Heart's Captive

Chapter 7

Remy went down to the feasting hall with Logan. He was wearing a new tunic his master had gifted him with. Truth be told Logan had wanted to give the boy many new things but he still had to learn how things worked in the clan.

The shirt was a rich burgundy color that tended to be a bit more costly due to the dyes needed to get it so dark. Remy knew the value of it and wore it proudly.

The boy's long tresses were pulled back in a braid like Logan's was. He made sure to stay a step behind the Lord as they came into the hall.

Seated at the long table were Xavier, Scott, Lady Jean and Lady Roe, all in their usual places. At the other end sat the mysterious Lady Raven Darkholm.

Remy's eyes bugged out as he watched the woman go from an attractive if sever blonde to a blue skinned witch in the blink of an eye.

Next to the Lady sat her daughter Lady Anne, she was looking a bit sullen as the company didn't seem to suit her. The girl looked to be about 16 summers and had long auburn hair with a shocking white streak in the front.

Standing behind the ladies was a bear of a man. Big, blonde and savage looking in animal skins and hides, he was the Lady Darkholm's champion. Logan whispered to Remy to stay with him and not to make eye contact with the 'Norse Savage'.

Remy shivered at the tone in his Lord's voice and nodded his head. Keeping his gaze down he moved to sit on the lower stool behind Logan's chair as the man took his place at the table. Giving a gruff greeting to the ladies, Logan eyed the blonde man before taking his seat.

"Lord Howeltt, nice of you to join us." Lady Darkholm said folding her indigo fingers on her lap and blinking her yellow eyes at the feral. Logan's jaw tightened and he held her gaze. Her 'English' accent was sharp among the rounded brogues of the clan. It reminded Logan of things he didn't like to think on.

"Had things needed seein' to, m'pologies." His gruff voice was tinged with a small warning. Charles cleared his throat and smiled at Raven. Before her father in law could speak, Jean summoned the servers to bring the first course.

Girls bustled from the kitchen with trays of breads and cheeses. A wooden bowl Remy was sure he could have easily bathed in was filled with precious greens collected from the clan's gardens.

There was small talk about skirmishes between different clans and talk of the King taking a stand against the 'Blessed Ones' as they were known to most. They ate and traded tales of abuse and villainy directed at their own kind.

Remy was observant and took in the emotions from their guests and the conversation. He didn't like the Lady, she was cold and deceptive in her emotions.

The Viking bodyguard was more feral and primal than Logan, he disturbed the Gypsy greatly. The boy caught the man eyeing him through out the meal. The boy shivered and hid more behind his Lord.

Remy's empathy turned toward the young woman skulking beside her mother. He was a bit confused by the swirling emotions in her. She seemed to change from moment to moment though nothing showed on her face.

Remy startled when Logan nudged him with a strange look on his face.

"Quit daydreamin', lad. Git me som' mor' mead." he said his voice stern but his blue eyes were light and amused. He winked at Remy before handing him the tankard.

Remy blushed slightly but took the tankard. Standing, he crossed the room to the sideboard and filled the metal mug with the golden mead. As the lithe boy moved the cinnamon braid of hair down his back caught the light.

The movement brought attention to the vivid and claiming bite mark on his long neck. There were a few soft gasps around the table and suddenly the conversation quieted some. As Remy turned and crossed back he was stunned to find almost all eyes on him.

Smiling nervously he looked from Robert's wide curious face to Lady Darkholm's appraisal to Lady Anne's out right stare and red flushed cheeks. He took a deep breath and moved back to Logan's side. He set the mug down and returned to his place.

"Remy do zomthin' wrong?" he whispered to Logan. The feral glanced over and dropped his eyes to the mark. Remy blushed deep and lowered his eyes to the floor. Before Logan could answer him, the Lady spoke up.

"My, my, my, Logan, didn't know an old hound like you went for such fare." she said with a dark tone in her voice. Anne looked angered by the comment but she lifted her chin as a malicious expression glinted in her green eyes.

"Ahh but mother, he's just a slave, isn't he?" She simpered and then clapped her hands at the Gypsy. "Come here, pup!"

"Anne! Behave." Raven said and shot her daughter a vicious look. Charles gave the girl a cool reguard and tapped the table with his knife.

"Ya've been told before, gel. Ya donna git to treat tha servants in my hall in such a manner." his voice was calm and calculated.

"I suggest ya school ya daughter on proper manners, Raven." He said and his gray depths held a silent threat in them.

Again Jean stopped any angry talk with the arrival of the next course. The lamb was brought out and carved as the vegetables were served up. Roe engaged Henry in conversation about the state of 'Blessed Ones' in his home.

