My mouth dropped open and I stared at him, stunned into silence. It wouldn’t have lasted long, however, if it weren’t for the sudden thump from outside. Byron and I looked at each other with wide eyes. He lunged forward, grabbed me and hauled me behind a large chintz-covered chair, effectively barricading me within the cage of his arms. He murmured, ‘Stay quiet.’
I raised my head, peered round the corner and spotted the chink of light under the door at the far end of the room. Someone was on their way.
‘Byron,’ I hissed. ‘Our clothes!’ They were still strewn all over the floor. He cursed and I felt his body tense then he used his Telekinesis Gift to yank at each discarded item and drag it out of sight. He was just in time – a heartbeat later the doorknob turned and a figure glanced in.
‘Hello?’
I tried not to breathe too loudly. I could feel Byron’s naked chest against my back, his pulse hammering.
‘Hello?’
‘There’s nothing there,’ someone else said. ‘Come to bed.’
‘I could swear I heard something.’
‘Love, no one is going to break into the Moncrieffe castle. If they did, the Steward would hunt them down and set their head on a pike.’ There was a yawn. ‘Come on. I need to sleep.’
I remained frozen, praying that the first figure would take the advice. Silence stretched out then the door closed and Byron and I were alone again. I exhaled. That was too close.
‘I thought you were a skilled thief,’ Byron murmured in my ear.
‘Usually, I come prepared,’ I replied with a hint of snottiness. I waited for a moment but he didn’t move. ‘You can let me go, you know,’ I told him.
For a second, his arms tightened as if he were afraid to let go. Then he released me and I stood up and began searching for my clothing.
‘Tell me,’ I said, finding my T-shirt underneath a chair and pulling it over my head, ‘why are you sneaking into your own house?’
‘It’s part of my plan.’ He tugged on his trousers. ‘I meant what I said. When I realised what my father was really doing – what he’d done – I started looking for ways to stop him.’
I paused. ‘So you believe me now?’
Byron’s answer was grim and he was telling the truth. ‘Yes.’ Still shirtless, he took my hands. ‘My father killed your parents and committed genocide against your entire Clan. He plotted to have you killed as well. And he’s probably in league with the Fomori demons.’ He drew in a breath. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t believe you before. And, trite as it sounds, on behalf of Clan Moncrieffe I am sorry for the wrongs done to you.’
Suddenly there was a painful lump in my throat. ‘Thank you.’ My fingers grazed the rough stubble on his cheek. ‘But it’s not your fault. Are you … are you okay?’
‘I’ve had a while to get used to the idea.’ He laughed harshly. ‘For a long time I was more fixated on the fact that you were dead.’
I swallowed. ‘How long have you known the truth?’
‘Eighty-two days. That’s how long you’ve been gone, Integrity. Eighty-two fucking days. I found out about an hour after you…’ He cursed and stared at me with an uncomfortable intensity.
Shite. That long? ‘I’m sorry too.’ I meant it with every atom of my being but words couldn’t compensate for the agony in his eyes. ‘I’m sorry I pretended I was dead. It wasn’t done to hurt you. I really didn’t think I had a choice.’ His eyes glittered in the faint light. I frowned. ‘Are you crying?’
Byron didn’t hesitate. ‘Yes.’
For some reason that scared me more than anything else. ‘Oh. Okay then.’
‘Does that make me less of a man?’
I smiled. ‘No.’
We grinned at each other like idiots until Byron glanced at his watch. ‘Damn it. We need to get a move on. I’ve got things to do and I have to get back to Perth before dawn.’ He pulled away and finished dressing.
‘Why? What exactly is going on?’
‘My father’s study. He must have papers in there which either incriminate him or provide more information about what he’s up to. I’ve been through what he has in the Cruaich and came up short. It makes sense that he’d hide the important stuff here, where it’s less likely there will be any snoopers. Jamie arranged the stag party and invited everyone who might possibly get in my way or find out what I’m up to.’
‘The whole party is a ruse?’
