to reach some kind of inn before the sun sets completely.â
Lianna looked at Jason. âHow much farther?â
âTo Blackmour? At least four or five days. These lads have ridden hard to catch us. But I promise you a goodly rest there on that second most comfortable goose-feather mattress I spoke of. And I have passed a night or two on itâby myself,â he threw at his brother. He smiled at Lianna. âYouâll feel comfortable there. Youâll see.â
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It was indeed another five days of travel, but the road was pleasant and the weather fine. Lianna watched Blackmourâs men with Jason and saw the respect they accorded him, even though he was much younger than they. She found that by the time they had reached the keep, she had even stopped taking Jason and Kendrickâs barbs seriously. There had only been a minor skirmish or two, but Kendrick had very solicitously avoided damaging anything she might find useful.
For herself, she found that being wed to the Dragonâs kit was more of a joy to her with each day that passed. He was kind and gentle, and he looked at her with love in his eyes.
What she did find curious, however, was that none of Blackmourâs men made any mention of Jasonâs dark reputation. She had only jested of it once, and by the complete lack of expression on all the faces surrounding her, save Jason who had smiled, she decided that âtwas a subject better left undiscussed.
Except, of course, for the brief moment of privacy sheâd had with her husband the morning before theyâd arrived at Blackmour when heâd led her off into a small copse of trees for a private kiss or two. When sheâd managed to gasp in a breath, she looked at him seriously.
âHave you cast spells?â she asked bluntly.
He blinked, then half of his mouth quirked up in something of an embarrassed smile. âOne or two.â
âDid they work?â
âWeâll have to look at Maud in a year or two and see whatâs left of her.â
She shuddered to think what sorts of torments he had left in place for the women who had dared harm her. Perhaps âtwas best not to know.
âHave you brewed potions?â she asked, determined not to be distracted.
âAye.â
âStudied dark arts?â
He paused. âIn a manner of speaking.â
âIn a manner of speaking?â
He considered for a moment or two. âI have walked blindly into the darkness,â he said finally, âand studied art there with my master.â
âHave you indeed.â
âAye. Swordplay and such. When you meet him, youâll understand.â
âHrumph,â she said, unconvinced. âI vow the only magics youâve worked on me are best left for the privacy of our own tent.â
âThen you donât think I brewed a potion to make you love me?â he asked, reaching up to tuck a bit of her hair behind her ear. âOr to make you wed with me?â
She pulled him to her and kissed him thoroughly. âMayhap you brewed aught for me, but my heart was given the moment I saw you, and where my heart was given, my hand was destined to go. Or didnât you know that my father cast his own kind of spell and bound that upon me from an early age?â
âIâll thank him when next we meet, after you and I have spent a very long lifetime together.â
âAye, my beloved nightshade.â
He laughed and pulled her close. âIs that how you think of me? What will your people say to that?â
âTheyâll think me enormously brave to partake of you,â she said. âAnd isnât that your damned brother bellowing for us to return?â
He looked down at her and smiled fondly. âI love you, Lianna.â
âAnd I you, my lord. Now, let us return before I propose a wrestle to silence him myself.â
That had been the morning before and sheâd found herself too nervous
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