Chapter 7

Jarrod confessed that an associate of Vaughn's approached him in the tavern nine months ago and was paid a substantial amount of gold to do anything he could do to affect shipments. He confessed everything; from giving the shipment schedule to Vaughn, to breaking equipment, to delaying the harvesting, and sabotaging the barrels. Jarrod also admitted that Marlena's arrival caused a lot of problems in Vaughn's plans. He mentioned Vaughn sending those messages to the tavern and how he would travel here to keep tabs on Teagan's emotional state. It was his hope that Teagan would sell his lands. Rainesfere was highly sought after because of the location, the fertile soil and the hot springs.

"I want to kill that bastard." Teagan seethed as they sat in the study.

"Don't worry he will get what is coming to him. We will have Jarrod's signed statement and we will get the other evidence needed to incriminate him."

"This is my fault." Teagan said. "I should have not let myself drown in grief."

"You mustn't blame yourself Teagan." Marlena said. "Vaughn is a vile human being who looks for opportunities. If had not been you, it would have been someone else."

"Jarrod says Vaughn would likely head back here when he doesn't hear from him." Teagan said as poured Marlena a goblet of wine.

"And that gives us time to come up with a plan." Marlena said. "And while we do that you can tell me about these hot springs. You have been holding out on me Teagan."

"I wasn't holding out on you." Teagan laughed. "I just forgot about them. I will take you there once I am physically able to get on a horse."

"I'm going to hold you to that and this means we will spend more time working on your walking. The more you practice, the easier will be to mount that horse."

"And I intend to hold you to that my dear lady." He grinned.

"Teagan was there something you wanted to ask me earlier before Ser Donall interrupted us with the news about Jarrod?"

"It can wait." Teagan said.

"Well if you will excuse me then, I'm going to bed." Marlena said. "I want to work on Jarrod's statement after breakfast."

"I'll see you in the morning then." Teagan took her hand and kissed it.

Teagan watched as she left the room before deciding to take a walk.

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Marlena was brushing her hair by her window when she spotted Teagan outside walking down the path.

"Teagan." She said dreamily.

She had been getting the strangest signals from him for the last couple of days and they escalated to a higher level when her brother surprised her with a quick visit. Teagan had also mentioned something about them hiring a new wine expert next year as if she would still be living here.

He was looking at her more intently and actually admitted to being jealous when she discussed her relationship with Prince Stefano. Marlena still could not get over how he knocked Jarrod's front teeth out. She could not even remember when was the last time a man defended her like that. And this evening, it appeared like he was going to ask her something until they got interrupted by Ser Donall.

Marlena could not deny the fact that she always found Teagan to be handsome but she also appreciated his friendship. She had to admit, seeing him shirtless when she first arrived took her breath away and she also did not mind when he had seen her naked when spying on her at the lake. Had it been anyone else, she would have had a raging fit. She actually liked the fact that it was Teagan and she seized the opportunity to force him to walk.

Marlena thought of Kaitlyn and how beautiful and sweet she was. It made her feel bad to have these feelings for Teagan yet there had been moments recently that made it seem like he was ready to move forward. She had come here to help him and was not seeking a relationship but then again could not help but think of the possibilities. Blowing out the candle and climbing into bed, Marlena decided to take each day as they come and not try to read too much into things in the case she was wrong.

Turning Point

The next several weeks seemed like an eternity as they waited for Vaughn to return. They had already hatched out the early stages of a plan with the Blackstone Irregulars who provided security for the castle and the village. It was assumed Vaughn would show up with a contingent of his own personal guards. Since Vaughn always sent word of his impending arrival to the tavern, it was decided that Irregulars would dress as commoners to avoid suspicion. They would deal with the guards while Vaughn would be dealt with separately. Britta had also agreed to be part of this plan when knowing it would lead to Vaughn's downfall but her role had yet to be decided.

Marlena and Teagan's relationship slowly changed as she continued to help Teagan run Rainesfere and help him to walk. He had progressed to a point where he was able to walk short distances without the assistance of a cane. There was one day when Marlena found him outside the barn chopping wood. His shirt was unbuttoned and his firm chest glistened from the sweat. Marlena let out a small gasp when he removed the shirt revealing two finally sculpted arms. He had built up a great deal of upper body strength from not walking and it definitely showed in those arms. Marlena and Teagan also spent a great deal of time together now. They would eat together, play cards, talk and enjoy long walks. There would be times when Teagan would take her hand or put his arm around her, when they went out for a walk and when she retired for the night, he would always kiss her hand.

