Chapter 5

A group of unicorns is called a blessing.

Naomi watched helplessly as she continued to pull ahead of the other horse carrying Yula and Dennis. She couldn’t turn the draft horse back, stop it, or even slow it down. All she could hope to do was not get knocked off by low tree branch.

An Umbrek caught up with Yula and Dennis and reached out to swipe at their horse. They dodged the swipe but just barely.

She was so concerned with the two behind her that when an arrow whizzed past and hit the Umbrek, she jerked around and almost fell. Racing toward them was a group of armed men.

“You three keep going! We’ll take care of these monsters,” one soldier shouted.

Naomi whooped like a maniac as her horse raced through the armed men. Reinforcements! When she looked ahead, she saw the silhouette of towers. They had reached the castle.

The horses slowed the closer they got to the main gate for the castle. Foamy sweat covered them, and they breathed in heaving gasps. They were spent. It was at a walk that they entered.

The castle was in utter pandemonium. People were racing everywhere. More soldiers were mounting up and racing out. It reminded her too much of her first moments in the Town of Harold’s Pass for comfort. She kept a close eye on Yula. She didn’t want to lose the only person she knew.

“Miss, are you all right?” a man asked.

“Oh, I might be in decade or two,” she replied. The man flashed a grin at her and helped her down. She wobbled a minute as she relearned to use her legs. A large man with a bushy beard stormed up to her.

“Were you with the last wagon?”

When she nodded, he pushed her toward the main building. “Go to the hall, the women will tend to you.” She balked. She didn’t want to go anywhere without Yula, who was marching over. At the man’s touch, a murderous look entered the cook’s eyes.

“Are you all right, milady? I do hope you won’t let this awful reception be your first impression of your new home.” She shot a dirty look at the gruff man.

Naomi was quite taken aback by Yula’s demeanor. She didn’t want to give a bad first impression either, and demanding niceties during an emergency seemed like the making of one.

“I’m fine, Yula. I’m so glad the soldiers met us. It was such a relief.” She said this to the man to show him that she wasn’t upset with him, but he’d already jumped away from her and was looking everywhere but at them. If an Umbrek were to jump between them at the moment, Naomi thought the man would’ve been relieved.

“Let’s go inside. I’m sure the men will keep you apprised of your husband, LORD TAVIK’S status.”

Naomi smiled weakly at the man to soften Yula’s combative tone, but he was still avoiding their eyes. “Um, what's your name?” she asked, hoping to get on a little better footing with him.

In response, the man got down on one knee and bowed his head. “My name is Boris. I am Lord Tavik's steward. Please allow me to welcome you to Castle Tavik. If it pleases the lady, there are refreshments and attendants waiting in the hall. I hope my gruff manner did not displease you too greatly. I did not realize you were our lord's bride. If there's any way I can make amends, please tell me.”

“Um, nice to meet you, Boris. Please, uh, get up. No worries about the reception. It's really crazy right now. I'm sure you have a lot to do. I'll just get out of your hair.” The man slowly rose to his feet. She hoped the smile on her face was comforting though she was kind of freaking out. He still looked the furthest thing from happy, but she didn't really think all that was due to her. There was an emergency happening at the minute which she was not qualified to help with in any way. She turned to Yula and let her lead the way into the hall where there were more people shouting and general commotion, though several skidded to a halt to usher them in and scrambled for food and drink. She was starting to realize that she was considered royalty or something. She had no idea how she was supposed to act, but Yula seemed to know how everyone else was supposed and expected it. She didn’t know if that was fair. She was so out of her depth.

They were shown to a side room off the main hall. The main hall was set up like a makeshift triage unit. Wounded soldiers were lying everywhere with medical people running everywhere trying to help. From her little sanctum, she could hear their moans and cries.

A new worry had settled upon her. What would happen if Tavik was dead? Would people expect her to be in charge? Everyone referred to her as their lady. Did that mean she was the inheritor of whatever Tavik had or was she something to be inherited and by whom? The dread increased every hour that passed with no news of Tavik.

Yula picked up on her mounting apprehension. “Lord Tavik will be fine, don’t worry.”

