Free Voice Of The Demon (Book 2) by Kate Jacoby

teeth!’
    ‘My thoughts exactly. Now, tell me where I can find my mother. Then I want you to go down to Daniel and the others. Tell them I’ll be with them shortly. After that, go tothe chapel. Stay there until I come. Don’t let anyone – and I mean
anyone
but me in.’
    ‘Aye, my lord.’ Micah had to wipe the smile off his face before he left the room, but for comfort, held it inside, where no one would see it.
    *
    She was in the solar, just as Micah had said. Robert stood in the doorway and tried not to flinch at the look Margaret gave him. Three of her ladies were with her and they all stood at his appearance, their hands together, their eyes downcast.
    ‘Please leave us, ladies,’ Robert’s voice sounded harsher than he’d intended, but it was done now. Slowly the women filed out past Robert and he closed the door behind them.
    Margaret wore the black of mourning, her face pale against such heaviness. She was clutching a trium, the one Trevor had given her for her birthday, only weeks before Selar’s invasion. It was that even more than the look on her face which made Robert pause.
    ‘I’m glad to see you’re back in one piece, Robert,’ Margaret said quietly and stiffly, ‘but if you don’t mind, I’d rather not talk today, now that you’ve brought Finnlay home.’
    ‘I’m sorry, Mother,’ Robert took a tentative step forward, his hand reaching out to her. She stepped back and he tried again. ‘But what I have to say can’t wait until tomorrow.’
    ‘No, Robert, not today.’ Her voice dropped to a murmur. ‘I don’t want to know how it happened or what you were doing up there on that mountain. Lady Jennifer’s letter said there’d been a fall, but – ’ Margaret lifted her chin, ‘ – all I know is that my son is dead. He was in your care . . .’
    Her words petered out as she gazed at him. That one single look was like a knife in his chest, cutting him in two. If only she knew how much he was to blame, how greatly he had failed her and his father. Since his father’s death, her great comfort had been the Church. One breath of sorcery now would only make her hate him.
    Slowly now, to calm her reservations, he moved forward until he stood before her, until he could whisper the truth and not be overheard by the ladies waiting outside. ‘I knowyou blame me, Mother. It is my fault. But I can’t let you go on suffering. Finnlay was . . .’
    ‘No!’ Margaret moved to turn away from him, but he caught her hands and held them tightly between his own.
    ‘Mother, Finnlay is alive.’
    For a long moment she stared at him, her eyes wide with incomprehension, shock and horror. She didn’t understand – and then she did. Slowly, like an autumn leaf, she fell into his arms. He held her tight, not wanting to let go. When she looked up at him again, her eyes were full of questions.
    ‘Where is he?’
    ‘Safe, Mother. He’s safe.’
    ‘Then why all this . . . Why say he’s dead? I. . .’ Her voice trailed off again. She was suddenly uncertain, afraid that she couldn’t trust him. She stepped back. ‘Tell me what happened.’
    ‘I’m sorry I can’t tell you any more. I just couldn’t bear you thinking he was dead when I knew he wasn’t.’
    ‘Then this has to be kept a secret? From everybody? For ever?’
    ‘Yes. Or at least until it’s safe for him to return.’
    ‘And when will that be?’
    ‘I don’t know. Perhaps never.’
    Margaret’s mouth became set in a line, anger now tumbling over the rest of her emotions. ‘Why won’t you tell me the rest of it? Your father trusted me with the truth. Why do I not deserve the same respect from my own son?’
    She knew exactly where to hit him, to cause a wound as deep as her own. She waited for his answer, refusing to move until she got one.
    ‘I . . .’ Robert murmured and shook his head. This was much harder than he’d dreamed possible. Even if he could tell her the whole truth – even if he
could
Seal her and protect her