Copper Dagger Installment Three

A Joyful World

The world was so silent when she finally became aware of her surroundings that for a second Joy thought she'd died the night before. She was toasty warm. She breathed in. Woodsy pine and oak mixed with a musky aftershave. Her heart sped up. She jerked upright and cried out in pain. A large warm arm wrapped around her chest gently pulling her backwards.

"Easy."

His raspy voice dropped straight to her stomach. Oh God. She'd been... She couldn't finish that thought. Under the cloak, her cloak, she ran the fingers of her left hand over her lap. She was clothed. But why couldn't she use her right arm? She blinked hearing hearts beating. One was a frantic rhythm. That must be hers.

"Joy."

She tilted her head to the left trying to look behind her. The slight tilt to her right shoulder caused more pain to shoot through her. His hand settled around her left shoulder straightening her.

"Easy."

"What happened?"

"God. I'm sorry, Joy. I'm so sorry." He laid his head against the back of hers.

"What happened?"

"We weren't quick enough."

"Are we dead?"

He coughed. "Why would you think... Oh! A bullet caught you."

Ah. So that was the pain. And why she couldn't use her right arm.

"Where are we?"

"Hiding?"

"Where?"

He gently tugged her back. She relaxed back against him. He hadn't done exactly as he'd promised, she had been hurt, but she was still alive. Thanks to him. They sat in companionable silence until her stomach grumbled. Heat flushed her cheeks.

"I'll see if I can find something."

Joy looked towards the opening of the cave system they were in. White covered the entrance.

"Do you think it's safe?"

He shrugged. She slid forward trying very hard not to shift her shoulder. He slipped out from behind her then tucked the wool cloak around her keeping her in the warm cocoon. Warmth filled her at the gesture. No one had ever treated with such kindness. She was the ugly one, the one no one wanted to be with. She'd grown accustomed to it, but now... She glanced over her shoulder and blushed. He crouched in nothing but his short pants. She whipped her head back around and whimpered.

"Slow movements."

"Got it." she gritted her teeth praying for the pain to disappear. And never return.

"I'll try to find us something."

"What time is it?"

"Should be close to dawn by my guess, but I could be wrong. I did nod off for a little."

"Someone should be looking for us."

"For you."

"Don't you have any family?"

"Only a brother and he wasn't expecting me for another fortnight."

"Oh."

"Did your family know you were out last night?"

She felt the blush rush up her face again. "No. I snuck out."

His sigh was heavy in the enclosed air. "Then no one is looking for us."

He turned towards the white entrance and kicked out. Snow tumbled out then another batch fell over the entrance. He grumbled as he pushed the new snow away. Finally, faint dawn light glowed from the curved entry.

"I told you this would be the safest place for them to go."

Joy gasped. The female voice was young and unfamiliar, but so welcome at that point she didn't care if she was one of the shooters. He turned back to her with a finger over his lips. She frowned. She didn't even know his name. She opened her mouth to ask, but he turned back to the outside world. Another voice joined the first one.

"Do you think they found the cave, then?"

"If they are who-"

"Look! Firelight. Haloo! Anyone there?"

He signaled for her to stay before grabbing something from the ground next to the fire. Light played off the petnia copper dagger he'd tried to give to her the night before. He climbed out of the cave and blocked the entrance. Part of her wanted to follow him and find out who their visitors were, but the fearful part of her wanted to dig deeper into the roots and disappear.

"Hello."

"Good morrow?"

"Oh, yes it is. Good morning to you." The younger voice approached. Her cheery warmth proceeded her spreading into the cave. Joy couldn't help but slump in relief.

"Are you injured?"

"No. Why would you-"

"We were on a visit with our older sister and heard shooting last night. We thought poachers had come onto our property."

"I apologize for trespassing."

"Are you sure you're not hurt?" The second woman spoke.

Joy could imagine her eyes narrowed is suspicion. She couldn't let anyone think he was a criminal. Not after saving her life last night. And she couldn't think these two women could be the shooters from last night. Careful to keep from moving her shoulder too much, she crawled and hopped to the entrance. Sweat trailed down her forehead and her back as she finally poked her head out of the cave. The cold wintery air hit her like a blacksmith's hammer. Her legs went out from under her and she fell to her bottom in the snow. So much for being dry and warm. She shivered as he turned.