But she did worry. Her worry increased exponentially when Boris came looking for them. He wasn’t smiling, which probably wasn't unusual for him, but there was a tightness to his face that made her stiffen. She stood up to meet him, but she didn’t know what to do. She looked around her. Should she sit back down? It was better to be sitting when one received bad news. Why was she standing? She looked back at the chair. It meant nothing to her. What was she doing? Boris came to stand before her. She turned to leave because standing and sitting both seemed like stupid ideas, but she had to do something. Yula's hand on her arm stopped her escape. She hadn't seen the cook come over to her.

"I just want to stretch my legs."

"It will be all right, milady."

She shook her head and tried to move away. Yula wrapped her arms around her.

The noises outside had quieted. Boris stood silently as if waiting. She wondered what he saw. Did he see a scared noblewoman or a scared normal woman? Did they look different? What was she supposed to be doing? Why was she there? Why wasn’t the man saying anything?

“What is it?”

“Lord Tavik’s horse has returned.”

She didn’t understand. “And?”

“The horse was riderless. The stead is badly injured. We fear Lord Tavik--” Naomi’s brain decided at that moment that she really didn’t want to hear another word and shut down.

When she next opened her eyes, it was to find Yula hovering over her. “What happened?”

“You fainted.”

“Oh, I need to stop doing that.” She heaved herself into a sitting position. She had been put in a bed. A candle flickered on the night table. The room was large and filled with dark wood furniture. Over the hearth, a shield and a pair of swords hung. She realized that she'd been placed in Tavik’s room. No one had known to not do that. It felt like she was someplace she wasn’t supposed to be. She was trespassing on a dead man’s sanctum.

“Would you like something to drink?”

She nodded, and Yula turned to pour her some water. “Have the soldiers returned?”

She saw Yula’s back stiffen. “They have.”

“And Tavik?”

She turned back around and handed her a cup. Her mouth was set in a grim line. No verbal answer needed. Naomi sipped the water while keeping a close eye on her. “What happens now?”

“Tavik will return.”

“Victor came back without him.”

“Yes, but we must have hope.”

"But if he doesn’t return..."

"Do not worry."

"Fat chance. What’s going to happen?"

"We must have hope."

She set the cup down and lay back against the headboard. She already hoped for so many things: a way home, a unicorn, an escape. She wasn’t sure if she had room to hope for Tavik as well. Yula helped her prepare for bed and exited with a gentle call of good night.

She slipped into unconsciousness hoping for pleasant dreams to distract her from all the badness that had been her life for the past couple of days, and she did dream. She was out in a meadow in the moonlight, but the moon wasn’t the brightest thing out; it was the unicorn racing toward her. She watched in disbelief as he galloped toward her. He was beautiful. The horn glowed golden, and his mane and coat shimmered like snow on a bright day. His hooves thundered as he pounded the earth, kicking up large clumps behind him. She reached out her arms to grab him, knowing he was her salvation. She strained to catch him as he ran past, but her fingers didn’t even graze his flank. He wheeled around and began racing back toward her. She tried to catch hold of him again, but he slipped by her a second time. She felt desperation. She had to catch the unicorn. The magical beast turned again and ran at her, and she missed again. They played this game several more times before the unicorn got tired and didn’t turn around again but continued to gallop away. She screamed for him to come back, but he grew steadily smaller. She sat up in bed with a gasp. Her arms were reaching out as her desperate action carried over to the waking world.

“Naomi?”

She jumped and looked for the source of the voice. The room was dark, but she could make out the shape of a man, and she knew the voice.

“I thought you were dead.”

Tavik let out a low chuckle. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

She frowned but brushed off his comment. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine.”

She couldn't tell if he had the mask on but decided not to ask. “But Victor came back all cut up. How did you get away from the Umbreks?”

“I killed them.”

“Oh.”

She looked away feeling uncomfortable. She didn’t know how to react. Violence had never been a part of her world. Before she’d come here, she’d never been in a fight or had her life threatened. This was Tavik’s world. He probably found it all old hat: Kill some monsters, burn a town, and come home for a relaxing nap. With a start, she remembered she was in his bed and that he probably wanted it back. She moved to get up.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting up. You should rest.”

“Don’t bother. I'll sleep elsewhere.”

“But this is your room.”

She heard Tavik sigh. “I’m tired, Naomi. I don’t want to argue.”

