagined you choosing the Wolf.”
Aliss’s shoulders sagged. “You are right. He thinks of you as his enemy.”
“Then it is wise that I am your husband before I meet him. We must be wed properly so that Tarr cannot claim the marriage invalid, and that means our vows must be consummated.”
Her cheeks blossomed like a fresh red rose. “Is there anyone who can perform a valid ceremony?”
“Yes,” he said, walking over to her. “We will be wed by nightfall tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“There is no reason to wait. Besides, our bargain was for me to return you home once you healed my people.”
“I go home?” she asked incredulously.
“Give me a week or two to prepare the ship and men and then we leave.” He almost choked on his false words.
Aliss clapped her hands in glee. “I can’t believe I am going home.” She laughed. “And returning home a married woman.
“I have much to do before tomorrow. There is a celebration to prepare.” She ran off laughing. “I will tell everyone that the healer weds the Wolf.”
Rogan watched her run, skip, and laugh with joy. She was happy, but for how long?
He sat by the river’s edge lost in his thoughts.
Was what he was doing fair to Aliss?
Should he have told her the truth before accepting her marriage proposal?
He would chance losing her that way, but either option could mean loss.
He would be bound to her once he wed her and no one could separate them. There was a chance that with time she would come to understand and forgive him for deceiving her.
What else could he really do?
He had a debt to settle and nothing would stop him from settling it. He had waited too many years for this moment.
“So you wed her.”
Rogan turned slowly, not surprised that Derek sounded as if he accused him.
“She is a good woman,” Derek said, his arms crossed. “She enlightens the people of the sudden nuptials with sheer happiness.”
Rogan walked up to him. “Spit out what you have to say, Derek.”
“She has been unselfish with her skills and has healed us. Is it fair to use her like this?”
“I have no choice.”
“Don’t you? Or have you convinced yourself you don’t so that you don’t feel like such a bastard for lying to her?”
“Wedding her was never part of my plan,” Rogan said.
“Then why is it now?”
“Why do you defend her so?”
“She healed me when I thought for sure I would die.”
“You never told me you thought you would die,” Rogan said.
“There were nights I thought that if I closed my eyes I would never open them again. Aliss held my hand and convinced me that I would live to love many women.” Derek laughed. “She understood each and every one of our fears and helped us combat them while she fought the enemy within us. She never gave up on any of us. She did everything to ease our suffering. I wish to do the same for her.”
“I would never hurt Aliss.”
“You do by marrying her,” Derek argued.
“She must wed, you know that. Should I let her wed someone who would forbid her to heal?”
Derek shook his head. “I would not wish that fate on her.”
“Then trust my decision.”
“Do you?” Derek asked.
“It is the decision I arrived at and the one I will see through to the end.”
“I hope it is a wise one, for Aliss’s sake and for yours,” Derek admitted.
“Finally, words I want to hear,” Rogan said with a slap to Derek’s back. “And ones that I wholeheartedly agree with.”
“As does most of the village. You should know a large celebration is already being planned.”
“I am pleased,” Rogan said. “I want the day to be special for Aliss. One she will always remember.”
Derek looked about to protest once again.
“You have always stood by me. Do I need ask if you will continue to stand by me?”
“No,” Derek said firmly. “That is a question you need never ask me.”
Rogan nodded, pleased that his friend remained his comrade. “Let us go share some ale, and while preparations are made for the celebration, we shall also prepare.”
The two men walked off, not noticing the pair of green eyes in the shadow of the woods that watched them depart.
Chapter 17
“I cannot believe we are wed,” Aliss said, staring at her hand locked firmly in Rogan’s.
“How can you not?” Rogan laughed. “Just look at this celebration.”
Aliss smiled and glanced around the village. Tables and benches had been moved outside, a summer’s bright blue sky provided the perfect canopy, and everyone had supplied enough food for double the people.
Music, chatter, and laughter mingled as the whole village celebrated the joining of the Wolf and the healer. Gifts were even given to the couple, to Aliss’s surprise—especially since many of the gifts were for her in particular.
Laurel and Peter had presented them with a beautifully crafted twig basket. James had carved her a small jar with a lid for her herbs, Anna had sewed a wool pouch, and a robust Ivan, with tears shining in his eyes, had presented her with a stunningly carved cross.
She knew the gifts were meant for more than just her wedding and she was grateful for each and every one of them.
What nagged at her, however, was the fact that the villagers assumed she would now be residing with the clan. It was not that she disliked the idea. It was that she desperately missed her sister.
Aliss had always assumed that Fiona would witness her wedding and enjoy the celebration to follow. She had never dreamed of getting married without her sister present. She had felt their forced separation more than ever preceding her vows, wanting so much for her sister to be there with her. She had half expected to see Fiona appear, so strong was the thought of her.
