Page 53 of The Warrior's Innocent Captive

He had to keep focusing on Isabel. She was what mattered right now.

A young guard stood just inside the entrance to the keep. He stood up to his full height as Erik approached. ‘Master Ward, the Earl has asked that you attend to him in the Great Hall as soon as you arrive.’

Erik nodded, forcing himself to show no surprise. Jarin had never requested his presence before. Erik was free to come and go as he pleased, although he always did make a point of reporting to Jarin whenever he arrived. The summons only added to the heavy weight settling in his stomach.

He turned to his right and strode into the Great Hall, forcing himself to release the tight grip he had on his sword handle. He nodded to men and women of his acquaintance as he neared the dais at the far end of the room. Jarin was sitting upon a great chair, looking down at those gathering around him, a small frown between his fair eyebrows.

In the early days of Jarin’s ascension to the earldom they had laughed about Jarin’s position high above everyone else. It had seemed like a grand joke that Jarin, his childhood friend, should be in such a position with all these people looking up to him. Now, with his fine clothes and broad shoulders, it appeared Jarin belonged there. Erik had never felt so far removed from the man who sat directly in front of him.

Erik bowed to his friend. ‘My lord.’

Jarin’s gaze snapped to him, the look in his eyes unreadable. ‘Erik, I’m glad you have arrived. I have some details I need to discuss with you. Mistress Leofric will join us in a moment as this concerns her as well.’

‘Of course.’ Erik’s heartbeat pounded in his throat.

Having to lie to Jarin was bad enough, but having to pretend that Linota was lost to her sister was something else entirely. The girls looked nothing alike and yet he knew how close they were. To hurt Katherine was to hurt Linota and that was something his soul rebelled against.

‘Ah, here she is.’ Jarin stood. ‘Good evening, my Lady Katherine.’

Erik noticed how Katherine’s eyes shone as she approached Jarin and smiled despite the snakes writhing in his stomach. Women always seemed to fall in love with Jarin and it appeared Katherine was no exception. It wasn’t all down to Jarin’s lofty position, he was also a charming man when he wanted to be. It had never occurred to him that Jarin might prefer Katherine over Linota. If Jarin returned those affections...but no. He mustn’t go down that route. He couldn’t hope for something that could never be. If she didn’t marry Jarin it would be some other lucky nobleman. He would have to say goodbye to Linota and learn to live without her.

‘Shall we retire to my private rooms?’ Jarin seemed only to be talking to Katherine, as if the rest of the room didn’t exist. ‘I think we would be more comfortable if we spoke there rather than in front of an audience.’

Erik nodded, although a quick glance around the Hall revealed that no one was looking at him. If privacy was what Jarin wanted, Erik would show willing even if he didn’t want to wait a moment longer than necessary to deliver his news and be gone.

Jarin’s private room was only a few steps away from the Great Hall. It was small, but far cosier than the cavernous Hall where most of Jarin’s business took place. The two of them had spent many an evening in here discussing fortress matters or laughing over something ridiculous that had happened that day. It was as much Erik’s sanctuary as Jarin’s. Tonight, the walls felt as if they were closing in on him, as if they knew of his betrayal and were already condemning him to a wretched end of days in the fortress’s foul dungeons.

Erik waited; a heavy silence weighted the air. Erik was reluctant to break it. Whatever he said would only be lies and these two people deserved better.

Jarin turned to him and met his gaze. ‘We found Linota.’

Erik’s heart stopped.

For a moment his brain could form no thoughts.

His worst fear had come true. Linota had been found and now that she had she must know that he had lied to her. She might already hate him.

He tried to swallow past the lump in his throat. He needed to get away from here, to think and to plan. There was not only Linota to consider, but also Isabel. She was in grave danger and only he could save her.

His mind raced. He had only just left de Bevoir. De Bevoir couldn’t know about Linota’s discovery, not yet. Erik needed to get to him before de Bevoir found out. That was the only way he had a chance of getting his niece into his custody.

‘Why did you do it, Erik? I don’t understand.’ Jarin’s eyes were full of hurt and Erik’s heart crushed. The look cut him even deeper than he’d imagined. But he didn’t have time for Jarin right now. His brother was a grown man. He would get over this disappointment. Isabel needed him.

Jarin had everything while Isabel had nothing.

As soon as he had his niece safely in his arms he would return to Linota and beg her forgiveness on his knees.

He moved towards the door.

Jarin moved to block it.

Anger swept through Erik, the rage a welcome relief to the guilt. It was better, stronger and more familiar.

Jarin, with his pig-headed ignorance, was stopping Erik getting to where he needed to be. He took another step and Jarin blocked him, righteous indignation sweeping across his features. ‘I need to know, Erik. I thought we were friends.’

Erik’s anger bubbled over. ‘You don’t know anything. We’re not friends. We’re brothers.’

White-hot rage ripped through Erik at Jarin’s surprised look of disbelief.

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