Adele stood in the aperture of the tent. Her hair was hanging loose, tumbling over her shoulders in thick and gleaming waves. The dark blue eyes that surveyed the room seemed more soft and dreamy even than normal, and the cold air had teased colour into her cheeks. Rafe saw Daegmund jerk upright and Anlaf dropped his dagger, both seemed incapable of speech. A sudden rush of pride swelled in his chest, and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Without realising he had moved, he found himself at her side and took her hand in his.
“Adele, this is Daegmund, Lord of Gradock and his brother, Anlaf of Gradock.”
Adele turned the full power of her gaze upon both men and each bowed deeply.
Adele inclined her head in response, she was not used to thinking of Lord Gradock in friendly terms.
“Good day.” She hesitated and looked to Rafe questioningly.
“Lord Gradock is here to offer his assistance.”
Adele turned back, a slow smile pulling her lips into a rich curve.
“You honour us with your kindness.”
To Rafe’s great surprise Daegmund disclaimed, and clumsily mumbled something about the honour being his.
“’Tis my lady who has shown kindness. Never did I think to see a breach such as this healed so completely.” Daegmund looked first at Adele and then to Rand. “After all you have lost, my lady, your forgiveness does you credit.”
Adele looked confused, her eyes shifting from Daegmund to Rafe.
“Forgiveness? Whom do I have to forgive?”
Rafe attempted to catch Daegmund’s eye, but Lord Gradock’s vision was filled with Adele’s charm and he did not see.
“Why, even Lord Rand himself must see that you have much to forgive him for as a son of the House of Targhe.”
The room became silent, and Daegmund seemed to realise belatedly that something was not as it seemed. Adele remained still, her eyes fixed upon Rand but staring through him in a way that was detrimental to his comfort. Rafe’s grip on her hand tightened, seeking to give her reassurance. She did not return the pressure but her hand remained limp in his.
“What is your name?” she asked eventually.
“You have just been told, Adele.”
“I would have the truth from your own lips.”
There was a slight pause, and then Rand gave an abrupt nod.
“I am Rand, Lord of Targhe, known in Wessex as Rand the Wolf.”
His voice and face were blank, concealing his feelings from her probing eyes. This was it, Rand thought, the moment he had both longed for and dreaded. Now Adele knew the truth and that was a relief, he had not enjoyed deceiving her nor being cast in the part of deceiver.
Still, he dreaded her reaction to the revelation. Would she hate him? Would she give him the chance to explain? Or would she turn him away forever?
Adele began to move towards him, slow and deliberate; he could see the tears glittering in her eyes. He didn’t flinch but stood his ground, ready to accept the bitterness of her rage.
She stopped before him and raised her hand. He waited expectantly for the blow to fall, but the fingers that touched his cheek were gentle and soft.
“Adele..?” His voice was little more than a whisper. Adele moved forward, resting her head against his shoulder and embracing him.
“May God grant you peace, Brother.”
Rand held her away from him so that his eyes might search her face.
“Adele, are you sure? Do you not wish to know? My father...”
Adele shook her head, and he clasped her hands tightly within his own.
“You bear no guilt for your father’s action, Randwulf,” she interrupted.
Rand shook his head, words sticking in his throat even as he fought to express himself.
“Adele, you do not know... I was there... I fought beside my father...” He choked on the words, distress and pain entering his eyes as it all came back to him. “But I did not know... I never thought that he... your family...”
Adele smoothed back the hair that fell over his brow.
“Randwulf, I have known you since I was a child; do you really suppose that you need to tell me any of this? Do you not see that I already know that you could never do such a thing as your father did?”
Rand’s grip upon her tightened.
“Adele, how can you? Why do you forgive me?”
Adele smiled tremulously, her face radiant with joy.
“There is nothing to forgive you for. Only think; in these last few moments I have gained that which I had thought lost forever.” A smile trembled on her lips even as tears rushed forth to spill down her face. “You have given me kin, Randwulf.”
Rafe watched as they embraced again, a sharp feeling of pain and dismay tugging at his chest. His greatest desire was to rip Rand limb from limb, and he would have but for the fact that it had been Adele who had turned to Rand. It was Rand’s comfort she had sought and not his. The knowledge burnt into his soul leaving only charred remains.
He had lost her, just as surely as he had lost Evoric.