Alexander’s eyes cut to Patrik.
Pain screamed through Patrik’s body as he shoved himself up. Battered wood gouged his knees, but he crawled to the wagon’s end. In a mind-blurring move, he lowered himself to the ground, steadied himself upon the worn earth.
Cristina scrambled to the ground, caught his arm. “Patrik, what are you doing? You have lost too much blood. You—”
“Stay here,” he said, keeping his gaze on Nichola. Cristina didn’t understand the importance of this one moment. He broke free of her hold.
“I will go with you,” Cristina said.
Eyes glazed with anger and a hint of fear, Nichola watched him.
“No. This I must do alone.” On shaky legs, Patrik stepped forward, clenching his teeth against the pain. People swam into a blur before him. Through sheer determination, he took another step.
Alexander tensed, his body angled to protect as he held Nichola at his side.
A murmur wove through the crowd. One by one, those within the keep fell into a hush, focused on Patrik. Eyes, harsh and condemning, watched him. Whispers cursed his every step.
Patrik accepted their wariness, understood their anger. Had he stood in their place, he would have done the same. Sure of nothing, he pushed forward.
Chapter 15
Several steps away, vision blurring, Patrik halted, gasping for breath. “Ni-Nichola.”
Nichola straightened, her eyes burning hot. “Stay away!”
Pain slammed Patrik’s head. “I-I need to talk to you.”
“By God’s eyes!” Alexander stepped before his wife. “Enough!”
Seathan walked to Alexander, slanted a worried look at Nichola at her husband’s side. “Now is not the time,” he told Patrik.
Panic clawed through Patrik. “Nichola, pl-please, listen to me.”
Face pale, Nichola shook her head. “Leave us.” Roughness coated her words, betraying a loathing so great it would stain the pews of a church. Angry tears slid down her cheeks as she faced her husband. “Swear to me you will keep him away from our son!”
“Nichola,” Alexander started.
“Swear it.”
She believed he’d harm her or her child? Patrik’s heart broke, his guilt and regret for his actions twofold. “I wo-would not harm yo-your son nor you, ever.”
Nichola turned. The contempt scarring her face tore Patrik’s soul.
Seathan stepped between them. “Alexander, take Nichola inside.”
“Aye.” Alexander shot Patrik a hard look. Like a wolf guarding its mate, he drew her close, strode toward the keep.
Duncan moved to Seathan’s side, his icy expression underscoring where his loyalty lay.
Loss smothered Patrik, a curtain so black he struggled to draw a breath. Had he not brought enough tragedy to those he loved? Though many despised him, none more than he himself. More fool was he for having entertained the notion of somehow finding forgiveness.
Blackness threatened. He fought for consciousness, braced his feet to remain standing. “I-I need but a horse and I wi-will go.”
A horse? The stubborn, mule-headed oaf. Emma moved to Patrik’s side and glared at Lord Grey. “Tell me, will you have your brother’s death upon your conscience ?”
Patrik caught her arm. “Cristina.”
“He is barely standing.” Emma tugged her arm free of Patrik’s weak hold. “Tell me, will you allow your brother to leave?”
