Chapter 9

Chapter

Nine

H aving left his sword behind, Alden gripped the knife at his side, listening.

"My lord?"

Thankfully he could hear every word through the crack in the heavy wooden door. He'd left it open, just slightly, for such a purpose.

"Apologies for calling on you at such an hour. May I come inside?"

No.

Though Alden wished for her to refuse him, she would not.

"Of course," Lady Elara—or Elara, though it would be difficult to think of her as such—said to him. As always, his tone toward her was more curt than Alden cared for.

"I did not wish to speak of it before the others, nor would I put our investigation at risk, but since we did not meet this eve..."

Did he simply want an update from her, and nothing more?"

"Ashford, oddly, requested we meet on the morrow instead. I do not know his reasons, but agreed as I've canceled lessons and was in Pembroke's office all day."

"Did you discover anything?"

Elara paused, long enough for Alden to notice, so likely long enough for Stirling to notice as well.

"I've discovered enough to make Pembroke and Ashford's concerns my own."

She offered no specifics. Did Elara not trust Stirling with the information?

"Such as?"

Alden did not imagine the sharp edge to Stirling's question. He liked it not.

"Records that would indicate someone does, indeed, have access to Pembroke's private quarters, and is bold enough to use that access to put our men in jeopardy."

"You seem reluctant, my lady, to offer details?"

Alden rolled his eyes. He stated the obvious, but if Stirling thought to get Elara to reveal something she did not wish to reveal, he knew the lady not at all.

"I will do so with the council."

"Of which I am a member."

"I am aware, Lord Stirling."

Her tone took the same edge as his. Alden sheathed his knife. It was clear Lord Stirling did not intend to harm her, but he did press her hard for information. Was it simply curiosity? Or something more?"

"If there is a traitor in this castle, the implications—"

"I am aware of the implications," Elara cut him off. "More than anyone." This time, she hid none of her annoyance. The woman was not to be trifled with.

"Of course." Stirling's tone, terse, nevertheless conceded defeat, as did his words. "I will expect a full update on the morrow."

"And you will have one, my lord."

Alden could no longer hear their words, but he did hear the door shutting moments later. His own opened with a creak. Elara stood there, staring at him.

He spoke first. "You do not trust him?"

"I trust no one," she said, coming into the chamber.

The bedchamber.

That Alden was alone with her so close to where Elara slept was not lost on him.

"Sir Eamon?"

"Perhaps him."

"Do you trust me?"

Her eyes darted toward the bed and then back to him. If Alden had blinked, he would have missed it, so subtle was the movement. But he had not. Without thinking, he took a step toward her.

"Elara," he asked again. "Do you trust me?"

Her chin rose. "I hardly know you."

"What would you know of me?" he asked. They stood much too close, and not close enough.

"I would know your true purpose at Blackwood."

"As I said—"

"You told me only a partial truth. I can see it in your eyes."

"Can you?"

"Aye."

"Tell me how." Elara intrigued him like no other. Though it was true he avoided her question, he also wished to learn such a skill.

"Some blink more, others less. Some look up and to the right, others to the left. It can be difficult to determine when a person is being untruthful, or omitting information, but knowing their regular patterns can be helpful. For instance, your gaze is constant, more so than most. When you wish to avoid a topic, it becomes more...erratic. Though subtly so."

"Incredible."

"No more so than your skill and strength with the sword. With practice, it becomes much easier."

Alden smiled. "You've been watching me in training then, too?"

"Perhaps."

"In order to determine my worthiness as an ally in the matter of the traitor?"

Alden wanted to kiss her more than he wanted to kiss any woman, including the very first time his lips had touched another. He wanted to break through the cool exterior and discover the depths of this woman's soul. His chest, his entire body, ached with the need to touch her.

Yet, he remained still.

"Then too, aye."

His eyes widened. Had she just admitted to watching him before it was necessary to do so? Alden had to take a risk. There was no other way to gain complete trust from a woman such as Elara.

"I wish to become a knight."

She did not laugh, or scoff at his admission. "That is why you joined us?"

"In part, aye. I do believe in the cause, but I also know there are limited opportunities for a blacksmith's son to gain the status that I've wished for since I was a boy. That is more than I've said aloud to another living soul about the matter," he said honestly.

"'Tis a noble calling. Why would you be ashamed of such an ambition?'

Alden wished to gain her trust, but he would not humiliate himself in the process. Grinding his teeth, he said nothing, considering how not to answer without appearing rude.

She stepped forward, closing the space between them. Grabbing his hand with both of her own, she turned it over. Looked at his palm.

The touch was so unexpected, warm and comforting.

"These are the hands," she said, "of a man who has trained to be a warrior, but also the hands of a blacksmith. There is no shame in that."

He watched as Elara's thumbs smoothed over the rough patches beneath his fingers. They looked up at the same time, and she immediately dropped his hand and stepped back.

"Forgive me. I do not know what came over me to take such liberties."

"And yet, I am glad you did."

For a moment, Alden thought she would be receptive to his advance, as there could be no other interpretation of his words. Instead, she moved toward the door.

"I must apologize once again. It is late. Perhaps—"

Alden did not wait for her to finish before stepping past her, through the doorway into the antechamber. He had no wish to give the lady discomfort.

"I will listen and observe," he said. "And will return here at the same time tomorrow."

Without looking back, Alden pushed aside the tapestry and made to leave Elara's chamber.

"Alden," she said, stopping him.

He turned, his hand itching for Elara's touch once again.

"I trust you," she said simply.

He smiled, closed the door and made the long trek back to his own chambers.