Page 101 of The Champion

Rowena sang three more songs to finish her recital. Her audience, including Damien, applauded graciously. She curtsied to them and as she righted herself, a sudden movement on the gallery high above the hall caught her attention.

Looking up, she was startled as she met the deep blue stare of Stryder who stood watching her.

He offered her a warm smile before he stepped back, out of her line of sight.

Her heart leapt at the sight. At the thought of him being here to hear her when she knew how much he hated such things.

Without thinking twice, she set her lute aside and made for the spiral stairs. Several people tried to stop her, but she quickly excused herself.

She ran down the long hallway where he must have escaped. Where could he be? The only way to leave the hall was down the stairs she had rushed up.

Yet there was no sight of him anywhere. Had her eyes deceived her?

“Stryder?”

She started past a door when she heard his quiet response. “I’m here, Rowena.”

She stopped and turned to see him stepping out of the shadows. It was so good to see him upright and dressed. To know he had come to hear her sing when he hated such things.

Before she could stop herself, she threw herself into his arms and kissed him soundly.

Stryder growled at the taste of her. At the heated demands of her tongue dancing with his. She tasted of warmth and softness. Of hope.

Most of all, she tasted of Rowena and her unique femininity.

He cupped her face and drank his fill of her lips, letting her hands that skimmed his back take him away from the doubts and fears in his mind.

She pulled back slowly. “Why did you come after you said we should keep our distance?”

“I didn’t think you would see me.”

“But you saw me?”

“Aye.” He cupped her cheek with his warm hand. “You’re a very talented lady.”

“You hate talented women.”

“I don’t hate you.”

She covered his hand with hers and kissed his palm. “You’re not helping me to put distance between us.”

“I know. You’re like a siren luring me.”

“Perhaps we should have your men lash you to a mast?”

He laughed at her reference to Odysseus, who had sailed his ship safely through the siren’s lair only because his crewman had tied him down. “Best get Swan to do it. He’d make sure the ropes held. I’m not so sure about the others.”

She smiled at that. “And where is your motley band of friends?”

“Scattered to the ends of the county looking for clues.”

“Rowena!”

They both turned to see Joanna at the top of the stairs. Her face was pale, her eyes filled with tears as she rushed toward them.

“What’s wrong?” Rowena asked, terrified of what had her friend so distraught.

Tears fell down her cheeks. “‘Tis Elizabeth. She’s dead.”