Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan Read online

  She looked at him; the pain in his face was all too obvious and she was really worried about him.

  “Kainan you know your mother must have loved you. Otherwise she would have given you up to the Gorzars straight away. She proved her love for you by trying to protect you,” she said, trying desperately to comfort him.

  He blinked his tired eyes as he turned and looked at her.

  “Yes, I’m sure she did. I don’t doubt for a moment that she did love me as her son. But look where it got them. They are all dead because of me!” He shook his head angrily. “She should have given me up to them; then they would all still be alive.”

  Arweyn shook her head furiously at him. “You do not know that. The Gorzars are animals, evil, nasty creatures that care about nothing; they may have killed them all even if she had given you up. She most probably knew that, that is why she told you to run. She may not have been your birth mother Kainan but she obviously loved you as her own son. No mother would give away her child to such monsters willingly.” He thought for a moment and finally nodded hopelessly.

  “Maybe you’re right, I don’t know. It’s just,” his face clouded with conflicting emotions and there were sudden tears in his eyes. “My poor brothers they were only young, and my friends in the village. I just do not understand it. Why kill so many innocent people? Why should my life be worth more than theirs?” With the back of his hand he wiped a tear from his cheek.

  She put her goblet down. “I know it is hard, but you are not alone. I will help you get through this,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

  He shook his head dejectedly, staring off beyond her. “Maybe you should have just left me to die. I only seem to make things worse. I have ruined everything!”

  Shooting her hands forward and grabbing hold of his arms she held him squarely to her body, whispering, gently but reassuringly. Her eyes were locked on his; she would not allow him to look away from her, not for a moment.

  “Do not ever say that, please. Never, do you promise? Kainan, you are the best thing that has happened to me. I need you, Gareion needs you. None of this is your fault, none of it, do you hear me. It is just a cruel twist of fate that is all.” She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, the thought of losing him now just tore her apart. She looked deep into his dark eyes, they were so sad, and it broke her heart. She was really concerned and worried that he would do something foolish.

  “Kainan, I know you have lost your family and I can understand how you feel. When I lost my parents I thought my whole world had collapsed around me. Even though I miss them every day, I know they would want me to keep going and make the best of my life. You have a new family Kainan, here with us. You are back where you belong. You are home and you will never, ever be alone.”

  Gently his hand wandered to her hair and he brushed it away from her eyes. She was so beautiful, so kind.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it. It’s just,” he wiped his nose with his sleeve. “So many people have died because of me. I just do not understand why? Why me? Why am I so important that I should live and not anyone else? It is just not fair.” Raising his hand he wiped away the tears that he could no longer hold back.

  “I know it is not fair, but there must be a reason why I found you, and why I was able to save your life.” She touched her hand to his chest. “Kainan I do not know how I did it, how I managed to save your life. You had died, you actually stopped breathing.” He blinked a tear as she continued. “I have no idea where the power came from to bring you back. No-one in our living history has ever done that,” hesitating, she looked into his sad eyes. “I should not have been able to do it. It must mean there is reason why I was able to save you, why I was able to bring you back from the dead. You have been given a second chance of life.” She was truly concerned about him. He was so traumatised, so exhausted and he really needed to rest.

  He looked at her, and now he felt even worse knowing that he had scared her. He really had not meant it, he was just so confused. He took her hand and gently began rubbing his thumb across it, a faint smile tugged at his mouth, and his dark eyes hung on her beautiful face.

  “I’m sorry, it’s all right I will not do anything foolish, I promise. You have given me, for whatever reason the spirits see fit, a second chance in life and I will not waste it. I’ve just got such a pounding headache that I cannot think clearly anymore.” Releasing her hand he began rubbing his brow, wincing with the pain.

  “Well that’s not surprising really is it with everything that has happened. Not to mention my uncle flying into a rage like that. I don’t know what came over him.” She smiled at him then had a thought. “Sit down,” she ordered, pointing to a chair. “I’m just going to get something from my room, wait there.” Quickly she walked over to the door in the far corner of the room. He looked at her puzzled.

