by Leigh Bale
“My lady?” Jenkin called in a pleading tone.
She looked at her trusted friend, her body tense, her mind resolved to what must be done. “Jenkin, he saved my life twice when it would have served him better to let me die. He has seen to my welfare and I’m unharmed. The plan hasn’t changed. Please don’t fight me on this.”
Jenkin sighed deeply and kept his silence. It was obvious from the disgusted expression on his face that he wasn’t happy about the situation.
Ariana licked her dry lips, fighting off the knots of tension in her stomach.
Wulfgar inclined his head. “What do you want from me?”
“Come.” She indicated he should follow as she moved away from their men.
The others appeared reluctant to let the two of them move off alone together. It was almost amusing the way they fought one another. If it weren’t so serious, Ariana would have laughed. They were like little children fighting over the attention of a choice playmate.
As Wulfgar followed her, Ariana lowered her dagger and sighed with resignation. If Wulfgar refused to do her bidding, she was in a dangerous predicament. Their men would fight. All her plans could be destroyed.
Her brother would die.
Ariana’s hands trembled as she stared out to sea. The fragrant heather surrounded her along with the tangy scent of brine. She breathed deep, cognizant of Wulfgar standing beside her, waiting, completely aware of her every movement.
“You have told me you value your freedom.” She began in a quiet voice, choosing her words carefully.
“Yes, more than anything.” He nodded his head, the wind lifting the long hair away from his shoulders.
“You were Lord of Glyndwr, once a great earl. You ruled with an iron fist along the English border. Before your fall from grace, your men and king respected you. It is said that you built Cynan Castle. You know every brick and every stone placed in its making. You took great care with its building so that other great men came to you for plans to construct their own castles.”
She waited for his acknowledgement, but he didn’t speak. His silence was unnerving. He still clutched the ancient spear, his broad shoulders looming before her, solid and strong. But now, as she spoke of his home, Ariana could see the sadness in his eyes and how it pained him to hear her speak of what had once been his. And she was sad for him. Sad for all that he had lost.
“How do you know so much about me when I know so little about you?” His voice was a monotone.
She shrugged, unable to meet his gaze. “I just know.”
He lifted his head higher as he looked down at her. “You planned to buy me at the auction before you had even met me. It wasn’t by chance.”
“Correct. I went there to purchase you.”
He looked perplexed. “Why?”
“I want you to tell me how to get inside Cynan Castle without being detected. In return, I’ll grant your freedom.”
For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, he inhaled deeply and let his breath out slowly. The light of understanding flickered in his eyes. “Your brother is inside Cynan.”
A statement, not a question.
“Yes.” Ariana nodded. It was imminent that he find out where Dafydd was being held, and by whom. All she wanted was to know how to get inside, then she wanted Wulfgar to disappear from her life.
Or did she? Somehow, the thought of never seeing him again brought a sinking of despair to her heart. A princess of Wales had no right to feel sentimental toward a convicted traitor. She wished Wulfgar no harm, but she mustn’t forget her priorities.
“Who holds your brother there?” he asked.
“Edwin of Carlinham is now Earl of Glyndwr. A loathsome man who murders my people without cause. They say the people of Glyndwr hate him for his cruelties as much as the Welsh.”
The color drained from Wulfgar’s face and he grit his teeth, so tight she saw a nerve ticking in his lean cheek. He clenched his hands and the muscles along his arms and chest tightened. Turning his head, he stared out to sea, his eyes filled with anger. As he let his breath out slowly, she was reminded of a charging bull. His fury was palpable.
“I thought you knew,” she said.
He glanced at her, his features so harsh she thought his face had been chiseled from stone. “No, I’ve been preoccupied lately. Until now, no one has told me who King William gave my holdings to or that Carlinham was abusing my people.”
“Do you know Edwin and what he’s capable of?”
His head dipped and his eyes narrowed. “I know Carlinham very well. One day, I will kill him.”
“Why? What has he done to you?”
