Page 217 of Historical Hotties
Thor’s frown seemed to be permanent. “Your grace,” he said, sighing heavily, “I—”
“That is not a request, Thor. It is a command.”
That settled it. Thor had no choice. The frown left his face, replaced by resignation and duty. Still, he knew this entire thing was a manipulated situation, and being a vassal of the king, he was obliged to accept.
But, by damn… he hated it.
“Now I must break into Gomorrah to save this woman from faceless, nameless abductors,” he muttered. “Gomorrah is better guarded than the crown jewels. And I am to break into it? And you cannot tell me who holds her, only that she is held?”
“I will go with you.”
Daniel stepped out of the shadows, coming to stand with him. He was a middle-aged man but still a skilled fighter, still strong. But more than that, Daniel de Lohr had been a wanderer in his youth, a man who drank and ate and lived a hedonistic lifestyle that had greatly distressed his father. Everyone knew it. Marriage, and age, had mellowed him, but Daniel was still a man up for a good time. Even at Gomorrah. Thor couldn’t help the twinkle of mirth in his eye when he looked at him.
“And do what?” he said. “Help me break in? Or do you happen to know how to get in easily?”
Daniel fought off a grin. “What do you think?”
“I think they know you at that terrible place very well.”
“Howdareyou insult me.”
He couldn’t keep a straight face as he said it, which caused Thor to grin in spite of himself. Clearly, Daniel had the password to get through the iron doors that guarded the entry. Thor wasn’t surprised. In fact, he was rather comforted by the fact that Daniel knew Gomorrah, and undoubtedly they knew him, so the chances that there was to be bloodshed had been exponentially reduced.
“I will summon True and Bully and Darius,” he said. “I will not go into a situation like this without them.”
He was referring to his squad of knights, men who had sworn fealty to him when he first assumed the position of Lord Protector. Truett de Nerra, or “True” as he was known, was part of the great House of de Nerra of Selbourne Castle, while Clayne de Becque was his cousin, known as “Bully” because his father had been known as “Bull”—their mothers were sisters. Lastly, Darius de Winter was part of the House of de Winter, otherwise known as the de Winter war machine because of their very large army and unwavering support for the king. It didn’t matter who sat upon the throne—the de Winters would support him, and Henry had been particularly grateful for that support during the dark days of Simon de Montfort.
Men that Thor trusted with his life.
Daniel knew this. He’d been a fixture in Henry’s court for many years and had come to know Thor de Reyne when the powerful knight assumed the protector role in Henry’s entourage. He knew enough of him to know that he was dedicated and serious, almost humorless at times, but the man had a pure heart. He had a strong moral compass, which meantplaces like Gomorrah either disgusted him or terrified him. Knowing Thor, it was more than likely the former.
But Daniel wasn’t beyond taunting him a little.
“It is understandable that you would want them with you in any given situation,” he said. “Including Gomorrah. Do you mean to tell me you have never visited the place?”
“Never.”
“Not even with your bodyguards?”
He meant his knights. Thor gave him a half-grin. “Not even with them,” he said. Then he tilted his head in the direction of his father standing a several feet away. “And that is the only answer you shall receive from me with my father so close. If he tells my mother I have visited Gomorrah under any circumstances other than the line of duty, she will beat me with a club.”
Daniel chuckled. “As would mine,” he said. “That is what mothers do, only my mother had to tolerate my father and my son, both of whom are a bit lively, so she had a very worn-out club.”
That was an understatement, and Thor flashed his big white teeth. “I miss Chad,” he said. “Can we expect him in London anytime soon?”
Daniel shrugged. “Probably not,” he said. “He is in command of Canterbury while I am away, but more than that, I do not want him anywhere near a place like Gomorrah. Chad would go in and never come out. We would lose him for sure.”
“And not even his wife has soothed his wild soul?”
“He will do anything for sweet Aless, but he still has his wild streak. It cannot be contained.”
That brought laughter from Thor because Chad de Lohr was quite possibly one of the most debaucherous men he’d ever met in his life, but the moment was interrupted by Henry.
“Go with Canterbury,” he said, sweeping a hand at him. “I am certain your father will approve of your going into a place like Gomorrah with de Lohr by your side, but I warn you, do not be overly long. Find her and get out. Return her to me immediately.”
The smile faded from Thor’s face as he listened to the last of Henry’s command. The whole situation had him rattled and annoyed. He’d walked into the hall a free man and walked out with a betrothal. A glance at his father showed the man to be equally rattled and annoyed. Thor wasn’t sure who was feeling it more—him or his father.
“I will, your grace,” he said steadily. “Can you at least tell me what she looks like so I know what I am looking for?”
