There was cold, and then there was cold, and Robert knew which of the two he preferred. As he stopped his horse beside Jenn’s at the top of the last rise, the hills of eastern Lusara stretched out before him like a sea of undulating white, glowing with three-quarters of a moon. The icy air caught in his throat.
Such a beautiful place. Swept with snow, in the grip of an old winter, Lusara still inspired the hearts of poets. But even the most gifted could never capture moments like this.
He glanced over his shoulder, but Micah was long into the distance. He would be in Dromna within four days.
He’d certainly done his work well, keeping Jenn company from the Enclave to Maitland, even though Jenn had talked little – at least while Robert had been around. Quite deliberately, he’d ridden either behind them or some way in front. There was no need for him to make the journey east any worse for her than it needed to be. With a silent sigh, he led Jenn down into the valley and on into the wood.
He had to wait until it was completely dark, dark enough to hide any movement. Fortunately a layer of cloud soon obscured the moon, but his Sight still gave him a clear view of Maitland Manor between the trees, the grassy field before and Jenn’s face beside him.
It appeared Aiden’s faith in miracles was indeed unfounded this time. Jenn did hate him. Watching her, even from a distance, had been hard, knowing how she felt. His skin crawled at the way she looked at him sometimes, the chill in her blue eyes far worse than any winter could afford.
And yes, there was a part of him that knew she was right to hate him, to blame him, to curse him and everything he’d done. And yet, if only she wouldn’t.
She couldn’t stand still. She claimed she wasn’t cold, but she kept moving from one foot to the other, pacing back and forth and he’d long since given up warning her that someone might see them if she didn’t stop. It seemed she couldn’t wait to get away from him.
One by one the lights of the manor went out, leaving only three pinpoints in the night.
‘When will you go back to Clonnet?’ he said, his voice soft against the padded forest.
‘Dawn tomorrow.’
He should ask her about Nash. He needed to understand how much influence the man had gained over her – and he needed to know, to quell the constant rumble of irrational jealousy he’d suppressed over the last few years. But explaining that to her was impossible. He’d been a fool to think, even for a moment, that it wouldn’t be this way – but he’d been so sure she loved him when he left Elita. Well, perhaps she had, for a time.
The thought left him hollow and empty. ‘I’ve scanned the area; it’s all clear.’
She didn’t leave immediately. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Of course.’
‘No, I mean about Carlan … Nash? Are you sure?’
He glanced at her, masking his surprise, and found she was watching him, her eyes dark. ‘The moment his injuries had mended enough for him to move around again, he was visiting you at Clonnet. Keeping an eye on the Ally, gaining your trust, becoming your friend. Your only friend. What else would the Angel of Darkness do?’
‘How do you know he’s been at Clonnet?’
‘That doesn’t matter. But if you know anything that might help us … ’
‘Know anything? About Nash?’ Her eyes widened, turning abruptly sharp. ‘Oh, I see. You think I keep his secrets, the way I do yours? You think I would … ’ She turned away again, shaking her head a little. ‘The man I know has nothing to do with the Angel of Darkness. I can’t tell you anything.’
For a moment, Robert was again seized with the desire to put his arms around her, pull her close, whisper apologies and whatever words he needed to make everything right between them – but she would never allow it. Especially now that he’d as much as accused her of taking Nash’s side. Instead, he held firm, clenching his fists together and breathing deeply. ‘It’s dark enough now. You’d better go while it’s clear.’
She began to walk away, then paused, glancing back at him, her expression shuttered. She said nothing, however, and, after a moment, resumed her journey, pulling her horse along behind her. He followed her progress until she reached the house, disappeared inside it, and still he Sensed her. Then he drew back, moving deeper into the forest. But he didn’t leave. Instead, he found a comfortable low branch of a tree, wrapped his cloak around him, looped the reins around the branch and settled down to sleep.
