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Their cries of pleasure swirled in the air and settled down around them in a breathless silence. They lay quietly clinging to each other, their bodies wet with the aftermath of lovemaking while the last ripples of pleasure faded away.
And as was their way, they both at the exact same moment whispered, “I love you.”
They were dressed and looking over sketches of maps Reena had made of Dunhurnal land when a sharp knock sounded at the door.
“Enter,” Magnus called out.
Thomas walked in. “A messenger from Peter Kilkern waits for you in the great hall.”
“He is alone?” Magnus asked.
“No one was seen traveling with him, nor has anyone been seen since his arrival. It seems he carries nothing but a message.”
“Where is Brigid?” Reena asked.
“With the weavers discussing a bridal veil.” His words could not help but bring a smile to his face regardless of present circumstances.
Magnus grinned and walked over to him to slap him on the back. “Are you ready to be a husband?”
Thomas nodded vigorously. “Aye, and a good husband I will be to Brigid.”
“Then let us go settle this thorn in our sides before the wedding so the celebration may be one of pure joy.”
Reena smiled at the thought, for she and Magnus would wed the same day as Brigid and Thomas if all went well. She hurried to trail after them.
Magnus stopped outside the bedchamber. “Why do you not join Brigid and discuss your own bridal veil?”
Reena planted her hands on her hips. “You cannot get rid of me that easily, and besides, Brigid does not yet know of our plans to wed.”
“Then this is a perfect time to tell her,” Magnus urged.
She remained firm in her intentions to join them. “I want to know what goes on.”
“I will tell you.”
“I prefer to hear for myself.”
Magnus stepped in front of Reena. “I am sorry, but I must insist. It would appear strange for my mapmaker to stand beside me while a message is delivered.”
Thomas added his opinion. “He is right and we waste time.”
Reena nodded, knowing there was no use in arguing. She turned to walk the opposite way.
“I will tell you all later,” Magnus said. Reena simply waved as she kept walking.
The two men hurried off, their footsteps heavy on the wooden stairs. Reena turned in a flash and rushed after them, though she kept a safe distance behind so they would not see or hear her approach.
She crept slowly down the stairs, and once at the bottom she slipped around the stone wall that led to the great hall. Once there, she blended with the shadows along the wall and concealed herself in the dark corner of the hall where she could hear yet not be seen.
She thought of the Dark One and how he used the shadows and darkness to his advantage. She felt the comfort of the dark ease around her to conceal and protect her, and she felt safe.
The messenger bowed his head in respect when Magnus appeared before him, after he shivered. She could not say exactly how Magnus intimidated, but he did. He was tall and broad, but there were men taller and broader than he. Perhaps it was his confident strides or the set of his squared shoulders drawn back in pride, or it could have been his clothes, black as the blackest night, or his dark eyes that appeared to know all. Whatever it was about him, he was feared and regarded with respect, a respect he had earned at a costly price.
“You have a message from Kilkern?”
“I have a message from the earl of Culberry,” the man corrected with a tremble.
“I will hear it,” Magnus said and folded his arms over his chest to lean back against the edge of the table on the dais, his relaxed stance one of pure insolence, as if the message afforded him little interest.
