It must be this way.
And yet she cursed their fate.
Fully dressed, she lay on the bed, her soul crying out for her to keep him near.
Don’t let him go.
I can’t ask him to stay!
Valteri pulled his tunic from his head and joined her. His strong arms reached around her and drew her closer to his warmth, his hard chest.
She shivered, wanting nothing more than to stay like this forever, butknowing how impossible a dream it was. His breath fell against her neck and she trembled. Was there truly no way to break this damnable curse?
Perhaps in his absence, she might find some way, then she could send for him.
Aye, that was what she’d do. ’Twas only a temporary separation. As soon as he was away and safe, she’d do whatever she must to dissolve the pact, and then they’d be together.
Forever.
I will find a way. So help me!
Valteri came awake to Wace’s insistent shaking. “Milord, forgive me,” he whispered, “but a sickness has come over your horse. The groom bade me to fetch you.”
Valteri pushed himself up, careful not to wake Ariel. Retrieving his tunic, he frowned. What could have happened to Ganille?
He pulled his tunic on and excused Wace. His destrier had been fine this morning when they’d returned. What ailment could have come upon his horse so suddenly?
Narrowing his eyes, he knew the answer.
Belial. The beast had probably poisoned his horse to keep him here. His anger rising, he made his way out of the hall and to the stable.
As he pushed open the door, his anger dissipated.
How would Belial know he’d planned to leave? Ariel had said Belial couldn’t read minds. Yet what else could have tainted the stallion if not Belial’s mad schemes?
The avener met him in the stall, his face grim. “Must’ve been bad oats, milord.”
Sweat covered Ganille’s body, and the horse struggled for breath. Valteri stroked his velvet nose, wishing he could alleviate some of his old friend’s obvious pain. “Will he be all right?”
“Hard to say.” The avener wiped at his cheek with a grimy hand. “Don’t know exactly what ails him.”
Valteri let out a tired sigh. “Keep an eye on him and do your best.”
“Aye, sir.”
His heart heavy, Valteri stood. Ganille’s illness wasn’t enough to preclude him from leaving. He could easily use another horse to reach London, and once there buy another destrier.
But he’d been through much with the stallion and he hated to lose such a well-trained animal.
He’s more than that to you and you know it.
Aye, he was. Ganille had been the best friend he’d ever had.
With one last pat to the horse’s head, he started to leave the stall, but something solid struck him across the back of his head.
Pain exploded through his skull, and he stumbled to the ground. Shaking his aching head to clear it, he tried to rise, but a strong blow across his back knocked the air from his lungs.
What the hell?
