Wolf looked at the crucifix on the altar. “I do, Sire.”
“I have much to answer for.”
“As do I, my lord.”
They were quiet for a few moments and then the king dismissed him.
“Go. Go to her.”
Wolf did not have to be told twice. He rose, turned, and left. Eventually, he would have to tell Cnut that he wanted to leave. He was allowed to if he chose. But not today. Today, he wanted to be with Camelee.
He found his brother on the way to Camelee’s new chambers. When he reached her door, he dismissed Odger and told him to go to his family.
Wolf stepped inside with his brother and found Camelee and the others in the front room. Alric had not left them and sat with her, with her and Hild in the small chairs across from them, before the hearth. When she saw him, Camelee stood. A flash of blue lit his eyes.
“Chief, Fin, you’ve looked better, but it’s good to see you alive.”
Wolf gave her a slight smile and Fin thanked her and looked around. “I would not be if my brother had not arrived in time to save me.”
She turned her smile on Wolf.
“Where did you get the dress?” Wolf asked, delighting in the sight of her.
“The queen gave it to me. Do you like it, or do I look ridiculous?”
The pale vivid blue against her skin and hair made her radiate light. The gold braided cloth hanging low around her waist accentuated just about every sensuous curve she possessed. She no longer looked like she didn’t belong here. “The sight of you thrills my weary heart.”
Alric gave him an incredulous look. But it was Fin’s reaction that made him cringe and close his eyes.
“Well Miss Pendrey,” Fin drawled, scanning her face and her bruised temple. “What trouble have you stirred up this time?”
Wolf expected her to bite his brother’s head off. Why did Fin have to be such an arse?
She stared at Fin for a moment and then folded her hands in her skirt and softened her gaze. “We had to kill one of the soldiers here. Ivar was his name.”
Fin’s face grew dark beneath his furrowed brow. “We saw his dead body. Why?”
“He tried to rape me, tore my clothes, and struck me.” She pointed to her bruise.
He ground his jaw and looked at her temple more thoroughly, all humor gone from him. “Who killed him? Brother, he must be raised in rank.”
“Young Alric here killed him when he came upon Ivar forcing himself on her.”
Fin turned to Alric. “It is good to see you returned to us.” He turned to Camelee again. His gaze burned on her. “This is my fault. If I had not left—”
“You left to find me, didn’t you?” she stopped him.
“Yes.”
“This is not your fault. I don’t blame you.”
“Nor do I, Brother,” Wolf said, stepping forward.
Fin nodded and looked relieved, but when he saw Genevra entering from the next room, he smiled the widest.
“Fin! Look at you!” she sounded horrified and hurried to him. “Oh, my dear, what did they do to you? Do you have a room? Come. Let us go to it and I will tend to you. Come!”
Fin offered his brother a helpless smile that Wolf had never seen in his life and watched Fin leave the chambers. Alric and Hild went with them.
