The next few hours were the slowest in his life, but finally, the men and women on the ship settled down to sleep for the night. William gathered with Marcus, Aislinn, Roger, and Gautier at the front of the ship, where a tent had been erected. They waited until dark had fallen completely and then began the task of finding Brienne.
William floated. His body remained on the ship, but his mind drifted above them. Aislinn spoke softly to him, pushing him to let go and sleep. He could feel her words and thoughts as though they were touches, nudges, pushing him this way and that.
Lord Hugh pushed his thoughts but not like this. He overpowered with his, while Aislinn gently led.
“Bring Brienne to mind now, William. In your thoughts, make her image clear and strong.”
He smiled as he did it, for the image he had of her was lying naked on his bed, in his arms, as she found her release. Her head flung back, her skin glistening with sweat, his hand buried between her legs, stroking her until she screamed.
“Mayhap not that clear,” Aislinn instructed as both she and Marcus chuckled.
William opened his eyes and looked at them. “Can you see her as I do?” he asked. Brienne would never forgive him for sharing such an intimate moment with them.
“Nay,” she said with a soft laugh now. “But the way you feel about her is very strong.”
Oh God. Can they tell I am aroused from the memory of her that night?
“Aye.”
Will opened his eyes but she had not, still sitting next to him, eyes closed.
“Take a deep breath and try once more.”
He let the motion of the ship on the water, its gentle rocking as it skimmed over the surface, lull him closer to sleep. This time he saw Brienne as he had the first time. Standing behind Gavin before peeking out to look at him, the colors of her standing out against the duller shades of everyone else and her eyes meeting his.
“Brienne,” he whispered. “Again.”
“Brienne . . . Brienne. Where are you,ma chérie?”
“I see her,” Aislinn whispered, her grip on his hand stronger now. “A small flame in the darkness, I am walking to her now.” A few seconds passed in silence. “Say her name and speak to her. In your thoughts.”
Brienne, are you there? Are you well?
“She is well.” She squeezed his hand again.
Why do you not escape him?
“He is giving her something that mutes her powers. She cannot shift to fire now.” William heard Marcus curse at this news.
“Ask her about Corann. Before I lose her. And ask her to see where she is.”
Brienne, is Marcus’s man Corann with you? Is he alive?
“Aye, though she did not know his name. They have tortured him. They are torturing him now. She can hear his cries.”
William felt her hot tears fall on his skin at such a revelation. This time he gently squeezed Aislinn’s hand.
He knows how to open the circle, Brienne. Tell Lord Hugh of his worth.
He felt her reaction then through his connection or Aislinn’s—fear, anger, sorrow. Then he saw the young man James’s death and felt her heartbreak.
It could save Corann’s life, Brienne. Keep him alive until we reach you both.
“Ask her if she knows their destination.”
Where are you heading, love? Have you heard any words or directions?
“Aberdeen. Inverurie. Oldmeldrum. Though she knows not where those places are.” Aislinn patted his hand now. “Let her sleep. I can feel her exhaustion.”
