His Enemy's Daughter Read Free Page B

fighting spilled into the keep.
    â€˜Gytha,’ she moaned out. ‘You must get the children to safety now.’
    â€˜â€™Tis too late, my lady,’ her maid answered.
    Suddenly, she was pulled to her feet and dragged along by some unseen hands. Women screamed and she was jostled as they struggled against the strong grasp of whoever had come into the keep. Then, just as suddenly, she was tossed to the floor. Clutching her head, she tried to sit up, but could not. Then Aldys gathered her in her arms and she heard Gytha on her other side.
    Chaos and terror reigned and Sybilla screamed alongwith them. She had seen the enemy and knew without doubt that he would slaughter them all. She suspected it might have been his intent all along, for he’d not paused or asked for a parley as others might have. Listening without being able to see only heightened the fear for her; hearing her people being tormented and harmed tore her heart apart, piece by piece.
    Is that what he wanted here? To destroy everything her father had built and nurtured? What kind of man would do such a thing? Her unspoken question was answered moments later when a silence so deep she thought she must have fainted filled the hall.
    She heard not a sound, not even the breathing of those around her in those tension-filled moments. Then, just when she thought she would scream out, the whispered prayers of the women at her sides reached her. They were praying for mercy!
    â€˜Bring those who survive before me.’
    It had to be him! The dark giant who commanded the forces. The devil on horseback who had destroyed her home and killed her people. Before she could gather any shards of courage together, she was pulled to her feet once more and towards the voice. Aldys and Gytha protected her on each side, still whispering prayers for protection to any saint who would listen. She heard words like ‘monster’ and ‘demon’ and ‘devil’ whispered by those around her and she trembled, unable to mask her own terror. Soon, he called out for silence and everyone obeyed.
    â€˜I am Soren Fitzrobert, now lord of these lands.’
    Those around her gasped at his words. The first surprise was that he spoke in their tongue and not theNorman one, but it was his declaration that sliced her to the core. Her family had owned and ruled these lands for generations, one of the proud and mighty Saxon families who counselled the king and the Witan. Sybilla felt her body shake and she reached out to Aldys and Gytha for support.
    â€˜Do not beg for mercy, for I have none for those faithful to Durward the Traitor. Only those who swear allegiance to me will live.’
    Shock ran through those listening. Sybilla shook her head. How could he demand such a thing? How could he execute those who owed their living to her father? His cold voice and emotionless commands chilled her soul and she knew she had no chance. Had he already killed Gareth and the others? Without being able to see, she did not know and that was in some ways worse.
    â€˜Aldys,’ she whispered, ‘is Gareth here?’
    â€˜Hush, lady. The warrior approaches.’
    Sybilla could hear his heavy steps coming nearer, so she clutched Aldys and Gytha, her chest tight with fear. His words, spoken so close to her she could almost feel his breath, did nothing to ease her fears.
    â€˜I will, however, show mercy to any of you who tell me of Durward’s get. Where is his daughter?’
    Again, shocked whispers spread through the room, halted only by his angry voice.
    â€˜I will have you all killed unless someone tells me where she is.’
    His voice spoke of his true intentions. Cold, without feeling or mercy, it revealed the truth of his words—he would kill them all. Would he stand by his word and notkill them if she stepped forwards? Was it simply a ploy on his part?
    â€˜Stay, lady,’ Aldys warned under her breath.
    â€˜Your time is running out,’ he