Page 180 of Forbidden

“She tells the truth,” Amber said hoarsely. “All of it.”

Duncan settled back with a curt nod and an expression that was as bleak as winter itself.

“Then it is done,” he said. “We will be married on the morrow.”

As though in answer, a wolf’s savage howl echoed from just beyond the keep’s wall.

Amber and Cassandra spun toward the sound.

Even as they turned, another cry came, the scream of an outraged peregrine. Before the cry had faded, Erik walked into the great hall. He was alone but for the sword sheathed at his side. Beneath his long crimson cape he wore chain mail. A battle helm hid all but his dark gold beard.

Duncan came to his feet in a fierce movement. With one hand he swept up his battle helm from the back of the chair. The hammer that was never far from his reach appeared in his other hand. Smoothly he put the helm on.

Like Erik, Duncan now was dressed from head to feet in links of steel.

“Greetings, Duncan of Maxwell,” Erik said gently. “How is your wife?”

“I have no true wife.”

“Does the Church agree?”

“Aye,” Dominic said from the doorway behind Erik.

Erik didn’t turn around. He watched Duncan with the unflinching stare of a falcon.

“Is it done, then?” Erik asked.

The gentleness of his voice made Amber long to scream a warning to everyone within the room.

“I have only to fix my seal to the document,” Dominic said.

Again Erik didn’t look away from Duncan.

“And you, Duncan,” Erik said. “Do you agree to this?”

“Yes.”

The wolf called again, and was answered by the peregrine’s high scream. Erik smiled savagely.

“I demand blood right,” he said. “Single combat.”

“You have no kin here,” Duncan said.

“You are wrong,bastard. Amber is my sister.”

A shocked silence spread in the wake of Erik’s words. Amber was the most stunned of all.

Erik looked at her for the first time since he had walked into the great hall. Smiling almost sadly, he held out his hand.

“Touch me, sister. Know the truth. Finally.”

In a daze, Amber walked to Erik and placed her fingers on his hand.

“You are the daughter of Lord Robert of the North and Emma the Barren,” Erik said distinctly. “You were born minutes after I was. We are twins, Amber.”

The truth of what Erik was saying went through Amber like thunder through a narrow glen, shaking everything.

“But why…?” whispered Amber.