Kill the High King, and they would have their freedom. One life taken and two lives given.
He knew well what it was to be a pawn, used for another man’s ruthless commands. But when it was done, he would have his own freedom.
And so would Carice.
Chapter Four
Her body felt as if it were frozen in a block of ice. Carice could hardly feel her hands and feet, and despite the layers of blankets, it wasn’t enough.
Raine hadn’t returned in hours, and she was beginning to wonder if he had left the abbey. He was a man of contradictions. One moment he kissed her like a starving man, and the next, he disappeared, as if he no longer wanted to be near her.
Soon enough, she heard his footsteps approaching, and the door swung open. Snow dotted his hair and cloak while in his hand, he carried a wrapped bundle of food. “Eat, and then rest again. We leave tomorrow at nightfall.”
She hesitated, for there was a hint of unrest in his voice. “We? I thought you were searching for Trahern MacEgan to bring me to Laochre.”
“I did not find him,” he answered, “and you lack the strength to travel alone.”
Carice knew that was true, but why had he suddenly changed his mind? Earlier, he’d seemed insistent that she leave him behind. Had her impulsive kiss affected him in such a way that he was now wanting to help her?
She rested her palm against her cheek, studying him. His face was like stone, utterly impassive. No, it didn’t seem that he was feeling in any way protective. Instead, there was impatience in his mood, as if he wanted to leave now. Or perhaps he was wanting to be rid of her.
“What changed your mind?” she asked bluntly. “You didn’t want to help me before.”
He sat down and unwrapped the food. “Eat something before you rest. You’ll need your strength for the journey.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” She tried to sit up, and he reached back to help her.
“Does it matter why?”
The cool tone of his voice bothered her, for he behaved as if she was a burden he didn’t want. “If you are too busy with your duties for King Henry, you needn’t trouble yourself on my behalf. I can go alone.”
His expression shifted. “You couldn’t last more than a mile,chérie.”
“I made it this far,” she said quietly. “And believe me when I say that no man will force me to marry. I will go to the west and live out the remainder of my days in peace.”
“I was leaving the abbey to return to my men,” he said gruffly. “I’ll take you with me.”
But although she ought to be grateful for his offer, she sensed that he had his own motives.
“Eat,” he repeated, holding out the bundle.
She glanced at the food he offered and noticed that he’d roasted a rabbit. So that was where he’d gone—to hunt for meat, as he’d promised before. Her stomachgrowled, and she couldn’t stop herself from reaching for the hot food. It was as if she could never get enough to eat, after all the years of suffering.
“You need not bring me very far,” she said quietly. “Laochre is hardly more than a day’s journey. If you bring me there, the MacEgans will see to my care after that.”
It was a reasonable solution and one that would not trouble him any more than was necessary. She waited for him to agree, but those green eyes narrowed upon her. Instead, he seemed disinterested in her suggestion.
“Or I could escort you to the west if that is what you want.” He spoke with no emotion, his gaze not meeting her eyes.
Now that, she didn’t believe for a moment. Raine de Garenne had admitted that he was occupied with the king’s orders. He would have to return to his soldiers and commander. Nothing had changed, so far as she could tell.
“Where are your men?”
He shrugged. “They are camped east of here. But I could delay my return to them.”
Her senses went on alert. Why would he want to journey with her? It wasn't out of the goodness of his heart. “You want something from me, don’t you?”
He leaned forward and broke off a piece of the meat, his hand brushing against hers. She jolted at the contact, and his expression fixed upon her. “Perhaps I do.”
