Page 129 of Laird of Smoke
“She stole it from me,” Adam said.
The blood left Eve’s face.
Hehad done this.Adamhad taken the dagger out of her satchel and planted his medallion there.
Why?
She looked at him, bewildered.
For the first time in her life, she was unable to think of a single thing to say.It felt as if he’d plunged her into a bog.And the drowning mire was closing over her head.
She entreated Adam with furrowed brows, seeking some explanation for his treachery.
But he wouldn’t spare her a glance.He only stared at the king.His eyes were grim.His face was as hard as stone.
“She’s a spy for Fergus,” Adam said.
The king gasped, echoing Eve’s shock.
He continued.“She probably planned to capture me and demand ransom from Your Grace.”
Eve blinked in disbelief.Was this the man who had vowed to marry her?Who had promised to ask the king to perform their wedding?
The king growled.
Adam continued.“Does Your Grace remember the woman who came to you this morn with the Rivenloch marriage document?”
Eve could barely breathe as the king narrowed his eyes at her.
“It can’t be,” he said.
“’Tis.”Adam nodded to the twin horsetail braids and the pair of high wood pattens on the ground.“There is her costume.And here,” he said, sweeping up the rolled parchment, “is the document Your Grace signed.”
“Nay,” she managed to croak out, reaching toward him as if she could snatch it from his hand.
He handed it to the king.
Her throat ached with the pain of treachery.Tears burned behind her eyes.Why was he betraying her?
“Adam?”she begged.
He made no reply.
“Adam,” she sobbed.
“Guards!”the king called out.
Two royal guards rushed through the pavilion flap, their hands at the ready, clapped on their sheathed swords.
“Take her,” the king instructed.
Finally, Eve’s instincts for survival overcame her wounded heart.Adam might have crushed her with his cruelty.But she would not go quietly.
She tore off her coif and veil.Sweeping up the hard cheese that had spilled from her satchel, she withdrew the wee eating dagger she’d stabbed into it earlier.Then, kicking aside the skirts of her habit, she faced the two guards with fight in her blood and fire in her eyes.
They drew their swords.
She gulped.
