“Treason?” Gwen echoed.

Edward nodded. “Aye.”

Gwen sank into a chair, tears pricking her eyes. Edward had not left anything out. It was all her fault.

“What do you want me to do?” she asked faintly.

“There is but one thing you can do to keep him safe.”

“Anything! I will do anything!”

“You and your son must enter a convent. I will apply to the pope to annul the marriage so Richard will be free to remarry.”

Gwen’s heart ached so much she thought she might die of it. “I-I know not. I—”

“Jesú, woman! Richard could hang for this! Do you want that?”

Gwen shook her head. Tears spilled down her cheeks. Leave Richard. Leave him… leave him… leave him…

She had promised never to leave him.

“You must choose,” Edward said.

Gwen’s head snapped up. Choose.

The last time she had chosen, it ended in disaster. Her father was dead. If she chose Richard this time, would he die too?

She couldn’t bear it. She would do anything to keep him safe, even if it meant never seeing him again. He might see it as betrayal, but at least he would be alive.

“You will not take my son from me?”

“No. He may stay with you until he is old enough to enter a monastery.”

Gwen pressed a trembling hand to her abdomen. What if another child grew there even now? Dear Lord, she fervently prayed it was so. She wanted another baby to remind her of Richard.

“I will go if it will protect Richard,” she said, her voice wavering. She could not think beyond the words she uttered, what they truly meant, what her life would be like without him. If she did, she would never find the strength to do it.

“You have made a wise choice, lady. Gather your child and come with me.”

“N-now?”

“Aye. I would not delay any longer. The sooner ’tis done, the better.”

Dazed, Gwen stood and walked to the antechamber, calling for Alys and the nurse. When she told Alys what was happening, she barely heard her own voice reciting the horrible words. They flowed from her as though from a stranger’s mouth.

Alys’s face showed shock and horror. And resignation.

“You do not have to accompany me, Alys. Owain needs you.”

Alys swallowed hard. “Nay, my place is with you. I have been with you since you were born. I’ll not forsake you now, especially not for a man.” Her voice broke on the last and Gwen embraced her.

“Please stay, Alys. Do not come with me. Watch over Richard for me.”

Alys shook her head stubbornly, though her eyes shone with tears. “Nay, I cannot leave you.”

Edward led them to his own solar. “I will come for you at nightfall. Until then, you are not to leave this room. There will be a guard posted outside. Speak to him if you need anything.”

Belatedly, it occured to Gwen she would not be allowed to see Richard before she left. “I wish to see my husband, Majesty,” she said quietly, her eyes downcast so he couldn’t see the emotion roiling within.

“Nay, I cannot allow it. I am sorry, but ’tis better this way.”

The door thudded shut, the sound hollow and empty like that of a tomb closing on her forever.

Gwen hugged her baby close, sobs welling in her chest. When she could contain them no longer, she sank to the floor and cried. Alys came and took William from her. The old woman tried to calm her, but tears slid down her own cheeks faster and faster until she was sitting beside Gwen, her arm around Gwen’s shoulders, sobbing too.

William looked from one woman to the other, then crawled away to explore his new surroundings.

---

Richard stood outside his and Gwen’s chamber. He had to let her know what they faced. His hand strayed to the handle, then stilled. He leaned his head against the cool wood.

He must protect her and William at all costs. More than anything he wanted to fight. He wanted to fight his king and all the goddamn Marchers. He wanted to fight England herself!

Never had he felt more like a Welshman than he did right now. Repressed, stifled, crushed. He could almost understand the need for autonomy that drove Wales to keep fighting a superior foe.

Before he could dwell on it any longer, he grabbed the handle and swung the door open. No one was in the antechamber. When he walked into the main chamber, a chill slid down his spine.

There was no sign of Gwen. No Alys. No William. No nurse.

His gaze swept the room, bouncing back to the corner where William’s cradle was supposed to be. His heart fell to his feet. It was gone. They were gone.

“No!”

He ran from the chamber, down the winding staircase, and into the hall. People gaped at him as he pushed through the crowded room.

Edward stood with Edmund of Lancaster and William de Valence. Richard stopped, his chest heaving, fury eating his insides. He gripped his sword, ready to draw it, knowing he would be cut down in minutes if he did.

