Chapter 5
They took their time to eat a trencher bowl of bread filled with pork and apples, which of course, was delicious. Gawyn had never encountered a cook like Joy. No matter how much the old cook protested the late comers, she lived for the praise, which Gawyn was only too happy to heap on her. After a quick wave of dismissal from Joy, Gawyn led Justina and Adam into the corridor.
Torches flickered on the walls, casting light over the entire corridor.
“That was amazing!” Adam exclaimed, rubbing his stomach. “What were those crunchy things?”
“Apples,” Gawyn said with a grin. He remembered well his first taste of fruit. It was here at Acquitaine. He was overcome at the taste of the moist delicious treat, just as Adam was. “If you are tired, I can show you to your rooms.” He knew full well that Adam was not close to being tired.
Adam looked askance at Justina.
“We hate to burden to you,” Justina said.
“You are never a burden,” Gawyn admitted. He couldn’t look away from her large brown eyes. He liked the way the blush crept over the gentle curve of her cheeks.
“Can we see the pups again?” Adam asked.
“He’s always wanted one,” Justina explained.
Gawyn nodded. “Of course.” He led the way down the corridor and out the iron-bound wooden doors into the night. The darkness was all consuming now, the slitted moon the only source of light.
Justina tripped over a rise in the road and Gawyn caught her arm to steady her.
Adam raced ahead of them.
“Are you all right?” Gawyn asked softly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t see –”
“It’s very dark back here.” He kept his hand beneath her arm for support. She didn’t object. Gawyn felt a strange flutter in his chest. He mentally shook his head. Yes, he enjoyed her company, but he had to keep in mind why she was here. “You live with your Uncle. Where is your father?”
“He died.”
“I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “I was fifteen. It was long ago.”
“How did he die?”
She turned to look at him with a questioning and suspicious slant to her eyes. “Why are you so interested in my father?”
Gawyn shrugged. “I want to get to know you. Adam is important to you, so I want to learn more about your family.”
This seemed to pacify her. She looked after Adam who had run ahead. “Adam is important. He and Uncle Bruce are the only family I have left. If something happened to them…” She looked down.
Gawyn felt a deep urge to comfort her. Not for information, not for selfish reasons, but to ease her fear. He took her hand and squeezed it. “Adam is safe in Acquitaine.”
She looked at their mingled hands but made no move to pull away. Her brow furrowed, and she looked toward Adam again. “I will keep him safe.”
“As will I,” Gawyn vowed. And he meant it.
She looked up at him. The sliver of moon reflected in her dark eyes. Gratitude glimmered in her orbs. Suddenly, she lifted up on the tips of her toes to press a kiss to Gawyn’s cheek.
The world stopped for just that moment when her soft lips touched his grizzled cheek. His heart skipped a beat; his breath hitched. She pulled back and lifted her hand to his cheek. “Thank you.”
Every instinct he had wanted to pull her against him and kiss her lips. Every instinct wanted to feel her body along the length of his. Instead, he nodded like a dim-witted young page.
She turned away and the moment was lost. He shook his head and ran his hand through his hair, wondering how brainless he would have been if she had kissed him on the lips.
It was very late when Gawyn led them up a spiral set of stone stairs. The castle was quiet; they only saw one servant moving through the corridors.
Justina glanced at Adam. He stifled a yawn. It had been a long day for him, but he would never admit he was tired. Not here.
“Where are we going?” Adam asked.
“To your chambers,” Gawyn said. “They are on the second floor.”
Justina almost missed a step. “Here?” she asked. “In the castle?”
Gawyn glanced over his shoulder. “Where else would guests stay?”
Justina thought they would stay in an inn or perhaps with the servants, but never in the castle. “We shouldn’t be sleeping in the castle. That is for the nobility.”
Gawyn stopped and turned to her.
Justina almost collided into him.
“You are guests of Lord Damien and Lady Aurora. They would have my head if I didn’t see to your accommodations.” He continued up the stone stairs.