When he spoke, his voice was a hoarse whisper. “More than I can say.”
A hollow laugh slipped from her throat. “Surely you knew your king would hand your earldom over to another Norman.”
“Aye, I knew.”
But not Edwin. Wulfgar didn’t need to say the words. Ariana could see it in his eyes. There was undoubtedly enmity between the two men, but that wasn’t Ariana’s concern. “Not that I blame you, but why do you hate Edwin so much?”
He looked through her, his gaze focused beyond her on the distant horizon. Hollow and cold. “It’s none of your concern, demoiselle.”
True. They both had their secrets. Unless it impacted Dafydd, it was none of her affair.
“Will you help me? Is there a secret passage into Cynan?” She tried to hide the urgency in her voice.
Wulfgar’s mouth quirked and he pinned her with his stare. He stepped closer, stopping a mere hand’s reach away. Ariana felt dwarfed by his size. His chest filled her view, rippling with strength. She looked up at his face and saw his fierce expression as he gazed into her eyes.
“A secret passage is not something that would be spoken of freely. Only two men know for certain if it exists. I’m one and the other is dead. But even in life, my brother would never have spoken of it to you. How did you come to hear of a passage?”
Ariana’s gaze wavered. He had her, now. How could she explain her certain knowledge? Although he had practically acknowledged there was indeed a passage, she wished not to give him her true identity. Amidst her uncertainty, her spirits soared. There was a way inside. Now, she just needed to make him tell her where the entrance was.
Chapter Six
The pulse of the tide upon the beach washed close to Ariana’s feet and she stepped back to evade the cold water. Her bare toes sank deep in the sand and she shivered as the wind embraced her. Squinting her eyes against the beating sun, she lifted her head and stared at Wulfgar. “I know there is a secret way inside Cynan. Tell me where it is.”
Tossing a glance over his shoulder at their waiting men, Wulfgar backed away from her and gave a deep laugh. “You’re wrong. There is no passage.”
Ariana’s temples pounded with frustration. Had she heard incorrectly all those years ago when she’d overheard Wulfgar’s private conversation with his younger brother? Could she be wrong? If there was no passage, she wouldn’t be able to sneak inside and free Dafydd. The boy was doomed.
Wulfgar had to be lying. But why?
“You’re lying,” she said.
He gave her a chilling smile. “Who are you, demoiselle? Why would Edwin of Carlinham want to hold your brother hostage?”
Ariana frowned. She wasn’t good at deception. It went against her belief in God. Her father and brothers had always known what she was up to. They’d said it showed on her face. They could see the truth in her eyes. “As you say, my family has some land and wealth.”
His eyes crinkled with thought. “Then pay the ransom and free the boy.”
The burn of tears made her blink and she bit her lip, hoping the pain would squelch her desire to give in to fear. “Unfortunately, the ransom is too high.”
He shook his head, his long hair brushing against his tanned shoulders. “What is the price?”
Me! She wanted to scream at him. Her heart squeezed and her stomach gave a sickening flutter. She would
gladly hand herself over to Edwin, but she wasn’t stupid. If Edwin had her, he would kill Dafydd anyway and subject her people to his tyranny. Though she loved Dafydd more than her own life, she was a princess and must put the wellbeing of her people above her own desires.
Tears burned her eyes. “Don’t you see? This isn’t just about freeing my brother. I’m fighting for the very life of my people. Edwin wants our land. He wants to control my people. He will stop at nothing to gain his desires.”
Anger boiled within her. How dare Wulfgar defy her? She shifted her feet, outraged by his arrogance. “You are my slave. You must tell me what I need to know.”
“I’ve answered your question. Except for the sally port, there is no secret entrance into Cynan. It doesn’t exist.” His shoulders were set stubbornly, his expression unreadable.
Was this the same man who had laughed with her over a nest of speckled eggs? Gone was the gentle man who’d saved her life. Standing before her now was a stubborn warlord. A Norman.
Her enemy.
