“Why would I accept such a proposal?”
“To save her life.” Mordred’s eyes glittered with malice.
“And if I refuse?”
“’Tis not the only offer I have made this night.” Mordred held out his hand and studied his nails. “Your lady is even now considering a somewhat different proposition that would ensure your safety.”
“This is between you and I, Mordred.” Galahad clenched and relaxed his hands by his sides. “Tessa is naught but a woman and plays no part in our differences.”
Mordred scoffed in disdain. “My dear, Galahad, she plays a very big part. ’Tis my understanding that without her you cannot find the Grail. Still, as you said, she is nothing but a woman and so I find her importance difficult to believe. Yet I have offered to allow you to continue your quest if,” a satisfied smile quirked his lips, “she stays behind.”
“Never,” Galahad said softly.
“’Tis your choice and that of the lady’s. Which you choose matters not to me. Abandon the quest and the two of you leave together, never to return to this land. Or leave her here and go on without her. Regardless of whether or not she is indeed necessary to your success, I would wager that noble sense of honor you prize so highly would undermine your efforts to find the Grail. Abandoning the Lady Tessa to pursue your own desires would destroy your very soul. Either way, victory is mine.”
“So it would appear.”
“I care not which you choose.” Mordred shrugged. “I care only that you fail on your quest.”
Galahad grit his teeth. “’Tis not difficult to determine why.”
“Nay. ’Tis obvious. I cannot have the people rally around the Grail. I will not give my father that advantage.”
“You cannot defeat Arthur.”
“Oh but I can. With your assistance.”
Galahad narrowed his eyes. “You will receive no help from me.”
Mordred laughed. “Think long and hard before you declare yourself, Galahad. I have given you two choices. There is a third. I can simply kill you now and still keep the lady for my own.”
Anger surged through him. His voice sounded level and cold with a threat even a fool would understand. “I swear by the saints above, Mordred, you touch her and I will not rest, dead or alive, until I see your face twisted in agony.”
“Well said.” Sarcasm dripped from Mordred’s words. “You are as noble now as you were as a youth. ’Twill do you no good but ’tis impressive nonetheless.” He stepped through the open door and spoke in low tones to a guard in the corridor. “I will give you some time to make your decision. And some assistance as well.” Mordred nodded and snapped the door closed.
She was alive. Relief washed through him. But for how long?
He paced the room and tried to think. He’d not been here in more than twenty years. But Castle Le Fay was not invulnerable. There were tunnels, hidden in the dark bowels of the fortress, that led to the forest outside the castle gates or to hiding places within the castle walls. The perfect places for young boys to explore on long-ago winter days. And all led to freedom.
Did they still exist? And if so, did Mordred know of them? Even as a child he had not often joined with the other youth. If indeed he knew of the existence of such passageways perhaps the details had long ago passed from his mind, replaced by his burning ambition for the crown and his appetite for power. ’Twas indeed a glint of madness in his eye. And madmen were never as shrewd as they believed themselves to be. At least, he prayed ’twas true.
If they could not escape he would have to accept one of Mordred’s offers, even though he suspected the prince would never allow either Tessa or himself to leave alive. ’Twas a choice no man should have to make—loyalty to his king and his life’s ambition or the salvation of the woman he loved.
He was wrong.
‘Twas no choice to be made at all.
The door opened abruptly. Rough voices sounded in the corridor. Tessa stumbled into the room.
“Tessa!”
Her head jerked up. Her eyes widened. “Galahad!”
At once she was in his arms. He greeted her with a frantic relief and a need to embrace her, touch her, kiss her as if, for once, ’twas he who questioned the reality of that before his eyes. He could not hold her close enough and he could not let her go.
“Galahad!” She pulled back and her gaze searched his. “Thank God. Are you okay?”
“I am…” He stared at her face, one side swollen and discolored. “Who did this to you?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Fury burned within him. “Who did this?”
“Who do you think? Prince Personality. Our gracious host.”
