Page 81 of Highland Flame

Chapter Twenty-Two

Yvaine watched with wide eyes, not able to believe that after all these years, Cam had finally come face to face with his true father. Could it be real? Emotions surged through her, as she felt excited, yet frightened for Cam at the same time. If Lord Clifton truly was Cam’s father, it could mean a happy reunion. However, if the man didn’t want to acknowledge him, he could end up causing a lot of trouble for Cam. If he wanted to, Lord Clifton could get Cam imprisoned for making such an accusation of a nobleman.

“Oh, Cam, I hope ye ken what ye’re doin’,” she said to herself, feeling her heart beating against her ribs. She waited for the worst to happen, but thankfully the tides finally turned in Cam’s favor.

“All right,” said the border lord with a slight nod of his head. “I will talk with you, but it must be in private.” He dismounted his horse, handing the reins to one of the monks.

“We can use the charter house to talk if you’d like, my lord,” offered Brother Gillies, ready and eager to lead the way. The man obviously meant to be included.

“I said I want this to be a private conversation,” he replied, getting a scowl from Gillies.

“I have just the place,” Cam told him. “However, I’d like Yvaine to be present when we speak, if ye dinna mind. She is soon to be my wife, and I’d like to include her.”

“If that’s what you wish, then so be it,” he answered. “Where are we going?”

“It’s this way,” Cam told him, taking Yvaine’s arm and leading the border lord to the catacombs.

“You’re taking me to the catacombs?” asked the man in surprise, stopping before they entered. “That is an odd place to go. Mayhap we should stay in the open.” Yvaine saw his hand waver above his sword.

“I assure ye, there will be no trouble,” Cam promised. “We’re only passin’ through the catacombs to get to a secret room. Ye’ll soon see. Gavin, I’d like ye to keep everyone, especially Brathair Gillies, far away.”

“Aye,” said Gavin, understanding that Cam didn’t want the monk listening through the vents again.

“I want my guards stationed outside as well,” said Robert, not trusting Cam.

“If it’ll make ye feel better, I’ll leave my weapons, but yer guards will no’ enter the catacombs, my lord.”

“Your man must leave his sword behind as well,” said the border lord, nodding at Gavin.

“He will,” said Cam, getting a grumble of protest from Gavin. Cam threw down his weapons one by one, then nodded to Gavin who did the same. It finally seemed to satisfy the English lord so they continued.

Cam lit a torch and led the way through the underground mazes. When they got to the secret room and Cam pulled the lever causing the stone door to slide open, the border lord chuckled in delight.

“I am impressed,” he said in amusement, entering the room right behind them.

After lighting a few candles, Cam handed the torch to Gavin who was standing just outside the room. Then he pulled the lever, closing them privately inside.

“This is some room.” Robert’s eyes roamed from floor to ceiling and then back again. “It looks more like the space of a noble, then belonging in a priory filled with monks.”

“It once belonged to the king’s bastard, Lord Rook,” Yvaine told him.

“The Demon Thief?” The man’s brows raised.

“Yes, he’s the one. Would ye care to take a seat?” Cam offered him a chair at the table.

“All right.” The man unsheathed his sword, and out of the corners of her eyes, Yvaine saw Cam’s hand reaching for his sword that was no longer there.

“Ye can place yer sword on the table with the chess game, my lord,” she said, reaching back and stilling Cam’s hand.

“So, this must be one of the famous chess games that the bastard triplets played while plotting to kill their father.” Robert placed his sword on the table and then sat down, picking up a chess piece to examine it.

“It is my understandin’ that the Legendary Bastard Triplets of the king were stealin’ from him, but werena tryin’ to kill him,” said Cam. Then he added under his breath, “Although, I wouldna have blamed them for wantin’ him dead.”

“That sounds like malice in your voice,” said the border lord. “Am I the only one to sit?” He nodded to the chair.

“Sit down across from him, Cam,” Yvaine told him. “I’ll use the bed.”

Once they were all settled, the conversation continued.