First rays of sun were just touching the roofs of the castle compound, but there was already a clamor of people near the main gates. Servants were loading baggage and harnessed horses into carts for long trip. Armed men were gathering and readying for the convoy. Grooms prepared a small carriage for travel. Here also stood the lady of the castle, her eldest son, the advisor and Broderick Carter. Soon, Kim joined them at the gates with Rose following her.

Kim, who couldn't sleep for a long time after Jack joined her in bed, only managed a brief nap when the sky was already lightening. Of course, she was barely awake now. She wasn't entirely mentally present when Rose dressed her and styled her hair with a neat lacy cap covering the low bun. Somehow despite it being the late summer, one could already feel autumn in the morning and Kim was bundled in the light cloak that matched her dark blue traveling dress. She fought off the urge to yawn and closed her eyes, swaying slightly in the wind. While Jack talked to Lord Marshal and Tyrone, Lady Marshal approached her. She looked Kim over several times and finally spoke.

"Is everything alright with you and Master Bruer?" the older woman asked carefully.

"Everything was fine until his brother gave us his well wishes," Kim's tone was dripping in disdain despite her sleepiness.

"Lady Isabelle! Dear, please, refrain from such statements. He is your family now. Eventually, he would be the head of the clan. I shall pray that you recover your memories or at least learn the appropriate manners soon. You should never speak so forwardly."

Kim nodded sullenly. It wasn't the first time she was reprimanded for her directness. All she wanted right now was to sleep but the long good-bye was testing her patience.

Broderick and Francis joined them too and Carter's face was the picture of wistful disappointment. He bowed to her.

"Milady, I wish you safe travels. May you be spared the highway bandits and bad weather. And," he slowed and looked over at Jack, "-any other unfortunate circumstances."

Francis nodded along, "Yes, take care of yourself. Your new husband is known for his swift temper and swifter justice. They say he rid the forests of Devon of any and all bandits."

Lady Marshal scoffed and lightly slapped her son's wrist, "Francis, how many time did I tell you not to repeat rumors. Especially where Master Bruer can hear you. And there is no need to scare Lady Isabelle. "

But Kim only waved her hand off, "If he did, then our travel would be quite safe. No bandits, no ambushes. So you see, Mr. Carter, you have no reason to worry. I certainly feel safe."

"R-right... you are, milady," Lady Marshal spoke slightly in shock. None of the three residents of York castle expected such unorthodox conclusions from their fear-mongering.

But before any one of them could say more, a familiar gruff voice called out, "Isabelle, it is time for us to go."

Jack Bruer in his habitual all black clothes loomed behind the two young men and Lady Marshal, his face impassive.

Kim couldn't hide the relief: finally, she could sleep. She managed to hide her reaction enough to bow to her companions.

With well wishes, some sincere and some - not, the Bruers said good-byes to all present at the yard. Kim, aided by Jack, climbed the carriage and Rose joined her.


Jack stood there a little longer, saying his final parting words to Lord and Lady Marshal.

But before he mounted the horse, he walked by the carriage and took a glance through the small window, because it was unusually quiet. And then sighed. Mostly from a relief. Isabelle was merely asleep and not gone off somewhere. She was reclined back, but the straight back of the seat wasn't allowing for a comfortable position. He sighed again. This time in consternation: he told her to sleep last night, didn't he? But did she listen? No. He wasn't upset that she had a nightmare about him. Really. After all that she heard and especially Cai's words, it was no wonder she'd have night terrors about him.

He himself needed a little time to calm down. Despite his stoic attitude, like most people, he was stung by his family's continuous rejection of him. Even Cai's acceptance was something Jack wanted. Even knowing his brother for who he was: a petty and cruel person with little morals. Words that didn't even register when coming from other people, hurt him when it was his family saying them. There wasn't much to do when that happened, but to wait the pain out. When he finally was calm enough, he realized that it was quite late. Therefore he had to enter his chambers quietly. If someone saw him, the newlywed, coming so late into his quarters on a wedding night, who knew what sort rumors would that create?

When he did come in undetected, he discovered that his bride was already asleep. But restlessly. He knew immediately what was the matter: he had his share of nightmares in his lifetime. His entire childhood, nightmares were constant and devastating, as if his waking hours were any better. So he woke Isabelle up without hesitation: she didn't need to suffer. Who knew that after seeing him in her nightmare she would want to share it with him immediately? At that point he actually tried to prepare himself for the look of fear in her eyes - the one he'd expected since they first met, the one that everyone who knew him usually had.