He gently pushed her hair away from her cheek. “I shall kill him for this.”
“Normally I’m not into violence but go for it. Although, I gave as good as I got.”
He smiled in spite of himself. “The teachings of the good sisters?”
She grinned. “Sister Abigail would have been proud.”
“As am I.” He released her reluctantly. “We have a great deal to talk about and I fear Mordred will give us little time.”
“No kidding. That is one cranky prince.” She lowered her voice. “I think he’s nuts. You know, crazy. Daft.”
“I agree, there is madness in his manner.”
She touched the side of her face carefully and winced. “And everywhere else. So.” She stared at him with an expectant look. “What’s the plan?”
“The plan?”
“Right. How are you getting us out of here?”
“Tessa.” He chose his words with care. “’Tis not exactly a plan.”
“But you do have a plan, right?”
“’Tis more…an idea?”
“You’re asking me?” She wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed her forearms as if chilled. And well she might be. He’d not noticed it before but she was wearing a different gown. One that provided an all too revealing view of Tessa’s all too appealing charms.
“’Tis a bit, um…” He waved his hand at her dress and frowned. “Bare, is it not?”
Tessa glanced down then back to him. “Mordred gave it to me.”
“’Tis most immodest. I do not care for it.”
“Good.” She grinned. “Now, don’t change the subject. What are we going to do?”
He did indeed have a glimmer of an idea but he did not wish to raise her hopes. “I am not entirely certain.”
“Just what I wanted to hear. In that case,” she pulled a deep breath, “Mordred offered me a deal.”
“Tessa, I—”
“No.” She thrust out her hand to stop him. “Listen to me and then we can talk, but I figure we don’t have much time to work anything else out and I’ve got to warn you.” She paused. “I’ve made up my mind.”
She pulled her gaze from his and paced, shaking her hands in front of her in that odd manner she had. “Mordred has learned about that stupid business of Merlin’s. That I-have-something-you-need-and-you-can’t-find-the-Grail-without-me stuff.”
“How could he have learned such a thing?”
“Let’s just say there’s a leak in the castle.”
“Only when it rains,” he murmured.
“It doesn’t matter how he knows,” she said sharply, “only that he knows. Anyway, he says you can go if I stay here. So…”
She fell silent. He wanted to say something but could do naught save stare. She turned toward him. Her gaze met his. By the heavens, she is a stubborn wench.
“I’m going to stay.” She couldn’t quite hide the hint of fear in her eyes. And courageous. She would have made a fine knight.
“Then I will not leave.”
“You have to.” Her voice quavered but held firm.
“Nay.”
“There isn’t—”
“Nay, Tessa.” He shook his head. “I can be as obstinate as you and I will not go without you by my side.”
“Are you sure about this? This is your chance to c
ontinue on your quest exactly the way you planned. Without me.”
“Without you?” He smiled. “I cannot conceive of continuing my quest, my life, without you. ’Twould be like cutting out my heart.”
For a long moment, she stared as if afraid to believe him. Then she heaved a relieved sigh or a sob and buried her face in her hands. “Thank God. I was so scared.” She dropped her hands and cast him a shaky smile. “I have a confession for you. I’m a wimp. I don’t have a brave bone in my body. And I really don’t want to die before I’m even born. It’s not how I planned on spending my sabbatical. I don’t want to think about what it would be like here with that slimy, sleazy, obnoxious creep. What he was planning to do to me or with me before he finally killed me. And I’m pretty sure—hey!” Her forehead furrowed thoughtfully. “Did you say something about your heart?”
He raised a brow. “’Tis not an opportune time to discuss matters involving my heart.”
“It may be the only time we have,” she said slowly. “What did you mean?”
His gaze meshed with hers. Was it hope he saw in her eyes? Or unease? What if she did not share his feelings? His world was so different when compared to hers, how could he dare—
“Galahad?”
He shrugged and held his breath. “I love you, Tessa St. James.”