*
If the circumstances had been different, Robert might almost have enjoyed the journey north. The weather had inexplicably cleared, a blissful sun shining down on a weather-beaten land. The further he travelled, the more the snow melted and eventually disappeared altogether. At times he could even feel his face burning.
He kept a good distance from the road where Jenn travelled with her guard and luggage. She’d never been much of a Seeker, but Robert shielded as hard as he could, regardless. Besides, who knew when Vaughn would next bring his Bresail out into the country?
Then finally, just after dusk on the second day, the bleak visage of Clonnet appeared in the distance and Robert changed direction. With his Senses alone, he kept track of Jenn as she passed through the gate, heard it close behind her.
Then he moved.
He left his horse saddled in a sandy copse as near to the castle as he could get. Then he crept forward under cover of darkness until he stood with his back to the wall. He snuck along the wall, reaching the tiny old gate by feel alone. Opening it and slipping through took less power than he’d expected and he stopped on the other side, ready to raise a mask.
He was alone in a dark corner beside a building, before him, a maze of red stone, doorways and windows. People moved around in the distance, but he remained motionless and invisible.
Six years ago, Micah had come to Clonnet to serve Jenn after her marriage. It had taken him just a few weeks to get to know the castle like no one else. Now Robert conjured up in his mind the plan Micah had drawn, the path that would take him to the unused passage, up the stairs to the gallery where Jenn’s rooms were.
He waited, watching the movements of the castle workers. The moment the timing was right, he took in a deep breath and held it, bullying up dusty powers from deep inside. But he was rested and alert and the effort caused little strain. With only the smallest of thoughts, he took a mental dimensional step sideways, causing his body to vanish from any eyes that might look his way. A mask would have been easier and less complicated, but a mask would hold only when kept stationery, and that would do him no good at all.
He’d never regretted not telling anybody of his proficiency with the forbidden side of his abilities. After all, it wouldn’t do to go encouraging people to copy him. Not everyone could do so without risking their lives.
Ready now, he took a step forward, moved around the back of the old stable, along another wall to a staircase. He ducked under and pressed his hands against the shape of a wooden door, dirty with disuse. It didn’t budge initially, then he realised he should be pulling the handle instead.
With a sigh of relief, he slipped inside, into darkness, and immediately released the shift. Quickly he put a foot out to find the first step. Micah had warned him not to make a light – cracks in the wall would show such a thing to anyone looking – so he had to continue with only his night-enhanced sight.
He forced himself to move slowly and carefully, but before he even reached the top of the stairs, he could already hear raised voices. By the time he found the door, the voices were clearer. He couldn’t hear the words, but he knew who it was.
Jenn and Eachern.
A sudden crash made him jump. He quickly placed his hands against the wood, extending his Senses beyond. Jenn’s voice had stopped, but Eachern continued, bellowing rage and violence. Holding his breath, Robert pushed the narrow door open a crack. The gallery was empty, the noise coming from behind a door to his right. There was another crash, a scream, and the door banged open.
He froze, but it wasn’t Eachern who ran out into the gallery. It had to be Andrew. The boy was halfway towards Robert before he stopped, his eyes wide, his breathing no more than a gasp.
‘Come here, Andrew,’ Robert murmured, holding out his hand. He took a step forward into the light and went down on one knee.
The boy glanced over his shoulder at the noise, then came closer, gulping in air.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Mother. She’s hurt. I’m going to get Father John,’
Robert kept his voice low. ‘Who’s hurting her?’
‘Papa,’ Andrew whispered, sobbing now. ‘He said she’d been bad. He’s killing her.’
As the demon rumbled around inside him, Robert reached out and grasped the boy’s shoulder. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll help her. You go and get Father John. Tell him to hurry. If you see Addie, tell her to come as well.’
Andrew nodded, wide-eyed, then turned and ran, disappearing into the staircase to the left.
Robert didn’t wait any longer. The demon wouldn’t let him. Eachern’s voice still echoed around the gallery as he took out his rage and frustration on Jenn. It appeared he hadn’t believed the story of her absence after all. Damn!
