Beneath a Midnight Moon - By Amanda Ashley Page 0,116

head high, his ice blue eyes filled with contempt as the noose was placed around his neck. There was no sign of fear on his face.

“Any last words?” Hardane asked.

Renick shook his head. A look that might have been regret flickered in the depths of his eyes as he stared at Selene’s blanket-draped body, and then he shrugged.

“Just get on with it,” he said tersely.

Hardane nodded at the four men standing behind Renick, and they took hold of the loose end of the rope and began to walk toward the stern. When Renick’s feet cleared the deck, they secured the end of the rope to one of the stern cleats.

Kylene buried her face in Hardane’s shoulder, unable to watch as the noose grew tight around Renick’s neck, slowly choking the breath, the life, from his body.

There was a long silence punctuated only by the sighing of the wind and the gentle slap of the sea against the hull of the ship.

“Shall I cut him down?”

Hardane turned to face Jared. “Aye.”

“And the body?”

“Throw it into the sea.”

With a curt nod, Jared went to do as ordered.

“What about . . . what about my sister?”

Hardane’s jaw clenched. Had it been up to him, he would have pitched Selene’s body into the sea with that of her husband.

He was about to say as much when he looked up and met Carrick’s anguished gaze. Kylene’s father looked as if he’d aged ten years since he’d come aboard the Interrogator’s ship.

“If it’s all right with you,” Carrick said, his voice ragged with pain, “I’d like to take Selene home, to Mouldour.”

“As you wish,” Hardane replied quietly. “Take the ship. Jared and my men will accompany you when you’re ready.”

Carrick nodded his thanks. “I’ll leave on the morning tide.” A deep sigh escaped his lips. “Tell Sharilyn I’m going to spend the night here, with Selene.”

“Would you like me to stay the night with you?” Kylene asked.

“No, but I thank you for the offer.”

“I’m sorry,” Kylene said, her voice thick with unshed tears.

“I’m not blaming you, daughter,” Carrick said. “I did what I had to do, and I’d do it again.” He swallowed hard, his mind replaying that agonizing instant when he’d had to choose one child over another. “I need this time to be alone with her, to say good-bye.”

“Do you . . . would you like me to go with you to Mouldour?”

Carrick glanced at Hardane, knowing the final decision rested with him.

“I don’t think a sea voyage is a good idea in your condition,” Hardane said.

“I’m fine,” Kylene insisted, her gaze on her father’s face.

“I’m afraid I agree with Hardane,” Carrick said, squeezing her arm affectionately. “Perhaps you might come for a visit after . . . ,” he swallowed a sob, “after your twins are born.”

Kylene nodded. Twins, she thought, pressing a hand over her womb. She and Selene had shared their mother’s body, but nothing else. Fervently, she prayed that her sons would share more than a blood bond, that they would learn to love and respect one another as equals, that there would be no jealousy between them.

Rising on tiptoe, Kylene pressed a farewell kiss to her father’s cheek.

“Let’s go home, lady,” Hardane said.

Removing his cloak, he draped it over her shoulders, slid his arm around her waist, and led her down the gangplank.

When they reached the foot of the hill, he swung Kylene into his arms and carried her up the narrow, winding path. His war-horse nickered softly as they crested the hill.

Effortlessly, Hardane lifted her into the saddle, then swung up behind her and turned the stallion toward home.

There was a flurry of activity when they reached the keep. Sharilyn, Hadj, Parah, Teliford, and Nan met them at the door, all talking at once, until they saw Kylene. Her face was devoid of color, her eyes red-rimmed and shadowed with grief.

Hadj immediately went upstairs to turn down Kylene’s bed and lay out her nightclothes, while Teliford lit a fire in the hearth. Parah went out to look after Hardane’s horse. Nan hurried into the kitchen to brew a pot of strong black tea.

“Where’s Carrick?” Sharilyn asked anxiously.

“He stayed on Renick’s ship,” Hardane replied, and after settling Kylene in one of the big chairs beside the fireplace, he took his mother aside and quickly related all that had happened.

Sharilyn looked thoughtful as she studied Kylene’s face. “Is she all right?”

Hardane shrugged. “I don’t know. She hasn’t said a word since we left the ship.” But maybe that wasn’t so