Justina scowled and followed. She shouldn’t be here as an esteemed guest. She was only a farmer, certainly not worthy of staying in the castle. And why was she here? To thank Lady Aurora for the horse and the protection. Her scowl deepened. Because Gawyn had told Lady Aurora of their plight. Because he had followed her and Adam from Acquitaine. Because the monster had told him to. Yes. This all came about because of the man who had killed her father. She couldn’t forget that.
Even when Gawyn led them down a corridor and stopped before a door, she told herself that she must remember. But it was difficult because her mind continued to return to the way his cheek felt beneath her kiss. Gawyn had been so kind to them, and Adam adored him.
“You are guests here,” he repeated softly, his hand on the iron handle of the door.
And then Gawyn swung the door open. Justina’s mouth dropped open in surprise. The room was as big as two of their entire crucks. Against the far wall, two windows were curtained with rich red draperies bordered in gold; between them an elaborate tapestry hung depicting a hunting scene. A small fire burned in a hearth near a massive bed. Surely, five people could sleep in the bed comfortably! Perhaps she would have to share the room and the bed with others. Across from the hearth, to her right, an ornate wooden garde robe stood. The ceiling stretched high over their head.
Adam rushed past her into the room. “Gah!” He looked up at the ceiling, spinning.
“I will have Linda come up and bring a bath if you would like to use it. She will see to any of your needs,” Gawyn said.
Adam stopped spinning. “Who’s Linda?”
Gawyn grinned. “One of the servants here at Acquitaine.”
“No. We don’t need servants,” Justina objected quickly.
“It’s difficult to carry up the pails of water to heat your bath by yourself,” Gawyn said.
“Bath?” Adam gawked. “I don’t want a bath.”
“All guests in the castle bathe. You have to look your best when I present you to the Lord and Lady of Acquitaine.”
“Maybe you just stink,” Justina said and laughed. Her worry evaporated beneath the opulence of the room.
Adam lifted his arm and inhaled deeply.
Gawyn’s look softened as he turned to Justina. “Will this room do for the two of you?”
Justina could only stare. It was more than enough for the two of them! She nodded because she could do nothing else.
“Very well. I will find Linda.” He turned to depart the room.
“You’re leaving?” Justina asked and was surprised at the disappointment in her voice.
“I will return in the morning to present you to Aurora and Damien.”
Adam thumped her shoulder. “He is the captain of the guard. He has to train the men and make sure that the castle is protected.”
Gawyn smiled at him.
Justina’s heart melted. She knew this, but she had never been able to sleep in a strange place the first night. And this luxury was the strangest of all.
Gawyn looked at her with a sincere gaze. “I am glad you came.”
Warmth blossomed inside of Justina. She grinned back at him. She was glad she came, too.
Early the next morning, Gawyn approached Justina’s room. He was surprised at how excited he was to see her. It was strange. He never felt this way about anyone. She was a farm girl! He knew there was more to her. Besides the way she watched over her brother, she was hiding a secret. Damien had told him she had said ‘I know you.’ It didn’t matter. Damien had asked him to find out how she knew him. His brother had not said he couldn’t enjoy his time with her.
As he approached the room, he heard loud shouts and quickened his step to the door. He paused, listening. It didn’t sound like they were shouts for help. No. Giggles were laced between the shouts.
Gawyn knocked on the door.
Silence.
A tremor of unease snaked up his spine. Were they in trouble? “Justina? I’m coming in.”
Scurrying sounded from the other side of the door.
Apprehensive, Gawyn eased the door open. Justina sat in a chair with her back to him near the hearth. Adam was at her side, holding a tray of grapes. His eyes were wide, and his lips pressed tightly together. Linda, the dark-haired servant, was on her hands and knees beside Justina, frozen. Gawyn’s gaze swept the room quickly for other threats, but there were none. He scowled as he stepped in, closing the door slowly behind him.
Adam giggled.
Linda reached for something on the floor and captured it in her hand.
Gawyn scanned the ground. Grapes spread across the floor around Justina’s chair. “Good morn,” Gawyn greeted. He was certain there was no threat, but he was very curious as to what they were doing.