The conversation and meal went on, still a little strained around the edges. Remy didn't know what to make of the attention his mark had received and it made him uncomfortable. He hoped the whole thing would be over soon. A sneaking little lick of excitement slipped through him as he thought of Logan's promise to 'show him' later.

After the meal there was drinking and voices were raised again this time between Scott and the Norseman.

Victor, as the man was known, said they couldn't get freedom with border raiding and slave collecting. He maintained that only action would make a mark. Scott objected loudly, telling the man to keep his place.

Remy thought the young Lord was going to use his fire and burn the savage to a cinder at one point. Charles got them to sit down once more and stated that there was no solid answer to be found that evening. With that outburst the evening was called to an end.

Jean and Roe assisted Robert and Henry in seeing the guests off. Anne made a point to catch Remy's eye as the boy helped clean the table. Her plump lips mouthed the word 'pup' at him and she grinned nastily. The boy restrained his normal response and focused on his tasks. Roe guided the young woman to the yard. It wasn't a pleasant goodbye for anyone.

Charles took his son and Logan into his private rooms to discuss the events of the eve. Logan was angry as well. The sound of raised voices went on behind the oak down for a while.

The decision to ally with Darkholm would be a hard one.

Once the tables were cleared up, Remy went out to the stables to see that Eboni got back in his rightful stall. He walked quietly along the path and stopped at the door checking that their 'guests' had indeed departed. He caught a piece of conversation between Henry and Robert without meaning to. Old habits die hard.

"I dunna like it, Henry. I kin tell Logan ain't sweet on the idea either." the blonde Lord said as he coiled rope. Henry finished feeding the horse he was next to. His blue furred face creased with his own worry.

"I fear that though it seems a good allegiance for us in this uncertain world, I still dunna see a reason to believe that woman." He agreed and sighed. "I am sure Charles knows his mind." he added feeling a little guilty for doubting the man who gave him freedom.

Remy made some noise to let the men know he as coming. He rounded the corner to find both men looking busy. Robert gave him a smile.

"Ah Remy, ya charm that beast back ta his place an' I'll give ya a bottle a' mead." he said and nodded his head at the restless stallion. Remy grinned and winked.

"Take dat deal, Robert." he said and moved to quickly soothe the horse back into his rightful place. The boy's soft clucking and cooing drawing the animal easily.

When Eboni was munching on his feed in his own stall, Remy sauntered to the blonde Lord and leaned against the wall with a saucy expression.

"How bout dat mead now, Prala." he said and Robert squinted at the unfamiliar word. Remy chuckled and took the offered bottle.

"Meanz broder." he said and left without another word. Robert looked after the boy and felt a smile stretch over his face.

"Brother." he said softly and Henry patted his shoulder with a quiet smile.

Remy made his way back to his Lord's chambers and tucked the mead away for later. He moved quickly about the room getting things ready for Logan's return.

He straightened the bedding and couldn't help the shiver of excitement at the known and unknown the evening held.

He had just finished brushing out his long copper hair when he heard the heavy step of his feral Lord coming down the hall.

Remy glanced around and then moved submissively to his knees next to the bed. He wasn't sure how Logan was going to want him to behave so he fell back on experience.

Other men who had taken the boy to their bed had wanted his obedience and submission, Remy knew how to do that.

He felt a shiver as the door opened and Logan came in. The feral Lord had been deep in thought about the still unresolved issues of the night and was drawn instantly out of them by what greeted him in his chamber.

The room was lit with a few candles and the steady fire in the grate. The Gypsy was on his knees, his knees, at Logan's bedside. The beast within him growled deep and Logan's eyes flashed gold for a moment.

"Ain't tha' a beautiful sight." he said and breathed deep the boy's anticipation.

"Almost forgot I had such a beauty waitn' fer me." he purred as he crossed the room and sat on the bed. Remy was quick to help the Lord remove his boots. Nimble fingers unlacing and drawing them off.

He moved about, doing what he always did to assist the feral in his nightly ablutions. When the boy brought the basin with the water for Logan to wash his hands and face, he took the bowl from Remy and set it on the floor.

Thick fingers threaded into the copper silk pulling the boy close. Remy kept his eyes down, knowing what was expected of him. Logan's brow furrowed and he cupped Remy's cheek with his free hand.

"Look at me." he said low and deep. The black and red turned up and gazed into Logan's blue.

"I wanna see yer face, wanna know ya want it." he said and brought the boy's mouth to his with a slow and sultry kiss.

Remy gasped into the kiss, the emotions he was reading off Logan were strong and overwhelming.

Never before had anyone kissed him like this.

He had fumbling kissed his betrothed, he had kissed many women in his travels and he'd been forced into a conquering kiss by many men, but never in his life had anyone kissed the Gypsy like he was special.
TBC....