Chapter Three
Killian awakened in a pile of straw with three dogs sleeping near him and Harold’s furry face nudging his. It was so cold, he could see a layer of ice upon the water trough. He stretched, feeling stiff and sore from the sleepless night, while the cat rubbed against his side.
Taryn’s threat, to reveal everything to the High King’s men, had infuriated him.
For whether or not he wanted to admit it, he did need her assistance.
One of the MacEgans might help Carice to escape, but without Taryn to disguise herself and buy a few more hours of time, the soldiers would pursue his sister.
What the Lady wanted in return was far too great a price. He had no desire to get entangled with her father’s fate, nor did he want to lay eyes upon Rory ó Connor. He remembered all too well what had happened when Brodie had returned from Connacht fifteen years ago.
The chieftain had stared at him with loathing. “Come here, boy.”
Killian had obeyed, keeping his back straight.
He’d hardly slept last night, dreaming that he would be sent to live at Connacht with the King.
He imagined a life where he had a pallet to sleep upon instead of a pile of straw in the stables.
Would he finally go to live with his true father?
Would Rory be proud of him? He was six years old, and he was growing stronger each day.
He might be one of the finest warriors in éireann one day if he worked hard.
“He doesn’t want you,” Brodie said. “He has sired over a dozen bastards, and he doesn’t want another.” The chieftain spat at his feet. “That’s all you’re worth to him.”
A coldness seized up in Killian’s chest, the hope shattering. He’d wanted so badly to live with someone who wanted him, now that his mother was dead. He twisted the silver ring on his thumb, so afraid of what would happen now.
“Did...did you see him?” Maybe there had been a mistake.
“No,” Brodie answered. “He was organizing a raid on Munster.”
“Then it might have been a mistake.” Killian brightened at that. If his father was waging war on Munster, he might not want a son right now. But later...
“There was no mistake.” Brodie sent him a scathing look.
“His men gave him the message, but Rory offered nothing at all for you. Were I not a merciful man, I’d turn you out.
” He crossed his arms and regarded Killian.
“As it is, I will let you live in the stables and tend the horses. Unless you’d rather go out on your own? ”
Killian had been too frightened to understand any of what had happened, but he’d obeyed. At least at Carrickmeath, he had food and shelter. It was better than starving to death, and he’d been too young to survive alone.
But he would soon have his freedom—after he saw Carice to safety.
The wolfhound beside him stretched and trotted over to him, resting his head upon Killian’s knee.
He rubbed the dog’s ears, still thinking about Lady Taryn.
She had silver and wealth beyond his dreams—but what he truly wanted was land and kinsmen who would look upon him with respect.
And that was something that could never be bought—it had to be earned.
The voice of temptation lured him closer, reminding him that Taryn could grant him everything he wanted. All he had to do was risk his life for her father.
Likely the man was already dead. The High King resented the other provincial kings, particularly those who did not revere him. Though Killian didn’t know what Devlin’s crimes were, the odds of saving him were nearly impossible.
The dilemma weighed down upon him, for in a matter of hours, everything had changed. He would protect Carice, aye. But beyond that, once she was safe? What then?
Taryn’s words dug into his pride. Will you return here and live among men who treat you like the dirt they walk upon?
That was what bothered him most. Never had he been given the chance to fight for the life he wanted. This woman held the power to change everything—all he had to do was risk his life for a stranger.
He didn’t know what to think of this turn of events.
Nor did he know what to think of Taryn Connelly.
She was acutely conscious of her scarred face, but she was not a woman to hide herself away from the world.
She’d faced him down, fighting for the life of the father she loved. Just as he was fighting for Carice.
They were more alike than he’d wanted to admit.
When he’d lost his temper and had pressed her back against the wall, he’d never expected the sudden interest that had flared up within him.
He’d meant to intimidate her, to make her understand that he would allow no one to threaten his sister.
Instead, he’d been fully aware of the lines of her body and the softness that had pressed back against him.
Her eyes had widened, as if she didn’t know what to do.