He got to the doorway and drew his sword silently. Slowly he put his head around until he could see into the room. A table sat in the centre of the room with a dozen candles arranged along its length. Eachern stood at the near end, his gaze on something at his feet. Even as Robert watched, the monster swung his leg and kicked.
‘Get back!’ Robert ordered, moving into the room, He had his sword up at Eachern’s throat instantly, forcing the man against the wall.
‘Who are you? No, wait … ’ Eachern was drunk, his speech slurring. ‘I know you – Dunlorn!’
With one eye on Eachern, Robert crouched down beside Jenn, put his hand to her face. ‘Jenn? Can you hear me?’
In that moment, Eachern pounced and Robert was powerless to stop the table crashing down on them both.
*
Jenn could hear Robert’s voice … but it had to be a dream. She had left him outside Maitland two days ago …
No. He’d followed her.
She lifted her head in time to see the table crash down, knocking Robert sideways. Pain again, noise and heat. The candles! Fire, burning the rug, the hangings … smoke stifling and Eachern yelling out for the guard … more voices …
Robert moved beside her, pushing the table up, pulling her clear.
‘Andrew? Where’s Andrew?’
‘It’s all right. He’s gone to get help. Quickly, can you stand?’ He put his arms around her and lifted her up. She opened her eyes, but everything was smeared with red, her left eye already puffy and closing. The air was acrid now and she began to cough.
‘We have to get out of here,’ Robert hissed, grabbing his sword.
‘No, Robert, you go. He’ll kill you!’
He got hold of her wrist and pulled her towards the door. ‘I’ll kill him first for this!’
She continued to protest, but he paid no attention. By the time they got to the door, more voices reached her, guards coming towards them, swords raised. Eachern was somewhere, calling for more help against Robert.
… thank the gods Nash wasn’t here as well …
‘Come on, this way.’ Robert half-dragged her away from the soldiers, towards the other stairs – just in time to meet more coming up. With swift thrusts, Robert dealt with the first two, pushing them back down on top of those following. ‘We’ll have to go up.’
She could hardly see anything. Stumbling and falling, she held onto Robert like a drowning child. She reached out to steady herself against the stone, but her other hand was bleeding and she slipped. Robert caught her and held her as he took the stairs two at a time. He put her down on the next landing and she turned in time to see Andrew running towards her, John and Addie close behind.
She swept the distraught child into her arms as Robert clashed swords with more guards. They came up the stairs, slowly but inexorably.
‘Is there another way out of here?’ he called.
Jenn couldn’t think – but John could. ‘Yes, this way.’
The priest took Andrew from Jenn. He led them to a narrow corridor she’d never seen before. After a moment, Robert joined them. Breathless, he hurried them along in the darkness. They stumbled down a few steps and John ushered them into one room, then on to another, the door of which he kicked open.
Jenn was lost by now, but all around her were the sounds of alarm: voices crying out in the night, panic and screams echoing throughout the castle, as though the entire place was under attack. Still she stumbled along behind John, Addie holding her arm. Every now and then she felt Robert’s presence slip behind as he fought off their attackers – sensed the demon leaking out of him in lethal shards – then he would join them again, urging more speed.
Suddenly, after a maze of turns, steps, corridors and halls, they emerged into the night. The abrupt cold air cleared her thoughts, though darkness halved what she could see.
‘Where are we?’ Robert grunted, closing the last door behind them. He held his hand over the lock for a moment and Jenn saw it glow and fuse shut.
‘West Keep,’ John replied. ‘If we can … by the gods!’
Jenn scrambled to the wall and gazed across at the gallery, bright in the night as flames tore through the building, bringing an orange day to this dark. ‘No—’
A banging on the door came and Robert moved again, taking Jenn’s arm as they hurried across the roof. Addie had already reached the other side and was about to pull the door open when it burst apart. She shrieked and fell back. Robert ran to her, dragging her to safety.
