Page 44 of Veil of Winter

He pulled her to his side, then wrapped his arm around her. Her heart expanded inside her.Thank You, God.He wasn’t rejecting her. Yet.

No one spoke. Sir Gerard was giving Rodrigo stare for stare.

Rodrigo turned his gaze on Elyce, and a smile spread over his face. “You always were an impulsive and emotional girl, but to throw yourself at this . . . knight?”

“How dare you!” Elyce could feel Sir Gerard’s hand squeeze tighter to hers, but she stepped toward Rodrigo. Her face burned and the words flew from her mouth. “I might be emotional, but at least I am not faithless, cold, and barbaric, like you and your uncle!” She was practically screaming the words.Calm down! You mustn’t say these things.But when Rodrigo laughed at her, she lost all control.

“I don’t answer to you, Rodrigo, nor will I ever! You are just like the serpent, crafty and deceptive. But I have chosen someone much better than you, a man of integrity and honor.”

She was proving Rodrigo right by her loud fit of emotion.O God, what must Sir Gerard think of me? Will he utterly scorn me?

Tears sprang to her eyes. After losing control, what could be worse than crying in front of Sir Gerard, Sir Oswalt, and Rodrigo?

Everyone was watching her. No doubt they were waiting for her to go on. More words leapt into her mind, and she had to clench her teeth to stop herself from making things even worse.

The silence stretched out. Finally, Rodrigo spoke. “I see you have made another impulsive decision.”

He was baiting her.

Elyce simply folded her arms across her chest and glared. Rodrigo looked to Sir Gerard again.

“So you will take her away from her duties as the King of Montciel’s only daughter?” Rodrigo took a step back when hesaid this, probably afraid of the bristling knight with the sword in his hand.

“She knows I will care for her and protect her. She has made her choice.”

Her heart skipped and jolted against her chest. He was very convincing. But he knew she was lying to save them from Rodrigo, did he not? Of course he knew. He was just playing along, helping her, as he had been helping her all this time.

Sir Gerard pressed close to her side in a protective stance. Her heart did its strange dance again.

Rodrigo raised his brows. “So I may tell your father that you are in love with this English knight and are planning to live out your life with him, away from Montciel?”

“I would prefer you told him I was dead. But if you wish to tell him the truth, then tell him I wish for him to consider me dead.” Her face grew hotter and her blood thrummed through her veins. She’d never behaved so deceptively before, though everything she said was at least partially true. She was amazed at how easy it was. No doubt she’d have to deal with the consequences later, confessing and repenting.God, forgive me.

It was easy to imagine herself in love with Sir Gerard, so easy that she began to wonder... Was she in love with this handsome, noble knight? Certainly he was much preferable to Rodrigo. And the kiss... She already wished she could kiss him again.

Sir Gerard could never love her, especially after seeing her lose her self-control and rant at Rodrigo.

And yet Sir Gerard was still standing very close, and shemust make it convincing. There was no going back now, so she nestled in, pressing her cheek to Sir Gerard’s shoulder.

A tremor went through her stomach. She couldn’t bear to think how he would react later, when Rodrigo was gone and they were no longer pretending.

“Why else do you think I would take a sleeping potion and feign death? I was motivated by love.” What she said was true. She was motivated by love for her people.

“Well, I wish you both much happiness.” Rodrigo was smirking again.

“Remember that you agreed to tell everyone that I died on the journey to Prague.”

“Of course.” Rodrigo gave a slight bow.

He was lying. He’d tell King Claude and her father every detail he could remember of her story of love for an English knight, probably making up some details of his own. But it would not matter, because by the time he arrived in Montciel and Valkenfeld, she’d be on her way there with a small army from King Wenceslaus. She hoped.

“If you are done chasing us,” Sir Gerard said, “you may leave now and take your men back the way you came.”

Rodrigo raised his brows. “I only hope you can protect her, in case King Claude comes looking for her himself.”

“Is King Claude looking for me?”

“He sent me, but I would not be surprised if he has sent a whole troop of his soldiers to hunt you as well. After all, he wants your father to think he is concerned for your safety.”