“You be careful. I know this cave.” She jumped into the long boat and moved to the rear. “My mother brought me here many times. There’s nothing to fear.”
“Why would she bring you here? To make sure no one had stolen the treasure?”
“No, she wanted me to play with it.”
Adwen frowned in puzzlement. “Why?”
“So that I would place no special value upon it. It was a toy, a pretty toy, but when it became overfamiliar, it meant nothing to me. I was a healer and she wanted to make certain that nothing would ever blind me to that truth.”
“She sounds like a very wise woman,” Malik said as he picked up the oar, dipped it into the water, and guided the boat away from the mooring.
“Yes, she was very wise.” But that wisdom had not prevented her from giving her love to a man who was not as wise. Nor from risking her life for a child she had barely known. “About some things.” She looked at Gage in the front of the boat, rowing strongly, cleanly. Her own heart was no wiser than her mother’s. Last night she might have killed for this man; today she was giving him her heritage.
She had forgotten how eerie and mystical this journey was through the grotto. The boat glided almost silently on dark green waters, encountered a brilliant pool of sunlight that lit the shadow figures in the boat with blinding clarity, and then slid back into darkness again. It was like journeying through life or perhaps … eternity, she thought dreamily.
“How far, Brynn?” Gage asked.
She roused herself and looked around. “Just around the next curve. You’ll find the ledge widens and there’s a mooring.…”
She was the last to leave the boat after it was tied to the mooring. She supposed she had been as eager as they the first time her mother had brought her to see the treasure. The toy was old now. “There’s a break in the wall of the cave.” She gestured. “You’ll find the treasure there.”
She heard Adwen’s excited exclamation before she entered the alcove.
Gage was standing frozen, his gaze on the dozens of chests overflowing with pearls and jewels. “My God.” Then he murmured, “I should have bargained for more packhorses.”
“You can always make two trips.”
“Pretty …” Adwen reached out and touched a golden plate.
Brynn felt a surge of warmth as she saw Adwen’s expression. No greed. Just the same awe Brynn had known as a child when confronted with all this beauty. Adwen had been a wife before her childhood had really ended. She had never been permitted the joys other children knew.
Brynn sat down on the ground beside a chest in the corner. “I like this one, Adwen.” She pulled out a long gold chain with square red jewels. “I always played with this necklace when my mother brought me here.”
Adwen sat down beside her. “Rubies?”
Brynn slipped the necklace over Adwen’s head. “I don’t know. They’re very large. Does it matter?”
Adwen shook her head as she reached into the chest and pulled out another gold rope laced with amethysts and pearls. “This would be pretty on you.” She placed it around Brynn’s neck and tilted her head appraisingly. “Perhaps not. The pearls are too pale for you—” She got on her knees and started rummaging through the chest. “Emeralds!” She held up a necklace in triumph. “Green. I always think of you when I see trees and grass.…”
“So do I,” Gage said. Brynn glanced at him, expecting to see impatience. He shook his head indulgently. “Toys.”
Malik moved toward the small chest nearest the door. “This one first?”
Gage glanced at the chest. “Why not?” He turned and moved across the chamber.
“Do you wish us to help you?” Brynn asked.
Gage shook his head. “Well go faster alone. There will be more room in the boat. You stay and play.”
She immediately turned back to the chest. “There’s a diadem with lovely blue stones somewhere in here, Adwen. I used to pretend I was queen of the fairies and I’d plucked a piece of the sky to make my crown.…”
“We’re ready to go,” Gage said. “If you can tear yourself away.”
“But you’ve taken barely a fourth of all that’s here.” Brynn said as she stood up. “Don’t you want any more?”
Gage smiled. “You should know better. I want it all. It’s my nature.”
“Then why?”
“It’s all the pack animals can carry.” He helped Adwen to her feet. “And, as you promised, enough to buy a kingdom if I choose. Even I should be satisfied.” He added, “Temporarily. As you said, we can always come back.”