‘There they are!’ Soldiers flooded through and Robert was pressed back, his sword a flash of steel in the firelight. He fought hard, but there were too many. He couldn’t hold them back alone, nor could he pause to summon the power to do it.
Suddenly John put Andrew down with Jenn and moved forward. He stood to Robert’s left and raised his hands. A flash of light flew out, exploding into flames at the guards’ feet. For a moment, they were stunned, then, eyes wide and the word sorcery on every lip, they turned and fled, pushing the others down behind them. Chaos reigned as they strove to get away from the evil sorcerers.
‘Well done!’ Robert ran forward to check the stairwell. ‘Now how do we get down from here?’
He turned back to John but the priest only shrugged. ‘That was it. We’re too high up to jump and Clonnet doesn’t have a moat – as I’m sure you’ve noticed.’
‘Damn! If we had some rope
Smoke drifted towards them as the banging on the other door increased. Robert turned to face the new threat. Then the banging stopped and the door exploded, sending woodshards everywhere. Two figures darted onto the roof, only one of whom wielded a sword.
‘Malachi!’ Robert hissed, instantly stepping forward to face the first, but it was the second who threw the initial blast. A woman, her face was familiar to Jenn.
Two Malachi living at Clonnet? Nash – he must have …
‘Now I have you!’ Eachern bellowed, emerging from the stairwell.
Jenn reached for Andrew, but John already had him. In a terrified bunch, they backed away, knowing the wall and a great drop below were all that awaited them. Behind Eachern, Robert battled with the two Malachi, his sword glowing as bright as the fire, each blow strengthened by his powers
For the first time in her life, Jenn begged the demon inside Robert to strike out.
As Eachern closed in, Robert swung his sword once, cutting the Malachi across the chest. The man fell back, his sword falling with a clang. The woman stepped forward to pick it up, but she didn’t live a second longer. Without pausing, Robert swung his sword again and blue flame cut into her. Her body was tossed backwards, as light as if it were driftwood.
Eachern rushed forward himself, raising his sword high above his head. Robert, turning to face him, only just brought his blade up in time to deflect the blow. Steel clashed on steel, the blades flashing with firelight. But Eachern was a big man, heavy and strong, and his rush pushed Robert back first one step, then another, closer to the edge. Robert’s legs caught on the wall and he stumbled, his sword sheering off at an angle. Eachern saw his opportunity. He swung once more—
Jenn screamed. Without thought, she wrenched together a spear of scorching power. Pure and unhindered, it shot out of her hands, straining every fibre of her being to blast Eachern in the centre of his back. He arched, frozen in movement – then toppled forward. Slowly now, his body caught Robert, dragging him half over the wall. Then Eachern disappeared and, a moment later, Jenn heard the thud.
She dashed towards Robert but John was already there, holding on. Together they hauled him back onto the roof. Sucking in air, Robert scrambled for his sword. ‘Come on. Let’s get out of here!’
*
The night sky glowed gold, flooding the dunes with false dawn. Robert watched the distant conflagration in silence, the horse beneath him edgy and excitable. There would be nothing left of Clonnet in a few hours, just a blackened husk, empty and smouldering.
Robert glanced across at Father John. He had Jenn draped on the saddle before him, her head on his shoulder. Dazed and only semiconscious, she said nothing, her face half-obscured by swelling and blood. On the other horse sat the faithful Addie, still terrified, but holding on. The boy Andrew sat behind her, his arms around her waist, his eyes wide.
With a nod, Robert kicked his horse and led them down into a gully and away from the castle. For a long time, the only noise was the soft sand beneath the animals and the gulls crying out above. Then, just as the first dawn light filtered across the heavens, Robert stopped outside a tiny inn.