Her breath caught as their eyes met. His were a gorgeous chocolate brown. And creased in worry. Was that fear she saw around his clenched mouth? Keeping the dagger visible he knelt beside her.

"I told you to stay."

"I don't want you in trouble."

He sighed and shook his head.

"Hello." The young woman peeked around his shoulder at her.

Joy nodded. The two women were young, perhaps about her own age if not a year or two younger. Their simple day dresses gave them an image of country women, but Joy recognized excellent quality. He lifted her to her feet letting her lean against him until she had her balance. For the first time she realized she was standing in her underclothes. The blush burned her already frozen cheeks.

"You're hurt."

"Shot, actually."

"Oh dear." The youngest approached her eyes glossy.

"How bad."

"She'll live. If she doesn't freeze first. I told you to stay inside."

"I told you. I didn't want you in trouble."

"I've been there before."

Joy sighed. He really was the most handsome man she'd ever seen. The morning light only made him more so. He handed her the copper dagger before slipping inside the cave. He was probably retrieving their things. She stood awkwardly facing the two women. They blushed.

"Forgive us. I'm Snow," the youngest spoke then waved to her sister, "and this is Grace."

"Joy." They giggled. "What?"

"Joy? Snow. Grace and now Joy?" They laughed. Joy shifted feeling the uncomfortable anxiety she always felt with others. He slithered out of the cave and settled her cloak around her shoulders. He was once again in his own jacket and breeches.

"Here." He reached forward to retrieve the dagger she'd forgotten she held. Snow and Grace's gaze followed his action and they gasped. They exchanged looks at each other then turned back to her. She let it go although reluctantly. He frowned down at her.

"Your family? Will they be looking for you?"

Joy shook her head.

"Do you have family?" Grace asked her eyes soft.

"Do you have a carriage near?"

"Oh no. Our sister lives half a mile from here."

"Does she have a carriage?"

"Of course." Snow frowned at him.

He ignored them looking down at her. For the first time Joy felt as if she was the entire world for someone. A man. A stranger. A strange man she didn't even know his name.

"We'll return with them and then I'll escort you home."

"Oh. Um."

"Don't worry. You're safe with me."

Joy bit her lip. She truly wasn't afraid to be with him. He'd kept her safe through someone shooting at her and the harsh snow storm. She wasn't worry about anything he might do. She was worried about what her parents would make him do. She could just say she went visiting the sick and had to find somewhere safe for the night, but if he showed up with her... She shook her head.

"That's not so wise."

"Why?"

"Um."

He leaned forward laying his cheek against hers and whispered in her ear. "Is it because we've been out all night together?"

"Not that way!"

Snow and Grace's eyes widened at her shouted words. His cheek twitched. She pulled away to see if he was smiling. His mouth wasn't, but his eyes sparkled with mischief.

"I wouldn't be above saying so."

Joy's eyes widened. Was he actually? No, no man had ever found her attractive. He reached up and featherlight swiped a stray curl from her face and tucked it behind her ear.

"I mean it, Joy."

"You don't even know me." She sputtered. The bullet wound and blood loss must be playing with her mind.

"I know enough. That's more than most couples get."

"I...I..."

"Oh, say yes. Please say yes." Snow clapped her hands together bouncing in the snow.

Joy shook her head. She really didn't know what to say.

"Did you find them?" An older woman's voice whipped through the snowy morning. Snow and Grace sighed and rolled their eyes.

"Yes, over here!" Snow called through cupped hands before turning back to them. "Please."

"We don't know each other." Joy spoke to Snow, but couldn't take her eyes from him. "I don't even know you' name."

"Cade. Caderyn Slade." He bowed to her the copper blade over his chest. Her breath caught at the vicious weapon. Cade suited him. It was hard and yet gentle, just like the man before her.

"Oh there you are. Why did you come this far... Oh!"

Joy pulled her gaze away from Cade. The older woman stared at her as if she'd seen a ghost.

"You!"

Joy looked around her anxiety growing. She didn't remember the woman before her. Surely if she'd done something to her she would remember her. The woman approached with hesitant steps her hands shaking terribly.

