Page 81 of Her Dark Seduction
Chapter 24
I managed to return to the camp unobserved, though at one point the hairs prickled at the back of my neck, my instincts telling me I was being followed. But I heard nothing except the wind rushing through the trees and the water flowing in the river. With every step, I tried not to think of the little body in the basket I carried.
A sentry sat at the entrance to my tent, snoring. It would be too dangerous to walk past him so I crawled under the side of the tent at the back, dragging the basket with me. Celia helped me out of my wet things and held me in her arms while I cried for the poor little soul in the basket, and for the son I had given away. She sang softly as sleep overtook me.
Once more the smell of burning and crackle of flames woke me later in the night, the hiss of the fire turning into pitiful mewling wails.
Geoffrey!
Percy sat before me, holding Geoffrey in his arms.
“You abandoned your son,” he said, “abandoned him to his fate.”
Percy, he is safe, can you not see?
“He’ll never be safe and will never see you again, for he now has my eyes.”
He moved closer until Geoffrey’s face came into view, his eyes no longer blue, but black—charred pits to match Percy’s. I opened my mouth and screamed.
“Lady!” Celia’s voice cut through the nightmare, and the images of Percy and Geoffrey dissolved into the darkness.
“I saw Geoffrey!” I sobbed. “Dear God, what have I done?”
“Shhh, I beg you,” she warned, but it was too late.
The entrance to the tent was flung back and a tall dark shape strode in. De Tourrard.
“Can’t you keep her quiet, wench?” He addressed Celia.
He touched my shoulder, and I flinched.
“Tsk, tsk, my love; I trust you’ll be more amenable when we are married. Where is my son?”
He picked up the little bundle and cursed, before turning to Celia, murder in his eyes.
“What in the name of the devil is this?” he roared. “This child is dead—you’ve killed him, you slut!”
“Wulfric, no!” she cried. De Tourrard threw the body to the ground and wrapped his hands around her throat, choking the life out of her.
“Leave her alone!” I pulled his arms but he was too strong and continued to squeeze. Celia’s face turned red and tears burst from her eyes as she clawed at his fingers and screamed for air. Her jerking movements grew weaker until a sickening crack silenced her, and her head lolled sideways. De Tourrard dropped her body beside that of the child. He had broken her neck.
“Celia!” I fell to my knees and shook her, though I knew she was dead.
“Guy!” de Tourrard roared.
“My lord?” Guy’s head appeared at the entrance. De Tourrard prodded the bodies with his toe.
“Bury them in the forest.”
“No!” I cried. “Have you no respect for the dead?”
De Tourrard continued as if I had not spoken.
“Find some rope and secure the lady. Then send someone tocarefor her in our absence. Rouse the rest. We ride to the village immediately.”
“Aye my lord.”
“Wulfric, let me go,” I pleaded, “I have no value to you now.”
