Unable to tear her eyes away, Svanna watched Rand advance towards Turgeis. Sweat flecked the flanks of his horse and his movements were stiff, as if he’d spent a long time on horseback. From the cheers on the ramparts, she doubted anyone else saw the little signs of Rand’s weariness, but she did.
She inwardly cursed. Rand had had a long ride. He had to be tired. She had Turgeis’s brother as hostage. They could have negotiated, but she doubted that Rand would have even considered that. He was worried and frantic about his daughter’s safety. She wished one day that someone would be that worried about her. She winced, hating that thought.
Far too late for them, in any case. She balled her fists.
Turgeis hastily raised his sword. Steel met steel. Around and around they went until Rand half-stumbled and sweat poured down his face. She knew his muscles must be screaming in agony.
A fierce pride in what he was attempting to do filled her, but she also knew he’d taken more punishment than most men could.
‘Live,’ she whispered. ‘Live because there are many things I want to tell you, many things I want to do with you, many years I want to spend with you. I want to fight for the loving marriage I deserve with you, not a soulless one based on duty.’
She shut her eyes, knowing what she wanted was hopeless and she should have taken the chance to tell him that she wanted a real marriage when she had it.
When she opened her eyes again, Turgeis suddenly pivoted and charged forward. His tired muscles aching, Rand ineffectually swung. Missed.
‘You are pathetic. You always were.’ Turgeis wiped his hand across his face. ‘I can remember you pleading with my father. Pathetic. “I’ve done nothing to her,” you said. You had her, I know you did.’
‘You were there, were you?’
‘I saw how she looked at you when you were in the training yard. How she wanted it, but she wanted it from a real man like me. And she will get it this time.’
Svanna stuffed her hand in her mouth. Turgeis was taunting him. He knew Rand was close to the end.
‘Survive,’ she whispered again. ‘Do what you have to, but survive.’
* * *
White-hot anger surged through Rand, anger such as he had not experienced in a long time, giving him fresh energy. He wanted to live for Svanna’s sake.
He struggled to retain focus. The surest way to get killed or seriously injured was to lose control. Even with his late wife, he had not been in danger of losing control in the way he was with Svanna and those who threatened her. He focused hard on his sword and the way it would swing next.
He waited until Turgeis charged again. He sliced his sword forward and connected with Turgeis’s arm. ‘You are disgusting. You forced yourself on an innocent girl.’
‘She wasn’t innocent,’ Turgeis snarled, bearing his fanged teeth. ‘She enjoyed it. Women always enjoy my attention. If she said differently, she lied.’
Anger washed over Rand, but he knew what Turgeis was up to with his filthy lies. He wanted Rand to suffer and make a mistake in their fight. However, Svanna had been innocent when they married, something Turgeis was unaware of.
Rand raised his sword and gave his battle cry. Turgeis’s lips twisted up into a smile and he charged.
Rand neatly sidestepped the next charge and landed a blow on Turgeis’s upper arm. ‘You are deluded.’
‘Deluded? I am the one getting the better of you. I will take all that once was yours. I will enjoy it. What is more, they will enjoy it as well.’
‘I think not.’ Rand swung his sword with all his might and hit Turgeis’s wrist.
Turgeis’s sword arched out of his grasp. Rand kicked it away, where it was retrieved by one of Rand’s warriors.
Turgeis fell to his knees and raised his arms. He appeared to shrink. ‘I’m defenceless. You wouldn’t kill me in cold blood, would you?’
Rand stayed his hand. Turgeis wasn’t worth it. It had to be Svanna’s decision what she wanted done with her former tormentor. ‘I should run you through, but I won’t. You might still have your uses.’
‘What are you going to do to me?’
‘Turn you over to my wife. She can decide. You had best hope that she has a gentler nature than I. Personally, I would like to feed you piece by piece to the dogs for what you did to her all those years ago.’
‘I… I could be of use to your high king. I know things about the Dubhghaill.’
‘Of that I have no doubt.’
