My Enemy, My Love--World of de Wolfe Pack by Ruth Kaufman

Author:Ruth Kaufman [Kaufman, Ruth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kindle Worlds
Published: 2016-09-04T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

After Apollo dressed the next morning, Jehanne brought her a plain but clean brown gown of coarse wool. She appreciated that this garment lacked an odor, but still missed her own. She yearned for anything familiar and thus comforting as she added the cloak and a fur pelt. Missing her belongings seemed silly in light of all of her serious problems, but needing to borrow everything, even a chemise, made her feel even more the helpless outsider.

The uncertainty of not knowing where she’d live burrowed deep. Would she ever feel at home again? Despite the thick clothing, she remained chilled to the bone.

Should she watch the day’s events unfold? What would she see from the French vantage point? She owed it to herself, her family and her people to serve as witness. Any pain would be preferable to not knowing and would make her feel she made some, albeit small, contribution. Not hiding away, but facing the brutal truth head on.

The king appeared at Apollo’s door in full battle attire, from his chainmail shirt covered by a blue tabard to his silver helm. Her heart beat faster and her hands clenched. She wouldn’t quail, though his determined expression didn’t bode well for her family. When would she be free of him?

After she and Apollo rose from their bows, Philip said, “I’ve been praying for God to smile on us in victory. My men say they’re ready to set fire to the wood frame they built in the tunnel, and our tower is ready. If they’ve done their jobs, the walls should fall today. Before We proceed, We wish to be merciful by giving the English one final chance to accede.

“The remaining useless mouths are on their own. I’ve done all I can.”

“My thanks,” Aline whispered, her heart full. Were they strong enough to survive? Would they resume peaceful lives? At least they weren’t trapped.

The king continued, “I shall take advantage of your presence in our camp, Lady Aline, by offering your father an exchange: you, in return for him handing the chateau over to Me without a fight. If he agrees, no one will die today. I’ll need you to come with my herald so your father can see you.”

Panic and gratitude flooded her, the force of the odd mix making her stomach churn and throat tighten. “Sire, that is most kind.”

Perhaps she could contribute to saving lives after all. Her hopes and worries were for naught, because her father probably wouldn’t make the exchange. King Philip knew her father hadn’t allowed her to return. Was he playing some sort of game with her as bait? Should she speak up and show loyalty to the liege lord of the man who’d given her succor? Did the king believe that, with the stakes so high, her father would finally agree to surrender, or did he merely hope to prove he was merciful when her father was not?

Had conditions for her father and his men worsened since she’d last seen him…were

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