“And why not? They are men, just as Royce is. Surely he is not so cruel that he will not eventually supply them with women to satisfy their natural needs. Otherwise frustrations will ferment. Trouble will follow. ’Tis only sensible—”
“God save us!” Eda cut her short in amazement. “First you bring them food. Now you want to bring them whores. Get you to bed, wench, before you get the idea next that they should be allowed to marry and settle here.”
“Now that you mention it…”
Kristen rushed away before Eda could have the last word. She carried a grin on her lips until she reached the top of the stairs. Then teasing Eda was forgotten as she spied the door down at the end of the corridor. She sighed, making her way slowly toward it, wondering how long she would have before Royce came up to join her.
She had not even half a minute. He must have left the hall the moment she did. She was standing by the table, her back to the door. She had meant to strip off her clothes and make use of the water there. She had not even untied her girdle when the door opened.
“What happened with the prisoners, Kristen?”
She swung around, aqua eyes wide as she looked at Alden, not Royce. It took her a moment to adjust to this surprise; then she glanced toward the weapons on the wall.
“Nay,” he said, reading her mind. “Hear what I have to say first before you try to slit my throat again. I know my cousin. When he is angry, he shouts, he blusters, he knocks heads together. When he is furious, he is deadly calm, and God help the unfortunate soul who shatters that calm. He is furious now. What happened to cause it?”
“Why do you not askhim?”
“Ask him?” Alden shuddered, and Kristen wondered whether it was feigned or real. “When he is like this, I do not want to be anywhere near him.”
“And I do not want to be near you, Saxon. You need not fear I will attack you. I gave my word to your cousin that as long as your King is here, I will stay away from you.”
A half smile formed on his lips. “You mean ’tis actually safe for me to get close to you?”
“I would not suggest it,” she returned darkly.
“Will you at least tell me what happened? Mayhap I can then know how to temper some of his fury.”
She shrugged offhandedly, yet her words belied her indifference. “He behaved like a brainless fool. He came in among the prisoners to take me from their quarters.” Her voice began to rise, her irritation returning. “Thorolf detained me, but instead of Royce seeing the wisdom of leaving then, for I would have too if he did, he came in to get me. ’Twas the most stupid, arrogant thing he could have done. ’Twas just what they hoped he would do!”
“And yet naught happened.”
Kristen’s expression mirrored her disgust. “That is not the point. He turned it around so he had the upper hand. He could just as easily have found himself attheirmercy.”
“And that displeases you?”
She glared at him. “I told you what you wanted to know. Now leave me.”
He nodded, but before he turned to go, he added, “A word of warning, wench. Do not say to him what you have said to me. I do not think he will tolerate being called a brainless fool at this time.”
He opened the door to leave, and there stood Royce. Alden groaned inwardly, offering a silent prayer that Royce had not heard anything that was said. Kristen schooled her own features, seeing that Alden had been right. Royce looked calm enough on the outside, but that was only at first glance. A closer look revealed the tight set of his lips, the dangerous gleam in his eyes.
“What do you here, Cousin?”
Alden said in jest, “Helping the wench prepare for the siege.”
Royce was not amused. “’Tis an unwise habit you have developed, helping her. ’Twill eventually get you a blade in your back. Leave us.”
It was said most softly, but Kristen recognized the underlying menace. She turned her back with the closing of the door, worrying at her lower lip. Only once had she seen Royce like this before: the first time she saw him. He had spoken cold-bloodedly then of killing them all. This time? She was not so much afraid, sure that he would not kill her. What she felt was the apprehension of facing the unknown.
“I am forced to wonder now, if everything you say and do is not a lie.”
Kristen stiffened. God help her, she certainly could not help herself if she could not understand him. What had that casually uttered remark to do with what had happened?
“I must assume you have a reason for saying that, milord. Do you tell me, or do I guess?”
He came up behind her while she spoke, which was why she did not hear him, and why she gasped when his fingers bit into her shoulder to turn her around. But her expression was stony now that she looked into his dark eyes. She would not be played with, like cat and mouse.
“Make your accusation and have done with it!” Kristen snapped.
