Suddenly, there was a flurry of movement. Gawyn drew his weapon and all the Acquitaine soldiers rushed forward. Gawyn placed the tip of his weapon to the throat of the Hungar standing beside Hogar before he could even pull his axe free of his belt.
Damien had Hogar pinned to the ground, an arm around his neck, his face smashed into the stone floor. He leaned toward him, whispering in his ear. Only Hogar heard what he said.
Hogar struggled for a long moment but could not escape Damien’s hold.
Gawyn’s gaze slid over the rest of the Hungars. All had numerous weapons pointed at them. None of the Hungars moved.
“Get off me,” Hogar commanded.
Damien didn’t move. He looked up at one of the men. “Rupert.”
Rupert, the trusted commander of the guard, second only to Gawyn, a soldier with a streak of grey in his shaggy hair, nodded.
“See to it that Hogar and all of his men are escorted from Acquitaine lands.”
“Aye, m’lord,” Rupert answered.
Lithe and dangerous, Damien leapt from Hogar, moving quickly out of his reach.
Hogar climbed to his feet. His upper lip trembled with rage. “We go where we want. When we want.”
“You aregoingto leave Acquitaine,” Damien said. “And you are notgoingto return.”
Hogar’s eyes widened in outrage. His lips curled with hatred; his teeth ground. Around him and his men, soldiers from Acquitaine moved in, blocking all ways out except the large double doors at the back of the room. Hogar stood still for a tense moment. His gaze burned into Damien with a molten hatred. Finally, he whirled and led his men from the room. At least twenty Acquitaine soldiers followed them.
Aurora moved to Damien’s side. She stroked his shoulder and he turned to her, capturing her hand in his. They locked gazes for a long moment. Aurora caressed his cheek and took a deep breath.
Gawyn moved to Damien’s side. “If you feel like fighting, you should do it outside of the castle.”
“How the devil did they get in here?” Damien demanded, ignoring his quip.
“I’ll check on it,” Gawyn replied, but he looked toward the door for Justina.
“Go with them, Gawyn. Take two squadrons of soldiers and make sure they are off our lands. I’ll have Sir Robert talk to the outer wall guards.”
Gawyn turned to Damien, anxiety rippled through him. He didn’t want to leave Justina. “I have Justina and her brother at the castle.”
“Justina?” Damien echoed in confusion.
“The girl who lives on the outer lands. In Auch. The one Aurora said to take men and protect. I think Hogar has mistaken those lands for his.”
Damien cursed quietly. “Escort the Hungars. I’ll have someone else entertain them until you return.”
“Damien,” Gawyn warned. He knew how distracted Damien was with the Hungars. He knew a girl was not his top priority. He would forget about her.
“I’ll do it,” Aurora said softly. “I’ll find her, Gawyn. I’ll make sure she is taken care of.”
Gawyn nodded his gratitude. He knew Aurora would take care of Justina. “Thank you. Tell her I’ll see her when I come back.” He jogged after the retreating soldiers.
Damien scowled slightly, unsure what to make of his brother’s sudden interest in the simple girl. He glanced at Aurora.
“Are you all right?” she asked him, her fingers trailing reassuringly over his arm.
Damien frowned fiercely and glanced at the double doors the Hungars had left through. “They will not insult you.”
Aurora grinned. “I care not what they say. Their words are empty.”
Damien fumed silently. “I don’t like them looking at you.”
