To Catch a Thief Page 3
She fished out a key and fumbled it into the lock. It turned with a grating protest, as if reluctant to release them, but it did turn. The door swung open into the night. After the dank, dampness of the tunnel, the warm air smelled sweet as summer.
Cait could hear sleepy birds twittering in the distance, and saw fine lace shadows of tree branches against the blue velvet sky. “It’s starting to lighten, Henry. We must get as far from the castle as we can.”
Henry knelt down and laid Berne on the ground.
“What are you doing, Henry? There is no time.”
He got to his feet and put an awkward arm around her shoulders. “The boy is gone, Cait.”
“What do you mean, gone?” The import of his words struck her like a knife to the heart. “He can’t be—he can’t be dead.”
Cait threw herself to the ground beside Berne, bending her head to his lips to feel for a breath on her cheek. There was nothing.
“At least he died free,” murmured Henry softly.
The tears that had hung threatening in the back of her throat broke through her resolve and streamed in a hot flood down her cheeks, great wracking sobs tearing from her. She vaguely registered Henry trying to raise her to her feet, and she pushed him away.
“Cait, he’s gone. The boy is dead. If Cait and Henry don’t go, the guards will find us. There are not many ways out of the castle from the dungeon. Someone will remember this passage. It is not safe here.”
“Berne…” she moaned. He had always been the smart one; taking care of her from the time she was six. What was she to do?
“Come, Cait,” urged Henry. “Henry will protect you now.” He lifted her to her feet.
She collapsed against the warm strength of him. “Oh, Henry, what will I do?”
He slipped an arm behind her knees and lifted her up like a child. “Cait will stay with Henry. Henry will take care of her.”
She laid her head against his chest, hearing the strong beat of his heart, feeling the solid warmth of him. “He was all I had.”
A thought struck her, and she struggled to get down. “We should bury him proper!”
Henry’s arms tightened their hold. “There is no time, little one. The boy may prove himself one last time. The guards may think that he escaped on his own if we leave him there to be found. They may not search further for one jailor that most feel to be of no importance anyway. Henry and Cait will be free.”
It was the longest speech she had yet to hear from Henry, and the longing in his voice at the final word convinced her. “You are right, Henry. There is nothing more for us here.”
She sighed and let herself relax against him once more. It was ironic…she had gone to the castle to rescue Berne, but she had wound up with his jailor instead. The street life was behind her now. She would work to make Henry a home. Perhaps to raise his children…
She curved her lips into a smile at the thought. It would be a pleasure to please him so. Henry had well and truly caught this thief…and offered her a life sentence that she freely accepted.
About the Author
Tysche Dwai tries to live up to her unique name. Her fiction explores sensuality in many forms. She’s written fantasy, fairy tales, contemporary, and paranormal so far, and intends to turn a hand to science fiction soon. She believes there is nothing more interesting than human sexuality, and wants to venture down all the paths she can find.