Linda sat up, her brown skirt cupped with a heaping number of grapes in it. “Good morn, Captain.”
“Good morn,” Adam chorused in.
Justina mumbled something.
Gawyn took a step toward them. “Is the food to your liking?”
Adam fought a grin. “Very much.”
Justina nodded, but still would not turn to him.
Linda picked up another grape and deposited it in her skirt.
“Was there an accident?”
Adam laughed, but cut his guffaw short as Justina looked at him.
“No, sir,” Linda said. “Just some…spilled grapes.”
Gawyn looked from Linda on her knees picking up grapes, to Adam holding the tray, to the back of Justina’s head. He crossed the room and bent to help Linda pick up the grapes.
“That’s not necessary, sir,” Linda said softly.
Gawyn smiled at her. He looked up at Justina who had turned away from him to Adam and was gesturing subtly. Gawyn placed the last grape into Linda’s cupped skirt and rose, his curious gaze on Justina. He could only see the side of her face, but her cheek looked swollen and distended. “Justina…?”
She turned toward him, keeping her chin lowered so her dark hair fell forward to hide her face.
Gawyn stepped before her. He cupped her chin with his finger and lifted it.
Justina’s entire mouth and cheeks were engorged like a squirrel preparing for hibernation. Her eyes met his and her cheeks flamed red.
“How many?” Gawyn asked.
Justina cocked her head to the side in confusion.
“How many grapes?”
Justina groaned, and her shoulder slouched.
“We were going for ten!” Adam exclaimed. “She almost did it!”
Gawyn glanced at Linda to find her head bowed, but a grin on her lips.
Gawyn cupped his hand near Justina’s chin. “So, you must have been able to hold nine,” he said to Adam.
Adam nodded, beaming with pride.
One grape slid from Justina’s mouth, then another and another, until they were in a wet pile in Gawyn’s hand. Gawyn deposited them in Linda’s skirt.
“Nine was the most I’ve ever done!” Adam said, handing the tray to Linda.
Gawyn wiped his hand on his sleeve. He patted Adam on the head. “Well done.”
Justina stood. “I’m so sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize,” Gawyn admitted. “But I have to admit, when I entered the room, this was one of the last things I expected to find.”
Justina nodded guiltily.
“He dared you, didn’t he?” Gawyn wondered.
Justina grinned. “I just couldn’t let him get away with being the reigning grape champion.”
“Plus, I dared her.” Adam smiled.
Gawyn nodded in understanding. He and Damien had played few games when they were young, but they were close. As close as Adam and Justina. “We shouldn’t keep the lord and lady waiting.”
Gawyn led them through the hallways toward the Great Hall. Adam regaled him of everything that happened the night before. Justina was silent, letting her brother talk. But she watched, her gaze scanning the hallway, the people they passed.
They entered the back of the room quietly. They were late and had to stand at the back of the line, which was near the large double doors. It looked like Aurora had made progress in hearing the petitions and arguments, but Gawyn wasn’t sure if they would make it to the front of the line before the day’s hours were up. That was one thing Damien had insisted on. That Aurora keep reasonable hours for hearing her people’s troubles. It took a lot out of her and he didn’t like to see her so tired.
Villagers, freemen, and merchants packed the room, standing in small clusters near the tall stone walls.
Gawyn liked to sit in during the judgements and listen. He heard a lot of what was going on in the city. Many times, the troubles stemmed from arguments between neighbors. But there were other times when there were security issues that directly involved him. He stood in the line, his hand resting over the pommel of his sword.
Aurora sat in a chair at the front of the hall, on a small platform three stairs above the main floor. Damien stood beside her. It wasn’t long before Damien locked gazes with Gawyn. Gawyn nodded slightly to him, almost imperceptibly. Damien’s gaze moved away, sweeping the crowd. His brother was always searching the crowd, watching, to protect his lady.
They moved forward. Gawyn glanced at Justina. He still wondered how she knew Damien. He hoped for her sake that it wasn’t his past. That she hadn’t seen something she shouldn’t have. She was straining to see the front of the room where Damien and Aurora were. Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Is this what you expected?” Gawyn asked softly.
