Breath of Heaven Read Online Free

his head. “Not since a month past. You know his health is not good,” he added.
    “I did not. In truth, he has not shared anything with me through the years beyond his wishes for my continued good health and his hopes to hear from me again the following year. What I’ve learned of him I have gleaned from those who know him. All speak highly of Lord Edward.” Rhys watched Peter’s eyes closely as he asked the next question. “But is it truewhat is said of his daughter? That she is disfigured in some way?”
    Peter shrugged eloquently. “There are those who talk nonsense of things they do not understand.” After giving that mysterious answer, he quickly changed the subject before Rhys could question him further. “Did Edward offer a reason for his summons?”
    “He said, ‘I have need of you to repay a deed well done.’”
    “He means to collect the debt you owe him,” Peter said. “Do you have any idea of how you are to repay him?”
    “I do not, and I must admit it troubles me,” Rhys said. “There is only one way to find out what it is Lord Edward desires of me—answer his summons. I must be off, and quickly, as milord has requested.”
    “Good journey to you,” Peter said as he clasped his hand on Rhys’s shoulder. “Please tell milord that I am ever his faithful servant.”
    “As am I.”
    “You will invite me to the wedding,” Peter added with a wry grin as they shook hands.
    “In honest truth, I hope by the time I return, it will be forgotten.”
    Peter’s eyes darted over Rhys’s shoulder. “In honest truth, I will remind you that some will not let it be forgotten.”
    Rhys glanced over his shoulder and saw Jane watching him.
    “Go,” Peter said. “I will keep the lady from distracting you from your purpose this day.”
    “Thank you.” Rhys tried his best not to run from the hall as he heard Peter greet Jane behind his back.He felt somewhat a coward, but he was also wise enough to know when to retreat.
    If he’d been so careful in all his dealings, he would not now be in this fine mess. As it was, he would be grateful for his escape and hope that fate would lead him to a solution. Perhaps he would find one in Aubregate. Rhys nearly stopped and returned to Peter when he realized his friend had not answered his question about Edward’s daughter. “It seems I will have to find out firsthand when I get there.”

Chapter Three
    E liane Chandler, daughter of Lord Edward and the long departed Lady Arden, stood at the door of her father’s chamber and watched as his man, Cedric, helped him sit up and plumped the pillows behind him. Her dog, Llyr, stood at her side and Eliane twirled the thick dark hairs at the dog’s neck through her fingers without giving any thought to the action. She heard the soft murmur of Cedric’s voice and her father’s raspy reply. Then in a weak voice her father called her and she stepped into the room with Llyr, as always, on her heels.
    Her father, once strong, grew weaker with every passing day. His grasp, once mighty enough to hold a broadsword with ease, shook with tremors as she took his hand in hers and sat upon the bed beside him. The days, which had once been bright with his steady gaze, now were as gray as his pallor. Indeed the very land seemed to wither with the lord who no longer had the strength to rise from his bed.
    Eliane knew the land was at rest for the winter and would come to life once again with the promise of spring. There was no such promise for her father. His life, which once seemed endless, would now only last for a handful of days.
    Then responsibility for the people of Aubregate andits land would be hers. She would become its guardian, from the deep wood, over the fields and town, to the high cliffs that stood sentinel over the sea. All that inhabited the land would look to her for their protection as they had her father for so many years. She was not sure she was up to the task.
    “Tell me of your morning, daughter,” Edward