Chapter 9

Leaving Carolyn in Mary's capable hands, Riddick threw himself into his business for the day, attending strictly to those things that needed doing within the Keep and its grounds. He would let others take care of his business in the fields and village for now.

Joining his men for supper, he lingered in the hall until James' arrival much later. The men that were keeping him company as they exchanged war stories over a cup of ale, left to find their beds when his second in command returned.

"He's gone," James announced as he poured himself a drink before joining Riddick in front of the fire. "He was in the Badlands and out of sight before I turned back. I left two men to keep watch tonight. They'll head back at daylight, before if needed."

"Thank you, James," Riddick said quietly staring into the fire.

"How's the lass?"

Riddick scowled, getting to his feet. "Terrified," he growled before throwing his tankard at the fireplace where it shattered.

James merely raised his eyebrows at the outburst waiting to see if Riddick was going to reveal what he was thinking.

He wasn't.

"I believe Isolaude was looking for you at supper. I'm sure she's missing you." Riddick said to his friend as he bent down to damper the fire for the night.

James swung the tankard in his hand back and forth a few times before setting it on the table in front of him. Wondering what demons were after his friend this time, he left quietly knowing that if Riddick didn't want to talk there was no use in trying to make him.

Making his way to the stairs he let his thoughts turn to the busty brunette that was undoubtedly warming his bed.


Riddick paused by Carolyn's door before moving on to his own. Stripping down, he threw himself on the bed, lacing his fingers behind his head as he sorted through his thoughts. The fire had burned down low when his eyes finally closed, sending him into a dream filled sleep.


He sat up in bed, soaked with sweat. Sliding over to the edge, he ran a hand over his head. He had been a child the last time he had that particular dream, still in the nursery.

It had been the same dream, over and over for months until one night it had changed and he had never had the dream again, completely forgetting about it until now.

Dressing, he slowly headed downstairs to his study, pondering on the dream as he went. He could have been no more than seven, maybe eight years old when he had them, but suddenly remembered them with stunning clarity.

There was a little girl, much younger than he. He remembered that she had a sweet face and hair the color of honeysuckle. He was always watching over her as she slept in her cradle, nestled in the soft grass on the highest of hills overlooking the stars. It always ended with the girl waking up and reaching out for him.

He would wake before he lifted her up, but that never bothered him. The dream always made him feel at peace, at least until she had shown up and taken the girl away from him.

The dream had occurred the same way it always had, up until the very end. That time, when the girl had woken, a woman appeared next to the cradle picking her up out of his reach.

"Give her back!" he had demanded of the woman as she held the crying child who was reaching out for him.

"Oh, Richard. I am so sorry. I had no idea this was happening or I would have stopped it immediately." The woman said trying to comfort the girl as Riddick stood watching angrily.

"She's mine! You give her back right now!" He demanded of the woman once again.

With a sigh the woman bent down beside him, giving him his first opportunity to actually touch the girl who was not much more than an infant. He reached out wiping the tears away from her eyes as she babbled happily at him, locking a tiny hand around his finger.

"Please don't take her away." Riddick pleaded with the woman, looking into her face.

She smiled kindly at him and reached out to cup his cheek. "You're right, Richard. She is yours. But it's not time yet. The thread between our worlds is stronger than I anticipated but now that I know, this won't be allowed to happen again. You will forget about this child and this will all become nothing but a forgotten memory."

"But I don't want to forget!" he insisted.

Prying the girl's hand away from Riddick, the woman stood. "When the time is right, you will remember." She said as the as the air around them began to crackle and wisps of white licked at the hem of her dress.

"Can you at least tell me who she is?" He asked as they began to fade from view.

"She's my daughter."

The words floated softly to him as the child disappeared from him forever.

That morning, he had woken up not understanding why he couldn't be with the little girl anymore. He had been inconsolable. It was his job to look after her and keep her safe. His young heart had been broken.


As Riddick blinked away the memory, he realized that he was standing at the bottom of the stairs in a daze. Shaking his head he continued on to his study, retrieving what he had come down to get. Retracing his steps, he entered Carolyn's chamber making his way to her bed.

Mary and Agnes had gone back to their own chambers now that her fever was under control. She only had to tug on the rope next to her bed and a bell next to Mary would ring.

He stood over her, his eyes roaming her face. Reaching out, he brushed his hand across her arm causing her to sit straight up with a gasp.

"Shhh," he soothed.

"Milord, you startled me."

"That was not my intent. Please forgive me."

"Of course," Carolyn said placing a hand on her chest as she took a few deep breaths to calm her racing heart.

Riddick moved away to stoke the fire, throwing more logs in it while Carolyn watched. Moving back to the bed he held out his hand to her. "Would you like to get out of that bed?"

Opening her mouth to reply, she opted to remain silent, snapping her mouth shut with a sigh. Throwing her blankets back, she was grateful that Mary had seen fit to put her in a bed gown earlier that evening. Placing her hands in his, he helped her to her feet as she leaned on him heavily, walking slowly to the fireplace, now with a blazing fire within it.

Picking something up off the mantle he handed it to her. "You need to burn these."

Carolyn looked into his eye with a mixture of shock and surprise before looking back to the papers as she unfolded them. "How?" She asked looking back at him.

He simply smirked and motioned towards the fire.

Carolyn took an unsteady step, tossing the papers into the fire. "Thank you," She whispered turning to look at him.

"I am Lord Richard from the House of Riddick, Realm of Furya."

Carolyn smiled softly. "Could we sit for a little while?" she asked motioning to the cushioned bench nearby.

"Of course." Riddick replied bringing the bench to her.

Helping her to sit, he took a seat next to her, propping an elbow upon the curved arm as he watched the fire. Hearing a sniffle from beside him he looked over at her.

"I'm so sorry," Carolyn sniffed again. "Every time I see you, I'm crying."

Riddick reached out wiping the tears from her cheek. "You've been through a lot. I think if anyone has the right to cry, it's you."

Silently she shifted closer beside him, laying her head on his shoulder.

He took one of her hands in his as his other arm circled her waist, his hand resting loosely on her hip.

The warmth of the fire dried the tears on his shirt.