Justina glanced at him. “Nothing is what I expected.”
“Acquitaine can be overwhelming. But I am here to help you,” Gawyn reassured with a grin.
Her return smile lit her face, making her eyes shine with an inner light, making her entire face beam like some sort of beacon.
Beautiful. Simply beautiful. He had never met a woman like her, a woman that could sneak up on him, a woman that could pin him to the ground. A woman so full of life and conviction and surprises.
She turned back to the front of the room.
Gawyn followed her gaze. Near the platform where Aurora sat, Gawyn spotted a colorful garment. He stepped away from Justina to get a better view.
A man with a thick mustache and thicker accent was speaking earnestly. A slender woman with bare feet stood beside him. Gypsies. There had been reports of the gypsies seducing village men and dancing for coin. The villagers did not like the foreign gypsies. They were viewed as outsiders and, therefore, untrustworthy.
Gawyn shifted to hear Aurora’s proclamation, although he had not heard the complaint from the gypsies.
“You may conduct your activities at market. You are welcomed inside the city walls to purchase necessary items,” Aurora stated.
A murmuring trickled through the gathered crowd in the Great Hall.
The gypsy man bowed. “Thank you, Lady Aurora.”
The gypsies were happy with this. The crowds in the city would not be. This was not the end of it. Even though it was a fair ruling, the villagers saw Acquitaine as their home and didn’t want the foreigners in it. Still, the gypsies had to make a living. It would be an unpopular decision.
Gawyn watched the man and woman walk past them toward the rear doors. Even the way they moved was foreign, languid, and sexy. They moved up the center aisle as the next person presented their troubles to Aurora.
Suddenly, a commotion behind them caused Gawyn to whirl. Five men dressed in animal furs were pushing their way to the front of the room, shoving peasants and nobles aside.
Gawyn recognized the Hungars immediately. He gently guided Justina and Adam to the side of the room without taking his eyes from the men. “Leave the room. Go out into the hall and wait for me there.”
Justina didn’t argue. She grabbed Adam’s arm and exited through the great double doors they had entered through at the back of the room.
Gawyn skirted the wall and moved toward the raised dais where Aurora sat. Damien had already stepped down a stair and stood before her protectively. The guards moved immediately to defensive stances. No one had drawn weapons. Not yet.
The Hungars stopped just before the stairs. They were all stocky and strong, wearing animal pelts for clothing. Swords and axes hung from their belts.
“There is a protocol here,” Aurora told them. “You must wait for your turn.”
“We don’t wait,” one of the men responded in a gruff tone. The pelt of a bear draped over his shoulders; a necklace of fangs hung about his neck. His brown hair was stringy and greasy and hung past his shoulders. A scar ran from just below his left eye down to his chin. “For anyone.”
“What do you want, Hogar?” Damien demanded.
“You put puny men on our lands.”
Damien cast a quick glance at Gawyn for acknowledgement.
Gawyn shook his head. The soldiers were not on Hungar lands.
Damien looked back at Hogar. “They are on Acquitaine lands. Maybe you’ve forgotten where your borders are.”
“We forget nothing. Least of all how weak you are.”
Aurora stood and walked up to Damien’s side. “We don’t want war, Hogar. But my people will be protected.”
“You’re a pretty girl,” Hogar grunted as the men around him laughed lustily. “We follow no woman’s orders. No matter how her tits jiggle.”
Damien jerked forward, but Aurora caught his arm to restrain him.
Hogar chuckled. “You should visit Hungar to see what real men do for their women.”
Damien’s jaw clenched, but other than that, he appeared relaxed.
Gawyn knew that was when Damien was most dangerous. Every muscle in his body tensed, ready.
The soldiers and guards around him all had their hands on the pommels of their swords, ready for battle.
Hogar’s gaze quickly moved over the armed soldiers which outnumbered his men three to one. His grin slipped. “I come to tell you to remove your men from our lands.”
“And I tell you that my men are not on your lands,” Damien snarled.