Getting a room at this time of the day was easy. Avoiding explanations was considerably more difficult – especially with the blood, soot and grime. But Robert just made up one lie after another, creating a fabrication of robbers on the road, of sword fights, horses stolen. In pity, the innkeeper both gave them his best room – and quickly brought up hot water and ale, shortly followed by a whole pot of stew.
Robert carried Jenn to a bed and laid her down. He took the cup of ale from Addie and lifted Jenn’s head so she could drink. Her lips took a single sip then she turned her head away.
‘Is my mother dead?’ Andrew squeezed between Robert and the bed, his hand tentatively reaching out to Jenn.
‘No, of course not,’ Robert replied, smoothing the boy’s hair down. ‘She’s just got a few cuts we need to clean and dress. She’ll be fine when she’s had some rest.’
Addie brought the bowl of water over and handed Robert a cloth, but when he touched her face to wash the blood away, Jenn flinched from him, as though he would hit her.
He stood and handed the cloth back to Addie. ‘You’d better do it. Come Andrew, let Addie help your mother.’
‘And you’d better let me see your wounds,’ John added. He steered Robert to a chair and sat him down. As he worked, he added, ‘We can’t stay here long, can we?’
‘A couple of hours at most. I don’t know how many people heard Eachern bellowing my name, but once the alarm is raised, they’ll be after all of us.’ He closed his eyes and winced as John applied pressure to a cut on his arm.
‘Jenn needs to rest – and so do you. Some of these cuts are quite deep. Is there anywhere safe close by?’
An insistent tugging on Robert’s sleeve forced him to open his eyes. He looked down to find Andrew watching him with a blue gaze so like Jenn’s it was eerie.
‘What’s your name?’
Robert smiled, though it hurt, but it was John who answered for him. ‘This is Duke Robert, my lord.’
Andrew frowned a little, as though some memory tugged at him. Then, his gaze on Robert perfectly steady, he said, ‘You saved Mother.’
‘I suppose so.’
‘Thank you.’
Robert nodded, wincing again as John found another cut.
‘Does that hurt?’ Andrew asked, his eyes mirroring his wonder.
‘Honestly?’ Robert replied with a laugh. ‘Yes it does. A lot.’
*
‘I’m sorry, Robert, but she’s adamant about this.’
Robert glanced again over Father John’s shoulder to where Jenn sat on a rock, her arms wrapped around Andrew. The weather had been good to them all day, making the flight south a little more comfortable. Now, as the sun began to set, cold seeped from the ground and winter arrived again. The mountains in the distance seemed to chill the air. Fresh fallen snow was whipped up in icy clouds, visible even from this distance.
‘But she won’t say why?’
‘You know she’s not said a word since we left Clonnet two days ago,’ John replied. ‘We’re lucky she’s said this much.’
With a groan, Robert turned away and gazed out over the fields at Maitland Manor in the distance. ‘She’s mad. She knows that’s the first place they’ll look for her. Does she want Nash to find her? Without Eachern’s small protection, she’ll be Nash’s first target. Is that what she wants?’
‘I have no idea. All I know is we have to go to Lady Bella at Maitland.’
‘Then I guess,’ Robert sighed, turning for his horse, ‘that’s where we’re going. But I’ll tell you this now: I’m not leaving her there. I’ll take her back to the Enclave kicking and screaming if I have to.’
Another dark approach, another night spent creeping in the shadows. So this was the life of an outlaw. If only he’d known.
But he had to admit that Maitland was an easy target. Few guards, lots of doors and, even though he’d never been there before, it was obvious where they would find Bella after supper. Even better – she was alone.
Robert tried to be as quiet as possible as he pushed the door open but Bella heard him and came to her feet in a rush. She’d been kneeling by the fire and its gentle radiance showed the shock on her face. He said nothing. He just let Jenn and the others inside, then closed the door and placed a warning on it.
‘Is Lawrence about?’
Jenn stood before her sister, looking about the sitting room like a frightened bird. Her hands clenched and relaxed at her sides.
