Royal Obsession (Shadow Assassins 1)

  * * * * *

  Naomi angled her sketch of the stranger toward the lamplight and felt heat spread across her cheeks. Just his image caused her senses to respond. It was ridiculous.

  “I missed you at Vespers,” Brother Gabriel said from somewhere behind her. “What kept you so occupied that you neglected your evening prayers?”

  Carefully keeping the scrap of vellum turned away, Naomi pivoted on the stool and offered her warmest smile. “Adam and Eve. Well, mostly Adam.”

  Brother Gabriel chuckled and Naomi tried to release the tension gripping her abdomen. She studied her mentor with new interest as he crossed the scriptorium. There was nothing she didn’t know about this man or so she’d believed until a short time ago.

  He wore a long-sleeved black robe emblazoned with the distinctive white cross identifying him as a member of the elite Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Naomi felt proud to be part of such an important order. The Knights of St. John had been serving Western pilgrims as they traveled through the Holy Land for well over a century. One of their grandest accomplishments had been building a hospital in the heart of Jerusalem. Now members of the order were often called Knights Hospitaller.

  Naomi focused her attention on the man within the robe. Gabriel’s neatly trimmed hair was a bright blending of silver and gold, nearly opposite from the raven-black locks of the man claiming to be his brother. His eyes were a warm brown, but there were shards of gold Naomi had never noticed before.

  “Is something troubling you, Naomi? You stare at me as if I have sprouted horns.”

  “Who is this man?” She handed him the scrap of vellum.

  His eyes widened for just a moment before he concealed his surprise. She watched his throat work as he swallowed awkwardly. “Where did you see him?”

  “He just left. You may have passed in the bailey.”

  He set the sketch aside and grasped both of her hands. Fear shone in his eyes as he searched her face and person. “Are you well? Did he harm you? Threaten you?”

  Naomi nervously licked her lips. “I’m fine. But why would that be your first assumption? Is he your brother as he claimed?”

  Releasing her hands, Brother Gabriel averted his face for a moment before he spoke. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

  “Nay, not until you tell me why he frightens you. I have never known you to be afraid of anyone or anything yet I see fear in your eyes.”

  “Gideon can be dangerous, Naomi. I cannot pretend otherwise. He—”

  “Gideon,” she whispered. “He didn’t tell me his name.”

  “What did he tell you?”

  “Only that he is your brother. He asked where he could find you and when I wouldn’t volunteer the information, he became annoyed.” She had to fight back a smile as she remembered the heated embrace they had shared. “He can be quite intense.”

  “Did he touch you?” He took a step toward her. “You said he didn’t harm you.”

  “He didn’t harm me,” she said reassuringly. “What does he want with you?”

  “I’m not certain.”

  “Why did you never tell me you have a brother?” The faintest edge cut through her tone despite Naomi’s effort to conceal her disappointment.

  “It never occurred to me that you would meet.” He turned toward the door. “I must find him. His coming can only mean trouble for both of us.”