Elenis (The Witch of Laverlock)

Chapter 12 A Promise of Lust

Elenis clutched the blanket to her breast as she watched Wulfric leave the tent just before dawn with a sinking feeling at the pit of her stomach. Her eyes misted as she recalled their bitter sweet encounter. Donning her gown she sat back on the pallet by the floor trying to keep the memories from fading but the events several hours passed still played in her mind.
The joust started early that day. Of the ten Knights only six remained and she watched with keen interest as the first couple of pairs battled for the final round. She was elated when Wulfric won feeling the warm tingle of energy as it surged around her body.
She was no longer fearful of the feelings, she started getting used to its comings and goings thinking that it was just a part of her, a normal occurrence with very lady. She did not dare discuss them with her mother or sibling for fear that she would sound silly.
As the crowd cheered Wulfric's victory, her feelings grew stronger thinking it she made the right decision in choosing him to be her husband. The more she watched him the more certain she became. That was until she saw Sir Justin Fitzhugh win one of the games.
He was cocky, as if he knew for certain nothing and no one would defeat him. The crowd seemed to be drawn to him as well, a knight out of nowhere suddenly taking center stage.
She dismissed it until he defeated Lord Montague. That was what finally gained her attention for the latter was a champion in every joust. He was built for it and he charged like a bull, despite his prowess he was defeated by Justin. Elenis grew wary, most especially when she witnessed Lady Sarah Montague applaud her champion instead of commiserating with her brother.
It was a long game, she could see the struggle coming from lord Montague against his opponent. Justin however seemed unfazed, he was like hellion, his stallion thundering down the field against Montague until both of them fell to the ground. That was when the sword fight began, despite the strength and skill Montague exhibited it looked as if Fitzhugh fought effortlessly.
She spied Lady Sarah standing by the barrier clapping with every victory Fitzhugh exhibited and that was when she saw the bird flying over the field. It looked like a giant dot in the sky until it circled the field, a great big crow that spread its wings flying just above the two fighters. Were had it come from, she wondered? Strange that a crow would just suddenly appear. It perched above a nearby tree then she saw it look straight at her making her tingle with the familiar energy until it flew away, that was when Montague was felled.
Elenis was surprised when Lady Sarah, instead of running to her brother had actually stood before her champion, Lord Fitzhugh. Shocked she watched riveted to the scene as Justin removed his helmet and his gauntlets before taking Lady Sarah's hand in front of the whole crowd.
Later, before the afternoon games, Elenis paid a visit to Wulfric in his tent. She walked into it without warning and saw that he was half dressed. She gave out a shriek before turning around but she did catch a glimpse of his well muscled torso and thick sinewy arms.
"I'm sorry" she was flushed from embarrassment, not having seen such amount of male flesh displayed in her life.
"You can turn around now love. I am fairly decent" he teased.
Turning back to look at him, she noticed that he had slung his shirt hastily leaving a gap in his chest that afforded her a good view of his massive chest.
"I came......" She stuttered watching him as he sauntered toward her slowly, his eyes were glowing like a wolf sizing up its prey.
"You came?" He cocked his head to one side picking up his sword from the ground and staring at it against the light of the candle that set a glow in the tent.
"Did you see what had happened on the field?" She cleared her throat as she inched away from him slightly.
"Aye, as did everyone" he said putting his sword down before reaching out to grab her. Pinning her against his body he tried to kiss her but she averted her face.
"What's wrong" he sounded concerned.
"I was referring to the crow that flew just above the field" she continued trying to ignore the way his body made her feel beneath her clothing.
"I did not see any such thing Elenis, you must have imagined it" he continued, pulling her into an embrace as he planted wet kisses at the base of her neck.
Feeling ticklish started to giggle "Stop! I came to speak to you about serious matters."
"And here a I thought you came to feed me" he chuckled wrapping his arms around her.
Her hands rested on his chest as she looked into his eyes crest fallen "I'm sorry, I hadn't realized you were hungry. Let us go to the castle then" she invited.
"Nay, that's alright, my squire Graeme has fetched me a basket." He pointed to a brown basket covered with white muslin cloth. "Come lets sit on the floor and have something to fill our bellies unless you prefer a table and some chairs?" He asked politely.
