Page 29 of Forbidden

Erik waited.

She clenched her hands within her long, loose sleeves and tried to think of a way to tell Erik that she suspected he had within his grasp one of the finest warriors ever to be born of human woman.

“Duncan has no memories, as such,” Amber said slowly, “yet I would vow on my soul that he is one of the greatest warriors ever to hold a sword. And that includes even you, Erik, whom men call the Undefeated almost as often as they call you the Sorcerer.”

Cassandra and Erik exchanged a long look.

“With Duncan on your side, you could hold Lord Robert’s land against Norsemen, Normans, and cousins combined,” Amber said flatly.

“Perhaps,” Erik said. “But I’m afraid that your great, dark warrior belongs to Dominic le Sabre or the Scots Hammer.”

“That might be true.But not if Duncan’s memory doesn’t return.” Amber drew a deep breath. “Then he is yours.”

Silence spread while Cassandra and Erik considered Amber’s suggestion.

“Such a ruthless little thing,” Erik said, grinning. “You would have made a fine peregrine.”

And he laughed.

Cassandra did not. “Are you certain Duncan won’t regain his memory?”

“No,” Amber said.

“What if he does?” the other woman asked.

“He will be either friend or enemy. If he is a friend, Erik has an invaluable knight. A risk well worth taking, surely?”

“And if he is an enemy?” Erik asked.

“At least you won’t have on your soul the cowardly murder of a man struck senseless by lightning.”

Erik turned to Cassandra. “Madam?”

“I like it not.”

“Why?”

“The prophecy,” she said curtly.

“What would you have me do?” he asked.

“Take the stranger out into the Disputed Lands and leave him naked to find his own way.”

“Nay!” Amber said before she could stop herself.

“Why not?” Cassandra said.

“He is mine.”

The fierceness in Amber’s soft voice shocked the others. Erik glanced aside at Cassandra. She was watching Amber as though she had never seen her before.

“Tell me,” Cassandra said warily. “When you touched him, what was it like for you?”

“Sunrise,” Amber whispered.

“What?”

“It was sunrise after a night as long as time.”