Chapter Thirty-Four 

Melinda and her sister spent the rest of the afternoon and evening talking. She and James were in separate chambers. 'Twas the first night he'd slept apart from her since she'd been sick. He was finding it difficult to be away from her.

The next morning, Renly met James in the bailey. The men were uneasy.

"There are riders in the distance."

"Tell the men to be ready. I will talk with Lord Blackford, but if he will not listen, I will end him."

His captain looked unsure. "Mistress Melinda will be angry if you kill her sister's husband."

"Perhaps you are right, though the man may not give me a choice." What else could James say?

He was still thinking on how to stop William from drawing his sword when Lord Blackford himself rode into the bailey. James watched as William dismounted, counting the number of knights. It would be a fair fight.

He knew the moment William recognized him. The man's face transformed into a look James had seen many times.

"The Red Knight dares send a spy to infiltrate my household?" William roared. "Know you this: the man's blood is on your hands."

James shook his head at Renly and the men, standing there ready for the blow as William stalked over to him.

James heard the sound of Melinda and Lucy's voices. 'Twas the last thing he heard. He returned the blow with one of his own. James admitted that William was a fierce fighter. He took a blow to the side that sent him to his knees. He reached out, grabbed William's foot, and pulled him to the ground. As they rolled across the lists, William gained his feet, unsheathing his sword.

James unsheathed both swords. The clang of steel filled the air. James and Williams spluttered and cursed as a bucket of icy-cold water landed on their heads.

"Bloody hell, woman," William roared at his wife.

"You two are acting like schoolboys, fighting over some stupid toy." Lady Blackford stood with her hands on her hips. James wanted to smile but knew 'twas a bad idea. He only had to look at the two women to tell they were kin.

"You wouldn't listen," Lucy said sweetly.

Melinda put a hand on James' arm. "Talk to him. For my sake."

James bared his teeth. Melinda's tear-filled eyes undid him. He sheathed the blades.

William snarled at James, "'Tis only for my lady, whoreson. It seems we must talk or incur the wrath of our warrior women. Why are you here, Lord Falconburg?"

"Melinda Merriweather showed up alone, on my lands with no escort." James left the rest unsaid.

Understanding crossed William's face.

"Did you believe her?"

"Not until we arrived here and she found her sister." James looked in the direction of the two women. Both stood there watching them.

William spat blood and sat on a low bench tucked into the corner of the wall. He gestured for James to join him.

As James sat down, a raven landed on the wall above his head. Melinda let out a soft gasp. James looked at her, concerned.

"Is aught amiss, lady?"

"Ravens make me nervous."

"Me too," Lady Blackford said.

The bird cocked its head, as if the creature were listening to them. Then the bloody raven cawed and flew away. Both sisters let out a sigh of relief.

"I was captured by the masked outlaw of the wood."

"And that is what led you here?"

"No, we were already on our way here to see if Lady Blackford was indeed Melinda's sister. On the way, we encountered trouble." James paused, looked to Melinda, saw the look of hope on her face, and turned back to William.

"I heard a tale while I was there. About my family's massacre. Seems we have much to talk about."

William didn't say anything, simply nodded and waited for James to continue. As James watched Melinda and Lucy go inside the hall, he swore.

"I'd rather meet you in the lists again." James sighed. "Seems I needs beg your pardon."

The sound of thunder filled the air. William looked up. "Join me by the fire for a drink?"

"Aye."

William looked over his shoulder.

"I should add another scar to your pretty face."

Just when James thought they had reached an accord, William brought up his disfigurement. He swung, catching William under the chin. Neither man reached for a blade. They used fists, taking out all the anger and hatred they had felt toward each other over the years.

It started to rain. Thunder and lightning filling the sky. And neither man would yield. They hurled insults back and forth. James dealt William a vicious blow to the face. William cursed and unsheathed his sword. James and William fought on through the morning. The garrison knights gathered to watch, calling out advice and hurling insults.

"You fight like a girl, William."

"Mayhap I should cut out your tongue, Jamie boy."

They fought on, neither man willing to concede, both exchanging slurs and blows as the morning gave way to afternoon, then to evening before William said enough. James, drenched in sweat, leaned over, hands on thighs, his bad leg shaking, to catch his breath.

William wiped sweat from his brow.

James walked off the field, then Melinda screamed.

"Look out!"

He turned his head, and that one moment cost him. The knight's sword came down. James heard the sound of the sword striking metal, felt warmth across his hand. With his right hand, he thrust upward with the sword, skewering the man.

William cursed. "My apologies. He was one of Clement's friends. I took him in when he had nowhere else to go."

Melinda ran to him. "Your hands."

Lady Blackford handed Melinda a cloth. "A storm is coming. We need to go in. I'm so sorry, Mellie."

"Not your fault, sis."

"I'll have hot water and clean rags ready when you come in. Hurry. I don't like the look of the sky."

James and William spoke to the men. The knights went to the garrison to take shelter, and William followed Lucy inside. Melinda took the cloth and wiped the blood off his hand.

His ring slid off into her palm. Thunder crashed, making her jump.

"We should go inside, love."

It was as if she didn't hear him. She wiped the blood off his ring and looked at him, her green eyes glowing in the twilight.

"I've seen this ring before."

"Aye. 'Tis my family ring."

She shook her head. "No. In the future. I found it in the rubble of Falconburg."

The air shifted. Melinda's hair stood out from her head. The wind started to howl and thunder boomed across the sky, shaking the ground. Lightning flashed so close to Melinda, James smelled something burning.

"We must go. Now."

Melinda screamed.