‘No … he’s away for a few days. What is this? What’s happened to you?’ Bella looked to Robert for an answer when none came from Jenn.
‘There’s been some trouble,’ Robert began, but Jenn stopped him.
She took Andrew’s hand and gave him into Addie’s care. ‘Would you take him over by the window, please. I have to talk to my sister.’
As they moved off, Jenn looked into the fire. For a long moment, she was silent, then, she gathered herself. ‘Bella, I desperately need your help.’
‘Of course.’ Bella reached out and put a hand on Jenn’s shoulder. ‘Anything.’
At this, Jenn looked up. ‘Eachern is dead. I … ’
‘Dead? But how?’
Jenn’s mouth opened, but no words came out.
In the silence, John said, ‘In a fall, my lady. Clonnet is burned to the ground.’
Uncomprehending, Bella looked to Jenn.
‘He’s dead and I … I’ve brought Andrew to you. I … I want you to look after him.’
‘But why? What about you?’
‘I’m leaving here, tonight. With Robert.’
Robert blinked and glanced up. What was this all about?
Jenn continued, her voice steadier now. ‘Bella, Father John can fill you in on all the details later. I need you to take care of Andrew, take in Addie and Father John. When they come and ask you, you must all tell the same story. They know Robert was at Clonnet, but there was a fire. You can tell them he survived and brought the others here – but you must, must tell them I died in the fire. Can you do that?’
‘I don’t understand,’ Bella said. ‘You want the world to believe you’re dead? And what do I tell Andrew? When will you come back?’
Jenn faltered at this. ‘I don’t know. It could be a while. As soon as I can, but I don’t know.’
‘Robert,’ Bella appealed to him. ‘What have you done? What’s going on here?’
‘Don’t ask me. This is the first I’ve heard of it.’
‘Then make her see sense. She doesn’t have to leave.’
‘But I do!’ Jenn snapped, then took another breath. ‘Please, Bella, do as I ask. Eachern’s dead. Nobody will come for Andrew to take him away. You have the greatest claim on him. I know you’ll love and care for him as I would myself. And don’t worry, I can make sure he never tells anybody I brought him here. He’ll keep the lie safe as long as the rest of you do. I don’t have much time. We have to leave now. Please, will you do it?’
Bella looked from Jenn to Robert, then at the priest. Finally she said, ‘I don’t like this one bit, Jenn – you know that. But I won’t refuse.’
Her shoulders stiff, Jenn gave a small smile. She crossed the room and knelt down by her son. Robert couldn’t hear what Jenn said to Andrew, but twice, the boy glanced across at him. Then Andrew was nodding, his eyes full of unshed tears. He threw his arms around Jenn’s neck and she held on, murmuring something. Jenn stood then and brought Andrew back to Bella. She said a quiet farewell to all the others, then, finally, turned to Robert.
‘Let’s go.’
*
He wasted no time – after all, he had little time to lose. They rode east all night and well into the next day, exhausting the new horses. Only when they’d crossed the border and were safely in Flan’har did Robert look for a place to stop. Jenn hadn’t said a word, but as they travelled, her face grew more pale and her eyes dulled. More than once, Robert caught her grimacing at some silent pain. By sunset he could stand it no longer. He stopped outside a tavern on the edge of a village where a pretty river emerged from a crag in the forest. Large patches of snow covered the ground, roofs and treetops, and the entire street was a single lake of squelching mud.
‘Why are we stopping?’ Jenn murmured, looking around with little interest.
‘We need to rest.’ Robert carefully lowered himself from his horse. ‘We’re safe here. Nobody will come looking for us.’
‘I don’t need rest.’
‘Well, I do – and so do the horses. Come on, I’ll help you down.’
He reached up for her, but she pushed his hands away. Slowly, she swung her leg over the horse, but as her feet touched the ground, she crumpled. Robert caught her as people came to his aid. He lifted her and carried her inside. A room was found in no time; another innkeeper showing enormous kindness. Their horses were taken care of and food and drink brought to the room.
