Page 40 of The Beast Of Gloomenthrall

He was a fit gentleman, his muscular frame telling. The callouses on the palms of his hands witness to hours spent practising with weapons and riding horses. And she’d seen Brandth’s clothes before they were cut away, they’d been expensive and very well made. He did not lack money. Brandth De’Luca was a titled nobleman, heir to a Barony… yet he’d listened to each and every one of her visiting kin.

Who’d surprisingly felt free to unburden their many problems on a man who was essentially a stranger. Yet he’d never laughed, or displayed impatience. Nor had he outright gifted any with bold advice, instead, dropping little hints into the conversation until her relatives appeared to come to a decision or a resolution on their very own.

Stranger still was that none of her relatives had set their cap for Brandth. He was single, handsome and titled, Perri would have assumed he would be beating off her brethren with a stick, but no, it was like he deliberately guided any interest in himself either on to the far-off Prince, or back on to the person with whom he was conversing.

Though now that she thought about all the conversations she’d overheard the day before, Perri could not recall Brandth sharing even one personal detail regarding his own likes, dislikes, or what his life was like back at the hallowed halls of the Golden Palace.

She had listened to him flirt, but in such an obvious meaningless way that all present knew it meant nothing and would lead nowhere.

He said his job was to find bridal candidates for the Prince, but he didn’t strike her as selfless… devious, yes, that sounded more fitting of Brandth. But to what end then was this charade of his? Perhaps she was more suspicious than most when it came to the ways of handsome men, but Perri couldn’t help but think that something more was going on when it came to Brandth De’Luca.

Why was he really here?

Waking from a light doze Perri’s first instinct was to check on her patient. Who was breathing deeply and evenly, snoring ever so softly, out cold. It appeared the fever really had broken and he was getting some much needed rest. So, what had woken her? Ah, the faintest of knocks upon her door.

Wearily, Perri hauled herself up, feeling older than Master Healer Mary, cracking open the door ever so slightly to find Alia. Garbed in a navy tunic, brown trousers and matching knee high boots, a crossbow strapped to her back. She must have promised to take the children on an early hunt this morning.

Yawning, Perri eyed her sister with distinct peevishness, it was too early and she was way too tired.

“Can I come in?”

Um, well, that could lead to some embarrassing questions, but before her sluggish mind could come up with an excuse, Brandth released a loud snuffling snort. Alia’s eyes widening in surprise, a wicked smile suddenly gracing her sister’s features.

“Do you have a man in there?”

“No.” And drat the man in question, he huffed out a loud, clearly masculine sigh, punctuating it with a snore as he once more slid back into a deep slumber.

“It certainly sounds like a man.”

“I have a patient… that’s all. He had a fever and needed constant care until it broke.” It wasn’t a secret and it was a perfectly innocent reason for having a man in her chambers. Except for some reason Perri’s cheeks turned fire bright red. “So, if-”

“We need to talk.” The smile was gone, Alia’s tone serious and cold, causing Perri’s stomach to clench in dread. “I have news.”

She fell away from the door, allowing Alia to push her way in. Without being conscious of it, Perri reached out, her fingers digging in to Alia’s arm. “What is it? What do you know?”

“He’s alive, Perri… they both are.”

Excitement and joy warred with seething rage. Pure joy winning out. “He’s alive? Levi’s alive.” Her son. Her baby. For ten years she didn’t know whether he was dead or alive and now… but Alia’s gaze was too serious, not seeming to share Perri’s happiness. Oh, no, her heart began to race with fear. “What’s wrong?”

“They returned to our shores several months ago, not long after, Regal’s nephew, the new young Baron Soutner and several of his kin abruptly died. Regal has taken the title.”

“His heart’s wish.” Perri knew she sounded nothing but bitter.

“Rumour has it that now he holds the title he’s… discontent with his heir.”

“No.” Levi? Regal was turning his murderous gaze towards their son. “We have to go to him. Save him.”

“Hold on. We have a little time to make some plans… Regal has made it known he’s hunting for a suitable bride, and as such, has taken a retinue to the Golden Palace to cast an eye over the season’s offerings to the Prince and the gathering aristos. Until he marries and their first son is born, I… think Levi will be safe.”

“But you’re not sure?” Perri didn’t care whether Regal actually believed or just hoped she was dead. Levi, her son, was all that mattered.

“You know Regal and his games… rumour has it that his heir is rather clumsy and has come within a hair’s breadth of incurring serious injury several times of late. No… don’t panic. They’re on their way to Pallene now, Regal has bigger game on his mind. A no doubt wealthy suitable bride to hunt down. Better still, they’ll be surrounded by lots of witnesses at their destination who hold no fear or loyalty to Regal.”

Suddenly Perri’s head was light, her knees weak, leaning heavily upon Alia as her sister led her back to the armchair by the empty fireplace, lowering Perri down on to it carefully. Quickly pulling up a chair of her own, so close their knees touched, Alia’s warm hands enclosed Perri’s ice cold ones.

“He’s alive, Perri, hold on to that. And I promise I’ll bring him back to you. I’m having Domino readied and supplies gathered. I should be on the road first thing tomorrow morning.”

A sudden wave of rage shattered the cold fear that had momentarily descended. That conniving, evil, scheming bastard had not just flung Perri on the scrapheap, hoping she was dead, he intended to kill their son. By the nine circles of hell, Perri wanted Regal to suffer, to be unmasked, to know what it was like to have people turn away from you in fear, considering you a monster. She wanted him to… pay for everything he’d done.

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