Crown of Thorns by Terri E. Laine

Author:Terri E. Laine [Laine, Terri E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub

Eleven

Words weren’t enough to express what I was feeling. My stare jumped between him and her. “Why did you bring her here?”

Specifically, into a room that had been designated as mine. I didn’t say that as my mind raced to the conclusion he was done with me. Perhaps he would discard me in favor of her or, worse, he’d give me up to those who hunted me.

“Her carriage was attacked by raiders. All with her had been killed and she was missing. I had no choice but to find her and ensure her safety.”

“Oh,” I said, feeling bad that I’d been worried about me when she’d done nothing to deserve what was happening. “How did you find her?”

“Eaon is an experienced tracker. We caught up to the raiders.” He collapsed on the seat in front of my bed, head bowed, leaning forward with his bloody hands clasped.

That was when I noticed that his shirt was torn in places and stained with blood.

“In time?” I asked, fighting a desire to go to him and clean his wounds. I had none of the modern things to do such. Not even running water. So I stayed put.

He met my gaze with an anguish that spoke of the guilt he felt. “In time to save her virtue?” I gave a sharp nod. “I fear she’s the only one who can answer that. I should have sent guards to escort her back to her father along with the letter that I couldn’t marry her. She was my responsibility.”

I recalled him mentioning that on my arrival that he’d sent word to send her back home. Giving in to the need to soften his pain, I sat next to him and took his hands in mine. Electric sparks licked up my skin, and I gave him an apologetic stare for more than one reason. “It’s not your fault,” I soothed.

Abruptly, he stood. “Isn’t it?” Free from my hold, he walked toward the wall where at some point in the future a bathroom would be constructed. Instead, he stood in front of the hearth, where a fire raged like the one just underneath my skin.

“No. It’s mine.” I felt with all my being what I’d wrought by setting foot beyond my time.

He spun to face me. “Ye knew not of the woman I was meant to wed.”

“Maybe not. But I was the distraction that took you away from duty.”

“Duty,” he spat. “A poor king I would make if I’d let a bonnie lass come between me and duty.”

I’d heard the term “bonnie lass” before and couldn’t stop myself from asking, “You think I’m pretty?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

I stood. “Nothing with you is—”

Our conversation was cut off when Rebecca moaned, reminding us she was there. “Duncan,” she said, as her eyes fluttered open.

“Yes, lass.”

Stupid jealousy burned in my gut as he called her that, even though I’d once told him not to call me that very term.

Her eyes drifted up to where I stood. She scrambled to sit up. “Who is she?”

Duncan closed his eyes as he scrubbed a hand over his face.

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