Page 44 of The Warrior's Innocent Captive

Erik hesitated.

‘Don’t,’ warned de Bevoir. ‘We’re leaving.’

De Bevoir’s hand brushed his sleeve, but Erik shrugged him off. He turned abruptly and strode down the rickety staircase. De Bevoir followed, close on his heels.

‘I want this resolved quickly,’ said Erik when they were back downstairs.

‘That suits both of us. Tomorrow we will give Borwyn the ransom message for Linota. You will make sure Borwyn gives me what I want and I will give you Isabel. Everyone is happy.’

Pain thudded around in Erik’s chest. ‘Except Borwyn.’

‘Garbodo isn’t greedy. He is only after the land that should belong to him anyway.’

Erik snorted in disbelief. De Bevoir ignored him.

‘Besides,’ de Bevoir continued, ‘Borwyn will get the lovely Linota as his virgin bride. I’m sure that will more than make up for the brief inconvenience of losing insignificant land in the north.’

Erik curled his fists, his muscles straining with controlled violence.

‘Put this back on,’ said de Bevoir, holding out the sack.

‘There’s no need. I know where we are,’ said Erik and he strode for the door without looking back.

De Bevoir didn’t stop him.

It was a small victory, but not a significant one.

De Bevoir still had the upper hand and Erik could do nothing about it.

Chapter Ten

Linota edged nearer to the hearth, tugging her blanket even tighter around her.

The smell coming from the downstairs bakery had caused her stomach to rumble all day. A round loaf was in front of her now, but despite her hunger she’d been unable to force more than a few mouthfuls down.

The day had passed with an agonising slowness; the low hum of customers coming and going from the bakery was the only indication that time was passing at all. She’d woken this morning curled in a nest of blankets, imagining that Erik would come to her with news just as soon as the sun had fully risen.

But he’d yet to arrive and the shop below was closed for the day.

She’d been naive to agree to stay in the bakery. She should have insisted she return to the fortress with Erik. But, and she felt foolish for admitting this even to herself, she’d imagined staying in the bakery would give her more time to spend with Erik. She’d been wrong and she was bitterly regretting her acquiescence.

She heard the creak of the stairs and rushed to the top to see who was coming. The air rushed out of her lungs at the sight of Emma carrying a trencher laden with a hearty-looking stew and thick-cut hunks of bread.

‘Hello, pet,’ Emma said when she caught sight of Linota peering down at her. ‘I thought you might be hungry so I’ve brought you up a little something.’

‘Thank you,’ said Linota, taking the trencher and setting it on the floor near the fire next to her uneaten loaf. ‘Is there any word from...?’

She looked up at Emma and heat rushed over her skin at the pity she saw on Emma’s face.

‘No, pet, there’s no word from Erik yet, but he did say he might be a while. I wouldn’t worry.’

Linota twisted her fingers together. ‘I think I should go and—’

‘No,’ said Emma forcibly.

Linota frowned. ‘No?’

‘You can’t be wandering round the town. It’s not safe and you’ve no idea where you’re going.’

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