Chapter 25
Kallen was so tired. Her eyelids fluttered open and shut several times. She finally found the strength to force them to stay open.
Only a single candle burned in the otherwise darkened chamber. A man sat in a chair next to the bed, his face hidden in the shadows. Kallen could not see his aura. That meant only one thing.
“Awake, Kallen? What a pretty name.”
He leaned closer, his leering face coming into the light. She saw the thick band of black encompassing his head, revealing the evil that ran down to his very soul.
She moved to push him away and realized her hands were tied together in front of her.
“Now, now. Let us sit and have a pleasant chat, Daughter. “I am Quentin, Earl of Nowland, but somehow I believe you must have figured out that bit of information.”
Kallen eyed her enemy with suspicion. “Why do you want me? I cannot see the future.”
Nowland smiled. “Why would you ask that? I didn’t say you could. No, I need you for the auras, my dear.”
Her heart sank. How could he know of them? “What mean you? I don’t understand.”
The earl stroked the black beard peppered with gray, which looked so at odds with his silvery blond hair.
“Oh, but you are a clever girl. You have the looks and smarts of a Nowland.” He crossed his arms and gave her a smug smile.
“No, you have the power. I sense it in you. You, Kallen de Mangeron, are the answer to my every prayer.”
He stood. “Edward rules now, weakling that he is, but soon I shall take his place. You’ll see to that. You will tell me who will support me and who would betray me. You can shed light on where a man’s loyalties lie.”
Nowland bent and brushed a lock of hair from her face. “You shall be my own little princess. You may have whatever you wish—unless ‘tis Edward’s head you want. I shall keep that as my own souvenir of the man who thought he was king.”
Disgust rose in Kallen. “Even if I could do what you ask, I would never help you.” She struggled against the ties around her wrists.
“You will, my dear. Mother thought the same thing. Eventually, she aided me for years. I learned quite a bit from her. I know more how to help you harness your power.” He began to pace.
“My sister escaped. She lies in unconsecrated ground now for her efforts.” He stopped at the end of the bed.
“You never will. You’re mine, Kallen. For all time. ”
She blurted out, “Griffith will stop you. My uncle will, too.”
Nowland’s smile was benign. “Oh, they’ll search for you, I’m sure. They’ll never find you, though.”
“Griffith stopped the men you sent before while we returned to Mangeron. Even Sir Rodger. None returned to you. You can send as many as you want, and he’ll defeat them all.”
His wicked grin showed yellowing teeth. “I need send none now, for I have my prize. ‘Tis interesting, though, these impassioned feelings you reveal for Griffith Sommersby.”
The nobleman thought a moment. “This may be just the way to control you. To take prisoner this knight who’s so obviously captured your heart.
Yes, ‘tis exactly what I shall do.” He nodded as he began to pace again, his hands clasped together behind his back.
“Surely the mere threat of hurting Sommersby would have you do my bidding.”
Nowland moved to her side and leaned low. He twirled a lock of her hair. Kallen cringed, drawing back into the pillows away from him. He twisted the lock tighter and yanked it. Tears came to her eyes.
He sat on the bed next to her, one hand still twisted in her hair, the other stroking her cheek.
“I can see it now. You, being stubborn and uncooperative. Typical Nowland. Starving you wouldn’t work.
But a trip to my darkened dungeon, with its foul smells and sweating walls, and one look at your beloved stretched across the rack?
A twist of one, maybe two turns. You’ll do whatever I ask of you then.
” He released her hair and stood. “Thank you, my dear. You have given me the leverage I need.” He rubbed his hands in glee as a child would.
Kallen was horrified. An image of Griffith suffering almost did her in. “You’ll never take him.”
Quentin chuckled. “I took you, didn’t I?
‘Tis always when you least expect it. Mayhap I will let the good knight worry a day or two. Then I’ll send word by messenger of a secret meeting.
Come alone or his beloved Kallen dies. He’ll do it if he feels as you do.
And while his heart is trapped, I’ll trap his body and soul. ”
Kallen jumped from the bed and ran to the door. She tried to twist the knob, but the restraints prevented her from escaping. She started beating her bound fists against the massive door.
Behind her, Nowland cackled as an old woman. “What fun!” He clapped his hands in delight. “I never knew having a daughter could bring me so much joy.”
He turned her from the door, his fingers tightening about her elbow. “You must be parched, my dear.” He dragged her toward the bed and tossed her upon it. She watched as he poured water from a pitcher into a silver cup.
She gritted her teeth. “I’ll not fall for that trick again.” She twisted her head back and forth and began to scream.
The earl sighed. “Screams do no good, child. Nowland is my own little kingdom. I said we were not to be disturbed, so we won’t be.”
Kallen ceased moving and stared at him.
His eyes pierced hers and held them. “I could flay you as well as dine with you,” he said, his voice low and threatening. “’Twould make no difference to my people. If I ask for no interruptions, then there are none.”
Kallen’s spirits sagged. He took the opportunity to hold her head. He forced her to drink.
“I need you good and docile for now. Gulp some down, my sweet, malleable child.” After he’d made sure she swallowed several times, he stood, cup in hand. “Oh, we shall be friends, Daughter. Such good friends. I have so many plans, so many decisions. You’ll be caught up in it all.”
“I won’t,” she managed in a bare whisper.
He eyed her with fondness. “You’ll grow to love the power, Kallen. ‘Tis my blood running through you.”