“Then stop arguing and do what I say,” she said with a mixture of frustration and humor. She climbed off the bed and folded the blankets back.

“Naomi,” he said with a warning tone.

“You slept in a chair last night. You rode all day and fought Umbreks. You need to rest in a proper bed tonight."

“Where will you sleep?”

She'd been avoiding that question because really she had no idea. She didn’t know where Yula’s room was, or else she’d go bunk with her. She hunched her shoulders. “If you’ll sleep in the bed, you can tie me to a chair.”

“What were you dreaming about?”

She was startled by the change of subject. She wasn’t sure if telling him the truth was wise, but she couldn’t think of a lie. “I was dreaming about unicorns.”

“It didn’t seem to be a pleasant dream.”

“I was trying to catch one and couldn’t.”

He walked over to the bed and sat. She could tell by the shape of his head that he had the helm still on. He kicked off his boots. “You might as well sleep here as well.”

“What about my own room?”

His shoulders slouched. “I will see to it tomorrow.” Naomi realized she was being a little prudish. He was obviously bone tired. She could see that by how slowly he moved. Anyway, she could sleep above the covers and scream like a banshee if he did anything. She walked around to the other side of the bed. She watched him lay his head back without removing the helm.

“You’re going to sleep in that thing?”

“Yes,” he replied without inflection. She scrunched her eyebrows together at that but didn’t comment. She slipped under the top blanket, leaving the rest underneath her. She didn’t think she would get back to sleep, but she was wrong.

She woke to a very odd sensation. It didn't feel bad, but considering it’d been six months since she’d broken up with her last boyfriend, and there’d been a very dry spell, a veritable drought actually, waking up to an arm draped over her waist made her pause for a moment, and wonder did she really want to wake up? Either this was a dream, or a nasty hangover was waiting in the eaves for her. But as anyone knew, thinking about waking up defeated the purpose.

She reluctantly cracked open one eye. She was lying on her side facing the arm’s owner. Being the second morning that she’d woken to the grim visage of Tavik’s helm, it didn't startle her as bad this time. The masked lord didn't appear to be awake yet. She could hear soft snores. She wondered what time it was. Dim light streamed in through a narrow window. She wanted to get up and look through it but not wake her bed partner. She figured he needed the rest.

She rolled over to her stomach. Tavik’s hand shifted to lay heavy on her back. If she could just ease out from under his arm, she’d be out of this odd predicament. She grasped the side of the bed and began pulling herself to the edge. His arm tensed. She thought he was waking up and prepared to apologize for disturbing him. To her chagrin, his arm stretched out, curled around her waist and drew her back to him. Her head was now nestled under his chin. Her arms flush against his chest. In alarm, she felt him lifted a leg and threw it over hers. She was now completely pinned against him. Her only consolation was that there were a layer of blankets separating them. She scowled at the turn of events. She still didn't want to wake him, but he'd made it impossible by becoming Mr. Grabby.

A quiet knock sounded at the door. She craned her head around to look and contemplated whether to call the person in. Whoever it was knocked again. She felt Tavik tense. His arm tightened around her, and his head turned toward her.

“Good morning,” he said. His voice had a trace of confusion.

“Hi, do you mind letting me go so I can see who’s at the door?” He removed his arm and leg. If she could have seen his face, she thought she might find a blush on it. The thought that he could find their situation a little awkward made her smile. She crossed the room and opened the door to let Yula inside.

“Lord Tavik, I am very glad to see you,” Yula said. He nodded. He’d sat up on the side of the bed. Naomi wondered about breakfast. Yula didn’t carry a tray.

“Milady, if you’ll follow me, I will show you to your suite.” Naomi cocked an eyebrow at Tavik. She had a suite?

He nodded and waved her out. “Enjoy your morning.”

She couldn’t stop the smile that stretched across her face. He was keeping his promise. “You should get more sleep.”

He shook his head. “I’m awake now, and the work won’t fade away. Go with Yula. I’ll see you later.”

She nodded and fumbled a curtsy in her nightgown. She thought she heard a derisive snort come from behind the mask but didn’t pay it any attention. She had a suite to get to.

