“One err, Cedric,” Madoc closed the distance between them in two strides. “One err and everything would have been over. Now tell me what’s so urgent that you risked all to come here to tell me?”
“Very well.” Cedric gave him a long-suffering sigh. “You must kill the Saxon.”
Madoc simply stared at him. “What?”
“The Saxon. Hereward the Wake. Do it immediately after Gareth leaves for Llandeilo.”
“Cedric,” Madoc set his hard eyes on Gareth’s brother. “I’ll be with Gareth when he leaves.”
“Nay, there’s been a slight change in our plans. You won’t travel with Gareth, but with me. And you will bring with you my brother’s Norman wife.”
“Nay,” Madoc whispered through tightly clenched teeth. “There can be no change. She’s to remain here. We agreed that you would return for her after you’re king.”
Cedric was already shaking his head, not listening to Madoc’s reasoning. “I want her brought to me after Gareth leaves. She’ll come with us to Llandeilo.”
“Why? For what purpose?” Madoc pressed through his clenched teeth.
“He cares for her.” Cedric left his chair and began a measured pace before Madoc. “I’ve been watching him. His eyes follow her. His laughter can be heard on the wind.” He stopped and gazed into the small hearth fire. “My uncle preferred Gareth’s ways of thinking. Fool. Gareth took everything that was mine.” His voice was even and quiet with the promise of retribution. “I want him to know clearly that I’ll reclaim all that was promised to me and more. When he sees his wife in my arms, he’ll know.”
Madoc glanced at the door and then rushed at Cedric. “Think, man! Your brother is no fool. He’ll suspect something amiss if I don’t go with him. We must not alter the course. We’ll be crushed under his feet if he’s prepared for us. I know him. Have you forgotten? I’ll travel with Gareth and meet with you in Llandeilo. We’ll return for the girl later, as planned.”
“Nay.” Cedric repeated, the warning edge in his voice cautioning Madoc not to argue with him further. “Convince Gareth that you’re too ill to travel. Injure yourself with your sword, do whatever you like. But convince him that you cannot go. He may not protest overmuch, since you’ll promise to join with Hereward in keeping his wife safe during his absence.” When Madoc remained silent, Cedric cocked a curious brow at him. “She means naught to you, aye?”
“I told you, she’s a Norman.”
“Good, then I shall see you both in three days.”
Madoc finally conceded with a slight, stiff nod, then turned to leave the cottage. “You know your way out.”
*
Before he enteredthe glen, Madoc stopped just beyond the perimeter of warm firelight. It was easy to find Gareth and Tanon amidst the crowd. For something between them drew others closer. They shared smiles charged with profound emotion, laughter that rang out with more joy than the laughter of those around them. They touched, and one could feel the shuddering effects of their attraction toward each other. Cedric was correct, Gareth cared for her. Madoc knew Gareth always had. He truly had pined for her, speaking of her, comparing her—based on nothing but a memory—to every other female who’d ever entered his life. Madoc had heard the love in Gareth’s voice when they were boys. He saw it plainly now in the way Gareth’s eyes poured over her as if drenching his soul with her captivating visage. Tanon’s affection was no less evident. For no matter whom she spoke to, her gaze drifted back to her husband. Her expression, a mixture of subtle surprise, relief, and contentment. As if the happiness she felt was unexpected.
With a determined set of his jaw, Madoc stepped into the glen and made his way toward them.
“We missed you, brother.” Gareth turned from his conversation with Hereward when Madoc reached him. “All is well?”
“Aye.” Madoc met his gaze directly, and then looked around the glen. “Where’s Cian?”
“I sent him on an errand.”
Madoc snatched a cup from a passing server and downed its contents. He swiped the back of his hand across his lips and glanced at Tanon.
“Mind if I dance with your wife?”
“Not at all.” Gareth accepted the empty cup Madoc handed him and winked at Tanon when she followed Madoc to the center of the glen.
“I wasn’t aware that you danced, Madoc,” Tanon teased with a merry lilt to her voice when they stood facing each other a few moments later.
Madoc’s gaze brushed hers briefly before he fit her hands into his. “King Rhys made us learn the art of movement to melody. Gareth and I learned together as boys. Swerve and strike. Defense first”—He spun to her left, and then to her right so quickly she giggled—“and then offense.” He swept his boot beneath hers and caught her in the crook of his arm when she stumbled backward. “Remember this, Tanon.” He leaned over her, his piercing dark eyes holding her still. “No one is as deadly as your husband, save me. I will let nothing and no one destroy what I value.”
Tanon searched his shadowed gaze. His words sounded like a warning. There was more he wanted to say, something he was keeping from her. She pushed her palms against his chest to break away from his grasp. “What is it? Why are you telling me this?”
He straightened, letting her go. “Just…remember.”
She didn’t understand, nor did she like the way his mood changed. He looked like the dangerous man she’d seen in Winchester before she knew him. Taking a step away, Tanon bumped into something immovable. She turned and blinked up into Gareth’s eyes.
He looked over her head at Madoc. “Tanon, find Rebecca and Hereward and stay with them while I have a word with my friend.”