Nowland bent and kissed her forehead. Kallen’s limbs were too heavy to fight him off.
“Sleep, my precious.”
Her mind still fought the drug. She was frantic for Griffith. He would be worried about her. Even Crispin, despite their rough start, would be concerned. She was family and she knew, despite everything, he cared for her.
Kallen’s struggles ceased, and she slipped into velvet darkness.
Griffith encircled the entire great hall twice in search of Kallen. He doubted he could have missed her, despite the large number of people still gathered. Some sang, some danced, and many still drank from the pitchers of wine. Yet Kallen was nowhere in sight.
Surely, she did not linger outside? Griffith left the hall, headed for the outside door.
“Griffith?”
He paused and turned. “Deva. What can I do for you?”
“Have you misplaced Kallen?” A smile twitched at his sister’s lips.
“You know something,” he accused her.
Deva shrugged. “I guessed. Kallen did not have to utter a word.” She laid a hand on his arm. “I know you, my sweet brother. A different man rode through the gates of Mangeron from the one that left a fortnight ago. One look told me ‘twas Kallen that wrought the miraculous change in you.”
She laughed. “Oh, I shall not tell Crispin. Kallen swore me to secrecy, but I knew I must say something to you.” She raised her eyebrows. “Particularly when you disappeared from the hall together for a good while.”
Griffith stroked her shining hair. “Ah, little one, I have never been able to hide anything from you.”
“Except Kallen. Where is she? The poor girl must be exhausted after such a cumbersome journey.”
“That must be it,” he exclaimed.
Deva frowned. “What mean you?”
“I came in first while Kallen…” Griffith struggled for the right words.
“Composed herself?” his sister suggested, a mischievous light twinkling in her eyes.
“Yes, ‘tis as you say. But that was some minutes ago. I thought she would have returned by now, but ‘twas a wearying day. Mayhap she slipped up to her room unnoticed.”
“Then I shall check on her and retire myself. First, though, I must find—”
“Your husband?”
They both turned as Crispin strode toward them. He wrapped an arm about his wife’s shoulder and stared at Griffith through narrowed eyes.
“Harold wishes to abandon the contracts,” Crispin stated flatly. “I saw you speaking to him, Griff.”
“Contracts? What contracts?” Deva asked.
“Marriage contracts for Kallen.”
“Oh, then, ‘tis been settled,” Deva said, relief in her voice. “I don’t think I could have kept…” Her voice faded. “Wait. You said ‘tis Harold who... withdraws?”
She turned and glared at her husband. “Crispin de Mangeron, I demand to know what goes on.”
Griffith shrank inwardly. Both Deva and his mother rarely used that tone of voice, but when they did, the world better watch out.
“’Tis nothing, dearest. I—”
“Do not think of me as your dearest at this moment, Crispin de Mangeron. You’ll be lucky if I allow you to claim the child I carry as yours. You’ve been up to no good, Husband. Tell me what mess you have made and be quick about it.”
Crispin, a leader both on and off the battlefield, wilted noticeably under his wife’s stern glance. “’Tis no mess, Deva. None whatsoever.” He glanced to Griffith for help.
Griffith smiled lazily at him. “Your bed, Crispin. Lie in it—or run like hell. Those are your only two choices.” He turned to leave.
“Wait, Griff. You have to help me here.”
Griffith shrugged. “All right.” He paused a moment.
“Crispin decided Kallen would make a good wife for Harold and bring him out of his despair. She could care for his babe and still remain close to Mangeron. He spoke of this idea to Harold and promised him Kallen while I fetched her from the convent.”
Deva looked from her brother to her husband and back again. “And?”
“When I returned and told him I had fallen in love with Kallen, he refused my suit since he’d already given Harold his binding word.”
“Without consulting me? Or Kallen?” Deva said evenly, her tone deadly.
Griffith grinned shamelessly. “That about sums it up. Of course, I explained the situation to Harold, and he graciously stepped aside, informing Crispin he no longer wished the match between himself and Kallen.
“I am now in Harold’s debt forever and,” Griffith smiled at Crispin, “I believe you’ll spend the next thirty years or so making all this up to Deva. And Kallen, of course.”
Crispin looked miserable. “I only did what I thought best for the both of them.”
Deva slipped an arm through her husband’s. “Thank the heavens Harold saw reason. How many times have we discussed things, Crispin? You know such an important decision cannot be made lightly. Men may see things rationally, but women see things with our hearts.”
Deva paused. “’Tis why you wanted to speak with Kallen this afternoon alone?”
Crispin nodded.
“Poor girl. Her heart must have been breaking all through the feast due to the actions of her thoughtless uncle.” She tugged on her husband’s arm. “Come. Kallen has left the hall. I fear she’s upstairs crying her eyes out now. You must go and apologize to her. She needs to know all is now right.”
Griffith interrupted. “Actually, Kallen knew I was going to speak with Harold.”
“Still, she needs an apology. Shall we all go up and tell her the good news?” Deva linked an arm through Griffith’s, as well.
They went to Kallen’s bedchamber, and Crispin knocked softly. She did not answer, so he pushed open the door.
The room was dark, empty.
“That’s odd,” Deva said. “I know she’s not at the feast.”
“Then if she’s neither here nor there, where is she?” Crispin asked.
A sick feeling swept over Griffith. His hands balled into fists. Through gritted teeth he said, “The Earl of Nowland has her.”