Gillian struggled to catch her breath. Gladys was dead? "Murderer! When Royce and the king return –"
"We will be long gone. I've come to claim my son, and you are coming with us."
She shook her head, backing away. In her cradle, Marissa still screamed. She fought the urge to look at her daughter, forcing her focus to remain on Burke.
"I'll kill her if you don't come with me now."
Her heart seemed to stop mid-beat. Rowan now squirmed against her tight grip. God's blood, what could she do? The sword pointed menacingly at Marissa's cradle. She had only one choice, and felt confident he would not harm his own child. Or her, since he needed her to care for Rowan. She didn't doubt Royce would find her soon enough.
She had to believe in all of that, otherwise, she feared she might very well lose herself to despair. Closing her eyes against the burn of tears, she nodded in acquiescence of Burke's command. He grabbed her arm and pulled her into the corridor, to her former chamber. He must have gotten in this way, she realized, noting the way the tapestry hung crooked. Pushing her ahead of him, he guided her to the stairs, but down, to the lower chambers, rather than up to the ramparts. The musty smell made her gag, and Rowan whimpered.
"Keep him from crying." Burke's menacing ordersounded beside her ear, an ominous background to their slow shuffling through the dim light.
She nodded, shushing the child. Soon enough a glimmer of light from outside grew brighter as they neared the end of the tunnel. She squinted as she stepped out into the field beyond the castle walls.
"This way." He pulled her into the woods, a horse tethered to a tree. He shoved her toward it. She stumbled, nearly falling, but his grip on her arm kept her upright.
"Get on the horse."
"But –"
He wrenched the child from her arms and she cried out in rage, stretching to take Rowan back. Burke held him out of reach.
"Get up. Now!"
With his sword pointed at her head, she had no choice but to obey. She mounted the horse, relieved when Burke handed the baby up to her. She'd barely considered jumping down and running, but he was behind her in a moment, securing her with a strong arm around her waist.
Jesu, how could she get free? None had seen him taking her away, would Royce know who'd kidnapped her? And what of Marissa? Her heart ached to think of her daughter still crying helplessly in her cradle. Would anyone hear and sound an alarm?
Burke spurred his mount and headed deeper into the forest. If someone didn't give chase soon... she shuddered to think what could happen.
"Where are you taking us?"
"Deep into Wales, where none will find us. You will care for my son until I tire of you."
"Royce will find you and you will pay for this! How could you risk harming your own child?"
"I thought he wasn't my son," he taunted.
She silently cursed her slip of the tongue. "He isn't. He's mine."
"He is Anne's son. My son. And you will all pay for killing her!"
Gillian shook her head. "We didn't kill her; she died birthing your babe."
"Lies, all of it! You'll all pay. When I return with more men, I'll destroy Edward and take the throne for myself. Anyone who dares to defy me will pay with their life."
"'Twill be you who pays with your life."
Royce's voice rang out through the forest. Joy bubbled through Gillian until she found the tip of Burke's sword poking at her throat. His arm around her waist tightened painfully, making it hard to breathe. Sensing her panic, Rowan began to cry.
She looked around, choking back a relieved cry to see Royce, Edward, Simon and several other knights surrounding them. Burke had nowhere to flee. She had to get off this horse. A trapped animal will fight its way out, to the death if necessary. And Burke was now a cornered animal.
"Release my wife and the child."
Burke let loose a maniacal laugh. "Can't do that, Royce. They're mine now and you will let us pass, or I will strike them down right here."
"If you harm a hair on either of them, you will be dead before they fall."
