N. Walters - Strands of Love

Sam washed away the evidence of their lovemaking along with the dust and grime of the day. She knew her hair had to be a complete mess, but there was no mirror in the room either. She ran her hands over her hair, groaned and undid her braid, setting the covered elastic on the edge of the vanity. There was no brush, but there was a comb. She used it, ruthlessly yanking it through the tangles. She thought about braiding it again, but decided not to. Once they’d talked, she planned on getting some much-needed sleep.

Was it only this morning she’d had her meeting with Karen at the bank? Seemed like a lifetime ago.

She tossed the washcloth back into the bowl and took a deep breath, knowing she couldn’t hide in here all night even if she wanted to. A large robe hung on a peg by the door and she pulled it on. It dragged on the floor and would almost wrap around her twice. Had to be Darian’s. She tightened the belt and left the bathroom behind.

Darian waited impatiently for Sam to join him. The only thing that kept him from checking on her was that he could hear her moving around in the other room. He’d never had a woman in his room before and he liked the feeling. He’d added more wood to the hearth, not wanting Sam to get cold. If the heat he’d felt today was any indication, her world was much warmer.

When the door finally opened, he strode toward it. Sam stepped into the room, her long, black hair falling around her shoulders like a curtain. She was wearing his robe. A jolt of sheer possessiveness shot through him. Sam belonged here with him, with Jace, a part of their lives.

He held out his hand and was thrilled when she took it. Outwardly, he kept his expression calm, not wanting to overwhelm her. “Food arrived while you were bathing.” Actually, he’d found it covered and waiting in the hallway. The staff had known better than to knock on the closed door, knowing full well what they’d be doing. His mother had probably told everyone in Hunter Keep by now that Sam was a potential tapestry bride, and all who lived here would do everything in their power to see that she wanted to stay. And that included leaving her alone with him.

She shook her head. “I’m not really hungry now. Maybe later.”

He worried about her not eating, but didn’t push. He led her toward the bed and motioned her to climb in, slightly surprised when she did so without argument. “You are tired.” It wasn’t a question, but she answered him anyway.

“It’s been a long, crazy day.”

He nodded. “Rest. I will be here when you wake.”

Sam nestled her head against his pillow, but jolted upward when he climbed in beside her. “What are you doing?”

“Resting with you.” He pulled her into his arms and loved the way she settled against his chest with a little sigh.”

“Will you let me go home?” Her softly spoken question almost broke his heart.

“It is not up to me or to Jace.” He wasn’t certain she believed him, but he wanted her to. “The tapestry will return for you in a little over two days.” He rubbed a hand over her head and toyed with her hair. It was soft and lovely. “I wish you would consider staying with me. With us.”

“You’d really share me with your brother?”

He knew she didn’t understand their world and customs, didn’t really believe they were telling the truth. “Yes. It’s expected here. It’s all we know.” He tightened his arms around her. “I would do anything to keep you.”

She said nothing, but he felt the fine shiver of tension that gripped her. She said nothing else, so he let things be for now. There would be more time for talk tomorrow. Better, there would be time to really show her his world.

Eventually, she relaxed in his embrace. He knew the moment she fell asleep. Darian shifted his grip so he could look at her face. She was quite lovely. He wanted to memorize every curve, every line so he’d remember it forever. Because he couldn’t quite shake the fear that Sam was going to go home.

He turned onto his side, tucking her body against his. She fit there as though she’d been made for him. As Darian stared into the fading firelight, he wondered where Jace was.

Sam wasn’t quite sure what woke her, but when she opened her eyes it was dark. She blinked several times and eventually her eyes adjusted so she could make out some of the shapes in the room. Nothing looked familiar.

Reality came slamming back at her with the force of a freight train. She’d been taken from her home by two gorgeous men, men who thought they came from another world. Sure, she’d seen a tapestry floating in midair, but that was simply the wind blowing debris around her yard. Had to be. Right? Because the alternative was too mind-blowing for her to even consider.

The fire had died down in the hearth, but she could still see the faint glow of the embers. All was quiet, except for the heavy breathing of the man sleeping peacefully next to her.

She swallowed down the lump of rising panic in her throat. She was safe. She certainly hadn’t been harmed. If anything, they were going out of their way to make her feel welcome.

That was all fine and good, but she had to get home. She had crops in the field and a loan payment she had to figure out how to come up with. As tempting as it was to stay curled up in bed next to Darian, she had to move. Maybe she could find a telephone and call Tim to let him know she was okay.

Of course, the lack of plumbing facilities didn’t exactly give her hope of finding a phone that actually worked.

Moving slowly, she slid out from under Darian’s arm. He grunted in his sleep, but didn’t wake. Sam eased her legs over the side of the bed. Thankfully, she was still wearing the robe she’d found in the bathroom. The belt had come untied, so she quickly tightened it. She’d need a candle or lantern if she was going to wander around the castle. If she was remembering correctly, there was one on the table by the fireplace.

The stone floor was cold beneath her feet and she shivered. She’d taken one step when a deep, male voice spoke. “Going somewhere?”

Sam shrieked and jumped about a foot in the air. Heart racing, she faced the corner of the room where the voice had come from. The sound of her scream hadn’t even died when a naked Darian stood in front of her, a large sword gleaming in his hand. Where had he gotten the weapon? She certainly didn’t remember seeing it in bed with them.

Darian lowered his sword and sighed. “Should have known it was you.” He stored the sword back in a sheath built into the side of the bed before turning to her. “Are you all right, Samantha?”

She noted he was using her full name instead of the shortened version and wondered why. Her heart was still racing, but it no longer felt as though it was going to pop out of her chest. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

Movement from the dark corner caught her eye and then the darkness seemed to release Jace. There wasn’t much light coming in through the two thin windows, but it was enough for her to know it was him.

“Where were you going?” Jace repeated.

No way was she going to admit she’d planned on searching for a phone. She wasn’t stupid. “If you must know, the bathroom.” She started off in that direction, figuring a minute or two to herself couldn’t hurt. Why was Jace here?

She’d barely rounded the end of the bed when she stubbed her toe on the corner of the trunk that sat there. She’d forgotten about it. “Ouch.” She grabbed her toe and hopped around on one foot, swallowing the curse words she really wanted to say.

Large arms plucked her off her feet. “Are you hurt?” Darian asked. “Stoke the fire,” he commanded his brother. Darian carried her to one of the two chairs flanking the hearth and seconds later light filled the room. Jace added wood to the embers as they flared into flames.