Page 41 of The Warrior's Innocent Captive

She was silent for a moment. ‘I’m not sure I like it.’

‘Really?’ asked Erik, surprised but pleased the conversation had taken a different turn. He couldn’t imagine having a strong opinion about the sea. It had always just been there. ‘Why’s that?’

‘It’s like a dark, black pit, yawning into the distance, waiting to ensnare unworldly travellers.’

Erik’s arm tightened around her. ‘That’s a very dark opinion. I suppose it has been known to take a life or two, but it also keeps the town in a steady supply of fish, meaning there is still food even in the worst of harvests.’

She wriggled in the saddle. ‘When you put it that way...no, I still don’t like it.’

Erik brought Cai to a slow walk and then stopped him altogether.

‘I think we should walk the rest of the way. Cai is very recognisable and I’d be known as soon as I stepped into the town. Without him we can sneak through and should be able to get to the bakery without anyone spotting us.’

Guilt pierced his heart as Linota slid down from Cai’s back, her unquestioning trust making his betrayal even worse.

He ran his fingers over Mary’s carving, which he wore close to his heart. He needed to remember exactly why he was doing this, why he was using the woman he had fallen so deeply for. Mary’s daughter was an innocent child, relying on him to rescue her from de Bevoir and his liege, Garbodo. He could not let her down even if it meant lying to Linota.

He quickly tied Cai up, whispering words of comfort into his horse’s mane even though Cai seemed completely at ease at being left alone again.

He tucked Linota under his arm, loving how she perfectly fitted against him even as the thought tortured him.

‘The southern gate should be open at this time,’ he said.

‘Will there be a guard?’

‘There should be, but I suspect he will be in the tavern.’

‘Ogmore would never allow such a dereliction of duty,’ said Linota, sounding scandalised.

His muscles tightened. ‘Borwyn and I don’t either. Since Borwyn inherited his father’s lands there has been trouble on some of his more distant borders and all the best soldiers have been sent to reinforce Borwyn’s position. Unfortunately, that has left us with the weak or lazy soldiers at home. It’s... We’re working on it. It is not an ideal situation, but it will work in our favour this evening.’

‘I’m sorry. I did not mean to criticise.’

He found her fingers and pressed them lightly, letting go before he could hold on to them for too long. ‘I know. I’m sorry if I sounded harsh. It is a problem Borwyn and I have been battling for a while now. An alliance with Ogmore would certainly help strengthen our position.’

‘Oh,’ said Linota quietly.

Erik wanted to kick himself. He’d made Linota think about a match between her and Borwyn and that had been the furthest thing from his mind. But perhaps it shouldn’t have been. He should really use this moment to remind her of all the things she would gain as Borwyn’s wife. With Linota tucked securely under his arm he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Emma and Clayborne’s dwelling above their bakery was small but cosy. Erik had no qualms about leaving Linota there; Emma would mother her and make sure she ate well. He’d had to let Emma in on some of the details, but not all. It would be better for her if Emma didn’t know everything. She could be trusted and that was why he was content to leave Linota in her custody.

As he’d been leaving, Linota had turned her big blue eyes towards him. The expression in her eyes had almost sent him to his knees to beg for her forgiveness for getting her involved in this. He’d wanted to stay, to pull her into his arms and to press his mouth to hers once more, but he knew he wasn’t worthy of this or even her respect.

Instead, he had bid her a cheerful goodnight and let himself back out into the cold night air.

The streets of Borwyn’s town were quiet. Given the cold weather and the time of year it wasn’t surprising, but it was still eerie. He was used to the streets bustling with people as traders called out their wares and shoppers tried to find the best deal.

De Bevoir had said he would be waiting for him at the disused tannery. It irked Erik to know that de Bevoir had seen enough of the town to be aware that the tannery had been out of use for a little while. What use was there in having informants in the town if they didn’t tell him about Garbodo’s right-hand man being around? If Borwyn and he had known about de Bevoir’s visit earlier, they might have been able to put a stop to the plot before ending up in this situation.

He ran lightly through the streets, welcoming the stretch of his muscles after so long in the saddle, only slowing as the tannery came into sight.

The building looked deserted from the outside. The wooden door was hanging off its hinges and no lights flickered from within.

If de Bevoir had crossed him in this, Erik was going to hunt him down and make him wish the two of them had never met.

He ducked through the narrow entrance and stood just inside the doorway as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.

‘You’ve taken your time,’ said de Bevoir, stepping out of the shadows.

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