However, her next actions reassured him that Isabelle had been and still was an exception to the rule. There was no doubt that she did not fear him. At all. This strange girl, like a shooting star fallen from the sky or a water sprite, had no care for the human conventions. Even now, when they were leaving, she defended him again as if not realizing what Francis and Broderick were suggesting about her husband's brutish ways. She cleverly defended him by twisting their words and turning them into a compliment of sorts. One would assume he was a hero. Who knew that he had to marry to get a praise?

Isabelle frowned in her sleep and Jack realized that he got lost in his thoughts again. Like this morning, when he watched her sleep on his pillows. She slept with mouth open and her lashes fluttered a little. The sky was getting lighter and lighter, but he couldn't stop staring. And in his heart grew a new feeling, one he didn't experience before and couldn't name.

Jack sighed again and tried to settle his mind, taking one last look at the sleeping girl. How could she sleep in this uncomfortable position? The sun wasn't fully out yet and there was a morning chill in the air, but such details didn't bother him at all. He took off his light cloak, folded it and stuffed in gently under her head. After closing the curtain he strode to the horse. One last hand wave to the castle inhabitants, and he counted the horse and exited the gates first, leading his party of armed men, loaded carts, servants and one sleeping girl.


Rose didn't know what to think of the new husband of her mistress. By all accounts he was fearsome and dangerous man. Everyone knew that. There were many stories of his savagery: he killed animals and men alike with ease. People said that he drove his own mother insane; that even forest animals avoided him; that Devil marked his face. She first saw him when he drove like the devil's own down the market street and plucked her mistress off the ground. In that moment Rose thought him to be the Lucifer himself, who came down to sow death on all God's people. And it would make sense that he would target her mistress, who was like an angel herself. Lady Isabelle was kind and gentle; she didn't act like servants were merely very clever animals. She always asked, never demanded. She often questioned Rose about simple things and helped Rose with French words.

But there must be something in Lucifer from his days in paradise, because he spared her mistress and let her live, even when she talked back at him and scolded him.

Then, every time her mistress went outside castle walls, the Wolf would appear like a dark wraith and follow her, and Rose was confident that nothing would befall her mistress then. No one dared to look at her, because looking at her would mean looking into the Wolf's eyes.

Rose had to look at those eyes sometimes and every time she counted herself lucky to be alive. They made her forget how to breath and froze her in spot where she stood. And if he spoke to her, her tongue usually forgot how to move and she could only bow low to him, avoiding the direct look.

So when she learned that her mistress were to marry the Wolf, Rose cried. She knew that once Lady Isabelle became Mrs. Bruer, he would never give her up: the dark prince found his light.

And now, Rose was going with her mistress to Torquay. She was glad to be with Lady Isabelle and dreaded the new master. Perhaps, now that Lady Isabelle was his, he'd show his Devil's side and try and kill the light in her angelic mistress?

When they were about to leave the castle in York, the Wolf looked inside the carriage and placed his cloak under Lady Isabelle's head. Rose didn't see what his eyes looked like then, but his movements were so gentle, she almost didn't believe her eyes. Was this really the Wolf?

And then he turned his eyes to her and, yes, it was him: the cold and burning look was hard and oppressive making her swallow hard.


Kim didn't know how long she slept, but when she woke she felt well rested. She lazily stretched out, as much as the confined space allowed and felt something smooth and light slide down her back. She pulled it forward and saw a black cloak, which she saw on someone in particular this morning. She smiled and collected the cloth, folding it neatly. It smelled a little of mint and forest and she realized that it was distinctly Jack's scent. Her husband's scent. What a strange notion...

Her brain quickly supplied memories of the last night and Kim froze in distress. How could she be so stupid? Kim, what was wrong with you? she scolded herself. How could she tell him unthinkingly that she had a nightmare with him in it, after his brother's cruel words? Was he upset with her? They didn't even have a chance to speak before they departed. What should she do? They should clear the air, but how to do so while they travel? And without witnesses?

While she was thinking about her predicament, the carriage stopped moving and a servant of her husband's politely announced that it was midday and Master Bruer ordered a meal stop. Oh well, it seemed like her opportunity was coming up soon. Kim pondered how to begin her conversation as she climbed out of the small space. She vividly remembered her impressions from the travel to the York castle. It still was the same: small confined space, bumpy roads, boredom. Carriage travel had its disadvantages. Even paved roads were bumpy compared to the modern asphalt smoothness of American highways.

