"Hurry! Before he comes back."
Did he imagine Gillian's voice? He must have. She wasn't here. The hazy dreams fogging his brain lingered. He closed his eyes once more.
"This door, there's a lock!"
"God's bones, how will we find the key?"
Again, Royce swore he heard his wife's voice. He lifted his head, heart pounding. Surely he still slumbered.The draft crossing his face told him he was indeed awake. A flash of light from under the door drew his focus.
"His arrogance is our advantage. The key hangs here!"
That voice, laced with excitement, also sounded familiar, but the ringing in his ears kept him from determining who spoke. This time a strange moan, like a choked sob, came in response.
More rustling, a key turning. The door creaked open. Two shadowy figures, one holding a torch, stepped into the chamber. Vision blurry, Royce didn't dare accept what he saw.
Then hands touched his face, small, soft, feminine hands. Gillian's hands. A bolt of joy filled him. She stood before him, smiling and weeping at the same time.
"You're alive!" Her hoarse words sounded as if they choked her.
"How... Gillian..."
She covered his mouth with her hand. "Don't speak, we must hurry. Simon, get him down!"
Her hands continued to move over him. Simon handed her the torch and within moments had managed to somehow unchain Royce's arms from the wall. But the metal cuffs remained around his wrists. At least he could walk, somewhat.
"We must leave now, the smith at Lyndon will remove the rest." Gillian's brother seemed older somehow. What had happened in the time Royce had been in London?
Chained, weakened and sore all over, Royce had no choice but to lean on Simon. The three made their way from the chamber to the corridor. Gillian held the torch, lighting their way as they moved through the ruined keep. Ere long, they'd reached the outer grounds, where several mounted knights waited.
"You must ride with Simon."
Gillian's order was sharp and steady. He smiled. Her strength and courage roused his pride. His Wildcat was a fitting mate for the Panther.
"Did you lead the men here?" he asked.
"Of course. They know I'm capable."
Unable to resist, he leaned over and pressed a firm kiss to her lips. She tasted of honey and spice and even in his weakened condition, he ached to take her. She responded eagerly, her hands cupping his face before pushing him away.
"We must go now!"
She turned away, mounting a horse while he allowed Simon to help him onto his stallion. He cursed his weakness, but didn't resist the assistance. When Simon climbed up behind him, he swore the other man chuckled. A moment later, as the group raced from the ruined keep, Royce gave thanks for Simon's aid.
The ride to Lyndon passed in a blur. His weakness increased as they rode and he could do no more than lean against his brother-in-law. He hated the feebleness holding him securely in its grip. Suddenly, they were in the bailey, and his men were carrying him to the smith's forge. Faces blurred before him, the heavy weight of hands holding him still bringing a moment of alarm. Soft hands once more stroked along his cheeks, calming him.
"It might hurt, but there's no other way."
His arms were once again dragged above his head and held in place. A moment later, shattering pain wrenched through his arms, the smith blasting his hammer to a spike laid against the iron cuffs. Though still weak as a babe, he struggled futilely against the men restraining him. At last, when the manacles fell away, the pain settled to a dull throbbing.
"Come. Fetch the physic."
Gillian's voice seemed a lifeline keeping him aware. He closed his eyes once more, saying nothing as he was lifted and carried into the keep. The comfort of his bed finally chased the remnants of worry. Aware of Gillian sitting beside him, holding his hand, filled him with peace. He wanted to open his eyes to look at her, wanted to tell her how he felt, but he had no strength to do more than breathe.
***
Gillian sat up, still unable to sleep. Royce slept heavily beside her, the herbs in the ale helping him get much needed rest. But she worried to see the bruises on his face, visible even through the beard that covered his jaw. His lip had been split and one eye had swollen shut. The physic had assured her in a few days' time, he would be well again, but she still fretted. She gazed at him, the sliver of moonlight shining down.
A sudden kick drew a chuckle. Her babe grew every day, hale and hearty judging from his movements. Did Royce know? She caressed her belly and the baby quieted.
