The lead gypsy took a deep breath. “Two sobbing women. I don’t envy you, my friend.”
“Thank you for taking care of them,” Gawyn said. He released Aurora but kept Justina close to him. They all began to move toward his horse.
Aurora stopped and turned to the group of gypsies. “You were kind to us. You are welcomed back to Acquitaine as honored guests anytime.”
Nicodemus took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “We were only returning the favor, my lady.”
They barely said anything as they made their way back toward the sally port. Aurora rode the horse, but Justina refused and Gawyn kept her in his hold. Both women looked ragged and tired. He continued to look down at Justina as they walked. There was a sadness in her eyes he knew he could never erase. Her father, her brother, gone. It seemed like every time she came near Damien, someone died. Although it had not been his fault. If only Damien had not wanted him to find out what she knew. If only she had not caught his brother’s eye, she would have lived on the farm, peacefully. But then, he never would have met her. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and it drew her attention. She met his gaze and tightened her hold around his waist as if she thought he would vanish.
Gawyn looked at Aurora. Her chin was falling to her chest.
Gawyn glanced toward the castle. The wall surrounding the city was in the distance, a target within striking distance. They would make it there by sun up. It was slow going having to walk, but three would not fit on the horse. “Let’s rest here.” Gawyn began to lead the horse off the path.
“No!” Aurora cried. “We can’t.”
“Aurora, you’re exhausted. Just a short rest and we’ll be on the way. I promise we won’t be long.”
Aurora glanced down at Justina. She gently bit her lower lip and consented with a nod.
Gawyn knew she was concerned about Damien. As was he. But he had to be realistic. Both Justina and Aurora had been up all night. They had experienced horrendous death. It was a man’s world to deal with that type of violence. A woman had no place in it. And he wanted to shelter Justina. He had wanted to, but he had failed.
When they reached a small stream, Gawyn lifted his arm from Justina and helped Aurora dismount. Then he led the horse to the stream, allowing him to drink. He wished he had a flask of ale for the women, but he had ridden out of the castle without any provisions, intent on finding Justina. His gaze swept her. She stared at the ground, her long dark hair hanging in waves past her slumping shoulders. Her brown dress was stained with smears of blood. She knew about Adam. Had she been there when it happened? It didn’t matter where she had been. The only thing that mattered was that she was safe. His gaze moved to Aurora who was staring at the castle. And Aurora...
He was glad she was alive. Very glad.
“We’ll make our way to the sally port. Steward Thomas is waiting there.” He touched Aurora’s arm. “Don’t worry. We’ll be home soon.” She glanced at him and nodded, but there was no relief in her eyes.
“Are the gates closed?” she asked.
Gawyn nodded. “When I left, the castle was sealed. The Hungars had not attacked, but we knew they were out there.”
She looked back at the wall. “Because we didn’t return.”
“Lewis made it back from Auch and told us the Hungars attacked. Aurora, we went to the falls looking for you.”
She nodded again. “I decided to go to McGregan Clearing. It was closer to the castle. Safer, I thought.”
He grabbed her arms and turned her to face him. “You didn’t know. How could you? This is not your fault.”
“I am lady of the castle.” Tears entered her blue eyes. “I made the choice to picnic there.”
“And on any other day, it would have been fine. A perfect day to frolic in the grass. You had guards with you.”
“My ladies... All of them... My cousin.” Her voice broke.
“Aurora,” Gawyn said firmly, his fingers gripping her arms tightly. “Your people need you now. Damien needs you.”
She looked back at the wall, as if she could see him and blinked away her tears. When she finally spoke, her voice held conviction and authority. “Then why did we stop?”
Gawyn grinned in satisfaction. “We’ll leave in a moment.” He turned to Justina. She was watching them with weary eyes. Her lips turned down at the corners. He knew she was tired, but also knew her lower lip trembled from sadness. He moved over to her and lifted her chin with his finger. “Are you okay?”
