Certain that his own death was imminent, he asked, “What about my men?”
“They will not be harmed. They have been taken to safety.”
“Safety?”
“Aye, Lord Faucon, they are safe. However, it may take them a while to find their way free.”
The men surrounding them laughed.
He ignored their oddly placed humor and took a deep breath before asking, “And how do you plan to kill me?”
“You ran a sword through Guillaume’s back.” Sparks of fire shot from her eyes. “You will die the same way.”
She removed her gloves and ordered, “Get him up.”
John lifted his blade against Rhys’s chin, forcing his head up. He had no option but to follow the upward motion of the weapon. He silently cursed as two soldiers began to secure his arms behind his back with leather straps.
He would rather die fighting than be slaughtered like a trussed boar. “No!”
Mindless of the weapons aimed at his body, he violently jerked around, shoved past John and sprinted toward the safety of the forest.
“Stop him!”
His escape was short-lived. Five men flew at him, knocking him from his feet. Fists pummeled him about the head and body. The gash on his side tore even more from the blows. They shoved his face into the dirt, quickly securing his arms and legs. Then they hauled him to his feet and led him back to Lyonesse.
His heart pounded loud in his ears. Rhys shook with a helplessness he’d never before felt. He riveted his attention on the woman before him and shouted, “Get this over with.”
“In all due time, Faucon.”
Lyonesse savored the deliciously sweet taste of her victory. Certain the restraints would hold, she allowed her gaze to slowly roam up her captive’s massive form.
The stories had not been completely accurate. This man was not simply big. Like the fabled warriors of old, he was a huge dangerous giant. Gaps in the laced seams of the chain mail protecting his legs gave evidence to tightly corded muscles bulging toward freedom.
She admired the richness of his plain, black surcoat. Even hanging in torn disarray, the fabric bespoke of quality. Lyonesse knew that while the material would be as strong as the muscles it covered, beneath her fingers it would feel as soft and silky as a kitten’s fur.
Her attention trailed up the long, wooden scabbard hanging at his side. Soaring falcons were artfully carved into the sword’s case. The wide belt at his waist served not only to anchor the scabbard; it also did much to accentuate the outward flare of his chest.
Muscles strained violently below flesh in his silent struggle to break the bonds holding him. Lyonesse could see the fierce expansion of his chest and arms with each effort.
She glanced up and shuddered. If his strength were as great as the determination etched on his face, he would soon gain his freedom. His full lips narrowed into a grim line. A rapid pulse beat against one cheek. His swarthy complexion was broken by the cuts her glove had made on one side of his face. On the other side a thin white scar trickled like a tear from the corner of one eye to his mouth.
He leaned forward. For a brief moment unruly hair hid his face. Sunlight glistened off the shoulder-length mane. When he straightened, one raven lock fell across his face. Lyonesse’s fingers itched to smooth the wayward strands back into place.
She peered into his eyes and was horrified to find Faucon watching her perusal. Flecks of gold sparkled against his light brown orbs. The shimmering brightness flared and paled with a life of their own.
“Look your fill, milady,” he taunted. “For I will be the one who haunts your nightmares. You will wish you’d never beheld me.”
She quickly turned away to hide the rush of embarrassment that heated her face. Lyonesse gritted her teeth. What evilness possessed her to so intently study this vile beast? After collecting her wits, she turned back to him. “Those are bold words for one trussed like a gutted stag.”
The black brows of the captive winged higher over his amazing eyes. It would be far too easy for a person to fall helpless under that striking glare.
To her amazement, he only laughed at her. The desperate tone of his laughter sent a ripple of guilt down her spine. She studied her captive and frowned. Behind the fierce anger that brightened his eyes lay something akin to…pain.
She’d seen that expression staring back at her from the polished surface of her mirror. Pain. Loss. They already haunted her nightmares.
What did Faucon know of pain? Or of loss? This man doled out death and destruction as a pastime. He gave no thought to the lives his actions touched, or ruined in the process. Nay, even though she could not name the emotion, she knew it was not pain flickering in his gaze.
Even if the demon did possess a tiny bit of remorse in his black-hearted soul, what did it matter to her? Nothing would change. Guillaume would still lie dead. How would she find a husband within the time left to her? For without a husband, King Stephen would take Taniere.
The sound of wooden wagon wheels clattering over the hard, rutted path interrupted her disturbing thoughts. A few more of the men arrived to dispose of Faucon’s body, but John’s loud curse unsettled her even more.
Suddenly losing control, Guillaume’s man lunged toward her captive, intent on running his sword through the man.
“Nay! He is mine.” No one else must finish the deed. Only her. As Lyonesse threw herself at John she knocked him off his feet and seized his sword.
She grasped the weapon with both hands and turned toward Faucon. Stiffening her spine, steeling herself for what she was about to do, Lyonesse walked toward him. She picked a spot on his chest as her target.
“Damn you, look at me.” She did as he bid. “If you are bold enough to take my life have the courage to watch me die.”
Honor and bravery—the ideals her father lived by, the qualities she strove for in herself, shimmered in his unflinching stare.
Horror stopped her. What was she about to do? This would not be revenge.
Her stomach rolled. This would be murder.
The sword wavered. His stare bore into her. He would accept death. Unlike a coward, he would not plead for his life. The sword wobbled and fell from her hand.
Lyonesse shook herself from her trance and stared at Faucon.
He returned her steady look. “You are making a grave mistake, milady.”
She made her decision. “Get him in the wagon,” she shouted at her men.
Faucon struggled uselessly against the men who nearly carried him to the waiting hay wagon. His threats and curses fell heavy on her ears.
Not wishing to listen to his tirade during the trip back to Taniere, Lyonesse leaned over the side of the wagon and ordered, “Cease, Faucon.”
“You will
