Page 101 of The Thornwyck Rose

David’s eyes slid to his mother’s. “When hetriesto kill you again,Iwill not let him.”

“You will let him, son. You will stand there and say nothing. Though you are his only heir, you are replaceable. He will find another wife who will bear him a son. And if he tortures me, I will do my best not to scream, but if I do, you will remember hymns, and if he makes you watch, you will envision me in the arms of our Lord in Heaven.”

A confession shimmered at the edge of his gaze. His lips thinned, and his head drooped.

“You will take my necklace, and if your grandfather comes for me, you will show it to him to save your and your family’slives.” Seren dipped her head, but kept her gaze locked with her son. “Do you understand?”

His lips twitched as he fought to hold back the mist in his eyes.

“And when your father is dead, you will lead Mortlande into a new era.”

“I could just kill him,” David finally said, in a rush of words. “Ragnar taught me to fight, to kill. Teaches me all the time.”

“That is murder,” Seren whispered. “Though I am glad you know how to wield a blade, don’t begin your lordship with bloody hands. Don’t make your brother or those loyal to you bloody their hands either.”

“Hemurders people. He’d murder you,” David said, loud enough to draw the attention of the guards.

“Yes, he does,” she said with complete trust in the keep guards’ loyalty to her, even the elusive Reynard. “And yes, he will. But not you. You are not a murderer. You are above your father.”

He wrapped his arms around Seren’s waist and dropped his forehead to her neck before placing a small kiss there.

“I am afraid. You taught me everything I know that is worthwhile,” he whispered. “I don’t want to lose you. I love you, Mother.”

Seren pulled him closer. “I don’t want to leave you, but the Commander and Ragnar . . . they love you too. I’ve asked them to stand aside as well. Let Henry do as he pleases and continue to protect you and your sisters as they have always done. Not lose their lives for my sake.” She pulled back and stared at her son, who had to become a man too early.

Outside, the wind caught the banners, and her daughters’ laughter carried from the orchard up into the great hall.

“I’ve taught you everything you need to say in the beginning; the rest will come in time. The host in this keep, this castle, they are loyal to me and so will be loyal to you as long as you keep good in your heart. You will be a great lord, David. Don’t let what your father does to me shape you in his image. Be like King David in the scripture, the man afterGod’s own heart . . . just don’t make his same mistakes.” The corners of their mouths rose on thinned lips.

Seren continued. “Don’t let power consume you as it did him.”

She tapped David’s side where she had placed her star stitch on a wound he had when he was a child. “Remember, I will always be with you if you carry my star. Remember my love and my teachings. Remember the Lord God above.”

He kissed her cheek.

“I will,” he whispered.

“Good,” Seren said and took his hand. “The duties are done for the day. Let us see your sisters.”

David pressed a half-smile and nodded. “Does father know how well the keep runs without him?”

“No,” she said with a chuckle, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “And if he did, that alone might seal my fate faster.”

In the orchard,the girls played in the keep’s shadow. When they weren’t practicing stitches and ladies’ duties with Seren or memorizing scripture with Father Osbert, they ran through the wild grasses outside the palisade barefoot, laughter trailing behind them like ribbons.

Seren let them while Henry was away.

She had done it as a child in the Marches, but she also taught them what it meant to be a lady. They would be lords’ wives if their father didn’t kill them when he returned—if he returned. She prayed he didn’t and that the Lord would spare David the spectacle.

The girls plucked early pears from the lowest branches of the orchard, arguing over which were sweeter.

“Mother, taste this one!” Vala said, holding up a half-ripe pear.

Seren bit it, and the tartness made her eyes water and her cheeks cave in. The girls giggled.

“Oh, I’ve tasted it and want no more,” Seren said, handing it back to Vala, who bit into it like it was nothing.

Vala grinned, juice dribbling down her chin. “It’s not so bad if you expect it to bite back.”