Hello all! This is A Castle of Ebony....rewritten, bigger, better, greater. Minor details - some characters have been removed and added, switched. And Gwen's name is now Ginny. If you've read this story before, and are looking for the same exact story...pay attention....there are huge differences. Hope you enjoy this one as much as the last!!! Also...I'm still rewriting The Secrets of Silver and A Fragile Thread of Gold. I haven't forgotten about them!! : )
~Lrenn...
Chapter One
The newly lain bluestone path sparkled with dew in the mid-morning light. Song birds chirped their songs from the surrounding trees. The sky shone blue and bright, giving no testament to the rainstorm that had raged the night before. Guinevere sighed her contentment as she turned her face to the pre-harvest sun and she made her way across the path.
"Ginny! Don't forget the nails for Papa!" her sister's voice rang out, shattering the serenity of the morning.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "I won't, Bella!" she called back just before she entered the strip of forest that secluded their cottage from the rest of the village. She waved behind her and ran on. She grinned, knowing her sister abhorred her wild behavior. To Bella's belief, young women of Ginny's age should no longer run or climb trees or jump rope, actions Ginny could never seem to avoid.
The walk to the village square was not long and before Ginny had time to delve too deeply into a daydream, she emerged from the forest path into bustling activity. Straightening the straw hat she'd plunked on her head earlier that morning, she made her way through the crowds. With a smile, she caught a friend's eye and hurried over to the stand.
"Get an early start today, Fallon?"
The small brunette sighed dramatically, leaning back against the wooden stand. "The earliest! We were the first out today." She yawned, her jaw cracking.
Ginny giggled. "Before I forget, do you have any nails?"
Fallon ran the back of her hand over her eyes before stepping back, taking inventor of the small stand. She reached below the counter. "Well, we've got…"
" 'ello, ladies."
The girls both turned to look. A tall black haired young man sauntered down the lane, chomping down on a hunk of steaming bread. Ginny hoped whatever he had in the pouch slung over his shoulder just happened to be as warm and bread-like as what he held in his hand. Her stomach grumbled, loudly reminding her she hadn't eaten breakfast and it was nearly time for a noon meal.
"No 'Good morning's for a fella?" His voice was rich and smooth, coming from deep in his chest.
Fallon shook her head with another yawn.
"Good morning, Dom," Ginny obliged. "And how are we this fine morning?"
Dom gave her a wink. "Dependable." Reaching into the pouch he produced two steaming rolls. "Fresh from the oven. Ma even sends a 'good morning' along with them.
The two girls laughed, taking the offered pastries. "You're mother just might have saved my life," Fallon sighed, sinking her teeth into the soft roll. "I didn't eaten breakfast."
"That's what I was counting on," Dom replied with a grin. He turned his gaze to Ginny. "I have to pick up some tools your father borrowed last week. I'll find you before you leave and I'll walk home with you."
Ginny nodded. "All right."
Not removing his gaze, he gestured down the lane. "I've got to head back. Ma's putting me back to work. I'll see you later. Don't forget." Ginny shook her head, promising she wouldn't. He bowed then, sweeping his hand out in pure jester form and the girls chorused a farewell as they watched him disappear into the growing crowds.
Ginny couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, that boy. He's funny."
Fallon shook her head. "I'd say he's quite smitten."
"Smitten? With you?"
Fallon raised a brow incredulously. "No, goose! With you! Please tell me you see it. It's too obvious to miss."
Ginny scoffed. "Dom and I are best friends. We aren't allowed to be sweet on each other.
"Dom doesn't feel that way."
Ginny threw her hands up, exasperated. "I need to get those nails for Papa. Do you have them, or do I need to take my business elsewhere?" she glared at her friend.
Fallon shrugged in surrender. "All right, we'll talk about something else." She placed a small carefully wrapped package of nails on the counter. "But I still maintain that you and Dom…"
Ginny made a move to leave, but Fallon grabbed her arm. "Okay. All right, we won't talk about it. I promise."
"Thank you," Ginny said with a scowl. She shoved the last of her bread into her mouth. Fallon turned the conversation to the approaching Beltene Festive. Soon, both girls were sighing with longing as they imagined jumping the flames of the bonfire with the man of their dreams.
