CHAPTER 20

C HAPTER 20

S hocked and deeply disturbed by Cade’s words, Tamsyn continued unsteadily, “Where did you get the idea that we’re married?”

Looking as disoriented as Tamsyn felt, Cade faltered. “Bastien said you were my wife and . . . it felt so right that I believed him.”

She frowned, trying to make sense of his statement. “He doesn’t seem like the sort of man who pays much attention to women. Since we were traveling together and we look nothing alike, it probably didn’t occur to him that we were brother and sister.”

“We are, Tamsyn?” He shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

He was glowing golden in her mind and she couldn’t think ! She inhaled deeply and said, “This is not the time or place to sort this out. A mile or so south along this shore, there’s an empty cottage where we can stay until everything is organized for us to go home.”

In the chaos of her mind and emotions, the clearest thought was that she had to get them away to safety. “My horse is tethered around the corner. After what you’ve been through, you should ride him.”

Cade shook his head, and dammit, he was still glowing gold. “You used much power on Bastien. You ride and I’ll walk since you say it’s not far.”

This was the protective big brother she knew, and he wasn’t wrong. “Very well. Let’s hope this fog holds for the rest of the day.”

He glanced upward. “I think it will. Your horse?”

Cade had always been good at predicting weather. Silently she led the way around the corner to the cave where Zeus was tethered.

“Nice,” Cade said as he introduced himself to the gelding. “You have a fine eye for horses.” He untethered Zeus, then turned and lifted Tamsyn into the saddle.

She felt she should complain about being treated like a child, but she realized that she was exhausted. And Cade’s hands around her waist felt warm and protective.

The walk along the water to Chateau la Mer was silent, with waves occasionally washing over Cade’s feet and her horse’s hooves. Cade gave a soft whistle when they reached the snug cottage nestled in the grove of trees. “How did you find this?”

“The network of gifted people.” She slid from the gelding’s back, holding the saddle for a moment until she felt strong enough to walk. “There’s a stable around the back. I’ll go into the cottage and start a fire.”

He nodded and led Zeus around the cottage. They’d always worked well as a team. Cade was her favorite brother, not that she would ever tell Bran that.

She’d laid a fire on her last visit so it didn’t take long to strike a spark and get it going, warming the cool cottage.

What next? Fighting her fatigue, she stepped into the bedroom area and sat on the edge of the bed as she pulled off her boots. She should get up and set out food, but Cade had been right about how tired she was. She’d lie down for just a moment....

* * *

Cade gave Zeus a very thorough grooming, not surprised that Tamsyn had provided all the feed and tools necessary to make a horse happy. Though there was much he couldn’t remember, his muscles knew what to do. He found the process as soothing as Zeus evidently did.

After the horse was fed and bedded down, Cade headed out into the mists and around to the front door of the cottage. He and Tam needed to talk, but not until after she’d cleared the mental block Bastien had forced on him.

The fire had taken the chill off the cottage, but it was so quiet that he wondered if Tam was there. One of the lanterns shed gentle illumination from its place on the single table. It didn’t take long to find Tamsyn sprawled on one side of the bed, dead asleep.

She was so petite, but with the heart and strength of a lioness. Ever since he was captured, she’d been working nonstop toward freeing him and maintaining steady mind contact with him. She’d also used a vast amount of energy not just on rescuing him, but doing whatever she’d done to make Bastien “less dangerous.” No wonder she was so tired.

He wasn’t much better, he realized. His captivity, the mind block, the torture, the sheer physical demands of the escape, had left him reeling.

The bed had been made up, but Tam had fallen sleep on top. Several blankets were folded on the small cabinet, so he shook one out, folded it in half for more warmth, and laid it over Tamsyn, brushing her hair with light tenderness.

He needed something to eat, he realized. Surely if horse food had been provided, there was also food for people. He moved to the simple kitchen area and found cheese and ham and bread, along with good French wine to wash it down.

The food steadied him, but maybe he should have skipped the wine because after he drank a glass, he was ready to lie down on the flagstone floor and go to sleep. He couldn’t remember when he’d been so tired.

Of course there was much he couldn’t remember.

His gaze went to the bed where Tamsyn still slept. It was the only bed and wide enough for two. Though his mind produced intoxicating images of sharing a bed with her, he wasn’t sure if they were memories or imagination.

Was he Tamsyn’s husband or her brother? She said she was his sister, and surely she knew best since her mind was operating normally.

She was almost invisible under the folded blanket. Would she mind if he joined her on the bed? Perhaps, but he needed rather desperately to be close to her. Not in a romantic way, as much as he wanted that. He just needed to be near her healing presence.

He stripped off his boots and coat and shirt and realized that he must smell like a goat. And a horse. Tam would have brought his carry bag and he recalled that it included fresh clothing. The cottage was small so it didn’t take long to locate the bag. He stripped off the garments he’d been wearing for days, then took advantage of the kitchen water pump to give himself a quick wash. He refused to let himself think how good a hot bath would feel. He really needed a shave, but he’d leave that for tomorrow.

Cleaner and even more ready to drop in his tracks, he dragged on a pair of drawers and his one clean shirt. Both were loose, which his body appreciated after wearing the same clothing for days on end.

He eyed the bed again. He desperately needed a good night’s sleep, and the bed would be far more comfortable than the cold stone floor.

Decision made, he banked the fire for the night, then pulled a blanket from the pile and folded it in half, then spread a third blanket over both of them.

He lay down as far from Tamsyn as the bed allowed. Tomorrow would be a complicated day as Tam healed his mind, he found out what had been happening, and they laid plans for escaping home to England.

But for now, he slept in peace.