Chapter Five
The sun was high overhead as Luke stopped on the riverbank. The rushing water cut off their path. They could wade through the water or attempt crossing at the bridge. Luke didn’t like either prospect. He looked back at Nessa.
She stared at the ground; those golden locks of hers tumbled riotously about her shoulders and down her back. A strand fell forward, a green leaf caught in its wisps. When she lifted her gaze to him, Luke felt a pang of guilt strike his heart. She had not complained, not once, about the quick pace he had set. Her dress was torn and dirty, smeared with dirt. A red scratch marred her smooth cheek where a ragged tree limb must have caught her. Her lips were parted with her panting breath. Her large eyes were ringed with black. She must be hungry, thirsty, and exhausted.
He had nothing to give her. No drink, no food. Some protector he was turning out to be! Perhaps he could find a farmer who would aid them. She needed to rest, at the very least. He guided her over to a willow tree and lifted the branches for her. “Sit here.” It would keep her hidden from Urien. She fell to her bottom beneath the sheltering wisps with a sigh.
Luke couldn’t help admiring her. She hadn’t complained. He knew Mel would have been unrelenting about the long trek and her hunger. And her hair. And her shoes. He grinned.
“What’s so funny?” Nessa asked.
Luke shook his head. “I was just thinking of Mel. She would never be able to make this trip, let alone get away from Urien. You were very brave to do that.”
Nessa shrugged her shoulders slightly, brushing a lock of hair from her cheek. “I was afraid he would find out who I was if I stayed. I really didn’t have an option.”
Luke sat beside her. “Many women would have stayed because it was easier. A horse to ride, food, drink.”
“It was too dangerous.”
Luke bridled. “More dangerous than escaping a group of armed men who are now searching for you?”
Nessa smiled. “I have you to protect me now.”
Luke felt a stirring inside of him. It was a strange flutter of pride. She felt safe with him, safer than she did with Urien. And she should! Guilt settled like a rock in his gut. He looked at the rushing water. “I’m sorry, Nessa. This isn’t the rescue I had planned.”
“I meant it, Luke. I have you now. You give me courage.” She rested a hand on his arm. “I’m so grateful you’re here. I’m grateful you came to rescue me.” She settled her head against his shoulder.
Just like she used to when they were children, staring at the stars. It was comfortable and warm and familiar.
It was only a moment later he realized her breathing had evened and slowed. He looked down at her to find her asleep. It gave him a chance to truly study her. No longer the little sister he remembered, she had grown into a lovely woman. Golden hair fell over her shoulder onto his plate mail. Her skin was sun-kissed, making her cheeks pink. Her long lashes fanned her cheeks in sleep. Her nose was pert and adorable. But her lips... they were full and lush and... He caught himself and took a deep, cleansing breath. Careful, he told himself. She is not meant for you. Mel is your intended bride.
Still, he had to admire her natural beauty. Where Mel was polished and bathed in scented water, Nessa had a quality about her that was arousing and seductive. Even sleeping. Little sister, he reminded himself. He would let her sleep for now. He put an arm about her shoulders, pulling her against what little warmth penetrated his armor. He had to admit he was glad he came to save her from Urien. When they were children, Urien had never treated Nessa kindly. He had a mean streak and focused all of it on Nessa. Luke protected her when he could, but he couldn’t be around her all the time. And he had worried about her.
He and Urien grew up under Lord Tristan’s training. Urien was a quick learner, but he never treated others with respect. He supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised when Lord Tristan sent Urien home in disgrace one day. Luke had wondered why, but no one knew. He never found out why, but had his suspicions. Nessa had a black eye the following day. She never revealed where she got it from, but Luke wondered if Urien was involved.
When Mel told him that Urien had taken Nessa, fears plagued Luke. He had to protect her. He had to go after her. He had been afraid of what Urien would do to her. Luke’s biggest fear was that Urien would rape her. He would have killed him for that, for harming her. He stared down at Nessa’s golden head where it rested against his shoulder. He hadn’t known Urien thought she was Mel. He didn’t know she had given herself to save her sister. It was a brave thing to do. She must have been terrified. As he gazed at her, his heart warmed. She was an amazing woman.
Mel paced the castle walkway, gazing out toward the road. The empty road. The road with no riders. Where was Luke? How could he have left her? She clenched her fists. Nessa was coming between them again. He had rushed out to save her. And deep down, Mel knew it was the right thing to do. She should have sent guards to search for her when she returned, but she hadn’t thought of that. She had been too scared. At least Luke had left an army of guards at the castle to protect her. And father. He still had not opened his eyes and Mel was beginning to think he never would. The physician stayed with him and ministered to him. She couldn’t stand to be in the same room with him. He was so weak and so old, not at all like he used to be.
Now that she had time to think of what happened in the village, she was grateful Nessa had pretended to be her, grateful Urien had taken Nessa instead of her. One question bothered her more than others. How could Urien have thought Nessa was her? Nessa looked nothing like her! Her eyes were a deeper blue than Nessa’s, a more beautiful blue. She ran a hand over her perfect locks. Nessa’s hair was always wild and sticking out in all directions, a rat’s nest. Nothing like her perfect hair. Nessa was just not as beautiful as she was. It was almost insulting that Urien believed Nessa was her. The dolt!
Oh, where was Luke? She whirled and paced the walkway again. Was he hurt? Frustrated, she sighed and began her return to the keep. Suddenly, the pounding of hoofbeats reached her ears. She whirled to see a lone rider galloping down the road toward the castle. Luke! Excitedly, she leaned out of the crenel, straining to see. As the figure came closer and crossed the drawbridge, she saw it was not Luke. Dread filled her. She hurried down the stairs toward the outer ward. As she entered the ward, the knight was dismounting.
“Where is Luke?” she called.
He turned to her, bowing slightly. “Lady Melwyn. Where is --”
“Where is he?” she demanded.
He scowled. “Sir Luke has not returned?” She shook her head. “I come from Kernwith Castle. Sir Luke told me to ride there, but Urien was not there. He didn’t go to Kernwith Castle.”
Mel didn’t care about any of this. “Where is Luke?”
“I thought he would be here.”
Mel’s mouth dropped open and she stepped back. Her mind whirled. The knight didn’t know where Luke was. He didn’t know! She rushed forward and shoved him in the chest. “Go and find him!”
The knight stared at her, shocked and confused.