She sighed. “No. But I’ll make it to the castle.”
He couldn’t resist brushing a strand of her hair from her cheek and letting his fingers linger against her skin. When he knew she had gone after Adam, risking her own life, some part of him went mad with worry. But she was safe now. “I wish I could have saved him.”
Justina shook her head. “I know. You would have if you were there. But you weren’t.”
He took her hands and kissed each one. “I’m sorry.”
She wrapped her arms around him and he squeezed her tightly, holding her, comforting her as best he could. She buried her face against his shoulder.
“Gawyn,” Aurora called. “What’s that?” She pointed off to the distance toward the castle.
Gawyn followed her gaze. Just before the city walls, in the clearing to the right, there was a glimmering light that grew brighter as he watched. It could be nothing other than a fire. As they watched, another joined. Dread and apprehension filled Gawyn. “It’s the Hungars. Time to go.” He lifted Aurora onto the saddle. He turned to Justina. “Sorry, but we have to hurry. You must ride.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but he lifted her and settled her behind Aurora. His gaze shifted to the flames. Campfires. They were laying siege to the castle. He took the reins of the horse and began to jog toward the castle.
The problem was those fires were close to the sally port. Very close.
Chapter 15
Gawyn jogged beside the horse, keeping a watchful gaze toward the sally port. He purposefully went to the other side of the city wall, trying to remain under the cover of the trees. The sun was rising behind him and he knew this wasn’t a good thing. The cover of darkness would be gone. He paused just before the wide clearing that stretched before them. If they could make it across the clearing and the moat that surrounded the city wall, only the massive wall of the city stood in their way. It didn’t look good. He forced himself to focus. One obstacle at a time.
Gawyn breathed heavily, but he never stopped scanning the area, looking for Hungars or a way into the village. The large wall was all encompassing, circling the village. The moat ran in a semicircle around the city wall, connecting to Sterling river in two spots. “Aurora, do you know how the castle gets its water?”
“There is a well in the center of the village and another inside the castle,” she answered.
He nodded. “Does the water come from the river?”
She looked at the river. “I suppose it does. I don’t really know for sure.”
Gawyn scanned the tops of the wall but could see no guards. He assumed the Hungars had not breached the city wall. Why would they camp outside of it if they had? Most of the guards would be on the other side of the city wall, defending it from the Hungars. They were on their own.
He glanced at Justina on the horse. She stared at the wall with concern. He was never going to leave her again. The women would come with him. He just hoped there was some way to gain entrance to the village.
He moved through the forest, trying to put distance between the Hungars’ camp and them. He went as far as he could in the forest, until he came to Sterling River. He looked toward the Hungars camp, but the city wall blocked his view. He tethered his steed to a tree, hoping to return for it. He reached for Justina and helped her from his horse. Then he helped Aurora dismount. “We walk from here. Try to stay low.” He took Justina’s hand and glanced toward the other side of the wall, toward the Hungars’ camp. It was hidden behind the wall. He hop
ed that would give them a measure of safety as they raced across the clearing.
He looked up at the sky. The grey of night was fading to be replaced with pinks as the sun began to climb higher. They had to go now. He was hoping the wall would keep them hidden from the Hungars’ view. This was so risky. If it were only him alone...
He took a deep breath and started across the clearing toward the wall. He kept a watchful eye on the other side of the wall, fearful a horde of Hungars would come charging toward them. He pulled Justina on, refusing to release her hand. He wasn’t going to lose her again. Not after the panicked anguish he had felt. He would die first. The thought startled him. He quickly pushed it aside. He would think of it later. He cast a glance at Aurora who was right behind them. She held her skirt up so as not to trip on it, but she was doing as he said, ducking her head and racing after them.
Their mad dash toward the wall was crazy. Insane. Because he didn’t even know if it would offer them safety or entry. He couldn’t think of any other way in. He knew the layout of the castle and the city, but had never had to get inside. His thinking had always been to keep others out.
