He squeezed her palm in a silent threat:Leave it alone.
She sent him an answering smile.Make me.
Their silent argument was interrupted when Killian led her to the table directly below the dais where they were invited to dine. He helped her to sit down, and Lady Taryn joined Carice on the opposite side. The woman smiled at her and said, “I am glad you arrived safely.”
“So am I. It was not easy to escape my father.” Carice turned back to Killian, and the expression on his face had darkened. He knew, as she did, that Brodie would never give up. He wanted his only daughter to be queen of all Éireann—no matter what the cost might be.
Never, she swore to herself. She would rather be dead than allow the High King to claim her. Not only because Rory Ó Connor was a brutal man, but because she did not want to spend her last months wedded to a monster.
Although she ought to feel safer at Laochre, she could not relinquish the fear that her freedom would soon be at an end. Even surrounded by so many MacEgans, her father and the king’s men might find her and force her to return with them. She needed to leave quickly—and she desperately wished that Raine were here to escort her.
It was a foolish thought. He had no interest in protecting her—only in serving his king. Even if he did come to Laochre, she doubted if he could travel west with her.
Taryn passed over a trencher of roasted meats and cheeses, and Carice chose some food for herself. She was exhausted from the journey, hardly able to eat at all, but she needed to keep up what little strength she had left.
Her mind blurred as she conversed with her brother and Lady Taryn about the High King. Though Killian had promised not to do anything dangerous, she had her doubts. He was watching over Taryn as if he intended to fight for her—and the young woman seemed uneasy about it.
Seeing them together reminded her of Raine. He had looked at her that way on the night he had slept beside her. Althoughthey were hardly more than strangers, she had felt the tangible attraction to him. She'd been warm and safe in his bed, and despite all the reasons it was wrong, she had enjoyed sleeping with his hard body against hers.
The wistful thought caught at her heart.I want to see him again.
Never in her life had any man awakened her to such feelings. And if she only had a few months remaining, she wanted to seize every last moment she could.
Her head spun with dizziness, and she gripped the table to keep from fainting, taking slow, deep breaths. Although she no longer had the stomach cramps she’d experienced before, the weakness had not diminished.
The moments she’d spent with Raine had taunted her with unfulfilled hopes. She had no right to let herself imagine a future with any man, much less a Norman soldier. By next winter, she would likely be dead. It was a reality she didn’t want to face, but it was inevitable. It was better that they had parted ways, for it avoided heartache.
There was no future for her—but there could be for her brother and Lady Taryn.
Was it not better to spend her last few months bringing joy to others? Carice saw an opportunity to bring her brother happiness. He needed a woman to love him for the man he was. And she had no qualms about pushing Lady Taryn and him together.
When Taryn was about to leave, Carice took her by the hand. “Don’t go yet. I would like to stay and talk with you a while.”She turned to Killian. “Give us a few moments alone, won’t you?”
If all went to plan, her brother would spend the next few days alone with Taryn. A little scheming wasn’t a bad thing, so long as it brought happiness to others. With any luck, after she was gone, they would have each other.
Chapter Six
Raine wasn’t about to let Carice Faoilin go. Not like this.
Her face haunted him in a way he’d never anticipated. All he could think of was her riding off with Trahern MacEgan, her eyes filled with fear. Though she’d trusted him to bring her to Laochre, Raine didn’t know the man.
His instincts sharpened with the need to follow her and ensure that she was safe. And though he knew it was impossible—for he was already late reporting to his commander—he couldn’t deny the urge. Never had any woman lain beside him at night, seeking comfort. She had soothed his troubled spirits, pushing back the loneliness.
Now, the desire to protect her had only grown stronger.
He had finished burying the bodies of the remaining guards he’d killed. The fight had ended quickly, after Carice and Trahern had gone. Most men would have been afraid of the odds, but Raine hardly cared if he lived or died. It gave his fighting an advantage, for he struck out with no fear. And he’d won.
A few scattered flakes of snow drifted against his face. His arm was aching from a shallow cut. It was an annoyance, nothingmore, but he wanted to wrap it to keep from dripping blood everywhere.
He trudged through the snow, back to where Trahern’s horse was tethered. Then he rode toward the abbey, trying to settle his mood. “You can’t go after her,” he reminded himself. “She’s gone, and it’s better that way.”
He knew that—and yet, his thoughts lingered upon her beauty, her soft hair and the taste of her mouth. A dream was all she would ever be. It was best to let her go.
The moment he walked through the abbey grounds, he saw the horses and armed men waiting for him. The sight of the soldiers was enough to remind him of the duties he’d neglected.
His commander, Sir Darren de Carleigh, stood just past the graves. He still wore his conical helm, and he crossed his arms with a knowing stare. Although Sir Darren was not a tall man, he was heavily muscled from training. “You’re late, de Garenne. You were supposed to return two days ago.”
“I was unable to return.” He pushed back his chain mail coif and held up his wounded arm as evidence.
