Love in the Fortress

  Yvonne set her pint down and put both hands to her chest. She looked suddenly frightened, her lips pinched. “I am.”

  Griffin watched her swallow hard. He understood. She was afraid she’d be hearing bad news.

  Virginia put a hand on her shoulder. “Eva lives around here, you know. She has a farm about ten miles east. And she just had another baby about a year ago, a little girl.”

  “She does? She did? Oh, my.” More tears, then Yvonne turned to Griffin. She stared at him but didn’t say a word.

  He glanced toward the windows. The sky still wasn’t light out, but he felt a strong warning vibration down his spine. When Sandra placed her hand on his arm and nodded her encouragement, he made his decision. “Get me directions. I can get us over there in time, but Sandra and I will have to spend the night in Eva’s home.” He finished his beer and shoved Owen from the booth.

  Owen bear-hugged him again, as Virginia whipped her phone from her pocket and made the call. “No, Eva, they can’t talk. They have to get airborne right now or you’ll have a fried vampire on your hands as well as a blistered fae.”

  She ended the call and as they moved toward the door, Virginia told them how to get to the farm.

  Griffin put his hand on Virginia’s head. “Make picture in your mind.”

  “You can do that?” Virginia asked, eyes wide.

  “Hell, yes.”

  Virginia closed her eyes and concentrated.

  “Got it.” To Sandra and Yvonne, he added, “This is going to be quick. Get ready.”

  The women trailed after him as he headed to the door. He heard Owen say to Virginia, “Dawn’s coming. Looks like I’m going to have to spend the night here. Got an extra room?”

  “Nope. But I’ve got a bed and you’re welcome in it.”

  He heard Owen chuckle in that deep, rowdy way of his.

  After listening to his brother-in-arms, Griffin was hit hard but in the best way that he’d made it out of the fortress alive. He was home.

  He waved to Owen, and Owen lifted his chin then smiled.

  Yeah, he was home.

  Once outside, each woman hopped up on his foot and the moment he had them tight against his sides, he shot into the air. He could feel the dawn coming like a freight train.

  ~ ~ ~

  Sandra’s heart raced as Griffin flew north past Juniango and into a rolling countryside. She held Yvonne’s hand across the broad stretch of Griffin’s chest.

  The trip took a whole fifteen seconds. Had to be a new record.

  When Griffin began his descent, the housekeeper’s grip on her hand increased. Sandra’s heart thumped so loud that she felt as though she was the one coming home and not Yvonne.

  Griffin landed fifteen feet from the front door on a gravel path. Pansies in a variety of colors had been planted by the scores on either side of the walkway. A well-kept winter lawn also showed the love and care of a serious gardener.

  The front porch light came on and the door opened. A lovely female troll with a baby on her hip opened the door. Her lips were in a round ‘o’. “Mama?”

  “Eva!” the housekeeper cried as she stepped off Griffin’s boot. She didn’t lose her balance this time, not even a little. She ran to the woman and an embrace followed that soon had the baby crying.

  Eva drew back and comforted the child. “We got the phone call from Juniango barely a minute ago. We all thought you were dead.”

  “Not dead. But after all this time, I wasn’t even sure you’d remember me.”

  Eva looked shock, her complexion paling. “You’re my mama. How could I ever forget you?”

  More tears followed, including the baby’s. But Griffin had to disrupt the reunion since he could feel the dawn pounding a warning inside his head.

  Eva apologized profusely for keeping them standing outside, then invited them into her house.

  A few minutes later, Sandra stood off to the side of the large living room, Griffin’s arm around her, his hand on her waist. She leaned against his chest, his summery field scent giving her comfort.

  It was a beautiful thing to be with him while she watched Yvonne and Eva sitting side by side on the couch, hands clasped tightly together. Each smiled with tears brimming and rolling. Sixty years had passed since mother and daughter had seen each other.

  Eva’s husband sat across from them, holding their most recent offspring in his arms. The one-year-old had fallen asleep in his arms. Yvonne’s son-in-law was a handsome troll with brown hair combed straight back.

