Bound with fear

true father

………………. “I know” Iagan sat on the edge of my bed “I can feel how scared you are” he tipped his head. “Did you have another vision?” I nodded and drew my aching legs up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them

“Where did my Father go?”

“Europe is all I know” he shrugged

“How was I created?”

“I don’t know, Your father is…” he struggled

“I know what he is” I felt the tears burning my eyes “you’re teaching me to fight to kill am I right” he looked down “Answer me”

“Yes” he took a deep breath

“Not just for protection?”

“No” he got off the bed and walked to the window and pulled back the drapes as the rain pounded on the glass

“You know who I am supposed to kill as well don’t you” I rested his hands on the stone wall over the fire. I got off of the bed my legs protesting as I put on foot in front of the other. “Iagan” I touched his arm

“Yes” his voice was dropped

“Who?”

“You’re borther” Iagan stood straight as my fathers voice filled the room “Warrior do you not drop to your knee when I enter a room” his voice was more of a command than a question

“My lord” Iagan dropped to his knee.

“Kendra, you look exhausted mo inion”

“I am father” I couldn’t look at him

“Get your maid to dress you and then your guardian will bring you to me”

“I have questions Father” I said quickly

“I know you do and I will give you the answers that you need” He eyed me and then Iagan “Why is my daughter covered in marks Guardian”

“I trained to hard Father” I stepped in front of Iagan “My Guardian tried to get me to halt and rest and I refused and I became tired”

“It is still his job to take care of you”

‘And I’m my own woman who will not allow a man to tell her what to do” My father threw his head back and started to laugh.

“I gave you spirit I’ll give you that my child” he reached out his hand and touched my face “You’re brothers had spirit and it became their down fall so be wary… I will expect you in half an hour for dinner” he kissed my forehead and disappeared from the room.

“Why did you do that?” Iagan got to his feet “Why did you defend me?” he pulled me round to look at him

“Because I do not want you punished for my mistakes” I swallowed hard and I looked in his eyes

“After the pain…” his eyes were filled with concern “After the thing I...”

“As I told you last might I understand I’m different for me it is not to feel the feelings I want the most” I closed my eyes “I do not blame you” I moved past him and to my closet “You do not need to bother Anya I will be able to dress myself she still needs to rest” I walked into the closet and marveled at the immense size of it gowns of all colors lined the walls.

I pulled out a pale silver gown like liquid metal and laid it on the couch that was in the closet and stripped out of my other clothes. I looked at myself in the full length mirror and took a deep breath the pale glow came to my finger tips. I touched them to the sore cuts on my flesh and felt the warmth and tingle as they knitted together and healed.

“I forgot you could do that Mo Bhean” I jumped and saw Iagan in a fresh white loose shirt and black loose pants. I reached for the gown and covered myself with it, feeling conscious I was naked. “Do you need help?”

“I… I’m” I swallowed hard as images of having him between my legs the night before came to my head

“Thinking about last night” he stepped forward “I have to tell you I’m sorry for the pain” I closed my eyes “I should not have taken you like that”

“Iagan please” I dropped my head

“Kendra… I would bear any punishment including death for you”

“I know you are my guardian” I nodded

“It’s more than that and I can’t watch the pain you’re in believing you are not a true woman” he reached up his hand and touched the side of my face. “the bond we…”

“Warrior you should not be in here with the Mistress” we both looked round Myra was standing in the door way to the closet. Iagan’s body stiffened in defense his hands on the hilt of his blade

“My Warrior goes where ever I go and you do not come into my room without waiting for the door to be answered MAID” I held the gown closer to me

“Well your Father sent me to tell you he’ll meet you in the dining hall instead of his rooms” She looked at me “You Warrior are summoned to him now” she smirked “I will escort the Mistress down to dinner”

“Like hell you old hag” Iagan muttered I put my hand on his arm

“Iagan go to my Father but send Robbie to escort me… you have delivered you message Maid now you can leave” I put my head up

“I’m the housekeeper not the maid in this house Mistress you need to remember that”

‘And you need to remember who you are speaking to” I held up a hand the flames dancing from my fingertips he face fell and she backed from the room Iagan walking away from me. he looked round at me as he reached the door. I just nodded at him and waited till he’d left before I slipped into the gown and found shoes.

“Mo Bhean” Robbie walked into the room as I came from the closet he bowed his head “Iagan asked me to take you to the dining hall

“Yes… My Father needed to talk to Iagan” I wrung my hands absently as Iagan’s partial conversation played in my head “And I didn’t want Marla to escort me… I do not trust her”

“Very well” he nodded offering me his arm as we walked from my room………..