Free A Little Fate by Nora Roberts Page A

Aurora gatheredwith the women to take rose tea and chatter about gowns and the upcoming masque.
    â€œYour pardon, my lady.”
    Knowing her part, Aurora spared him a single disinterested glance. “I am occupied.”
    â€œI beg your pardon, my lady, but the lace you requested has arrived.”
    â€œA full day late.” She set her cup aside and shook her head at the women who sat closest to her as she rose. “It will probably be inferior, but we’ll see what can be done with it. Have it sent to my chambers. I’ll come now.”
    She walked out behind him, careful not to speak to him or to Rhiann, who followed in her wake, until they were behind doors again.
    â€œLace.” She sighed heavily, and poured ale to rid her mouth of the oversweet taste of the rose tea. “How I am lowered.”
    â€œLorcan’s envoys returned today with taxes levied against the four points.”
    Aurora’s mouth thinned. “He will not keep them for long.”
    â€œThey brought also six prisoners.”
    â€œPrisoners? What prisoners are these?”
    â€œThey say they are rebels, but four are only farmers, and one of them is aged and near crippled, while another is no more than a boy. The other two must have been set upon and taken while scouting. One of them is Eton.”
    Aurora lowered herself slowly to a chair as Rhiann bit back a cry. “Out Eton? Cyra’s betrothed?”
    â€œEton was wounded, and all are being kept in the dungeons.” He curled his hands helplessly into fists. “They’re to be questioned by the tribunal.”
    â€œTortured,” Aurora whispered.
    â€œIt’s said they’ll be executed for treason within the week. Flogged and branded, then hanged.”
    â€œCompose yourself, Rhiann,” Aurora ordered when the woman began to weep. “It will not happen. Why were they taken, Rohan? How are they charged with treason?”
    â€œI can’t say. There’s word among the servants that rebellion is brewing, that the True One is coming.”
    â€œSo Lorcan strikes before he is struck.” She pushed to her feet to pace as she brought the positioning of the dungeons into her mind. “We must get them out, and we will. We have a week.”
    â€œYou can’t leave them there for a week.” Rhiann struggled against fresh tears. “To be tortured and starved.”
    â€œI have no choice but to leave them until we are ready to attack. If we try to free them now, we could fail, and even if we succeed, such a move would put Lorcan on alert.”
    â€œEton may be dead in a week,” Rhiann snapped. “Or worse than dead. Is this how you honor your family?”
    â€œThis is how I rule, and it is bitter to me. Eton is like my own brother. Would you have me risk all to spare him?”
    â€œNo.” Rohan answered before Rhiann could speak. “It would not honor him if you spared him pain, or even his life, and Lorcan continued to rule.”
    â€œGet word to him if you can. Tell him he must hold on until we can find a way. Send a dispatch to Gwayne. It’s time. They are to travel in secret. They must not be seen. How long will it take them? Three days?”
    â€œThree—or four.”
    â€œIt will take three,” Aurora said firmly. “I will meet him in the forest, near the tunnel, at midnight when he arrives. I’ll know what must be done.”
    â€œCyra.” Rhiann grieved for her daughter. “How will we keep this from her?”
    â€œWe won’t. She has a right to know. I’ll tell her. She should hear it from me.”
    She went out in search of her friend, hoping she would have the right words, and met Owen as she stepped into the courtyard.
    â€œLady Aurora.” He took her hand, bowed over it. “I was about to send word for you.”
    â€œI am at your pleasure, my lord prince.”
    â€œThen you’ll honor me by riding out with me. I’ve