“Where is she, Ned?”

“Calm down, Richard. She is safe,” Edward said, his eyes flickering to Richard’s hand resting on the swordhilt.

Richard forced himself to let go. “Where is she?”

“On her way to Sempringham.”

Richard felt dizzy. “What? But I did not tell you I agreed yet.”

Edward shrugged. “You didn’t have to. She decided for you.”

Richard stared at the king in disbelief. Bitter laughter bubbled in his chest. He scrubbed his fingers through his hair to quell the tingling of his scalp. “Once again, the wench has taken it upon herself to make a decision that affects me.”

He felt strangely delirious at that moment. He grabbed a mug of ale off a serving wench’s tray and downed it. “Jesú, she has left me without even saying goodbye. I might have known…”

He stared into the empty mug, not seeing anything through a misty haze.

Edward pulled him into an alcove. “I am sorry, Richard. I had to do it. You would have fought me.”

Richard shook his head. “Nay, I would not. If ’twere only my life involved, aye, I would have. But I would not endanger them.”

“You saved me once. I am saving you now. You will understand it one day. ’Twill take time, but you will forget her.”

Richard met Edward’s gaze then. The blue eyes were sad, sympathetic. “Could you forget Eleanor?”

Edward inhaled sharply, then smiled. “Point taken.” He clasped Richard’s shoulder. “Come, let us get roaring drunk.”

Richard dropped the empty mug. “Aye… aye, ‘tis nothing left to do.”

But he found he couldn’t get drunk after all. The ale was bitter, the wine cloying, the mead thicker than honey. He merely sat, brooding into cup after cup of alcohol before he poured it onto the rushes.

Red Gilbert stalked over, his face livid. “So, Dunsmore, you think to get out of it by shutting your Welsh whore of a wife away? Had enough of the pretty little piece, eh? Well, it will not work!”

Richard stood, very, very slowly. He didn’t even bother drawing his sword, just leaped on Gilbert and wrapped his hands around the man’s neck. They fell to the floor. The crowd scattered, ladies shrieking and men shouting encouragement as they made room for the two earls.

Richard overpowered Gloucester easily enough. Gloucester had grown fat and lazy over the years, and he was no match for the man who was only a few years younger than he.

Richard straddled him, his hands still on Gilbert’s neck. “Do you have any idea how easy ’twould be for me to snap your neck, Gloucester?”

Gilbert’s eyes widened.

At this point, Richard fully intended on doing it. But first he wanted his victim to beg for mercy.

Gilbert’s hands covered Richard’s, his voice barely audible as he mouthed the word, “Please.”

“Please what? Please end it and put you out of your misery? Aye, Gilbert, ’twill be a pleasure,” Richard growled.

“Let him up,” Edward said. Richard was prepared to ignore his king until he felt the cold steel against his ribs. His eyes traveled the length of the blade. Edward held the sword firmly and Richard knew he would not hesitate to use it.

Richard let go and stood up. Gilbert climbed to his feet, choking and rubbing his throat.

“You are a savage, Black Hawk! Your Welsh ancestry shows itself!” Gilbert spat.

“Get the hell out of here!” Edward commanded him. “Get you back to Caerphilly castle before I decide to allow Dunsmore to kill you.”

The earl of Gloucester stiffened his spine and walked proudly from the hall.

“And you,” Edward said, turning his wrath on Richard. “Get back to Claiborne immediately. Do not leave again until I send for you.”

Richard gave his king a curt half-bow, then spun on his heel and went the opposite direction as Gloucester.

---

Gwen’s heart quickened when she saw the crimson and black standard of the earl of Dunsmore in the bailey below. She pressed against the glass, trying to see through the rain-streaked pane.

One glimpse. Please God, just one more glimpse of him.

A groom led Sirocco toward the gathered knights. In answer to her prayer, a tall dark man strode over and mounted the stallion.

Her stomach churned. She wanted to touch him, wanted to tell him she loved him one more time. She banged on the glass, though she knew he would never hear it in the noise of the courtyard.

She gave up and pressed her palms flat against the window. He turned Sirocco, then stopped and let his gaze wander over the castle. Gwen pounded the glass again, hoping, praying he would see her.

He turned away and signaled his men. They cantered through the bailey and out the gates.

