Page 98 of Fortress of Snow

Juliana reached for Mazy and clung tightly to her, squeezing her neck and pressing her cheek against hers.

“Don’t worry,” Mazy told her. “No one is taking you from us.”

For once, John had served her well.

Berenger had not been summoned by the king. He still had not been given any duties at either the Tower of London or the king’s palace since his return, so Berenger went back to the Swan that evening to see Mazy.

“Did you hear anything from the king?” she asked, a bright, hopeful look in her eyes.

“No, not yet.”

“Don’t worry.” She patted his chest. “I’m sure you will hear good news, and soon.”

Why did she seem so sure? “What have you done?”

Mazy’s mouth fell open and she looked slightly guilty.

“Very well, I will tell you, since I don’t want to keep secrets from you.”

He waited, his heart in his throat.

“I went to the palace today and spoke with the king. He listened to all I had to say about what I knew about Juliana and you and Lady Bristow, and he seemed to believe me. He even said he was glad I came to talk to him, and he was actually quite pleasant.”

“Mazy, you shouldn’t have gone to the king.” His stomach sank. “If he decides to believe Lady Bristow, you could be in danger.”

“I don’t think so. Besides, I think he believed me and will decide in your favor. After all, we have the truth on our side.”

“But you don’t know how treacherous Lady Bristow is. We have no idea who she might have on her side. She may come after you. I’m so sorry for putting you in danger.” He covered his face with his hand. What had he been thinking? He’d never forgive himself if something bad happened to her.

“She did send two men to the Swan to try to take Juliana, but Giles protected her.”

“Juliana is safe?”

“Yes, she is well and safe.”

“How do you know it was Lady Bristow who sent them?”

“John warned me. Somehow he knew. It was the same two men we hired to run the Swan.”

“I’ll have them arrested and thrown in the Tower.”

Juliana came hurrying up to him, and he picked her up, lifting her high, then hugging her. “There’s my Juliana.”

“Two scary men tried to take me, but Giles took out his sword.” She held up her hand as if she were brandishing a sword. “Then they ran away.”

Berenger took a deep breath and let it out, giving Juliana an extra squeeze. “I am glad. We won’t let them take our Juliana.”

“Come and take your bath,” Ro said, walking up behind Berenger and taking the child from his arms. She smiled at him before walking with Juliana to the back of the alehouse.

“I’m so sorry I put you and Juliana in danger.” He rubbed a hand down his face.

“You’re not putting us in danger.” She placed her palm on his cheek. “All will be well. Lady Bristow is not so powerful if she had to resort to hiring Wimarc and Silvester to do her evil bidding. I wonder how Lady Bristow found those two? Evil attracts evil, I suppose. But Giles, thanks be to God, was here to protect Juliana.”

“I should be the one protecting you. Instead, once again I left you to be harassed and threatened by evil men. Truly, I am no better than your brothers, who left you to fend for yourself.” He’d become the thing he hated—a person who did not take care of the people he loved, but instead focused only on getting what he wanted.O God, I am a wretched man.

“You have done nothing wrong, and you are the oppositeof my brothers. They refused to take any responsibility for my well-being, while you try to take on responsibilities that are not your own.” She pulled his hand from his eyes, bringing her face close to his. “And you did take care of me by hiring Giles.”

Indeed, there was a heaviness in his heart, a rebellion of his spirit, at the thought of her going out of her way to help him.