"Hmm?" He stirred.
"Gavin, wake up. It's past dawn, and you didn't shift into a hawk. The curse is over!"
His eyes sprang open, and he stared down at his body, the window, then at her. Wide-eyed, he swallowed hard. "You broke the curse."
"We did. With our love and trust. That's what does it… an exchange of deep love and unwavering trust."
"She told you this?"
"Yes. Last night."
The door burst open, and four armed guards barged in. Wilona followed, her evil eyes glaring daggers.
A startled shriek escaped Dani before she could stop it.
Gavin leapt out of bed, and Dani crawled toward the edge, glad they hadn't removed their clothes during the night. After helping her stand, Gavin pushed her behind him.
"Malcolm, retrieve the weapons he stole!" Wilona ordered.
Once the beefy guard had the sheathed sword and dirk in hand, Wilona said, "You both sicken me!"
"The feeling is mutual," Gavin muttered.
Wilona's furious gaze darted from the sunlight streaming in the window to Gavin, then to Dani. "You may have shattered the spell, wench, but that will not save you. For daring to destroy my handiwork, you will suffer great pain!"
Icy prickles shivered through Dani.
"I would speak to you in private," Gavin demanded.
The witch glared. "I have naught to say to you."
"I wish to make you a deal."
"You have nothing I want."
"I thought you coveted a certain keek-stane."
"I knew you stole it, you devil!" She looked to her guard. "Bring him to my solar in a quarter-hour." Wilona stomped away, and the last guard closed the door on the way out.
"What kind of deal are you going to make?" Dani whispered.
"Our freedom for her keek-stane."
"The scrying stone? She mentioned it to me. Do you have it?" Her stomach ached, both from hunger and nerves.
"Not with me. I hid it."
"Do you think she will go for it?"
"Mayhap." Gavin took her into his arms and buried his face in her hair. "I love you, Dani. Never forget it."
She held him, squeezing hard. "I love you too, but you're scaring me. You said we'd get out of this."
"I ken it. And I will try to gain our freedom. But no matter what happens or where you are, remember how precious you are to me."
She nodded, tears burning her eyes. "You're precious to me too." It couldn't be over; it couldn't end like this. Could it?
"You still have the sgian dubh strapped to your thigh. Use it only if necessary to defend yourself from the guards."