"Your name."

"Um. Joy, ma'am."

"Joy what?"

Joy frowned taking a step back. She bumped into Cade. He wrapped his arms around her the copper dagger in front of her a clear warning. The woman froze her eyes hooked on the blade.

"Name."

"Joyce Faith MacIntosh, ma'am. Do you know my parents?"

The woman's eyes went large as her face paled. Tears pooled in the faded gray.

"Oh blessed be. You've returned."

"Huh?" Joy glanced up at Cade who shook his head. The woman looked up finally and after a few seconds nodded as if she was pleased.

"Come."

Cade turned her to face him slowly. He was making sure she didn't move her shoulder. Pleasure filled her at the gesture. Would it be so bad to be with a man she could trust? But could he ever love her? That was the biggest question of her life. She didn't think she could be happy in a marriage without love. For that matter, could she love him? Looking up into his eyes her heart shouted yes!

"Joy-"

"I don't know."

"I'll pursue you to the end of the world, if I have to."

Joy swallowed. Would it fade? Would he be able to desire her when he saw the real her. She looked down and realized he'd already seen her. She stood before him in her underclothes, hiding nothing. And yet he still stood before her asking for her. She looked up and smiled.

"Yes. Yes I will."

His cheek twitched. Then before her eyes his smile blossomed across his lips. She gasped. It was a gorgeous smile. One every woman would kill to be the cause.

 

Copyright 2013 Mae Pen

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Copper Dagger Installment Two

Copper Dagger Installment 1

Into the Oak Grove

Joy stared at the man above her. She couldn't distinguish any of his features but the warmth and security of his body above hers gave her some confidence. He had spoken the truth. She'd been completely alone with him before the first shot had been fired. But why was someone trying to kill her?

"Hey."

"Joy. My name is Joy."

"Joy."

The way he breathed out her name had her heart hitching. She'd never heard her name sound so reverent. The fear and anxiety of the situation must be making her hear things. She closed her eyes took a deep breath and winced at the sharp stab of pain in her ribs. She hoped her ribs weren't broken.

"Joy. I need you to follow close behind me. We're going to dart to the outer circle. Stay close to the ground."

She nodded as he helped her to her feet. Her bodice slipped, her corset sliding down her woolen skirts to plop onto the ground. With a pounding heart and her left hand clasped tightly in his she snagged it from the ground just as he jerked her forward. As shots rang out they zig-zagged across the inner circle. Finally they reached the outer circle and slammed behind one of the sandstone pillars.

Joy collapsed to her knees gasping for breath. In London she'd hadn't needed to exert herself so. Her parents always encouraged her to study and put her time into her arts, not traipsing around the forested country.

"Are you hit?"

He leaned over her putting his back to the other side of the circle putting himself in harms way. Joy could only stare up at him trying to get her breath under control. Not even her father had ever willingly put himself in danger to protect her. When she didn't answer he brushed his hands over her arms.

"I don't think so."

"Good. I'll give you another few seconds then we've got to do it again."

"Where?"

His head jerked to the left. "We've got to get to cover."

"I don't think I can make it." She shook her head.

"Hey. I have every confidence in you. You can do this."

"I can barely breath."

His rough hands cupped her chin. His body heat soaked into her skin and slithered down through her body until she was sure he was some sort of walking heater.

"You can do this. I won't let anything happen to you."

Her heart stopped.

Just for a second.

The shooters fell away leaving only them for just a split second. Then the night was disturbed by the rapid firing of some sort of gun. Rock sprayed over their heads getting closer and closer to him.

She screamed.

She couldn't help it.

He grabbed her hand and tugged her towards the darkened forest. Something stung the back of her shoulder.

She stumbled.

He caught her with an arm around her hefty waist. Her right arm went numb. Tears froze on her cheeks as the wind kicked up bringing with it the coming Christmas storm.

* * *

This was not how he'd planned to spend his first night back in England. Running for his life with a woman who was barely able to make a quick sprint. Grimacing as she stumbled again, he hitched her closer to him. The wind picked up blowing snow flurries into his field of sight.

He had to get them under cover and hidden.