Aliss hoped that Fiona would understand the need for her to wed so quickly. She also hoped that her sister would accept Rogan as family with little difficulty. If she did then Tarr would also accept him.
“You wrinkle your brow. Troubled thoughts?” Rogan asked, squeezing her hand.
“I think of my sister. I wish she could have been here.”
“She is in your thoughts so therefore she is with you.”
“That is another thing I like about my husband. He is wise.”
“Shhh, do not tell anyone. Most think me fierce.”
“Wolves are both,” Aliss said.
“They are also fiercely loyal,” he whispered near her ear.
Gooseflesh caused her to shiver.
“You can always rely on me, Aliss. I will always be there by your side, holding you when necessary, freeing you when need be, and always supportive.”
Aliss did not know what to say. She had not expected or requested he give so much of himself. She merely wished for a husband to fulfill the prophecy and free her, or was she afraid to admit that she wanted more?
Rogan kissed her cheek. “We will do well together.”
“You are sure of this?” she asked, puzzled.
“I have not a doubt.”
Aliss beamed and her cheeks flushed red. “I knew I was making the right choice in marrying you.”
“That you did, my bewitching healer,” he whispered and kissed her gently.
They drifted apart to see Anna running toward them.
“Daniel has had an accident.”
Aliss scrambled off the bench. “Is he hurt badly?”
“I have not seen him. I was sent to fetch you.”
“Let me get my healing—”
“I have it,” Rogan interrupted from behind her, holding up her basket. “We best hurry.”
Aliss touched his arm. “Thank you.”
“I told you I would always be there for you.” He looked to Anna. “Where is he?”
“Derek carried him to their cottage.”
The child’s cries could be heard before they reached the cottage and they tore at Aliss’s heart and relieved her. At least he felt his pain and wasn’t unconscious. She hurried into the house and went directly to his bedside.
One glance at his skinny little leg told her it was serious. A wide gash ran from beneath his knee to an inch or so above his ankle. Blood was everywhere and that had to be her first line of defense. She needed to stop the steady flow of blood or he would not survive.
“Please, help him,” his mother, Tara, pleaded, kneeling beside the bed, holding his small hand and fighting tears.
Daniel cried louder when Aliss’s hands neared the wound.
“A warrior must be strong,” Rogan said, gently nudging the young mother out of his way to bend down by the side of the bed.
Daniel’s eyes widened in awe and Aliss assumed it was because of fear. Here was the mighty Wolf, the leader of his clan speaking.
“You are a strong warrior, are you not?” Rogan asked, taking hold of the lad’s hand.
The lad sniffled and nodded.
Aliss wanted to hug Rogan. Keeping Daniel occupied would allow her to determine her course of action. She set Anna to mixing herbs that would be needed and Tara to ripping cloths to bind the wound.
Aliss concluded fast enough that the leg would need stitching. She would worry about fever and festering later. Right now, she needed to get the wound closed.
If it were not for Rogan’s help, the ordeal could have turned into a nightmare. He held the lad and talked to him though he cried and screamed. Anna and Tara held his leg while Aliss stitched as fast as she could.
Aliss was grateful when Daniel had cried himself to sleep from exhaustion. After making certain the lad was settled, she left him to his mother’s care. Anna insisted on remaining to help, chasing the newlyweds out to continue their celebration.
“Will he be all right?” Rogan asked when they stepped outside the cottage.
“There is festering and fever to worry about. I cannot say for sure. Only time will tell.”
Rogan took her hand as they walked. “What made you become a healer?”
“I can’t say for sure. It seemed a natural thing for me to do. My mother taught me a little about healing, the things most instinctive to women. When she grew ill there was little I could do to help ease her pain and it upset me. I wanted to learn more, understand more about healing. The more knowledge I gained the more I hungered for even more, and I have never stopped wanting to learn.”
“You can keep on learning as much as you want. Perhaps one day you will teach our daughter.”
Aliss stopped and glared wide-eyed at him.
“You have not given our children thought?” he asked.
“I—I—” She shook her head.
He took both of her hands in his and smiled. “Have you not thought of the consequences of our making love?”
She sighed while continuing to shake her head. “This is why I will not make a good wife. I do not think as a wife should think. I think only of my work and myself.”
“You never think of yourself, though thinking of your husband now and again would be good.”
“I think of you all the time.” She cringed as soon as her secret slipped out.
Rogan laughed. “Do you now?”
She shook her head. He was her husband now and she did not feel the need to hide the truth from him. She could share anything with him and not worry that he would judge her.
“I admit I do think of you.”
“Good, then I admit that I wish I could carry you off to my bed and make love to you for the rest of the day and throughout the night.”
His declaration tingled her flesh and she shivered in his arms.
He laughed softly as he hugged her tightly. “You will do more than shiver in my arms tonight.”
She raised her head and whispered, “I have known no man.”