He’d expected her to pull back in revulsion, but instead, she’d studied him as if she could see past his anger.
As if she saw the man he wanted to be instead of the man he was.
Never had any woman looked at him in that way.
Most wanted a hasty tumble in the dark, but nothing more than that.
The wolfhound placed his paw upon Killian’s knee, offering despondent eyes. “You’re right,” he admitted to the dog. “I wasn’t thinking. I shouldn’t have given in to my temper.” The wolfhound nuzzled his hand, and Killian stood. All three hounds stared up at him as if he was their lord and master.
“King of the dogs, that’s what I am.” He shook his head in exasperation and left the stable with a trail of animals following behind him.
Even Harold joined them, for the cat seemed to believe Killian was his owner.
When he drew closer to the donjon, there were a few smirks from his kinsmen, but he ignored them.
When he reached the entrance leading to the Great Chamber, he saw the Lady Taryn descending the stairs. She was dressed in a green silk gown, with jeweled rings upon her hands and a silver torque at her throat. A veil covered her hair and shielded most of her scars from view.
When she saw him, she stopped at the foot of the stairs and waited. Killian knew she expected him to approach, but he stopped where he was and watched her. Her eyes were a frosty blue as she regarded him.
One of the wolfhounds moved forward and began sniffing at her skirts. Taryn paled and moved backwards up the stairs, trying to get away.
He was convinced that her scars had been the result of an animal attack. With a whistle, he called back the wolfhounds and ordered them to go.
“The dogs won’t harm you,” he said, standing at the foot of the stairs.
She nodded but appeared unconvinced. “I wanted to speak to you before I meet with the chieftain.” Keeping her eye on the retreating wolfhounds, she remained in place and asked, “What have you decided? Am I to travel with Lady Carice, or should I seek help elsewhere?”
He ought to let her go, for this wasn’t his fight. There were other ways to help his sister escape, even if Taryn did reveal the truth to the High King’s men.
“You are waging a battle you cannot win,” he told her.
The moment she set foot within the High King’s holdings, she risked her own safety.
If she freed her father and was caught, King Rory would hold her responsible.
If she didn’t, she would watch him die. And no matter whom she hired to do her bidding, she would face the consequences from the High King.
“He is my father,” she said quietly. “If your sister were imprisoned, you would do the same for her.”
Her blue eyes stared into his with finality. She did understand the risks, then. But it didn’t seem that she cared.
“Go with my sister,” he said at last. “And we will talk later about your father.” He would make no promises beyond that.
In her expression, he saw the relief. “Thank you. If you have need of my guard, Pól, he is loyal to me and can be trusted.”
Her offer was a welcome one, for he needed to ensure that the MacEgans were aware of the change in plans. He had intended to travel to Laochre on his own to seek help, though he hadn’t wanted to leave Carice behind at the hands of these soldiers. Now there was an alternative.
If her guard alerted the MacEgans, Killian could keep a close watch over Carice.
“We will send your man to Laochre this morning,” he said.
“I will see to it that he has a horse. But when you dine with Brodie, you must convince him to let me accompany you.” The chieftain didn’t want him anywhere near Carice, and it would be difficult to gain his permission.
“And you cannot let the King’s men know who you are. ”
“Leave that to me,” she agreed. “Give Pól your message, and I will handle Brodie Faoilin and the others.” There was such confidence in her voice, he could almost believe her.
She paused. “And if you decide to help my father, know that I will grant anything you desire. His life is worth whatever price I must pay.”
The urge to accept her challenge was tempting. But he could not let the desire for land cloud his judgment.
“If I did try to free him, what makes you believe I will succeed?” he prompted. “Both of us could die in the attempt.” He wanted her to fully understand how difficult this task was.
“I have seen you fight.” She raised her chin and added, “And you are not a man who gives up. The only question is whether you are willing to risk your life for the reward I am offering.”
After Taryn’s guard departed with detailed instructions about who to speak with at Laochre Castle, Killian slipped inside the donjon, heading for the spiral stairs. He wanted to see Carice this morning, to determine if she was well enough for the journey.