Splendor and Darkness by Cyndi Friberg

Author:Cyndi Friberg [Friberg, Cyndi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Anything-but-Ordinary Books
Published: 2012-11-03T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Daniel stood in the corner of the solar, unseen by the three humans. Young Will battled an imaginary enemy with a wooden sword. Anna sat on a low stool in front of Judith while her mother worked the tangles from Anna’s long auburn hair.

“That hurts!” The girl squirmed and twisted her head to the side.

“This is why I ask you to leave your hair braided.”

Anna fell silent, her head slightly bowed. “Is he going to watch us all day?”

“Is who going to watch us?” Judith glanced around the solar then returned her attention to her task.

“The man in the corner.”

“There’s nobody there, you dunderhead.” Will swung his sword in a skillful arch, followed by three quick jabs. Someone had obviously been tutoring the boy. “Why don’t you punish her for making up lies?”

“Will, see if you can find Hamill, but do not leave the castle compound.”

“If I tried to cross the river, wouldn’t one of Anna’s angels swoop down out of the sky and carry me back?”

Anna launched herself at her brother. Judith caught her around the middle, ignoring her flailing limbs. “Go!” Will stuck out his tongue and fled, slamming the solar door on his way out.

Daniel solidified and strode toward the struggling females. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to—”

“Spy on us?” Judith spun to face him, her daughter still clutched in her arms.

“Frighten the children.”

She set Anna on her feet and the girl circled Daniel with obvious curiosity. “Does she seem frightened to you?” The little mite studied him from every angle, her thick-lashed green eyes filled with wonder.

“Where are your wings?”

His gaze flew toward Judith then returned to her daughter. “What makes you think I have wings?”

“Don’t all angels have wings?”

“I’m not an angel.” He bent to one knee, bringing his face closer to her eye level. “Have you really seen angels in the sky above the castle?”

Anna looked at her mother, uncertainty clouding her gaze. She reached out and poked him in the chest. “You’re not a ghost. So what are you?”

“Anna, go lie down. I’ll come tuck you in after I’ve spoken with Daniel.”

“But the bells didn’t ring yet. I don’t lie down until the bells ring.”

“Perhaps Father Roland forgot to ring the bells. Do as I say and do it now.”

With a lingering look at Daniel, the child nodded and disappeared into an adjoining room.

“Is she always so composed?”

Judith fiddled with the skirt of her cotehardie. She’d removed the sweeping houpeland with its elaborate, trailing sleeves as well as her headdress. The simple garment molded to her curvaceous form. Daniel had no objection to her choice.

“How dare you invade my privacy? You have no right to—”

“I promised I would protect you.” He took a step forward. She held her ground but discouraged his advance with a glare. “I had no idea Anna would be able to see me in my angelic form.”

“There is nothing about you that is angelic.”

He grinned.

“What do you want?” She cocked one eyebrow, keeping her voice even and low.

“Let’s

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