Lair of Beasts [Book I in the Curse Of Blood Saga]

Chapter XXV (Part II) - A Sentencing

Thomas sat trembling in the center of Godwin's study, Carac restraining the lad in his bruising, bear-like hands as Fendrel presided over the proceedings from Godwin's tall chair. I looked up at Lucian again and quickly averted my eyes for there seemed to be a billowing fury clouding his amber depths and turning them a frightful and unearthly iridescent gold.

When he had first laid those eyes on me and taken in my torn gown and unkempt appearance, which spoke volumes of the travail visited upon me, he had flown at Thomas, knocking him senseless in the process, before he was restrained by his father and brother.

I assured him, more times than I was wont to remember, that I had not been defiled, but Lucian would not relinquish the murderous rancor from his malignant scowl. It was still fixed on Thomas and had been since he attacked the boy.

"Anne, take Aria to her chamber. Have her bathed and inspected for... further damage. Once that task is completed, she may then return, if that be her wish." Fendrel, with nod of his head, thereby dismissed the both of us with sententious finality and all was silent as we headed towards the door.

All the while I moved thence, I could feel six pairs of cold eyes against my back — Thomas' unaccounted for as he still had his downcast, his right eye seeping brine and swollen shut from Lucian's blow. We left Godwin, Fendrel, Lucian, Caine, Carac and Warwick alone with Thomas and I could not help feeling, by doing so, that I had surrendered the lad to a pack of wolves.

❆

"Where are you off to in a hurry?"

I skidded to a halt as Rose stepped into view and blocked my way.

"I am wanted in Godwin's solar," I answered distractedly, attempting to walk around her, but she moved as I did and purposefully prevented my passage.

I had rushed at my toilette and changed into a fresh gown with a speed that must have impressed on Astrid my need to make haste, and now I was being detained by a woman I knew held me in no great regard; Godwin's sister hardly ever spoke to me unless it was to utter monosyllabic responses. However, I did not take this in the least bit personally for she conducted herself thus with each person that took it upon themselves to invite her to conversation. She was nowise mean-spirited or harsh, per se, but she was extremely odd and inhibited.

Rose was as taciturn as her brother, and nephew for that matter, but where Godwin affected a brusque stoicism, commanding reverence with merely his somber presence, there was still humor there, scarce though it was. Rose, on the other hand, had an ascetic aura about her that bespoke of her harsh austerity, but physically beautiful withal. I bethought the grim astringency about her mouth more suited to an abstinent abbess in a convent than to a duchess and mother. Furthermore, Fendrel struck me as a lusty sort, yet I was hard pressed to imagine that their connubial bed was anything but cold and little used.

"I had another dream about you," said she, shattering my risqué cogitation.

This was all she said before she pulled me into her chamber and closed the door. I was struck dumb and pliable by her actions, as well as my earlier introspections, and therefore did not object verbally or otherwise.

"Tis fortunate I have chanced upon you alone."

"Your Grace, I cannot tarry long-"

"Please, call me Rose," she insisted, closing her chamber door.

My eyes flew immediately to the large raven sitting outside her window, studying me with equal intensity. It had caught my attention the moment I had entered, causing my words to spill forth in a preoccupied manner and then cease altogether.