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“I have been at your side, and you heard every word I uttered.”

He shook her, and the world began to spin. “If I discover that you have deceived me—”

His threat was interrupted by the arrival of Dai leading a black stallion. “Your mount, my lord,” he said.

Chapter 35

The stable door was ajar. Leif pressed his ear to the gap, straining to hear what was happening within over the blowing rain without.

“Make haste, boy.”

Cadwgan’s shout identified him immediately. The nobleman was clearly agitated. It was hardly surprising. He had no way of knowing how quickly those trapped in the great hall would be rescued. Leif smothered his relief that he and Knud had reached the stables in time, with the sobering realization that an unnerved villain was the worst kind of villain. Particularly when a hostage was involved.

“Do you hear them?” Knud was at his elbow.

“Aye. It appears that they are readying the horses.”

“Our ability to apprehend Cadwgan diminishes considerably once he is in the saddle,” Knud warned.

Leif needed no reminder. Even if Hywel alerted the guards in time, it was unlikely that any of them would be mounted. All the horses were in the stables. “We are going in,” he said.

“Do you have a plan?”

“Not yet, but once we enter, neither will Cadwgan.”

Knud groaned. “If you could muster one before he does, I would be most grateful.”

“I will bear that in mind,” Leif said, slipping his fingers around the door and easing it open enough to admit him.

A candle on a nearby shelf illuminated a small circle. Cadwgan stood within its light, his hand on Rhiannon’s arm. They both had their backs to the door, watching as a young boy finished cinching a saddle to a pale-colored mare. Behind the mare, the older groom Leif had seen the first time he’d visited the castle and at the river stood holding the reins of a tall black stallion.

The mare nickered, tossing her head in protest as the stableboy threaded the bit into her mouth.

“Steady, girl,” the boy said.

A draft swirled around Leif’s wet ankles, and he knew Knud had followed him in. The stallion’s nostrils twitched, and he skittered nervously. High strung, Leif noted. And already aware that he and Knud were in the shadows. The older groom placed a calming hand on the horse’s neck and shifted to his right, turning his head so that he could better see the door. Leif was impressed. The old man understood horses far better than the stableboy or the rider.

“She’s ready.” The stableboy stepped away from the mare. “Will you be wantin’ the mountin’ block, miss?”

“There’s no need for that, lad,” the older groom said. Was he purposely speaking so loudly that he might be heard from the doorway? “I can assist Miss Rhiannon. We have known each other many years.”

Leif’s thoughts reeled. Many years? Had this groom worked at Rhiannon’s former home? Had he been there when the Vikings had attacked? Certainty that the old man had witnessed that tragic event sank into Leif’s heart. And with it came two more alarming realizations: first, if they were old friends, this was undoubtedly the groom who had given Rhiannon the information about Cadwgan’s men. Second, if he were to discover who Leif and Knud were, he would as likely kill them as aid them.

He glanced at Rhiannon. Was it his imagination, or was she swaying?

“I . . . I . . . would be g . . . glad of your aid, Dai.”

At her weak whisper, the groom stepped toward her, and Leif reached for his knife.

“I think not.” Cadwgan raised his hand, and the candlelight caught the sheen of his blade. “Indeed, we have no further need of you whatsoever, old man.”

“No!” Rhiannon cried, throwing her weight against Cadwgan.

Leif bolted across the short distance between them. He heard Knud’s pounding feet behind him, but he did not look back.

“Over here, Cadwgan,” Leif shouted. “Or do you aim to attack only those who are unarmed?”

Cadwgan pivoted, swinging his knife in a wide arc as he moved. Leif leaped back, and Cadwgan shoved Rhiannon aside to lunge at Leif. “I should have killed you the first time, Viking,” he roared.