Beloved in His Eyes (Angel's Assassin #2)(15)

Damien cursed quietly. “Escort the Hungars. I’ll have someone else entertain them until you return.”

“Damien,” Gawyn warned. He knew how distracted Damien was with the Hungars. He knew a girl was not his top priority. He would forget about her.

“I’ll do it,” Aurora said softly. “I’ll find her, Gawyn. I’ll make sure she is taken care of.”

Gawyn nodded his gratitude. He knew Aurora would take care of Justina. “Thank you. Tell her I’ll see her when I come back.” He jogged after the retreating soldiers.



Damien scowled slightly, unsure what to make of his brother’s sudden interest in the simple girl. He glanced at Aurora.

“Are you all right?” she asked him, her fingers trailing reassuringly over his arm.

Damien frowned fiercely and glanced at the double doors the Hungars had left through. “They will not insult you.”

Aurora grinned. “I care not what they say. Their words are empty.”

Damien fumed silently. “I don’t like them looking at you.”

She tilted her head to the side. “You don’t like anyone looking at me.”

It was true, but he especially didn’t like those barbarians looking at her.

“You frightened me,” she admitted quietly.

For that he was sorry. He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “I’ll try not to do that again.”

“Thank you.”

“As long as Hogar never enters Castle Acquitaine again.”

“Then we must make sure he doesn’t,” she agreed.

“Gawyn will see him out of Acquitaine and back to his lands. But that won’t stop them.” He looked down at her beautiful full lips. “I want you to stay inside the castle for the rest of the day.”

Aurora lifted her gaze to him, casting those magnificent blue eyes on him. “You think I’m in danger?”

“I’d feel better knowing you were safe in the castle until the Hungars are out of Acquitaine.”

She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Then for today, I will stay in the castle.”



Justina stood in the hallway, watching as people passed by, obscuring her view of the double doors to the Judgement Room. Adam stood beside her, leaning back against the wall.

She had seen the Hungars emerge and a large group of soldiers follow them out the door. She had not seen Gawyn. Anxiety rippled through her. First, worry. Had he been hurt? The Hungars looked fierce and savage. She immediately dismissed this thought. He was a trained warrior. He would know how to defend himself. Then where was he?

Two noble women exited the room, speaking amongst themselves.

“Those Hungars are barbarians,” the one with the green dress said.

“And dirty. They are disgusting,” the other said. “Imagine them speaking to Lady Aurora like that.”

They strolled passed Justina.

Adam sighed at her side. “I wish I could have stayed.”

Justina stared at the large wooden doors, wishing Gawyn would appear. “The captain wanted us safe. I’m sure he’ll be out any moment.” But she was beginning to think he had forgotten about them. It had been a long while since they had left the room, or what seemed like a long while. She found herself twisting her hands, worried for Gawyn’s safety.

“I wasn’t afraid,” Adam said bravely.

Justina swung her gaze to him in disbelief. “You weren’t? Those Hungars are fierce and bloodthirsty. Did you see the axe the one had? It was the size of your entire body! Be thankful that Gawyn told us to wait for him in the hall. We don’t want to be anywhere near them.”

Adam kicked at an imaginary rock. “I’m not afraid,” he repeated, but his voice lacked conviction.

Justina took a deep breath. She looked down the hall. She wasn’t sure how to get back to the inner ward, let alone her horse. What if Gawyn didn’t come back? Would they be stuck wandering the halls of this massive castle forever? Justina looked at the doors again. He was taking a long time. Maybe she should peek inside the Judgement Room and see if Gawyn was still there. So many people had come out of the room.

Suddenly, Lady Aurora exited the room, followed by four soldiers. Justina couldn’t help but inhale at her beauty and grace. Her dress was a beautiful white with golden embroidery. Her golden hair fell in waves around her shoulders. She paused in the doorway and looked first left, then right until her gaze settled on them. A slow, warm grin spread over her lips.

Adam gasped as she approached, pushing himself from the wall.

“Are you Justina?” Lady Aurora asked.

Justina opened her mouth. It wasn’t that Lady Aurora was scary or unapproachable. It was that she was so beautiful. Her blond hair reflected golden light. Her eyes were large and blue, like the color of a rare sapphire. Justina couldn’t recall a woman who was more stunning. She closed her mouth and nodded.

Aurora smiled. “I remember you from the village. I’m sorry that Damien frightened you.”

Damien? Justina’s mind echoed. But she pushed the thought away and suddenly remembered her manners. She fell into a deep curtsey before her. She was honored that Lady Aurora remembered her from the village square!

“Gawyn was taken away on business. He requested you wait for him.”