Humbled, he nodded. Mouth grim, he met Taog’s gaze, worry lining the leader’s brow, but resolve as well. “Let us give the bastard more than he bargained for,”Cailin called.
Taog raised his sword. “Aye!”
The Romanipeople cheered.
In the face of impossible odds, unsure whether this would be their end, Cailin looked at Elspet, and his heart wrenched. Never had he imagined that he would find a woman he wanted so much, one who touched him as no other. His emotions in turmoil, giving into his heart’s demand, he strode to Elspet, caught her mouth in a fierce kiss, hot with need, demanding with a fierce desperation. “I wanted more for you, I wanted—”
“Charge!” his uncle screamed from behind his ranks. The roar of men and the whinny of horsesfilled the air.
With brutal precision, his uncle’s foot soldiers cut through the stakes of the palisade, then engaged the outer guard, steadilymoving forward.
“Stay beside me, Elspet!” Cailin ordered as he secured his bow and arrow and withdrew his broadsword, fighting exhaustion and damning that once surrounded ’twould be but a matter of time untilthe inevitable.
“I love you, Cailin!” she blurted out.
Stunned by Elspet’s words, the emptiness in his heart since losing his parents eased. Never had he imagined he would find a woman he’d want in his life, much less one who loved him. What he wouldn’t give for another day, more time tospend with her.
A stocky knight rushed him.
Cailin bunched his arms, dropped him ina single blow.
From the side, three men stormed past Taog’s men and headed straighttoward Elspet.
“Watch out!” Cailin yelled as he lunged forward, driving his sword deep into the lead knight’s chest, slashed his dagger across the other warrior’s throat, then whirled to face the final assailant.
The fighter’s blade was driving towardCailin’s heart.
Bracing his feet, Cailin angled his broadsword to block the swing. Forged steel scraped with an angry hiss. Teeth clenched, he twisted his sword free, drove it into the attacker. He glancedtoward Elspet.
She ducked as a large knight charged, plunged her dagger into his chest as he rushed past, then yankedher blade free.
The warrior wove, toppledto the ground.
The blur of movement to his side had Cailin whirling to meet the next challenger.
As the new combatant raised his broadsword, a large man battling Taog collapsed against Cailin, throwing him off balance.
Cailin’s swing missed; his uncle’s knight’s blade sliced through his thigh.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Cailin rolled, pushed to his feet, drove his sword deep into his attacker.
A look of pure shock widened the man’s eyes as he dropped into alifeless heap.
Cailin ignored the blood flowing down his leg, turned to fend off several warriors charging him. His entire body trembled with exhaustion as he raised his arm for the next swing. If he would die, by God he’d take as many of the bastards hecould with him!
A horn sounded.
The thunder of men’s shouts rose above the clash of battle.
Cailin’s heart sank. God’s blade, more men; they were doomed.
No, he refused to quit, would fight until his last breath. Struggling against the pain, he disposed of the next assailant, whirled toward the fresh influx of troops.
Stilled.
A fierce-looking man holding King Robert’s banner led the sizable forceinto the fray.
Rónán!
