“Though neither as big nor as happy as it should be,” Elesyria murmured, digging her bread into the porridge in front of her. “Please tell me they didn’t put fish in this.”
Across from her, Torquil twisted the ring on his little finger. Her ring. And though he wore a smile, the muscle in his jaw stood rigid and there was nothing even close to pleasant in the eyes that glared in Elesyria’s direction.
“Which reminds me . . .” Dani leaned to the side, drawing his attention back to her. “While I thank you for sending my husband’s things to my room, you do realize there was nothing in those bundles that kept your side of the bargain.”
“I beg yer pardon? You wanted proof Malcolm was here. That is what I gave you.”
Even his speech sounded clipped, strained by the tension in his face.
Dani thought to push her luck once more.
“No, in exchange for my ring”—she tapped her bare ring finger—“you were to provide me proof that my husband was alive and well. That you did not do.”
Satisfied that she’d successfully put the ball back in his court, Dani dipped her bread into the porridge and scooped a bite into her mouth, realizing too late that Elesyria had been correct about the fish.
“Yer telling me that yer no satisfied with what I’ve given so far?” Torquil leaned toward her, his eyes seeming to glow as he spoke. “I could have a body part brought to you if you like. A hand, perhaps? A foot? Whichever you prefer. It’s of no matter to me. He’s close enough that the severed appendage will still be warm when you receive it. Would that do to convince you?”
Dani dropped the bread she held between her thumb and fingers, praying she wouldn’t pass out as she felt the blood drain from her face.
“That . . . that won’t be necessary,” she stammered, fighting to regain her self-control before either the fish or the conversation brought her breakfast up. “I have perhaps been unnecessarily stubborn on this question. I concede the point to you.”
“As I thought you might,” he said, the false smile still firmly in place.
She clasped her hands in her lap to hide the tremors she could not seem to stop, and breathed through the nausea assaulting her.
Jesus. The monster had just offered to start chopping Malcolm into little pieces and now he sat there, calmly shoving that fishy oatmeal crap into his grinning face.
With no more luck to push, all she wanted was out of here with Malcolm in tow and all in one piece.
“Then we’ve only the exchange left to complete all our business dealings. Is he strong enough to ride? Malcolm, that is. As soon as we turn over the bags I’d appreciate having my men to assist my husband, if necessary, so that we might take our leave of your hospitality.”
That came out pretty well, all things considered. She hadn’t barfed on his table and she’d even managed not to yell anything about getting her man and getting the hell out of here.
“You needn’t concern yourself with your husband’s strength, my good woman. He will be, I can assure you, at least as strong as any of the men who ride with you.”
Beneath the table, Christiana’s foot tapped against hers.
“You look overly pale, my sister.” Christiana placed a cool hand to Dani’s forehead. “Perhaps I should escort you to the garderobe?”
“I don’t see that as necessary.”
Torquil barely had the words formed before Dani was on her feet, fingers pressed to her mouth as she nodded her agreement to Malcolm’s sister.
“It’s the porridge,” Elesyria sighed. “I knew the fish so early in the day would do it.”
With Christiana’s arm around her shoulders, Dani hurried from the room, barely noticing when the guards stepped aside without question to allow them exit from the hall.
After a series of twists and turns, they reached the curved wall leading to the garderobe, but rather than settling her stomach, the smell only made it worse.
“You need some fresh air,” Christiana said.
“No, it’s really not that bad. Or it wasn’t before we got here.”
“You need some fresh air,” Christiana repeated, more forcefully this time, taking her hand as she spoke to lead her down another series of hallways.
Their detour ended at a set of large double doors, which Dani started to open, but Christiana stopped her.
“We should be safe from being overheard here. You must leave this place soon, my sister. Another day at most and then it will be too late. Time has already passed for some of your party. I am so sorry. I didn’t know before.”
