N. Walters: Threads of Destiny

“Come here.” He opened his arms to her and she gave a small cry before flinging herself into them. Closing them around her, he hugged her tightly, lowering his head so he could whisper in her ear. “You cannot change the fact that you love Jarek. No,” he held her in his grip when she started to pull away. “It is the way it is supposed to be, Christina. You were never mine.” He paused. “Well, maybe you were mine for a few months but that is all. And now the way I love you is different. I know you understand.”

This time when she pulled away, he let her. Her blue eyes were luminous with unshed tears and one of them trickled down her cheek. She dashed it away with the back of her hand. “I don’t know what to do.”

“There is nothing to do. I want you and Jarek to be happy. You have three healthy, beautiful children and you will have more. You will raise them and I will be their doting uncle.” He offered her a smile before looking over her head at his brother.

Jarek was watching them, concern etched on his face but Marc sensed the resignation as well. Good. He wanted them both to accept his feelings and embrace their life together without worrying about him.

A noise drifting in from the entryway had him stepping in front of Christina to shield her from whoever was coming. The guests had set up large, ornate tents in the courtyard for their comfort and privacy, as the castle could not accommodate all of them. The voices became distinct as the Bakra brothers and their wives came into view, followed closely by the Fairmount brothers. The day was starting and the guests were arriving for breakfast. The quiet family time was over.

“I’ll go tell Mara we need to start serving our guests.” He turned his head but Christina was already on her way to the kitchen.

Appetite gone, he shot his brother a look.

“Give her time. This situation is not easy on any of us.” Jarek rose from his seat to meet his guests. “She feels as if she has failed us somehow.” Pain shot through Marc. “There is no need for her to think that. This is no one’s fault.”

Jarek nodded. “I know. But that does not make it any easier on any of us.”

“I’m going riding. I’ll be back in time for the competitions later.” With that, he turned on his heel and strode from the room, calling a greeting to his friends and their wives as he left.

He went straight to the stables and saddled his horse. Man and beast were as one as they galloped over the countryside but no matter how far they ran, a growing restlessness filled Marc. Something was coming but he didn’t know what. He could feel it in his bones.

By the time he returned, the courtyard was filled with men and women enjoying the various skills competitions that had been set up as entertainment. Many of the men called to him, taunting him good-naturedly as he strode into the castle. His brother was engaged in a sword fight but made quick work of his competition when he saw Marc.

Saluting his fallen opponent, he accepted the congratulations of the men around him.

Marc knew his brother would be close behind him, so he took the stairs two at a time and hurried to his room. He just needed a moment alone before he joined the crowd. He’d barely shut the door behind him when there was a low tap. It couldn’t be Jarek. His brother wouldn’t bother to knock.

“Come,” he called as he plucked a leather thong off the mantle and began to wrap it around his hair at the nape. He needed it out of the way if he was going to compete.

The door was pushed open and Christina stood just outside, a tray in her hands. “I thought you’d be hungry. You didn’t eat much breakfast.” She looked beautiful as always, with her waist-length blonde hair flowing free and a dark blue gown clinging to every curve. As a man, Marc could appreciate her beauty but it no longer did anything for him sexually.

“Thank you.” He motioned her inside, not liking the way she hesitated. “There is no need for you to knock at my door, Christina. You are always welcome.” She gave him a tiny smile and came forward, placing the tray on the table in front of the fireplace. “We’re okay, aren’t we?” She shifted from one foot to the other and plucked unconsciously at the lacing on her dress.

Hair tied back, Marc came forward and cupped her face in his hands. Christina had a beautiful spirit. His brother was a very lucky man. “Yes.” He kissed her forehead.

“There is nothing to be concerned about.”

He knew his brother was standing in the doorway watching them. Raising his head, he nodded slowly. Jarek nodded back. They knew that everything had changed but they would be fine. They were family.

“What’s this?” Christina pulled away from him and walked over to the end of the bed. She gasped and began to sway. “No, it can’t be.” He could hear the horror in her voice as he rushed toward her.

Marc reached her side just a step ahead of Jarek. A dusty bundle sat atop the fur coverings of his bed. He put his hand out.

“Don’t touch it,” she yelled before burying her face against her husband’s chest.

“It’s the tapestry.”

“Impossible.” Marc picked up the fabric and shook it out. “It’s probably just an old tapestry from the castle. Although I don’t know why it’s here.” His voice tapered off as the image came into view. Before his very eyes, the tapestry changed, the dust disappeared and the jewel-toned colors became crisp and sharp. Castle Garen was easily recognizable, along with the lone man standing in front of it. Him.

“Marc?” He could hear the edge of terror in his brother’s voice. Asking the question none of them dared to speak aloud. Had the tapestry come to take Christina away?

“Get her away from here.” Marc strode to the far end of the room, his eyes still fixed on the tapestry, which was changing again. He could hear Jarek and Christina calling to him but their words were lost as he became enthralled with the piece of fabric in his hands.

The image distorted and the castle disappeared, replaced by a large home unlike anything he’d ever seen. It was made of wood and brick and didn’t look very sturdy to his eyes. The image was dark and the world around it a dangerous place. In the center of the fabric was a woman. But not just any woman.

Her. His woman. The woman from his dreams.

Her red hair was tucked into some kind of knot but the color shone through. The longer he stared at the tapestry, the more sharply it came into focus. Her eyes were a brilliant green and he could see the intelligence in them. Her skin was flawless and her lips begged to be kissed.

A low growl came from the back of his throat as the figures of two men coalesced beside her. The men from the dream. The men who wanted her as much as he did. No!

No one could want her as much as he did.

“Take me to her,” he ordered the tapestry before holding it close to his heart. Jarek stood in front of Christina, sword drawn, ready to fight. He could have told his brother there was no need to worry. The tapestry had not come for Christina.

It had come for him.

But words were impossible as the room began to spin around him. A bright light blinded him and he felt his body being ripped away from his home. Christina screamed. His brother roared but Marc felt nothing but a sense of rightness.

He was going to claim his destiny and his woman.

Kathryn was out of breath by the time she shoved open the door of her bedroom. A heavy hand fell on her shoulder and she barely kept from crying out as she was whirled around. She heard the door being closed and locked. That wouldn’t help. It was too late.

“What is it?” Tienan released his grip on her shoulders and began to rub them instead.