Sin’s knowledge of her people surprised her. As did his courage. But it was beyond foolishness to walk alone into enemy territory and expect them to surrender and bow. The day would never come when the Scots would do such.
Henry’s face turned dark, his eyes angry as he regarded Sin. “They’ll kill you.”
“You said they couldn’t,” Sin reminded him.
Henry’s face darkened even more from the weight of his rage and the heads of the courtiers came together as they gossiped, reminding Callie that this entire discussion was being witnessed and noted.
Henry shook his head. “That was when we thought you’d have your men with you. What kind of fool-”
“I’ll go with him.”
Callie turned to see Simon still holding onto Jamie. Jamie’s eyes were larger than saucers and the lad chewed his fist nervously.
Henry cursed. “Simon, we would have thought better of your sense than to entangle yourself with this.”
Simon appeared to consider that. “Nay, Majesty, I appear to be rather suicidal in such manners. Besides, I’ve always wanted to see Scotland.”
Sin arched a brow. “Who says I shall allow it?”
A taunting, irreverent smile played on the edges of Simon’s lips. “Allow it or not, I will be there. I figure it would be safer traveling with you, but either way, I will make for Scotland. You need someone at your back.”
His words seemed to bitterly amuse Lord Sin. “I assure you, my back is well protected.”
Something unspoken passed between them. Something that obviously bound these two men together on the level of brothers. Something that seemed sinister and cold judging by the tormented looks in both their eyes.
“Well I know it,” Simon concurred. “But even the strongest of us can use a friend now and again.”
“I appreciate the thought, Simon, however, I have yet to agree to the marriage.”
“You agreed,” Henry insisted.
Callie wanted to argue, but she knew better. There was only one hope for her.
Escape.
There was no way to argue with these men who didn’t care one whit about her or her opinions. She was nothing to Henry except a political pawn to be used as he saw fit.
As for Sin, she didn’t know what he would gain from their union. But then, she didn’t intend to stay around long enough to find out. Let him find an English heiress to marry. Or some other lass who caught his fancy.
She had to get away from here. From these men and this horrible country or else, all was lost.
“Well,” she said slowly, backing away from them, “if I am to marry on the morrow, I’d best be returning to my room where I can make preparations for it.”
“You’re going to marry a devil?” Jamie urled his lip at the thought of it. “Bet you grow horns if you do.”
She ignored him and took him from Simon’s arms.
Jamie shook his head like an old man chastising a child. “I wonder if you’ll get a tail, too.”
Callie sighed. Well, at least the lad had found his tongue again. She shushed him and still he rattled on and on about the consequences of marrying into the devil’s royal family.
“Bet your children will be born with the tongues of snakes. Scales, too. Think you, they’ll have poison in their teeth if they bite me? You remember that time, don’t you, when Robbie’s baby bit me? I think I still have the bruise. Dermot said it went bone deep though it just looked kind of purple to me.”
Sin watched the two of them head back to the castle all the while the boy prattled.
The woman had reversed herself just a little too quickly and he knew her mind, could see her thoughts plainly. She was plotting a new escape.
He motioned Simon to him. “Watch her while I speak to Henry.”
