Read Online The Heart of the Phoenix by Barbara Bettis - Free Book Online Page B

of his mouth. “But a very pretty lady.”
    They relaxed, lost in their own thoughts, until a rumble of thunder broke the silence.
    Finally Stephen pushed off the wall and inhaled. “I need a bath. Then I want to ask Armand if he’s hosted any strangers of late. Then perhaps I’ll see if Glenna still serves up ale at the inn.” God knew he could use a different kind of release.
    ****
    He failed to return for the evening meal. Not because of Glenna; she no longer lived in the village. A messenger from Bernard arrived, having tracked them from the monastery. Stephen summoned Macsen to the barracks.
    “Bernard reports he met a friend at an alehouse near his home.” Stephen tossed the grubby parchment fragment, which Macsen plucked from the air. “He says the man may find us on the road to England and to welcome him with the joy of Minoch.”
    “Minoch, is it?” Macsen’s face darkened at the word. “Can we trust the messenger?”
    “I think so. He’s a groom from the inn Bernard’s used before. The boy’s sharp. He found us with no trouble. Even if another read the note, only we know the code.”
    Years earlier, after the Dragon’s bloody massacre of a nameless village, Stephen’s troop found a tiny girl sobbing beside the central well, clutching her butchered pup, Minoch.
    “Then according to this”—Macsen waved the parchment—“one—or more—of the Dragon’s men travels behind us.”
    “Apparently headed for England.” Stephen paced to the open door and stared out. “Either they know my identity, or the Dragon is there.”
    Macsen grunted. “No matter which, the chance of encountering them is high. Not a good time for the lady to be present.”
    Stephen turned with a grimace. “And there’s not a damned thing we can do about it, except move too fast to get caught. I must get her home before trouble finds us.”
    ****
    Evie awoke at a sharp knock. A disoriented glance toward the window showed no sign of light. What could be wrong? She opened the door to find Marie in the corridor, candle held aloft.
    “Davy sent me to help, milady. He said we leave soon.”
    “At this hour?” Evie checked the night candle tucked on a small table near the bed. “Dawn is at least an hour away.”
    The maid slipped past her into the room and shrugged. “Davy said Sir Stephen wants every person mounted by first light. And Davy said no one argues with the commander.”
    Argue with the commander indeed. Muttering distinctly unladylike curses, Evie jerked her gown from the bench near the wall. Lack of rest often left her out of sorts. And last night’s sleep proved anything but restful. Images of the kiss repeated over and over in her dreams, like a troubadour’s tale. Each time she awoke with a strange ache in her chest.
    What nerve he had, invading her dreams with his taunting kiss, when he couldn’t bother to attend last night’s meal. Who knew what—or who—occupied him. She certainly did not care, and she resolved never to let that kiss pass her mind again. But the blasted dream took up the moment she drifted off.
    The memory fueled her anger as she stomped around the room, shoving belongings into a pack. Marie tried to help, but Evie sent the girl belowstairs to break her fast, provided Sir Heartless allowed anyone to eat.
    Exasperation provided a shield when she encountered Stephen shortly after arrival in the hall. Ignoring his presence, she accepted bread and watered wine but declined meat from last night’s meal. Let the men devour it. The flesh of animals suited him perfectly. He undoubtedly preferred it raw, the beast.
    Now she was being foolish. She bit her lip against a reluctant smile and instinctively flicked a look at him. Head bent, he spoke with Sir William. Lady Joan approached from the direction of the kitchen, carrying a large packet.
    “Take this,” she insisted. “You’re bound to need something more substantial than bread once the sun rises. I cannot stomach food this early,