Folding her arms, Ariana’s eyes narrowed. “If you refuse to tell me, you’ll never have your freedom.”
She didn’t mean it, but he mustn’t know that now.
He shrugged. “There are worse things than being a slave, but our men will fight. We all might die, and you’ll not be able to free your brother. What is to be gained by that?”
Ariana tightened her hands into fists, her nails biting into her palms. Her mind raced and she tried to calm the flutter of anxiety in her stomach. What he said was true. If they couldn’t reach an agreement, all would be lost. The Normans were fierce warriors, but so were the Welsh. It would achieve nothing to kill each other. Her brother would be dead and her people thrown into chaos.
Her only hope was Wulfgar.
“Do you have a conscience?” she asked.
“If you tell me who your father is, we’ll discuss the existence of a secret entrance.”
Her father’s name would be all too familiar and give him an advantage. So long as her men held Wulfgar, he couldn’t use the information to plot with Edwin against her. Having his outlaw Normans here posed a threat. What if they freed Wulfgar and he decided to conspire against her?
“How arrogant you are.” Fingering the hilt of her dagger, she took a step toward him.
“Have a care, cherie.” He inclined his head in the direction of their men. “If you attack me, our men will join in the fight. Blood will be shed. I don’t want you hurt.”
“How kind of you to consider my welfare,” she cried. “You plotted against your king and have no honor.”
His expression became grim, his eyes glittered dangerously. When he spoke, his voice sounded deep and low, like the rushing of many waters. “Hear me well, Ariana. I would lay down my life for my king. I’ve done nothing but fight for his cause. Never at any time did I plot against William. Don’t believe the lies you’ve heard. They are all false.”
“You deny it?” Did he really expect her to believe him?
“I do. I’m innocent and I intend to prove it. I will find justice. The ones responsible for my misfortune will pay for their crimes. I will be avenged.”
Ariana gave an exasperated huff. “Vengeance is for the Lord alone.”
He flashed a cruel smile. “Let’s just say I’d like to help God out.”
“And how do you intend to do that? You’re only a slave. An outlaw. If you’re found on English soil, you’ll be killed.”
“I challenge any man to try and kill me.”
“Your king had the power to kill you.”
“If William wanted me dead, he would have chopped off my head and been done with it. Yet, he let me live.”
“Yes. Why would he do that? Doesn’t he fear you might return and try to destroy him?”
Wulfgar lifted one shoulder in a lopsided shrug. “I’ve wondered the same myself. Perhaps deep inside, he knows I’m innocent, yet I was condemned by my accusers and he couldn’t overlook that. William was always quite fond of me. Perhaps he feels loyal to me for my past service to him, so he spared my life.”
His guilt or innocence didn’t matter to her. She must think only of Dafydd.
Ariana shook her head and turned away. She had failed. Wulfgar wouldn’t help her. “If you don’t help me, my brother will die along with many more of my people.”
“Why is there so much at stake simply because a child is held for ransom?”
She bit her tongue to keep from replying. He was a Norman after all. No doubt he would be reluctant to help get Dafydd free.
She felt the brush of his hand on her shoulder and his voice sounded almost gentle. Soothing and kind. “I’ve not refused to lend you aid. If you want to enter Cynan Castle, I’ll agree to tell you the location of the passage. But first, you must answer a few questions in return.”
She peered at him with suspicion. “I thought you said there was no passage.”
He didn’t respond, but she could see the truth in his eyes. There was a secret entrance.
“What do you want to know?” She couldn’t hide her urgency this time.
“First, tell me how you came to know there is a passage.”
Ariana cringed, but he left her no choice. “When I was a young child, I was often naughty. I hid in the soft hay of the barn so my father couldn’t find and punish me. I was there one day when you and your brother came in to check your horses. I overheard you speaking of your plans to build a fine, strong castle. On that day, you spoke of the secret passage, but you didn’t say where its entrance would be.”
