Page 81 of While Angels Slept
Myles stared at the man. He didn’t dare look at Tevin. After a moment, his handsome features twisted with confusion, for he was genuinely and truly baffled.
“What in the world has that woman done to you to make you hate her so?” he asked.
Charles’ expression didn’t waver. “She took my son from me,” he grumbled. “She took him from me and then turned him against me.”
“You mean she married him?”
Charles looked away. Myles simply shook his head. “She was your son’s wife,” he said. “Brac loved her. She was very good to him. She gave birth to your only grandson. Why should you hate her for such things?”
Charles wouldn’t answer. When the wait became excessive and Myles finally dared to look at Tevin to see what the man’s reaction to all of this was, Charles spouted off one last time.
“I am in this prison because of her,” he mumbled. “If it takes me to the end of my life, I will ensure that the woman pays for what she has done to me.”
“Then the end will come sooner than you think.” Tevin didn’t hesitate. He turned to Myles. “Brick up this doorway. The man is a poison that must be stopped because I believe every damn word he says. Hewill never stop unless I stop him first.”
Myles wasn’t shocked by the order. It was a cruel world and one did what one must do in order to survive. To protect Cantia, Hunt, and the rest of them, the harsh deed had to be done. They all knew that Charles would not be stopped and, short of running the man through with a blade, there was only one way to put an end to the madness-bottle him up in the prison that was to become his tomb. Charles screamed until the last brick was seated.
When Cantia heard the news, for Brac’s sake, she wept.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Seated in the solarwith Val, Cantia was working on a piece of embroidery she had been toying with for several months. It was an ambitious piece with butterflies and flowers and as she sat in the mid-morning sun, she began to realize she’d hardly seen Tevin since their return two days before.
Certainly, she had seen him during meal time and they’d spent the nights wrapped in each other’s arms but for the most part, he was extremely busy as the new Earl of East Anglia and she only caught fleeting glimpses of him now and again, usually in passing. She missed him terribly but she was deeply grateful to be home, resuming a normal life.
And she was deeply grateful for Val’s company. The woman had recovered fairly swiftly from her injuries and this was the first time Cantia had allowed her to sit up for any length of time.
Dressed in a soft, mustard-colored surcoat and struggling to learn the finer points of needlework, Val sat across from Cantia on this bright morning, tackling the somewhat simple scene of the sun rising over mountains. Cantia had helped her sketch out the scene with charcoal and stretch it out over the oak frame, and now Val was attempting to embroider her design. She wasn’t having much luck but she was trying very hard.
A dog barking caught their attention and Hunt suddenly raced through the keep entry with George on his heels. Cantia called to her son to slow down but the boy yelled something back about fresh currant bread and that was the reason for his rushed pace. Cantia shook her head in resignation, grinning when she caught Val laughing at her.
“Trying to slow that child down is like trying to stop a raging river,”Cantia sighed. “When he first learned to walk as a baby, he went straight to running.”
Val giggled as she took another stab at the linen. “Perhaps the next child will not be in so much of a rush.”
Cantia shrugged, focused on her embroidery. “Perhaps,” she said. Then she eyed Val. “Speaking of children, when were you planning on telling me about Myles? I have given you almost two whole days to tell me and still you say nothing.”
Val’s cheeks immediately flushed a deep shade of red. She kept her eyes on her embroidery for a few moments until she could stand it no longer and looked up, almost sheepishly, at Cantia. She was met by a knowing smile.
“He….” she broke out in a toothy grin and tried again. “I was going to tell you, truly. He has finally stopped seeing me as a fellow knight and views me as a woman.”
Cantia’s smile broadened. “And why not?” she said. “You are a very beautiful and accomplished woman, and it is time he realized it. When can we expect the wedding?”
Val giggled a silly, giddy laugh. “I am not entirely sure,” she said. “Myles has said he will speak with Tevin but I suspect he fears my brother in that regard, so I may have to ask Tevin’s permission myself.”
Cantia was giggling with the woman. “Nonsense,” she said firmly. “Myles will ask Tevin and your brother will be very happy to give his blessing. I know he is very happy for you.”
Val’s giggling faded and her expression turned serious and nearly wistful. “I never thought this would happen to me,” she said softly. “Men do not usually find affection with women who can fight as well as they can, so to have Myles’ attention has me thrilled as well as surprised.”
Cantia’s features were warm. “I have known Myles for many years,” she replied. “Brac thought a great deal of him, as do I. He is a wonderful man and I am truly thrilled for you.”
Val’s expression shifted into one of uncertainty and the grinreturned. “Perhaps… perhaps you will help me with my wedding preparations.”
Cantia was excited. “You can wear the dress I married Brac in,” she said. “It should fit you very well. In fact, I do believe I shall tell Tevin to seek out Myles and give his blessing today. I do not want to wait for your happiness.”
Val blushed furiously, grinning, as she turned back to her embroidery. Cantia’s gaze lingered warmly on the woman before Hunt rushed into the solar and interrupted her thoughts.
The boy had a huge slab of bread in his hand, slathered in butter, and he rushed at his mother and directed her to take a bite. The bread, although smelling wonderful, didn’t seem particularly appealing to her, so Cantia chased Hunt away and told the boy to play in the yards. But Hunt didn’t want to go outside. He wanted to go upstairs and visit Arabel, so Cantia waved him onward.