“I don’t…” She shook her head in disbelief. “What about your wife?”
“My wife is long dead.”
“But you still love her.”
“Aye.” He nodded. “And I shall love her forever.”
“That’s what I thought,” she said quietly.
“Tessa, my heart and my mind have wrestled with this since I first suspected the truth of my feelings. I vowed to love Dindrane always and indeed I will.” He paused. How could he make her understand? “’Tis not a question of her or you. My love for you does not diminish what I felt for her.”
“But she was perfect.”
“And you are not.” He couldn’t resist a wry smile. “’Tis one of your charms.”
Tessa shrugged helplessly. “I can’t compete with perfect.”
“’Tis not a competition. ’Tis difficult to explain.” He struggled to find the right words. “Dindrane possessed my heart. You, fair Tessa, are my heart. It is as if I am incomplete without you.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I do not fully comprehend it myself. I know I would have gladly given up my life for my wife if given the choice. I would have protected her with my strength and my sword and my last breath but I would not have wanted her by my side in times of trouble.”
He gazed into her eyes. “I would have you always by my side. I would die to save you but if I could not, I would die with you.”
Her eyes widened. “You’d die with me? No kidding?”
“No kidding.”
“I…” She raised her hands in a helpless manner. “I don’t know what to say.”
“’Tis a miracle.” He grinned. “I love you, fair Tessa.” He took her hand and placed a kiss in the center of her palm. “And I will feel thus forever.”
“Forever?” She laughed weakly. “Kind of a relative term given the circumstances, don’t you think? Forever doesn’t seem like much of a possibility right now.”
“I wish to have forever with you.” He adopted a firm tone. “’Tis why I have decided to accept the offer Mordred made to me.”
“Mordred offered you a deal too?” She withdrew her hand and raised her brow. “I’ll bet this is good.”
“’Tis indeed intriguing.” He paused for a moment. “He wishes us to abandon the search for the Grail and leave England, never to return.”
Her eyes widened. “No way.”
“Aye. Way,” he said, his manner steadfast. “’Tis decided.”
“Not by me.”
He stared down at her. “’Tis not your decision to make.”
“Oh, ’tisn’t it? Listen to me.” She raised her chin and he knew any objection he would make was for naught. “You wouldn’t let me take Mordred’s deal. You wouldn’t let me give up my freedom—”
“And no doubt your life.”
“So what makes you think I’m going to let you give up what you’ve wanted for as long as you can remember, and break a promise to your king in the process, to save me?”
“’Twould be no greater offering.”
“My sending you off without me would fulfill that part of the riddle too and you didn’t go for that either.”
He should have known she would not allow him to accept Mordred’s offer. Still, ’twas her life he risked as well as his own and he had to give her the choice. Pride swelled within him at her refusal. “Tessa—”
“First of all.” She planted her hands on her hips and indignation sparked in her eyes. “You’d never forgive yourself for breaking your word to Arthur and eventually you’d resent me for causing that. Secondly, get on a ship and go where? In this day and age the options aren’t all that appealing. And third, and frankly this is major and I can’t believe it just now dawned on me.” Her gaze caught his. “There’s no way Mordred’s going to let us out of here alive. Is there?”
“I think not,” he said softly. “Mordred has always enjoyed playing games by his own rules. Games he can win. I fear this is yet another.”
“It figures.” She drew a breath, no doubt to steady her nerves. He could well use a draught of ale himself. “Do you want to rethink that ‘die with you’ stuff?”
“Never.” He pulled her into his arms. “I could not live without you. I could not take a breath, my heart would cease to beat without you.”
“Wow.” The word was not much more than a breath upon the wind. She gazed up at him and his heart soared at the look in her eye. “Works for me.”
The lock rattled on the door and he released her. ’Twas obvious Mordred suspected their feelings for each other. Still, discretion in his presence would be wise. Galahad shuddered to think what cruelties Mordred could inflict on Tessa to repay some long-forgotten slight by Galahad.
