Read Online The Fallen Princess by Sarah Woodbury - Free Book Online Page A

chapel, as they watched their king
stand over the fallen princess. Finally, King Owain sighed and
covered Tegwen’s face again. “You will find out who did this.”
    “Yes, Father.”
    And with those simple words, King Owain once
again delegated a sensitive and difficult task to this younger son.
With a wave from King Owain, the driver of the cart urged his horse
through the gate and into the courtyard of the castle. Hywel hung
back to confer with Gareth, allowing his father the opportunity to
walk behind the cart alone. “We need to move quickly. Hallowmas is
only a day away. My father will want to see real progress between
now and then.”
    Gareth didn’t know how that was going to be
possible, but he would certainly try. He didn’t say as much to
Hywel, however, merely nodded. Once inside the castle, he signaled
that his men should see to their duties. They dispersed, and Gareth
tossed the reins of his horse to one of the stable boys who came
forward to take them.
    “While I speak to whoever had guard duty
from midnight to dawn,” Hywel said, “you find Gwen. Meet me in my
office.”
    “Yes, my lord.” It was on the tip of
Gareth’s tongue to suggest that he join Hywel and speak to the
guard with him, but then he thought better of it. There was a glint
in Hywel’s eye this morning that told Gareth it would be best for
everyone if he did as he was told and didn’t question his orders
without a very good reason to do so.
    Thus, he left Hywel to his task and went in
search of Gwen. He found Meilyr first. There was a time when any
interaction with Meilyr had been awkward and uncomfortable for both
of them, but either Meilyr had mellowed since Gareth’s marriage to
Gwen or Gareth had. Or both. Gareth found himself actually glad to
see his father-in-law.
    “A bad business,” Meilyr said by way of a
greeting.
    “Indeed,” Gareth said.
    “I accompanied Gwen to see the king,” Meilyr
said.
    “Thank you for that,” Gareth said and meant
it. “It was a difficult task. If I couldn’t be with her myself, I’m
glad you could.”
    Meilyr didn’t seem to know what to say to
that, but his lips pressed together as if he was pleased.
    “We don’t know much more than we did
before,” Gareth said. “I’ll be off in a moment with Prince Hywel in
pursuit of the few leads we currently have.”
    “I assume you will limit my daughter’s
involvement in what will surely be a lengthy investigation,” Meilyr
said.
    “Of course.” Gareth bowed slightly. “I
appreciate your concerns.” He said this even though he knew as well
as Meilyr that a man limited Gwen at his peril. Then Gareth smiled
to see the woman herself appear in the doorway of the great
hall.
    “There you are.” Gwen came down the steps
and hurried across the courtyard towards him.
    Gareth broke away from Meilyr to meet her
halfway. He caught her in a tight hug and then released her. “Your
father was just telling me of your ordeal.”
    “I survived.” She nodded towards the cart.
Only now were men lifting the body from it. “You brought Tegwen
home, I see.”
    “She’ll lie in a room in the barracks until
we can bury her,” Gareth said.
    Meilyr cleared his throat, causing Gwen to
turn to him. “Hello, Father.”
    “I don’t like to see you involved in this,
Gwen. Not with my first grandchild on the way.”
    Gareth smirked but then looked away, hoping
Meilyr hadn’t noticed. Meilyr hadn’t changed so much that pomposity
was beyond him.
    “I will do nothing to endanger the child,
Father.” Gwen put a hand on his arm and went up on her toes to kiss
his cheek. “Gareth will make sure that anything dangerous takes
place as far away from me as possible. I won’t even leave Aber. I
promise.”
    “That’s what you always say,” Meilyr said,
grumbling.
    “And I always mean it,” Gwen said.
    Gareth looked down at Gwen. “Prince Hywel
asked that we meet him in his chambers.”
    She took Gareth’s hand while smiling at her
father. “We