Jack was giving directions to servants, who were setting up a place in the shade of the large tree for the newlyweds to have their repast. Kim was observing it all with slightly displaced feeling: her mind was occupied with how to approach him with her apology. While unintentionally, she upset him with her words. How to explain to him so he didn't think it was some sort of the weak coverup, which she invented just now? She nervously played with the hem of her sleeve, walking to and fro a short distance on the path. It was when she made another turn that she bumped into someone.

"Ow," she mumbled, rubbing forehead, and looked up to the culprit. The reason for her disquiet was looking at her down his nose.

"What are doing?" he asked her seriously, observing intently all her movements.

"Well, I... I... That is..." Kim was caught unawares and tried to come up with some coherent explanation. Meanwhile, Jack was not helping at all. His head tilted to the side and he gave her a once over.

"It's unusual how quiet and timid you are," he said finally and unexpectedly lowered his head to hers in his usual manner of invading personal space. Which only caused her to panic even more. "What's the matter? What are you planning?"

Kim could only stare at him with wide eyes. His proximity to her was such that his piercing eyes were all that she could see and when he spoke his lips were just too close. She lost the last scattered thoughts in her brain and could only see and feel. His still very remarkable hazel eyes were lit with curiosity and something else; his lips were still well shaped and pulled into a smirk; his familiar scent still a refreshing mint even in the midday... He looked and she looked back and it was as if the air between them got heavier and more tangible. His focused gaze on her was creating a strange sensation of the magnetic field that trapped her and pulled close...

She was attracted to him, she realized with a start. She probably was attracted to him before, but the worries about her future fate suppressed this feeling and now, when she felt safe, it came back with vengeance. She blinked in realization and anxiety. She was attracted to Jack Bruer and he was her husband! Oh good god...

Jack, as if sensing her troubled state of mind, straightened and took her hand. "Fine, keep your secret. But it is long past time that you had your midday meal. Did you even break the fast this morning? No? What are you thinking about all the time that you forget to eat?"

He grumbled at her as he walked with her towards the improvised table. She sat on a pillow opposite him and took a cup of milk before her, which allowed her to avoid looking at him directly. She couldn't afford to look at him - he had a strange and hypnotic effect on her. Especially when he was close and invaded her space and took her hand, which he did often enough. Only he first did it to intimidate her and later - to protect her.

She sighed and went about taking another sip of milk, when a slice of bread with cheese was place on top of the cup. She looked up in shock to see his serious look.

"Are planning to starve to death? Or did you forget how to use your knife and fork?"

She could only bend her head in agreement and took the offering with thanks. She ate slowly trying to come up with her strategy of apologizing to Jack. When the meal was done and she washed hands while Rose poured water for her, Kim looked at the carriage with trepidation. Who knew how many days they'd be traveling and she already dreaded that tiny box on wheels. Boredom was foreboding.

Enough, Kim thought to herself, enough with being a coward. This was Jack, her friend. He usually was the one to get her no matter what. And clearly he was still willing to talk to her. So resolved, she walked quickly to where he was checking the harness on his horse. He instantly lifted his head when he heard her approach.

"Ugh, I can't take a whole day in the carriage. It's suffocating and uncomfortable," she started, feeling like a capricious spoiled lady but going with the moment, lest she lost her courage.

"We don't have a spare horse," his one visible brow rose in question.

Kim just shook her head, knowing how she could achieve relative confidentiality, "But I don't know how to ride one anyway. I mean," she corrected herself seeing his distrustful narrowed eyes, "I don't remember if I do or don't. But I am certain I can't ride in the carriage the whole way. I shall get nauseous."

"Then you shall have to ride with me on my horse," he responded with certain impertinence. "Aren't you afraid to fall off it?"

"Well, if you promise not to drop me. Last time you manage to gallop with me," she said with an element of judgement, recalling that he never apologized for that.

Jack smirked and before she could say anything more, she found herself sitting in the saddle. And the next second her back was pressed against a strong body. This was his answer to the problem and she was glad her plan worked. She turned to face him immediately and smiled wide.

"Settle down, you!" he groused, grabbing the reins. "This time you might fall despite the slow pace."

"I'm not worried. You'll catch me," she responded with confidence, settling in more comfortably in the circle of his arms. "Shall you teach me how to ride a horse?"

He huffed with put-upon air, grumbling about restless wives that wouldn't sit still. Of course, she couldn't have known that all this time he was smiling.


"Judging by you effort now, you must have been terrible at learning even before your lost your memories."

"And what makes you thinks so, huh?"

"Because somehow you haven't retained even the basic elementary skills."

"Well, maybe my parents didn't see the need for it."

