him rooted in place, desperate to think of another way.
Her very life was in jeopardy. Even if the council authorized some sort of formal rescue mission — which was doubtful — she might not survive long enough for them to implement it. The mere thought of what she could be suffering at this very moment made him mad with fury.
Though she’d banished him from her bed years ago, they’d remained steadfast friends, and he’d always expected her to change her mind. He’d thought if he just gave her a little time she would remember how good they’d been together. In fact, he’d expected their shared desire to take back the Surface to be the spark that rekindled their relationship.
Now he feared he’d never see her again. And he couldn’t live with that.
With a soft groan of frustration, he focused his attention on his surroundings, resting his gaze upon the immense beast tethered less than a dozen yards away. All day, he’d watched the men of the castle come and go on the backs of their mighty warhorses, covering distances far faster than he could ever manage on foot. He’d never ridden one of the animals before, but it looked relatively simple. How hard could it be, given that these savages did it on a daily basis?
He hated to leave Rhoswen behind, but he must face the fact that he could not rescue her by himself. If he returned to The Dolphin on horseback, it would cut the amount of time needed to summon help in half.
Decision made, he checked again to be certain the horse’s owner remained out of sight in a nearby hut. No doubt the man would give chase once he realized the animal was missing, but by then Trevelan planned to be long gone.
Stealing along the tree line, he remained hidden until mere feet separated him from the horse. He gave his surroundings one more searching glance, then left the shelter of the trees and headed toward the animal, completely focused on his goal.
He grabbed the reins, put his foot in the stirrup, and vaulted into the saddle, just the way he’d seen it done. Satisfaction swept through him, but it was short lived. The massive animal heaved, tossing him into the air as though he weighed nothing. Scrambling for purchase, he tightened his grip on the reins and squeezed his thighs, trying to hold on, but the horse continued to buck.
Cursing viciously, he made a desperate attempt to hook his feet in the stirrups, but the saddle twisted, and he slid sideways.
Angry shouts filled the air as he lost his grip, landing upon the ground with enough force to knock the air from his lungs. Bright pinpoints of light danced before his eyes as he struggled to catch his breath.
Running footsteps approached from the direction of the hut. Panicked, he pushed up on his knees, but before he could regain his feet, a well-placed kick connected with his midsection, driving him back down to the ground.
“Sodding horse thief.” The man followed the kick with a wicked blow to Trevelan’s temple. “I will see you hanged from the highest tree, bastard knave.”
White light exploded in his mind. He did his best to push back the darkness that followed, but realized he’d seriously underestimated his enemies.
What help could he be to Rhoswen when he appeared doomed to share her fate?
Chapter Five
Sebastian remained in his workroom for several hours. He tried to lose himself in his work, but guilt and anger raged within him. Her comment about a prison being a prison, no matter how comfortable…
Jesu Christ.
He knew all too well the truth of that. It killed him to think he had become the very thing he had despised during his own captivity.
No matter how extravagant, his gilded cage had still been hell. Despite all Sa’id’s kindnesses, all the promises he had made and all the wisdom he had shared, he had kept Sebastian against his will. He had taken things Sebastian had never wanted to give…
As the hated memories crashed down around him, he
Her very life was in jeopardy. Even if the council authorized some sort of formal rescue mission — which was doubtful — she might not survive long enough for them to implement it. The mere thought of what she could be suffering at this very moment made him mad with fury.
Though she’d banished him from her bed years ago, they’d remained steadfast friends, and he’d always expected her to change her mind. He’d thought if he just gave her a little time she would remember how good they’d been together. In fact, he’d expected their shared desire to take back the Surface to be the spark that rekindled their relationship.
Now he feared he’d never see her again. And he couldn’t live with that.
With a soft groan of frustration, he focused his attention on his surroundings, resting his gaze upon the immense beast tethered less than a dozen yards away. All day, he’d watched the men of the castle come and go on the backs of their mighty warhorses, covering distances far faster than he could ever manage on foot. He’d never ridden one of the animals before, but it looked relatively simple. How hard could it be, given that these savages did it on a daily basis?
He hated to leave Rhoswen behind, but he must face the fact that he could not rescue her by himself. If he returned to The Dolphin on horseback, it would cut the amount of time needed to summon help in half.
Decision made, he checked again to be certain the horse’s owner remained out of sight in a nearby hut. No doubt the man would give chase once he realized the animal was missing, but by then Trevelan planned to be long gone.
Stealing along the tree line, he remained hidden until mere feet separated him from the horse. He gave his surroundings one more searching glance, then left the shelter of the trees and headed toward the animal, completely focused on his goal.
He grabbed the reins, put his foot in the stirrup, and vaulted into the saddle, just the way he’d seen it done. Satisfaction swept through him, but it was short lived. The massive animal heaved, tossing him into the air as though he weighed nothing. Scrambling for purchase, he tightened his grip on the reins and squeezed his thighs, trying to hold on, but the horse continued to buck.
Cursing viciously, he made a desperate attempt to hook his feet in the stirrups, but the saddle twisted, and he slid sideways.
Angry shouts filled the air as he lost his grip, landing upon the ground with enough force to knock the air from his lungs. Bright pinpoints of light danced before his eyes as he struggled to catch his breath.
Running footsteps approached from the direction of the hut. Panicked, he pushed up on his knees, but before he could regain his feet, a well-placed kick connected with his midsection, driving him back down to the ground.
“Sodding horse thief.” The man followed the kick with a wicked blow to Trevelan’s temple. “I will see you hanged from the highest tree, bastard knave.”
White light exploded in his mind. He did his best to push back the darkness that followed, but realized he’d seriously underestimated his enemies.
What help could he be to Rhoswen when he appeared doomed to share her fate?
Chapter Five
Sebastian remained in his workroom for several hours. He tried to lose himself in his work, but guilt and anger raged within him. Her comment about a prison being a prison, no matter how comfortable…
Jesu Christ.
He knew all too well the truth of that. It killed him to think he had become the very thing he had despised during his own captivity.
No matter how extravagant, his gilded cage had still been hell. Despite all Sa’id’s kindnesses, all the promises he had made and all the wisdom he had shared, he had kept Sebastian against his will. He had taken things Sebastian had never wanted to give…
As the hated memories crashed down around him, he
Similar Books