  “Go on it’s all right. I can help, with the headache,” she called, as she entered her bed chamber. He wondered what she was doing as he listened to her clanging around in the room. Doing as she asked he sat himself down on the chair. A moment later she emerged from her bedchamber carrying a vial of oil.

  “What is that?” he asked curiously, looking at the twisted glass vial she held in her hand.

  “It’s massaging oil. It has some essential oils in it that will help with your headache, if that’s okay?” Sucking her bottom lip nervously she waited for his reply. Nodding, he smiled at her gratefully. Then unclipping his cloak he slung it over the back of the chair.

  “Yes, thank you. I will try anything to get rid of this headache.” he said, appreciatively. Returning his smile her eyes flashed at him, there was something about him, about the way he looked at her that made her heart flutter.

  She began rubbing her hands together until she felt the warmth flowing into them; then walking around behind him, she leaned forward. Reaching her arms around the front of him she unbuttoned part of his shirt, and gently pulling his collar back allowed room for her hands to work. Taking the stopper out of the bottle she poured some of the oil into her hands, then put the bottle and stopper down on a table beside her. Gently she began to massage his nape with the tips of her fingers allowing her energy to flow into him. Kainan sighed; it was almost immediate, as the overwhelming sense of relief swept through him.

  “Wow, that feels great!” he sighed, closing his eyes. Her touch was incredible; it was so sensual, so relaxing. For the first time in days he felt the pressure in his head easing and finally he could feel his mind clearing. In fact for a moment at least he dared to believe he felt normal. Smiling to herself she continued gently caressing the side of his temples, slowly releasing her magic into him, relieving his stress and taking away his pain. Kainan breathed deeply as he felt her hand slowly move down his neck and around his shoulders.

  “Oh,” he sighed with relief. “I can feel my headache going already, thank you.” She swallowed, taking a deep breath, feeling herself becoming aroused by the touch of his bare skin beneath her oiled fingers. Slowly she moved across his tense shoulder muscles, adding more oil she continued until she could feel the tension in his muscles below her fingers easing. Then moving around the front of his neck she slipped her hands inside his shirt. She could feel the firmness of his chest as it rose and fell with his breathing.

  Kainan swallowed hard; he had never felt so much pleasure from someone else’s touch before. His breathing quickened as her fingers massaged the front of his chest; any tension and pain he had felt had completely gone, all he could feel was intense pleasure.

  Beneath her hands she felt the heavy beat of his heart, closing her eyes she leant forward, inhaling his scent. He smelt so familiar to her, she could not understand it all, and it was like somewhere within her heart and her soul she knew him. Then she felt her heart began to get a little too rapid as the gentle massaging movements of her fingers brushed passed his left nipple. She opened her eyes wide, what was she doing? She could feel his breathing quickening, as was her own. Pulling her ha
nds back, she took a calming breath. She knew she had to stop.

  “There now how does that feel?” she whispered slowly in his ear, her long silky hair brushing against his cheek. Closing his eyes, he swallowed as he felt her warm breath upon his ear. He could not possibly tell her how he really felt. How he did not want her to stop. How he wanted to take her in his arms, hold her tight and kiss her.

  “Well I can definitely say my headache is gone!” he said, turning round and looking up at her, his eyes catching her gaze. “Thank you.”

  She nodded, and as their eyes met, they lingered on one another. Forcing herself she broke away from his gaze.

  “My uncle should be back soon.” She knew it would not be a good idea for him to find her massaging him like that. It would only send him off into another blind rage. Besides if she had not stopped goodness only knows what would have happened. She wanted to kiss him she knew that. She wanted to kiss his lovely neck, his shoulders, his mouth; he gave her goose bumps all over. She shivered and wandered over to the window to distract herself from him.

  “Arweyn I hope you do not mind but can I ask you a question?” Jumping up from the chair, and buttoning up his shirt he followed her over to the window. He had noticed the slight wobble in her voice as she had mentioned her uncle, and wondered why. She nodded.