“Yes.” Brynn took off the diadem and carelessly threw it into the chest.
“Don’t you want to take it?” Gage asked.
Brynn shook her head. “Why? I’m done with it.”
“Are you?”
He was smiling so curiously that Brynn asked, “What are you thinking?”
“That your mother succeeded admirably.” He turned to Adwen. “And you? Do you wish anything?”
“Not among these. They’re Brynn’s.” Adwen moved toward the boat. “But I’ll accept the gift of the small share Brynn says you’ve offered me. I’m not fool enough to think I can make my way penniless and alone in this world.”
“While Brynn believes she doesn’t need anybody or anything,” Gage murmured as he helped Adwen and then Brynn into the boat. “How refreshing to encounter a touch of reality in this place.”
Brynn could have told him she knew she needed him and that she had been deluged by reality since the moment she had set foot on Gwynthal. She had been thrown into constant confusion and heartache, but now it was almost over. Gage had his treasure. What did she have?
She had Gwynthal, of course. She had the prize she had yearned to possess since she had been torn away from the island as a child.
But if she took Gwynthal, she could not have Gage. He would never stay on Gwynthal. The thought brought a wave of pain so intense, she instinctively blocked it. She did not have to think of decisions or leavetakings now. She still had time.
“I suppose you know these poor old beasts won’t be able to make it back to the boats, Gage,” Malik said as they came out of the cave into the sunlight a short time later. “Even if we go slowly, the burden is too great.”
“Then we’ll stay at the castle and you can go back and bring LeFont and the rest to help.” Gage lifted Brynn to the saddle. “And you can try your powers of persuasion on those kindly villagers to make them yield us a fine, strong wagon.”
Malik snorted. “I do not think that likely.” He shot a sly glance at Adwen. “I have noted of late that my powers of persuasion have not been the greatest.”
“I have noted that too,” she said calmly. “But then, some people respond more to vain boasts and blustering than others.”
Brynn barely heard them. Her eyes were fixed on the forest through which they must pass to reach the castle. “How slowly do we have to go? It took us nearly two days to reach here.”
“Another day perhaps,” Gage said. “If we start now, before sunset.”
“Then let’s go.” Brynn kicked her horse into a trot. Three days to reach the castle, three days to reach safety. Once they reached Hevald’s stronghold, all would be well. When LeFont arrived, Gage would be surrounded by his soldiers. Surely no harm could come to him then.
Not once they reached the castle.
They were a day’s journey from the castle when Brynn again felt the eyes upon her.
She was standing by a narrow brook, watering the mare, when suddenly, out of nowhere, she knew he was there.
But who was there? she wondered in frustration. Was Selbar stalking her again? Or was the enemy more deadly?
She lifted her head, trying desperately to see through the thick foliage.
“It’s time to go, Brynn,” Adwen said. She arched her back, trying to stretch the cramped muscles. “I’ll be glad to get to the castle. I believe this slow pace is more tiring than one that’s speedier, don’t you?
”
“What?” she asked abstractedly. It might be Selbar. It had been near there when she had first sensed him stalking her. “Oh, yes, I grow very impatient. I want to be there.”
And have Gage safe behind high walls, she thought desperately.
They were only a few hours from the castle when they stopped again to water the animals.
“Can’t we go on?” Brynn asked. “We’re so close.”
“Not if we want these donkeys to survive.” Gage loosened the packs on one of the animal’s backs. “They need the rest as well as the water.”
But he was there, watching them, as he had been all afternoon.
She edged closer to Gage. He was frowning, saying something in a low tone to Malik.
Malik shrugged and then nodded.
Gage turned to Brynn and thrust the stallion’s reins into her hand. “Will you water my horse? I want to check the saddlebag on that donkey.” He strode toward the donkey that was standing a few yards away.
Brynn watched him start to shift the saddlebag before leading the stallion toward the stream where Malik was standing with Adwen.
