Chapter Nineteen







It was a subtle game of seduction.



There were moments where their hands lingered, skin touching lightly on skin, when she passed him cups of water or Kailen wished to draw her attention to something. There wasn’t an opportunity that was missed where they would touch.



Innocent touches, easily explained away or gone unnoticed by the casual observer, but it felt like electric shocks up and down her skin, leaving her almost breathless with the feeling of it. It left her wondering what it would feel like to have those hands, so big and yet so gentle, combing through her hair or holding her close to him.



And once she started on that trail of thought she realised she couldn’t stop it.



There were times when Aurelia caught Kailen gazing at her with an unreachable look on his face. Whatever he was thinking at the time, it was intense and solely focused on her. What she would give to know what he was thinking at that time. Whatever the reason, it was a difficult look to return and she flushed under it. He made no attempt to look away, to pretend it was something else entirely to cover his thoughts. It felt like he was issuing a challenge, waiting for her next move, to match him step for step. It called to her, deep down, and she found she could not look away even if she wanted to.



She became hypersensitive to his presence. She didn’t have to look up at him when they were in the hut or when they were with other people in the village to know where he was. She felt the hairs stand up on the back of her neck when he was near. His presence was like a physical touch, always near, always radiating safety and assurances.



She was not so immune to his looks as she would have Kailen believe. She was, after all, not blind or stupid. She could see he was very good looking with thick dark hair and grey eyes that could pierce your very soul. He was tall, broad and wielded wicked strength like it was his very own armour. Looking at him made her fingertips itch with want to touch and her stomach swoop alarmingly. She was in danger of reverting back to her childhood self and giggle behind her hand.



Whenever they were in the company of each other, there was always an air of coiled anticipation, like the deep breath before the plunge. They were standing on either side of an invisible line, not yet crossing over it to join the other, but it was a very tangible thing. All it would take was to reach out and the line would be obliterated.



For Aurelia, the only thing holding her back from crossing it was letting go of all ties she had with Rome and her intended. Because that would be the cast to become the lover of a British warrior who was deemed a rebel in the eyes of Rome. To be completely cut off from her family, to never see her homeland again. To denounce the contract of marriage between her and Aquilla.



What would Aquilla think, if he ever heard of what she wanted to happen?



She would be branded a traitor, an even worse offence for a Roman to commit against the motherland than a foreigner who fights against her rule. Could she really forsake her whole life for one as a British woman?



And what was stopping Kailen from crossing that cursed line between them? Did he have the same hang ups as she did, to be with a Roman woman ad forsaking other British women? Would it cause some sort of backlash with the leaders? She may be accepted as one of the under the title of War Prize but the lower of one of their best warriors?



Did he hesitate for these reasons or for something else entirely?



Feeling like her head was going to explode with all the ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ circling her head, Aurelia had to get out of the hut and into pleasant company that will distract her.



Renna was the obvious choice for this task. She made the short walk to Renna’s home and slipped inside with a greeting that rapidly did in her throat. Renna was tending to someone sitting on the bed and with closer inspection, Renna realised it was Vaughan. He had his shirt pulled up to reveal a rapidly darkening bruise that spread across the left side of his torso. Renna was kneeling beside him, her fingers lightly probing the tender tissue. From the grimace on the young tracker’s face, it was a painful thing to endure.



“Well, I don’t think anything is broken,” Renna finally said as she sat back on her heels and looked up at him. “But I would like to bind your ribs all the same. It should help with the pain, at least.”



Aurelia watched with wonder at the remarkable change that came over Vaughan. During the flight from the Roman cohort, he had been a quiet solemn man of no more than eighteen years of age. Rarely did any of his thoughts on emotions showed on his face, he was like a closed book to those around him.



Now, in the hands of Renna, it was like he was a completely different person. He looked upon her with an intent expression of worship and longing and when their eyes met briefly, his eyes would dart away and a red hue would overcome his cheeks.



It seems the young tracker had a giant crush on the healer of the village.



Aurelia bit her lip to keep her from smiling. She gestured at his injury. “What happened to you?”



Vaughan winced again as Renna began to bind his chest with cotton bandages. “I had sword practise with Bran. He taught me another use for the pommel of the sword.”



It was Aurelia’s turn to wince. “Ouch.”



Vaughan gave her a shy half smile. “It’s a lesson well worth the teaching. Besides, I hope to repay him in kind.”



“Not today you won’t.” Renna admonished gently. “You are to rest your ribs today at the very least. I know it’s useless to ask for more with you warrior sorts.”



The stain of red across his cheeks grew and he mumbled an incoherent reply.



Once Renna had finished binding his chest, she sent him away with a blend of willow bark to put into hot water tea to drink for the pain, but not before he fumbled it and nearly spilled the contents all over the floor. It seemed his feelings for Renna made him lose his natural grace and he exited in embarrassment.



Renna, despite her normally astute nature, was oblivious to all of this and she doubted whether it would be cruel on Vaughan to point out his feelings to the recipient.



“Vaughan seems like a pleasant man.” Aurelia ventured cautiously. “He was very courteous to me on the ride to your territory.”



“I have heard people say that of him, yes.” Renna replied as she put the remaining bandages in their rightful place in the chest by her bed.



“You do not think so?”



Renna shrugged. “It’s not that, it’s just he doesn’t say much to me if at all. He can’t wait to leave here as fast as he can. I think he’s afraid of me.”



Aurelia couldn’t help but laugh at that and then apologise when she saw Renna’s bewildered stare. “I’m sorry, I’m not laughing at you, more like laughing at the predicaments that are caused by misunderstandings.”