After visiting with Fallon a while longer, Ginny browsed the shops along the square, still lost in daydreams of Beltene. The festival was approaching quickly, just a few days away. Her unmarried sisters were already scrambling to procure appropriate costumes. Gowns of light summer fabric, scarves for dancing, bright jewels to set in their hair to glitter against the firelight. All these to attract the attention of their one true love. Then should a man fancy them, together they would clasp hands and jump across the smoldering fire. If they arrived on the other side, hands still clasped, their future looked promising. Perhaps a wedding in the not too distant future. Of course it was just a legend, but sometimes…
A shopkeeper caught Ginny's attention, waving a deep purple scarf. The rich color caught her interest and she approached, fingering the soft material. Instantly, the woman held out a crimson scarf lined with imitation diamonds.
"Sure to catch your young man's eye," the old woman croaked.
Gwen started to shake her head, flipping a strand of her reddish hair over her shoulder. She shouldn't. There was no reason to. She didn't join in the fire rituals because she knew she was too young to settle down. She didn't want a husband…a family…not yet.
Unbidden, a vision of Dom appeared in her mind's eye. He smiled at her, his green eyes glowing black in firelight. He held out his hand and they were jumping over the fire…
"Are you actually going to dance this year, Ginny? Or are you picking one out for your sisters?"
Ginny whirled at the sound of Dom's chuckle. Her cheek burned. "I-I was just looking."
"Hmm," Dom moved closer, inspecting the cloths. "I don't think the red one will go well with your hair, nor the purple one." He held up the cloths to her deep auburn curls. "Definitely not." He picked up an emerald green scarf. "Ah, what about this one?"
Ginny shook her head. "Dom, no. You know I don't dance at the festivals. I have no need for scarves." She tried to keep the image of her and Dom out of her head. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind of the image.
Dom didn't seem to notice her dismay. "We'll take the green one and that cream colored one there. The one with the white stitching." He pulled a few coins out of his pocket and traded them for the cloths.
Ginny grabbed his arm to stop him. "Dom, no. Please. I can't…you can't."
Dom laughed, patting her hand as he would a child's. "Sweetheart, I can do anything I please. And I please to give these to you as a gift." When Ginny shook her head and backed away, he took her hand and placed the wrapped scarves in her hand. "You never know when you might want to dance and when you decide that day has come, you won't have to scurry around to find proper dancing scarves."
Curse Fallon for putting the thoughts of Dom attraction to her in her head. A shiver of delight had wound its way around her head when he'd called her sweetheart and it hadn't removed itself. With him so close, his hand covering hers, she felt positively odd.
Determined to get a hold of herself, she took her hand back, along with the packages. "Well, thank you, Dom, for being so practical."
Dom stepped back, his green eyes unreadable. "Are you ready to head home or do you have more shopping to do?"
She had completely forgotten about his offer to walk home with her. She pushed all uncomfortable thoughts out of her mind. This was Dom, she reminded herself. There's nothing awkward about walking home with him. They had done it hundreds of times.
"No, I'm finished. Let's go." They headed for the path that lead back home. He held an errant branch back to let her pass. They fell into what should have been a companionable silence. Ginny however, strove to find a way to rid herself of the tension she felt all the way down to her toes. "How's your sister, Dom? Did she have the baby yet?"
Dom grinned. "Yes, a strong, loud, healthy baby boy." He kicked a rock with his shoe. "Named him Joaquin." He grimaced and glanced up at the sky. "Hey, Ginny, it's still early. What do you say about a little swim in our pond?"
Ginny glanced over. The pond lay about twenty yards off the beaten path. Surrounded by brush, it was invisible to passersby, except by those who knew where to look. She shook her head, holding her father's package of nails. "No, Dom. I have to get back home. Bella will kill me if I come home soaked again." She sighed and began to move away. "Maybe tomorrow?" Ginny missed the mischievous twinkle in Dom's eyes, turning away just before he reached to grab the package from her hand.
."Dom!" she cried with a laugh. "Give it back!"
He jumped out of her way, grinning maniacally.
"If you were any other boy, I'd slap you!" Ginny scowled in mock anger and grabbed at the package.
