Most recoiled in horror. Some had held their hands up to shield themselves, as if terrified his very gaze upon them would mark them for the devil or cause them to burst into flames.
Others had spat at him. Insulted him and his parents. Truly, he couldn’t catalogue all the abuse he’d taken in his life for one accident of birth.
But instead, she turned toward him and met his gaze unflinchingly. “Do I know this place?”
It was his turn to frown. “Do you not know yourself?”
“Aye. I’m Ariel.”
“Then why did you ask—”
“But, I can’t remember aught else.” To his surprise, the terror in her eyes was not directed at him, but at some inner turmoil as she glanced about, then down at the floor. “There was a shadow.…” She looked up at him with a sad, vulnerable gaze, and a wave of protectiveness blasted away all the layers of hardness he’d erected around his heart. “A smelly shadow…”
Angered over the unexpected sensation, Valteri took another step back, unsure of himself.
Worse? He actually wanted to touch her.
No good could come ofthat. A woman such as this had a lord looking for her, no doubt. She belonged to her husband—was his most valuable property.
Given the curse that had been levied upon him on his birth, he knew better than to lay a single hand to her. There was no telling what her lord would do if he dared such an affront, and while he had no fear of any man, he didn’t want to start a war with his brother over some random woman.
He had enough problems in his life. There was no need in addingthat.
Nay, he had to find her husband and remove her from here posthaste, before any more unfounded rumors began to spread.
“Is this my home? Are you my husband?” she whispered to him.
That unexpected question tore through him like a lance. For a moment, Valteri wished he could answer aye.
And what an odd thing that was. Never in his entire life had he ever wanted an attachment of any sort, especially not to a woman. He couldn’t imagine why he’d even think of wanting one now.
“Nay, milady. You were found in a field.”
More confused sadness darkened her eyes, and he wondered what memories plagued her.
Not that it mattered. She was no concern of his, and he had to make sure it stayed that way.
Valteri turned, calling to one of the serving women who watched on from the shadows. “Take the lady to my room and attend her needs.” He spoke in English so that she could understand him.
The crone nodded and moved to help Ariel rise.
Ariel looked at the woman and her face blanched. Like a cat, she hissed and recoiled from her.
Valteri had no time to process her actions before she scrambled from the bench and grabbed at his waist. Before he could react, she pulled his sword from the sheath at his side and stepped back.
Even more shockingly, she went after the old woman.
No one had ever dared touch him, not even when he was a child. That was startling enough. But what truly floored him was the skill she showed as she lunged at the crone with deadly intent.
He barely disarmed her before she sliced the old woman in twain. “What is wrong with you, milady?”
Her nostrils flaring, she tried to take the sword from his hand. “She means me harm!”
Her entire body shook, and beneath her fury, he saw panicked terror there. She believed what she said.
To his shock, she took his arm in her hands as he continued to hold his sword away from her. “Please, you must listen. She’s death!”
He’d never had a woman touch him in such a manner and he found it deeply disturbing.
