Page 42 of The Warrior's Innocent Captive

Erik crossed the room before he could think. Pinning de Bevoir up against the wall, he held his dagger to the man’s throat. ‘We had a run in with one of your men. Gamel decided he wanted Linota for himself. Did you send him?’

De Bevoir swore under his breath. ‘That lump’s an idiot. Of course I didn’t send him.’ Erik relaxed his grip slightly, but still held the knife up. ‘Linota is worth far more to me as a virgin than as despoiled goods,’ de Bevoir said.

Erik clenched his fists, fighting with himself not to punch de Bevoir or to gut him. How dare he talk about Linota as if she were something you could buy at market!

‘She is still a virgin, isn’t she?’ queried de Bevoir.

Erik punched de Bevoir in the stomach, his mind black with rage.

De Bevoir doubled over and gasped for breath. Erik stepped back, sheathing his dagger. He wanted to grind the man into pulp for his insinuations, but he had questions. Questions that needed answering tonight. He wasn’t going to get those answers if de Bevoir was unconscious or dead.

‘That was uncalled for,’ said de Bevoir when he was finally able to catch his breath.

‘Don’t ever speak of Linota like that again.’

‘It was a valid question. No, don’t hit me again. Try to act like a reasoned man rather than a beast without a brain! No wonder Borwyn is in such a mess with a knave like you advising him.’

Erik’s fist was curled so tightly it hurt. He took a step away from de Bevoir so he wasn’t tempted to plunge that fist into the man’s stomach once more.

‘I’ve seen the way you look at her,’ de Bevoir continued. ‘It’s as if you want to consume her. And, despite your pitiful heritage, she looks at you as if you were actually someone and not the pathetic bastard you are. Oh, stop growling like that. It makes you appear even more ignorant than you are.’

Erik ran his hand over his face. He knew he was as pitiful as de Bevoir suggested when, despite his overwhelming rage towards de Bevoir, he was enraptured by the idea that Linota looked at him as if he were somehow worthy of her.

He shook his head. It would not do to think of her or allow himself a tiny glimmer of hope. There could be no happy ending. Even if it was true he would certainly destroy that when she discovered that he had been lying to her.

‘So is she still a virgin then?’ de Bevoir asked Erik again. ‘After all, you’ve spent two nights in her company. I hear that ladies swarm over you, probably hoping to enjoy a bit of rough once they’re bored of their noble husbands.’

Rage had blood pounding in Erik’s throat. ‘Don’t speak of Linota like that!’ De Bevoir could throw all the insults he wanted at Erik—Erik was used to it—but de Bevoir wasn’t fit to lick Linota’s boots.

De Bevoir laughed, ignoring Erik’s anger. ‘This has all been very interesting. I hadn’t realised you’d fallen for the girl.’

Erik growled, furious at himself for revealing his feelings in front of de Bevoir. If anything he had just put Linota in even more danger.

‘I want to see Isabel,’ he said, changing the subject abruptly.

‘That’s not possible,’ said de Bevoir, all trace of amusement gone from his voice.

‘Because she doesn’t exist?’

‘Of course she does.’

‘Then prove it. The necklace you gave me means nothing. You could have taken that from Mary easily enough, alive or dead. She was hardly a ferocious fighter. I’m working for you, betraying my liege and lying to an innocent woman all for the promise of a girl I’ve no evidence has ever existed. If you don’t show her to me, then our deal is off.’

There was a long silence. Erik leaned his shoulder against the stone wall and waited. He was not going to back down from this request.

‘Very well,’ said de Bevoir eventually. ‘I will fetch the girl and bring her here for you to see. You will wait here. If, at any point, I hear you following me, then you will not see Linota again. It doesn’t matter how many bakeries you hide her in.’

Erik said nothing as he listened to de Bevoir leaving the building. He’d been so sure that no one had seen him coming into the town. It was unnerving to realise that someone had been spying on his movements. There must be many more Garbodo informants than he or Borwyn had realised. When this was all over security was the first thing that needed to be improved. Jarin and he could not be taken unawares again.

He moved over to the doorway and listened. De Bevoir’s footsteps headed in the direction of the sea. He tapped the wooden door with his fingertips and began to count. He’d reached one thousand twice over when he heard returning footsteps.

He moved away from the door.

Two men he didn’t recognise stepped into the room. He pulled his dagger out once more and held it tightly.

‘De Bevoir says you’re to come with us.’

Erik nodded; he’d expected something like this. He moved towards them.

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