Chapter Eighteen #4
Peyton wasn’t uncomfortable with the declaration; she had suspected as much.
“You fight fairly well. As it is, I have had ample practice against my own sister and was able to defend myself,” when Thia cracked a thin smile, she continued.
“I will be completely honest and tell you that I wasn’t spying on you.
I was looking for Alec and got lost. It was never my intention to invade your privacy. ”
Thia scratched her neck nervously, avoiding Peyton’s gaze. She could barely speak on the subject that had been a part of her life for so many years. “No one knows. At least I thought no one knew,” she met Peyton’s gaze guiltily. “Did you ever tell Alec the real reason behind our fight?”
Peyton’s smile faded. “No,” she said without hesitation.
So what if it was a lie. She could see that Thia was terrified of her brother discovering her true lifestyle and had no desire to damage their fragile peace.
Later, Alec himself could explain to Thia that her choice in lovers made no difference to him.
Thia lowered her gaze, moving toward the stalls and drawing Peyton’s attention away from the shadow lingering in the recesses.
Colin had been with them since they had first entered the livery, but the longer they conversed, the more Thia was in favor of telling Peyton to run for her life.
The violent internal struggle increased rapidly.
“Alec was betrothed once before,” Thia said, diverting the subject in an attempt to mask her anxiety.
“A very powerful family; the de Courtenays. But after he killed Peter and refused to bear arms, the family petitioned the church and had the contract dissolved. ’Twould seem that they did not want a coward in the family. ”
Peyton looked surprised. “He never told me.”
Thia shrugged. “It was a long time ago.”
Peyton examined her hands thoughtfully. “Was he… did he care for his betrothed?”
Thia pursed her lips, remembering. “I was only seven or eight years old at the time. As I recall, Lady Genisa de Courtenay was a very pretty girl who was mad about my brother, but he showed little interest in her. In fact, I have never known him to show much interest in a woman until he met you.”
Peyton was fortified by the reassurance that Alec had never possessed feelings for another woman. Slowly, she rose from the bale of hay and wandered near the stable door, gazing out across the compound.
Behind her, the shadow moved closer. Thia saw Colin moving toward Peyton and was seized with panic; God, how she wanted to tell the woman to run! Colin made eye contact with her and she nearly swallowed her own tongue, biting off the scream that rose within her throat.
Run, Peyton, Run!
“Have you spoken with Alec since our arrival?” Peyton asked softly, unaware of the lurking danger behind her.
“Nay.” Run, Peyton, Run!
Peyton smiled, gazing up at the three-quarter moon. “We are expecting a child late spring. He is convinced it is a boy. I think all men want boys. Personally, I think a girl would be a lot less trouble.”
Dear God, Thia thought wildly. She is pregnant! How can I allow this to happen…? “The world would be a far better place without men in it,” she stammered. “I am pleased to hear of your fortune.”
Run, Peyton, Run!
Colin loomed closer. Thia saw with horror that he clutched a large club, or blade; she couldn’t tell in the dim light. Terror swept her as she wondered if he was intent on killing the woman before her very eyes.
“I prefer to think of it as a gift from God,” Peyton replied softly, feeling the soft autumn breeze caress her face. “With the expectation of the child, I would like to hope that Alec will completely recover his grief and his dignity. He has suffered so.”
Thia closed her eyes tightly as the image of Colin passed before her.
She knew, mayhap better than anyone, just how deeply her brother had suffered.
He had agonized and died a thousand times over since Peter’s death.
She had to admit that Peyton had healed her brother tremendously, returning him to the man that had existed only in legend.
If Alec were to lose the very reason for his existence, The Legend would die forever.
Her struggle ended as her conscience emerged the victor. She could remain silent no longer.
“Run, Peyton!” she suddenly screamed. “Run!”
Peyton started violently. She gave in to her first reaction, which was to turn questioningly to Thia.
As her eyes beheld the rotund woman, she saw a shrouded figure raise an arm high into the air.
There was something clutched in the dark hand, something she couldn’t see.
But in a sickening instant, the arm came down and Thia went crashing to the dusty, chaff-covered floor of the stable.
Peyton did not think. She whirled on her heel, fully preparing to run for her life. But she never had the chance; in a flash of searing pain and bone-jarring force, her world dimmed, danced, and finally vanished.
*
Back in the dining hall, Jubil suddenly let out a piercing cry and crumpled to the floor in the throes of agony.