Beloved in His Eyes (Angel's Assassin #2)(36)

Aurora met Justina’s gaze. Desperation filled her wide eyes.

“We will escort you to the castle in the morning,” Nicodemus promised. “For now, let us keep you safe.”

Celina started jingling the tambourine. Rolando began to tap the drums in a rhythmic sound.

Nicodemus took Justina’s hand gently, carefully and led her to the center of the camp. He began to move his hips, swaying from side to side and stomping his feet. “Come, girl. Dance.”

Justina could only stand still as tears rushed to her eyes. How could she dance when Adam was gone? How could she be happy? She shook her head.

Gerad stood from the spit, staring down the road. “A rider.”

“Here,” Nicodemus called, indicating the darker shadows of the wagon with a wave of his hand. “Behind the wagon. You must remain hidden.”





Chapter 14


Gawyn spurred his horse hard toward the gypsy camp he had spotted on the road. Justina! She might have sought protection with them. Or perchance they had seen her. He needed to find her. Desperation was rising in him and he had to push it down time and again. Too many images rose in his mind’s eye. Justina lying wounded in a patch of grass. Had he missed her? Doubt festered. Justina’s clothing torn, and her legs spread.

He tightened his grip on the reins of the horse, and it came to a halt, rearing slightly as a large man approached him. Gawyn recalled seeing him in the castle during the judgements.

“Greetings!” he called. “You ride late at night, my friend. What brings you out in the dark?”

“I’m looking for a woman,” Gawyn told him.

“Aren’t we all?” Nicodemus roared in a hearty laughing voice.

“Her name is Justina. I have to find her. She has dark hair and is wearing --”

“Gawyn,” a voice whispered.

Gawyn turned. For a moment, he thought it was a dream. She stood there, beside the wagon looking breathless. His heart missed a beat at the sight of her. “Justina,” he whispered. His voice was ragged as if her name had been ripped from the depths of his soul. He realized he had been preparing himself for her death. He slid from his horse and rushed forward. She met him halfway, throwing her arms around him. He caught her, and she slumped in his arms. He physically held her up, supporting her. He couldn’t resist pressing his lips to hers with such relief and elation that his knees almost buckled.

Her face was moist and hitching sobs came from her open mouth.

Gawyn pulled back to look into her red eyes. Her long, dark lashes were clumped together. He looked down at her face, framing it with his hands. He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs, trying to wipe her agony away, yet knowing he could never do it. Just looking at her sent waves of desperation and relief and an explosive need through him. He pulled her tight against him, holding her.

She pressed her wet face into his chest. “Adam...”

“I know,” he whispered, stroking her hair.

Around them, the gypsy camp was strangely quiet. Gawyn scanned the area over her shoulder. They had to get out of there before Hungars tracked them. They weren’t safe here. He tucked her protectively beneath his arm and turned.

Aurora stepped from the bushes beside the wagon. She stood absolutely still for a long moment.

Gawyn blinked. It was as if she had materialized from the darkness. “Aurora,” he called in relief and held out the arm that wasn’t holding Justina for her.

Aurora came forward into his embrace.

He squeezed her tightly, desperately glad to see her. “Damien thinks... we all thought you were dead.”

Aurora shook her head as she pulled back to look at him. “It was Megan. They --”

“Never mind,” Gawyn interrupted quickly. She didn’t need to relive the horror he had seen in the clearing. It must have been Megan’s body he had seen and mistaken for Aurora. They had bashed in her face beyond recognition. “Damien thinks you’re dead. We have to get back to the castle.”

The lead gypsy took a deep breath. “Two sobbing women. I don’t envy you, my friend.”

“Thank you for taking care of them,” Gawyn said. He released Aurora but kept Justina close to him. They all began to move toward his horse.

Aurora stopped and turned to the group of gypsies. “You were kind to us. You are welcomed back to Acquitaine as honored guests anytime.”

Nicodemus took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “We were only returning the favor, my lady.”



They barely said anything as they made their way back toward the sally port. Aurora rode the horse, but Justina refused and Gawyn kept her in his hold. Both women looked ragged and tired. He continued to look down at Justina as they walked. There was a sadness in her eyes he knew he could never erase. Her father, her brother, gone. It seemed like every time she came near Damien, someone died. Although it had not been his fault. If only Damien had not wanted him to find out what she knew. If only she had not caught his brother’s eye, she would have lived on the farm, peacefully. But then, he never would have met her. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and it drew her attention. She met his gaze and tightened her hold around his waist as if she thought he would vanish.

Gawyn looked at Aurora. Her chin was falling to her chest.

Gawyn glanced toward the castle. The wall surrounding the city was in the distance, a target within striking distance. They would make it there by sun up. It was slow going having to walk, but three would not fit on the horse. “Let’s rest here.” Gawyn began to lead the horse off the path.