Page 65 of The Warrior's Innocent Captive

Before she could open the lid she heard the unmistakable sound of the chamber door opening.

Time seemed to slow as she looked around the room, searching for somewhere to hide.

There was nowhere.

She stepped away from the chest and clasped her hands together so whoever was coming would not see how violently her fingers were trembling.

Erik wiped the back of his hand across his mouth and paused in the entrance to his chamber. He was thirsty, but he’d nothing to drink.

He’d headed to the Great Hall before remembering tonight was the feast in celebration of Jarin’s upcoming marriage to Katherine. Jarin had sworn Erik would be welcome but he’d seen the strain in his brother’s eyes and known his newly betrothed did not really want Erik anywhere near herself or her beloved sister.

Linota’s brother was also down there. Sir Braeden might play the civilised man sometimes, but Erik had no doubt Leofric would rip him apart if he knew what had transpired between Erik and Linota in the room above Emma’s bakery.

Erik wouldn’t defend himself even though he’d be able to. He was guilty. He had touched Linota’s beautiful body even knowing he was a worthless bastard who was lying to a woman who trusted him explicitly.

Hell, he shouldn’t wait for Sir Braedan to do it. He should rip himself apart. He might yet. The only thing keeping him going, that stopped him going completely insane during the long, endless days that stretched on and on without Linota, was his search for his niece.

Erik closed his eyes. To think that Linota was within the same walls as him. It would only take moments for him to slip down to the Hall and cast his eyes on her once more.

He let out a long breath.

He wouldn’t do it.

Not tonight. But he knew he didn’t have the resolve not to set eyes on her before she left. He needed to see her again just as he needed to breathe.

Now he was going to rest. Another day of fruitlessly searching for Isabel had drained him more than a hundred battles.

He stepped into his chamber and froze as the door closed behind him.

As if he’d conjured her from his imagination, Linota stood in front of him, her back straight and her head held high. Her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

He swallowed.

She didn’t move.

Perhaps he had gone insane. The longing that nagged at him every day, that didn’t disappear even when he slept, had finally tipped him over the edge and now he was seeing things.

He closed his eyes and shook his head to dispel the image.

He opened them again.

She was still there.

He took two steps towards her. Closer, he could see her pulse pounding in her neck. His gaze flickered over her. Her knuckles were white, her skin pale.

She was real.

‘Why are you here?’ He winced when she flinched at his harsh words.

He cleared his throat, speaking softly this time. ‘I mean, why aren’t you at the feast?’

She opened her mouth as if to respond and then closed it again.

‘Well?’ he asked.

‘I should go,’ she whispered.

He nodded slowly. Yes, that was probably for the best. She shouldn’t be alone with him, in his chamber. Not that she would come to any harm, but the longer she stayed here the harder it would be for him to let her go again.

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