The Iron Warrior Returns by Michelle Willingham

Author:Michelle Willingham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-01-28T13:28:16+00:00

* * *

Robert awakened to the piercing light of morning. He shielded his eyes and noticed that someone had bound up his left arm. His head still throbbed, but he was alive. He had no memory of how he’d escaped Penrith. Behind him, he heard footsteps, and he turned around to see his half-brother.

‘You’re awake, I see.’ Piers reached for a crust of bread and tossed it to him.

Robert stared at the man in disbelief. Of all the people in his life, he’d never imagined Piers would save his life. His brother could easily have allowed him to die and later claimed Penrith. It was sobering, knowing that he owed everything to Piers.

‘I thought you might be in trouble when I saw the soldiers searching.’ Piers crouched down to look at him.

‘Why did you save me?’ Robert couldn’t imagine any reason why his brother would help him.

‘I probably should have let you bleed to death,’ Piers admitted. ‘But then I thought it might bring me an advantage later. You owe me a favour, Robert. And one day I’ll collect on it.’

Now that ruthless tone sounded more like his brother. He struggled to sit up from the pallet. Piers had bound up his arm with linen, and when Robert reached up to his forehead, he felt another bandage there.

There was a fire nearby, and it seemed as if they were inside a cave of sorts. He didn’t recognise this place. His stomach roared with hunger, and he reached for the bread Piers had given him.

Memories started to return. Mostly the memory of pain and exhaustion. He vaguely recalled Piers hauling him on horseback, travelling through the night until he’d passed out from the agony.

Robert ate the bread, and his brother held out a flask. He drank, not realising how thirsty he was until he’d drained the ale. ‘Where are we?’

‘Not far from Colford. I didn’t take you there at first because they were searching near the abbey. I think you’ve healed enough to go now.’

Though his left arm still ached with a fierce pain, the crushing pain from his head had improved. ‘How long have we been here?’

‘We’ve been in this cave for two days,’ his brother answered. ‘But it’s been five days since I found you.’

He gaped at Piers in shock. ‘What do you mean? How could it be a sennight?’ Had he been that weak that he’d lost all track of time?

‘We had to keep moving to different places. Lady Gwendoline helped us escape her father.’ His brother explained how the lady had been kept prisoner in her room during Morwenna’s questioning, which explained why she’d done nothing to help.

Robert didn’t miss the tone of his brother’s voice when he spoke of the lady. He’d been defensive, as if trying to protect Gwendoline.

‘What about Morwenna and Brian?’ Robert asked. ‘What happened to them?’ The need to ensure their safety overshadowed all else.

‘Morwenna is already at Colford Abbey,’ Piers said. ‘I’ll take you to her. I saw Brian travelling south with some of the monks.

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