The Winds of the Heavens (Sons of Rhodri Medieval Romance Series) by Anna Markland Read Free Book Online

Rhydderch within the walls that had sheltered them since childhood. It was not the joyous occasion they had hoped for, but both brothers repeated to anyone who would listen that they were happy to be with the women they loved.
    Rhydderch provided Isolda with healers to tend to her nursing. Maidservants washed and combed her hair, dressed and undressed her and attended to her bodily needs. He lavished her with kisses and soft touches, crooning soothing words and conversing with her about each day’s happenings. He turned her in the bed, bolstering her with pillows.
    “My heart breaks to watch him,” Rhun told Glain.
    She was unsympathetic. “He has shut me out of my sister’s care. He does everything for her. I may as well not be here.”
    Rhun winced. “I’m glad you’re here.”
    ***
    Rhys worried the tense atmosphere in the castle would have a negative effect on Annalise. She protested and told him she sympathised with his brothers’ plight. “Rhys, you’re nervous about our b é b é and you’re angry because your brothers are unhappy.”
    They lay abed, his head resting on her breasts. She stroked his hair. “ Pauvre Glain is probably crying herself to sleep alone in her own chamber, longing for Rhun, but she can find no way out of the predicament. She’s trapped by her loyalty to Isolda.”
    He kissed her breast, grateful for the peace and contentment his Norman wife brought him. “You’re right. Rhun is cut off from the brother he’s been bound to all his life and is powerless to satisfy his craving for Glain. He’s become morose and moody, quick to lose his volatile temper. I’m supposed to be a diplomat, and yet I can’t reason with my own brothers. Rhun is tearing himself apart and Rhydderch is immersed in his sorrow. Nothing I say to them seems to get through.”
    She cuddled into him and kissed the top of his head. “They’re desperately in love and the fates have seen fit to thwart them. Perhaps they’re being tested in some way, as we were. We must find a way for them to be wed, but Glain won’t marry Rhun while Isolda sleeps.”
    He turned her to spoon into her back, cupping her heavy breasts as her rounded bottom snuggled into his manhood. “You’re lovely, Annalise. I can’t believe you’re mine.”
    He ran his hand over her swollen belly. She smiled as she pressed it to where the baby moved. “ L à , he’s telling us he’s alive and kicking.”
    He let out a long, slow breath. “If only we could say the same for Isolda.”
    ***
    “ Glain ?”
    Rhydderch’s head jerked up from the side of Isolda’s bed. Had he heard something? Had he imagined Isolda had spoken? He rubbed the cramped muscles of his neck.
    “ Glain ?”
    His eyes swivelled to Isolda’s face. The darkness thwarted him. He lifted her hand, massaging her palm with his thumbs, then pressed her fingers to his lips. “Isolda? Come back to me.”
    “ Rhydderch ?”
    He felt light headed. Sweat sheened his body. “Isolda? I’m here waiting for you.”
    Her eyes remained closed. “I know.”
    He laid her hand back on the bed and ran to fling open the door. His voice echoed down the hallway. “To me, quickly.”
    A breathless pageboy appeared.
    “Find Arglwydd Rhun and Lady Glain now! Tell them to come here at once.”
    The boy nodded nervously and hurried off. Rhydderch rushed back to Isolda, grasped her hand and murmured her name again. He must not alarm her.
    “Rhydderch? It’s dark.”
    He pressed her hand to his forehead, unable to stem the tears of relief. “It’s late at night, my darling.”
    She licked her lips. “I—I’m—thirsty.”
    He quickly retrieved ale left over from his supper and held the goblet to her mouth, cradling her head. “Drink this.”
    “Thank you, my love,” she whimpered after drinking a few sips. She drifted back to sleep, her hair spilling over his trembling hand.
    ***
    Rhun strode into the chamber. Nothing had changed, apart from his brother’s obvious agitation. He