Page 61 of The Warrior's Innocent Captive

It had taken a few days, most of which had been spent travelling from Borwyn to her brother’s new home at Swein’s Castle, but she’d eventually realised tying her life to a man she didn’t love wasn’t the answer to the pain she was feeling.

The girlish hopes and dreams she’d had since she’d first set eyes on Erik had gone and a new, darker world had emerged, but that didn’t mean she should make it worse by involving Borwyn in her misery.

Once she’d made that decision, life had appeared clearer to her, as if she’d spent a week living under a thick blanket of fog only for it to suddenly disappear.

She’d noticed, then, how often Borwyn looked at Katherine. She’d watched as Katherine’s eyes would linger on Borwyn in return, how polite and formal they were with each other while their bodies leaned towards one another.

They were in love, but for some reason not betrothed.

Linota imagined that when she released Borwyn from his obligation towards her he would rush straight into Katherine’s arms and beg her to marry him. Once again she had been wrong.

Whatever had happened between the two of them during their last meeting had resulted in Borwyn leaving the castle and not returning.

Katherine had been a force to be reckoned with ever since. She always had a bright smile across her face and was determinably learning new skills, but the smile never quite reached her eyes. Linota was desperate to know what had happened between Katherine and Borwyn, but after being rebuffed on the subject more than once she’d learned not to pry.

Just as she’d learned not to speak about Erik.

As much as Katherine obviously loved Borwyn, she passionately hated his half-brother. This was the man who had abducted Linota and kept them apart for two, long days. Katherine would never forgive him and she couldn’t understand why Linota did not feel the same.

Linota couldn’t understand it either. She should hate him. He had taken her innocent heart and lied to her, repeatedly, all for his personal gain.

But she couldn’t. No matter how many times she told herself to stop loving him, her heart refused to listen. She hoped one day the feelings would subside and she would be content with her lot. Maybe she would marry eventually and have children with another man.

For now, she would have to be content with being someone’s doting aunt. From the way Ellena kept touching her stomach and smiling into the middle distance, Linota didn’t think she would have to wait that long.

Linota glanced over at Katherine, who was concentrating fiercely on her stitching. Linota hid a smile. Sewing was the one thing her sister still couldn’t master, no matter how hard she tried.

Linota looked across at Ellena who winked at her; she, too, had noticed just how dreadful Katherine’s stitches were. Linota had to swallow a bubble of laughter and relief nearly made her giddy. Her heart was healing if she could laugh at the ridiculous.

Ellena returned her attention to her own stitching. ‘Braedan and I have been planning a celebration at Easter,’ she said, as her fingers flew over her intricate design. ‘And we are planning on inviting the Earl of Borwyn. It would be good to extend the hand of friendship to him, don’t you think?’

Linota froze, her fingers suspended in mid-air, her needle clutched painfully tightly against her skin. If Borwyn came, would Erik come, too? No, of course he wouldn’t. She was being foolish. Erik had probably been banished from Borwyn or else he was locked up in the fortress’s dungeon. He would not be travelling anywhere with his half-brother and, even if he was, he would not be welcome at Swein. Braedan would make sure of it.

It shouldn’t matter. She needed to forget about Erik. She would likely never see him again and she wouldn’t trust him even if she did. She concentrated on her needle once more, trying to ignore the pain blooming in her chest.

‘I don’t think Borwyn will come,’ said Katherine quietly, her head still bowed.

Linota’s heart constricted painfully. It hurt her to see Katherine so sad. ‘I think he will,’ she said.

And if he didn’t, Linota would ride to Borwyn herself and drag him back to Swein.

Katherine paled. ‘What makes you think so?’

Whatever her sister was thinking, it wasn’t the truth. Borwyn had loved her, Linota was sure of it.

‘I don’t understand why he left in the first place,’ Linota said in a rush. ‘What did you say to him that last evening? Did you tell him you thought he was the best of men like I told you to? Because I don’t think you can have done. The attraction between you was so intense it was like standing next to a fire whenever you were together. I felt as though I would burn from it sometimes.’

Ellena nodded. ‘I noticed it on my wedding day. Neither of you were able to take your eyes off each other, even then.’

Their words didn’t soothe Katherine. Mumbling some excuse, she ditched her sewing and fled from the room.

‘Oh, dear,’ said Ellena sadly. ‘I thought we were doing the right thing in telling her of Borwyn’s attraction, but we’ve obviously upset her.’

‘I know.’ Linota dropped her sewing to her lap. ‘I don’t know what to do for the best. I thought they would be together by now. Do you think he has forgotten her? I hate to see her looking so miserable. I was so sure he felt the same way about her. She can be so prickly sometimes and I do wonder what she said to him to make him stay away. I thought he was a stronger man than this, but to be scared off for so long...’

‘Only time will tell if repairs to that relationship can be made.’ Ellena made as if to take up her sewing again, but then laid her needle down. ‘Seeing as I’ve upset one of you I may as well press on with my unwanted comments. I can see that you are miserable, too, Linota, and I think I know the cause. If we put our heads together, we may be able to come up with a solution.’

Linota pressed her hand to her stomach where an army of sea serpents had suddenly taken up residence.

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