“Perhaps that was what moved me as I stood over there looking at it. I had hoped it was his ghost warning me not to allow notions of duty to destroy all that matters to me.”

He returned to her side, and although his eyes still met that of the figure’s, his gaze seemed more inward. “I did not even avenge him myself. Others took the risks and wielded the swords.”

“You were too young.”

“Still, I did not forge my own destiny. Others handed it to me, just as others had taken it away. And I received justice only because of Edward’s generosity. He restored Anglesmore to me, even though my father had not supported the moves that put him on the throne. It was one of his first acts after Mortimer was put down. He did not have to do that.”

So there it was. What he owed to the body in the crypt, and to the young King whose word had absolved the family. He lived with an intricate knot of duties and memories and obligations.

She did not know what to say in response. She had no statue to show him of her own father, nor oaths of fealty to honor. But more than ever before, more than the morning in the lodge or the moment they entered the gate, she understood with horrible clarity what they would both sacrifice, and why.

“Edward is a good king, Marcus, and not like the last one. There will be no compromise with honor in serving him and your oath. His favor is to be welcomed, and worth much. He has proven that already, with his generosity to you.”

He turned away from the statue and faced her. The flickering light reminded her too much of how he had appeared that night by the hearth, and his expression bore similar lines to those his face had worn while he watched her passion join his. Regret squeezed her heart so tightly that her chest hurt.

“Aye, Nesta, he is very generous,” he said. “Up to a point.”

It was a subtle warning, but also a clear one. About Edward and about himself.

As she left him and sought the chapel portal, her heart was heavy with the realization that he did not just suspect her of treason. He was convinced of it.

CHAPTER 12

The news spread through the manor that men carrying Llygad’s banner had attacked David and Sieg. The exploits of the rebels made for good stories, and their ability to avoid capture had reached legendary status. Even those at Anglesmore who did not favor Llygad’s cause found the tales of his men fascinating, and everyone was happy to have something to talk about.