Recently he had given her a beautiful pearl bracelet that belonged to Kaitlyn. She remembered when Kaitlyn had purchased it at a jeweler in Amaranthine and Teagan had said she would have want her to have it. It touched her that he would give her something that belonged to Kaitlyn.

For the first time in a long time she felt happy and not just content. But that suddenly changed when Teagan retreated from her the day the two Grey Wardens visited her.

Fergus had told the Grey Wardens, she was living in Rainesfere. The two that came by were relatively new to the order and had wanted to meet her. Teagan was polite to them but excused himself, leaving them when they had lunch. Marlena had talked with them for a couple of hours before they departed and when coming back to the castle, she was told by one of the servants that Teagan had said he was not feeling well and wanted to be alone. For three days after that, Teagan avoided her and at first it hurt, but now it was making her angry and Marlena had no intention letting it continue.

Telling the servants she did not want to be disturbed, Marlena locked the door to the wing and went to Teagan's door and picked the lock.

He was sitting in the chair staring out the window when she came in.

"Teagan!"

Her voice startled him but her intrusion angered him.

"What the hell?" Teagan glared. "You have no right…."

"You have basically ignored me for the last three days Teagan." Marlena said. "Its obvious something is wrong and I want to know what and I am not leaving here until you tell me."

"Alright! You want to know? I will tell you then! You enjoyed meeting the Grey Wardens far too much!" He shouted.

"Of course it was nice to meet them." Marlena said. "They've only been Wardens a couple of years and wanted to meet me. I can't help that Teagan."

"Oh please Marlena, you don't think I can see it? It's plainly obvious that the minute we deal with this Vaughn situation, you are going to go back to the Grey Wardens. You may not realize this but I happen to care for you! "

"And you deduced that just because I enjoyed a visit with two Grey Wardens?" Marlena asked. "Teagan even if I could be a Grey Warden again, I would not want to. That part of my life is over with. And I care for you too!"

"You do?" He looked surprised.

"Yes Teagan. I do." Marlena said softly. "And now since we both made our feelings known, what do you propose we do?"

Teagan walked toward her and pulled her against him. His face was inches from hers and his hazel eyes held hers.

He caressed her cheek and drew her face to his. "This is what we should do."

Marlena gasped when Teagan suddenly scooped her off her feet and crushed his mouth to hers until they both moaned as she parted her lips to meet his tongue.

As Teagan held her Marlena could feel the delicious sensation of his arousal against her.

She could hear the sound of cloth tearing as he ripped her nightgown off her body.

"You aren't wearing anything underneath." He said hungrily.

"That's because I sleep in the nude Teagan." Marlena said between breaths. "The nightgowns are for when I leave the room and when people knock on the door."

"Interesting." Teagan said as he kissed her throat. "It just so happens I sleep in the nude as well."

Teagan groaned as she removed his shirt and explored his chest with her hands and Marlena cried out when feeling his tongue on one of her nipples as his hand massaged her other breast. She shivered when feeling his other hand tenderly touched and kneaded the folds of her sex until he found her throbbing nub.

Marlena moaned as she grinded against his hand. She reached down and undid the laces of his breeches and tore at his smalls until she had him in her hands. His body shook as she gently stroked his erection, feeling it twitch with every movement.

Teagan lifted her in his arms, carried her to his bed and crawled on top of her.

"You brought me back to life Lena. You did something I thought no one could ever do." Teagan said before kissing her as she guided him to her entrance.

He slowly entered her, closing his eyes to savor every moment. Marlena moved her hips to meet his rhythm and he gasped when she wrapped her legs around him. Teagan cried out when feeling her tighten, and plunged into her faster now, as waves of pleasure rolled over her. Marlena soon screamed as her orgasm enveloped her and felt Teagan shake as his final thrust in her brought his own release. He fell limp against her and rolled onto his side wrapping his arms around her.

"So I guess it would not be presumptuous of me to say that I am courting you now." Teagan said as he kissed her neck.

"No. Not at all." Marlena laughed.

"And would it offend you if I said I expect you to be in my bed every night?"

"Teagan, I wouldn't have it any other way."

Marlena turned her head and kissed him then she wrapped her arms around his, feeling happier than she's ever been in a long time.