Author's Notes: Yet another week, and thus, more chapters. Here's the latest one! Enjoy!
Chapter XXVI
Save for Arthur and Andres, the men were stunned silent at Iliana's words before parting ways with them. Even Tristan, whose face was usually passive, had a shocked expression in his eyes. Whatever the situation, she was usually so calm, but this was the first time he ever saw her this furious. Add her doubts about him and the men to it, and it might as well be a fatal blow of an insult to injury. She wasn't just speaking for herself, but also for the girls she spent the past month nurturing back to health, both physically and mentally.
"Blimey. I have never seen her that pissed, nor have I ever had my ego hit that hard by an insult," Bors commented once he calmed down.
"Ili wasn't attempting to insult you or the men, Bors," Andres said, his words catching the men's attention. "What she did was challenge you all to see your real selves, the men that she knows are within you. They are the men she and the Sirens seek in their hour of need.
"Basically, she's telling you all to man up if you are to be the ones they can lean on for support. I know, because Leoric used to challenge me and the rest of the men the same way during times like these. When she stepped up and challenged you, I was almost sure I saw Leoric in her for a split second."
The looks in the men's eyes spoke of the confirmation for them. After a moment of silence, Vanora stepped forward once she calmed Eleven from his crying.
"What are you all still doing here?" she asked sternly, an unhappy look on her face. "You should follow them right now and be at their sides. They're going to really need that emotional support for whatever has been plaguing them."
At that, Tristan was heading out of the tavern.
"Tristan?" Dagonet called.
"I know where they are. Follow me if you want to find out," he replied.
"How does he know?" Galahad asked as he and the men followed, with Jols, Andres, and Vanora accompanying them.
"Because he knows Ili, and he knows the Sirens will follow her wherever she goes," Gawain replied.
Iliana breathed out a sigh, the cool night air doing nothing to ease her of the anger still coursing through her veins. She was in utter disbelief over the way the men acted overall. None of this was Arthur's fault, and yet, they still took their frustrations out on him and each other. After witnessing that, besides trying to calm the Sirens, she was doubting the men were what they truly needed.
It was possible that her turbulent emotions in combination with trying to soothe her frightened Sirens were clouding her overall judgment. She didn't truly believe that romance was over for her and the girls; she merely said it out of spite and to get the men to straighten their acts up.
Unfortunately, she spoke the words and couldn't take them back.
She had little time to dwell on the thought when she arrived at the stables. Walking through the open door of the barn, she found the girls gathered near the benches set up in the corner.
"Well, what just happened back at the tavern was the last thing I was expecting to witness," she said, her voice echoing throughout the barn and announcing her presence. "You took the words right out of my mouth there, Estrella."
Despite the pain of her trauma clear in her emerald eyes, Estrella gave Iliana a small smile. Returning the smile with one of her own, the adolescent blonde approached the ebony-haired girl and gave her a hug, which she happily accepted as she let the tension flowing within her out.
"Are you okay?" Iliana asked, rubbing her back to comfort her.
"I'm as okay as one can be under these particular circumstances," Estrella replied. "I'm hurting, but this isn't the first time I've had to deal with this."
"And I know it won't be the last," Iliana said, pulling away from her. "The only difference is you have the skills needed to channel the anger lurking within you, and you're surrounded by people who care. I will not let those bastards hurt you again. Do you hear me, Estrella?"
"Aye," Estrella said with a nod.
"The same goes for the rest of you. The Saxons will not lay so much as a single finger on any of you. Do you understand?"
The rest of the girls nodded.
"What of the men's last mission?" Dimitra asked. "Are we just going to idle and watch them ride away?"
"Nay," Iliana replied, shaking her head. "When I spoke to Arthur in private earlier, I asked if we could accompany them on the mission. He refused at first, but I persuaded him by reminding him that the Saxons hurt you, and you wouldn't pass up the chance for the redemption and payback you so richly deserve against them.
"Plus, if anything happens to them, I wouldn't forgive myself, especially if we can intervene and alter the outcome."
"Agreed. I want to be with them on this mission, regardless of the danger that lies ahead," Catalina said.
"Ili, thank you for keeping us and our wishes in mind. We are forever indebted to you," Sophia said.
"None of you owe me a damn thing. I want these men to have a chance for a future that they spent the past fifteen years believing they would never have," Iliana said. "I have already seen what it has done to my father and Andres, and I want them to have something to fight for besides the freedom that was denied to them once again."
The sound of footsteps coming from outside the barn startled them, making Catalina gasp and lean into Estrella. Iliana was on the defensive as she held her arm out in front of the girls, silently directing them to get back. As quick as their guards went up, the girls immediately relaxed, and Iliana lowered her arm when they saw the men coming in, accompanied by Andres, Jols, and Vanora. At the sight of Tristan leading them, Iliana knew there was nothing she could hide from him. From her movements to her expressions and behavior, there was nothing about her he couldn't decipher.
