Loki bowed to Dona. “Good eve to you, lass.” Giggling and lowering her dark lashes, she slipped her hand around Loki’s elbow.
Tessa grabbed Torrian’s arm and said, “Follow me.” She led them through the torch-lit maze to a small chamber.
Just as Loki was about to step into the chamber, he recognized the man he’d seen earlier. He was headed directly toward them, so Loki motioned to Torrian. “Go on in, I’ll be right there.” Loki and Torrian had discussed how to go about ferreting information from the lasses, but he did not trust the man with the eye patch. Addressing Dona, he said, “I’ll return in a moment.” He hurried down the corridor, but suddenly the man with the patch increased his pace. Loki caught up with him, but the two collided, and the man fell to the floor. He cursed fluently, and when Loki offered him a helping hand, he shrugged it off and headed back toward the great hall.
Loki shouted, “My apologies.” Patch man ignored him. Loki’s gaze searched his clothing for any indication of who he was or what he was about. Giving up, he hurried back to Dona’s side and held the door for her to enter the chamber. Inside, there were two small pallets and a small table surrounded by four chairs in front of the hearth. Goblets of wine sat atop the table. Torrian and Tessa had already started to drink wine.
Tessa said, “This is much better than the ale. You should try it.” She glanced at Loki and fluttered her eyelashes, implying that her flirtation with his friend had changed nothing between them.
Loki sat on the corner of the table. “Nay, mayhap in a few minutes. Tell me about Ayr. We have not been here in a while. We’re from the Highlands.”
“What do you wish to know?” Tessa asked.
“Who’s the most powerful man in the area, besides the king?”
“I do not know. Why do you ask?” Tessa answered, a subtle movement in her lower jaw.
Loki was quite sure Tessa did not like the direction of the conversation, but he didn’t allow her body language to stop him.If anything, it made him more intrigued. “Is there a certain earl or viscount that is the primary vassal to the king?”
“Alexander of Dundonald is still his favorite, but there are others.” Tessa took a sip of her wine, a suspicious look in her eyes.
Loki tired of her game, for he knew itwasa game. He decided to move things along. “Just wondering who would be powerful enough to steal the king’s jewels.”
“What do you know about the jewels?” Dona asked, her back straightening.
“I know naught. I heard the missing jewels mentioned in the great hall. As I explained, we just got here from the Highlands. Do you know what happened to them?” Loki caught the glance exchanged by Dona and Tessa, and a sour feeling crept into his gut.
“Nay,” Dona replied. “But I’d sure be appreciative of anyone who gave me gemstones like the royal jewels.”
Loki tipped his head toward Torrian. “I’ll return in a moment. Need the garderobe.”
“Again?” Tessa asked.
Loki winked at her, “Aye, I drank quite a bit of ale with my meal. I promise to return post haste.” He crept out of the chamber, looking both ways before he stepped into the passageway. His intuition was not telling him anything good. As he made his way to the garderobe, he listened for any strange sounds, checking every nook of the mazelike corridors before making his way back.
When he entered the chamber, the first thing he heard was a gurgling noise.
A bald muscular man was holding a dagger to Torrian’s throat.
Loki’s gaze searched the room. The two girls stood in opposite corners, as far from the mischief as possible. The manwas of rather large proportions, and it was clear he was waiting for Loki to act. There was noticeable sweat across Torrian’s brown, but Loki was pleased to see there was also fury there.
Humph. This would be easy.
Loki took a few steps toward his cousin.
“Halt. Do not take another step or your friend dies.”
Loki did as he was told and froze in place. “No reason to hurt anyone. What is the problem? Why are you here? We’ve done naught wrong, we’re just two traveling Highlanders looking for some entertainment.” He smiled, hoping to give the impression that they were two foolish young lads.
The brute’s dark gaze skewered into Loki. “Why are you asking about the jewels?”
Loki shrugged his shoulders. “Because we heard about them and hoped to uncover them and become heroes. No other reason. Why do you not release my friend?”
“I ask the questions, not you.” He tightened his hold on Torrian, who turned a darker shade of red. “My assistant will be here soon to tie you up.”
“Why must you tie us up? We’ve done naught wrong. Tessa and Dona promised us a sweet eve of pleasure. ‘Tis all we were seeking. Let us go and we’ll be on our way.” Loki managed to move himself to the exact spot he needed for good aim.
The door opened and the man with the eye patch stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