Gawyn saw the signal a second before Damien acted. Damien’s left hand fisted. It was a sign that all the soldiers knew. Close in.
Suddenly, there was a flurry of movement. Gawyn drew his weapon and all the Acquitaine soldiers rushed forward. Gawyn placed the tip of his weapon to the throat of the Hungar standing beside Hogar before he could even pull his axe free of his belt.
Damien had Hogar pinned to the ground, an arm around his neck, his face smashed into the stone floor. He leaned toward him, whispering in his ear. Only Hogar heard what he said.
Hogar struggled for a long moment but could not escape Damien’s hold.
Gawyn’s gaze slid over the rest of the Hungars. All had numerous weapons pointed at them. None of the Hungars moved.
“Get off me,” Hogar commanded.
Damien didn’t move. He looked up at one of the men. “Rupert.”
Rupert, the trusted commander of the guard, second only to Gawyn, a soldier with a streak of grey in his shaggy hair, nodded.
“See to it that Hogar and all of his men are escorted from Acquitaine lands.”
“Aye, m’lord,” Rupert answered.
Lithe and dangerous, Damien leapt from Hogar, moving quickly out of his reach.
Hogar climbed to his feet. His upper lip trembled with rage. “We go where we want. When we want.”
“You are going to leave Acquitaine,” Damien said. “And you are not going to return.”
Hogar’s eyes widened in outrage. His lips curled with hatred; his teeth ground. Around him and his men, soldiers from Acquitaine moved in, blocking all ways out except the large double doors at the back of the room. Hogar stood still for a tense moment. His gaze burned into Damien with a molten hatred. Finally, he whirled and led his men from the room. At least twenty Acquitaine soldiers followed them.
Aurora moved to Damien’s side. She stroked his shoulder and he turned to her, capturing her hand in his. They locked gazes for a long moment. Aurora caressed his cheek and took a deep breath.
Gawyn moved to Damien’s side. “If you feel like fighting, you should do it outside of the castle.”
“How the devil did they get in here?” Damien demanded, ignoring his quip.
“I’ll check on it,” Gawyn replied, but he looked toward the door for Justina.
“Go with them, Gawyn. Take two squadrons of soldiers and make sure they are off our lands. I’ll have Sir Robert talk to the outer wall guards.”
Gawyn turned to Damien, anxiety rippled through him. He didn’t want to leave Justina. “I have Justina and her brother at the castle.”
“Justina?” Damien echoed in confusion.
“The girl who lives on the outer lands. In Auch. The one Aurora said to take men and protect. I think Hogar has mistaken those lands for his.”
Damien cursed quietly. “Escort the Hungars. I’ll have someone else entertain them until you return.”
“Damien,” Gawyn warned. He knew how distracted Damien was with the Hungars. He knew a girl was not his top priority. He would forget about her.
“I’ll do it,” Aurora said softly. “I’ll find her, Gawyn. I’ll make sure she is taken care of.”
Gawyn nodded his gratitude. He knew Aurora would take care of Justina. “Thank you. Tell her I’ll see her when I come back.” He jogged after the retreating soldiers.
Damien scowled slightly, unsure what to make of his brother’s sudden interest in the simple girl. He glanced at Aurora.
“Are you all right?” she asked him, her fingers trailing reassuringly over his arm.
Damien frowned fiercely and glanced at the double doors the Hungars had left through. “They will not insult you.”
Aurora grinned. “I care not what they say. Their words are empty.”
Damien fumed silently. “I don’t like them looking at you.”
She tilted her head to the side. “You don’t like anyone looking at me.”
It was true, but he especially didn’t like those barbarians looking at her.
“You frightened me,” she admitted quietly.
For that he was sorry. He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “I’ll try not to do that again.”
“Thank you.”
“As long as Hogar never enters Castle Acquitaine again.”
“Then we must make sure he doesn’t,” she agreed.
“Gawyn will see him out of Acquitaine and back to his lands. But that won’t stop them.” He looked down at her beautiful full lips. “I want you to stay inside the castle for the rest of the day.”