She glanced at the girls from over her shoulder, seeing the anxiety in each of their eyes and feeling the tension flowing off them. She turned back towards the men, seeing the concerned, yet stern looks on each of their faces, and letting out a shaky breath, spoke.
"Listen, I-"
Before she could speak another word, Lancelot put up his hand, and she was quick to fall silent.
"If anyone was out of line, Ili, it was us. You and Dagonet were right. If we are to be angry at anyone, it is Rome, and we also want to apologize for angering you and frightening the Sirens."
Iliana looked over her shoulder at the girls, and when they nodded, she nodded back before turning back to the men.
"We accept your apology."
"Is it true that you ladies will come with us on this mission?" Lancelot asked.
Iliana chuckled and shook her head.
"You all were listening when you came here, didn't you?"
"We had a feeling," Lancelot replied.
"Aye. We will come with you," Iliana said. "I've already spoken to Arthur, and he's accepted, albeit begrudgingly."
"However, we want to know what the Saxons did to cause the Sirens such harm," Lancelot announced. "No more secrets kept from us."
"The Sirens will obscure nothing regarding the Saxons, but I can't promise anything beyond that," Iliana replied. "You and the men deserve to keep the secrets between you, and I request that the girls and I receive the same courtesy.
"I want the playing field to be equal on both sides. Agreed?"
The men looked at each other, and after a moment, nodded their agreement. Nodding back at them, Iliana turned to the girls.
"I don't think an invitation will be necessary in this case. Whenever you're ready," she announced before turning back to the men. "Please be patient with them. This is difficult for them to speak of."
With that, she stepped off to the side and sat down in the second row of benches. Tristan went to join her, sitting down a level below as he finished up his apple.
"Guess I'll be the one to start things off," Sophia announced. "I once had a family in a Greek settlement up in the far north. A mother, father, and a nine-year-old sister, Rena, who was my entire world. My father hid me when the Saxons touched down and attacked, but there wasn't any time to hide Rena. A group of Saxons broke into our home, and even though I shut my eyes to what they had done, I couldn't shut my ears.
"I heard Rena screaming and pleading for her life as those bastards tortured her to death, and there was nothing I could do to save her. At the very least, I feel if I aid you on this mission and help escort this Roman family, it will give me some closure. I may have failed to protect Rena, but I will not fail in protecting you and the said family."
At that, she stepped back, nodding to the girls, and Dimitra soon stepped forward, silently showing she would go next.
"When the Saxons invaded the settlement I once called home, a group of them caught me and surrounded me, intending to rape me. The leers on their faces, in combination with the destruction they left in their wake, were what I needed to survive, and I snapped. I disarmed one of them, grabbed his sword, and I swung without thinking twice about it. I took advantage of what I had and I did what needed to be done to preserve my life.
"They weren't expecting a girl like myself to possess such power, rage, and determination, and thanks to that, I escaped, albeit barely, with my purity still intact. However, I still see the leering faces of those bastards in my dreams from time to time. If accompanying you on this mission means I finally stop seeing those said faces, then I happily accept coming along."
Her story spoken, Dimitra stepped back, and with a deep breath, Catalina exchanged a look with Estrella. Although the ebony-haired girl was still fighting back tears, she nodded, prompting Catalina to talk.
"Estrella and I lived in the same village. The day the Saxons invaded, they took several of us girls captive, including the two of us. They forced us to watch as they raped two of them, and I was going to be next when they looked at me."
The redhead looked at Estrella yet again, and after taking a deep breath, Estrella spoke.
"Upon realizing they were targeting Cat next, I offered to take her place. When they ignored me and tried to grope her, I fought, breaking away from the Saxon that held me captive and threw myself in front of her. At that, they took me, and she and those girls watched as they took turns with me. I willed myself not to show any signs of weakness or vulnerability as they raped me, and that prompted Cat and the others to follow my example.
"Their leader came across the scene after the third man raped me and belittled them for it. He does not allow the 'mixing of blood', as he liked to call it, wanting to keep the Saxon line 'pure'. One man protested, and in response, the leader killed him. It soon broke into a fight, and we took advantage of it and escaped. I endured the pain and violation to protect Cat and the others."
Breathing out a heavy sigh, Estrella turned to Iliana.
"Cat has been the only one ever to see this scar, but I will show you and everyone else present in this barn."
She then lowered the hem of her dress covering her chest, showing the top part of her right breast. When Iliana looked up close, she covered her mouth in horror. There was a scar on her skin resembling a bite mark, and once she got a good look at it, Estrella showed everyone else. The ebony-haired girl fought back tears at the shocked and disgusted looks the others had, especially Gawain, who was trying not to look too sickened.
