The Wolves of Solomon (Wolves of Solomon Book One)
Page 42
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“I’ve been desperate to touch you.” Galeren said, as he pulled Catherine towards him and held her tightly.
The group had swiftly reached the French coast and had secured passage on a merchant ship that was due to cross the narrow sea at dawn, weather permitting. They found lodgings close by and managed to find some more suitable attire, using the coin they had retrieved from the dead guards. They agreed to rest and gather the latest news at the preceptory in Dover, before heading north to Temple Bruer.
Catherine felt relief flood through her as she felt Galeren’s grip, “I thought . . .” she broke off.
“Thought what?” he prompted looking at her sorrowful face.
“I know we were in amongst chaos and could not fuss, but I feared you may feel changed towards me.”
“Never,” he said shaking his head, “I just wanted to be away from there and quickly. We are still not safe, but I need to be with you now.”
“De Floyran killed Beaumanoir.” Catherine said. “When I couldn’t contact you, I was terrified he’d killed you too.”
“Oh he tried, with a dagger doused in wolfsbane thrust into my side before I left. He didn’t want you to know, for obvious reasons.” He said bitterly. “I am sorry about Beaumanoir.” He added and then turned away from her. He sat on the bed, putting his head in his hands. Catherine hesitated before going to him. She knew that he both delayed and dreaded asking the question he had to, just as much as she dreaded hearing it and having to give him the answer.
He looked up at her, his eyes haunted and asked, trying to keep his tone even.
“Did he touch you?”
Catherine blinked slowly. “Yes,” she answered in a whisper.
Galeren grimaced and nodded slowly.
“Did he hurt you?”
It was as simple a question as the first, but this time she feared the answer she had to give. How would he interpret it?
“No,” she answered truthfully. Galeren looked up at her. “He was not cruel,” she began but did not know what else to say. “It is over now.” She added quickly.
Galeren swallowed and shook his head. “I shouldn’t have let it happen.” He clenched his fists. “If I could have –” he stood up angrily.
“There was nothing you could do,” she cut him off. “You were in a torture chamber Galeren. It was my doing, my choice and we are reunited. It is one night to forget.”
“One night! It is enough.” He said wounded.
“Aye ’tis, but I survived and you got me back, before he could cause any more harm. It is pointless to torment ourselves with it. It is done, please!” she pleaded.
“I am sorry,” he said and went to her. “I was meant to protect you and I failed. Twice now you have saved my hide.”
“And you have saved mine in more ways than you know. I want to look to the future now and leave this in the past. Let’s not speak of it again, it can only hurt us and we must not let it, or he wins.”
Galeren nodded and smiling reassuringly took her into his arms again, though he knew it would take a long time for him to let it go, if he ever could.
Chapter Twenty Four