“But your wife has forbidden it.” Sir Leon’s eyes twinkled and Ariana, who was starting to know hope, was plunged again into despair.
But Otto did not retaliate, he merely shrugged his armor-clad shoulders, as unmoving as the granite stones all around. “My wife is a wise woman.” He flashed her a smile, which made her insides melt despite the gravity of their situation. “But she only gave voice to my own thoughts.”
Her father didn’t miss a beat. “So you have come in search of peace?” His words resonated around the small clearing, making Otto’s reasonable pronouncement sound foolish.
“The peace which was promised upon our marriage.” Otto reached out his hand and clasped Ariana’s. She grasped his fingers, taking strength and courage from the warmth of his flesh against her own. She’d always known him as a warrior, a fighter. But now she saw that her husband was every inch a thinker, a diplomat. Not only feared, but also wise. “Without Sir Althalos here to meddle, I live in hope that our two families may yet live side by side. Nay, I even dare to hope that we may yet be allies.”
Tears sprang into her eyes at this. It was all she could have hoped for.
“Allies, is it?” Sir Leon’s pale eyes raked over them both, his expression betraying nothing. “And what do I get out of this?”
Ariana’s heart was beating painfully hard. Why was it her fate to have so stubborn and grasping a father?
“The chance to live quietly in your own home, under Darkmoor guard.” When Sir Leon looked to protest, Otto laughed quietly. “You do not take me for a fool, do you, sir? After all these years of animosity, I will not leave you unchecked. I seek peace, not total destruction.”
After a fraught moment, Sir Leon guffawed. “And the alternative?”
Otto’s eyes sought Ariana’s and she gazed back, knowing that his answer would be the right one. “I will not strike you down,” he said quietly. “But you will come with us and spend the rest of your days under lock and key in Darkmoor Castle.”
“And what say you to this?” Sir Leon’s gaze swung to his daughter.
Ariana moved to stand closer to Otto, drinking in the living, breathing presence of her warrior husband. “I say you are to count your blessings, Father, that the Earl of Darkmoor gives you such a choice.”
A flock of birds flew overhead, calling to one another in the deep blue sky. Below them, the river gushed downwards, and a faint breeze carried the scent of new grass and hope. Ariana clenched her fist, digging her fingernails into her palms and praying that her stubborn father would accept the generous terms on offer. Otto would not negotiate, nor was he likely to stand here and deliberate for much longer.
“Peace it is then,” Sir Leon sighed. “Peace it is.” He extended his hand to Otto and after a slight hesitation, Otto leaned forward and accepted it.
Ariana knew a dizzying moment of relief before Otto’s strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her against him. “Now all we have to do is get you home,” he murmured against her ear.
She placed her hands on his shoulders, barely able to believe that the hardship and worry of the past weeks were behind her. “I can’t wait,” she breathed, tilting her face upwards and closing her eyes as his lips pressed down on hers. “In fact, I long for it.”
The next minutes passed in a blur. Otto signaled to his waiting men, who plunged through the trees to surround Sir Leon and march him into guarded quarters in the castle. Next, he ordered that their horses be made ready.
“Unless you would prefer to rest here for the night?” he asked her, concern etched across his rugged face.
Ariana shook her head with conviction, even as her body shook with weariness. “I do not wish to spend another hour in this terrible place.” She looped her arms around his waist, knowing there were many words still unsaid between them. “Otto…” she began.
“I know ’twas not you who betrayed Darkmoor,” he said steadily. “I have gathered the facts and I believe I know it all. I only wish you had felt able to trust me with the truth about your aunt.”
Ariana felt heat rise in her cheeks, but she met his gaze unflinchingly. “As do I.”
“And I wish I had trusted you more,” he said in a rush, taking her by surprise. “All of this could have been avoided.” He inclined his head to one side. “I have much to learn about marriage.”
A smile pulled at the corner of her lips. “Perchance we will learn, together.”
“I would like nothing more,” he sighed. “And I’m grateful for the chance of it.”
Such a surge of emotion took hold within Ariana that her knees buckled and she swayed against him. Instantly, Otto swept her up into his arms, holding her close and safe.
“Speaking as a selfish man who has missed his wife, right now I should prefer to keep you here by my side,” he said into her hair. “But I know of someone else who wishes to speak with you.”
She groaned against his broad chest. “I have said all I intend to say to my father.”
“Nay, not him.” Gently he turned her around by the shoulders until she was facing the willow trees. “Go and see.”
Ariana opened her mouth to protest again. She was weary to the bone and had no wish to take so much as a step away from her husband. But Otto was urging her forward, and his insistence piqued her curiosity. She forced her legs to carry her over the flattened grass and cautiously peered around the slender trunk of the trees. At first, she could see nothing save the dense greenery of the forest, but then a flash of white caught her eye.
“Who is there?” she called, her voice small amidst the ancient trees.