"The bastard who did it drew blood, and this scar will be one that will never truly heal. It's why I don't wear any dresses that expose my chest," Estrella explained.
As they spoke their stories, Iliana had been fighting the turbulence of her emotions, curling her fingers around Tristan's tunic as she crinkled the fabric. The scout nuzzled her hand with his cheek, his warmth providing her a small sense of comfort. She also didn't miss the empathy, shock, and anger she felt amongst the men and Vanora, which was to be expected.
"Why didn't you girls tell your tales earlier?" Dagonet asked in a gentle tone after Estrella adjusted the hem of her dress.
"Since we thought you would earn your freedom tonight, we unanimously agreed it wasn't necessary to talk about it," Sophia replied. "However, the announcement of this last mission and who it is you're going up against changed everything."
Gawain then stepped forward, reaching out to touch Estrella's cheek, and she leaned into his palm.
"I would have found out about your assault eventually," he spoke, to which Estrella nodded.
"My not telling you wasn't from a lack of trust, Gawain. I wanted to tell you when the time was right, primarily when our connection finally had the chance to bloom."
At this, he pulled her into a hug, holding her out of fear of her disappearing.
"The primary reason I said nothing was because I felt it wasn't in my place to speak of the traumas the Saxons put them through," Iliana explained. "I wanted you all to hear it from them, and I wanted them to be comfortable when they finally did."
From the corner of her eye, she saw Sophia lip out a "thank you", and she nodded to her in response.
"Seems like you picked up pointers from Arthur on the definition of loyalty and what it means to be a leader, Ili," Andres said with a chuckle.
This made Iliana smile slightly, and when she glanced in Arthur's direction, the commander smiled at her.
"The only thing I do not approve of is the fact you and the Sirens will join us, Ili," Lancelot said. "The lands north of the Wall are dangerous, considering the Woads control the vast majority of it."
"I've watched you and the men ride away from me too many times already in the past two and a half months I've been here," Iliana said. "With the Saxons so close to boot, I will not deny my Sirens the chance for redemption, nor will I allow them to feel the whirlwind of emotions I always feel whenever you leave the Wall. We are coming with you, and I will no longer deny the warrior that is a part of me because of my Sarmatian heritage."
From the corner of her eye, she saw Tristan give her a look that disapproved of her choice, telling her she had to answer to it later.
"I will also accompany you all on this journey," Andres announced, his words stunning the others, especially Iliana.
"Andres, are you sure about this? You've earned your freedom a long time ago," Iliana said in objection. "There's no need for you to put yourself in harm's way again."
"I've never been more sure about this than my future, Ili," Andres replied, his expression softening at the concerned look in her eyes. "I think it's time I come clean about this. Right after you were born and your mother passed away, I made a promise to your father. If anything ever happened to him and you found yourself in a warlike situation, I would be there to protect you. With the men's last mission and the fact it involves the Saxons, you are putting yourself in such a situation. I swore to your father that I would lay my life for you, and I will protect you.
"I will not allow those bastards to touch so much as a single hair on your head."
While the disagreement was clear in her eyes, Iliana didn't say a word as she nodded her understanding.
"Listen, Ili. I have lived my life to the fullest, and if I had to sacrifice it, it would be to preserve yours. As one of the Hamaxobii tribe, I have always been a fighter, and I have no objections to dying like one."
Unable to contain herself any longer, Iliana practically leaped from the bench and into Andres's arms. He returned the hug with happiness and pride, resting his cheek atop her head.
"I am delighted to have seen you grow up and blossom into a beautiful young woman during my lifetime. Now, all I have left to do is fulfill this last promise I made to your father."
With a nod, Iliana pulled away from him before turning to look at the girls.
"Sirens. We have an early day ahead of us come morning as we accompany Arthur and his knights on their last mission for Rome," she announced. "Your assignment for the evening is to spend it with your chosen men and ensure there are no regrets when the morning comes.
"That is all. You're dismissed until morning."
"The same goes for you, knights," Arthur announced. "You're also dismissed until morning."
With those words, he left, with Jols and Andres following behind him. The men left with the Sirens and Vanora, filing out one pair at a time, and Iliana watched them go until it was just her and Tristan left in the barn.
When she looked at him, Iliana knew he wasn't happy with her as he finished up the rest of his apple. Once the fruit was down to the core, he slipped his knife into his boot and tossed the core into a nearby bin. He then stood up from the bench and approached her until he was standing directly in front of her, reaching out to cup her cheek.
"I am displeased that you and the Sirens will accompany us," he announced, the disappointment clear in his accented voice.
"Like I said, I refuse to let you and the men ride to your deaths alone, and I will not deny the girls the chance to avenge their sufferings," she countered. "I also want to see these bastards up close and give them my piece of mind when I shove my sword in their guts.
