Page 87 of The Thornwyck Rose

She stooped and whispered against his cheek. “I love you. Always remember that. Do as your father says. While he is lord, obey him.”

David clung to her arm as he sniffed back tears.

She kissed his temple. “I am well. Obey him, or he will hurt me again.”

He let go, biting his lip to keep from crying.

She left with Margot and Isolde at her sides, hating the ache in her heart for turning her son loose to the monster.

Behind her, the court murmured, and Erik said nothing. They had seen a woman bleed in innocence, and she prayed to God to let them remember she still stood at the end.

But inside her, doubt bloomed.

How much longer could she endure Henry’s wrath and his tests? How much longer could she keep herself away from the only man who truly cared about her life? How was she going to undo everything Henry had done to their son, to Thornwyck, to Mortlande?

She was just a woman, respected by powerful men who did nothing to protect her. But what could they do? By law, she was Henry’s wife, his property to do with what he pleased.

She walked away with her life this time and with a more fervent prayer in her heart:Let me live, Lord, long enough to undo what he has done. Let me raise David into a man unlike the one who fathered him.

XXXI

THE BOY’S COURAGE

CASTEL THORNWYCK, MAY 1094

Henry continuedwith the Marcher Lords around Castel Thornwyck, salvaging his reputation until the evening meal was almost ready.

“We spent four months at Norfolk’s shores to keep the Danes at sea, do you remember Lord Hugh, because your host was not large enough to maintain your borders and assist Lord Bigod?” Henry asked, as if showing how much the other Marcher Lords needed him.

David trailed behind—eyes on his father, but his mind seemed to be elsewhere.

“I remember,” Lord Hugh said with a nod. “Chester is indebted; I’m sure the Lord of Norfolk is as well.”

Erik stood in his noble uniform alongside Geoffrey and Jovin and the other Marcher Lords’ highest-ranked knights. The surcoat lay over his chain mail. Henry made him wear gloves to prevent anyone from seeing his tattoos. His hands sweated through the leather and wool as he overheard the conversations.

“And remember, Lord Richard,” Henry said, “my Commander and Master-at-Arms were at Fellmere Keep at the border of Mortlande and Wellenford for months.”

Lord Richard gave a polite smile. “Wellenford is indeed indebted. If not for Commander de Montfort and Master de Bramber’s victory, the border might have fallen to the northern Welsh chiefdoms. And if not for your marriage to Lady de Thornwyck, they might still be holding Fellmere Keep—pushing deeper into Mortlande and Wellenford, and perhaps even Shrewsbury, with every raid.” He gestured to Lord Hugh de Montgomery, who nodded with a puffed bottom lip.

Erik resisted the urge to smirk. Lord Richard did not like Lord Henry. It was evident in that one statement alone. It was not Henry’s victory, but Erik, Geoffrey, and Seren’s.

Henry’s ears turned red. Air burst from his nostrils like a bull. “One day Thornwyck will collect all debts.”

“I am ready to pay,” Lord Richard said. “Why do you not collect now?”

David pulled at his father’s sleeve.

Erik’s jaw clenched, wondering how hard Henry would hit his son in front of the Marcher Lords.

Henry shoved him off. “What is it, my heir?”

“It is late, Father.” His voice trembled. David was a courageous child to speak when he should have been silent. “May I see Mother now? See if her wound is better?”

Henry’s lips pressed thin as the corners forced up.

After the ordeal with Seren in the great hall, Henry had to oblige the boy’s request, especially in front of the men who held his wife in high regard. That was probably one of the many reasons Henry wanted to get rid of her. She had too much power. Brought too much visibility into how he ran his lands. He couldn’t just do away with her as he had with his past wives. She was a threat to his authority. He’d tried to smear her name, and by his hand, he’d smeared his own.

But Erik was now sure of one thing: Lord Henry valued Seren’s death over Erik’s prowess at war and string of victories. He was willing to sacrifice Ragnar and Erik to see Seren dead. He’d conspired with Jovin and Geoffrey against him. Maybe Henry was jealous of Erik—believing his wife wantedhis Commander. Either way, they were going to lie about him and have all three innocents killed. Erik peered at Geoffrey standing beside him and wondered why he had not told the whole truth. Perhaps he’d only been there to listen.