A Kingdom of Dreams

Stefan threw back the flap of Royce's tent and walked inside. "My God, she's a beauty," he said, referring to Bre

"She's not," Royce snapped irritably. "She managed, between bouts of weeping, to explain she's a 'novice.' "

"What's that?"

Royce Westmoreland was a battle-hardened warrior whose firsthand knowledge of religious rights was virtually nonexistent. His entire world, since he was a boy, had been military, and so he translated Bre

"Do you believe she tells the truth about that?"

Royce grimaced and swallowed more of his ale. "She's too frightened to lie. For that matter, she's too frightened to talk."

Stefan's eyes narrowed in what might have been jealousy over the girl or merely a

Royce sent him a sardonic look, but his mind was on the matter at hand. "I want to know how well fortified Merrick castle is, as well as the lay of its land-anything we can learn that will be of help. Otherwise, you'll have to make that trip to Merrick you started on yesterday." He set the tankard down with a resolute thud upon the trestle table. "Have the sister brought to me," he said with deathly finality.

Bre

Ignoring Bre

The Wolf was pacing restlessly within the confines of his large tent, but he stopped abruptly when Je

Her chin lifted higher. "Yes."

"Amazing," he said in a derisive voice. "Are you full sisters?" he asked suddenly as if puzzled. "Answer me!" he snapped when she remained stubbornly silent.

Je

"You're right," he remarked with deliberate crudity, recalling she'd kicked him in the groin. "It's your feet that should be bound."

He sounded so disgruntled that amused satisfaction made her lips twitch. Royce saw it and could not believe his eyes. Grown men, warriors, quailed in his presence, but this young girl with the haughty stance and stubborn chin was actually enjoying defying him. His curiosity and his patience abruptly evaporated. "Enough polite trivialities," he said sharply, advancing slowly on her.

Je

"I want answers to some questions. How many men-at-arms does your father keep at Merrick castle?"

"I don't know," Je

"Does your father think I mean to march on him?"

"I don't know."

"You're trying my patience," he warned in a silky, ominous voice. "Would you prefer I ask these questions of your tender little sister instead?"

That threat had the desired effect; her defiant expression turned desperate. "Why wouldn't he think you're going to attack him? For years, there have been rumors that you're going to do it. Now, you have an excuse! Not that you need one." Je

"Now that you know that much," he said in a dangerously soft voice, "suppose you tell me how many men-at-arms your father has?"

Je

"You stupid, reckless little fool!" Royce hissed, grabbing her arms and giving her a hard shake. "I could break you in half with my bare hands, yet you still lie to me?"

"What do you expect me to do?" Je

"Before you leave this tent," he promised, "you'll tell me what you know of his plans-willingly or with some help from me you won't enjoy."

"I don't know how many men he's gathered," Je

That answer so took Royce by surprise that he stared at her. "Why not?"

"I-I displeased him," she admitted.

"I can understand why," he said bluntly, thinking her to be the most unbiddable female he'd ever had the misfortune to encounter. She also, he noticed with a start, had the softest, most inviting mouth he'd ever seen and, very possibly, the bluest eyes.

"He hasn't spoken to you, or paid the slightest heed to you in years, and yet you still risk your very life to protect him from me?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

There were several, truthful and safer, answers Je

Royce stared at her, caught somewhere between fury, amazement, and admiration for her defiant courage. Short of murdering her, which would not give him the answers he sought, he was at a loss as to how to deal with her, and although strangling her held a certain appeal at the moment, it was out of the question. In any case, with Merrick's daughters his captives, it was possible Merrick might surrender without putting up a struggle. "Get out," he said shortly.

Needing no further urging to leave his hated presence, Je

"I said, get out!" Royce warned ominously, and she swung around.

"There's nothing I'd like better, however, I can't very well walk through canvas."

Wordlessly, he reached out and lifted the flap, then to her surprise he bent low in an insulting mockery of a bow. "Your servant ma'am. If there's anything at all I can do to help make your stay with us more pleasant, I hope you won't hesitate to call it to my attention."

"Untie my wrists then," Je