Page 42 of The Knight’s Reward

That he had the power to awe her when she’d been in the presence of kings and queens for most of her life was the reason why she’d left the hall. She was frightened of the power he held over her—and of how much stronger it would likely grow should she take him fully into her confidence.

But she couldn’t tell him that.

“I . . . I cannot.”

“You cannot tell me why you left? Or you cannot tell me the truth you promised earlier?”

“Both,” she ventured.

Though Neill did not look pleased, he didn’t press her. But he did grab her hand, a gesture that was becoming something of a habit.

He led her down the darkened corridor, and Kathryn followed mutely.

“Where are we going?”

No answer.

They wound their way up a set of circular stairs and through endless corridors, some better lit than others, finally coming to a hallway with four or five doors.

Opening the second door, still holding her hand, Neill entered and took her with him.

He didn’t let her go until he closed the large oak door behind them.

“Is this your chamber?” A silly question, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say.

“Aye.”

Four wall torches lit the small but well-appointed chamber, boasting a canopied bed, two chairs, a small table, and one very unusual feature.

“A window?”

She walked toward the stone benches that bracketed a much larger window than she was accustomed to seeing in a castle of this size. Kathryn turned back to him, silently asking for permission to open the wooden shutters.

He nodded for her to proceed, and she did.

“Ahhh.” She understood now. This particular room faced the training yard, the reason for the large window without bars. An unseasonably cool evening for summer, the air felt good as Kathryn breathed it in.

“A full moon,” Neill said.

She hadn’t heard him approach, but he now stood next to her, his breath gusting her hair.

“Aye.”

Sitting on the stone seat, he looked up at her as if waiting for her to say something.

“Why am I here?” she asked.

Uncomfortable under his careful scrutiny, Kathryn sat down across from her savior of sorts, leaving the shutters open. She could still see the moon from this vantage point, but eventually she was forced to look back at him.

Well, not forced exactly.

Neill was more pleasing to look at than anyone else she’d ever met. But he also stared at her as if he could see into her very soul.

“A fine question,” he said finally.

Kathryn smiled. “I meant here, in your chamber.”

She could tell from his expression that Neill knew exactly what she had meant.