Beloved in His Eyes (Angel's Assassin #2)(9)

Justina dropped her gaze from the soaring towers of the castle to the dusty street. She met the questioning gaze of a woman carrying an empty basket and quickly looked away. How was she different from the woman? How had she ended up catching the eye of the captain of the guard?

The crowds on the road parted for the line of horses as they marched through the city. She swiveled her gaze to the lead horse. Gawyn cantered his animal down the street with confidence. A sense of calm came over her as she watched him handle his horse, his stare on the road ahead. His back was straight despite the heavy plate mail on his chest. He wore no helmet like the rest of the soldiers; instead, he let his brown hair flow free in the breeze. She liked it much better that way and found herself grinning as she watched him.

They moved across the drawbridge of the castle and beneath the raised portcullis. Justina looked up at the spikes on the end of the portcullis as they passed beneath the heavy metal gate. She would hate to have it slam shut on her head and cringed slightly at the thought. It was massive.

They continued into the outer ward and then the inner ward where they came to a halt. The two soldiers dismounted, and young boys rushed to take the reins of their horses. Justina shifted in the saddle, looking this way and that. That same unease came back, spreading through her body. What about her horse? Should she just leave it? She was unaccustomed to this luxury.

And then Gawyn stood beside her. He reached up for her, putting his hands around her waist, and eased her from her horse. Warmth blossomed across her cheeks as her toes touched the ground and she found her hands on his strong shoulders. For a moment, she could say nothing, do nothing, but stare into his deep brown eyes. His gaze swept her face.

She felt a tugging on her skirt but didn’t want to look away just then.

“Adam would like to know if he can stable your new horse,” Gawyn said.

Justina blinked. She saw his lips move, but it was a moment longer before she heard his words. “Oh.” She dropped her arms from Gawyn’s shoulders and took a step back from him, suddenly embarrassed. She tore her gaze from those hypnotic eyes to look down toward her skirt. Adam had been pulling on her dress to get her attention.

A boy with red hair and freckles raced up and took the reins, leading her mare away.

Justina watched the boy go. Her new horse! She felt as if a present was being taken away, but the thought was ridiculous.

“She’ll be stabled. We’ll get her when you leave,” Gawyn assured her.

Justina couldn’t take her eyes from her brown and white horse, worried for the mare’s welfare.

Adam stomped his foot slightly but whirled toward the castle in excitement. He couldn’t remain angry for long. There was too much to see.

Gawyn chuckled, drawing her attention. “I remember coming to Acquitaine for the first time.” He looked around the castle. “It can be overwhelming.” He swiveled his head toward her, his bright, brown eyes twinkling. “It’s always crowded and wherever you look, there is always movement. It’s hard to find space to collect your thoughts.”

Justina nodded in agreement. She felt breathless and wasn’t certain if the reason was the castle or the man standing before her.

A child raced by after a goose, rustling Justina’s skirt.

Gawyn eased her aside, out of the boy’s way. “Come. I’ll show you the spot I go when I need to take a breath and get away from the crowds.”

Justina glanced at Adam to make sure he was following them.

Her brother skipped happily after them.

Justina hurried to Gawyn’s side. “Where is it?”

“It’s much quieter than the inner ward, I can tell you that. It reminds me of where I grew up. A little.” He led them through the inner ward to the far wall, the wall all the way at the back of the castle. It was quieter, but not silent. In the corner, loud barking erupted from numerous dogs as they approached.

Justina looked at Gawyn. “This is it?”

Gawyn grinned at her; that sideways smile made her heart skip a beat. “Adam,” he called. The boy rushed to his side. “See that man there?” Gawyn pointed to a stocky, dark haired man with brown breeches, torn at the knee, and a brown tunic. “Go and ask him about the puppies.”

“Puppies?” Adam wondered, his eyes large in excitement.

“One of our hunting dogs recently had puppies. I’m sure he’ll show you.”

Adam raced over to the man and spoke to him. The man lifted his gaze to Gawyn and waved slightly.

Gawyn nodded to him.

The man led Adam into the kennels.

“This way,” Gawyn said.

Justina hesitated. “What about Adam?”

“We’ll get him on the way back.”

“The way back?” Justina echoed in confusion. She didn’t like leaving Adam, but her curiosity got the better of her and she followed Gawyn into a large tower on the corner. She was sure it was the guard tower. “Are we allowed in here?”

Gawyn smiled at her. “I am the captain of the guard. I can go anywhere I want.”

His grin was contagious, like a little boy in a room filled with sweets. They moved up one flight of stone stairs and then turned a corner and continued up more stairs. Three times they did this until Gawyn stopped before a door. His brown eyes twinkled in merriment as he gazed at her. He slowly opened the door.

A walkway stretched out before her. It lined the wall all the way across to the other guard tower. Justina stepped out onto the wooden planks. She looked down. Far below them, she saw the kennels, but she couldn’t hear the barking. The wind blew gently, rustling her hair. She pushed a strand away from her face, marveling at how quiet it was here. There were no sounds of the crowds, no merchants hollering, no animals barking or neighing.