Dark Deceptions: A Regency and Medieval Collection of Dark Romances(201)

Chrystobel, however, was completely focused on Keller as the man efficiently dressed. He was preoccupied, his mind on what lay ahead, and Chrystobel knew he was mostly focused on Gryffyn. Certainly, there was anxiety involving the Welsh that would be coming along with Gryffyn, but Keller was focused on Gryffyn alone.

He should have killed the man the day in the great hall when he came upon Gryffyn as he prepared to kill Chrystobel and, had it not been for Gryffyn knifing him in the back, Keller was certain that Gryffyn’s life would have ended on that day. But Gryffyn had not made an easy catch or an easy kill, and Keller was tired of chasing the man. Granted, he had a new wife and a new castle that had cornered his attention, but the time had come to focus on Gryffyn once and for all. The time had come to eliminate the threat.

Rhys and William were finished dressing first, saying their farewells to Chrystobel and Izlyn as they walked past the women and headed out of the keep. The squires soon fled, having nothing else to do, and Gart eventually came to say his farewells also. He accepted a smile from Chrystobel and a kiss on the cheek from Izlyn before heading out into the driving rain with his usual stalking gait.

Finally, it became Keller’s time to say his goodbyes and as he came to stand before his wife, words seemed to fail him. He stood there a moment, gazing at her, before taking her by the hand and leading her back into the small hall and away from Izlyn’s big and curious ears. Izlyn started to follow but Chrystobel held out a hand to the girl, stopping her in her tracks. Chrystobel, too, wanted a few private moments with her husband. When they neared the feasting table, covered with maps and other things related to the administration of Nether, Keller came to a halt and lifted Chrystobel’s hand to his lips.

“I am not an eloquent man,” he admitted, kissing her fingers. “I do not know what this day or even what tomorrow will bring, but I will leave you with these words – the day I met you was the day I started to live again, Chrystobel. I was terrified of you and you know that, but I learned to overcome my fear and I am so thankful that I did. Loving you is the best thing I have ever done.”

Chrystobel’s eyes widened. “You… you love me?”

He nodded, kissing her hand again. “I do,” he murmured. “Remember what I wrote to you? When I look at you, I see all things bright and pure. I see the magic of a new beginning. Every word of it is true and I love you more than words can express.”

Tears popped to Chrystobel’s eyes and she threatened to crumble but she fought it. It was such a spiritual moment, so ripe with the glorious beauty that was love, and she wanted to savor every second of it. Keller opened his mouth and she heard angels singing. This place, this darkened Netherworld, had never heard such exquisite words uttered. Suddenly, it was a darkened place no longer. It was a place of hope.

“What you have said to me,” she breathed, watching him kiss her fingers. “I have never thought to hear those words in my life. And I love you, too, so very much. You have shown me the glory and excitement and beauty of life. Everything I ever dreamed of, I found in you.”

Keller pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply and feeling every emotion and every dream she ever had pouring into him, sustaining him. He was fortified now, more than he had ever been in his life, and he would see this task through. He would emerge the victor. There was no other alternative. Kissing her one last time, he hugged her tightly.

“Remember what I told you about staying to the keep,” he whispered. “Do not open the door no matter what you see or hear. You will only open it for me or Rhys or Gart or William. Is that clear?”

Chrystobel nodded, suddenly very fearful for Keller’s safety. “It is,” she breathed. “You will be careful.”

“I will.”

She pulled back, gazing into his rugged face a moment before leaning forward, her forehead against his cheek.

“Be well and be safe, husband,” she whispered. “Remember that I love you. I pray it gives you strength.”

He pulled back, looking into her eyes with a knowing smile on his lips. “It gives me life,” he said softly. “Everything you are to me… it gives me life.”

With another kiss, he left the hall, moving past Izlyn as the girl stood at the doorway and touching her cheek affectionately with a big hand. Moving out of the keep, he turned one last time to see Chrystobel and Izlyn coming up behind him in preparation for bolting the entry door. He couldn’t take his eyes off of his wife, the woman who had become his all for living. He’d never felt more powerful in his life.

When Chrystobel blew him a kiss, he gave her a brief wave and quit the keep, hearing the door slam behind him and the big iron bolt being thrown. The women were safe now and he could focus on what needed to be done. He had a man to settle a score with.

He had an enemy to kill.





Chapter Twenty-One





By cover of darkness, the Welsh finally made their move.

It was raining heavily as Gryffyn, Colvyn, and one hundred and eight men made their way towards Nether Castle. Their scouts had returned earlier in the day to inform them that the English had taken the bulk of their army out of the castle, presumably heading for Hen Domen, and it was just as Gryffyn had predicted. He was confident that his plan was progressing as he had intended so as the rain pounded and the thunder rolled, he and Colvyn set out for Nether Castle.