Prologue
France, 1307
Sterling Castle
The flame within the hearth lickedthe logs hungrily. It was a small fire fed by a few branches that wouldn’t crackle or spark. The light touched the surfaces of the wooden chairs and tables, making them gleam as if they were wet. Dust motes floated in the air, and Simon Sterling felt himself breathe in their life the way he did with the evening air after a rain. The servants worked, shuffling noiselessly and staying out of sight in the shadows.
He couldn’t abide by their sniveling and grimaced.
Simon had arrived home victorious. After Guillume de Nogaret had found the book burned in that abandoned barn, he believed it was the book they sought. But Simon knew it was not the right book. De Nogaret was a fool.
Simon’s brother, Christian, had possessed the book they were after all along. And now, Simon would triumphantly present it to his father. Yes. He was victorious. He could barely keep the grin from his lips as he crossed the Great Hall and approached his father, sitting in the high-backed chair before the hearth.
The luminous glow from the flames barely touched the toes of his father’s shiny black boots. His wrinkled hand curved over the armrest of the chair. His black velvet jupon covered his frail torso. Long, stringy gray hair fell to his shoulders. His well-manicured beard covered his chin.
“Father,” Simon greeted as he stepped around the chair into his view.
“My son,” his father replied with joy. “Your return must mean you’ve accomplished the task I gave you.”
“Of course,” Simon agreed.
His father held out his hand palm up.
Proudly, Simon removed the red book from his cloak pocket and laid it in his father’s hand.
His father snatched it away and inspected the cover before opening it to examine the parchment pages with shrewd eyes.
“De Nogaret didn’t know I had this book,” Simon explained with relish. “He believed the book was burned. But I kept it a secret so I could give it to you.”
His father was silent as he scanned the page.
Simon lifted his chin with gratification, and a smug grin curved the edges of his lips. He knew his father would be pleased he had succeeded in procuring the book from his brother, Christian.
“Where did you get this book?” his father asked.
“Dalcop was traveling with a woman. I paid her to steal the book,” Simon explained, delighted with his accomplishment.
“Let me venture a guess,” his father said and exhaled, long and slow. “Your brother and this woman were very…familiar with one another?”
Simon shrugged. “She said they were traveling companions. She brought the book to me. Does it matter what their relationship was?”
His father’s lips twisted into an ugly sneer. “Would she protect him?” he demanded.
Simon thought back to how Dalcop had returned to rescue her from that disgusting little man even after Willow betrayed him. The furious look in his brother’s eyes had put fear in Simon for the first time, but only for a moment. Prickles of unease and doubt snaked up his spine. Still, he maintained his air of righteousness. “I doubt anyone would save Dalcop.”
His father threw the book at him. The leather-bound book smashed into Simon’s chest, and he stumbled back, reeling from the blow. He stared at his father, incredulous, mouth agape.
“You fool,” his father snarled. “You didn’t have the common sense to have this book read. It is aprayerbook! A common prayer book.” He gritted his teeth and growled, “There is nothing special about this book because it is thewrongone.”
Simon staggered back, startled. It couldn’t be. He looked down at the red book on the floor. The fire from the hearth cast flickering shadows over the cover. A book of prayer? How could that be? It was not the book his father wanted. He swallowed heavily and lifted his stare to his father.
Disgust shone from his father’s dark eyes as he glared at Simon. “It appears that Christian is not the only dalcop in the family,” his father said with disdain.
Simon scowled, and his lips tightened. Dalcop had made a fool of him before their father. He would not allow it. His jaw clenched. “I will get the book you want,” he vowed.
“You wouldn’t know it if you saw it. You’ve already failed.” He stood. “Iwill find Christian, and he will give me the correct book.”
Chapter One