They came to a halt at the moat. Gawyn led them as close to the river as he could for protection, out of eyesight of whatever Hungar sentry might come this way. They were still vulnerable out in the open. They would have to cross the moat to get to the wall. He tugged Justina forward. She resisted, and he glanced back at her. She was staring at the water. “It’s all right,” he whispered. “I’m right here.”
“How deep is it?” Justina asked, her gaze on the slowly moving moat.
Gawyn looked at the moat. He saw logs floating together, suspended in the dark water, but he couldn’t see the bottom. “I don’t know.”
“I’ll go,” Aurora offered. She stepped forward.
Gawyn caught her arm. “Can you swim?”
Aurora nodded. She moved into the water slowly. Gawyn stepped closer until his boots were in the water. He felt guilty having her go first. He should have been the one to test the waters.
Aurora paused and shivered. She looked at the wall of the city and lifted her chin and straightened her shoulders before moving into the black water. The dark liquid moved up her legs the further she got until she was waist deep.
Gawyn took another step forward without relinquishing Justina’s hand. His gaze locked on Aurora as she moved through the water. He was ready to dive in, if she needed him. Halfway through the moat, she lurched forward, swimming.
“No,” Justina murmured, pulling her hand from Gawyn’s hold. “I can’t.”
Gawyn waited, watching until Aurora got her footing on the other side of the moat and walked out of the water. He breathed a soft sigh of relief and nodded to her before turning to Justina.
Justina’s gaze was locked on the water, her eyes wide with fear.
Gawyn eased her chin up until her gaze met his. “Look at me.”
“I can’t swim,” she whispered. “The water is over my head.”
“You don’t have to,” Gawyn said softly. “Just hold onto me. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I’ll wait here. I’ll be fine.” Her gaze darted to the top of the wall. “I’m so close to the wall. I can just wait here.” She nodded, satisfied with her plan.
Gawyn’s gaze moved slowly over her face, his lips twisted in a humorless grin. He was not going to let her wait here.
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
He took her hand and began to lead her into the water. A step. Then another. He held her hand tightly.
She stopped walking as the water soaked her slippers and the hem of her skirt. “I can’t, Gawyn.”
“You have to,” he insisted. He took both of her hands into his own.
She shook her head, her eyes wide. “I can’t do it. Adam was the swimmer. I never could.”
Gawyn’s gaze swept her face with compassion. Her brown eyes shifting between him and the water at her feet. Her forehead wrinkled with concern. She had been through so much. He would not force her. He nodded. “Then we’ll wait here. Maybe someone will see us from the walls before the Hungars find us.”
“No.” She pulled her hands from his hold. “You go. Aurora needs to lead her people. She has to get into the castle.”
“I’m not leaving you.” It was a statement. He wasn’t going to leave her. Not now. Not ever.
Justina glanced at the water. Conflict swirled in the depths of her eyes. “You have to go, Gawyn.”
“I lost you once and I am not going through that again.”
Sympathy washed over her, and she shook her head, looking down. “Fine,” she growled. She stomped into the water another foot and stopped as it lapped at her knees. “I’ll drown then.”
He smiled warmly at her courage. “I won’t let you drown. You can hold onto me.” Again, he took her hand and tucked it beneath his arm. They moved deeper into the water. He felt Justina’s resistance, her stiffness and hesitancy, but she moved with him. “You can lock your arms around my shoulders. I’ll hold onto your wrist as I swim.”
“You know how to swim?”
They were waist deep in the water now. “I’m a very good swimmer,” Gawyn said softly. He continued forward, talking to her. “Your feet won’t touch the ground, but mine will. For a bit.”
Justina glanced across the water to the other side where Aurora stood near the edge, waiting for them. She grumbled. “Does she have to do everything perfectly?”
Gawyn chuckled a rich, throaty laugh. “I’m afraid she does.”
