Stronghold by Nicki Bennett & Ariel Tachna

Author:Nicki Bennett & Ariel Tachna [Tachna, Nicki Bennett and Ariel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-63477-467-3
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2016-11-28T05:00:00+00:00

TEODORO REINED in his horse when the first glimpse of the castle of Saint-Rémy de Provence became visible through the trees. The white stone battlements topping the hill, around which the houses of the village were clustered, took on a reddish tinge in the light of the setting sun. While some might have taken that as an ill omen, Teodoro was not one to give credence to superstition. Still, he would feel far more comfortable when they had recovered Raúl from the comte’s dubious protection. Raúl would be the first to protest the need for protection at all, Teodoro thought wryly, but there were few he would trust more than the men at his side.

“So what are we doing now that we’re here?” Perrin asked. “You’re even more closemouthed than usual. I’m up for whatever it is, but I’d like to know what hornet’s nest we’re about to stir up. We are about to stir one up, aren’t we?”

“As long as the comte allows Raúl to return with us, we shall merely have enjoyed a pleasant afternoon’s ride in the countryside,” Teodoro answered.

“What fun is that?” Perrin asked, his expression petulant. “We’re stuck at court with nothing to pass the time, and then one bit of excitement comes along and you won’t even let me enjoy it?”

“Have you forgotten M. de Tréville’s reaction to the last bit of ‘excitement’ you and Léandre got up to?” Aristide asked, his voice stern, though the corners of his lips twitched.

“That was two months ago,” Perrin said. “He’s forgotten about that by now.”

“I’d prefer not to bring it back to his attention,” Léandre interjected. “Let’s go talk to this comte and get this over with. All this riding has worked up my appetite.”

“You can tell us the tale once Raúl is back with us.” Teodoro nudged his horse forward, the musketeers following until they reached the outer wall encircling the village. A set of heavy wooden gates barred their way where the road met the walls.

Aristide glanced at Teodoro, frowning. “The village gates would usually stand open, unless they needed to keep attackers out.”

“Or to keep someone inside,” Teodoro answered, moving a hand to his sword hilt.

“Is there more to this than you’ve told us?” Léandre asked. “Not that I doubt your word, but this seems somewhat of an overreaction to the presence of one gypsy. Whether they desire to keep him in or out, he is still only one man.”

“There is one way to learn the answer to that.” Teodoro dismounted and strode to the gates, then pounded a fist against the weathered wood.

“Who is there?” a guard shouted from inside the gate. “Saint-Rémy is under quarantine. No one is allowed entrance unless you accept those strictures.”

“Open in the name of the king’s musketeers,” Perrin shouted back. “Would you have us tell His Majesty you denied us passage?

“Passage to where?” the guard retorted. “We are not a large city. Simply go around and be on your way.”

“We have business with the comte,” Teodoro answered, already growing frustrated.

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