Malik turned to her with a smile. “Almost there. You will have to promise to care for Adwen tonight after I leave you at the castle. She assures me she has no fear of cockroaches, but I do not believe her.”
“You’re going to start off tonight to get LeFont?” Brynn asked. “Why not wait for daylight?”
“Gage is impatient.” Malik raised his brows. “Which I am sure you know full well.” He stepped in back of her and placed his hand on the stallion’s saddle. “He wants to be—”
Had she heard something in the bushes? She whirled around and stood on tiptoe to look over Malik’s shoulder.
Gage was gone!
Brynn dropped the stallion’s reins and pushed Malik aside. “Gage!”
“Easy.” Malik put his hand on her arm. “He will be back soon.”
“Where did he go?”
“He went after the wolf. He caught a glimpse of him in the underbrush two hours ago.”
Relief surged through her. Not Richard after all. “He actually saw Selbar?”
Malik nodded. “And you did also, didn’t you? Gage noticed how disturbed you were.” He grimaced. “We all saw how upset you’ve been today. It would have been difficult not to be aware of it. He told me to keep you busy while he got rid of the wolf. He didn’t want you to try to go after him again tonight yourself after we slept.”
Fear tore through her. “What do you mean, get rid of him?”
“Not kill him,” Malik said quickly. “He merely wanted to frighten him away.”
But what if Selbar attacked Gage? One of them would die. “He shouldn’t have done it. In what direction was he going?”
Malik shook his head. “I will not tell you. Gage wants no interference in this.”
“He won’t hurt the wolf, Brynn,” Adwen said. “Trust him.”
“And shall I trust Selbar too?” Brynn asked. She pushed Malik aside and ran toward the shrubbery beside the donkey, where she had last glimpsed Gage. The branches whipped her arms and body as she pushed aside the underbrush. It had been only a few moments; he couldn’t have gone far.
But Selbar might have been waiting for—
Pain!
She staggered and would have fallen as agony overwhelmed her. She opened her mouth in a silent scream.
Gage!
Selbar, no, no, no …
Wrong direction. She was going in the wrong direction. The pain was over there. No, it was everywhere.
Blind. Dark.
She stumbled … somewhere, following instinct alone.
Pain again!
She bent double … her back.
No, Gage’s back … Gage’s pain!
Ahead … just ahead.
“Well, how delightful. You’ve come to me. I was afraid I’d have to lure you into my web,” Lord Richard said.
Gage lay crumpled at his feet, a dagger in his back.
Not Selbar. Richard …
Gage hurt, Gage dying … Blood flowing on the leaves.
Richard reached down and pulled the dagger out of Gage’s body.
Blinding agony shot through her. It was a moment before she could hear what Richard was saying.
“In truth I didn’t expect to dispose of the Norman so easily. He was so intent on stalking some game of his own that he didn’t hear me slip up behind him.” He bent and wiped the dagger on the grass. “But he was a strong brute. I had to stab him twice, and I don’t think he’s dead yet.”
Not yet. But close, so close.
“Don’t you want to help him?” Richard asked softly. “I doubt if you can heal him, but you could try.” He crooked his finger to motion her nearer. “Come heal him, Brynn.”
If she came closer, he would kill her. If she didn’t come closer, Gage would surely die.
Malik. Malik would almost certainly have followed her. If she could keep Richard at bay for only a little while …
She started slowly toward Gage. I’m coming. Don’t die, please don’t die.… “You followed us from Selkirk?”
“Of course. We landed after dark the same day you arrived.”
Oh, God, he was bleeding, the blood trickling …
Malik, where are you?
“I didn’t know you were behind us,” she said dully.
“I kept a good distance between us. I chose to track rather than follow you. One man alone stands little chance against two warriors like Dumont and the Saracen.”
“You couldn’t get your vassals to come with you?”
He shook his head. “They were afraid. Fools. They couldn’t see that the future held nothing under William.”
