Page 117 of Forbidden

And it was dangerous.

“May I embrace the husband of my daughter?” Cassandra asked.

If Duncan was surprised, the rest of the people were shocked, including Erik.

“Of course,” Duncan said.

Cassandra stepped forward. Full scarlet sleeves rippled and flared over the forest green of Duncan’s shirt as she placed her hands on his shoulders. Though Cassandra was a tall woman, she had to stretch on tiptoe in order to bring her face close to Duncan.

“This is the truth of the past,” Cassandra said, kissing his left cheek.

A moment later she kissed his right cheek.

“This is the truth of the present,” she said.

Then Cassandra’s palms rested on Duncan’s cheeks, holding him as surely as chains.

“Your life lies stretched between past and present,” she said in a low, distinct voice.

Intently Duncan watched the Learned woman, feeling her cool hands like brands on his face while her silver eyes compelled everything within him to listen to her. Even the shadows.

Especially the shadows.

“To deny the truth of the past or the present will destroy you as surely as cleaving your head in two with a sword,” Cassandra said.

A ripple of movement went through the knights as they crossed themselves.

“Remember what I have said when the past returns and seems to make a lie of the present,” Cassandra commanded. “Remember it.”

When she would have withdrawn, Duncan’s hand chained one of her wrists.

Instantly Erik stepped forward, only to be warned off by a glance from clear silver eyes.

“What do you know of my past?” Duncan asked in a low voice.

“Nothing that would bring you ease.”

Duncan glanced toward Amber. Though he said not one word, she put her hand on Cassandra’s captive arm.

“What do you know of my past?” Duncan demanded again, softly.

“Nothing that would bring you ease,” Cassandra repeated.

Duncan waited.

“She speaks the truth,” Amber said.

Duncan’s hand opened, freeing Cassandra.

The smile she gave him was both compassionate and coolly amused at his arrogance in questioning a wise woman’s honesty.

“You are canny to listen to your wife,” Cassandra said bitingly. “See that you remain so when past and present are both known.”

Cassandra looked at Erik.

“With your permission, lord,” she said, “I have a newly born babe who needs me more than a newly wed couple.”

“Of course, Learned one,” Erik said. “You need not ask my permission.”