Dani allowed Christiana to help her to her feet and lead her back into the castle. She followed the young woman blindly, her mind filled with the horror of what she’d seen.
How would she ever explain to Jeanne what had happened to her husband? Or to Hamund’s daughter? How would she ever wipe those memories from her mind or the guilt she felt from her soul?
As they rounded the corner closest to the garderobe, she rushed inside and dropped to her knees in front of the drafty hole to empty the contents of her stomach, heaving again and again, long after there was nothing left to come up.
The horrors of the last few minutes had assured that she wouldn’t have to pretend she’d been ill.
“My lady?” A male voice, tentative and absolutely unsure.
Christiana, who had hovered at her side, lifting her hair from her shoulders, responded with a desperation in her voice that sounded absolutely credible.
“Thank Freya someone finally came to check on us. Hasten to the kitchens. Mistress Danielle has need of a cloth dipped in cool water. Hurry!”
When the young guard returned, Christiana wiped Dani’s face and helped her to her feet.
“Are you ready to go before him again?”
As ready as she could ever be.
They reentered the dining hall and Dani took her seat, keeping her eyes focused on her hands, willing them not to shake. Even with her new understanding of the monster sitting across from her, she still had to try once more.
“I apologize if my absence delayed your meal.” She forced a smile to her face and met the monster’s gaze.
“Not at all, my lady. I trust yer feeling better now?”
That he could sit so calmly at this table after what he’d done!
Bury that for now.This was not the time to think of what had happened but instead to concentrate on what was to come. Dani lowered her hands to her lap, where she could grip them together tightly without his seeing.
“I am, thank you.” A deep breath, a brighter smile. “Shall we set a time, then? Say, noon, perhaps? I’ll deliver the bags to you and you can deliver Malcolm to me.”
She couldn’t force herself to make mention of the men who had accompanied her. That horror was too near the surface for her to be sure of her emotions.
Across from her, he twisted the ring on his finger and stared up toward the ceiling as if he considered her suggestion.
“On the morrow, my lady. I think that would be best. I’ll carry yer greetings to yer husband and, if he agrees to pledge his fealty, we’ll plan to convene at midmorning. In the courtyard. How does that sound?”
It sounded like a death sentence.
Still, Dani nodded as if it were completely acceptable to her.
“I am reminded, my laird, of my original purpose in coming here this morning.” Christiana broke the lengthening silence as if she sat at a normal table, with normal people. “I’ve a boon to ask of you.”
Torquil responded with only a hard stare in his sister’s direction.
“My herbs run perilously low,” she continued. “I’d ask yer permission to carry barrels of flour to Orabilis this day. Though we have guests to entertain, I have already delayed this errand overly long.”
“Granted,” Torquil pronounced after a long pause. “Go see yer witch. As our guests will be in their quarters, they’ll have no need of your company. Ulfr! Set a detail to accompany Christiana on her errand.”
“Thank you, my lord. And if I may now be excused?”
“Go,” Torquil replied, turning his gaze back to Dani. “You and yer companion should return to yer chambers now, as well. I’ve much to do to prepare for tomorrow’s . . . exchange.”
A shiver ran down Dani’s spine as she stood and turned her back on evil incarnate.
At the doorway, Christiana stopped her with a hand to her shoulder.
“I do hope yer feeling stronger now, Sister.”
