to believe. “It’s only for you now. Forever. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“But you still don’t trust me.” It was a statement, but she knew he wanted her to deny it.
In this moment she could almost trust him, almost believe he loved her.
Almost.
“I’m cold,” she whispered.
Hope faded from his expression, and he forced a smile. “And no wonder.” He moved off her and stood up. He pulled her to her feet and draped the cloak about her. “Come back to the fire.” He took her hand and led her down the stairs. “I believe I said that before. I must admit I’m delighted you didn’t comply.”
She had the cloak, but he was totally nude. “You must be cold too.”
He shook his head. “I feel as if I’ll never be cold again.” He closed the door of the anteroom and led her to the rug before the fire. “Lie down. I’ll hold you until you go to sleep.”
As he had held her at Dalwynd. She had been so full of fear and resentment during those weeks that she had not appreciated those precious moments of intimacy. Well, she had tonight and would savor it to the full.
She cuddled close to him before the fire. She would not think of tomorrow. He was holding her with exquisite tenderness, and tonight she could pretend everything he said was true. She could pretend he loved her more than he wanted the Jedalar, that his passion was only for her.
And that there was a love that could last forever.
Ah, this is very good.”
Marianna drowsily opened her eyes to see Gregor standing in the doorway.
“For God’s sake, Gregor.” Jordan snatched the cloak from the floor next to them and covered Marianna. “Didn’t it occur to you to knock?”
“I was in a great hurry.” He beamed. “And there is no shame in this room. You are very beautiful together.” His smile faded. “And it is better I find you here than Nebrov.”
“Nebrov.” A cold chill went through Marianna as she sat up and brushed her hair back from her face. “He’s here?”
“Not yet. Niko says he will be here within two hours.”
“How many?” Jordan asked.
“A hundred men, perhaps more. Riding hard.”
“Against twenty.” Jordan muttered an obscenity. “Did they know Niko saw them?”
Gregor shook his head.
“Then we can still surprise them.” Jordan began to hurriedly dress. “They’ll have to come through the hills as we did. There has to be a place where we can-”
“No,” Marianna said. “Bring him here.”
Jordan gave her an impatient glance. “What?”
“Bring him to me.”
“The devil I will.”
“You don’t have enough men to fight him.”
“That may not be so,” Gregor said. “One of our men is worth three of Nebrov’s.”
“That still leaves you outnumbered,” Marianna said. “Hide your men here in the palace and then go meet Nebrov and tell him you’ll bargain with him. Tell him if he’ll spare you and your men that you’ll surrender me and the Jedalar.” She held up her hand as Jordan started to protest. “Then bring him to me here. He can’t take his entire force into the palace. You’ll have a chance to defeat them.”
“Let us be very clear. I’m supposed to bring him to you?” Jordan asked carefully. “Do you have any idea how enraged he must be with you?”
“Of course I do. I also know he won’t kill me until he’s sure he knows where the tunnel is located,” she said matter-of-factly. “And that will give us a chance to rid ourselves of him once and for all.”
“Goddammit, I won’t make you bait again!”
“You’ve never made me anything I didn’t choose to be. I choose to do this now.” She turned to Gregor. “Tell him. If we cut off the head, the snake will die. His men won’t attack if we kill Nebrov.”
“That is true,” Gregor said. “But severing that head may be difficult.”
“But we have a better chance here than you do attacking his full force in the hills.”
“She is right,” Gregor said to Jordan. “And if we are defeated, he will still come here for her.”
“Not if she comes with us.”
“I won’t come with you.” She met his gaze. “You’ll have to tie me on my horse. Bring him here.”
“Why the devil are you being so obstinate?”
“Because I’m right.” She added wearily, “And because it has to end. You told me once that he would never give up. Nothing has changed.” Her expression hardened. “Except that he’s hurt Alex. I can’t let him keep harming the people I love. He deserves to die.”
“He will die. But not here. Not with you-”
“Bring him here or I’ll ride out and meet him and bring him myself.”
“Blast you,” he said softly, his tone laden with frustration. He stared at her another moment before whirling on his heels. “Come on, Gregor. We’ve had our orders. Let’s go get the bastard for her.”
“I’ll be waiting in the chapel,” Marianna said.
Jordan glanced at her over his shoulder.
She shook her head. “I won’t be praying for deliverance. I told you the Jedalar was there. Nebrov won’t be fooled again. I’ll have to show him what he wants to see.”
“You swore you’d never do that.”
“Circumstances have changed. I have no choice.”
“You know that I’m going to be there. Whatever you show Nebrov, you show me.” He paused. “Even after we rid ourselves of Nebrov, you’ll still lose.”
“I know I’ll lose.” Not in the way he meant, but in a manner that would be more devastating than he could dream. “I’ll have to face that when it happens.”
“Marianna…” He took a half-step toward her, then stopped. “Dammit, there’s no time.” He turned and strode out of the room.
Gregor hesitated. “You must not blame him. He does not want this.”
“I don’t blame anyone.” She was beginning to believe Jordan’s words about the inevitability of fate. Nothing else could explain the tangled threads that had interwoven all their lives. “No, that’s not true. I blame Nebrov.”
He searched her expression. “You are no longer afraid of him.”
“I wish I could say that was true,” she said wearily. “But I can’t let the fear stop me. For years my fear made me think I was helpless. I’m not helpless. He killed my mother, and he hurt Alex. I’m not going to let him hurt anyone ever again.”
“Gregor!”
It was Jordan calling from the hall. Gregor hesitated and then walked out.
She waited until she heard the sound of their horses’ hooves on the stones of the courtyard before quickly throwing on her clothes. She left the anteroom and headed toward the chapel.
She had two hours, perhaps less. With the preparations she had made after she had first arrived, it should be enough time.
She threw open the door of the chapel and paused for a moment, staring up at the glorious stained-glass window over the pulpit.
She had told Jordan she was not going to pray for deliverance, but she muttered a prayer beneath her breath anyway.
Sometimes Fate had to have a little help.
They were coming.
Marianna tensed as she heard the clatter of boots on the marble floor of the hall. Fear tore through her as she realized Nebrov would be walking through the door in a matter of seconds.
She looked up at the stained-glass window. “Help me, Grandmama,” she whispered.
She must not be afraid. Everything was ready.
But suppose something went wrong? It might mean-
