“Aye, Majesty.”
“Now leave us.”
Emily curtsied and walked backwards from the king.
Once the doors to the hall were closed, she breathed a sigh of relief.
There was a chance! ‘Twas small, but it was enough for her to grasp.
Surely Draven would?—
Emily stopped the thought as reality came crashing down on her head.
Oh, who was she fooling? Draven was a man forged of iron. Never had he shown his emotions and in all likelihood he would march through the gates stoically to take his punishment.
Emily placed her hand on her stomach and the life that was growing there.
“Please,” she prayed under her breath. “I would have a father for my babe.”
Nineteen
Morning came too slowly to Draven who met it with relief. At last, it was over. Soon he would have the peace he craved, and all of his misery would be ended.
Gathering his brother and men, he left for Warwick and with every league that brought him closer to his destiny, he had but one hope.
He wanted to see Emily’s face one last time before he died.
Draven could die in peace if he could have that one request.
By late afternoon, they approached the castle’s walls. Hugh had gone to the trouble of fully manning them.
“Halt!” Hugh cried as they approached the gate. “Your men are to stay outside and only you will be admitted.”
“Nay!” Simon reined his horse by Draven’s side. “I don’t trust him.”
Draven stared blankly at his brother. “Trust him to do what, Simon? ‘Tis my execution I go to.”
“Draven—”
“Nay, brother, stay here. I don’t want you to see it.”
They dismounted in unison and as Draven took a step, he found Simon’s arms wrapped about him.
“Don’t go,” Simon whispered in his ear. “We can hold the king’s army. You know we could.”
Draven pushed him away harshly, and then seeing the hurt in Simon’s eyes, he patted his shoulder to comfort him. “Take care, little brother. I would say that someday we shall share eternity together, but I pray you’ll be off to a better place than that which awaits me.”
His eyes shining bright, Simon patted his arm, then looked away.
Draven took a deep breath and started toward the castle on foot. Looking up at the parapets, he saw Emily standing next to her father.
He stopped dead in his tracks. Even though he couldn’t make out her face from this distance, he would know that blond hair and slight form anywhere.
Her father pulled at her, and he knew Hugh was demanding she leave.
A thousand emotions ripped through him at once as he stared at her while she struggled against her father’s grip. Most of all he felt gratitude that he saw her again.
Her presence gave him strength.
