“It doesn’t matter what era you’re in,” she spoke over him and rose, ready to leave. “People don’t change. You’re just like everyone else. Pride and arrogance rule you.”
He wanted to fire back, but he had nothing to say that would benefit him. He remained silent while she gathered the child in her arms, said something to Genevra to make her follow, and walked away. He should tell her to wait for him. Her storming off appeared rebellious and troublesome. But if he ordered her about and she disobeyed in the sight of many, he would have to punish her.
When they reached the door to the chambers, she stopped in front of it and turned to him. “Can I have—can Hild, Genevra, and I have a little while without you? Just to change clothes from the wardrobe the queen has provided us without you being in the same space?”
“I always turn my back to all of you—” he defended.
“Yes, but you’re still there. You can stay here and guard the door.”
He said nothing but stepped around her and entered. He looked around and checked every inch of the place. When he was satisfied that no intruder was waiting for them, he set his gaze on Camelee and left the chambers, closing the door behind him.
In the hall, he settled against the wall and guarded the door.
He gave in easily because he was not altogether prideful and arrogantlike everyone else. And he would prove it to her.
He smiled at the memory of her surprised look when she realized why he went inside, and when he left. He did not want to make any of the three females feel unsafe because of him.
Was she truly from a thousand years from now? At least she wouldn’t be a Saxon. She would be whatever she was. His brow creased at the little he knew about her. He would have to remedy that.
A thought occurred to him, and his belly sank. Did she hate him? Was that why she wanted to be free of him? He had to admit, there was no privacy in the chambers. One morning, Camelee had been slipping out of her clothes. Wolf could see her through a bronze bowl on the table. He remained hypnotized by the silken image of her. A siren, come to lure him away. When they slept in the dead of night, he remained awake, listening to her breathing, falling into the rhythm of it, afraid of what was happening to him.
“My lord,” a passing soldier stopped. He then said, “I did not know you were here. I am on my way to speak to the king about your brother.”
Wolf snapped to attention. “Fin. What about him?”
“I saw him back in Mercia while I was traveling. He was a prisoner of a Saxon regiment. I came back to tell the king.”
“Where in Mercia did you see him?”
“Going toward Warwick.”
Wolf’s head pounded with every beat of his heart. He needed to know what this soldier would tell the king. But he couldn’t leave Camelee and the others alone. There was no one else he trusted to guard them.
“Will you plead with the king to send his men to rescue my brother?”
“I will.”
“What did Fin tell you?”
“I did not speak to him. I saw him only. He was with the Saxons. Why else would he be with them if he wasn’t their prisoner?”
“Was he bound?”
“Yes. He was bound and tied to a horse. He could barely keep up with the pace and was dragged. He was their prisoner, Sir.”
Wolf nodded, controlling the rage bubbling up inside him, twisting his insides. He was going to end those bastard Saxons once and for all. “You must be sure of all these things before you bring a request before the king to send an army out for one man.”
“A Kristiansen,” the soldier corrected.
“Yes,” Wolf agreed. He knew how valuable he and Fin were to any regiment. His men trusted them to keep alive as many of the men as they could. Wolf would give his life for any warrior, and he would kill anyone for those he loved. He looked toward the chamber door. His heart pounded like a quick beating drum. “Go. I need to take care of something here, but be sure to tell the king that if he sends an army, I will lead them.”
“Yes, my lord.” The soldier hurried off to see the king.
Wolf remained at his post, aching to go rescue his brother. But he had just made a choice when he decided to remain here to go to her one more time instead of running off to save Fin.
When had this happened to him? How had he allowed it with a servant from God only knew where? Not many things in his life frightened him, but this did. This had the power to change him, to make him change his mind about many things before he could stop it. It was like a fever running hot through his veins, searing his nerve endings, and touching her was the only way to find relief.
He knocked softly and opened the door. If not for Camelee and her little family, he would leave now. What was she going to do with them while he was away? How could he keep them from the ravenous beasts around them?
