Page 106 of Forbidden

Duncan caught up with Amber before she reached the entrance to the great hall. They entered the solar together.

The sight that greeted them wasn’t reassuring. Though only one wolfhound and the peregrine were permitted into the solar’s warmth, their restlessness boded ill for Erik’s temper.

“What is this I hear about an outlaw being hanged?” Amber said before Duncan could speak.

After a moment, Erik set aside the manuscript he had been reading. He looked first at Amber, then at Duncan.

“Hanging,” Erik said distinctly, “is the punishment for any man who dares to touch that which is forbidden.”

Amber’s breath was drawn with a soft, ripping sound. Duncan had done a great deal more than touch her.

And somehow Erik knew it.

Erik reached beneath the manuscript and pulled out an amber bracelet. He held the gleaming jewelry out to her.

“Yours, I believe?” he asked.

Amber nodded.

The enigmatic, tawny eyes switched to Duncan.

“I hear you fought well,” Erik said. “You have my gratitude.”

“They were but ruffians,” Duncan said.

“They were ten to your one,” Erik said. “With wooden staffs and daggers and the cunning of wolves. They have defiled and killed at least one gentlewoman, and overcome three lone knights. Again, I thank you.”

“May I speak with you alone, lord?” Duncan asked.

“The last man who made that request came to an unhappy end,” Erik said, smiling slightly. “But I hold you in much higher regard. Warriors of your skill are very rare.”

Duncan turned and looked at Amber, plainly expecting her to leave. She looked back at him and moved not one step toward the door.

“Amber?” Erik asked calmly. “Will you leave us?”

“I think not. What will be said here concerns me as much as anyone.”

Erik raised his eyebrows and looked at Duncan, who didn’t notice. He was watching Amber with unhappy hazel eyes.

“I wanted to spare you this retelling,” Duncan said in a low voice.

“Why? It was a thing done by two, not one.”

“Nay,” he said bitterly. “It was done by one to another.”

Before Amber could open her mouth to argue, Duncan turned to face Erik.

“I ask for the hand of your vassal in marriage,” Duncan said grimly.

The peregrine gave an odd, trilling cry. The joyous sound rippling from the raptor’s hooked beak was quite startling.

“Granted,” Erik said immediately.

“Am I not to be asked?” Amber said.

An amused smile softened the line of Erik’s mouth. “You have already given your permission.”

“When?” Amber challenged.