Renna was still nonplussed. “I don’t understand.”



Aurelia spelled it out for her. “He likes you.”



Renna’s eyebrows shot up at that. “But he’s younger than me by three years.”



Aurelia shrugged. “Love knows no age limit, or so they tell me.”



I think he’s quiet around you for fear of saying something stupid and leaves quickly because he believes he has.”



Renna seemed to be completely floored by this realisation, opening her mouth to say something before closing it and shaking her head. “I just never picked up on it. Everything passes me by because I felt so strongly towards…” She stopped when it occurred to her who she was speaking to.



“You mean Kailen.” Aurelia prompted gently.



Renna nodded, seeming to argue with herself before she spoke. “I know how he feels about you. I can see it in the way he looks at you. He’s never looked at anyone like that before.”



Aurelia fidgeted in discomfort. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what to say to you.”



Renna waved her off. “You don’t need to say anything, or apologise. I knew long before you came that there was nothing on Kailen’s side. I’ve been resigned to it for a long time. But I think, now that you are here, it might push me to move on. That knowing it and seeing it are two different things entirely, and my heart will have no other choice but to find happiness with someone else. Does that even make sense?”



Aurelia nodded and smiled. “It kind of does, yes.”



Renna smiled, a real one. “It would be like a weight off my shoulders. A fresh start.”







~







“You’re not concentrating.” Bran pointed out helpfully as he watched Kailen take another jab to the stomach by his sparring partner. “The Romans are going to poke you with many holes in your skin if you are not careful.”



Kailen blocked the next jab and pushed the man back two steps. “Yes, thank you for your mst helpful commentary Bran. I would never have guessed.”



“You’re welcome.” He chirped back.



Kailen gritted his teeth, forced his mind back to the task at hand, namely beating the very life out of his opponent. Only it wasn’t happening. It should have been easy, his sparring partner was younger than him, thirty pounds lighter and less experienced with a sword. But this wasn’t the case today. His mind seemed to be stuck on one thing and one thing only.



Aurelia.



Not a big surprise now a days. It was starting to become a habit. She didn’t even have to be in his line of sight for him to lose his mind over her. She was his constant companion, in both body and spirit. And yet he still wanted more but didn’t know how to ask for it.



Would it even be welcomed?



She already had an Intended. A cruel, calculating, vicious intended, but he was a hero in her country and a decorated warrior. Aquilla was able to offer her wealth, luxury and renown amongst her own people.



What could Kailen hope to offer her on the same level as all of that?



What indeed. His unabiding devotion? Fidelity and affection? A promise to protect, to cherish, for all his life until his very last breath? It was a ridiculous train of thought, too stupid to utter aloud, let alone to hope she would be content with such unworthy promises.



And yet.



Did he not see interest in her eyes when she looked upon him, see the affection she felt for him in the twist of she smiled at him. Her eyes sought him out in a crowd, conversed with him more than anyone, even Bran her confidante. Did this not show favour? A wish to take things further?



Should he dare to give these thoughts hope?



His mind had unfailingly wondered again. His sparring partner took advantage of this and delivered a swift kick to the back of his knee, sending him to the ground, before using the pommel of his sword across his cheek.



He was really beginning to hate that trick of Bran’s.



The pain was like an explosion behind his eye balls and he shook his head like a dog to try and clear the stars from his vision.



“Alright, I think I’ve seen enough of this farce of a fight.” Bran announced as he got to his feet, big arms folded across his chest. “Derik, good work. I apologise for giving you such a lousy partner for this afternoon.”



“’Gave’ him? I thought I was the teacher here,” Kailen grumbled mildly, but didn’t protest further on his performance. It really had been lousy, there was no point in denying it.”



Derik, his sparring partner, shrugged good naturedly. “I’ll take my victories where I can find them.”



He reached his hand out to Kailen and Kailen took it without any hesitation, helping him pull himself to his feet. “Tomorrow I’ll do better and you’ll wish you were never conceived.” He vowed.



Derik grinned. “Looking forward to it.” He said his goodbyes and sauntered off to the other groups who were still settling their own fights.



“I pray that is true,” Bran said as he clapped Kailen on the back. “As I think you cannot get any worse.”



“Some days I have to remember why we are even friends. This is such a day.” Kailen mused.



“It is my lot in life to pull your head out of your ass.” Bran stated blandly. “And today is one of those times. Now go home, speak to Aurelia and find respite with whatever you are fighting yourself over. Whatever you have to do to get your head back into this battle.”



“Easier said than done,” Kailen snorted bitterly, showing a rare response of uncertainty.



Bran softened his approach. “I mean it, Kailen. It’s not good for your spirit to be so conflicted. And I think you will find a positive response from the young lady.”



Kailen dabbed at his face for a moment before meeting the eyes of his friend. “Truly?”



“Truly.” Bran echoed. “Now go and I hope to see you in the morning in better spirits.”



Kailen didn’t need to be told twice.

~



Shameless Tumblr plug here: http://teatoastandbookposts.tumblr.com/

The pommel is part of the hilt (rarely called the haft) of a sword that consisted of the handle, guard and grip. The pommel is an enlarged fitting at the top of the handle and was originally developed to prevent the sword slipping from the hand. Depending on sword design and swordsmanship style, the pommel may also be used to strike the opponent.

Also, Willow bark has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-oxidant, and immune boosting capability. It has been used in the treatment of a number of minor to severe ailments such as headache, toothache, backache, osteoarthritis, menstrual cramps, muscular pains and strains, cuts, wounds, burns, colds, flu, and fever. It has been consumed medicinally by ancient Greek and Egyptian physicians for centuries.