Page 104 of Come the Morning

“Life is full of weapons, isn’t it?” he queried.

“And dangers,” she agreed.

He bowed to her, reached down, caught her hand, and drew her to her feet. The men had heard none of their exchange. There were cheers for them both. She wanted to shout out that it was all a lie, that there was nothing gallant or charming between them, that she was indeed hurt, and that her cry had been a cry of pain.

“Ewan, Angus! Carry on, will you, please? The way she has wielded her blade makes me think my wife has something to say to me. In private.”

“Aye, Waryk!” Angus said, and he was instructing the men again even as Waryk drew her along to Mercury. She knew himenough to know that her resistance was futile, but she remained stiff and cold as he lifted her atop the horse and mounted behind her. She remained cold and straight as they rode back through the gates to the courtyard, and kept her teeth clenched as they entered their tower and strode the steps to the second floor.

He all but threw her through the bedroom door, and when she found her balance, she spun back on him, defiantly staring at him. He stared at her in return, striding to stand before the fire. He didn’t take his eyes off her, but stretched his hands before the blaze to warm them.

“Mellyora, I don’t know what it is you’ve got to say, but I promise you this—if you ever decide to perform such a foolish stunt again, I’ll have you locked in these rooms, and you will not so much as step into the great hall for a meal without my precise permission.”

“What?” she demanded incredulously.

“You just risked your life—”

“No man would have killed me!”

“Your limbs, your flesh!”

“Don’t be absurd; you train daily, there is—”

“There is always risk, even in training.”

“But if you—”

“I risk only myself.”

“And I risk myself—”

“And maybe a child.”

She gritted her teeth, regrouping her argument. Here she was the furious one, and he was going to chastise her! And, she thought, dismayed by the anguish it caused her, they were back to where they had always been. She had never been his choice. She came with Blue Isle, she was important to it, and he wanted children. Legitimate children. She was, as his wife, crucial to that aim as well.

“You’re leaving,” she accused him.

“Aye.”

“ForTyne,”she said.

“Aye. The king—”

“The king did not order you to go to Tyne! The king is preparing to invade England, and when he is ready to fight—”

“Peter of Tyne is a friend, and has long been my friend. His property will be the first to come under David’s dominion, and I intend to give him every chance to bow to David before the king sends troops to strip the property from him.”

“So, how gallant you all are! Sir Percy came to tell you that your dear friend Peter is in trouble, and so you will train your troops and bring them quickly to Tyne, where Peter will be politely warned, and all will be well!”

“Aye.”

“And what of dear friend Peter’s sister?”

He wasn’t surprised by the question. “What about her?” he asked bluntly.

“You tell me.”

He arched a brow, a slow smile forming on his lips. It was all the answer she needed. She turned, starting to exit the room with fierce speed and determination. But he could move with equal speed, and before she could reach the door, he had blocked it. She didn’t try to barge past him; she didn’t want to touch him. She stood dead still.