  “Why are you so afraid of your uncle?” His question was quite blunt and it took her back a moment.

  “Afraid? I am not afraid of him.” She pulled back the heavy curtain. Her other hand came up and hooked some of her hair behind her ear; the rest fell gently forward over her shoulders. She stared out into the courtyard. The rain had finally stopped and some daylight had cast itself across the city. Placing his hand on the small of her back, she turned to him.

  “I’m sorry honey, but I think you are,” he insisted. Unwittingly his hand began travelling up her back and he began to run his fingers through her hair, pushing it back behind her shoulders.

  She leaned into his hand. “It’s not that I am afraid of him. It’s something else. I’m just not sure what it is or even why I feel like this. Since my parents have gone he has looked after me well, I have not wanted for anything.”

  “Has he ever hurt you?” Kainan asked. Having seen the aggression in her uncle’s eyes towards him, he was sure the man was capable of anything.

  “Oh no, no he has never laid a finger upon me. If anything he is over-protective. It’s just...” she shrugged and looked at him. “It’s hard to put a finger on it exactly. There is just something about him and Lothar that just send shivers down my spine every time they come near me.”

  Suddenly the door to the room burst open. Kainan spun round at the sudden noise and there at the doorway stood a man. Clad all in black, his face was covered with a black mask and his long matted red hair poked out from underneath. He was armed and raising his sword towards them, his cold piercing eyes stared hard at them. Kainan stared back; this had been the last thing he had been expecting.

  “Kainan!” Arweyn screamed, suddenly terrified. Protectively he grabbed her waist, pulling her behind him. He looked around futilely, but there was nothing he could use, he had no weapon to defend them.

  “Who are you?” Kainan demanded strongly. “What do you want?”

  “I want you!” he growled back. “The woman can go.” He pointed to Arweyn with his sword.

  “Who sent you?” she cried, holding onto Kainan tightly as if her very life depended on it, her body shook with fear. What was going on, had her uncle betrayed her and sent this man to take Kainan to the tower?

  “Let’s just say it wasn’t a friend,” the man replied. The tip of his sword began moving in small circles in anticipation as he began edging towards them.

  “Have you come to take me to the tower?”

  “No lad, I’ve come to kill ya.” With cat-like movement the man lunged towards them. Arweyn screamed as Kainan grabbed her arm and pulled her to one side.

  “Arweyn run. It is me he wants. Get out NOW!” He yelled, pushing her out of the way. Stumbling forward she made for the door, then she stopped. Suddenly she remembered her dagger! She spun back round just as the man was lunging towards Kainan. He tried to dive out of the way but he was not quick enough and the sword caught him, slicing through his clothing and into his side. Arweyn screamed and Kainan cried out loud as blood began gushing from the wound. As quick as a flash the man wielded his sword again. Kainan scrambled across the desk just as the blade crashed down onto the table slicing into it and missing him by inches. Lifting his booted foot on to the table the man began trying to pull his sword free.

  “You’ll not get away that easy boy,” he snarled angrily.

  “Kainan!” Arweyn screamed at him, he spun around towards her. As fast as she could she pulled the long dagger from her boot and threw it across the floor to him. Kainan dived to the floor, somersaulting as he landed and grabbing the dagger firmly in his hand. She hesitated as she thought of what he had said earlier about letting him die. She did not want to leave him and stared horrified at his side, his shirt was red with blood. He saw the worry in her face, the desperation in her eyes.

  “I will be okay. Go! Get out of here, get help!” he screamed at her. He wanted her away from this madman, he wanted her safe. Nodding, she turned making as fast as she could for the door.

  The man darted in and swung the blade down towards Kainan. Jumping to his feet and with a flick of his wrist the long dagger met the blade, sending the sword flying out of the man’s hands.

  “So you can fight boy,” he snarled.

