Page 27 of Forbidden

“I cut his bonds.”

Cassandra’s breath came out in an audible rush as she crossed herself.

“Why?” she asked in a strained voice.

“I knew he meant me no harm.”

“How?” Cassandra asked, fearing the answer even as she demanded it.

“The usual way. I touched him.”

Hands clasped, Cassandra stood, swaying like a willow in a slow wind.

“When he came to you,” she asked in a strained voice, “was it night?”

“Yes,” Amber said.

In shades of darkness he will come to you.

“Are you mad?” Cassandra asked in a horrified tone. “Have you forgotten?Be therefore as sunlight, hidden in amber, untouched by man, not touching man. Forbidden.”

“Erik required that I touch the stranger.”

“You should have refused.”

“I did, at first. Then Erik pointed out that no man gets fully grown without a name. Therefore, the prophecy holds no—”

“Don’t presume to teach a falcon how to fly,” Cassandra interrupted angrily. “Did the man know his own name when he awakened?”

“No, but that could change at any moment.”

“By Mother Mary’s sweet smile, I have raised a reckless fool!”

Amber wanted to defend herself, but could think of nothing to say. When she was away from Duncan, the recklessness of her own actions in touching him appalled her.

Yet when she was with him, no other action seemed possible.

As one, both women turned around to go back to the cottage. As one, they stopped.

Erik was standing a few feet ahead of them.

“Are you proud of your work?” Cassandra asked him acidly.

“And a good evening to you, too,” Erik said. “What have I done now to earn the sharp side of a Learned woman’s tongue?”

“Amber has touched a man with no name who came to her in shades of darkness. Brought, I might add, by a young thane with no more brains than a drystone wall!”

“What would you have had me do?” Erik asked. “Gut him as though he were a salmon to be salted?”

“You could have waited until I—”

“You do not rule Stone Ring Keep, madam,” Erik interrupted coolly. “I do.”

“Just so,” Cassandra said with a thin smile.

Erik let out an explosive breath. “I respect your wisdom, Cassandra, but I am no longer yours to order about like a squire.”

“Aye. And that is as it should be.”