The de Witte estate was dark. Light could not penetrate the hurt and anger and distrust that hung between each family member. It had killed the mistress of the house. Hatred had driven a wedge between Travor de Witte and his children. Lust had become such an uncontrollable fire between brother and sister that the father had sent the daughter away. Cayden had been forbidden to return, but now she sat at his table and no number of candles could lift the darkness that hung in the room. Lord de Witte tried not to look at his children, hoping the meal would pass quickly.
Hayden sat across the table from his sister and his wife, wearing the storm of his anger on his face. His jaw was set and his eyes were dark as he glared across the spread of food at the two women. A vein bulged along his temple as Cayden leaned over to whisper to Deliah. Deliah laughed, throwing her head back and exposing her delicate neck. She was wearing her hair down, something she hadn't done since they were first married. Red curls lay against her cheeks and pointed toward the full bosom barely covered by the bodice of the white lace dress. She listened to Cayden as she demurely watched her husband. She did not break her gaze as she whispered an answer. Both women laughed, fueling Hayden's fire.
Cayden knew her plan was working for her sister-in-law. Hayden was enthralled by the changes in his wife. The female warrior had spent the entire afternoon with Deliah, helping the scorned woman select appropriate attire. She had longed for Amalie's assistance as they had worked on Deliah's hair. By the time they were finished, though, Cayden was having a hard time keeping her hands to herself. She wanted to bury her face in the red curls, slide her hands beneath the lace, and make her sister-in-law scream her name. She didn't understand how her brother could be so callus toward his beautiful, young wife.
The prodigal daughter leaned over to whisper to Deliah again, carefully blowing a thin line of air across her sister-in-law's flesh before speaking. Goosebumps formed on Deliah's skin as she inclined her head to listen. "I bet Hayden's sword is standing straight up for you." A hint of color flooded Deliah's cheeks as she lowered her eyes. Her fair skin made the blush seem even more pronounced. Cayden thought it was a delicious look and a glimpse of her brother assured her that he did, too. "Lick your lips," she ordered in a husky voice. She recognized the tremble of desire in her words.
Cayden turned her attention to Ava, her brother's beautiful blond kitchen whore. Her hair was pinned haphazardly onto her head. Sweat and a trace of flour marred her face. She wore an apron over a plain dress. Cayden's first introduction to sex had been watching Hayden take Ava in the kitchen. This evening, Hayden seemed totally enthralled by his wife, which pleased Cayden. She had every intention of sampling Ava tonight.
Her father finished his food and gulped the last of his wine before slamming his stein on the table. "Why are you here?" he demanded suddenly. Cayden had to pry her eyes from Ava's rear and Hayden turned his attention from his wife. "I told you never to return. Why are you here?"
"I've brought a message from Baron von Streit," she answered, pleased that her voice was focused and carried no hints of her desires.
"Then deliver your message so you can return to the Baron."
Cayden glanced at her brother, longing for the closeness they once shared, before they had surrendered to their desire. She missed him as an ally and a confidant. Hayden met her eyes briefly before lowering his gaze to contemplate the remaining food on his plate. Ava lingered in the room, waiting to hear the message that had brought the prodigal daughter home. Cayden cleared her throat, carefully arranging her plate and cup as she prepared her speech. "The Holy Father was at Clermont recently, speaking of Alexis' trouble with the infidels plaguing Christian pilgrims on the way to Jerusalem. Father Josef, Baron von Streit's priest, was there. The Pope has called for armies to march to Jerusalem and reclaim the Holy Land for the Church. The Baron has agreed to raise an army. Father, you have trained the men in the Barony for many years. Will you send word to your pupils that there is a call for soldiers in a noble cause?"
Travor de Witte leaned back, his arms folded across his chest as he contemplated the Baron's request. Hayden studied his sister, no sign of lust or desire on his face. "Will you be joining him in the fight? You are the quickest with a sword that Father has ever taught."
"He has asked me to remain behind as the Baroness's personal bodyguard."
"A good profession for you, Sister," Hayden responded. "We all know how deadly you can be at times."
A smile touched her lips as she shifted her attention back to her father. "Father, your army? The Baron is depending upon your assistance."
Lord de Witte exhaled slowly. "I am too old to lead men into battle, but I have trained many men to be leaders and warriors. I will send couriers tomorrow to announce the Baron's request, but I will not be joining him. The Pope has spent the Vatican's coffers. He wants to distract people from his shortcomings. A war will serve his cause nicely, I imagine." Travor de Witte rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Yes, there is no nobler cause than reclaiming Jerusalem. The Baron, and the Pope, should have no problem raising an army."
"With God behind them, they should have no problem conquering the infidels," Hayden mused. "Surely He will lead them into victory. Father, I will command your armies."
All eyes focused on Hayden. Cayden had told Otto that her brother would want to join him, but she had not expected him to respond so quickly. There was a confidence and determination in his voice that she had not heard from his lips in a long time. She could see the resolve in his eyes. It was easy for her to recognize the emotion in eyes so similar to the ones she saw reflected back at her in the mirror.
"When will you be going back to the Baron?" Travor demanded without acknowledging Hayden's vow.
Cayden exchanged a glance with her twin brother. Some part of her felt the connection that she had once shared with him. Their father's disgust and distrust of them was one thing they still had in common. She considered her answer. Her father wanted her gone. She had delivered her message and gained her father's support for Otto's cause, but she had also promised Otto she would give him time with his wife without distraction. The Baroness preferred Cayden in her bedroom to her husband. Sophie needed to be pregnant with a boy before Otto left for Jerusalem. "Otto does not expect me back for a few weeks."
"Deliah, Ava, leave us," Lord de Witte ordered. His tone left no question that he expected to be obeyed.
Ava immediately fled the room without looking up. Deliah hesitated for a moment, her eyes on her husband across the table. Cayden laid her hand on her sister-in-law's thigh and squeezed gently in assurance. The pressure broke the spell. Deliah stood and walked regally out of the room. Cayden and Hayden watched her go, an expression of appreciation on both of their faces. When she was gone and they turned back to their father, their eyes met briefly. They both understood what the other was thinking. Cayden gave her brother a knowing smile before focusing her attention on her father.
Travor de Witte observed the exchange between his two offspring and misinterpreted the meaning. "I will not allow the two of you to continue to bring shame to this family. You must control your filthy lust."
