Chapter One
Spring, AD 993
Kingdom of Laigin, Éire
Niamh stood inthe courtyard at Nás, the stronghold of the kings of Laigin, utterly unable to stop laughing. Máire, her maid and dearest friend, fell into a fit of giggles along with her.
They had only been living in Nás for a few days, but the village had already charmed Niamh. Her father, a traveling merchant, had moved them into a larger town now that he could afford the expenses that came with it.
“What amuses you so?”
Niamh and Máire turned as one to face the young warrior who walked toward them. He was tall and broad, with a boyish charm and far too much confidence. His dark, wavy hair and smoldering chestnut eyes accentuated his strong jawline. And his cocky grin.
Instead of answering the lad, Niamh nodded toward the litter of kittens playing along the edge of the cobblestones. A dark grey one, the smallest of the bunch, attacked each of her siblings with vicious enthusiasm. The affronted, shocked looks the other small creatures gave the warrior kitten were simply more than Niamh and Máire could handle.
He watched the kittens for a moment, his brows knitted. “They are cute,” he commented, clearly not as entertained by their antics. He leaned down to poke a finger at the grey kitten.
She bit him, hissing and jumping on his hand like she could conquer anything.
He recoiled in surprise, frowning at the little beast disapprovingly.
Another sputtering laugh escaped Niamh. “She’s fearless,” she explained, taking pity on the confused warrior.
He grinned at her, his smile utterly disarming. “Aye, the smallest ones usually are, in my experience. She’s going to be trouble.”
“Or the best mouser,” Niamh countered.
“Both, most likely.”
“Don’t let us keep you from your training,” she told him, eyeing his sword, “I wouldn’t want to get you into trouble.”
He worried his bottom lip. The only sign that perhaps his confidence wasn’t a bottomless well. “Actually,” he said, running a hand through his dark hair, “I had hoped you might join me at training.”
Niamh barely kept her mouth from falling open. How forward was he? To ask a woman he’d only just met to watch him train. Not that she wasn’t interested, mind you, but he’d have to work harder than that for it.
“I’m afraid I’m quite terrible with a sword,” she replied coyly. “I doubt sparring with me would improve your skills. I should hope not, anyway.”
His smoldering eyes now sparkled with amusement. “I shall find another partner then,” he conceded. “But I’d like for you to come, nonetheless. You can advise me at dinner tonight of any shortcomings you note in my form.”
His boundless confidence was getting the better of her. Niamh had to admit she rather liked his bold manner. Not to mention his knee-melting smile and gorgeous eyes. He was certainly the most handsome lad who’d approached her, in addition to the most confident.
“And who says I’ll be joining you for dinner?” she challenged.
“I do,” he answered simply. As though they dined together every day. “If it pleases you, I can speak with your father first, but I assure you it isn’t necessary.”
Niamh rolled her lips together. He was absolutely ridiculous.
And she loved it.
“Very well,” she conceded at last. “Máire and I are ready to be entertained.”
He nodded to Máire in acknowledgement before leaning toward Niamh, his voice rough. “You won’t be disappointed.”
The mysterious warriormade good on his word. He certainly did not disappoint. Though, as Niamh and Máire sat on their cloaks next to a group of noble ladies, also ready to be entertained, she realized that he hadn’t given her his name. She considered asking one of the ladies beside her but paused when she looked at them more closely.
Every woman, no matter her age, wore elaborate plaits with golden beads and jewels woven throughout. Their silken gowns, brought to them from exotic kingdoms far from this small isle, shimmered in the morning sun. Sable and ermine wraps covered their delicate shoulders. Several women had not one, but two maids alongside them, and most sat on stools instead of the damp ground.
All of these women outranked her. Significantly.