The door swung open. Mordred swaggered into the room, the captain of his guard and two other ruffians right behind.
“Galahad. My lady.” Mordred nodded. “I do regret not being able to give you more time but alas,” he shrugged in an offhand manner, “I am an impatient man.”
“Too impatient to wait for your father to die of natural causes?” Tessa smiled innocently. Galahad groaned to himself. Why couldn’t the woman hold her tongue?
“Aye.” Mordred’s eyes narrowed. “Too impatient to wait for a natural death,” a sly smile touched his lips, “for anyone.”
“We all have our faults, I guess,” she said under her breath.
“What do you want of us, Mordred?” Galahad leveled the prince a steady stare.
“You know well what I want.” Mordred’s gaze shifted from Galahad to Tessa and a hungry light glinted in his eye.
“I would see her dead first,” Galahad said with a smile.
“I could arrange it.” Mordred returned his smile.
“Whoa. Excuse me?” Tessa glanced from Galahad to Mordred and back. “Do I get a say in this?”
“In truth, my lady”—Mordred’s lascivious gaze swept over her and she stepped closer to Galahad—“you do not. But now and then, I may well let you have your say on any number of minor details. If you are well behaved.”
“I don’t do well behaved,” she snapped.
“How delightful.” A note of anticipation underlaid Mordred’s words. “I shall have to teach you. Or punish you. ’Twill be a pleasure.”
“I will not leave without her, Mordred.” He groped for Tessa’s hand hidden in the folds of her skirts.
Mordred raised a brow. “In truth, I did not expect you to.” He glanced at Tessa and shook his head. “’Tis a great pity.”
“And I won’t let him give up the quest.” Quiet defiance colored Tessa’s words. Her hand squeezed his.
“God’s blood.” Mordred laughed with d
isdain. “The lady is as noble and loyal and all the other qualities one searches for in a good dog as you are. Very well then. You have had your chance. You deserve your fate.”
Mordred gestured at his men and they stepped forward. Tessa inched closer to Galahad.
“I don’t like the way that sounds,” she said out of the side of her mouth. “What does it mean?”
“My dear lady,” Mordred said. “It simply means my hospitality will continue but unfortunately, ’twill be a slight change in your accommodations.”
She glanced at Galahad. “Accommodations?”
“’Tis simpler yet, Tessa.” Excitement stirred inside him but his voice was even. “We will no longer be imprisoned above ground.”
Unease clouded her expression. “Above ground? There’s a below ground?”
“The dungeons, Tessa.” His gaze never left Mordred’s. “The infamous Castle Le Fay dungeons.”
“Infamous? You flatter me.” Mordred laughed. “It has been years, in truth before either of us were born, since the dungeons have seen so much as a single, shall we say, guest? But I am certain ’twill meet your needs.” He nodded at his guards, who quickly surrounded Galahad and Tessa and marched the couple out of the room. Mordred called after them. “My offers remain on the table. Should you change your minds my door is always open. Of course, yours will be barred.” A wicked laugh echoed in their wake.
“’Twill be…” Galahad leaned toward her and he flashed her a quick grin. “Okay, Tessa. Trust me.”
She heaved a sigh. “With my life, Big Guy, with my life.”
He prayed her faith was not misplaced but with every step closer to their prison his heart lightened.
The infamous dungeons of Castle Le Fay.
The perfect place to play on a long winter day.
Chapter Nineteen
“So how’s that plan coming?” Tessa said through clenched teeth.
Her ankles were tied, her hands bound together, stretched high over her head and tied to an iron ring attached to a rough beam. A small bale of hay or straw or weeds for all she knew had been shoved underneath her feet. A concession to what? Comfort? Hardly, but an inch shorter and she’d be on tiptoe. Galahad was a few feet away in the same predicament sans bale. Even so, thanks to his height, he looked a lot more comfortable than she was.
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