flags of Mouldour and the green and orange flags of Corianton had been seen approaching the coast of Argone near Dubrey’s holdings.
Other messengers had carried the news to Hardane’s brothers and sister. Farmers from nearby towns arrived at the keep in droves. The men would help defend the castle in exchange for protection for their women, children, and livestock.
The first battle was fought by Dubrey’s warrior knights. Badly outnumbered, they put up a fierce fight before retreating to the protection of the castle. Dubrey sent a runner to Castle Argone to warn Hardane that Renick’s men were heading in his direction.
Kylene read the end of Dubrey’s message over Hardane’s shoulder:
We inflicted severe damage to Renick’s army, but our own losses were far greater than his. Assure my mother that I’m well . . .
Kylene felt as though a cold fist were wrapping around her insides when she saw the look in Hardane’s eyes.
“What are you going to do?” she asked.
“What would you have me do?”
She hesitated to answer even as she refused to meet his piercing gaze. She wished that she possessed the same stalwart courage that Hardane and his family seemed blessed with, but she could not control her fear. For most of her life, she had lived in seclusion, protected from even the mildest acts of violence. The thought of fighting and bloodshed were foreign to her, against everything she had been taught. But overriding all other concerns was her fear for Hardane.
Hardane placed a finger beneath her chin and forced her to meet his gaze.
“What would you have me do, lady?” he asked again.
“I don’t know. I only know that I’m afraid. For you. For us.”
Hardane put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. “I know,” he murmured absently. “I know.”
“Please don’t fight him.”
Hardane drew in a deep breath, knowing that this time he could not accede to her wishes. Had he fulfilled his vow to avenge his father, Kylene’s life would not now be in danger.
“Hardane?”
“Do you want me to run away?” he asked, struggling to control his anger.
“Would you?”
“Not this time, lady. There are too many people depending on me.”
She heard the barely suppressed fury in his voice and was swamped with a sudden sense of guilt, knowing that he was blaming her because Renick was here. Because of her, he had not fulfilled his vow to avenge Lord Kray. Because of her, the Interrogator was here now, threatening the lives of everyone in the castle. Because of her . . .
Before she could apologize, before she could tell him how sorry she was for her cowardice, Carrick entered the room, closely followed by Jared, Sharilyn, and Teliford.
“Well, what are we going to do?” Jared asked.
“Defend ourselves,” Hardane replied curtly. “I want every available archer on the parapets. I want six of our best swordsmen at the gatehouse. Jared, I want you and a dozen of your best men to patrol the keep. Advise Kruck to have the Sea Dragon ready to sail at a moment’s notice. Mother, if Renick’s men should make it into the keep, I want you and Kylene to leave immediately.”
“No.” Both women spoke at the same time.
“I’m not asking you, I’m telling you. I want you both to take the tunnel in my room and leave the castle. The Sea Dragon is anchored in the cove east of the waterfall.”
“I won’t leave you,” Kylene protested.
Hardane placed his hand over her swollen belly. “Please, lady, don’t argue with me about this. If Renick breaches our defenses, I want you to leave Argone.”
Kylene shook her head. “No.”
“Mother?”
“Don’t worry about us, Hardane,” Sharilyn replied quietly. “We’ll do as you say. Won’t we, daughter?”
Kylene turned mutinous eyes in her mother-in-law’s direction and then, seeing the warning there, knowing that Hardane would be able to fight better if he wasn’t worrying about her, she nodded. “Yes.”
“Good. Once the fighting starts, I want the two of you to go to my room and stay there.” He looked down at Kylene, imprinting her image on his mind. “Promise me?”
“Aye, my lord wolf,” she murmured. “I promise.”
Carrick cleared his throat. “Hardane?”
“Is there a problem?” Hardane asked, his gaze still on his wife’s face.
“No. I . . .” Carrick’s voice trailed off and a flood of red swept into his cheeks. “I want to marry your mother. Now. Tonight.”
Hardane looked up, frowning.
Kylene gasped in surprise. Get married! So soon?
Hardane glanced at his mother. Her cheeks, too, were flushed, but her eyes were sparkling.
“Is this what you want?”