  As the sun rose, Sandra remained safely in the house with Griffin, away from direct sunlight. Eva’s extended family began to arrive. Sandra greeted and received the thanks of Eva’s grown children and their spouses and what were Yvonne’s grandchildren and even a few great-grandchildren.

  The house quickly grew crowded and before long a full-blown celebration was in progress. Neither Sandra nor Griffin could leave the shelter of the home, but the trolls had free rein of the outdoors and the barbecues soon lit up.

  Food began to arrive as well, slabs of meat ready for the grill, all sorts of salads, and chips, a plethora of home-made berry pies, and an obligatory keg of beer.

  The homecoming brought tears to Sandra’s eyes more than once. She didn’t have a family of her own, nor did Griffin, one of the reasons perhaps they’d been able to relate to each other so well. Each was essentially an orphan in the Realm world. But when Eva’s husband moved to sit beside his wife, their daughter still asleep on his shoulder, other memories intruded.

  She put a hand to her mouth and turned into Griffin.

  What is it?

  I had a family once.

  He rubbed her back, but for a long time didn’t say anything. Finally, he moved through her mind gently, I’ll be your family now, Sandra. And maybe, if the Goddess wills, we’ll have babies of our own and can create a dynasty as Yvonne has.

  She drew back a little and looked up at him. Those might be the best and sweetest words you could have ever said to me.

  He leaned down and kissed her. Sandra was pretty sure he’d meant only to offer comfort. But the moment his lips touched hers, a profound longing rolled through her to be alone with him.

  He drew back, a frown between his light blue eyes. I need to be with you.

  I was thinking the exact same thing. Maybe I was feeling your desire as much as my own. She glanced around. Do you think we’d be missed if we retired to our room? Although, it looks like most of the party has moved outside.

  I’m sure it’ll be fine. Besides, this has been a long night and I think both of us could use some sleep. His lips curved. And I know I could use a shower.

  When he released her, Sandra was going to search for either Eva or Yvonne when the latter moved back into the house from the kitchen door.

  Sandra drew close. “We’re feeling the need to retire.”

  Yvonne nodded and ordered the rest of the friends and family in the house to join everyone else outside. Once they’d disappeared into the backyard, Yvonne extended her hands to them. Sandra took one, Griffin the other.

  “I have no words, except thank you.” Her eyes grew watery once more as she drew first Sandra’s fingers to her lips and kissed them, then Griffin’s.

  With pinched lips, she nodded to each, and once more said, “Thank you.”

  She then released their hands with a definitive jerk as though working hard to control her emotions. “Earlier, I told Eva you’d both need your sleep soon. In her basement, is a room she keeps on hand for any of the Camberlaune Guardsmen who might get caught out here too close to dawn. She had two of her daughters make up the room for you. You’ll both be safe through the day, and there’s a proper bed for your Guardsman stature.” She waved a hand up and down Griffin’s six-five frame.

  Sandra smiled. “Thank you so much, Yvonne. And thank your daughter for us.”

  “Yes,” Griffin added. “Add my thanks as well.”

  “Of course. And now I have something for you to take to yo
ur room.” She drew a tray from the back counter. “In the middle of all the bustle, I prepared you a meal.” She handed the tray to Sandra. “There’s a mini-fridge downstairs as well, so help yourself to anything that’s inside.”

  It felt so familiar to take the tray from the fortress housekeeper. How many times had Yvonne handed them to her over the years? Thousands.

  Yvonne met and held her gaze, then nodded slowly, her lips curving into a soft smile. “I guess this is our last tray.”

  Tears brimmed in Sandra’s eyes. “I guess it is.”

  Yvonne once more wiped her eyes. “Sleep well and we’ll see you at full dark if not before. The Troll Brigade will be patrolling through the day here at Eva’s farm, so you’ve nothing to worry about. And now, I’m rejoining my family.” She waved once then slipped through the door to rejoin her family.

  The stairs leading to the basement were near the front door. Sandra led the way, tray in hand. Griffin offered to carry it for her, but for some reason, maybe because it was the last one Yvonne would ever give her to carry, she wanted to complete the task.

