Celtic Nights

Comforting Embrace

It was midnight before he went to the guest wing of the temple. Distinct from the sumptuous suites for visitors within the Palace, the accommodation within the sacred precinct was still luxurious. More importantly only sworn servants of Akria had right to venture down these halls. Malwas was not prepared to have his plans thwarted by his consort or anyone else at the fractious royal court.

Two temple knights stood guard outside the chamber he approached. They saluted but did not bow. His authority over them was solely religious. The sacred warriors of the Spider Queen made obeisance to only one monarch. Malwas pressed his holy symbol against the dark wood of the door and murmured a prayer. The portal swung open silently and closed just as soundlessly behind him.

This suite consisted of a bedchamber with an adjoining bath, quite small compared to some others but it had windows on two walls that overlooked the forested hills beyond the Palace. The view was why he had chosen this particular room. To see the trees and be unable to reach them was on one hand better and on the other far worse for Derryth than being locked away in the dungeons.

The acolytes had done their duty. The druid had been washed and dressed in a clean robe. She lay on top of the bed, curled into a ball with her back to him. Magical lights glowed softly in sconces on the walls. They were lit for her comfort for fomor had no need of torches to see in the dark. Malwas made his way over to the bed then paused there. His hands moved as he quietly cast several spells.

He was no fool. His defences were already in place. The magic he used now would give him insight into Derryth’s thoughts. Not enough to sway her for she would shake off such overt manipulation. Besides, it would be far more satisfying to coax her compliance than force it. Malwas shrugged off his heavy robe and lay down beside the danaan female. She did not stir.

Her despair would not last. The druid would eventually collect herself to face the world with her customary verve. At this moment her grief was too new, too raw for her to think clearly and Malwas was entirely willing to use it to hurt her further. She needed to be punished for thinking she could best him and for her whelp’s daring to attack one of his generals.

“Our daughter did not suffer.” He stroked a hand lightly down her arm, a comforting touch anyone could give without offence. Derryth drew in a shaky breath. She was thinking of her children lying on cold stone but had heard him or at least the tone of his voice. Malwas continued gently to caress her and speak quietly until she relaxed out of her tight curl.

He put his arms around her to hold her close but went no further. She shivered against him, icy with shock. The priest had forgotten how small she was, short even for a danaan. Passive, Derryth fit into his grasp like a doll. Last time he had been this close to her she had fought with everything she had and although he had won that day, she had still cracked his skull with a water jug afterwards.

They lay like that until she had warmed then Malwas tucked her under the blankets. Derryth was already half dreaming and would soon drift off into an exhausted reverie. A less ambitious man might have taken her now while he had the opportunity. The priest wanted more than just a physical gratification. He replaced his robe, smiling to himself. It would be soon.