His dark eyes heated with pleasure at the thought, and she noticed then how richly defined his features were, with high cheekbones that appeared sculpted, a narrow face that defined a rounded chin and narrow lips that showed not a sign of a smile. If he were not so loathsome a creature, he would be a handsome man.
“It is good that you are attentive,” he said, mistaking her introspection for attentiveness. “It is one less thing you need to be taught.”
“Why wed me if I burden you?”
He leaned forward, his face close to hers. “Did I give you permission to ask questions?”
He spoke with a cold harshness that chilled and unnerved. Her shivers increased and she dropped her hands to her sides to grasp the edge of the stool. She hoped the fire’s warmth would at least toast her trembling hands and send warmth through the rest of her body, easing her shivers.
When she dutifully remained silent, he leaned back in his seat. “You are nothing compared to the burdens I carry.”
“Why then?” She bit her tongue after the query slipped from her lips, and hoped her mistake would not cost her.
His dark eyes glazed with a fiery pleasure. “To cleanse your soul and prove to all that sinners can be made righteous.”
She did not need to ask why, she understood. If he wed a sinner and changed her into a dutiful wife, his power would know no bounds and he would be untouchable. Neither he nor his work would ever be doubted.
You will be the demise of Decimus.
She hoped the seer’s words proved true for she could not be responsible for Decimus growing in power and in position. It would mean more innocent people would die.
Again he took her silence as submission.
“I have made arrangements for our wedding. Two weeks from tomorrow we will wed here at Magnus’s keep.”
“You have discussed this with him?”
He glared at her as if she were daft. “I have no need to discuss it with him. I will tell him of my decision. Besides, I thought he would like to be present at your wedding, after all he was your protector.”
Mary bit her tongue. He would have the wedding at Magnus’s keep to prove that he had been victorious over the mighty Legend.
“The wedding will be a dignified affair followed by a festive celebration. All will participate in this joyous occasion. There will be an extended church service and you will kneel beside me in prayer.”
Mary wanted to remind him that she did not believe as he believed, but it would not be wise of her. Silence was her ally, she reminded herself over and over.
“Make certain an appropriate wedding dress is sewn for you, a gown that signifies my status in the Church. I will not have you appear a dowdy bride. Remember we are exchanging vows and you are committing yourself to me forever.”
“Forever?” she asked, the awful thought setting her legs to trembling.
“Of course,” he said as if she seemed ignorant. “We wed before God and man. We become man and wife for eternity.”
Man and wife, not husband and wife. He would rule her as he saw fit, but Michael would not. He would be a true husband to his wife. She missed him terribly, and more so since she had dreamed of him. It was as if he had been there with her, touching her, holding her and loving her.
She chased Michael from her thoughts for fear of bringing tears to her eyes.
“Your silence is good. I will not abide a wife who speaks when she pleases. You will speak when spoken to.”
That was definitely going to be a problem. She could chatter a day away without difficulty. Michael liked her chatter.
Stop.
She grabbed the edge of the stool tightly, her silent warning echoing in her mind.
Decimus handed his empty goblet to her. “Get me more wine.”
Mary feared her hand would tremble when she reached for it, but she was quick and snatched the goblet away from him. She walked to the table to pour him another.
“Now that we are finished with the wedding plans, there is something else I want to discuss with you.”
She walked toward him with the filled goblet.
“Tell me of the Dark One.”
The silver goblet dropped out of her hand and fell to the floor.
“How clumsy of you, Mary.”
Much too clumsy, she thought. He had tricked her and she had fallen for his trickery. He now knew that it was the Dark One who had rescued her, and he intended for her to supply him with information.
“Clean it up,” he ordered.
She did as he commanded, reminding herself that she had to be more aware of his devious tactics or she would chance getting Michael caught.
She finished the chore and returned to her stool, handing him the refilled goblet.
He once again purposely took his time sipping the wine before speaking.
Her hands no longer trembled. It was imperative she remain aware and alert so she did not accidentally give Decimus information that would lead him to capturing Michael.
“I will capture the Dark One. Like your capture, his is only a matter of time.”
Her capture. This was what she wanted to hear about. She remained silent, hoping it would encourage him to talk.
“Magnus is a worthy opponent, but I knew I would find you if I were patient. He could not hide you forever. And there is always someone who will, for a coin, or if forced to, divulge information I seek.”
Someone betrayed her?
“I will be patient and wait. Someone will give me the Dark One.”
He had to be a fool to think she would betray the man she loved, but then he did not know she loved the Dark One, and he must never learn of it. He would use her to force Michael to surrender. She had to be careful, very careful, or she would be the demise of the Dark One, not Decimus.
“What do you think of the Dark One?”
She shrugged. “I know nothing of him.”
“I am not a fool, Mary. The Dark One freed you from my prison cell, and I believe he killed one of my men, since he never returned after tracking you. And his body has never been found.”
“Perhaps the man chose his own freedom.”
“Watch your tongue with me, woman,” he warned sternly. “I will not tolerate caustic remarks from you.”
She bowed her head as though demonstrating obedience when she actually bowed so he would not see her squeeze her lips shut to keep from lashing out at him.
“I only ask a question once, and yet I find I have asked a question twice of you. If an answer is not forthcoming immediately, you will feel a heavy hand.”
It would be foolish to continue to deny any knowledge of the Dark One. It was what knowledge she divulged that was important. “I never saw him.”
“That was not what I asked. I asked what you thought of him.”
He is brave, unselfish, and I love him. The words remained silent on her tongue, instead she said, “He is a man intent on his mission.”
“Rescuing people God has judged to be sinners? Does this seem like a noble cause to you?” he asked annoyed.
“I believe the Dark One a noble man. He fights for his beliefs.”
“You sound as if you admire him.”
“It takes courage to be different,” she said softly.
“And the Dark One certainly is different, hiding in darkness like a demon fearful of the light. He serves an evil lord and you should go down on your knees and give thanks I rescued you.”