Pain and Love: Forever Entwined

Chapter 11

Reilyn felt Murtagh pull closer to her, trying to comfort her, and he waited patiently for her to continue. She took several shuddery breaths, trying to compose herself, and felt warm lips on her neck, strong hands in her own. That seemed to soothe her more than anything else and she savored the moment.

"I had a dream last night, Murtagh," she murmured. "But I think it was a glimpse into my life. . .It's funny. . .Difficult to explain. . ."

"Glimpse of what exactly?" he whispered.

"Of why I'm so damn important to your father and the King," she growled. "Why they want me on their side so badly. . .It's. . .My parents. . .Who I am. . ."

"Go on," he muttered, gently implying that he'd rather lie back down.

They lay down, Murtagh wrapping himself to her, and he pulled the blanket over them. She still didn't face him, if she did she felt she would lose her nerve.

"My mother. . .My mother was a rather powerful witch from Alurra," she smiled slightly at the thought of her mother. "Which is why I grew up in the Forest and how I know some illusions. . ."

"And that must be why I'm spell bound around you," he smiled into her neck. "That's a relief, I was starting to think you had some hold over me. . ." he was trying to lighten the mood.

Reilyn smirked, the teen had actually lightened the mood, and melted into him. He kissed her neck, moving to the corner of her mouth, and she turned her head and let him deepen it. He broke the contact and went back to nuzzling her neck, waiting patiently for her to continue.

"My father. . .he's the one that really mattered to King Galbatorix and Morzan. . ." she growled. "He was once a Rider of the Forsworn. . ."

She felt Murtagh go rigid behind her, his breath catching in his chest, and she wanted to cry and scream. She stared at the stone wall, wishing she had never remembered these things or said anything about them.

"You're sure, Reilyn? There's no question in your mind?" he muttered.

"The dagger I have is his, Murtagh. . .the only thing Morzan let me keep that belonged to him. . .There's a strange mark on its handle. . .Look for yourself. . ." she whispered, feeling him already moving to find it.

"My god. . ." he breathed, looking her dagger over. "Rei. . .This is the mark of the Forsworn. . ."

"I feared that. . ." she whimpered. "I really hoped that it wasn't. . ." she hid her face in the pillow. "That's why I'm so damn valuable. . ."

"The blood of a Rider, a Forsworn, flows in you. . .Mixed with that of a witch. . ." he mumbled, crawling and curling to her. "Why would they kill your parents?"

"Because," she murmured, "my father left them. He had my mother and me to think about. . .They didn't know he had us--it was five years later that they found out--My father was a traitor. . .They killed him over it and my mother. . .They killed her just because they could. . .I was taken to replace the Rider that left. . ."

"Oh, Rei. . ." he breathed, kissing her neck. "I'm sorry. . ."

"They needed me to be trained like that of a Rider. . .so, Morzan, second to last Rider, was the only option. . .I am a valuable asset to them. . .But I have one fatal flaw that still makes your father hate me to this day. . ."

"My father is an evil and hateful man, Reilyn. . .That is why he hates you, he hates me, his own flesh and blood. . ."

"No. . .There is another reason. . ." she took a deep breath. "King Galbatorix wanted a new Rider, he was promised a new one by Morzan. . .Other than you. . ."

"I don't follow, Rei," he breathed.

"Murtagh. . .They presented me with the dragon eggs. . .Obviously none hatched for me. . .I'm no Rider. . .Your father hates me more because of that. . .The King punished him severely for his mistake. . ."

"Well, I love you," he kissed her neck. "Rider or not, strong or weak. . .I care not. . .I love you."

"Murtagh. . ." she smiled, feeling a weight off her shoulders.

"I will still train you, make you stronger. . .But you grow in strength for you, not for them. . .Do you understand me?" he rolled her over, kissing her.

"I'll grow stronger, for me," she smirked. "But also to keep you in your place."

She tried to flip him over, but he was still too strong. He moved and sat on her legs, pinning her wrists with one hand, and brushed her hair from her face with the other. She really struggled, trying to wriggle from beneath him in vain, smiling the whole time. She would need a lot more training before she could match him completely, not that she could really match that of a Rider.

"You forget," he laughed, nipping her lip. "Even if you grow strong enough to 'put me in my place', I'll always outrank you. Being a Prince sort of does that around here."

"You are a royal bastard!" she giggled. "That's not fair!"

"In case you haven't noticed," he breathed, slipping his hand up her shirt and touching her skin. "I never play fair. . .But I do have nobility."

He unpinned her and lay on his stomach beside her, staring at her with loving, hazel eyes. She lay on her side, one hand slowly going over his back, memorizing every bit of exposed skin.

Noble. . .yes, he is noble, isn't he? Rough. . .Really rough. . .But noble. . .she smiled, closing her eyes.

"Mother was like you," he whispered, rolling and touching her face. "I really wish she could have met you. . ."

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Murtagh gazed into the brown eyes, trying hard to muster up the courage to speak to her about this. She waited in silence, her hand brushing his hair back over and over. He opened his mouth to speak, but Morzan tore into his mind.

MURTAGH!

He flinched from the volume of the voice, Reilyn giving him a concerned look, and he shook his head, tapping his temple. She nodded in understanding and he rolled to his back to finish the conversation with his father.

Yes, Father? he growled.

Is it safe to assume that you know there may be no training today? Due to the activities of last evening. . .

Yes, I already guessed that may happen.

Bring the girl and come see me.

What? Why? he snapped.

