Read Online WINDREAPER by Charlotte Boyett-Compo - Free Book Online Page B

knew opened to the keep's wine cellar. He ran his hand along the rock wall until he found a rusted ring that served as a door handle, then pulled. Obviously someone had oiled it well, for it slid silently open.
    "Brelan," he whispered to Roget and Bent. He led them into the wine cellar, not surprised when he found no cobwebs spread over the entry. Thanking his brother for his forethought, Conar pulled the door closed behind them. He became aware of meager light in the musty-smelling room. He glanced around until he found the single burning taper. He picked it up and shielded the wavering flame with his free palm.
    It took less than ten minutes for him to lead them to the secret door that led into the passageway outside the master bedroom suite. It would be there that Brelan, his second oldest brother, would have gathered the King and Queen of Serenia for the meeting. He stopped before a panel, a hidden door into the back of a special armoire, and waited for Bent and Roget to catch up with him. He heard the muffled sound of voices from behind the panel.
    Roget seemed to sense Conar's hesitation, to feel the uncertainty, probably even hear the wild beat of Conar's heart. "Are you all right?"
    Conar could only nod.
    "Then put on your mask."
    Without thought, he pulled the black silk kerchief from the pocket of his breeches and wound it around his head to hide everything except his eyes.
    Conar heard a feminine chime of laughter from behind the panel and nearly bolted. He drew in a ragged breath, his lids snapping shut with pain.
    Roget put a hand on his shoulder. "If you're not ready, we'll go back." Roget's voice was like a ray of hope in a desperate storm of destruction.
    Conar shook his head. "I can't let my past destroy my future."
    "And you can't let yourself be destroyed, either."
    "I would rather be in Labyrinth colony than here, right now."
    "I know." Roget gently folded Conar into his arms, stroking his tense back. "If I could do this for you, I would."
    Conar took heart from Roget's warmth and love. He eased himself out of his friend's arms, made certain his mask was in place, then motioned for Roget to open the door before he could change his mind.
    Also masked, Roget walked through the door. Bent followed, pushed into the room by Conar's impatient grunt.
    "Bent?" a sweet voice asked in amazement. "We have missed you, old friend!' The light, lilting feminine laughter, rich with beauty and thick with the sultry appeal of womanhood, was like a flash of lightning through the darkened secret passageway. Her voice lit the dark like a million fireflies in summer. "I am so happy to see you again."
    Though Bent answered in a deep rumble, Conar couldn't hear the words with blood pounding hard in his ears. He took a deep breath, willed his heart to cease its bursting beat, and entered the bedchamber. Squinting against the brightness of the gaily lit room, a room he remembered all too well, he raised his head and it was into her eyes his vision took him.
    The breath in his lungs stopped, and he stiffened with fear. And pain. And memory. And rage.
    But it was the other female in the room who took him completely by surprise as she rushed to him with a whimper of greeting.

Chapter 10
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"Brownie, no!" Liza gasped as her little dog jumped on the Darkwind, whimpering excitedly as she tried to gain his attention.
    Legion started forward, as if intent on shooing away the elderly dog, but the masked man had stooped to pet the animal and held up a hand to stay him.
    "He, ah…loves animals," Brelan said. None of them had even thought of Brown Stuff and her reaction to seeing her beloved master once more.
    "And without a doubt, they love him," Liza said, laughing.
    From his position on the floor, the masked man regarded her for a long moment, then after ruffling the little dog's floppy ears, stood and folded his arms across his chest, staring intently at Liza.
    The dog rolled on to her back and continued to stare at the black-clad