She pressed the paste into the wound. Blackstone didn’t flinch.

‘Men were slain outside the walls last night.’

‘So I’m told.’

‘You look as though you could have been in a battle.’

‘If I left the city, I would have been reported by the guard commander at the gate.’

‘Perhaps you did not go through the gate.’

‘Perhaps I did not go at all.’

‘Perhaps.’

She smoothed the paste. He felt the skin harden as it rapidly dried and formed a hard covering. She wiped her fingers clean on the cloth. But she did not move away. The swell of her breasts pushed against the linen. The enamelled pendant at the base of her throat caught the light. He stared directly at her. Neither spoke but the beat of the pulse in her neck quickened. He placed two fingers on the beating hollow, and then let the palm of his hand flatten against her breast, feeling the seductive beat of her heart. She raised her arms to lift free the shift and the action pushed her breast more firmly against his hand. Blackstone clasped her waist, pressing his lips to her breasts. She pushed down onto him, her mouth hungrily seeking his own.

A moment before her hair fell forward to smother his face, he caught a final glimpse of the hawk ripping apart its victim.

Held in talons and devoured.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

Twenty pack horses fitted with linen nosebags filled with fodder were loaded with the King’s possessions: jewellery and fine silks strapped in bundles or baskets and secured on the hardy beasts of burden. Álvaraz’s men saddled their horses on the far side of the yard as Blackstone returned to the men.

‘The morning has gone. Do not tell me you have been discussing strategy with the King, or troop deployment with Álvaraz. He came over here looking for you.’

‘I was waylaid,’ said Blackstone.

‘Thomas, you reek worse than a wet horse blanket. Was it the woman?’

‘It was.’

‘After all the warnings from de Hayle’s men about her being a witch?’

‘Álvaraz warned me as well.’

‘And still you risk lying with her?’

‘There wasn’t much lying, Gilbert. Getting close to someone who might pose a threat is how we discover their intentions.’ Blackstone smiled but Killbere wasn’t amused.

‘And you think she is not doing the same to you? For God’s sake, Thomas, she already draws you into her web. One venomous sting and you are no longer a threat to her.’

‘And what threat am I now? We’re here to get the King to safety.’

Killbere spat in disgust. ‘We are preparing to flee the city and you’re fornicating with a whore witch. You’re a damned fool.’

‘As you so often remind me, old friend. What would I do without your admonishment?’

‘Live longer.’ Killbere picked up his weapons and turned for the stables.