But then the door swung open, and moonlight filled up the small space. Raine didn’t move, but he stilled at the sight of Sir Darren. Instead of the familiar violent rage, a slow burn offury filled him up from within. No longer did he feel the frigid cold. An inner fire of hatred filled every part of him, and he had no doubt that Darren would no longer be breathing when this night was over.
Neither spoke, and Raine waited, like a predator stalking its prey. At last, the knight said, “Well? Aren’t you wondering if she’s still alive?”
If he dared to speak, the man would only taunt him. And so, he held his silence, knowing that it would anger the knight.
“If you’d rather not know, then I will take my leave. You can stay here until they return to question you.”
Raine didn’t rise to the bait.Come closer, he bade the knight. He clenched the loose chains, willing the man to obey.
“Or am I wrong?” Darren moved inside the space. “Is it tormenting you as you wonder what happened? The way you’ve been tormented about your sisters all these years.”
The embers of rage burned hotter, but Raine forced himself to wait. “They’re dead, aren’t they? Nicole and Elise.”
“You’d like to know, wouldn’t you?”
The taunt ignited his fury. Raine lunged at the man and bound the chains around Darren’s throat, shutting off the man’s air.
“You’re going to die for what you did,” he said, tightening his grip while Darren clawed to escape. “Not only for poisoning Carice, but for taking my sisters captive.” He squeezed tighter, shoving the man to the ground. “I hope you burn in hell.”
He felt no remorse, nothing except fiery vengeance. And when the Irish soldiers invaded the space, a blow struck himacross the head. Raine dropped to his knees, blood running down into his eyes.
Dizziness roared through him, and as they dragged Darren’s fallen body, he could only hope that he’d succeeded in killing his commander.
Her entire body ached. Carice couldn’t move, but she managed to open her eyes. The healer was sitting beside her, and the old woman’s face held a warm smile. “There now. Drink this, and it will help.”
She couldn’t even lift her head. When she tried to speak, no words came out, but the healer supported her and helped her sit. “You’ve had quite a day, haven’t you? But you survived. It’s lucky you didn’t drink more of the wine. If you’d finished the goblet, you would be dead.”
She winced as the woman placed a hot cup of tea to her lips. But instead of the horrid brew that had made her retch, this was chamomile, sweetened with honey. It soothed her raw throat, and she sipped it slowly.
Where is Raine?she wanted to ask, but her voice wouldn’t speak. She tried again but could only mouth the words.
The old woman’s expression turned serious. “I suppose you’re asking about the man who was holding you.”
She managed a nod. But when the healer answered, there was only resignation in her tone. “I fear they’ve taken him in chains. The High King was furious to find him in your chamber.”
Undoubtedly the king blamed Raine for what had happened. And if she didn’t rise from this bed and face the Ard-Righ, he might die.
“Rest now,” the healer urged her. “Sleep will do you the most good in regaining your strength.”
But there was no time for that. She needed to confront the High King and explain who was truly at fault. They needed to find Sir Darren, though she suspected the man had hidden himself somewhere.
When she tried to swing her legs to the side of the bed, the weakness in her body overcame her. Even the effort to raise her head was more than she could manage. How was it even possible to help Raine? Walking was beyond her abilities.
With great effort, she tried again to speak. “I need...”
The words came out more of a rough growl than her natural voice, but she pressed on. “I must speak with the Ard-Righ. Will he...come and listen to what I have to say?”
The older woman’s face turned grim. “I fear not. He knows that the poison was meant for him. The brehons will hold a trial and determine if you or the other man are guilty of plotting against him.”
“Guilty of what? I’ve done nothing wrong.” She had never even considered trying to harm the High King.
“We know you were not responsible for the poison, for you drank it. But as for the other man...” The healer’s voice trailed off as she shook her head. “Too many people saw him embracing you. They might accuse you of infidelity to the Ard-Righ.”
Carice was about to argue again, but the old woman cut her off. “If they were to examine you, would you still be a virgin?”
The rising fear took hold, and Carice gave no answer. No, she was not. But the healer offered her more tea and reassured her, “You may be found innocent, Lady Carice. After all, many could also say that you did not ask to be in the man’s embrace. You were hardly awake while you were suffering from the poisoning.” She held the cup and added, “If you deny knowing him, no one would lay the blame at your feet.”
But Carice knew that if she denied it, Raine would suffer tenfold. Even if it was proven that he’d played no part in the poison, they had both betrayed the High King. She had broken her betrothal, giving her innocence to a man who was not her husband. For that alone, the Ard-Righ had the right to punish her. A betrothal was nearly a marriage though the vows were not yet given.
