The king’s expression didn’t shift at all. “That is not what Killian told me.” He turned back to Brodie. “He claimed that Carice wanted no part of this marriage.”
She felt a sudden thread of hope. So her brotherhadintervened on her behalf.
Her father blanched. “That isn’t true at all. She was simply unable to travel. Why you would believe his lies is simply—”
“You dare to call my son a liar?” The High King moved forward, his gaze sharpened upon Brodie. “I understand that you treated Killian like a slave, all these years.”
Carice resisted the urge to smile. For the first time, she found herself approving of the High King. At least he honored her brother in the manner he deserved.
Her father’s face turned crimson, and blurted out, “Killian was one of your bastard sons, yes, but I never mistreated him.”
Carice crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at her father. Now those were the true lies. He’d forced her brother to sleep in the stables among the dogs.
“Killian is not a bastard,” Rory corrected. “He is my legitimate son.”
Her smile widened, and she beamed at the Ard-Righ, even as she delighted in her father’s discomfort. Brodie deserved it for his mistreatment of Killian. But even more wonderful was recognizing that her brother now had the High King’s support. “Where is Killian now?”
Rory Ó Connor sent her a sharp look. “You ought to keep a respectful silence, Lady Carice, about a conversation that does not concern you.”
His response irritated her, for he was treating her like a recalcitrant child. Even so, she bit back her annoyance, since she needed his cooperation in ending the betrothal. Carice murmured, “Forgive me, Your Grace.” She lowered her head in deference and added, “I was merely concerned for Killian, since we were friends as children. I thought of him as my brother.”
The Ard-Righ sent her an annoyed look. “Killian has returned to Ossoria with the Lady Taryn, to bury her father.”
Carice touched her fingertips to her lips. Taryn had hoped to save her father’s life, and she didn’t dare ask what had happened. But clearly something had gone very wrong.
“Killian will return to Tara within a few days,” the High King finished. “You may see him then.”
If I am still here,she thought. But Carice inclined her head in a nod of acknowledgment. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
The Ard-Righ signaled for one of his servants to come forward. “Take my bride back to our chambers. I will speak to her there later.”
“And what of the wedding, Your Grace?” Brodie asked. “Should I send Carice’s ladies to help prepare her?”
“I have not yet decided whether she will become my queen. That is for me to determine, after I speak with her. But you may send her belongings.”
Carice breathed a little easier, for it did not seem that Rory was eager to wed her either. It might be her saving grace, a means of avoiding this union.
She picked up the hem of her gown, walking toward the waiting servant. And when she took one last look at Raine, his expression was unreadable. For all she knew, he might be ready to bury his sword in the Ard-Righ’s heart.
Don’t do this,she pleaded in silence. But he would not meet her gaze.
When the servant led her inside the king’s private chambers, Carice sat down and stared at the wall. God help her, she didn’t know what to do now. The Ard-Righ would decide whether or not to move forward with the marriage. She prayed he would change his mind.
If not, she could make herself physically ill, but it would only delay the inevitable. Publicly refusing the High King was unthinkable—he would never tolerate such defiance. She knew the stories of Rory’s cruelty. He had ordered his own brotherblinded in order to seize the throne of Connacht—and she couldn’t imagine what he would do to her if she denied him.
Her hands were shaking, and she heard the sound of movement behind her. Undoubtedly it was her ladies and a few servants who were bringing her belongings. But then she noticed the heavier sound of a man’s footsteps. When she turned around, she saw the Norman commander, Sir Darren.
Though he was not wearing the chainmail and conical helm she was accustomed to seeing, he still moved like a soldier instead of a servant. He set down the tray he’d been holding, that contained wine and two silver goblets. The hardened glint in his eyes warned her to be careful of what she said.
“You think to dissuade Raine from his duty, but it will not happen.” He crossed his arms and regarded her. “You might have been a diversion for him, but he cannot forget where his loyalties lie.”
“If that were true, you would not waste time speaking with me,” Carice countered. “And I hope that he is reconsidering this task. It isn’t right.”
“I would think you’d be grateful for our interference,” the knight said. “Especially since you stand to benefit the most.”
He was wrong in that. Though she didn’t want to wed the Ard-Righ, there were many ways to avoid her wedding without Raine becoming a murderer. “I would not wish death upon any man. And I do not believe Raine would do such a thing.”
Darren smiled slowly. “Do you remember the MacEgans who gave you shelter at Laochre?” She gave a nod before he continued. “Raine was there when we attacked them on the peninsula. He killed their kinsmen in that battle, years ago.” Atthat revelation, he turned serious. “Believe me when I say that Raine cares about nothing except his orders. He will fulfill them without question.”