Justina stopped moving as the water lapped at her chest. She breathed quickly, eyeing the liquid around her with trepidation and fear.
“Are you ready?”
“No.”
Gawyn presented her with his back. His grip moved to her wrist. “Under my arms, clasp your hands around me by my chest. Lock them in front.” He leaned back slightly so she could do as he told her.
“Anything to get me to hug you,” she murmured sarcastically.
Gawyn could hear the tension in her voice. He pulled her against him. She reached around him with her other hand and locked hands tightly at his chest as if she were praying.
Gawyn straightened and she was on the tips of her toes. He pressed her arm against his chest. “Remember, I’ll be on my feet. You’ll be floating for a little. Ready?”
“Don’t let go.”
He looked over his shoulder at her. Terror ringed her large brown eyes. “Never,” he vowed. Then he moved forward as quickly as he could before she could change her mind. The water was up to his neck. “Just keep your head above water.” He launched himself forward and swam with one arm. He tried to keep her on his back, as he swam with one arm and kicks of his feet. He still held her arm against him. He was a strong swimmer and continued forward with strokes and kicks. Finally, his feet touched the ground and he walked forward until she was able to get her footing. Still, she didn’t release him for a long moment as he moved toward dry land. He looked back at her with a proud grin. But she rushed by him until her feet were on the dry earth.
“Don’t ever make me do that again,” she told him.
Gawyn nodded but made no such vow. He knew it might get worse. There was no entrance to the castle on this side. No sally port. He had hoped to find an underwater entrance. Somewhere the river entered the castle to get to the wells. But now, he doubted even that. The only other option was to try to move through the river to the other side and try to sneak to the sally port. Either way would be dangerous. Either way would require Justina to get in the water again. He moved over to where the river met the land of the castle, searching.
“Gawyn,” Aurora called.
Gawyn looked back at her. She was pointing to the side of the wall. Hanging from the wall was their salvation. A long piece of rope, barely visible by the naked eye. Gawyn began to smile.
Justina wouldn’t have to get in the water again after all.
Chapter 16
Damien
sat in the Judgement Room. It was dark, but his eyes had adjusted, as had his body. He knelt before Aurora’s braid, his head hanging down, his chin against his chest. The beast was alive in him now, demanding more blood. Demanding revenge. He knew he had scared the servants enough, so they would not bother him anymore. He didn’t care. He didn’t care about them. He didn’t care about Acquitaine. She was gone.
He heard the door creak open behind him. His jaw clenched tight.
“Damien?”
Gawyn. He had wondered where his brother had gotten to. He wondered why he wasn’t there, trying to comfort him. He needed no comfort. Only death. “Get out,” he whispered. It was so silent that his voice echoed through the room.
Gawyn didn’t seem to notice. A torch flared to light behind Damien. He scowled at the light on the floor as if the touch of it would burn him.
“Damien?”
Always intrusive. Damien’s fists clenched tight. He wanted him gone. He wanted to be in darkness. He wanted to be cold and alone. She was gone. Some part deep inside of him was wailing and he couldn’t get it to stop unless he saw red. “Get out,” Damien said more firmly. The beast was hungry. Damien snarled, his lips curling over his teeth.
“Brother,” Gawyn began with a gentleness.
Damien whirled, his hands curved into clawed fists, his rage blinding him, his teeth bared. “GET OUT!”
Gawyn stood, holding a torch. He didn’t flinch at Damien’s tirade; he didn’t move.
The torchlight showered over her like beams of gold touching a goddess. For a moment, Damien froze. He didn’t even take a breath. He must be going mad. Slowly, his hands uncurled. His snarl evaporated. The beast howled inside of him, telling him to run, to hide. She couldn’t be real. He was going mad.
She came toward him. But it wasn’t until he heard her voice, a soft calling, “Damien,” that he knew this was no dream, this was no hallucination.
Legends of Medieval Romance: The Complete Angel's Assassin Trilogy Page 43