  “I will fight you to the death if I have to.” Kainan replied, catching his breath and flipping the knife in his hand to get a better grip.

  “Aye but it’ll be your death, boy.” The man said with finality as he pulled free a vicious looking blade from his belt.

  “No I don’t think so. I will not be the one dying, you will!” Kainan shouted back at him, clenching his teeth as anger flooded through him. In those few moments he had realised, as Arweyn had looked at him with desperate eyes that he did not want to die. His life was not over it was just beginning. He had been given a second chance in life; a life he knew he wanted to share with Arweyn and this man was not going to stop him.

  Kainan’s knife was ready, but the man had already begun his next move before he had even finished speaking. With his first step the man kicked the four armed candlestick that had fallen from the desk with his foot and sent it spinning towards him, with his second he lunged, following the candlestick’s path and moving in to finish the fight, but Kainan was quick and had already seen him. Shooting his body upward and out, Kainan somersaulted over his attacker’s head. Turning and twisting in mid-air, he landed facing the man’s back. By the time his feet hit the ground his dagger was already penetrating the space between the man’s shoulder-blades, piercing straight through his heart. All his anger and rage of the past week shook through him as he held the blade firmly. Whispering quietly in the man’s ear, his voice was sharp.

  “I told you I will not die today; I have got too much to live for.” The man coughed once weakly, and then as Kainan withdrew the blade, he crumpled and fell face down to the floor. A pool of blood immediately grew under him, seeping slowly across the wooden floor. Kainan stared, his eyes wide and vengeful. He had never killed anyone before and his heart was pumping furiously as the adrenaline coursed through his veins. All he could think about was staying alive so he could be with Arweyn, nothing else mattered.

  “It looks like we won’t be needed after all.” A deep voice boomed from behind him. Kainan looked up and turned towards the door. There stood Lord Detaine, along with three of his guards.

  “Is Kainan all right?” Arweyn cried, pushing her way past the men, desperate to see him. She stopped, staring at him, her heart pounding with the relief that he was still alive. Kainan stood staring, still with the deadly dagger in his hand, her dagger. Suddenly he stumbled backwards, shaking with the sudden shock of it all. Rushing over
to him Arweyn grabbed hold of him steadying him, fearing he would fall.

  “Are you okay?” she cried, holding him upright. Nodding, he then groaned as the pain from the wound in his side suddenly hit him hard.

  “Turn around and let me have a look,” she insisted, and she began pulling up his shirt to take a closer look.

  “No!” Her uncle interrupted walking over to them. She looked at him startled, still with Kainan’s shirt in her hands. Why did he not want her to help him? Bending down on one knee Lord Detaine turned the body over, pulling off the mask, he huffed distastefully.

  “An Outlander.” Throwing the mask down he stood up and began walking over to Kainan. Pushing Arweyn out of the way he checked his wound. It was still bleeding and Kainan was beginning to feel weak and slightly light-headed from the loss of blood.

  “It is only superficial, he’ll live,” he announced in a matter of fact way. “Arweyn take him to the medical room, they will see to him there.” He raised an eyebrow at her. She bowed her head.

  “Yes uncle. Come along Kainan.” She looked at the body of the man on the floor then back at her uncle. “Why would anyone want to kill Kainan? No-one knows he is here.”

  “Maybe he thought he was Gareion,” he replied curtly. She looked at her uncle dubiously. Just lately she could not comprehend him at all; his whole personality seemed to be changing. He was becoming harsh and argumentative and this was causing her to dislike him even more. She was almost certain that he knew more than he was telling her, but in his current mood she did not dare pursue it.

  Kainan ignored Lord Detaine’s icy stare and threw the knife down so hard that it spun in circles across the wooden floor. He too could sense her uncle knew more that he was telling.

  “You did well boy, to survive an attack by an outlander. Where did you learn to fight so well?”

  Kainan staggered over to him. “I had two brothers,” he replied offhandedly, gritting his teeth as the pain in his side gripped him. He turned to Arweyn.