If they were lucky the shooters would loose interest. He sighed. This night was turning out to be full of "if's".

"I can't." Joy gasped next to him. He squeezed her tighter against him taking more of her weight.

"Just a little further."

She shook her head her legs going out completely. He dropped with her but rolled she that he took the brunt of the injuries. He grunted as she landed on top of him.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"Shhhh. We'll crawl then. Just a couple of feet." He nudged her forward but she didn't move.

With a hammering heart he slowly flipped them over. The snow was already piling on top of them. No more shots rang out.

Blinking the flakes from his lashes he was almost thankful for the weather. If he couldn't see anything neither could the shooters. He leaned over Joy. She didn't move. Damn!

"Joy, wake up honey. Come on." He shook her.

She didn't budge. Cursing his luck he slipped his arms under hers and lifted. She wasn't light, but he'd moved heavier men on the battlefields. He readjusted so that she draped over his shoulder. He wouldn't be able to carry her for long, but perhaps by then he'd find a spot they could hide for the night. Once daylight arrived the assailants would be long gone.

He trudged into the forest using his battle experience for any sign of pursuers or a hiding spot. He wasn't sure how long he'd traveled but exhaustion made his knees weak and the biting cold was almost like a familiar friend by the time he found the small cave hidden under the extensive root system of several oak trees grown together.

The cave was deep enough to hide in and have a fire for warmth. He tumbled to his knees in the snow. If he was cold, she must be freezing. He felt her jugular.

Thankfully she was still alive.

With frozen hands he shoved her into the back of the cave and gathered the few sticks he could find. He was never more grateful to always carry flint than at that very moment. The moment heat hit his hands he groaned. Paid shot up every nerve ending until he thought he might actually be on fire.

The minute his fingers could flex without pain he turned to Joy. The firelight played against her pale features showing her blue tinged lips. He sighed.

She wasn't frozen. Her woolen clothing had helped protect her from the harshest of the weather. But now he had to get them both warm and that meant body heat. He unhooked her cloak and froze.

She'd been hit.

Her shoulder glaring black in the dim light. He held his breath for a second. She hadn't collapsed because of her lack of fitness. She'd stopped because she'd been hit. Swallowing he leaned forward. Never having been one to faint at the sight of blood he was surprised that his stomach was turning over at the sight now. Closing his eyes he breathed in the coppery stench.

It was still bleeding.

Cade snapped open his eyes bringing his guilt close to him and burying it. She couldn't afford for him to break down now. Think of it as the battlefield. She needed him. Just like his brothers had needed him.

He tore her petticoat, which was relatively dry, to make a bandage. He tore off the sliced remnants of her bodice thankful to see she'd worn a cotton shirt underneath the woolen one. Which was dry.

He laid out her cloak with the dry side up and rolled her over. He winced when her shoulder bumped the ground. Then pulled her wet skirts off laying them over the ground near the fire hoping they would dry out. The removed inner petticoat soon followed. He quickly stripped from his own wet clothes and stood near enough to the fire that his body dried out and warmed up.

He was amazed the little cave was warming up nicely. At this rate they would have a cozy place to spend the night. He wondered briefly if her driver was regretting leaving her alone. Then again perhaps their initial assailant had been her driver. It would make sense. If someone intended to eliminate him they'd need to do it in privacy. Make it look like an accident or on the battlefield. There was no way his friends would believe anything else.

She moaned. He hunched over her holding her chest down to the ground. The last thing she would want at the moment was to move the shoulder. She was going to feel more pain than he wanted her to just by him cleaning and bandaging the wound. He glanced at the entrance wound. She was lucky. A little more to the left would have severed an artery.

"Easy. Don't move." He whispered.

She stilled. For a quick second her lashes fluttered then nothing. He sighed. It was better this way. Using a piece of her wet skirt he cleaned the wounds as much as he could before bandaging it with strips of her underskirt. She started to shiver.

He breathed out his relief. That was a good sign. The body needed to shiver to generate heat. He sat on her dry skirt and pulled her onto his naked lap before pulling the woolen cloak around them both. It was the best he could do.

Copywrite Mae Pen 2013

Installment Three will be posted Friday, Jan. 10^th.




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