“God go with you,” she whispered against the cool pane.

---

Richard felt the ache all the way down to his soul. It was a bone-deep weariness that would never go away. He rode through the town without seeing the masses of people, without hearing the voices of hawkers and whores, without smelling the scents of unwashed bodies, baking bread, and roasting meat.

He would never be the same again. He understood well the loss his father had suffered, the reason he had doted on his son so much. Jesú, Richard did not even have his son left to love.

He caught sight of a girl with red hair and his pulse leaped. He spurred Sirocco forward. “Gwen!”

The stallion navigated the mass of bodies deftly while Richard kept his eyes on the girl in front of him. Vaguely, he heard Andrew giving orders to the men to wait.

“Gwen!”

He caught up and reached for her. She whirled around, stumbling backward. People scattered.

“M-m-milord?” she stammered, her brown eyes wide and fearful.

Disappointment stabbed through Richard. He was imagining he saw her everywhere. The castle, here in town.

“I-I didn’t do anything, milord. Please do not hurt us.”

It was then he saw she clutched a babe to her breast.

He reached into his belt and pulled out a gold coin, his mind no longer on the girl in front of him. “Here. Buy yourself something pretty.”

She eyed the coin, hesitating. “I-I am not a whore, milord. You be a fine looking man, but I-I have a husband, and—”

“Take it, woman. I do not wish to bed you.”

She snatched the coin, clamped it between her teeth, then tucked it into the baby’s tunic. “Th-thank you, m-milord.”

She still watched him like she expected him to grab her at any second.

Richard waved his hand. “Off with you.”

She scurried away, disappearing into the crowd. Richard sat there, staring after her for a long time. How could he have thought she was Gwen? Her hair wasn’t golden-red and silky; it was brassy and dull. Her figure wasn’t slender and curvy; it was plump and saggy.

He raised his head and looked at the castle on top of the hill. He had married her here and lost her here. Was it any wonder he thought he saw her everywhere he looked?

He turned Sirocco and rode back to his men. But he didn’t stop when he reached them. He kept going, toward Shrewsbury castle.

“Milord?” Andrew called. “Where are ye going, milord?”

“Back to the castle, Andrew.”

His men fell in quietly behind him. Richard didn’t care what they thought. He could not leave this place just yet.

---

Gwen knew the king would come. Since Richard had ridden away, there was no further need for delay. Edward swept into the room, a formidable presence in his deep blue surcoat and gold-embroidered mantle.

He was a king to inspire awe and admiration in the hearts of men. He was lean and tall, hard despite the temptations of fine food and drink. Gwen had oft heard him praised, even while he was being cursed, by her father’s warriors. ’Twas no wonder Richard valued his loyalty to this man so highly.

William took one look at the king and started to cry. Gwen tried to soothe him, but he buried his face in her gown, sniffling and gulping.

Edward grinned and put a hand over his heart. “Jesú, I’d say the little lad does not like me. Must be his Welsh blood coming out,” he teased.

Gwen smiled in spite of herself. What she wanted to do was weep, but she’d already cried so much that she had nothing left to give.

“Are you ready?” the king asked.

“Aye,” Gwen replied, though in truth she would never be ready.

A commotion in the passage brought Edward’s head around. Men shouted, followed by the unmistakable clashing of steel.

“God’s teeth,” Edward swore, yanking the door open.

Gwen heard him shouting, heard the answering voice.

Richard.

The battle sounds stopped. Fear closed her throat until she couldn’t utter a word. Had they killed him?

The door opened again and Edward entered, followed by Richard. Her husband’s face was dark with anger, his eyes gleaming wildly.

“You try my patience, Richard!” the king raged. “I should’ve let them carve you up.”

Richard’s gaze locked with hers. “You should not have lied to me, Ned. I have a right to see them again.”

“I will give you a few minutes, no more.” He motioned to Alys and the nurse, and the three of them slipped into the antechamber.

William held out his arms for his father. Gwen let him go. Richard held him tight and kissed him, then buried his face against the baby’s neck.

She stood there, waiting, wanting him to hold her as well. But then she realized he would not. She had betrayed him, agreed to the king’s plan, left him though she had promised never to do so again.

“You are angry with me,” she said.