Yula led her down a series of twisting hallways. She didn’t think she could retrace her steps even with bread crumbs. They arrived at the end of one and stopped. Yula swept the door open. She ventured into it in wonderment. Light streamed in from many windows, flowers were everywhere making the room smell wonderful, and off to the side, steaming the air around it, sat something that made her weak in the knees. It was a bathtub full of soapy water. She turned to Yula, and she knew an ear-to-ear smile split her face.

“Would my lady like to bathe?” Yula asked with a teasing smile.

“More than like. I’d marry that tub and have its children.” She began stripping off her clothes. She normally would’ve felt some inhibition around anyone while getting naked, but she felt so grimy and gross, and Yula had dressed her before, and she was another woman, and Naomi just did not care. She was taking a bath!

She hummed while soaking in the bath. She had her head laid back, and her arms draped over the sides. She knew she was well past pruney but couldn’t bring herself to leave the warm, scented water. Yula coughed politely from behind her, and she tilted her head back to look at her. She had an armful of towels ready for her.

“Can’t I stay in here all week?”

“If my ladyship wishes to, she may, though I imagine Lord Tavik would be disappointed that you didn't venture further than the bath your first day in his castle.” She grinned at the idea. It would perturb him. She could imagine meeting him this way now: Bubbles spilling out of the tub, her hair loosely pinned up, perfumed soap scenting the air, flowers everywhere and pretty candles, oh and kittens tumbling over each other, while little song birds twittered from gilded cages, and he’d stand across from her in that devil mask, decked out in armor and weapons, caked with mud, or maybe drying blood. He would tell her he was going out to slaughter, maim, and pillage all in his path, and she would raise a bubble clad arm and wave goodbye and tell him to have fun killing lots of people and bring her back any chocolate that he might find.

Her brow scrunched when she mentally stepped back from her daydream. While the frilliness was fun and laughable, Tavik’s side of the image was all too real. He would go back out and do what he said in her fantasy. Why he felt the need to commit senseless violence she didn’t know, but she couldn’t just wave goodbye flippantly, though what she could do eluded her. It wasn’t like she could stop him, and her main objective had to be to get home. She needed to find a unicorn or find some other way. She shook her head and raised herself up. She certainly wasn’t going to accomplish anything while lounging in the tub.

Yula helped her out and began drying her. She was getting used to being tended to. “Will you want to meet with the housekeeper, milady?”

“Does she have stuff she wants to tell me?”

“No, miss, but don’t you have things you wish to tell her?”

She recalled Tavik saying she could order around the household help if she liked. She had not liked.

“No, but I guess I should invite her over for like tea of something so we can meet.”

"Of course, milady. I’ll arrange it."

Once she was dressed and had breakfast, Yula slipped out to meet with the housekeeper. Naomi nibbled on the remains of her breakfast worrying over how she could possibly make headway in her unicorn hunt. It had to be her prime concern. She needed information. She wondered if Tavik had anything resembling a library in the castle. He didn't seem the book type, but she had to get information somehow. A spot of movement on the floor made her start. A small light brown mouse had darted out from under the bed. Her first reaction was to figure out how to kill it, but the only ways she knew were bought in supermarkets.

She kept an eye on the mouse figuring she liked better knowing where it was than not. She looked at the cup she had drunk out of and wondered if she could catch it under it. The mouse was near a wardrobe. She knew if she lunged for it now, it would run under there, and she would lose it. She had a few pieces of bread left. She flicked a couple of pieces to the floor in the direction of the mouse. She saw his nose twitch. She kept very still and waited. The mouse didn't move. She turned her head away but tracked him out of the corner of her eye. The mouse remained still for a few moments longer then very slowly crept to the first crumb and gobbled it down. She kept her head turned and slowly turned the cup around in her hand. The mouse ventured a little further away from the bed to reach the next crumb. She still kept still. When he was done with the second crumb, she flicked a couple more onto the floor, but she didn't flick these as far this time. The mouse growing extremely bold, ran to the next couple of crumbs, and greedily gobbled them up. He was now less than a yard away from her feet. She finally made her move. She jumped from her chair and slammed the wooden cup down over the mouse. Unfortunately, his tail got caught outside the cup, and he let out a pain filled squeak. Then he began to swear.

“Motherfucker! Goddamn bitch, are you trying to kill me! Chop it off why don’t you! Wait, you're gonna blind me first, aren't you, you goddamn bitch!”

Continue to Chapter 6.