The knight’s eyes narrowed at the sight of Raine’s wound. “What happened?”
“Just a small fight.” He thought quickly of what to say next, knowing he could not claim that he’d been attacked while hunting.
“And who were you fighting?” Sir Darren’s voice was quiet, but it held a deadly edge. “Did someone follow you here?”
Raine thought a moment before speaking. He didn’t want to tell them about Carice, and yet, he saw no alternative. The Norman soldiers would learn the truth, whether or not it camefrom him. He had to choose his answers carefully. He shrugged and remarked, “A few of the High King’s men were traveling through the woods. I questioned them.”
It wasn’t exactly true, but it gave him the means of redirecting Sir Darren’s curiosity. “What did you learn?”
Again, he held back, unsure of what to reveal. Some of the Irish soldiers had retreated, returning to Carice’s father. If the Normans continued east, Sir Darren might encounter the men and demand more answers.
The truth was the only way to protect Carice. And therewasa way he could see her again, even if it meant using her to achieve his purpose.
“They were in search of the High King’s bride,” he said at last. “Lady Carice, of the Faoilin tribe, went missing a few days ago. She was trying to avoid her marriage.”
Just as he’d suspected, the knight smiled at the information. “This could be useful to us.”
Useful perhaps—but Raine didn’t want the Norman soldiers anywhere near Carice. They would frighten her or even threaten her. He couldn’t let that happen.
Instead, he offered, “I know she was traveling toward Laochre Castle. Let me track her down. I can try to convince her that I’ll protect her and bring her to safety.”
“And why would she believe you?”
Raine paused and then admitted, “Because she was here. I gave her shelter for the night before Trahern MacEgan escorted her to Laochre. She trusts me, because I kept my word.”
A slow smile curved over his commander’s face. “So you’ll let her believe that you’re helping her to escape her marriage...butyou’ll bring her back to the High King instead,” Sir Darren finished. “Good. That will give you a means of infiltrating Tara.”
Raine felt the trap closing in around him. Although he tried to tell himself that he would guard Carice, he wasn’t so certain he could keep that vow once they reached Tara. He had to carry out his orders to kill the High King. The task was dangerous beyond anything he’d ever attempted. He was a pawn in a game played by two kings—and no one would care if he died.
Carice Faoilin shouldn’t mean anything to him...and yet, he didn’t want to betray her like this. All she wanted was her freedom.
He could understand that. But freedom was not a gift given to him. He had surrendered his life into the guise of a king’s soldier, in order to save his sisters’ lives. And the only means of regaining their freedom was to sacrifice hers.
Sir Darren began walking toward the kitchens, beckoning for Raine to join him. “We will dine with you, and you will tell me everything you know.”
He inclined his head and led the men into the kitchens. There was a little meat left, and he divided it among the soldiers, letting them feast upon it. While they ate, he cleaned the cut upon his upper arm and bound a length of linen around it. The cold air had slowed the blood flow, and he kept the binding tight.
“Take your men and go on to Tara without me,” Raine suggested. “I will find Lady Carice and bring her to you. It will be easier to protect her if I go alone. She will not willingly go with all of us.”
“She may not agree at all.”
He doubted it, for Carice had already asked him to accompany her west. He simply had to convince her that he’d changed his mind. “I will not fail in this.”
Sir Darren nodded, wiping his hands and reaching for a cup of ale. “Remember that your greater task is to kill the High King.” The knight sent him a measured look. “You would not wish King Henry to be displeased by your actions.”
Raine caught the man’s insinuation. He masked the anger churning inside him and regarded the Norman knight.Oui,he knew the power the king held over him. The man had already seized their family’s lands. But worst of all was the fate of Raine’s sisters.
“After I kill the Ard-Righ, I want Nicole and Elise released.”
That was not negotiable. The fate of his sisters was the only power the king held over him now. Raine cared nothing for his own life or fate, for he had already lost everything. The only reason he’d agreed to the orders was to win their freedom.
Sir Darren said, “You will be rewarded, if you succeed in the assassination.”
“Their release is the only reward I want.”
His commander met his gaze and acceded, “If it is possible, I will intervene for their sake.” Darren turned sympathetic, and in that sudden moment, the boundaries shifted. The knight admitted, “I have sisters, as well. I understand your concern for them.”
“They are innocent in this.” God only knew what had happened to Nicole and Elise in the past few years. He’d hated having to leave them, remaining so far away. But that was the costof their lives, and he’d paid it. His orders were clear—become a Norman soldier and obey the king in all things.
