Wolf’s eyes clouded and he refused to answer. He motioned to the silent one, the big man known as Jagger. “We ride in the morning,” he said. “To Abergwynn.”
Hagan said, “I will go with you.”
Wolf considered. “This is personal.”
Hagan didn’t give a damn. “If you want me to deliver Tadd of Prydd to you, then you must take me with you.”
Scratching his beard, Wolf frowned, but seemed to be wavering. “You are in no position to bargain.”
“This is my battle, Wolf. I will reward you greatly, but I must be a part of the battle plan. I needs speak to Garrick of Abergwynn myself.”
“You are not healed.”
“I will ride swiftly. Without complaint.” Hagan reached for his sword and drew it deftly, placing the point at Wolf’s throat. “I will not slow you,” he vowed.
Wolf wasn’t pleased. His blue eyes turned to ice in his anger, but he lifted a shoulder. “ ’Tis your own death you seek.”
“So you still defy me.” Darton stormed through the door to her chamber and kicked aside Sorcha’s uneaten trencher. Venison and gravy sprayed upon the walls and floor, and the hard bread sailed into the fire, where it was quickly consumed by hungry, hissing flames.
Sorcha, leaning against a post to the canopy of her bed, lifted her chin and pinned her bridegroom with a gaze of pure hatred. “I feel not like eating,” she admitted, and knew she’d failed. She’d told herself that she had to appear to accept her fate, that she should eat her meals and smile at Darton, but her pride would not allow her to grovel at the boots of someone she detested.
“ ’Twill do no good, this moping and starving yourself.” He walked to the foot of the bed, near enough to her that she could touch him, and he said, “We will be wed tomorrow.”
“Nay.”
Darton curled strong fingers over her arm. Squeezing painfully, he said, “You have no choice in the matter. Tadd has agreed. The arrangements have been made.”
Sorcha’s heart was thundering with rage, and she wriggled free of his hurtful grasp. “I will never marry you, Darton of Erbyn. Nor can you torture me into agreeing to be your bride.” Turning swiftly, she walked to the window, where the air was fresh and the wind blew softly over the curtain wall. In the orchard, apple and pear trees lifted their bare branches to the darkening heavens, and Sorcha felt foreboding as dark as the middle of the night.
She heard him approach, and stiffened. His breath was hot against the back of her neck and she tried to move, but he used his body to block her
escape, and she was forced to stare out the window.
“I want you to be my bride, Sorcha,” he said.
“Why?”
His finger trailed along her neck, and she shuddered. “Because I’m captivated with you.”
“I detest you.”
“You’re very powerful, m’lady. We could use that power, you and I.”
“Did you not hear me? I loathe being in the same room with you, I cannot stand to hear your voice, and I will never, never agree to marry you!”
He chuckled softly. Hideously. “I think I can persuade you.” His voice had a deadly ring that caused her heart to stop. When she turned to face him, his eyes were dark with lust. He motioned at the window, and one of his guards scurried through the bailey. A few seconds later the guard returned, dragging Bjorn with a noose slung over his neck.
“What … what is this?” Sorcha whispered, her words frozen in her throat, the silent knell of doom resounding through her brain. The first stars were beginning to wink through heavy clouds, and she could barely see.
With curses and kicks, Bjorn was shoved up the steps of the scaffold and forced to stand upon a stool.
Horrified, Sorcha cried, “No, you must not! This is madness. Bjorn did nothing—oh, my God.” She saw a movement from the corner of her eye and turned to watch as her sister was being led—half dragged into the yard as well. Oh, God, no! He couldn’t mean to kill them! Leah was crying, her hands over her eyes, her screams muffled. She tried to run to the gallows, but a huge guard restrained her, and her wails rent the bailey and cut into Sorcha’s heart.
“You bastard!” Sorcha spat. “What are you doing?”
“Taming you.”
“I will never—” The words died in her throat.