Page 42 of Reign of Wicked Temptation

Ivy’s gaze remained fixed on the postern gate as though she also waited for someone. “Aye, but he does not know I have returned to Culver.”

“You betrayed us on several occasions.” Henry folded his arms across his chest. “Forgive me if I do not take your word for it.”

“Crispin is inside the keep?” Her sidelong glance made his breath hitch. Saints, she was lovely but dangerous, he reminded himself.

Henry could not respond. He feared doing so would only play into her motives, whatever they were. He could no longer trust her, and in his weakened state, overpowering him would take little effort on her part. He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“When your brothers found me inside that cell, they released me thinking my loyalty remained with Francis.” Her voice softened. “When they told me you had fallen in the river, I convinced them the river had finished the task they obviously could not.”

“You thought we were dead?” Henry arched his brow in surprise.

“I knew you were alive. ’Twould take more than that to kill the two strongest men in Meradin.” Ivy reached for him, but Henry ducked away unable and unwilling to let her manipulate him. If he allowed himself to fall under her spell again, he deserved the consequences. She dropped her hand, disappointment curving her plush lips into a frown.

“So you returned to Culver to warn Francis and interfere with our rescue?” Henry scowled, angry both at himself for his body’s reaction to Ivy and her for teasing him so effortlessly.

“I have come to aid in your rescue.” Her gaze flickered to the postern gate.

Henry scoffed unable to contain his disbelief. “You led us into the trap and delivered us into the hands of the enemy. Why should I believe your lies?”

“Because they are not lies.” She exhaled sharply. “The queen and I have a bargain. I will uphold my part in the agreement.”

“You betrayed us, revealing our movements to the enemy. Then you led Crispin into an ambush. We were tortured and beaten while you watched,” Henry growled. His patience snapped. Closing the gap between them, he gripped her shoulders and pinned her to the oak tree. “Enough lies, Ivy. You had your opportunity to win my trust and my love. And yet you abandoned it at the behest of yourmaster.” The words left a bitter sting on his tongue.

Ivy did not struggle. She provided no resistance. Her eyes met his, and even in the thick shadows around them, he saw the vulnerability in their depths. She reached up and cupped his cheek. He melted beneath her touch. Biting back a moan, Henry stiffened in an attempt to stave off the overwhelming emotion. He was not strong enough to resist her. He loved her too much.

“Nothing I say will convince you.” She stroked his bearded jaw, and he leaned into the touch. “My actions may have led you into Francis’s trap, but they have also given you the tools to defeat him should you care to examine them.”

Henry released her and stepped back, crushing the overwhelming desire to kiss her. “Why are you here, Ivy? Why were you inside the castle?”

“To save Ruby.” Ivy straightened and tugged her cloak back into place. “I delivered instructions for her to meet me at the postern gate.” She shook her head. “She returned to her chambers, and I ensured her path to the gate was clear. But something must have happened.”

“Perhaps Crispin found her before she could reach the gate?” Henry hoped this was the case, because if it was not, then he could not fathom the horrors Francis would unleash upon her should he catch her attempting to escape his grasp.

The tone of Ivy’s voice reflected his thoughts. “If you have not seen her, then someone must have stopped her.”

“’Tis possible she slipped out without my notice.” Henry feigned confidence even though he held little hope of its validity. “My vision is blurred at this distance, especially in the dark.”

Ivy brushed her fingers over his cheek beneath his swollen eye. His heart pounded at the innocent touch. He took her hand in his and brought her fingertips to his lips. Her gasp of surprise set his body aflame.

The snap of a branch behind them jerked him from the intimate moment. Henry drew his sword. Ivy pulled two daggers from her belt. They scanned the dark trees for any movement. He glimpsed the shifting shadows of the horses where they stood tethered, but nothing seemed disturbed otherwise.

Tension and uncertainty wound Henry tight like the string on a longbow. He could no longer sit and wait. Something had happened. Crispin had been captured; he knew it. And if Ivy told the truth, then Ruby had been stopped before she could leave the keep. No one would come to their aid, for there was no one remaining.

He took a deep breath and turned to Ivy. “Can you get us in?”

Ivy nodded, her face solemn. With a well-placed strike, she disarmed him.

Henry sank to his knees in defeat. He could only pray his faith was not misplaced, but as she bound his wrists with leather, he feared he played right into her hands and surrendered to the enemy without a fight.

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