  But Griffin preceded her down the stairs, moving slowly. He didn’t want her to fall and told her to mind her gown. It was so sweet, but unnecessary. She’d carried trays to all parts of the fortress through the years and if she slipped she’d glide into levitation.

  At the bottom of the steps, the landing space was surprisingly roomy and tall enough for Griffin’s Guardsman height. Clearly the home had been built to accommodate all species.

  A table and two large chairs had been laid with a linen cloth and a small vase of roses set in the middle. The large, Guard-sized bed sat against the far wall with a bathroom off to the left. It was an excellent sleeping room for species caught out in the open at dawn.

  Griffin stood very still, staring at the table. “This is incredibly thoughtful.”

  Sandra agreed. “It is.”

  Yet somehow she wasn’t surprised. Eva was, after all, her mother’s daughter.

  Sandra asked Griffin to sit down and in the same way she’d served the Ruby Fae, she set everything out in the usual order. In an odd way, she felt as though she was saying good-bye to her time in the fortress.

  She then brought two bottles of dark ale from the mini-fridge and placed them in front of Griffin. “I need your strength to get these twist caps off, which I hate with a passion.”

  He chuckled and with barely any effort at all, he opened the beers.

  She sat down and took the bottle he offered to her. He didn’t drink right away, but held his up. “To the woman I never believed possible.”

  She smiled. “And to the man who controlled my dreams for months.”

  His eyes crinkled as he laughed and the furrow between his brows softened. For a moment, she could see all the way into the future, to a man who eventually learned how to breathe a little. She knew she would ease him in that way as he would gentle down her grief.

  He clinked bottles with her, then she took a swig, joining him.

  After enjoying a meal of cold cuts and a spicy potato salad, with a few red pepper strips on the side, Sandra took her shower first. She made liberal use of the lavender-scented soap, grateful to have a strong floral fragrance to replace the old fortress smell.

  When she was done, she wrapped a towel around her body, but found neatly folded stack of clothes sitting on the counter.

  She opened the door slightly and saw Griffin sitting at the table, a book in his hand. “You’re reading?”

  He nodded and held up the cover for her to see. It appeared to be a book on the oceans of the Nine Realms. “Something I haven’t done in a long time.” He was frowning. He’d lost a year of his life and probably wondered what else he’d missed.

  “Question. What are these clothes?”

  He glanced into the bathroom. She was partially hidden behind the door. “Oh. Right. Eva brought them down. She’d sent a request out to her family and neighbors on your behalf. She guessed at your size. She said not to worry if nothing fits. She’d have more for you to try on this evening.”

  “I’ll be out in a sec.”

  “Take your time.”

  She closed the door, needing a moment. She was completely overwhelmed. The styles had changed a lot in thirty years, but the garments were basic; bra, underwear, shirts and jeans. And at the bottom of the pile was a beautiful, dark green floor-length negligee.

  For some reason the sight of it made her burst into tears. This was essentially her first night as Griffin’s bonded blood rose and the thought she could be normal and have something pretty to wear for him, turned her inside out.

  After a moment, she pulled herself together and splashed water on her face. She brushed out her long, damp, red hair and brushed her teeth; everything had been provided for them. She was grateful beyond words.

  She slid into the negligee and though it was snug across her breasts, the rest fit her like a glove. Besides, she was pretty sure Griffin wouldn’t mind the splendid show of cleavage.

  When she was better composed, she opened the door. Griffin glanced at her, his gaze sliding head to toe, and immediately stood up. He set his book down on the table, and moved toward her. “You look beautiful. Was this in the clothes I set on the sink?”

  She nodded. “Yes, but it’s a little tight.”

  He growled softly, holding her arms in a gentle clasp as his gaze fell to her breasts. “It’s perfect.”

  He released her almost immediately. “But you’re clean and I’m not.”

  He kissed her once on the lips, then headed into the bathroom, closing the door.

