Page 73 of Taming the Eagle
The soldier visibly blanched, but Justin’s attention wasn’t upon him—it was on Fenella. He then glanced to where Kahina stood, frozen like a hind in a hunter’s sight.
Alarm clutched at Fenella’s chest. She didn’t want her friend to get in trouble because of her.
“This is my doing,” she gasped. “Kahina was worried about Marcus … and I decided we should visit him.”
The legionary she’d duped was glowering at her now, yet she ignored him. Her focus was on Justin.
Heaving a sigh, the general removed his black-plumed helmet and tucked it under one arm. His dark hair was plastered to his scalp, his skin still smudged with dirt, soot, and dried blood.
Fenella’s throat tightened. He looked exhausted.
Glancing at where Surgeon Falco stood watching them, Justin’s features tightened. “And how is Centurion Camillus?”
“Still alive,” Falco replied. “The spear missed his lung by the grace of the gods, although he bled heavily.” The surgeon glanced over at where Marcus lay, unnervingly still. “I’ve given him something strong for the pain … he’ll sleep for a while yet. We’ll know more in the coming days.”
Nodding, the general turned then to the soldier. “Escort Kahina back to the praetorium,” he ordered, his tone clipped now. Justin then shifted his attention back to Fenella. “You’re coming with me.”
Outside the hospital, Fenella had to jog to keep up with Justin’s long stride. They’d gone a few yards when she glanced at his stern profile and drew in a deep breath.
“That really was my doing back there,” she admitted. “Don’t punish Kahina … or the guard.”
Justin glanced her way, his expression softening. “Fear not, I won’t. I knew the moment I saw the three of you who was behind it.” He then gave a rueful shake of his head.
Fenella released her breath, relief fluttering through her. His expression had been so grim inside the hospital that she’d braced herself for his wrath. They made their way down the Via Praetoria now, but instead of turning for home, Justin led her across the parade ground to where the street continued to the fort’s main entrance.
“Where are we going?”
Justin looked her way once more. “We’ve laid out the dead,” he replied. “Most of the besiegers were Wolves … but there are other Picti among them and quite a few Damnonii.” He paused then. “We shall burn them upon a pyre this afternoon, but I wanted to give you the chance to search the dead first … in case any of your kin are among them.”
Fenella’s throat thickened. “Thank you,” she said, her voice catching slightly. “That’s kind.”
Their gazes fused. It was indeed a generous gesture. Her people had butchered those defending the vicus outside the fort, and slain a number of Justin’s men. But he still allowed her to search for her family amongst the dead.
His act both surprised and discomforted her.
Uneasiness must have shown on her face, for Justin’s expression softened. “Ready yourself, Fenella,” he murmured, his voice lowering. They were passing under the Porta Praetoria. The great iron and oak gate bore score marks and dents, yet the attackers hadn’t managed to breach it, or the iron portcullis that had been drawn up above it. “What lies beyond isn’t for the faint of heart.”
An instant later, Fenella’s gaze alighted upon a head, jammed upon a pike to the left of the gates.
Toutorix the Wolf’s gaping face stared back at her, his pale blue eyes sightless.
Fenella’s step faltered, and she drew to a halt.
The man who’d once been her husband—the man who’d handed her over to the enemy so that he could live on to seek reckoning upon them—wore a surprised expression. Toutorix’s reputation as a warrior to be feared had circulated the mountains and glens of this land for years, but no longer.
Long moments passed, and then Fenella glanced Justin’s way.
She’d expected to see a hard expression on his face, as if bringing her here had been a test of some kind. However, his eyes weren’t calculating but understanding.
“Did you kill him?” she asked.
He nodded.
Fenella glanced back at Toutorix’s severed head.
“I hope you made him suffer,” she murmured. It was a bloodthirsty thing to say but no less than this man deserved.
When Fenella swiveled back to him, she saw the glint in Justin’s eyes.