Robert spent a few minutes writing a coded message before paying a courier to take it to Micah in Dromna. It was the only way to stop him returning to Flan’har once he’d heard of Jenn’s supposed death.
As a new moon rose over the river, Robert sat down at the table and turned his attention to the meal. Jenn lay on the bed unmoving, probably asleep. The swelling around her eye had gone down a little, but still she looked unwell. Eachern’s beating had done a lot of damage. After a while, her breathing slowed and steadied and Robert began to relax.
He drank his ale slowly and worked his way through a loaf of brown crusty bread and a hunk of strong cheese. His gaze shifted from the window and back to the bed every few minutes as he allowed himself to sink into the peace of the place.
Why had she chosen to come with him – a man she so obviously hated? What did she hope to achieve? Certainly she knew about the coming war, but at no time had she expected to play any part in it. But to leave her son behind like that?
Andrew had watched his mother kill his father with a power he had no way of understanding. Now he had lost both parents and still he wouldn’t be able to understand. Bella would do her best, but that was no way to bring up a child.
By the gods, that flight had been a close thing – with the demon hedging at him to be let loose. And how had he managed to control it? Of course, he shouldn’t have been surprised to find Malachi at Clonnet; in truth, it merely confirmed all his suspicions about Nash.
With a sigh, he refilled his ale from the jug on the table. It was a good brew, dark and full.
Bella would tell the story of Jenn’s death and she would do it convincingly with substantiation from both Father John and Addie. Nobody would have noticed who’d left the burning castle in such chaos. As it was, they’d been lucky to even find a couple of horses in the mêlée. In all likelihood, Mass would be said for both the Duke of Ayr and his wife, prayers said for the new Duke, such a tragic young child. But nobody would take Andrew away – Bella would make sure of that. She would fight to her last breath for her nephew; Jenn had made a good choice there.
But was it the right one? She would never be able to go back, to come to life again. For the second time. To do so would arouse so much suspicion they would toss her in prison and throw away the key – if she was lucky. So, despite the fact that she had cut herself off from the Enclave, Jenn had relinquished all ties to her real life and set herself adrift … to where?
Robert glanced back at her once more to find she was awake, her eyes staring at the ceiling. ‘You should eat something.’
‘I’m not hungry.’ She pulled the blanket up close. ‘How long was I asleep?’
‘A couple of hours.’
‘Will we stay here long?’
‘Till tomorrow. Then we head south again.’
‘To Bleakstone?’
‘Yes.’
‘How long will it take?’
‘Three, perhaps four days.’
With a muffled groan, she sat up, leaning her back against the wall. ‘Will the Bishop be there?’
‘Yes.’
She nodded. ‘How is he?’
‘I don’t think he’s ever been better. He doesn’t want this war, though.’
‘Who does?’
He drank again and rested back in his chair, wincing involuntarily as his wounds objected.
‘Are you in pain?’ She was looking at him.
‘I’m all right. Nothing a good night’s sleep won’t mend.’
She didn’t look away, but her eyes were distracted, clouded and dissolute. Abruptly, tears gathered and, one by one, they fell down her pale cheeks.
Keeping his emotions distant, Robert turned his gaze out the window again, lifting his cup to take another mouthful. He swallowed slowly and allowed his words alone to build a bridge between them. ‘You’ve never killed before.’
Her answer was a sob as she curled up in a tight ball, her back to him. He watched her in silence for a few minutes then he rose and came to the edge of the bed. He sat on the side and reached out a hand to her shoulder. Immediately she pushed him away, but the effort lacked energy and this time he persisted.
‘It’s all right, Jenn, it’s over. He can never hurt you again.’ He pulled her close, but her body remained rigid and unyielding.
Slowly, so very slowly, he moved until his arms encircled her properly and her head was laid on his chest. Then her tears flowed again and he closed his eyes.