  Sandra felt oddly nervous, like a bride on her honeymoon. She moved around the bedroom. She placed the tray outside the door with the dishes arranged neatly on top. She drew the beautiful handmade quilt back, folding it in several neat rows, then let it fall onto the bench at the end of the bed. She plumped the two large pillows. She even brought the flowers over to the nightstand, then took them back to the table, then returned them to the nightstand.

  She put a hand to her chest, trying to tell herself to calm down and that’s when she realized two things. First, her heart was laden, which meant she’d made a new supply for her man, for Griffin, because she was his blood rose. And second, the nerves she felt weren’t just her own.

  She sat down on the side of the bed and chuckled. She could feel Griffin and how much his excitement and anxiety matched her own.

  When Griffin finally emerged from the bathroom, he had a towel around his waist. His long hair was wet, but he’d combed it straight back so that his strong cheekbones angled to form beautiful, masculine planes.

  She rose to her feet.

  “I can feel you,” he said.

  She nodded, her lips curving. “I’m oddly nervous.”

  “Me, too.”

  “We’ve made love twice, Griffin, so why am I trembling?”

  He drew close and planted his hands on her hips. “Because it’s a lot more than anxiety. I’m feeling your love for me at the same time and your excitement about being back in bed with me, and something more, like you’re smiling at the future.” He petted her head, then pushed her hair behind her ear. “I used to love seeing your braid dangling over your shoulder. Sweet Goddess, the sight of you first thing each evening filled me with hope.”

  “I felt the same way. I couldn’t wait for you to arrive in the slaves’ dining hall.”

  He smiled. “You always saved a place for me.”

  “Of course I did. You were my best friend and now, well, you’re everything.”

  He cupped the back of her neck and kissed her.

  Sandra slid her hands up his arms. She could feel two sensations at once, how her touch felt to Griffin and the smooth strength of his biceps.

  She parted her lips for him, savoring this first connection of his tongue in her mouth, sliding in and out, making a wonderful promise.

  But what was this like for Griffin? All of it?

  ~ ~ ~

&n
bsp; Griffin drew back, staring into luminous green eyes. Love swelled his heart, a completely foreign sensation. He was bonded to this woman as well, married to her, though the ceremony was yet to come. “I love you.” His voice was only a whisper.

  “Make love to me, Griffin.” She caressed his face and kissed him. “I never thought I’d have a husband again. And maybe one day, we’ll have a family together, just as you said.”

  Her words washed over him like an enormous wave, cleansing him from the dark past of his solitary life, of his imprisonment serving as a sparring partner for Margetta’s army, and from his guilt that his participation was a betrayal of his brothers-in-arms.

  He started to lift her, but she stopped him with a smile and a hand on his chest. “We should get rid of a couple things first.” When she slid her hands into the tucked-in waist of the towel, his thigh muscles and abdomen tightened.

  Pulling the towel apart, she let it fall to the floor. She touched him afterward, caressing his cock with her hand, then kissed him.

  When she drew back, his gaze fell to her cleavage. He leaned down and took his time kissing his way to the silky green fabric.

  He didn’t stay too long. “Yeah, this needs to go.” He chuckled softly and grabbed the hem of her negligee, pulling it up and over her head. He let it fall to the floor on top of his towel.

  He lifted her, cradling her in his arms, then gently laid her out on the bed.

  As he stretched out on top of her, he kissed her for a long time, then drew back. “You’re a beautiful woman, Sandra, inside and out. And I love you with all my heart.”

  She returned his gaze, her eyes warm with affection. Her hands caressed his shoulders then his arms. “Can you believe we found something so wonderful in the horror of Margetta’s fortress?”

  He shook his head, treasuring all that she was as his bonded blood rose. “It will be a beautiful story we tell our children and their children.”

  He made love to her taking his time and hoping that the block walls insulated by the earth, would keep their shared moans from reaching too many ears.

  He hardly cared. What meant something to him was giving Sandra pleasure in as many ways as he could. When he finally released his seed into her, his hope was that it would take root and begin the family that would anchor them in Camberlaune for the rest of their long-lived lives.