She clenched her hands together, willing to beg for clemency in that moment. “Otto, I never wanted to deceive you.”
She forced herself to look up at him, to see the betrayal lodge in his dark eyes. He stood with one hand fastened in his unruly hair, his legs wide apart. “What am I to do with you?” he asked, seeming to pose the question more to himself.
“I’m sorry.” She wanted to get up and stand beside him, but she didn’t trust that her aching legs had the strength in them.
Otto took a deep breath and Ariana grasped comfort in the fact that he hadn’t shouted, hadn’t struck out in anger, hadn’t even turned away from her. This was her moment to explain herself. All she had to be was honest. After all, she had every wish to be a proper wife to Otto, an honorable Countess of Darkmoor.
“I’m sorry, too,” he said bitterly.
“Otto, please.” She pushed herself up, trying to ignore the shooting pains in her cramped thighs.
“No.” he held up a hand, warning her away. “Don’t, Ariana. Not yet.”
“I must.” She abandoned all notions of pride and dignity. Suddenly it was clear that the only thing that mattered was Otto’s belief in her integrity. “I should have told you before.”
He shook his head, still flinching away from her. “How would that have helped? How could any man countenance his wife going in league with her father against him?”
She had opened her mouth to explain, but Otto’s words left her bewildered. “I have never been in league with my father,” she protested. “Not even as a child.” She held her palms up towards him, pleasingly.
He grasped her arm and pushed it away. The first time he had ever touched her unkindly. “Do not lie to me, Ariana.”
“I’m not lying.” She bit down on her lip, knowing she must persevere despite his displeasure. But as she staggered to her feet, the resonant clanging of the warning bell sounded through the castle walls, its deep, penetrating tone obliterating all other concerns. She heard Otto inhale sharply, but he had moved into the shadowy recess of the chamber, and she could no longer see his face. “What’s happening?”
“I don’t know.” He strode over to the window and looked out. Just then, she heard the lower door of the tower bang open and a torrent of running footsteps come up the stairs. “Gaius?” he called, questioningly.
The tall, gray-haired knight burst into the room, scarcely acknowledging Ariana. “My lord Otto,” he spluttered. “The outer walls are breached. Soldiers bearing the colors of Kenmar are already within the castle grounds.”
Otto dragged a hand through his hair. “Already inside? How is that possible?”
Gaius turned to the side, avoiding Ariana’s desperate gaze. “Someone must have let them in.”
Ariana felt winded. How could her father’s men be so foolish as to penetrate Darkmoor Castle? It would be a suicide mission. Even taken by surprise, Otto’s knights would easily overpower any so-called warriors from Kenmar.
Otto’s gaze slid from Gaius to her. She felt rather than saw the force of passion in his eyes. “Ariana,” he said slowly, “are you behind this?”
Her shock turned to anger. “I have been locked up here all day.”
His expression did not change. “I must go to my men. But when I return, I shall expect an explanation.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Ihave yourhorse ready for you, my lord.” Robin, the young page, handed Otto his shining helm as soon as he and Gaius appeared in the outer courtyard.
They had run all the way from the tower, keenly aware that every second held vital importance. Otto caught his breath as he paused to consider his next move, holding his arms out to receive the heavy chainmail which Robin fastened around him. His mind was whirring with regret and betrayal. Surely this invasion proved that the one person in Darkmoor who he thought he could trust had turned out to be working against him. Realization cut through him like the sharpest blade, leaving wounds that would fester for many moons to come.
Otto stretched his hand inside his gauntlet reflexively. This was no time to be thinking of Ariana. He must concentrate all his wits and energy on the battle ahead. Sir Leon’s men had the advantage of surprise, but the knights of Darkmoor were an elite group of highly trained warriors. The situation could still be turned around if he moved quickly and cleverly.
Otto nodded his thanks to his page. “Are the knights already assembled?” he asked Gaius.
“Aye, sir. They headed to the meeting point at the first sound of the warning bell.” Gaius sheathed his sword and turned to his own waiting horse.
Otto sprung up onto his battle charger, the spirited animal half rearing beneath him. “Let’s go,” he said shortly. They both knew there was no time to lose. Together, they clattered over the cobbles and through an ivy-strewn archway to the knights’ meeting point. Already the sounds of the battle were growing closer. Otto clenched his jaw at the familiar clash of steel on steel, the shouts of victory and the sickening groans of the injured.
Ten knights bearing the distinctive crimson colors of Darkmoor were waiting for him, their armor gleaming in the darkness, their horses snorting in anticipation. Otto held up his hand, commanding the attention of all.
“Your speedy arrival does you credit,” he said, speaking quietly but forcefully. “Tonight, much will be asked of you in the service of Darkmoor. Enemies are within our very walls; threatening everything we hold dear.” His horse pranced beneath him, splashing in puddles caused by the afternoon’s downpour. Otto took a tighter hold of his reins and flipped up the visor of his helmet so he could better see his men. Drizzle fell like a gauzy blanket, muffling sound and making everything shine in the torchlight “We do not know how many we face. We do not know how many of our soldiers are already fallen. All we know is this, the enemy must be defeated. We fight, for the honor and glory of Darkmoor.”
His knights cheered as one, Gaius amongst them. Otto spun around in the saddle to face the encroaching battle. Once they were out over the drawbridge, who knew what carnage they would discover? He looked back at his knights, their red cloaks fanning about them in the evening’s breeze. “Gaius and Edmund, I want you to go quietly through the western gates to approach the enemy from the rear. With luck, they will be focused on our attack. You’ll be able to pick them off, one by one.”