"Didn't see the need in horseback riding? That is very peculiar. And why have they thought you'd make a good bride for an Anglo-Saxon lord when you can't ride a horse? I mean, I don't know about the continent, but here it's a required skill. You must have been hopeless."

"That's not true. I'm plenty talented and I learn quickly."

"I am looking at how you constantly pull the reins of the horse, even though I told you to be gentle, and I doubt that you learn as quickly as you say."

"It's only because it is alive. Its a living being. It must think terrible things about me. Probably. And it keeps doing whatever it pleases."

This was the kind of dialogue that the squad leader of Cai Brewer's men - one Andrew Tailor - has heard on a regular basis. He was traveling a little ahead of the cortege as was his responsibility, but behind Jack Bruer. This time he simply turned sideways and, covering his mouth, allowed himself a noiseless laughter.

Andrew Tailor was old enough to have served the current Baron Brewer, father of Cai and Jack. He's seen plenty of battles and managed to rise in ranks from the mere crew member to a knight. He was given a small living, nothing more than a large farm, but it was enough to lift his family out of poverty. He managed to give dowry to all his sisters and could comfortably start looking for a bride of his own. However, his lord called him to stay on with the firstborn son. Even though all matters of clan's defense were taken by the second son, Cai still needed his own protection. And while Andrew served under Cai, he learned why his lord asked him of this service. The young master was cruel, avaricious, and ambitious man. It made for a dangerous combination. So, Andrew did what he could to make sure the young master lived long enough to become wiser.

And then Cai gave him orders to accompany the second son and his wife to Torquay and Andrew felt great unease. Not one for idle gossip, he viewed all information about the Jack Bruer as field intelligence. And what he heard was not good. All of the stories were about his savage cruelty. Those were circulating the Devon almost all the time, but each visit to see his father and brother, new and more horrifying rumors were shared by people, who supposedly saw everything with their own eyes. This time it was the story of him single-handedly torturing the men who attacked the French chevalier and his family. Supposedly he tore their tongues and gouged eyes for not giving him the answers he needed. And when he was done with them he put them on spikes along the main road so others would know and avoid the Devon forest. And if these stories were true, what could he - a mere knight - do to stop the lord's cruel son if he decided to wreck havoc?

But to his and all of Cai Bruer's men's immense surprise, Jack Bruer was a relatively calm and reasonable young man, absolutely indifferent to the various frivolous pursuits that many rich men's sons liked to engage when bored and knowing they'd be unpunished. And, incidentally, he was also patient. Considering how he treated his restless and curios wife, who more resembled a child than a proper lady. Lady Isabelle was also quite a well known lady. Everyone in Devon heard her story. The lady was meant to be married into the Marshal family, but somehow it didn't happen. Some gloated that she didn't get to be the wife of the firstborn son and an heir. Most pitied the poor soul: she must have been very unfortunate to become the wife of the Wolf.

And yet, observing their interactions, Andrew only was surprised. Lady Isabelle, instead of being rightfully very upset and crying nonstop about her ruined life while avoiding her fearful husband at every opportunity, was treating him as a friend and kindest person known to her. She refused to ride the carriage the whole day and spent a lot of time with her husband riding horseback with him. And even demanded riding lessons from him. Which often led to the harmless bickering between them.

It was curious, Andrew observed, as he watched the bickering couple of newlyweds. Maybe everything was much simpler? They acted as if they were truly friends and they bickered as if they were married for at least 10 years. And there were rumors that she ran away when her cortege was ambushed because she didn't want to marry Francis Marshal. And Jack Bruer was the one to find her pilfered belongings of her family? And stayed in York long past the time needed to return the stolen goods? And what was he supposed to make of all these incongruities?

And, Lady Isabelle was different from all noble-born ladies he'd ever met. She wasn't demanding; liked to talk even in her broken version of Anglo-Saxon; was very energetic; and, in general, she reminded him of his own sisters than young ladies. She seemed to enjoy the trip; she smiled to her husband; talked to servants during breaks; and even tried to befriend him. As it turned out, she was easy to talk to, because she was curious about everything and was always in good humor. She disregarded the social status when she spoke to people and would poke fun at herself. She treated people like her equals, but he could not quite forget their different status because the piercing eyes of the Wolf - the second Bruer son and Lady Isabelle's husband - always followed her. Those eyes, those terrible eyes that pinned you to the ground and paralyzed thoughts in your head, were the only confirmation of the monstrous nature of the baron's son.

Andrew would not cross this young man. Andrew would not cross this young lady for where she went, the Wolf followed.