Chapter 36
Griffith slipped from the bed and threw on a robe. He knew his mother would not let them be disturbed unless something very troubling had occurred. His words to Kallen rang shallow in his ears as he opened the door.
Braea stood there, fire flashing in her eyes. She motioned him to step out into the corridor. Griffith did so, shutting the door behind him.
“Lord Nowland is here,” she said bluntly. “He waits in the inner bailey. He says he is alone. The watch guards can see no soldiers in any direction.”
“That just means they are hidden from our view,” he said grimly. “I assume he demands to see Kallen.”
“Yes,” Braea said.
“Then I shall speak with him. Kallen is in no condition to confront him. She had no sleep last night, and we rode hard most of the day. She is worn to the bone.”
“Then dress hastily, Griffith. See him gone from here. I don’t want him on Sommerset land.”
Griffith turned and found Kallen stood in the doorway. He saw she was dressed in the surcoat she had worn on their journey to Sommerset.
“I know ‘tis Lord Nowland. ‘Twas inevitable he would come. He will expect to see me.”
He gripped her by her elbows. “You’re safe here. There’s no need for you to see him. Ever.”
Kallen’s chin lifted. “I will see him.”
“I forbid it,” Griffith replied. “He has no power over you.”
A defiant look came into her eyes. “And you have this power now?”
Braea placed a hand upon his arm. “My son, ‘tis not a battle you’ll win. Kallen must see him herself in person. He’ll not be gone otherwise, I’ll wager.”
Griffith looked from one woman to the other. “Then we shall both go. We shall stand strong. Together.”
He turned to Kallen. “You are right. Forgive me, dearest. I fear that Nowland is a trickster, not to be trusted. I simply wanted to protect you.” He took her hands in his.
“You are my life, Kallen. Though ‘tis but a short time since we’ve known one another, I know you are the other half I was missing. You’ve brought love into my life and faith back into my heart. I cannot lose you.”
“I assure you, Griffith, you won’t. I shall make him understand we are to be left in peace. If he is wise, he will give up this foolish attempt to unseat the king and try and keep his head.”
Griffith quickly dressed and they left the solar, their fingers intertwined as firmly as their resolve.
Torches were lit in the courtyard. The Earl of Nowland sat atop his horse, no guard accompanying him. Griffith knew the wily man must have an army hidden just beyond their sights.
He eyed his enemy warily. An air of confidence enveloped the earl. Instinctively, the pit of Griffith’s stomach tightened. Why would Nowland be so calm? He’d lost every advantage, yet he appeared as if he were truly England’s king, so great was his poise.
“Greetings, Daughter,” Nowland called as he dismounted. He placed a hand on Kallen’s arm and bent to kiss her cheek, but she averted her face.
Griffith’s grip tightened on her hand. Kallen glanced at him, and he smiled encouragingly at her.
“What? No welcome for your loving father?”
Her low voice carried in the still of the night.
“I am a child of rape. I have no father. You betrayed my mother in the worse sense. Robbed her of her innocence. Her own father ostracized her because of your actions. He let her family believe she was dead, so deep was his shame. I want nothing more to do with you, my lord. Leave us in peace.” She took another breath and added, “And for your own sake, put aside your foolish schemes.
Be happy with Nowland. ‘Tis more than most men have.”
He gazed at her intently. “Would you shame your own family, Kallen? The de Mangerons? And now the Sommersbys? Besmirch their good names until they are reviled by all in the kingdom?”
Griffith saw the confusion on Kallen’s face. His stomach twisted seeing the earl’s evil smile.
“What do you mean?” she asked, her voice faltering.
Nowland sighed. “If you do not return with me this very hour, Kallen, I will ruin both of your new families.”
He waved a hand in front of him. “How, you ask?” His eyes narrowed. “I will let the Church know what you hide from the world. That you are a witch, Kallen Sommersby. That you see what others cannot. That you know the future, even twist it for your own benefit.”
As he spoke, Kallen went cold inside. For years, she’d prayed for a family above all else. She’d begged God to allow her to leave the confines of the convent. Now the dreams she’d been granted would be cruelly ripped from her grasp.
“No!” Griffith interjected. “You cannot. You know of the goodness that lies within her. Kallen is pure and innocent. These are nothing but lies.”
Nowland smiled. “What you see as lies, my lord, others will proclaim as the truth. She will burn at the stake, at the very least. More than likely, they will torture her, seeking a confession to cleanse her soul. Before she burns.”
A deep shudder ran through Kallen. She thought back to this man’s chamber of horror and Griffith straining against the pain as he was spread on the rack.
Her husband’s arm went about her. Still, her shivering continued.
“And Kallen’s death is only the beginning, Sir Griffith.
By the time I have finished spreading my rumors, the de Mangeron and Sommersby names will be thoroughly ruined.
You know of Edward’s horror of witches. You’ll lose your lands.
Your wealth. Your titles. And quite possibly, all the women in your families will also be executed for witchcraft. ”
Nowland chuckled. “Association with a witch will certainly be taken seriously. The Church and good King Edward will want this threat wiped from England.”
Kallen felt faint. As she stared at the evil streaks surrounding the earl, she knew he would deliver on his promises. How could she jeopardize those she had grown to love in so short a time? Images of Alita, Crispin, and Deva with a babe in her arms swarmed her thoughts.
And Griffith—her love, her life—how could she put him and his loved ones in harm’s way?
In the end, her father would win, no matter what Kallen decided. She could not—would not—be the cause of so much suffering.
She swallowed and straightened her shoulders. Her voice was calm and belied the fear and frustration racing through her.
“If I go with you now, will you hold your tongue and allow my family peace?”
“No!” Griffith’s hoarse cry did not surprise Kallen. She knew he would be hard to convince.
Griffith spun her around and shook her violently. “Are you mad?” She saw the fury in his eyes.
“You are mad to think to keep me,” she said quietly. I’ll not let you sacrifice both our families and their holdings for me.” Kallen stroked his cheek. “He has the power to do what he says. You know ‘tis the truth. If you love me, Griffith, you must let me go.”
“No,” he whispered. “The light will go from my world.” He embraced her. His lips brushed her ear. “I cannot.”
Kallen looked up at him. “You must. Please. I already have Sir Rodger’s death staining my soul. I refuse to allow innocent people to suffer because of me.”
She pressed her lips to his, all the longing and love she felt passing from her to him. Then Kallen broke the kiss and turned away.
Nowland smiled benignly. “That’s my girl.” He offered his hand and Kallen took it, moving away from Griffith’s warmth. Her father put his hands on her shoulders. “You have made the right decision, Daughter. Your loved ones will be safe. Come, let us return to Nowland, where you belong.”
He placed her atop his horse and mounted behind her. Kallen made the mistake of meeting Griffith’s stunned eyes.
“Goodbye, my love,” she said softly as the man she was tied to by blood turned his horse and spurred it on. Hot tears quickly followed as they rode through the gates.
Kallen knew enough this time not to look back.