“I escaped my chamber with the help of one of the servants. I knew I was no match alone for Malcolm and his men, but I saw what took place from the steps above. I waited in his chamber after I heard your wife’s shout of ‘enough’ with such force, ’twas the bravest word I’ve ever heard spoken. I waited behind the curtains, my own dagger ready to kill him for his atrocities. In my weakened state, though, I had to be sure I chose the right moment. She was in terrible shape, already beaten and filthy from the dank cells below. He taunted her for a time, saying things no one should speak, as he tried to break her with his words and cuts from his knife. There was a struggle, and she began fighting back, but so slight he easily overtook her. I made my move then, and she hers.” Guy paused, reaching for water, as he’d barely taken a breath since he began.

“She had a dagger of her own, and she reached for it. She tried to go for his throat, but he caught her before the blade found its mark. He was so enraged he didn’t see me as he dealt the blow that now covers her eye and knocked her out cold. I don’t know where I found the strength, but I removed him from your wife. Had I not been there, he’d have taken her even in her unconscious state. I was easily disarmed and, though badly beaten, I had inflicted enough wounds upon him myself that he was in no state to hurt her further. As I was taken from the room, he ordered her stripped and tied to the post outside. Then I found myself in the dungeon next to your man until your men arrived and freed us.”

The room became silent with the end of the events as they were told, and Greylen turned his chair to face the wall. “Leave me.”

Greylen waited for the doors to close behind them. As soon as he heard the latch click into place, he spent the next hour destroying everything in his sight. It took half a bottle of brandy before he was calm enough to leave his sanctuary, but he did, and Gavin waited just outside the doors.

“Is Isabelle holding up?” Greylen asked as they stood in the hallway.

“Aye, but she wants to see Gwen.”

“And my wife?” Greylen asked.

“Still in shock.”

“I’m going to sit with her by the fire, Gavin. Wait until we’ve settled, then remove the mirror from the bathing chamber.”

Chapter 34