You do as your told, boy! Morzan roared. Do not make me tell you again! Dress for training and meet me in the Dragon Yard!

Yes sir. . .

Murtagh growled, getting up, and looked to Reilyn. Her brown eyes seemed to know something before he even spoke.

"Reilyn," he mumbled, "dress for training. . ."

"What about Eragon?" she whispered, looking at the sleeping brunette.

"Just you and I," he growled. "Now, get ready!"

He didn't mean to snap at the young teen, but couldn't help it--he was furious with his father. Reilyn looked at him with frustration, she climbed out of the bed, and grabbed her training clothes, vanishing to change. Murtagh slowly changed, cursing himself for being so short tempered with her, and growled in frustration.

What the hell does Father want us for? he wondered. I don't like this. . .

As do I and Saphira, Brave one, Thorn murmured. He's having us saddled. . .

What?! he bellowed.

We don't know why. . .Eragon still sleeps from the wine, yes?

Yes. . .Father only asked for Rei and myself. . .Do you know if she's ever ridden Saphira?

No she hasn't. . .Though Saphira has offered, she always declines. . .I do not like this. . .

My feeling just got worse, Thorn. . .I think I may know what's going on. . .

The King and Morzan have something planned, I'm sure. . .

Who else?

"Murtagh?" Reilyn grumbled from behind him.

He turned, seeing her dressed for training, and remembered he was only half ready. He pulled on his black undershirt, slipped the leather vest on and fumbled with the buckles. He was distracted by thoughts of what his father was up to, and growled loudly when the buckles just couldn't clasp properly.

"Here," Reilyn muttered, spinning him around, a small smirk on her mouth.

"I apologize for snapping earlier," he said, watching as she effortlessly fastened the vest. "Forgive me?"

"Murtagh," she shook her head, rolling her eyes. "I have come to understand that you have your moods, even if you are noble. . ."

"My moods?" he arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

"You have your moments, that's all," she said, patting his vest. "There. Think you can manage the sword belt on your own?"

"I do," he smiled, "but it'd be more fun if I couldn't."

She shoved him into the wardrobe, shutting the door on him, with an annoyed eye roll, and grabbed her own belt.

"That's what I mean by 'moods'," she smirked a little. "And of course when you're being testy."

"You never answered me," he laughed, pulling himself out of the wardrobe and fastening his belt. "Am I forgiven?"

"I suppose," she looked at him over her shoulder. "I mean, I have no other choice."

"No, you don't," he smirked. "But I thank you for managing to find the will to forgive me in that heart of yours. . ."

She gave him a look, narrowing her eyes slightly, and he couldn't resist. He grabbed her, spun her around, and held her against the wardrobe. She tensed a little, but relaxed when he locked his mouth with hers. He dominated the kiss, never giving her a chance to even try, and growled loudly, pressing them together. He left her lips, attaching himself to her throat, and bit hard. She sucked in a breath through clenched teeth, a small whine emanating from her beautiful throat, and he bit again, just as hard, in a new spot.

Just as I always thought. . .he smiled to himself. She's just like me. . .

He growled louder, feeling her sink her teeth into his shoulder to keep from making any more noise, and tasted blood. He bit her hard enough to make her bleed! He pulled off, kissing the blood gently, then lapped it up eagerly, unable to stop himself. He was vaguely aware of Thorn's rumbling laugh in his mind as he made her neck his own, marking it with his mouth and teeth.

"Mmmm!" she yelped a little, grabbing a handful of hair and pulling him off her. "M-Murtagh. . .th-this is enough . . ."

He growled, resisting her, and went back to her neck. He only stopped when he felt the deep, dark, warning growl that came from her throat. He cursed his eagerness, the damn vow to his father, and let his head rest on her shoulder. They were both very out of breath, she was shaking a little, and he held her close. She nuzzled his neck, then bit him hard, drawing blood, and pulled back.

"That's for not listening!" she snipped, giving him a glare. "You have been with Thorn too long, I think. . ."

What does she mean by that?! Thorn roared.

"He wants to know what you mean by that, Rei," he said, looking at her apologetically. "And I'm sorry. . ."

"I mean," she touched her neck, "you like to play with your victim. . .I know you're sorry. . ."

Well, in my defense, Murtagh. . .You liked playing with your victims long before I ever came along. . .Thorn chuckled.

Not the time, Thorn, he smirked.

"Well, it would seem," he touched his own marked neck, "I'm not the only one here who enjoys that."

"Only following suit," she growled playfully.

He managed to wrestle his urge to attack her again down, but couldn't resist stealing a very deep kiss from her lips. This time, she gained control, never allowing him to steal it back, and nipped his lip when she was through. His mind was beginning to spin a little, he bit his lip to keep from doing something stupid, and was interrupted by his father's enraged voice.

BOY!? Where in the hell are you?! he roared.

We're coming. . .We had a small distraction. . .he felt himself blush.

Well, move your asses! We haven't all day, boy! he snapped, before leaving his thoughts.

"We should get going. . ." he whispered. "Father is pissed. . .To the Dragon Yard. . ."

Reilyn growled, hand dancing on her blade's handle, and she clenched her jaw. Murtagh understood her hatred for the man, he felt it as well, but much as he hated both men--he had been forced into loyalty.

I'm no more a Prince to these lands than I am a slave. . .he thought darkly, leading the way to the Yard.

Sorry it's taken so damn long to update this one!! But the Four Brothers one was just so much fun to write, still is a lot of fun! I'll try really really really hard to keep at both of them, but forgive me if this one lags a little again. . .Much love to all who read this chapter!