“You could have killed us at any time.” Dafydd threw his head back and laughed. “You’re an even bigger fool than I suspected.”
Cian bristled. “Killing you without proof of your intentions to murder King Rhys would have sparked the war we did all this to avoid.”
“But”—Tanon’s voice dragged Gareth’s attention back to her—“you just said that Madoc would have killed Cedric had he touched me. You and your men would have taken Dafydd. If you had killed them—”
“Aye,” Gareth nodded at her, confirming what she was just beginning to understand.
A breeze blew his scent toward her, that wild musky fragrance that contended with the golden torc of royalty around his neck.
“You would have risked a war for me?” Her voice was soft, her eyes misted with tears. When he nodded, she took a step toward him. “But why?”
Gareth thought it odd that she would ask him such a question. His mouth hooked into a tender smile that warmed his gaze. “Because I love you, Tanon. I cherish you more than my own breath. Your value to me goes infinitely beyond peace. I’d rather live each day at war with you by my side than endure one day of peace without you. But I won’t ask that of you.”
“And why not?” Tanon practically stomped her foot at him. How dare he convince her of his love and then refuse to let her enjoy it?
He looked around him at the warriors filling his bailey. “Cymruisn’t where you should live. You deserve a better life than this.”
Tanon stared at him. She had always done what others thought was best for her. Every request she granted William and her parents stemmed from love for her, a desire for her well-being. But no one had seen to her well-being the way Gareth had. He never left her. Not even when they were children. He’d returned to Winchester, not as a savage, but as her champion, to save her from marrying Roger and living a meaningless life.
“This is exactly where I should live, Gareth,” she told him with conviction strengthening her words. “To the unfamiliar eye,Cymruappears fragile, but she’s been loved and nurtured by remarkable people, dedicated men. She’ll never collapse under any weight. Nor will I.” She turned on her heel and began to walk away from him. His hand on her arm stopped her.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Home,” Tanon gazed up into the wonderful emotion in his eyes, the love she had desired her whole life. “I have a wedding to plan with Adara before Hereward changes his mind.”
Gareth smiled and hauled her into his arms for a kiss he’d been waiting all week to give her.
Chapter Thirty
Lady Andrea Risandeopened her mouth and produced a wail that resonated throughout the halls of Avarloch. Holding her, King William smiled at her pink cheeks and pouting mouth. “A day old and already you sound like your mother.” He looked up at the man standing beside him. “You are blessed,mon ami.”
Brand took his swaddled daughter from the king’s arms and placed a tender kiss atop her cap of wispy auburn hair. “Tell that to my heart, William. Another daughter will surely be the death of me. I’m considering putting Ellie and Anne in a nunnery.” He motioned for Alysia, who waited by the entrance of his private solar, to come take the babe. “Please tell Brynna I’ll be in to see her shortly.”
“And send for Lady Tanon,” William added moving toward the window. “I’ve been here an hour already and she has yet to visit me.”
When Alysia left, Brand turned to have a look at the king. Sunlight puddled around William’s dusty boots. He folded his hands behind his back and watched the men practicing outside.
“What troubles you?” Brand came to stand at his side.
“Merde, am I that easy to read?” William shook his head with mocked disdain. “We’ve been friends for too long.”
“Infinitely too long,” Brand agreed, and then smiled when William glowered at him.
An instant later the king’s features softened. “You are closer to me than my own sons.”
“I know.”
“It pains me to have to question your daughter.”
Now Brand turned to him fully, his smile faded into concern. “About what?”
William stepped away from the window and poured himself a drink. “I received a missive from Chester. Lord Geoffrey Fitzpatrick governs the marches there.”
“What does this have to do with Tanon?”
William raised his gaze from his cup before he drank. “He informs me that Prince Dafydd has Gwynedd abuzz with rumors that he lost his fingers toWyfyrn.”
Brand took a step away from the window. He wasn’t at all certain he wanted to hear what William was about to tell him. Still, he couldn’t help but ask, “So? I put the question to you again. What does this have to do with Tanon?”