Shaking her head "this should be fine"
They sat in the center of the tent as Wulfric unloaded the basket of bread, cheese and fruit. There was a casket of wine but no cups. He uncorked the casket and handed it to her. She took a sip before handing it back, accepting the bread he offered.
" So what could be more serious than planning your sister's wedding and ours" he raised his brow humorously.
"I don't quite understand really" she began as she recalled the scene on the field in her mind " Lord Montague put up a good fight."
Wulfric nodded biting into his cheese "That he did"
"But Lord Fitzhugh was effortless, it was as if he was........" She tired to think of a word that would describe what she saw. What she wanted to say was it was as if he had cast a spell on his opponent but that was hardly likely, silly actually.
"I don't know. There are no words to describe what cannot be explained" she finished looking at Wulfric for his thoughts.
"I've seen Fitzhugh in battle, even fought beside him, he does have skill Elenis but your instincts are right in guiding you. Tis is strange thing his skill" Wulfric said as he took a long sip no of the wine.
"Why do you say strange?" She asked curiously.
"Tis as if he dallies with his opponent like a snake about to strike . It's a strange charm, like magic" he shook his head as if erasing some vision.
"Magic?" She whispered softly, finding it strange that he should be using such words.
"I had been with him once on the battle field his enemy almost had him when suddenly he fell to the ground, that's when Fitzhugh struck him. I couldn't linger long for I had to watch my back but after that I wondered......" Wulfric stopped speaking looking into the ground.
"Wondered what?" Elenis felt sudden goosebumps.
"Nothing. Tis nothing. Mind you though, do not look him in the eye."
"Why not?"
"Just don't" he said firmly before changing the topic altogether.
Before she left his tent that afternoon, she warned Wulfric to take care to which he simply held her in his arms and told her not to worry.
When the final tourney was upon them, it was as Elenis feared, Wulfric came face to face with Justin. It was a fierce battle from the start. Just when Justin was felled, he dragged Wulfric with him. Both of their helmets came off as they fought with their swords.
It was a test of skill and both Wulfric and Justin were feirce opponents. As their blades came against each other one could witness the effort as beads of sweat ran down their faces. It was driving Elenis insane to watch but her eyes could not move away from the dangerous dance. Just when Wulfric had the upper hand Justin would bounce right back and start parrying fiercely like a lion he roared his battle cry and his sword would come crashing down , he managed to slice into Wulfric's sword arm cutting the flesh.
Elenis cried out as she saw the blood dripping from Wulfric's arm. Wulfric  hit him on the head with the hilt of his sword and down went Justin into the ground. But Justin quickly recovered from the blow and stood. Elenis ran down the steps and went to the field but Caedmon's held her arm. He gave her a fierce scowl.
"Let them be Elenis" he barked.
"Nay, he'll kill Wulfric!" She yelled against the noise of the crowd.
Caedmon held to his sword "I will not let that happen!" He told her.
They both turned back to the battle until finally Justin had Wulfric down to the ground. He raised his sword pointing it at Wulfric's head. Elenis tore away from Caedmon's grip.
"Nay!" She screamed reaching toward her champion and shielding him from Justin's blow. "Nay Justin leave him be" she knelt on the ground using her body as a cover.
It was then she sensed the silence, lifting herself from Wulfric, she saw his face was exerted but he was inert on the ground as blood trickled down the side of his head. She looked up and saw the crowd was silent, the whole crowd was frozen in place, turning to the Barfois she saw that her family stood still their expressions paralyzed as they gazed in suspended horror.
She heard  a strange chuckle coming from above her.
"I was right, you are immune to me Elenis" it was Justin who spoke but only she heard him as the crowd remained static. Shocked she turned back to Justin.
"What are you?" She whispered incredulously.
"Just like you" he said returning his sword back to his scabbard. Sighing he turned to whistle and suddenly his white stallion came into view "It took a while for me to realize you are the one I was looking for."
"Why Justin?"she cried out as tears gathered in her eyes.
