Thorn and others of his ilk had some success, but not always.
Those who want to be deceived will always be deceived.
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils. Freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves. For the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into a house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Not everyone could ever be saved.
That was what broke her heart.
But she could save Valteri. And she was going to.
No matter what it took.
Valteri held a chair out for her. “Come, milady.”
Ariel sat down, reveling in the close proximity of his body while he adjusted her chair. His warm, rich scent invaded her head and she breathed it in deeply. She’d miss that the most. That, and the feel of his arms wrapped about her.
Swallowing, she reminded herself why it had to be.
Valteri filled their cups, his fingers brushing against hers as he placed her goblet near her sliced trencher.
“Thank you, milord,” she whispered, but the tightness of her throat made the words painful to utter.
Valteri took his seat and for the first time, she allowed herself to look fully at his face. Instead of the usual tenderness in his gaze, she noted a tenseness, a guarded barrier that shielded his emotions from her.
She frowned in confusion and reached for her knife. “Does something vex you?”
He sliced the roasted venison Wace had brought for them, and placed a large portion on her trencher. Glancing up at her, he shook his head. “Nay, why should it?”
Her frown deepened at the faint sarcasm underlying his words. For a moment she wondered if she imagined it, but as he set about filling her trencher with lamprey and apples, she saw the tightness of his grip, the tautness of his jaw.
“Have I done something to offend you?”
Cocking an eyebrow, he sat back in his chair and studied her with an unreadable stare that set her hands trembling. “Why would you think that?”
The look you’re giving me?She barely bit back that sarcasm as she held no doubt it wouldn’t endear him to her at all.
Instead, she shook her head and looked back at her food. Something was amiss, but Valteri made it obvious that he had no wish to discuss it.
Irritated, Ariel drew a trembling breath and concentrated on her supper.
They ate their meal in awkward silence.
Valteri repeatedly downed his goblet of wine only to refill his cup. She frowned as he again filled the goblet to the brim and ignored his food.
Though redness laced his eyes, he didn’t act drunk, but heaven knew he had consumed more than enough wine to intoxicate three or four normal men.
Trying her best not to pay his strange mood any heed, she ate slowly but didn’t really taste her food. Indeed, everything she tried tasted like unseasoned porridge.
At last he looked up at her with a grave frown that made her wish he would again ignore her presence. “Tell me, Ariel, why did you marry me?”
What an odd question.
She swallowed her bite of food and considered why he’d asked her such a thing.
Taking a deep breath, she considered how best to answer. Was he afraid that she had regrets?
Did he?
