“That’s so strange.”
“You’ve no idea.”
Shadow crawled closer to Valteri. “And you? How did you meet Ariel?”
“She was found in a field and brought into my manor by my men.”
“And what? Belial just showed up?”
Valteri nodded. “Aye.”
“Huh…” Shadow bit his lip as if he were pondering the matter. “And your father, Lord Valteri? Who mighthebe?”
Torment filled his eyes. “My mother never named him. Why do you ask?”
A strange feeling went through her as she watched Shadow study her husband. “Do you know his father?”
That got Valteri’s attention.
And caused Shadow to grimace at her. “I have a suspicion.”
She looked at him expectantly.
“Don’t give me that look. I could be wrong. I’d hate to name him and then look like an idiot. Not like I don’t do that enough already. Besides, I give you the name… you call him ‘Father,’ and I turn out to be wrong, he’ll attempt to kick my ass, I’ll beat his, and it’ll just be a whole bloody war I can do without.”
“And if you’re right?” Ariel asked.
Shadow sighed. “Not sure it’ll do either of them any favors. The gods know, having a father never did me any good.” He met her gaze. “You either, punkin. It’s why you’re in this mess.”
“I don’t understand.”
“The day you get your memory back, you will.” His ominous tone sent a chill down her spine.
“Who’s her father?”
He let out an evil laugh. “Even if I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.”
“And who are you?”
He laughed again at Valteri’s question. “A mercenary bastard.” He spread his hand out and Valteri instantly fell unconscious.
Ariel gasped at his gesture and her husband’s response to it. “Did you do that?”
Blinking innocently, Shadow scowled. “Do what?”
“Cause my husband to pass out?”
“How could I do such a thing?”
“That’s not an answer.”
“Isn’t it?”
Suspicion crawled over her skin. “You’re toying with me.”
“Nay, little one. I’m not Belial. Believe me when I say that I’m on your side in this matter. Though most cannot,youcan trust me.”
“I don’t understand.”