“Yes… no.” He lifted his head. “I wanted to be, but I know you did it to protect me. I would have done the same to protect you and William.”

Gwen went to him and laid her hand on his sleeve. “I did not want to do it, Richard. I only want to be with you. But if something happened to you, I—”

He wrapped one strong arm around her and crushed her to him. She tilted her face up and he kissed her. Gwen savored it, knowing it was the last time she would ever taste his kiss.

“I will miss you,” she said. “I will think of you and I will remember all we have shared. I can bear it, knowing I had your love for a little while.”

“Gwen…”

She stared at his chest, at the sight of her hands splayed across his surcoat. She would never touch him again. “Nay, let me finish. You must remarry, Richard.” Her voice broke, and she stopped until she could continue. “You must have children and raise them to be good Englishmen, to serve their king as loyally as you do.”

“I will always love you, Gwen. I will never love another,” Richard said, his own voice near breaking.

The door opened. Edward came in, followed by Queen Eleanor. Richard felt raw panic welling up inside him.

“I am sorry, but your time is up,” Edward said.

Eleanor rushed over to Gwen. “Oh, Gwenllian, I am so sorry. I did not know until just now.”

“Thank you for your concern, Majesty,” Gwen replied. “You have always been kind to me, even when I was a hostage. I am grateful to you.”

Eleanor squeezed her hand. Gwen reached for William. Richard held him tight, unwilling to let go. “Richard, please,” she said, her eyes red-rimmed and glistening. “Do not make it harder.”

Richard caught her against him and kissed her. “I love you,” he said one last time, his throat tight.

He kissed William’s brow, then let her take him.

Tears slipped down her cheeks as their gazes held. Then she turned and walked to the door.

Richard spun around, unable to watch her walk out of his life forever. And it would be forever. He was certain if she left now he would never see her again.

He burned inside, burned in a way he’d never known was possible. Nothing held any importance to him anymore. Without her, he was nothing.

“Wait,” he said.

She stopped in the door. Edward turned.

Richard crossed the room until he stood before his king. “I give it all up. All of it. The title, the castles, the fiefs I hold for you. Give me my wife and child and I will leave England and never return.”

Edward’s jaw dropped. “I need you, Richard. Wales is unstable. And there is still Scotland and France to consider.”

“Ned, if ever you valued me, if ever I have served you faithfully and loyally, you will grant me this one last thing.”

“I cannot, Richard. You are valuable to me. I need you.”

“Edward,” the Queen said, coming over to them. “You have dozens of warlords. You must grant Richard what he asks. If not for him, you might have been taken from me. I would not have wanted to live without you any more than he wants to live without his wife. ’Tis in your power to grant it, and you must.”

Edward’s temper drained from him in stages. His jaw softened, his features relaxed, his stance became less threatening. “Very well, my love. I cannot deny you.” He sighed heavily. “If this is what you want, Richard, then ’tis yours.”

Richard closed his eyes as relief flooded him. When he opened them again, Gwen watched him, her lip trembling, her eyes wide and brimming with tears.

Eleanor grabbed her husband’s hand and pulled him out the door.

“Are you certain, Richard?” Gwen asked. “Without your lands and title, you will have lost all you ever fought for, all your father left you.”

William held out his arms. Richard took him and pressed his lips to his son’s cheek. William clutched Richard’s surcoat in his fists. “Da,” he said, smiling.

Richard touched Gwen’s cheek, traced it with his finger. “You are all I need. We will go to Normandy first, I think. Then I will take you to Spain and mayhap Morocco. Italy too. And the Greek Isles. I have a fancy to see if your eyes really are the color of the water around Corfu.”

Her expression remained wary. “You will not mind leaving England? You will not hate me for causing you this?”

“For causing me what? For giving me love and teaching me there is more to life than honor and duty? For taking away all the blackness in my soul? For freeing me from the guilt and pain of my failures? Nay, Gwen—my life, my love—with you I have finally found what is right, finally succeeded. The rest means less than nothing to me.”

“Oh, Richard.” She threw her arms around him then and he kissed her fiercely, kissed her until she was clinging to him, kissed her until she pulled away to catch her breath.

“I am your husband and that is all I want to be.”

He entwined his fingers with hers, kissed their son, then led her from Shrewsbury castle and into the world beyond.