Page 84 of The Thornwyck Rose

He yanked the veil from her head in a humiliating stripping of her dignity as a lady, gripped a fistful of her hair, wrenching her head sideways so the steel could kiss her throat—the second sting of the day.

If she cried, they’d think her weak. If she stayed silent, they’d think her guilty. She had to bleed with grace, or they’d let her perish and bless the blade that struck.

“Last chance,” he whispered into her ear. “Speak the truth.”

Seren stared out at the court. She saw Erik’s hand clench at his side.

The breath she took next was sharp, but her voice came stronger now.

“I’ve told the truth, my lord husband.”

Henry turned.

“Well, Commander?” he asked. “Is it true you kissed her?”

“When you commanded me to test her loyalty . . . she didnotlet me kiss her, as I reported upon my return.”

Erik’s voice rang true. His eyes hardened at Henry’s insinuation that he’d lied.

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Henry, not Seren, was the target of daggers of judgment.

But Henry laughed. “That is odd, Commander, because I have on good word that you both were wrapped in a passionate embrace.”

Then Erik said, voice even and measured, “Then the word is wrong. She proved her loyalty to you yet again.”

Henry’s mouth curled.

“Could you be lying as well to save your son?”

“My lord, I am not lying.” Erik’s brow furrowed. “I would never wager my son’s life?—”

Henry spread his arms wide again. “On good word, I was told you both shared a passionate kiss. The test had been a chaste kiss, Commander. And yet I was told, clothes had nearly come off; it was so passionate.”

The audience went silent as Henry continued.

“If my men-at-arms hadn’t interrupted you?—”

“Lies,” Erik said, unbothered but firm, but Seren noticed the clench of his jaw as her own belly roiled from the false witness.

“Your good word is wrong,” Erik said.

“Perhaps.” Henry scanned the room. “Captain de Léry, step forward.”

Erik’s eyes narrowed.

“Tell me again what you saw.”

Jovin dipped his head in reverence to Lord Henry. “I saw as you said: a passionate kiss shared between lovers.”

The room erupted in gasps, murmurs.

Seren’s stomach dropped.

“It is not true,” Seren cried. “I have never?—”

But Henry hit her in the mouth. His eyes gleamed—cornered. He was a beast with too many witnesses and no blood to show for it.

“Kill the boy first. Then the whore,” Henry said.