Free The Knight and the Seer by Ruth Langan

in them with her.” He gave a roar of laughter. “That’s how I found them. Giggling together and rolling in rose petals.” His smile faded. “Years later, when Laurel lay dying, she told me it was one of her fondest memories.”
    Gwenellen felt tears burn the back of her lids and had to blink quickly. “Thank you for sharing that tale, my lord Morgan. I believe it will convince Andrew of the truth of what I say. Now I must ask you the question he has given me. Why must he remain here, instead of rescuing your bride from the clutches of your enemy?”
    He was already shaking his head. “To do so would be to invite disaster, for Fergus Logan is expecting Andrew to do just that. Instead, he must confound his enemy by doing that which he wouldn’t expect.”
    “And the Lady Sabrina?”
    His smile faded. “Ye may tell Andrew that he was right and I was wrong.”
    “That’s all?”
    “Aye. ‘Tis all I have to say at this time.”
    “But why? Doesn’t your son deserve to know all that you do, my lord?”
    “Not if such knowledge will destroy him.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    He leaned forward and took her hands in his. As before, she felt the brush of something cool and damp against her flesh. “It isn’t necessary that ye understand, lass. Only that ye tell Andrew what I’ve told ye.”
    She heard the footfall behind her and looked over to see Andrew standing very still, watching her with an unfathomable look. The image of his father began to blur, then faded from sight.
    She got to her feet and shook down her skirts. As she started toward him she couldn’t help smiling at the image of a wee lad beaming with pleasure as he offered up his surprise to the mother he adored. Though it was at odds with this angry warrior who now stood before her, it was an image she would not soon forget.

Chapter Seven
    “Y ou spoke with him?” Andrew had stood in the shadows, hearing her voice, soft and low, and the long silences that could only mean she was listening to someone, or something.
    Voices in her head?
    “Aye. Your father was here. And looking much as you look now.”
    That fact caught him by surprise. Though it was true that many might still consider Morgan Ross a handsome, dashing warrior, Andrew could remember only the father with whom he’d bitterly argued in their last confrontation. It was impossible to imagine him young and virile, now that death had claimed him.
    Or was this just her overactive imagination?
    He glanced toward the fresh mound of earth where his father’s body now lay. Seeing the direction of his glance, she steered him toward the door of the castle, knowing it was best for him to leave this place that still caused him such pain. At her prodding, Andrew reluctantly moved along beside her.
    Once inside he paused beside the great stairway. “Did my father answer my question? Did he tell you why I should remain here in the comfort of my own home instead of rescuing Sabrina?”
    “Aye. He said that is what your enemy anticipates. And so you must do the unexpected and remain here.”
    “And bide my time? He must know that goes against everything I believe in. I’m a warrior.” Andrew’s eyes narrowed. “Did he tell you anything else?”
    “Only that you were right about Lady Sabrina and he was wrong.”
    For a moment he looked thunderstruck. “You’re certain those were his words?”
    “Aye.”
    “What else did he say?”
    “Nothing more. And when I asked why, he explained that to say more would destroy you.”
    Andrew snagged her wrist. “And I say it is the not knowing that will destroy me. If you were who you claimed to be, you would have demanded more. Unless, of course, you were sent here by my enemies to further confound me.” He dragged her close, his eyes fixed on hers with a look that had her heart leaping to her throat. There was about him the same fierce look that she’d first encountered. He touched a hand to the jeweled hilt of a knife at his waist. “Tell me why