Page 76 of While Angels Slept
“I was rushing to see what the trouble was and what do you think I found?” Gillywiss was being rather grandiose, like he had been the night they had been brought into the camp and he had made a big show for his people. “Someone had caught this little boy trying to escape from camp. But, it seems that an escaping prisoner was the least of my worries.”
Cantia sighed heavily, trying not to look at her son as he struggled against Gillywiss’ grip. She knew what the man meant without even asking.
“Please,” she begged softly. “You must understand they did not know what they would find when they came here. For all they knew, we were being held in horrible conditions, or worse. They did not know that you have not been cruel to us, but I have explained the situation and they will withdraw, I swear.”
Gillywiss’ wild-eyed expression faded into a countenance that Cantia had never seen before. It was hard and deadly. His gaze moved tothe men behind Cantia, hardened warriors in expensive armor and with expensive weapons. He fixed on Tevin, standing slightly behind Cantia, and assumed it was the viscount because he was standing so close to her. His attention drifted over the enormous warrior with the long hair.
“You are Winterton,” he said, a statement and not a question.
Tevin was fixed on the man. “I am the Earl of East Anglia,” he said in his deep, authoritative voice. “If what the lady has told me is true, I owe you my thanks. But that mercy shall be at an end if you do not let the boy go immediately. Release him to his mother and I shall have no quarrel with you.”
Cantia was watching her son squirm when Tevin’s words registered with her.I am the Earl of East Anglia. Confused, she turned to the man questioningly, but his dark eyes were riveted to Gillywiss.
“The earl?” he repeated. “You are not Winterton?”
“I was. That status has changed.”
Gillywiss thought on that a moment, as did Cantia. Gillywiss seemed to be considering it while Cantia’s sense of confusion only grew.
“So you are authority personified,” Gillywiss said.
“I am.”
“I have never met an earl before.”
“Now you have.”
“Then if that is the truth and you want this boy returned, you will have to make some concessions, Lord Earl.”
Tevin’s hard expression didn’t waiver. “I do not negotiate with outlaws,” he said. “Return the boy or we’ll burn this place to the ground.”
“If you do, the boy will not survive.”
“If you kill him, you will not survive, either.”
“Wait!” Cantia threw up her arms, putting herself between Tevin and Gillywiss so they would stop threatening each other. She turned to Gillywiss with pain in her expression.
“Please give me my son,” she begged softly. “Nothing more willhappen to you or your people, I swear. But if you must have a hostage, then I would rather you take me and let my son go.”
Gillywiss wasn’t finished posturing with Tevin yet but he forced himself to look at Cantia’s frightened face. The inherent compassion that the man kept so closely guarded began to flicker, seeping through the cracks of his composure. Cantia somehow had that ability over him, as she’d already proven.
“You are a lady of great sacrifices,” he said after a moment. “What has he ever done for you?”
Cantia knew he meant Tevin. She sighed again, averting her gaze after a moment. “He gave me the will to live again,” she confessed, daring to look at the dark-eyed outlaw. “I tried to kill myself after the death of my husband. No matter what you may think of him, know he has given me my life back and for that, I am grateful. I am sorry that he raided your settlement, but you know why he did it. He was looking for me. Now, please give me my son so we can return home. I would consider it a personal favor.”
Gillywiss’ eyes glittered at her. Then, without another word, he released Hunt, who went running to his mother. Cantia threw her arms around the boy and picked him up, cradling him. She couldn’t help the tears in her eyes as she focused on Gillywiss.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Your mercy is appreciated.”
Gillywiss watched the mother and son cuddle, acutely aware of what else was going on around him as Myles silently ordered the men to mount and retreat. The earl’s soldiers were clearing out. Tevin went over to Cantia and Hunt, putting an enormous hand on Hunt’s back and peering at the child to make sure he was well. Seeing that the boy was unharmed, merely shaken, he looked at Gillywiss.
“I will again thank you for your service in saving the lady, her son, and my daughter,” he said. “If ever you have need of something in the future, do not hesitate to send word to me. I consider myself indebted to you.”
Gillywiss eyed the very big earl. He was a handsome devil with hispiercing eyes and long hair, and even though he’d only been confronted with the man for a few minutes, he could already see the genuine emotion between him and the lady. It was hard to miss. He scratched his head, his focus moving between Cantia and her son, and Tevin.
“You and your men came to my village, once,” he said. “You burned it to the ground.”
Tevin was not remorseful. “In the course of my duties, I have burned many villages. It was nothing personal against you.”
