Page 68 of The Sword and the Damsel

As her consciousness returned to her body, he convulsed. He cried out in his final throes, then rolled to his side, gasping for breath. She turned to face him, wrapping a leg around his hip, and snuggled into his arms.

Blinking, he raised his head and met her gaze with his own. He whispered, “I love you, Alais.”

“You do?” Her heart broke into a thousand tiny pieces, knowing he said it despite Robert’s lies. “I love you too.”

He clutched her hard against him and kissed the top of her head.

“I’ve loved you nearly as long as I’ve known you,” he continued. “I thought I was in trouble that first night when you left me speechless at dinner. I knew I was lost when you bewitched Socorro. I should have told you sooner. I should have told you on our wedding night. I love you so much I can hardly stand it. Don’t ever leave me again.”

“I didn’t leave by choice.”

“I know,” he said softly, kissing her forehead.

An ugly, hiccupping sob escaped from her as she tried to contain the overflowing mess of her emotions. After all the fear of the past week, she found herself in the arms of a man whocared more about her joy than her purity, who worried more about her peace of mind than the succession.

He pulled her close. “I plan to show you every way I can how deeply I love you.” She felt his flesh stiffen against her. “Including right now, if you’ll have me.”

“Now, and always.” She kissed him.

Barely moving, their bodies joined, and they rocked together in an unhurried dance. His touch was so tender and gentle that it brought on even more tears. He caressed and kissed them away, murmuring words of love and reassurance until a tremor rocked her with aching bliss. She shook in his arms until he groaned and strained in hers, and they were still.

She dozed for a bit in the comfort and warmth of his embrace, exhausted from the lack of sleep the night before.

When Alais woke up in Victor’s arms, it was late afternoon. He was still asleep. Neither of them had had a proper night’s sleep in days. She eased herself out of his arms, trying not to wake him, when he reached for her.

“Stay. Please.”

She let herself be drawn back into his embrace, his chest rising and falling against her back.

“I was about to ask a servant for some food. I’m famished.”

“Mm.” He squeezed her close and kissed her neck. “Sadly, that’s a good idea. I haven’t eaten since you were kidnapped. I suppose I must let you out of bed.” He relinquished her reluctantly, trailing his finger down her back as she got up.

She dressed and ducked out of the room to make a request of the first servant she encountered returning as quickly as she could. Soon there was a knock on the door, and when Alais opened it, she saw a small but sturdy girl standing there with a full tray holding a heaping platter of bread, cheeses, and cured meats, along with a pitcher of wine and two goblets. The girl moved into the room to set it down on a small table with chairsin the corner of the room. Once the servant girl had left, Victor pulled on his breeches to join Alais.

“So what are we going to do about Robert?” she asked, tearing off some bread and piling on meat and cheese.

“We?”

She took a sip of wine. “Yes, we. You don’t think I’m going to let you go after Robert alone, do you? He’s wronged me more than anyone.”

Victor shook his head. “I would have thought after all you’ve been through you would want to stay as far away from him as possible.”

“I want to see him pay for his crimes. I want to be present when he’s brought to justice. Do you know where he is?” She popped a bite into her mouth.

“Probably Canterbury, possibly at an inn called the Black Rooster.”

Taking another sip of wine, she mused, “Canterbury, eh?

Tricky going to Canterbury without attracting the attention of the archbishop.”

Victor raised an eyebrow. “Not just tricky. Impossible. I’ve had dealings with him before on behalf of my aunt. He knows everything that happens in Canterbury. Nothing escapes his notice. If we go to Canterbury—”

“Whenwe go to Canterbury…”

“Whenwe go to Canterbury, we will need to do so with his full knowledge and approval, staying in his palace and coordinating with his men. I think it would be best if we went with Daniel. The two of them haven’t met yet, and a formal visit from the earl would provide the perfect cover for us to take care of some personal business on the side. We’ll have to figure out some way to lure Robert out from hiding. He’ll expect retribution and won’t be easy to find.”

Alais chewed her lip in thought. “Robert has a weakness for me. What if I tried to lure him out?”

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