Chapter 8
Gawyn stared at Justina. Her anguished eyes, her stubborn, raised chin. His heart cried out. He didn’t want to lie to her. “Yes,” he sighed. “I never intended to hurt you. I just wanted to find out how you knew him. Those were my orders.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Gawyn shook his head. “He is a good ruler. I wanted you to see him –”
Adam rushed up to them, interrupting. “Did you see how the falcon sat on my arm? Did you?”
Justina nodded.
Gawyn saw how her chin quivered. He wanted to explain to her, but she quickly turned her attention to her brother.
“We have to go now.”
“I’ll be fine,” Aurora promised Damien as she sat in a chair in the solar. Her lady’s maid, Anna, a dark haired young woman, combed Aurora’s golden locks to shining perfection. “You know I would love to have you come, even though you don’t like picnics. But I know you have to fortify the castle against the Hungars.”
“Exactly why I don’t want you leaving.” He watched her with crossed arms as he leaned back against the wall. He didn’t like the idea of a picnic. Not now. He shook his head, grimacing and came forward to sit in the chair beside her. “Nothing is more important than you.” She was his sunshine. His light. He would be lost without her.
She turned to him with genuine respect and understanding. “Megan is only here for two days.”
“Maybe you could embroider together or visit Widow Amelia.” Both were activities inside the walls of the city. It would make Damien feel better if she did not travel outside the walls.
“All good things, but I’m sure Megan would not be interested in them. She’s young, Damien, going off to be married. I want to do something fun for her.”
Damien sighed and sat back in the chair. “I’ll go with you.”
“Damien.” Aurora captured his hand. “You must remain here and make plans to protect the borders of Acquitaine. To protect the castle.” Anna began to braid her hair, moving one strand over the other.
Her people were always so important to her. Damien shook his head again.
“Please. For me. These are my people. I want them, as well as us, to be safe.”
Damien looked at her. She had made up her mind. She was going on a picnic with her cousin. “Megan asked for a picnic, didn’t she?”
Aurora grinned slightly.
She would do this to make her cousin happy, he knew. He shook his head. He understood but didn’t like it. Finally, he sighed. “You will take a squadron of soldiers with you.”
“Hardly a relaxed picnic.”
“A safe picnic.”
“Very well,” she agreed. “For you, my love. I would like nothing more than to have a squadron of armed men following me to the Falls.”
He leaned forward and kissed her lips. Every time he touched her, every time he kissed her, he loved her more. He was the luckiest man alive because she had chosen him.
Anna finished braiding her hair and tied the end with a golden bow. She stepped back, and Aurora stood. She took a glittering, transparent scarf from the table. “I will even wear the scarf you gave me.”
Adam, Justina, and Gawyn headed back to the room to pack to leave. Adam didn’t understand why they had to leave. He loved it here! The falcons were amazing. And the knights. He wanted to be a knight! They were so brave.
Walking toward them down the hallway was Lady Aurora followed by a group of noble women. Behind them was a large group of soldiers.
Adam’s heart melted when he spotted Lady Aurora. He loved her. She was so kind and so beautiful.
She smiled at them as they approached. “Good day, Adam. Justina. Captain Gawyn.”
Adam noticed some of the women behind Aurora were carrying baskets. “Are you going on a picnic?” he wondered.
“Yes,” Aurora answered. “We have a grand picnic planned. We’re going to celebrate the marriage of my cousin.”
A woman with golden hair stood at Aurora’s side. Adam cast her a glance. She wasn’t as pretty as Lady Aurora.
“Would you like to accompany us?” Aurora asked.
“Would I!” Adam exploded. He glanced back at Justina. A scowl furrowed his sister’s brow and she shook her head. “Please,” Adam begged. “Please, just this once. I won’t ask for anything else. Please.”
Justina’s lips thinned. Adam knew that look well enough to know the answer was no.
Adam frowned.
Aurora straightened. “Next time, Adam. It’s all right.” She led the group past Gawyn and Justina.
Adam watched her walk away. He clenched his jaw. He just wanted to go on a picnic with the princess. Was that too much to ask? Justina was so mean! He crossed his arms and gritted his teeth as they walked toward their room.
Gawyn stopped at their room. “Are you sure you won’t stay?”
Justina didn’t even look at him. She shook her head.
Adam knew that for whatever reason, Justina had made up her mind.
“I’ll have your horse saddled. I’ll wait for you in the inner ward.” Gawyn walked away.
Justina opened the door.
Adam pushed by her into the room. “You’re so mean. Why can’t I go on the picnic?”
“Because it’s time to leave.”
“Why?” Adam demanded. “Why can’t we stay?”
“It’s not fair to leave Uncle Bruce alone with the all the chores.”
“He said we could go! One more day. Please! I just want to go on the picnic.”
Justina whirled on him. “And before that it was the falcons. What will it be next? Maybe you just want to move into the castle?”
Anger burned through Adam. He had never seen falcons before.
“Stop being so selfish. We are leaving.”
Adam didn’t move. He stood like a statue, glaring at his sister. He wanted to go on the picnic with the princess. She had invited him! And he would probably never be back here. Justina wouldn’t allow it. He would probably never see Lady Aurora again because of his sister! He was going. He wasn’t going to listen to his sister anymore. He ran to the door and threw it open.
“Adam!” Justina called.
“I hate you!” he snarled. He ran out of the room. He was going on the picnic and there wasn’t anything she could do about it.