“Why does she frighten you?” He looked from the top of her pale head to the face of the old crone, who appeared every bit as baffled as he was.
And yet…
He wouldn’t be so quick to judge. Not after all he’d seen and experienced. Too well, he knew the dual nature of people. How they could be loving and kind to those around them, and then lash out without mercy against innocent children.
Boys like him.
Kindhearted boys like Wace, who’d never done anything except try to please them.
For no reason whatsoever.
It was enough to drive anyone to violence.
Anyone to madness.
There had been a time when he’d been an innocent child who’d wanted nothing more than a mother’s love. A boy who had only wanted peace.
All he’d been given was pain and condemnation. Until he’d learned to strike the first blow and protect himself from their cruelty.
Nay, he wouldn’t judge this woman. Not until he knew all the facts.
More importantly, all the players.
“I may not remember myself, but I rememberher! She wants me dead!”
The crone appeared so eerily calm and innocent that it set off his hackles. How could she remain such given the vicious attack that she’d almost suffered? The open hostility of a noblewoman who could order her death for no reason whatsoever?
That told him much, as he’d seen monsters like the crone in his past. Those who preyed on others and then played the innocent victim after they’d pushed their target too far.
“Nay, lord, I prithee for mercy. I would never harm her ladyship.” The crone spoke in English, letting him know that somehow she’d learned French enough to understand it, but not respond in it.
Ariel stiffened. “There’s nothing wrong with my mind! I can’t explain my feelings. But I know she means me harm. I know it!”
“I couldneverharm so fair an angel.”
Ariel scowled. “Angel,” she whispered. She looked up at him and all the agony in her eyes tore through him. “There’s something…” Her voice trailed off, and her eyes glazed as if she drifted back into her past.
“It’s all right.” Valteri resheathed his sword. “I’ve seen a number of men fall during battle after receiving a blow to the head. Many times they lose their sense for a brief time, but it always returns.”
The lady had probably been riding and thrown from her horse. Or mayhap someone had been chasing her. It would explain why she had no escort or mount.
When she fell, she must have hit her head and rattled her brain.
He looked at the crone, his gaze stern. “Until milady remembers herself, I want you to stay away from her.”
The crone nodded and withdrew.
Valteri turned to Ariel and held his hand out for her to take it. “Come, milady, I’ll show you to your room.”
Her warm, soft hand enclosed the emptiness of his palm, soothing his rough calluses. She looked at him as if he were her savior, something no one had ever done before, and it did unimaginable things to him.
Kindness and desire were alien concepts for someone like him. Tenderness even more so.
And that expression on her face…
Valteri knew better than to imagine the thoughts that suddenly leapt into his mind. Thoughts of her supple body in his arms while he kissed those perfect lips, and lost himself to her warmth. Aye, those images were raw and they left a biting hunger in his soul that made him crave an ice-cold bath.
It was all kinds of wrong, and he knew it.
