The corridor turned, marking that she was almost to the end. Her lonely steps echoed dismally and she tried to quiet them so the servants above would not hear. They had never been able to test the passage to see if it was soundproof.
Coming to the end, Della pushed at the ceiling. The wooden boards fell away with a gentle shove and light streamed in from above to puncture the dimness. She snuffed the torch and laid it on the passageway floor. Bracing a foot against a stone that jutted out from the wall, she lifted herself to peek out into the surrounding forest. Birds and insects chirped. All was serene.
Della hoisted herself out, smiling as she saw the castle. Strathfeld, the old Roman fortress she’d built into a home. Not allowing herself the pleasure of staring too long, she covered the entrance with leaves. She was free.
Chapter Fifteen
Brant stretched his arms above his head. The sun began to set in the distance and by the men’s tired grumbling, he knew it was time to dine. He hadn’t seen Della since she’d walked past the exercise field several hours earlier. It wasn’t unusual, though, for Strathfeld was a large place. She could be anywhere in the keep.
“Enough, Blackwell,” Roldan grouched.
“Yea, enough exercise this day. Let us rest.” Gunther’s tired yawn joined the rest of the men’s. “You have worked us all hard this last sennight. What says you we leave off on the morrow for a day of leisure?”
“Fine,” Brant agreed unwillingly. His assent cheered the men as they made their way quickly to the main hall. He’d been pushing them all rather hard, but it was only to exhaust himself before going to bed. Though he found that no matter how hard he pushed his body, at night when he rested beside Della, it was all he could do not to touch her.
Every time he thought about reaching for her, the memory of her face during their last coupling made him stop and keep away. Although he waited, she never reached out for him. He didn’t wish to bed an ice maiden and he didn’t know how to thaw her heart.
“They fear you will change yer mind and make them stay longer.” Gunther laughed halfheartedly when they were alone. He leaned over and picked up a discarded practice shield.
“Yea.”
“What is ailing you, Blackwell?” Gunther probed. “You have been pushing all of us hard these past days. If I didn’t know better, I would say you are readying us fer battle.”
“It’s always wise to be ready for battle.” Brant flashed a quick smile, one he didn’t feel.
“Yea, but you have been pushing yerself most of all. I should think with a beautiful new home and a lovely bride to share yer bed, you would be avoiding the likes of us—mayhap lazing about in that bed.”
Brant just grumbled, shooting the man an irritated scowl.
“Wedded bliss not like you pictured?” Gunther turned serious. “Are you thinking…?”
“Nay, not divorce. A man would have to be a fool to give this up.” Brant threw his hand in the air to encompass the castle.
“Ah, then she is an unpleasant lover. Can’t she be taught? Methought she had melted toward you, but mayhap that is why she is called Della the Cold.”
“Do not call her that.” Brant’s fist tightened in warning.
“Nay, not me, but others,” Gunther said, unaffected. “You cannot quiet all the tongues.”
Brant didn’t answer.
“So is she unpleasant?”
Brant stopped walking and ran his fingers through his sweaty hair. “Nay, she is quite hot-blooded.”
“Ah,” Gunther laughed, suddenly realizing what was wrong. “You love her.”
“Nay,” Brant denied too quickly.
“Methinks you do.”
“You do not believe in love.” Brant swore under his breath.
“Nay, I have ne’er said that. I have oft said love is the ruination of a man. I have oft said I wish ne’er to find it. But I have ne’er said I do not believe in it.” Gunther laughed harder. “Yea, I have e’en seen it oft enough. To me it would be like a bloody curse.”
“Nonetheless, it is not love we are in. She thinks that she can mayhap come to care for me in time.”
“Perchance she is mistaken. You are not the easiest person to whom one can confess. Just ask the many men we have taken in battle.”
“Nay, I don’t frighten her and she doesn’t lie. I have seen the truth in her oft enough.” Brant sighed, eyeing the entrance to the hall wearily. He didn’t feel like going in, but he had no choice.
“Then you must win her heart, Brant,” Gunther said. “You are a knight after all. If anyone knows how to fight for what he wants, it’s a knight.”