The ride home was painfully silent. The only sound made was the beating of horse hooves and it did nothing to help her anxiety and nervousness. She sat rigid on top of the warhorse and held Jessy close to her.
The keep soon came into view and her shoulders slumped. She regretted running away then, she should have stayed because no matter where she was, it did not feel like home. Mama and Papa, I am sorry. She looked down at the child she was holding, welcome home Jessy.
"Welcome to your worst nightmare, lady Athena." He leaned down to her ear, whispering those words with such venom she felt dread run through her spine.
"Welcome home Jessy," she said aloud. Everyone was looking at her, then at the child. Most people were surprised, some have disgust written on their faces and others indifference. They were taking the market route.
When they reached the keep, the drawbridge was lowered and the gates opened to allow their entry. Nothing looked different. She could feel everyone's gaze on her, especially her child.
Tristan helped her down. "Take the lady to her chambers, she is not to leave until I say so." He commanded.
"But I want to see mama and Papa first." She muttered.
"You will do as I say." He said making a shiver run down her spine. "Or I swear I will break you bone by bone."
She was whisked to her chambers as instructed. As soon as she entered, a lot of changes has taken place. Her family emblem was not longer there, it has been replaced with another. Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. She placed Jessy in the bed and climbed on her table to remove the flags and emblem. Barbarians. She fumed. Ignorant barbarians.
"My lady," someone called softly behind her.
"Jenna?" She froze as she came face to face with Jessica's sister.
"I'm going to embrace you but I do not want to dirty you." What dirt has Athena not rolled in? It was like Jenna was making mockery of her at this point.
"Nonsense." She pulled her into a warm embrace. "Oh Jenna. I do not know how to tell you how sorry I am."
"My lady, how are you?" Jenna asked, pulling back from the embrace.
"What about mother and father?"
"They're both well, but they are not very pleased with you. How do I tell you..." She did not finish, Tristan stopped her.
"Jenna, leave." Tristan ordered.
"No, no she will not leave." She argued. Bone by bone.
"I am afraid you have no say in this." He said.
"My lady, I will just take my leave."
"I am still talking to you, Jenna." She stopped her. Fear was evident on Jenna's face, she was torn between who to obey. Lady Athena was her mistress and on the other hand is lord Tristan who will not hesitate to kill her for disobeying his orders.
"Jenna, how much do you value your life?" He asked, his tone rueful.
"Jenna, leave." Athena ordered softly, she should not drag poor Jenna into her feud with him. Bone by bone. The words stuck to her head and kept coming back.
"Then stay Jenna." His icy eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Are you mad or something?" She snapped, "just a moment ago, you wanted her to leave."
"Well, I changed my mind." He said back calmly.
Jenna rocked on her heels, watching the two banter. She was still curious about the baby lady Athena has with her.
"Oh, now I am sure you are mad, barbaric, a fool, savage, you have gone berserk." She screamed in his face holding her chin up and jabbing a finger into his massive chest.
He grabbed her hand and in his large one firmly, looking into her blue eyes he shouted. "Aye, I have gone berserk, you call me a barbarian, I am that too, everything you have called me is correct but do you know what you are?" Jenna used this opportunity to slip out of the room unnoticed, she need not listen to this type of conversation. "You are just as stupid, immoral, uncultured."
"Stop, just stop." She screamed back, tears gathering in her eyes. "How dare you call me names?"
"How dare you call me names?" He countered back. He dropped her hand and stepped back, "I am in no mood to argue with you." That was when he looked up and noticed for the first time that his flags and emblem were gone. "What did you do?" He groaned.
She looked behind her and made her unladylike noise at the back of her throat. "They do not belong here, I took them down."
"You are going to put them back up." He scoffed, his lips thinning in anger. This tiny creature. He mused.
"No I will not and you cannot make me do it."
"Listen, I do not find pleasure in torturing women, do not make me lose my temper, Mule." That insult made her gasp.
"You think you are not torturing me like this?" She threw her hands up in frustration and anger.
"You do not want to know what torture feels like," he explained. "Do not forget what I said about breaking you bone by bone."
She scoffed, "that was an empty threat." Even though they both knew it was not, it felt good to squash his massive ego.
"I do not threaten, I make promises." He whispered lowly in her ear, making her shiver a little. "Now put my flag back." She started to argue again but the look on his face stopped her. She huffed and climbed the table, looking over at Jessy who was sleeping soundly.
"I did what you wanted, now get out." She said, her voice low.
"With pleasure, bye little Mule." And he was gone.
It was like a reasonable amount of air entered the room after his exit. She sucked in a breath which she slowly let out. I will not him get to me. She chanted over and over again as she laid beside Jessy.
It was not long until sleep claimed her.
"You found her?" Adrian asked to be sure. Tristan nodded. Adrian was his friend and a warrior like him.
"Does the earl know yet?"
"We have sent a message to him." He answered curtly.
"What do you plan on doing to her?"
"Honestly, I do not know. She has a child with her."
"What did you say?" Adrian was shocked, just like everybody else.
"She has a child." He repeated. He then took a sip of his wine.
"How?"
"I have no idea, when I found her she is with a child about two months old." He explained.
"What are you going to do?" The Baron asked again.
"I am just as confused as you." He muttered a curse under his breath. They were in the solar.
"She would get punished for it," Adrian told him like he was not aware.
"Do you think I am not aware of that?" He snapped.
"Are the people aware of this babe yet?"
"Most people are." He did not care about her, he was worried about the babe. A child is the most innocent thing, it knows nothing.
"When the earl make a decision, be sure to let me know."
"I will," he shook his hand as Adrian excused himself. Now to go back to the Mule. That tiny creature. She angered him.
When he opened the door to her chambers, she was asleep. Her babe by her side. Her fiery tresses fanned out on her pillow. How delicate she looked while she was sleeping. If only her mouth was not as sharp. How has she not cut her tongue with that sharp mouth of hers.
Tristan?" Jamie called.
"Aye, cousin." He closed the door of her chambers and stepped back a little to face Jamie.
"Her parents demand to see her."
"What are you talking about?"
"Her mother and father." Jamie clarified, making Tristan roll his eyes. He knew what he was talking about.
"When she awakens, take her to them." Tristan ordered.
"They are upset with her."
"I do not give a damn."
"Oh alright." He did not have anything else to say. Without another glance at him, Jamie left.