Free A Little Fate by Nora Roberts Page B

beenbusy with matters of state all morning, and wish for a brisk gallop and your lovely company.”
    â€œI would enjoy nothing more. May I meet you in an hour, my lord, so I might find my maid and change into proper attire?”
    â€œI’ll wait. Impatiently.”
    She curtsied, tipping her face up with a saucy smile before rising and hurrying away. She found Cyra in the kitchens, her eyes bright and round with gossip.
    â€œI require you,” Aurora said coolly, then turned away so that Cyra had to rush after her.
    â€œI’ve learned all about—”
    â€œNot now,” Aurora said under her breath. “I’m riding out with the prince,” she said in a clear voice. “I’ll want my red riding habit, and be quick about it.”
    â€œYes, my lady.”
    Only Aurora heard Cyra’s muffled giggle as the girl rushed ahead to the bedchamber. And only Aurora hoped she would hear Cyra’s laughter again.
    â€œAnd be quick about it,” Cyra mimicked with another giggle as soon as Aurora closed the door behind her. “I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. Oh, Aurora, I’ve learned all manner of things. The kitchens are fertile ground.”
    â€œCyra, sit down. I must speak with you.”
    The tone had Cyra stopping to look at Aurora as she lifted up the red habit. “Do you not ride out with Owen, then?”
    â€œNo. Yes, that is—yes.” Aurora pushed at her hair. “Yes, within the hour.”
    â€œIt’ll take nearly that long to get this done. A lady of your station would have her hair dressed differently for riding. It has to suit the hat, you know. We’ll get started and exchange our news. Oh, Aurora, mine is so romantic.”
    â€œCyra.” Aurora took the habit and tossed it aside so she could grasp Cyra’s hand. “I have word of Eton.”
    â€œEton? What of Eton? He’s in the north, scouting for Gwayne.” The rosy flush was dying on her cheeks as shespoke, and her fingers trembled in Aurora’s. “Is he dead? Is he dead?”
    â€œNo. But he’s hurt.”
    â€œI’ll go to him. I have to go to him.”
    â€œYou can’t. Cyra.” She pushed her friend into a chair, then crouched at her feet. “Eton and five others were taken by Lorcan’s soldiers. He was wounded. I don’t know how badly. He was brought here, to the dungeons.”
    â€œHe’s here, in the castle? Now? And he lives?”
    â€œYes. They will question him. Do you know what that means?”
    â€œThey will torture him. Oh.” Cyra squeezed her eyes shut. “Oh, my love.”
    â€œI can do nothing for him yet. If I try . . . all could be lost, so I can do nothing yet. I’m sorry.”
    â€œI need to see him.”
    â€œIt isn’t safe.”
    â€œI need to see him. They send food down to the jailers, to the tribunal, and slop to the prisoners. One of the kitchen maids will let me take her place. If he sees me, he’ll know there’s hope. It will make him stronger. He would never betray you, Aurora, and neither will I. He’s proud to serve you, and so am I.”
    Tears swam into Aurora’s eyes, then she pressed her face into Cyra’s lap. “It hurts to think of him there.”
    â€œThen you must not think of it.” She stroked Aurora’s hair and knew that she herself would think of little else. “I will pray for him. You’ll be a good queen because you can cry for one man when so much depends on you.”
    Aurora lifted her head. “I’m so afraid. It comes close now, and I’m so afraid that I’ll fail. That I’ll die. That others will die for me.”
    â€œIf you weren’t afraid, you’d be like Lorcan.”
    Aurora wiped her eyes. “How?”
    â€œHe isn’t afraid because he doesn’t love. To cause such pain you can’t love or fear, but only crave.”
    â€œCyra, my