Page 198 of Forbidden

“I don’t want war with you.”

“You won’t get it.”

“In six days,” Dominic said, “I will put my seal to the decree setting aside Duncan’s marriage to Amber.”

“In six days it won’t matter.”

“Why?”

“Why do you care, Wolf? War has been avoided.”

Erik turned on his heel and stalked down the hall. Cassandra was waiting for him at the head of the stairway.

Dominic watched as Erik took the Learned woman’s hands between his own. Though neither wept, their mourning was almost tangible. Uneasily Dominic looked back at Duncan.

Duncan’s suffering has begun. Amber’s soon will end.

The light…She took the light with her, Meggie.

Abruptly Dominic was afraid that he knew what Cassandra had meant, and what Duncan’s suffering would be.

It must not be allowed to happen.

“Simon,” Dominic said sharply.

“Aye. The war-horses?”

“Yes. One of us should stay here.”

“Is Meg riding?”

Dominic looked over his shoulder. Meg was still kneeling next to Duncan, stroking his forehead. Tears were falling slowly down her cheeks. Duncan’s eyes were open, but he was seeing nothing except what he had lost.

“Meg,” Dominic said gently.

She looked up.

“We’re going to put the hounds on Amber’s trail,” Dominic said. “If it ends in one of the ancient places, would you be able to pick the trail up again?”

“If Old Gwyn were here, perhaps she could.” Meg looked down at Duncan. “I don’t know if I can. I do know that Duncan needs…something. And I am a Glendruid healer.”

“Stay here and guard your wife,” Simon said quickly to his brother. “She’s worth more than all of the Disputed Lands put together.”

“What of your safety? Sven is still out in the countryside measuring the temper of the people.”

“I’ll take Erik with me.”

“He might attack you.”

Simon’s smile was swift and savage. “That would be a pity, wouldn’t it?”

Dominic gave a crack of laughter and said no more.

Shouted orders went out. Soon three horses were thundering over the lowered drawbridge. Two were battle stallions ridden by knights in chain mail. Against all custom, one of those knights carried a peregrine on his wrist. The third horse was a white stallion ridden by a Learned woman whose long silver hair blew in the breeze without restraint.

A single, large wolfhound waited on the far side of the bridge. There was no hound master in sight.

“Just one hound?” Simon asked.