Confused, refusing to hope, Eve watched him with a scowl.
He stopped before the table to address her father. “You betrothed Lady Eve to Michael because he saved her life.” His voice rang throughout the silent Great Hall like a bell. “But you were wrong. He didn’t save her life. I did. I want what is rightfully mine. I want Lady Eve’s hand in marriage.”
Chapter Six
Behind Gabe, the room eruptedin surprised murmuring and hushed talking.
Eve’s lovely mouth dropped open.
Gabe kept his focus on Eve’s father. He didn’t look at his brother, nor at Eve, because he knew he had to keep his wits about him for this battle. He was hoping Michael would admit the truth, but since he had covered it up for so long, Gabe wasn’t certain he would do the honorable thing. He wasn’t certain of anything anymore, except for his love of Eve. And he did. He loved her and couldn’t bear to see her unhappy.
“What is this?” Lord Chandos demanded. He looked at Michael.
“I found her and carried her and Eden back to the castle,” Gabe clarified. “Michael snatched them away from me.”
“Is this true?” Lord Chandos asked Michael.
A moment passed and then another. “No,” Michael finally said. “I found the girls huddled together, freezing.”
Eve stood, her mouth agape, staring at Michael.
“Your fingers were not numb from the cold!” Gabriel accused. “You had no snow on your boots. How could you have found them?”
“I did have snow on me. I was soaked through from searching for them.”
“Liar!” Gabriel charged.
“You just want the castle and lands. You’ve always wanted what I’ve had.”
Disbelief erupted inside Gabe. How could his brother accuse him of that? He wanted nothing that Michael had! Until now. Lands and castles meant nothing to him.
“Stop it!” Lord Chandos rose to his feet. “It is Yuletide. The one that is lying must tell the truth. Now.”
“I believe Sir Gabriel!”
Gabe turned to see Henry standing at a table with a raised mug. He nodded his gratitude to him.
“I believe Sir Michael!” a voice chimed. Sides split the room as knights cried their allegiances.
“Ask Eve,” Gabe said, stepping up to the table. He locked eyes with her. “Ask her who she remembers.”
Eve opened her mouth to reply, but her father cut her off.
“She was a child. She doesn’t remember.”
“Shedoesremember!” Gabe exclaimed.
“Shecan’tremember!” Michael stated. “Her memory is flawed.”
Eve shook her head and then raced from the Great Hall.
“Eve!” Gabe called.
Behind him, the Great Hall was in chaos. Voices rose, men pushed others. The hiss of someone drawing a sword sounded, fighting broke out.
“Guards!” Lord Chandos called, pointing into the Great Hall at the disorder.
Gabe rushed around the table to follow Eve, but Michael stepped into his path.
