Duncan snorted. He still held Dierdre's hand, though he was nervous of getting caught by the bars. "I've confessed to murdering her three times so far and he still didn't let me out," he told the man. "Of course I didn't do it."

"Duncan is about to be a father," Dierdre pointed out. "And the little girl in question is like family to me. He would never do anything like that."

"He did." Davide replied, crossing his arms. "He didn't murder her, he just took her and gave her away." He shot Dee a sad look.

"And I'm sure you have evidence, or a confession, or something valid to prove that this occurred?" Faolin asked.

Davide gave the man a tired look. "Were you sleeping upstairs?" He asked. "What's the queensman doing in the prison tower?" He looked back at Duncan and Dee. "You understand the terms of your arrest? And you understand the terms of his arrest, Dee?"

"Go fuck yourself with an iron poker," Dierdre answered.

The guard arrived with the keys. Immediately and without asking, Faolin took the fob from him, jammed the key in the lock, and, bare-handed, jerked the cell door open. "Take your husband, my lady," he said coldly, and shot a look at Davide. "I am not much fond of having questions answered with questions. Your lady's favor is already thin with the Northern Court. Tread with care."

"That's because you walk in and assume things." Davide replied back, leaning against the wall. "See that she gets the healer first." He told the guard. "But the lord needs her as well. That should be all. Good evening to you both."

Dierdre got unsteadily to her feet and reached for Duncan with her good hand, leaning on him heavily. "Good neighbor," she said again to Faolin. "And there's no need to have too much concern for that ass; please don't think it reflects on my lady. Are you all right?" she asked Duncan.

"Better than you, I think." He cradled Dierdre's hurt hand in the crook of his arm. "Please, please don't do anything like that again. You scared the piss out of me."