Page 106 of Lionheart

"Father!"Vanora interrupted, fearing that Daffid would harm him if he did not hold histongue. Hoping to distract the priest, she sat down beside him and asked,"How long can you stay?"

"Heis leaving after morning Mass," Daffid said. "He said he came to hearconfessions, but methinks he lies. Think you I am stupid? Father Caddoc wantedto see for himself that you have not been harmed. 'Tis obvious Lionheart senthim. Tell the good priest you are well, and that you wish to remain with me, sohe can carry your words back to Lionheart."

"Isthat true, child?" Father Caddoc asked. "I want to hear in your ownwords that you are not being mistreated or held against your will."

Daffidleaned over and hissed into Vanora's ear, "Tell him you want to be withme, else the priest is a dead man."

FatherCaddoc, who was hard of hearing, pulled Vanora's sleeve and asked, "Whatdid Daffid say?"

"Naughtthat matters, Father. To answer your question, I wish to remain with Daffid. Inever wanted to wed Lionheart."

"Ithought you and Lionheart had come to an understanding, that you were contentwith your marriage."

"Finishyour meal, Father," Daffid growled. " 'Tis late, and there are manymen in need of confessing."

Vanorasearched frantically for a way to speak privately with the priest.

"Willyou hear my confession before you leave, Father?"

"Aye,'tis why I am here."

"Nay,Vanora, 'tis not necessary," Daffid said. "You have naught toconfess. You may return to your chamber after you have eaten."

FatherCaddoc started to protest, but Vanora's eyes flashed a message that the priestunderstood and heeded, albeit reluctantly. Vanora finished her meal in silence and excused herself. Butinstead of returning to her chamber, she slipped through a rear door into thegarden. Scrambling among the ivy and weeds, she ran her hands along the wall,looking for the opening she remembered from her childhood. Shivering in thebone-chilling cold, she despaired when her hands encountered naught but roughstone and thorns. A rustling behind her caught her attention, and she spunaround.

"Lookingfor something?"

Daffid!

"I...I was just enjoying the fresh air," Vanora stammered.

"Iknow what you are up to, Vanora."

"Youdo?"

"Aye.My sentries have kept an eye on you and reported your comings and goings. Sincethere is naught in the garden but thorns and weeds, I realized you hadremembered the postern gate and were looking for it."

"Youmade no move to stop me," Vanora charged. Caution fled when Daffidappeared amused instead of angry. "Surely you must know I have nointention of staying with you."

"Ifigured that out long ago, but it matters not. I want Lionheart dead, and youshall help me accomplish his death. As for the gate you are looking for, it nolonger exists. I had it removed and the wall repaired after Father'sdeath."

"Why?"

"Itwas not needed. There is another way out of the keep. No one but myself knowsabout it because Draymere has never been under siege."

"Iwill find it," Vanora declared.

"Youwill not. Lionheart will be dead long before you find it."

"Hewill not come," Vanora retorted.

Daffidglared at her through the encroaching darkness. "I have changed my mindabout waiting until Lionheart is dead to bed you."

Vanoraopened her mouth to protest, but he stopped her words with a forceful kiss thatmade her want to vomit. She bit down hard on his tongue. He cursed and lashedout at her with the back of his hand. Her head snapped back beneath the forceof his blow, and stars whirled in her head. Pushing the pain aside, she spatout the taste of him and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "Idespise you!"

"Itmatters not. I will still have you. I wanted to be gentle with you, but itseems you would have it otherwise."

She turnedto run, but he snagged her around the waist and dragged her into the keep.