"I also have to be true to the name my father gave me and be the ray of light I'm supposed to be for you, the men, and the girls. This will be in my father's memory and honor as I embrace the warrior side of me that is my Sarmatian blood."
Seeing the resolve in her eyes, Tristan let out a heave, a look of defeat forming on his face. In response, Iliana nuzzled his palm, taking in his calloused touch.
"Just know if anything happens to you, it will be the end of me, Ili. You are my reason to live now."
She breathed out a sigh as she took in the warmth of his touch, and he wiped away a tear that escaped out of the corner of her eye.
"Just as you are my reason to live, Tristan. You have become my ray of light that shined through the darkness surrounding my heart since my father's death."
At those words, Tristan closed the gap between them, locking his lips with hers in a deep, passionate kiss. She gasped and mewled into his mouth as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and tangled her fingers in his hair. His hands found her hips, and he lifted her legs up to his waist. She held on tight as he pinned her to a nearby wooden beam, pressing his body hard against hers. They kissed as if it was their last night alive together, and his hands loosened the tie at the nape that held her dress up. His kissing assault descended to her neck, chest, collarbones, and breasts, making her shudder against him. He pushed the skirt of her dress up to expose her leg, and he ran his palm up her calf, past her knee, and up her thigh, giving her skin a gentle squeeze.
Iliana panted, holding him close as her body temperature rose in response to him. But before she could allow herself to get lost in the pleasure, the sound of footsteps coming from outside the barn snapped her back to reality. Tristan felt her tense up, but continued to kiss her skin and squeeze her leg. Iliana restrained her moan, using all her might to prevent it from becoming too loud. Just as he was about to hit the spot that he knew would elicit the sound he wanted, the footsteps got closer, causing her to stiffen up and become detached from the situation. He breathes out a heavy sigh against her neck, resting his forehead on her shoulder before setting her down and stepping back from her.
He watched as she fixed her dress, tying the string at the nape just as a group of guards patrolling the area passed by. They watched as they went about their usual duties, and once they were out of sight, they turned to look at each other.
"Head to your quarters and prepare for the mission tomorrow," Iliana commanded. "As soon as you're done, come spend the night with me in my chamber. After tonight, it may be a while before we get to be alone like this again."
He nodded and gave her a brief kiss on the lips before they left the barn and went their separate ways.
Iliana shook her head after pulling the tie that kept her hair back, allowing her blonde locks to flow freely. She had changed into her slip and was ready for bed, but sleep was the last thing on her mind, and she knew she wouldn't be in her slip for long. Once Tristan got here, she would be in for another long night.
She allowed herself to glance at the table, where she had her sword, bow, quiver, tunic, and breeches all laid out and ready to go. She also had a winter cloak and a spare blanket laid out; if the estate was further north of the Wall and towards the mountains, she had something to keep herself warm.
Two quick knocks on her door caught her attention, and her heart pounded within the confines of her chest. With a deep breath, Iliana opened the door to reveal Tristan standing in her doorway. They stared at each other for a moment before she stepped aside to let him come in. After shutting the door, she watched as he removed his coat, hanging it over her chair and then slipping out of his boots. He then turned to face her, and keeping his eyes on her, reached back for his tunic and pulled the fabric over his head, revealing his physique.
Her breath hitched at the sight of his toned muscles; despite having seen the sight many times already, it never ceased to make her speechless. Feeling the heat in her cheeks, Iliana walked over to him until she was standing directly in front of him. Hesitating at first, she allowed herself to reach for him, placing her hands on his chest before leaning in close to kiss him. He stepped forward, forcing her to walk backwards as he guided her towards her bed. When she felt the backs of her knees hit the edge, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders before falling back, pulling him down on top of her.
She reached for the hem of her slip and pulled it upwards, forcing her to release his lips with a loud smack as she pulled the fabric up over her head and tossed it aside. He took a moment to gaze at her body, knowing he would never tire of the sight of her so bare and vulnerable to him.
"If this truly ends up being our last night to live together, let's make the most of it," she whispered.
She reached for the ties of his breeches and loosened them, pushing the fabric down as far as she could reach, with him kicking them off and finishing the job. She hummed as she felt the hardened tip of him press between her legs, and he leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers.
"Whatever this mission brings come tomorrow, I want you to know that I love you, Tristan," she whispered against his lips, rubbing the tip of her nose against his.
She gasped when he rolled his hips against her, his intense gaze boring into her eyes.
"Say it again. Say that you love me," he urged.
She smiled at him before pressing her lips to his in another kiss.
"I love you, Tristan."
He rolled his hips, connecting with her once again as their bodies joined. She shuddered beneath him, becoming lost in yet another haze of pleasure.
"And I love you, Iliana."
With that, the night for them began as they made love with the full moon and the stars as witnesses.
End Notes: And the final mission begins next chapter! Check back tomorrow!