And Draven wanted desperately to tell her what he felt in his heart. But such tender words had never come easily to him. In truth, he knew no tender words at all.
Nay, he was a man of action and in that instant, he wanted her to know that he had no regrets. He wanted her to understand just how much love he held for her.
He pulled the mail gauntlets from his hands and tossed them to the ground.
“What is he doing?” Henry asked.
Her father paused and looked down to where Draven stood. Emily took advantage of his distraction to twist from his arms and run back to the wall. She drew alongside the king and peered over.
Draven stood below the gate disrobing. Piece by piece, he removed his surcoat, his mail, and then his aketon until there was nothing left but the wealth of tawny skin gleaming in the sunlight.
Stark naked, he walked toward the gate.
Emily bit her lip as she understood. “You asked me for proof of his feelings, Najesty. You now have it!”
Henry turned to her with a frown. “What say you?”
“Does Your Majesty know the troubadour tale of Accusain and Laurette?”
“With Eleanor for a queen, we know all such insipid tales by memory.”
“Then Your Majesty recalls the part where Accusain walks naked through Laurette’s troops to prove his love for her.”
“Aye, but that is just a fable.”
“Aye,” she said with a laugh, “a fable. And when Draven heard it, he told me that no man worthy of the name would ever do such a thing for a woman, and yet he does it now. What madness other than love could possess him to do such a thing?”
Henry considered her words.
He looked back at Draven skeptically.
“Come with us, lady.”
Emily followed the king off the wall and into the keep.
Once they were in the hall, Henry turned to her. “Go hide yourself while we speak to Lord Draven. Do not show yourself until you are called. Hugh ‘tis your life if she disobeys.”
Her father nodded and took her to stand in the small pantry behind the dais.
Emily’s heart pounded as she waited.
Eternity seemed to have passed before she heard the familiar baritone of Draven’s voice greeting his king.
“What is the meaning of this?” Henry demanded as he raked a sneer over Draven’s nude body. “Is this another insult you feel the need to deal us?”
Draven shook his head. “Nay, sire. I would never insult you, by word or by deed.”
“And yet you show yourself naked to us?” Angrily, Henry removed his cloak and tossed it to him.
Draven caught the garment with one hand.
“Cover yourself.”
“Thank you, sire.” He did as the king commanded.
Henry raked him with a cold glare. “Now explain your actions to us.”
“I didn’t want anyone to mistake my intentions, sire. I am here to accept your punishment.”