Aurora lifted her gaze to him, casting those magnificent blue eyes on him. “You think I’m in danger?”
“I’d feel better knowing you were safe in the castle until the Hungars are out of Acquitaine.”
She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Then for today, I will stay in the castle.”
Justina stood in the hallway, watching as people passed by, obscuring her view of the double doors to the Judgement Room. Adam stood beside her, leaning back against the wall.
She had seen the Hungars emerge and a large group of soldiers follow them out the door. She had not seen Gawyn. Anxiety rippled through her. First, worry. Had he been hurt? The Hungars looked fierce and savage. She immediately dismissed this thought. He was a trained warrior. He would know how to defend himself. Then where was he?
Two noble women exited the room, speaking amongst themselves.
“Those Hungars are barbarians,” the one with the green dress said.
“And dirty. They are disgusting,” the other said. “Imagine them speaking to Lady Aurora like that.”
They strolled passed Justina.
Adam sighed at her side. “I wish I could have stayed.”
Justina stared at the large wooden doors, wishing Gawyn would appear. “The captain wanted us safe. I’m sure he’ll be out any moment.” But she was beginning to think he had forgotten about them. It had been a long while since they had left the room, or what seemed like a long while. She found herself twisting her hands, worried for Gawyn’s safety.
“I wasn’t afraid,” Adam said bravely.
Justina swung her gaze to him in disbelief. “You weren’t? Those Hungars are fierce and bloodthirsty. Did you see the axe the one had? It was the size of your entire body! Be thankful that Gawyn told us to wait for him in the hall. We don’t want to be anywhere near them.”
Adam kicked at an imaginary rock. “I’m not afraid,” he repeated, but his voice lacked conviction.
Justina took a deep breath. She looked down the hall. She wasn’t sure how to get back to the inner ward, let alone her horse. What if Gawyn didn’t come back? Would they be stuck wandering the halls of this massive castle forever? Justina looked at the doors again. He was taking a long time. Maybe she should peek inside the Judgement Room and see if Gawyn was still there. So many people had come out of the room.
Suddenly, Lady Aurora exited the room, followed by four soldiers. Justina couldn’t help but inhale at her beauty and grace. Her dress was a beautiful white with golden embroidery. Her golden hair fell in waves around her shoulders. She paused in the doorway and looked first left, then right until her gaze settled on them. A slow, warm grin spread over her lips.
Adam gasped as she approached, pushing himself from the wall.
“Are you Justina?” Lady Aurora asked.
Justina opened her mouth. It wasn’t that Lady Aurora was scary or unapproachable. It was that she was so beautiful. Her blond hair reflected golden light. Her eyes were large and blue, like the color of a rare sapphire. Justina couldn’t recall a woman who was more stunning. She closed her mouth and nodded.
Aurora smiled. “I remember you from the village. I’m sorry that Damien frightened you.”
Damien? Justina’s mind echoed. But she pushed the thought away and suddenly remembered her manners. She fell into a deep curtsey before her. She was honored that Lady Aurora remembered her from the village square!
“Gawyn was taken away on business. He requested you wait for him.”
“Wait for him?” Justina echoed, rising from her curtsey.
“Yes. You will wait, won’t you?”
“Of course!” Adam called.
“How long will he be?”
Aurora looked at her with sympathy. “I’m afraid most of the day. I’m certain we can find entertainment for you.”
Justina scowled. She would love to wait for Gawyn, but she couldn’t be away from Uncle Bruce and the farm for long. And then, she remembered the reason she came. “Lady Aurora, I wanted to thank you for the horse. It was generous of you.”
“I was disturbed at the raids happening so close to you. I don’t want you to be in danger.”
“The captain brought a lot of guards to protect us!” Adam exclaimed excitedly.
Justina blinked. Her brother! “My lady,” she said quietly, “this is my brother, Adam.”
Aurora turned to Adam. She folded her hands before her and regarded him with an appreciative grin. “What a marvelous little man. You shall grow into a great knight, I am sure.”
Adam beamed and puffed out his chest.