"Aw, come on, Genie!" he pleaded. "Let's go swimming. Please?" He let his bottom lip protrude in a ridiculous pout.
Ginny gasped at the nickname. "You promised to stop calling me that! Now, I most certainly won't go swimming!" She lunged.
He shoved the package under a bush and scooped her up. He kept a tight hold on her as she cried out with laughter and struggled to loose herself from his grip. Dom walked over to the pond. Standing at the edge, he leaned over as much as he dared. As he bent forward she stopped struggling lest he drop her clothes and all into the water. She clung to his neck.
"How much do you love me, Ginny?" he teased.
"Lots and lots! Now put me down!"
Dom clicked his tongue against his teeth. "I don't like your tone, Genie," he said sadly.
"Stop that awful nickname, Dominic!" He dropped his arms slightly. "NO! Dom, I do! I promise, I do. Let me go and I'll love you forever!"
"Really?" He thought about it for a moment as she nodded vehemently. "Okay." Opening his arms, he dumped her into the pond.
Ginny came to the surface chocking and sputtering, her hair plastered to her face. Glaring at Dom, she wiped hair and water from her eyes. Sudden and sweet, a smile grew over her face. "Now, help me out. This water's freezing."
Dom shook his head. "You don't need help." He narrowed his eyes. "I don't like that smile."
Keeping her smile in place, she made a show of shivering wildly and clutching at the edge of the pond, forcing it to give way under her weight. "See?" she hunched her shoulders, trying to look at pathetic as possible.
He eyed her as he stepped closer and offered her a hand. Her sweet smile turned into a reckless grin and she gripped his wrist with both hands. Pulling with all her might, she hurled him over her head into the pond.
Dom came up with a scowl.
Ginny gasped. "Oh, no! You pushed me in first! You deserved it." She sent a wave of water in his direction. He ducked under the water, grabbing her ankle. She squealed with laughter. When Dom emerged she splashed him again and they laughed and splashed until the sun was high overhead.
"Dom!" Ginny cried a while later. "Look at the sun! Bella is going to kill me. I should have been home hours ago to help with dinner." She scrambled for the bank and tried to hurl herself out of the pond. The muddy bank gave way and she fell back. Dom caught her, his arms encircling her, hands wrapped securely around her forearms. For the space of five heartbeats she was all too aware of the hard muscular chest at her back and the strong arms supporting her.
"Don't be in such a hurry next time," Dom murmured in her ear. Her conversation with Fallon replayed itself in her mind. She twisted away, blushing furiously.
"Where did you put the package?" She searched in the brush for the nails.
"Hmm, I don't recall," he called, laughing, as he hoisted himself out of the pond.
"Dominic, this is not funny. Bella is going to murder me for being late, let alone swimming, when I was supposed to be helping her." She was harsher than she'd intended, but she couldn't seem to stop herself.
"All right, all right. It's right over here." Dom moved some brush aside and tossed the package to her.
She glared at him. Laughing at her annoyance, he dove back into the pond. Ginny shook her head over the arrogance of young men. She turned swiftly and walked down the path. When Dom didn't follow her, her scowl deepened. Was that scoundrel still swimming? She returned to the pond.
"Dom. Dom! Get out here." No answer. Not even a ripple on the surface to indicate life. "Dom?" She glanced around, her heart pounding. "Where are you? This is no time for jokes!" Only the birds answered. "Dominic!"
"RROOAARR!!"
Ginny screamed and fell backward toward the pool. Dom caught her arm and pulled her to him. Trembling, she clutched at his dripping shoulders. Remembering, she pulled away and punched his shoulder. The impact did little to eliminate the tingling sensation his skin had created against her fingers.
"Ouch! What was that for?"
"For scaring the life out of me! So help me, Dom, I'll hit you again."
"Okay, please, no more. My poor shoulder can only take so much." He held out a hand. "Truce?"
Ginny was skeptical. "No more pranks? You know, we aren't children anymore, Dom."
Something flickered in Dom's eyes. "No more pranks," he confirmed quietly. Ginny took his hand tentatively, removing the scowl from her pretty face. "Now," he continued, "let's get going. We can't have your sister killing you."
Ginny laughed, letting the tension melt away. She fell into step beside Dom, and they resumed their trek home.