Gage was scarcely breathing. Had the dagger struck his lungs? “Take the treasure and leave us alone. We don’t want it.”
“You may not want it, but I’d wager the Saracen is a different matter. I think he’d object strenuously to losing such a prize.” He glanced down at Gage. “And he values the Norman. When he finds out I’ve killed him, I’d have to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life. No, my plan is best. Wait, pick you off one at a time, and then I’ll have no problems.”
“What makes you think Malik won’t go after you at once?”
“If he does, then I’ll have him.” He smiled. “We both know what a fine hunter I am.”
“You’d kill Adwen too?”
“Adwen bears me no love these days. I need no witnesses to damage me in the sight of William and his court when I take my place among them. Yes, she will have to go too.” A peevish frown marred his handsome face. “You’re moving very slowly. Are you seeking to trick me?”
“No!”
“I think you are.” His hand tightened on the knife hilt. “Should I pierce the Norman again?”
Panic soared through her. “Why? You said you’d struck a fatal blow.”
“But he’s not dead yet. Or perhaps he is. Come and see.”
He was growing impatient. She could not wait for Malik. She would have to deal with him herself. “I’m coming.”
“Not fast enough.” He stooped over Gage, dagger lifted.
“Wait!” She ran the last few yards and fell to her knees beside Gage.
“Better.” Richard straightened and looked down at her. “This is how I’ve always wanted you. On your knees before me. It’s a pity I won’t be able to take the time to enjoy it.”
When he brought down the knife, he would be off balance for an instant. Her only chance was to lunge upward and strike him in the stomach with her head. Perhaps if she knocked the breath out of him she would have a chance to grab the dagger. Sweet Mary, a struggle would take time, and Gage had so little time. She glared up at him. “What are you waiting for? Do it!”
“What sacrifice. How unfortunate the Norman will never know how devoted you were to him.” His grip changed on the dagger as he prepared for the thrust.
She murmured a prayer and braced herself to spring.
The dagger rose. “I’m glad you’re looking at me. Stabbing the Norman in the back was most unsatisfactory. It wasn’t as if—”
He screamed and fell forward!
Malik?
Gray fur, yellow eyes, white teeth, sunk into the back of Richard’s neck. Selbar!
“God!” Richard was cursing, the knife in his hand flailing wildly as he sought a target.
But Selbar was behind him, snarling, shaking him by the neck as if he were a rabbit.
Then the wolf released him for a moment and Richard rolled over, faced him, and lashed out with the dagger.
Brynn acted instinctively, lunging forward and deflecting the blade to one side.
“Bitch!” Richard’s hand lashed out, knocking her to the ground.
A snarl, a streak of gray and white leaping over her.
Richard’s scream became a gurgle as Selbar’s teeth tore out his throat.
Brynn watched in sick horror as the wolf brought him down to the ground.
Blood. Agony. Death. Over almost before it had begun. Selbar backed away from Richard’s body and then whirled on her.
Wild eyes, bloody mouth, bared teeth.
Then he was gone, loping into the forest.
She shook her head dazedly. Everything had happened so fast that it was difficult to comprehend.
But she could comprehend the fact that Richard was lying dead. Had it come too late for Gage?
No, there was still life.
She crawled the few feet separating her from Gage and cradled him in her arms. “I’m here. I’m here, Gage.” She rocked him back and forth in an agony of tenderness, her hands searching for the wounds on his back.
Two, very close together. Very deep.
“You can’t leave me. Do you hear me? You have to stay.”
“Brynn?” She looked up to see Malik at her side, breathing hard, looking down at her. “How bad?”
“Bad.” The tears were running down her face. “He’s dying, Malik.”
He went pale, but his stricken expression lasted only an instant. “Then you will have to stop it. Just as you did for me.”
“I may not—it’s different.”
“How?”
“I cannot stand apart. I feel his hurt. It’s like being wounded myself,” she whispered. “It’s never been like this before. I don’t know if I can control it.”