Iome bit her lip, and her jaw trembled so that she pierced the lip, unnoticed. Such rage and hurt shone in her eyes. She couldn’t deal with this any longer, couldn’t argue. Her people were angry; she felt hurt and betrayed to the core of her soul—to lose all her family in the space of two days.

Gaborn had seen the aftermath when his own mother was slain, and now his father. He knew how desolate Iome must feel, knew how her own pain must outmatch his own.

Iome said to Gaborn facetiously, “Milord King Orden, Sir Borenson—after all your great kindness these past two days, I bid you get away from here, lest my people slay you. Ours is a poor land, and our hospitality suffers for it. Get out of here. For your service, I grant you your lives, though my vassals wish me to be more penurious.”

She spoke in a tone that mocked her own people, but Gaborn knew that she was serious, that she could not cope any longer.

“Go on,” Gaborn whispered to Borenson. “I’ll see you at Bredsfor Manor.” To his relief, Borenson stood and marched to his horse, executing the order without complaint.

Gaborn went to Iome, pulled off his right gauntlet, and let his hand rest on her shoulder. She seemed so slight, so frail beneath the thin cotton of her dress. He could not imagine that she’d hold up under the pressure she now felt.

She no longer looked as beautiful as the first star of evening. She no longer looked wretched. Her only glamour now was her own, and Gaborn could not have loved her any more than he did at this moment, could not have longed to hold her any more than he did right now.

“I love you, you know,” he said. Iome nodded once, only slightly. “I came to Heredon to ask for your hand, milady. I want you still. I’d have you for my wife.” He did not say it to confirm his feelings to Iome. He said it only for the benefit of her people, so that they would know.

In the crowd, several people hissed at the proposal. Some cried aloud, “No!”

Gaborn could see he wasn’t in favor at this moment. These people didn’t know how he had schemed and fought for their freedom. They’d witnessed only this last craven deed. He would not win their hearts this day, though he hoped to, in time.

Iome reached up and stroked his hand, but offered no words of comfort.

Gaborn walked to the top of the hill, where his horse pawed the snow in an effort to graze on the sweet grass beneath, then followed Borenson south.

At his back, Gaborn’s Days broke from the crowd, following in his shadow.

59

THE HEALER