Page 74 of Wolf's Keep

“Do you know what a postern gate is?”

Erin nodded. Guards manned the main gate. A smaller alternative concealed at the back of the keep was perfect for an escape attempt. “Would Lothair have it guarded?”

“It is doubtful. We are not under siege, and he believes us to be secure within. Come. The gate is not far from here. Stay close to the wall. We should be able to reach it unseen.”

“All right. Let’s do this. I think I’ve seen about enough of Langeais Keep to last me a lifetime.”

Gaharet leaned in, cupping her neck in his large hand. “I am sorry, Erin. I should never have brought you here. But I cannot say that I regret all that has occurred here this night.”

His lips captured hers, and she clung to him. For all that heartache loomed large on her horizon, she didn’t regret it either.

He released her and they set off, staying close to the keep wall, Gaharet leading her to the postern gate. Luck was on their side when they reached it. The guards above caught up in an argument over a pretty servant girl. They slunk across the bailey, through the gate and into the trees beyond undetected.

“I never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad we’re in the forest,” she said, glancing back at the dark, looming mass of the keep. “Even if there are wolves in it.”

Gaharet paused, shooting a glance at her over his shoulder. In the wan light of the moon, his expression was unreadable. With a sigh, he started out again, moving them deeper into the trees.

They trudged through the darkened forest, Erin sticking close on Gaharet’s heels. The man had a truly uncanny ability to see in the dark. Given their current circumstances, the reasoning for that did not bear thinking about. A snort, a frightened squeal and the thud of hooves halted her in her tracks.

“There is no cause for alarm, Erin. It is only Aimon with the horse I asked him to find for us.”

A few muttered oaths emerged from the gloom of the trees, and a horse and rider approached. The horse, eyes rolling, shivered and snorted, shying its way toward them as the rider struggled with the reins.

She kept her distance, sheltering behind Gaharet. ‘You’re not going to make me ride that thing on my own, are you?”

He cupped her jaw and brushed his thumb across her cheek. “All will be well, Erin. The horse will settle. Can you take the reins, please?”

She eyed the unhappy animal. Would she even be able to find her way back to his keep without him?

“I… I’m not good with horses, Gaharet.” She scuttled backward as the horse lurched in her direction. “And I’ll get lost on my own.”

“You are not going alone, and the horse will be fine once Aimon dismounts.”

“Are you sure?”

He gave her a brief nod. “I am sure.”

Edging toward the horse, one reluctant step at a time, she reached out and took the reins from Aimon as he dismounted. The horse snorted, tossing its head and stamping its feet, pulling back on the reins. She cringed, shrinking away as far as the reins would allow. The horse could trample her or drag her along the ground if it bolted. Both appeared imminent, but the moment Aimon and Gaharet stepped away, the horse settled. Its nostrils still flared, its body trembled and its ears pointed toward the two men, but it ceased fighting against the reins, edging closer to her.

After a few words with Gaharet, Aimon slipped away, and they were once again alone.

“Why’s he leaving?”

“Aimon is going to stay behind and make sure no one follows us. He will catch up with us later. He can travel much faster than we will be.”

Erin frowned. Aimon would be faster? They had a horse.

Gaharet gestured to the horse. “He is calm now. Tie him to a tree for a moment. We need to talk.”

She raised her eyebrows. “You want to talk? Now?”

“I promised you no more secrets, that I would tell you everything.”

Everything? Her heart skipped a beat. But now? When half the keep were searching for them? “Gaharet—”

“Please, tie the horse up and come over here,” he said. “I wish there was another way. I really do. I did not plan to tell you like this, but I have little choice. Come, Erin, we have no time to waste.”

Was she ready to hear his secret? The true purpose behind the bloodstone? To hear confirmation of the archeveque’s accusation and her suspicions? From the determined set to his jaw, they were going nowhere until they’d had this conversation. With a sigh and a shrug of her shoulders, she tied the now quieter horse to a tree. Taking a moment to steady herself, she turned to face him.

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