The Robber Knight's Protege

31 - Unwell Farewells

He had known for a long time that his mother was deep in debt, and she knew that her late husband had given Xander the sole right to his property when he died. This engagement was nothing but Salvatrice begging Xander to pay off her debt. She didn't want to marry Duke Augustus, but Xander had no doubt she would if it came down to it. She was too fond of fine silks and jewels to do anything else.

Outside Ayla's bedchamber, he took a moment to calm herself. The tremors of rage didn't stop, though.

He knocked gently.

He heard movement inside, and a moment later, Reuben came to the door, an infant resting on one of his arms. The sight was almost funny. Reuben, who was six feet and seven inches of knightly muscle, cradling a newborn babe. Xander couldn't help but wonder what is life would have been like if Reuben hadn't slept with his mother and then disappeared. If he had stayed around, their family might not have been rich, but Xander and his mother would have had a true protector.

Reuben couldn't have done that for Salvatrice and Xander, though. He hadn't been a protector back then. He had been a destroyer. A thief. A rake. Every dishonorable thing that the church condemned and society hated.

"What do you want?" Reuben asked.

"I have to leave, sir."

"Leave?" Reuben slipped out of the bedchamber. "What do you mean?"

"I have to go back to Sicily."

Thunder touched Reuben's brow. "You can't leave, especially not to go there."

"I believe I can leave, sir."

"Not if I break your legs. Why do you want to leave?"

Xander grinned slightly. "Does this mean you'll miss me?"

Reuben shrugged. "Kaylin likes you. It's the only useful thing about you."

"Other than that I do your job when you're busy pacing in circles because your wife is giving birth. And other than that I saved Fye's life once. And other than that—"

"Why are you leaving?" Reuben cut him off, growling.

"My mother just sent a messenger, sir. I have to go save her."

Reuben made a face—and Xander was sure he would have yelled something incredibly lewd if Ayla weren't sleeping in the room behind him. "Why would you want to save that wart-brained witch from anything?"

"Because she is my mother, sir. It's the right thing to do."

"Are you sure I'm your father? You don't seem to have inherited my intelligence."

Xander chuckled. Reuben didn't often acknowledge the fact that they were related, and when he did mention it, it was never in a positive light. But Xander didn't feel insulted. He sensed an unspoken bond with Reuben. Sometimes it came through in a glance or a kind word that the older knight accidentally let slip. Xander might never have the same status in Reuben's eyes as the baby boy in his arms or any of his three girls, but he wasn't just another knight to Reuben, either.

"I'm leaving tomorrow, sir," Xander said.

"You're taking Fye?"

Oh, right. Fye. Xander hadn't thought about whether she would come. She had told him once that she wanted to see more of the world, but he doubted she wanted to do it with him. Still, if he left for an indefinite period of time without his wife, he was sure Fye would face Margaret's wrath. Maybe some time with her mother would be good for Fye.

But still... Xander sighed. He would have to at least ask her if she wanted to come.

"I'm not sure, sir," he admitted.