Ariana could well remember the day. Wulfgar had been young. Barely eighteen years old, handsome and fearless. He had come to her father’s home at Powys for peace talks. She was so small, only a girl. But her heart had sped up every time she saw him and she’d dreamed of having such a man for her own one day.
Even then, Wulfgar’s men had followed him willingly to war. He was a leader. Would they be so loyal if Wulfgar were really a traitor? Of course not. But what if they didn’t know for certain? Perhaps they were misguided fools. She couldn’t allow herself to be tricked by him.
Of course, Wulfgar had denied the accusations. His mother had pleaded with the king on behalf of her son. William had sentenced Wulfgar to be sold as a slave to foreigners.
Now, Ariana looked at Wulfgar, remembering that day years ago when she’d watched the fearsome knight speak of plans for his castle. After all that time, he was still lean, still strong. But he was no longer naïve. He was a mature man, and she was a woman. It wouldn’t be easy to get him to do her bidding.
His brows lowered in a thoughtful frown and his gaze rested on her face. Tilting his head to one side, he considered her carefully, studying her features. Then his mouth dropped open and his eyes narrowed.
She groaned. He knew. He’d figured it out. Why should she be surprised? He was keenly intelligent. Of course, he had guessed who she was.
“Ariana, Princess of Wales.” He whispered her name. “I should have known. How could I have been so stupid?”
Holding her head high, she met his gaze with boldness.
“You’ve changed from when I saw you last when your father agreed to our marriage. You were a child then, all gangly arms and wild hair. I wasn’t interested in wedding you, then.”
And what about now?
A smile pulled at the corners of his mouth, but there was a sharp edge to his features. Like a feline who had just trapped a mouse.
Ariana felt her chin quiver as she tried to scowl at him. In truth, she felt the burn of tears. But she would die before letting him see her cry.
“Why did you come to buy me? Why didn’t your father come instead?” he asked. “I find it difficult to believe King Rhys would send his daughter on such a dangerous errand.”
“My father is…he had to stay with our people, to fight against Edwin’s mercenaries.” She jutted her chin. “Besides, I’m no child.”
“Aye, you’re a beautiful, deceiving woman.” His
hot gaze devoured her.
His words seemed so final. A deathblow to her senses. She loved God and hated that Wulfgar thought her deceitful. Bitter remorse coiled in the pit of her stomach. Regret for all she’d lost rested on her heart like a load of rocks. “Will you help me?”
Her plea was a frantic whisper. She’d beg him if she had to.
The silence lengthened between them, except for the constant roar of the ocean and the twittering of birds pecking at a dead fish lying on the beach.
She opened her hands in supplication. “Edwin is a slovenly man who loves food and strong drink. His people call him The Barbarian. Even his own men fear him and he hires mercenaries to slaughter my people. He is given to brutality and overindulgence, a crude man whose manners and habits keep him far from William’s Court. When a grievance is brought before him, he often tortures those who dare complain. People say that’s why your king gave him your earldom. Though he doesn’t have your political acumen, Edwin is barbaric enough to hold the march against my people.”
The thought of Dafydd in the hands of such a man made Ariana’s stomach churn.
Wulfgar frowned. “Why not have your people attack Cynan and besiege the castle?”
She snorted. “You built the fortress. Do you really need to ask why? My father’s army is no match against the strength of Cynan. We don’t have horses, weapons and armor like your knights wear. The only way to regain Dafydd is to sneak inside and steal him back.”
“No doubt Carlinham also wants you for himself.”
How intuitive. Her people were nostalgic and loyal, but Dafydd was only a child. The Welsh would follow Ariana until the boy became a man and could lead them.
“I will belong to no man.”
Wulfgar’s mouth quirked up on one side. “Your men believe you now belong to me. We are betrothed.”
The heat of a blush stained her cheeks. “I will never be yours, now. Your men don’t know who I am.”
“They’ll learn soon enough.”
“You will tell them?”
“They aren’t stupid louts and will figure it out as soon as we explain our mission.”