Back to Chapter 25
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The men felt the change in the women when they came back from the day’s hunt. Geese and ducks and turns hung from staves carried between men. Cages with some live birds were in the back of a cart, the squawking and honking announcing the men’s approach for minutes before they were seen. The kitchen staff was ready with pots of boiling water as the haul was brought in.
Orgia directed where the fowl were to go and then firmly took Geralk by the hand to lead him away to a corner to have a talk with him. The kitchen staff left them alone, but kept an eye on them as Geralk’s face changed expression almost as fast as Orgia was talking.
A few words here and there between the women and men of the household is all it took for word to spread that Laun had decided that she may be ready to pair off, as much as she may protest the choosing. Some of the men looked directly at Edgar as the news came to them. A few had flashes of concern, some flashes of something else.
Laun herself asked that Fount and Edgar find her, and they did that as she was folding some of the linens that had been repaired. She asked that they follow her and the three of them started to walk through the keep.
“I am not sure if you have heard...” Laun started. “I have come to a decision that may change your...pact.”
The two men looked at each other behind Laun’s back. “Please explain, Laun.” Edgar felt he understood the change in some of the women as they had come in from the hunt.
She continued to walk. She seemed to be having difficulty fully bringing the words out. She finally just said, “I know of your pact, and I wish to know more.” She stopped and put her back to a greased-skin repaired window in the corridor.
Fount and Edgar looked at each other and made motions trying to get one of them to talk. Edgar finally had to say something as the shyness of his companion was very strong on this matter.
“Laun, We knew you would come to this at some point. We-” he gestured between Fount and himself, “wanted you to feel secure and not pressured.”
Laun nodded. “You have both helped to keep my head level and the ghosts away.” She held out her hands and they did not hesitate to each take one.
Fount took his turn and said, “I have wanted you since I came here. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” Laun wanted to turn away, but just faced Edgar instead.
“I watched you as you grew into the woman you are. Lady Hellon made me promise to keep you safe when I became head wardsman. She knew how special you were and I intended to keep that promise after she died.”
Laun looked at the wall behind the men. “She knew who my father was. She must have.” She glanced between them and said, “But that is another matter. What I would like to discuss is this pact I have heard about.”
Fount nodded at Edgar. “What would you like to know?”
Laun smiled as the story Nan told went through her mind. “Well, first, I would like to know if you have the pact to protect me from you, or you from me.”
Fount found himself being pulled towards Laun, a surprisingly heated kiss on his lips from his Lady. He felt his knees try to give way and he wrapped one arm around her, more to keep himself from falling than to keep her close to him. She came up for air and pulled away, turning to the other man she held tight in her other hand.
Edgar had been surprised himself as he saw Laun move swiftly to the younger man. He saw Fount’s eyes roll up as she predatorily went after his lips. The touch of passion and lust he saw made his groin suddenly respond and he held her hand tightly. She turned and he stepped forward, her face turning up to his and the passion he had held in check flowed into her as he had his hand in her hair to kiss her.
Fount was still stunned as he watched the kiss in front of him, but he heard a voice at the back of his mind saying, “She chose you first.”
She was breathless as she turned her head and put it on Edgars chest. She looked at Founts’ bemused face and smiled. Looking up again, Laun said, “I hear you have skills you may want to teach the younger one.”
That sent several conflicting jolts through Edgars system. The shame in the knowledge that she knew, pride that his reputation pleased her, the throb that was starting to become painful in his groin. “As you wish, My Lady.”
Chapter 27 The evening becomes a feast, with Launs' dessert being chosen after.
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