Beneath a Midnight Moon - By Amanda Ashley Page 0,99

to comfort him, to make the loss any easier to bear.

They stood there, in the waning moonlight, for a long time. Hardane rested his head on Kylene’s, his arms wrapped loosely around her waist, finding solace in her nearness, in her quiet understanding of his grief.

His father had been a man in his prime. He should have ruled Argone for years to come, should have lived to see the birth of his grandchildren, to see lasting peace forged between Mouldour and Argone.

You’ll pay for this, Renick, he vowed, his arms tightening convulsively around Kylene. You’ll pay in blood.

“No!” Kylene drew back, shaking her head vigorously as the image of a bloodstained sword flashed through her mind. “No, Hardane, please.”

“I must.”

“Why?”

“Why?” He looked at her as if he’d never seen her before. “How can you ask that after what he did to you? To my father? Not to mention what he did to my mother. To me.”

Releasing her, Hardane ran a hand through his hair, then began to pace the yard. “My father’s blood cries out to be avenged.”

Kylene wrapped her arms around her swollen belly. “And what if you’re killed? What do I tell our sons?”

Hardane whirled around to face her, his jaw rigid. “You tell them the truth, that I died avenging their grandfather’s death.”

“And do you think that will comfort them? That it will bring me comfort on cold nights?”

“Kylene, try to understand.”

She shook her head, her long auburn hair swirling around her shoulders like a thick fiery mist.

“I understand that vengeance means more to you than I do.”

“That’s not true!” Hardane exclaimed, suddenly angry.

“I don’t want to raise our sons alone.”

“Have you so little faith in my ability to defend myself that you already fancy yourself a widow?”

“Fighting Renick will solve nothing. Your father’s gone, and the Interrogator’s death will not bring him back.”

Closing the distance between them, Kylene laid her hand on her husband’s arm. It was as unyielding as stone.

“Please, Hardane . . .”

With a sigh, he drew her into his arms again, his chin resting lightly on the top of her head.

“Lady, you don’t know what you ask.”

Taking his reply for assent, Kylene rested her cheek against his chest and closed her eyes.

The next few days would be long and difficult for all of them.

Chapter 44

Lord Kray’s body lay in state for three days and three nights while people came from near and far to pay homage to their fallen liege. Hardane had sent a runner to advise his sister of her father’s illness as soon as they had reached Argone; another runner had been sent to advise her of his death.

Sharilyn, clad in a dress of charcoal gray, her head and face covered with a gossamer black veil that hid the dark shadows beneath her eyes, greeted the farmers, the townspeople, the curious, and the grieving who came to pay their final respects to her husband. Dry-eyed, she accepted their words of sorrow, their embraces, their tears.

Food was provided for the mourners; beds were offered to those who needed shelter until after the interment.

Hardane’s sister, Morissa, arrived late in the afternoon on the day before the funeral. She was a lovely woman with curly black hair and light brown eyes.

Morissa welcomed her new sister-in-law into the family with a warm smile and a hug, immediately putting Kylene at ease.

“I’m so pleased to meet you at last,” Kylene murmured, feeling as if she’d known Morissa for years instead of a matter of moments. “I only wish it could have been under happier circumstances.”

Morissa nodded. She wrapped her arms around her swollen girth as she apologized for her absence at the wedding.

“I understand,” Kylene said. “When is your baby due?”

“At the end of the month.” Morissa placed her hand over Kylene’s stomach. “And yours?”

“In late spring, I think.”

“I’m glad my time is almost here.” Morissa pressed a hand to the small of her back, a brief look of pain flitting across her face.

“Is something wrong?” Kylene asked anxiously. “Maybe you should sit down?”

Morissa sighed heavily. “I’m fine. Just a twinge. Eben wanted me to stay home, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t.” She blinked the moisture from her eyes. “I can’t believe Father is gone.”

“He was a fine man,” Kylene said sympathetically. “I wish I had known him better.”

“He was always so good to us. To Mother.”

Kylene glanced across the room to where Sharilyn stood talking to several mourners. “How’s your mother doing, really?”

Morissa shook her head. “I don’t know. I haven’t had any time alone