Justina had never seen him so quiet. Lady Aurora certainly cast a spell over all of them.
“Will you stay?” Aurora asked Justina. “Gawyn would be so upset if you left.”
Justina felt uncomfortable and torn. She knew that they should return to Auch and Uncle Bruce, and yet she didn’t want to disappoint Gawyn, not after everything he had done for them. She glanced at Adam.
He put his hands together as if praying.
With a small sigh, she nodded. “I suppose one more day would be acceptable.”
Adam whooped.
Aurora smiled. “I am very glad you’ve chosen to spend one more day with us. I am sure Gawyn will be happy, also.”
“I’m happy!” Adam exclaimed.
“Have you eaten?” Aurora began walking down the corridor.
Justina and Adam followed. Justina was afraid that if she didn’t, she would be lost in the castle forever.
“Grapes,” Adam said.
Justina grinned. She glanced back at the guards that followed them.
“I trust your accommodations are satisfactory?” Aurora said.
“They’re so big!” Adam stated in awe.
“Yes,” Justina said. “They are more than satisfactory. It’s all so generous of you to welcome us like this.”
“You are guests here,” Aurora said kindly. “I hope that you will return often and report upon the conditions of the borders. You will be our border ambassadors.”
Border Ambassadors. Justina liked that. It was an important title.
“Border Ambassadors,” Adam repeated with an impressed tone.
“I will,” Justina promised. “We will. We would be honored. You’ve done so much for us already. We’ll make regular trips now that we have a horse.”
“Thank you for the horse!” Adam piped in.
“You’re welcome, Adam,” Aurora said.
“I can’t thank you enough for sending soldiers to guard us in Auch.”
“I wish you had told me earlier. I do not want any of my people living in fear. I had no idea the Hungars were raiding our land.” Lady Aurora nodded at a noble man with pointy-toed shoes who passed them as she walked down the hallway. “You live with your uncle?”
“Uncle Bruce!” Adam chimed.
“Uncle Bruce takes care of you?”
“Yes,” Justina admitted.
“Where are your parents?”
“Mother died in childbirth a long time ago,” Justina said. She didn’t want to talk about her father, but she felt obliged. “And father is dead, also.”
“He died when I was little,” Adam added.
Aurora stopped and turned to them. “I am sorry. I know how hard it is to lose a parent.”
Justina remembered hearing about the death of Aurora’s father, Lord Gabriel. “I’m sorry about your father.”
Aurora nodded. “Thank you.”
Justina heard the pain in her voice and knew her agony was still fresh. She recalled the heartache of losing her own father and felt an instant kinship with her.
Aurora started down the corridor again. “How did your father die?”
Justina almost tripped. The question shouldn’t have caught her off guard, but somehow it did. “An accident.”
“Someone killed him,” Adam added.
Justina threw him a stern look. She couldn’t blame him, it wasn’t a secret. He didn’t know that their father’s killer was somewhere in the castle. And for a moment, Justina had almost forgotten. She had basked in the honor and prestige of following the lady of the castle and forgotten what darkness lurked around one of these corners. They should not stay. And yet, she wanted to see Gawyn again.
“How horrible!” Aurora exclaimed. “Why would someone do that?”
Adam shrugged, turning to watch a knight in chain mail walk by.
Aurora glanced at Justina, meeting her gaze. “Was the killer ever found?”
“No,” Adam said softly.
Justina looked down at the stone floor, remembering. “He disappeared as quickly as he came.”
“You saw it,” Aurora whispered. She placed a comforting hand on Justina’s arm. “How old were you?”
Justina shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.”
“If I ever see the murderer, I will run my dagger through his heart!” Adam proclaimed.
“You weren’t there,” Justina said softly. “You didn’t see him.”
“I know. But if I did…”
Justina lifted her gaze to see concern wrinkling Aurora’s smooth brow.
“The world can be a dangerous place,” Aurora said. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”
Justina could only nod. With the haunting image of the dark eyes of the murderer and her father’s blood on her hands, a tremor coursed through her. The monster was here in Acquitaine, of that she was certain.