Pitt walked Nessa away from the scene as Rhys continued to talk with the guards.
“I do not understand,” Nessa said again when Pitt brought them to a stop away from the crowd that had gathered and was now being dispersed.
Pitt released her, though kept a supportive arm lightly around her. “Fife was a traitor. He was loyal to the man who is after the Dragon.”
All color drained from her face and her legs got so weak that she reached out to grab hold of Pitt, but he had already tightened his arm around her, and she leaned against him. “He used me, cared nothing for me, and like a fool I believed him.”
“Why would you doubt him?” Pitt asked, tucking her closer to him. “None of us did. He played his role well.”
Nessa stared at Pitt a moment and as she did tears began to fall once again until she was sobbing uncontrollably. Pitt gathered her up against him and placed his hand to her head, gently resting it on his chest. Then he held her tight and let her cry, feeling her pain far more deeply than he ever felt for any woman.
* * *
“Did I hurt you?”Rhys asked as he distanced them from the crowd that was dispersing and set her feet on the ground, easing his arm from around her.
Heather stood staring at him for a moment, then simply threw her arms around him and buried her face in his shoulder. His arms circled her and held her tight. Her heart thudded in her chest and her stomach roiled not only for what had just happened but for what was to come.
She finally lifted her head and looked at her husband. “I do not want to lose you.” She did not sayagain, though she thought it.
“Nor I you,” he said.
His words sent her heart beating faster and she looked in his eyes and felt her stomach catch, for just a brief moment she had thought she had seen Quinn in them. Good God, there was no way she could lose him again, never ever again. Fear gripped her as she said, “There is no stopping him. He will come for you.”
“He is hungry for revenge. Pitt and I had discovered only a short time ago that Fife was the one spying for Haidar. Plans were being made to watch Fife at all times to see what we could learn. Pitt was keeping an eye on him while waiting for the warrior assigned the first watch.”
Heather shook her head. “Why did Fife jump in front of the attacker and save me?”
“You were not the target.”
Heather tilted her head in question. “Who was the target?”
“Fife,” Rhys said and went on to explain. “It was a suicide mission for both men, though it was probably planned to look as if Fife tried to saveNessa from an attack. Haidar meant for all to be aware that the Dragon could not protect them from a superior foe. He also knows I am no fool and it was only a matter of time before I realized he had planted a spy amongst my warriors and discovered his identity.”
“That was why Fife looked so angry with Nessa when he saw me with her.”
“Aye, he would be very angry, for he could not let you die. If he did, he would have failed Haidar.”
“I do not understand.”
“Haidar will not come for me. He will come for you.”
CHAPTER 23
Heather could feel herself pale, though his words made perfect sense. She should have realized it sooner herself. Of course, Haidar would want to take from Rhys what he had taken from Haidar. And with all that had been happening lately she had to admit there was a chance he might succeed.
She could not help but smile as an unlikely response tumbled from her lips. “I guess I should stay put when you tell me to.”
He tugged her up against him. “He will never get his hands on you.”
“I want to believe that, but I have learned in life thatneveris a wordneverto trust.”
Thunder rumbled as if in agreement and a splatter of rain hit her cheek.
Rhys’s arm dropped off her, though he quickly took hold of her hand. He walked over to the warriors guarding the bodies. “Let the rain soak them, then tie rope around their ankles and drag them into the barn. The poison should be gone by then, but just to be certain, try not to touch their skin.”
More rain fell as Rhys hurried his wife along to the keep. He walked her over by the large fireplace in the Great Hall where a fire was burning, the rain having brought a chill with it.
She sat on a bench facing the hearth eager for the heat from the flames, cold having suddenly settled deep in her bones.