"The why of it is inconsequential at the moment my sweet" he gushed, his grin was inegmatic as he held out his hand. To Elenis's shock lady Sarah took his hand and smiled at Justin. "There's time enough for us later Elenis, I can see your not ready" he sounded disappointed as he helped Lady Sarah mount his horse.
"Ready for what?" She stood as he made ready to ride.
"You'll come to me when it's time" he laughed deeply "Your destiny belongs with me, but not yet . You have to finish up a loose end" he said pointing to the inert form of Wulfric  before riding away, she watched them leave too stunned to react. That's when she heard the sound of the crowd return.
Turning back to Wulfric she helped him stand as Caedmon made his way to them. Pandemonium broke loose as they realized that only Wulfric remained remained on the field.
Elenis stood looking at Wulfric as he wiped his brow smearing the blood that ran down a cut.
"Where did he go?" Wulfric asked Elenis, he too was in shock.
Elenis shook her head in disbelief.
Later that afternoon, as Wulfric was proclaimed the champion Lord Montague was taking a fuss as he proclaimed his sister missing. All the Knights posted guards for their women as they helped the lord search for his errant sister. The search lasted till the late evening with the Lord of Bricklow castle suspending the festivities in view of the sudden disappearance of Lord Montgues's sister.
Elenis left the castle without escort and walked to Wulfric's tent. She found him and his squire packing their belongings.
"Elenis what are you doing here?" He went to her and held her in his arms.
"I was worried for you Wulfric" she said looking into his face with concern "your packing" she observed.
"Yes, I promised lord Montague I would help him search for his sister." He said
Elenis kept silent, not divulging what she saw for she did not understand it herself. Wrapping her arms around Wulfric she wanted to feel his comforting strength.
"Where will you look?" She asked.
"Frankly I don't know, but wherever she is she can't have gone far there's still time."
"What about the wedding of my sister?" Her heart was beating in her chest as she looked into his face.
"I will have to miss it for now Elenis." He stated looking into her face.
"What about me Wulfric? What about us?" She cried.
Cupping her face with his hands he kissed her tenderly "I love you Elenis. I love you with all my heart, and promise to return as we should wed immediately" he proclaimed with determination.
She kissed him back feeling a powerful emotion so profound it was difficult to resist its seduction as his kisses drove her wild. She pressed her body against his and soon they were slipping to the ground. He pulled down her gown exposing the creamy flesh of her shoulder, he started trailing kisses down her color bone. Moaning with a pleasure she could not define she found her hands pulling at his shirt ,soon he discarded the garment exposing his flesh. She pressed kisses upon his chest, hearing his own groan of pleasure.
Unsure of what she was doing and what was about to happen she let him lay her on his pallet as more of their garments came off. His squire had vanished thankfully leaving them both completely alone. She felt his warm hand on her thigh until they reached the juncture between her legs.
"Tell me to stop Elenis" he moaned into her ear as his tongue traced the soft shell making her shiver with uncontrolled desire.
"I don't want you to" she whispered breathlessly as he claimed her lips once more.
They could not turn back, there was no use turning back for they were lost in their own rapture, feeling each other's flesh trembled as they came together as one in a blissful union that made her flesh sing . The brief sting of pain she experienced as she gave her innocence to her beloved was nothing compared to the sweet pleasure of release that shook her body as she reached her crisis.
Afterward, as they held each other she basked in the aftermath of their incredible unio. Nothing in her life would have prepared her for such a wonderful experience. If this was what happened to a wife in her Marraige bed then she certainly was not going to change her mind, neither would she choose another man for Wulfric not only claimed her body, he claimed her heart.
But, all good things must have their ending.
Wulfric stood to don his clothing as she watched languidly while he wore his chainmail. Coming back to her on the pallet he kissed her deeply several times before ripping his lips from her reluctantly and standing away.
"I promise Elenis, I promise you I shall return for our wedding. Plan it while I'm gone" kissing her hand, he picked up his sword, before leaving the tent.
Alone, she returned back to reality and stood from the palette, walking out from the tent she say the light start surfacing in the sky. Wulfric had long been gone but the memory of that evening would remain etched in her mind as she waited for him to fulfill his promise feeling a sense of dread by not revealing to him what she knew.