Confused by the sincerity, Sin frowned. He would never understand Simon’s mind. “Then why? Why would you want to spend a week’s time journeying to a land where they will despise you?”
“Because they tell me a friend of mine is going there alone.”
Sin shook his head. Simon was a strange man. Inside, he knew Simon had no business going with them. The man had no idea what they were in for.
But he did.
He was used to it. Simon, on the other hand...Simon was a fool to want to do this.
“Well?” Simon prompted.
“We leave day after tomorrow.”
Simon nodded. “Good. I shall send my squire home to his parents until I return.” He pushed himself away from the door. He had a devilish gleam in his eyes. “I will return home to reclaim the boy, won’t I?”
“Only if you learn not to annoy me. Otherwise, I might just feed you to the Scots myself.”
Laughing, Simon opened the door. “By the way, I learned from the lady’s maid that her favorite color is green.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Just thought you might want to know. I’ll be around if you need me.”
Sin leaned back in his chair as he thought about everything Simon had said.
It was a cold place, his world. He spent his days tending whatever matter Henry needed and his nights alone in his room listening for the next attack.
He wondered why today that bothered him when it never had before. He’d merely accepted it as fact.
It must have been the time he’d spent journeying with Maggie and Braden, he decided. He’d grown soft in their company. Grown used to people who saw him as something other than a monster.
He swallowed as his thoughts turned to Caledonia and her angelic, unassuming face.
Tonight he wouldn’t be alone. Tonight he would be with a beguiling woman with brave, friendly eyes and a sharp wit.
For the first time in his life, he looked forward to the sun setting.
Callie smoothed the front of her dress with her hands. Vespers had come and passed with no word of Lord Sin.
She was more nervous than she should be and a little irritated that perhaps he had forgotten.
“Should I go look for him, milady?” Aelfa offered.
Before she could respond, she saw Lord Sin approach in the gathering shadows.
Her breath caught in her throat. Still dressed all in black, he cut a striking figure. Freshly shaven, he wore his hair brushed back from his face and it warmed her that he had taken time to freshen his appearance for her.
She smiled at him.
“Forgive me for being late, milady.” He gave her a courtly bow. “It took longer in town than I thought it would.”
A chill went down her spine as he lifted her hand and placed a gallant kiss on the back of her knuckles.
“You’re quite forgiven,” she said, noting the breathlessness of her voice.
What was it about his man that he made her so hot and cold? So shivery and warm?
His answering smile made her weak in the knees. He was so close to her now, she could smell the fresh, clean scent of him. Feel the heat of his body warm hers. His strength and power overwhelmed her senses.
