The Crusader's Kiss by Claire Delacroix

Author:Claire Delacroix
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke
Published: 2016-01-31T05:00:00+00:00

Monday, January 18, 1188

Feast Day of Saint Volusian of Tours

Chapter Nine

Fergus dreamed.

He was chilled to his very marrow, curled up in his cloak as Yves took the watch, but he dreamed of Jerusalem. He recalled the heat of the sun, the dust, the flies, the smell of good horses, and manure. In his mind’s eye, he strolled into the stables of the Templars.

He found Bartholomew arguing with a young boy in the stall of Gaston’s destrier. He had seen the young boy in the stables before and knew him to be a Saracen as well as a friend of Bartholomew’s.

Fergus eavesdropped, for they were unaware of his presence. To his surprise, the young boy was in fact a girl, and one determined to leave Jerusalem.

Leila.

Fergus awakened suddenly with a strong sense of doom. His thoughts were so filled with his memories of the Templar stables that he was surprised to find himself in the forest in the snow. He could not smell straw or hear the horses, the swish of their tails and the sound of their hooves on the stone floor. He rolled over immediately and saw that Leila slept, wrapped tightly in her cloak. Why had she been so determined to leave? He was glad to see that she was safe this night, for that had been his first concern after the dream. His fellows were asleep, the horses dozing where they were tethered. The sky was pale, but the sun had not risen as yet. The forest was quiet, save for the call of birds.

Why had he dreamed of Jerusalem?

Or had he dreamed of Bartholomew?

A man newly knighted, with a strong moral code. A man they were to meet at the next new moon, in twelve days’ time.

A man who must be in peril, or soon to be so, just as Leila had been.

They had ridden far to the north of Haynesdale to evade Royce’s men and had intended to ride farther to ensure they were not detected. But Fergus’ dream was a warning.

They would ride back to Haynesdale this very day and hope that they arrived in time.

Or that his dream was wrong. Fergus could not shake the sense that much was amiss, though, and knew he would sleep no longer this night.

He rose and began to pack his belongings.

* * *

Anna awakened to darkness and the sound of a dog snoring.

For a moment, she was startled that she could see so little, but then she recalled where she was. The cavern was dark, and Bartholomew was curled behind her, one arm cast around her waist. The dog was at their feet.

Bartholomew’s breathing was steady and his body cast a welcome heat. It was not unpleasant to be caught in such an embrace. Anna lay in the darkness and thought of all she knew of this man, this knight who challenged her expectations so much. She did not believe for a moment that he had declined his friend’s offer of a place in his household with no clear plan of where to find his fortune.

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