Chapter Seven #2
Connor glanced back at his brother. “If the Norman army is planning to attack Tara, the men we sent with Lady Taryn will be in danger. We need to know why they are gathering.”
The men stepped back, still discussing his fate. Then Patrick switched back into the Norman tongue. “Have you anything else to say? What are your orders at Tara?”
Raine gave them no reply at all, for anything he said would condemn him. Instead, he leaned back against the wall, steeling himself for an uncomfortable night. Although the enclosure was sheltered, it wasn’t warm.
“Leave him here,” Patrick commanded. “He may give us answers on the morrow.”
Raine held his silence as they left him in darkness. There was nothing he could tell them, and he wasn’t certain how he would gain his freedom.
The utter absence of light was unsettling, but he was able to sit down on the dirt floor.
The stone walls did nothing to keep out the chill. He would survive the night, but it was unlikely he would find any sleep—not locked away in this place.
Raine ignored the physical discomfort, for he supposed it was a just punishment for the killing he had done. But as he waited, he could not stop thinking of Carice. Had the healer been able to ease her pain? Or was she still suffering?
As the hours crept onward, his only solace lay in his thoughts of her.
Carice awakened in the middle of the night, unaware of what had happened. Her mouth tasted like it had been stuffed with wool. She realized that the healer had given her a tea to help her sleep. Slowly, she sat up and tried to gather her thoughts.
Raine. She remembered that Raine had been here yesterday. Where was he now?
When she tried to recall the memories of the last evening, she could not seem to make sense of them. It was a blur of visions, mingled with the desire to sleep longer.
She slid her feet over to the side of the bed and reached for a cloak. Her stomach had calmed, and she put on her shoes, returning to the Great Chamber. The MacEgans might have given Raine a place to sleep among their guards, and she wanted to speak with him.
She rested her hand against the stone wall as she walked down the spiral stairs. The Great Chamber was quiet, and men were sprawled on the floor, sleeping among the dogs. But there was no sign of Raine. The MacEgans had retired to their own chambers, and she had no idea where to look for him.
She spied the king’s youngest brother sleeping against the wall.
Ewan—that was his name. Carice leaned down to the young man, shaking his shoulder.
The boy swatted her away, but she persisted in waking him up.
When Ewan opened sleepy eyes at last, she whispered, “Where did they take Raine? I know you must have seen it.”
Ewan yawned. “They took him to the guard’s tower.” Then he closed his eyes and rolled over to go back to sleep. A moment later, he was snoring.
The guard’s tower? Now why would he be there? Carice frowned at the thought. When she reached the outer doors, a servant slid back the heavy bolt upon the doors. She walked outside and down the stairs, pulling her cloak tighter. The sky was black, but torches lined the walls at even intervals.
The guards noticed her presence immediately, and one came forward. “Is aught amiss, my lady?”
“I want to speak with Raine de Garenne,” she explained. “Can you bring me to him?”
The man’s expression tightened. “He is being held in the tower over there.”
“As a captive?” Carice was incredulous at the idea. “But why? What has he done?”
“He refused to answer our king’s questions.” The guard started to escort her back inside, but Carice would have none of it.
“I must speak with him.” She began walking toward the tower, and the guard shadowed her. When she reached the door, she found it locked. To the man, she commanded, “Open this now.”
He shook his head. “You would not be safe with him.”
“He protected me for several days,” she protested. “Don’t be foolish. Open the door, and you can stand here to guard me.”
The man shook his head. “No, my lady. I am sorry.”
She eyed him and then sat down in front of the door, gathering her cloak around her for warmth. “I suppose I’ll wait, then.”
He strode away from her, obviously believing she would never stay outside in the cold. Snow flurries drifted downward from the sky, and she rested her cheek against the wood. “Are you there, Raine?”
“Oui. I am here.” His voice sounded weary, and she was terrified of what had happened to him.
“What did they do to you?” She got on her knees, speaking through the locked door. “And why are you a prisoner?”
“They chained me in the dark because I could not tell them of my commander’s orders.”
She couldn’t understand why the MacEgans would do such a thing—unless they suspected that Raine and his men were a threat. She couldn't deny the possibility.
“Why did you come to Laochre?” she asked. “Did something happen?” There was a shifting sound, and she heard the metallic jangle of his chains as if he was moving closer to the door.
“Why do you think I came, chérie?” His voice was low, but there was a trace of warmth within it. Carice pressed her hand to the door, and it was almost as if she could sense his hand on the opposite side. This man had become a friend to her, and seeing him imprisoned was wrong.
She wanted to imagine that he’d come to escort her to the west, but it was unlikely.
He did have orders to obey. Queen Isabel’s warnings held truth in them—a Norman soldier could not do as he wanted.
His life was sworn to the king’s service.
“I think you came back to see that I arrived here safely.”
He didn’t answer, but she suspected that he could not admit such a thing, even if it was true. Raine de Garenne was a Norman soldier, not a man who held any feelings toward her. Even so, she wanted it to be true, for he had fought to keep her protected.
“I wish you were here to help me travel away from this place.” Her voice held her wistful imaginings, and she lowered her palm from the door. “My offer stands, if you’re willing.”
“Whether I am willing is not the question,” he said. And in the answer, she realized that his duties imprisoned him as surely as these chains did.
Carice shivered against a gust of wind and saw that the soldier had turned back to watch her. When she didn’t move, he crossed the inner bailey to stand before her.
“You should go back to your chamber, my lady. It is far too cold for you to remain here.”
“I will be glad to obey if you will grant me a few moments inside with Raine.” She needed to know what could be done to get him out of this place.
And while she suspected that the Norman army intended to invade Tara, none of that mattered to her, for she would be nowhere near the High King.
And neither would Raine, if she could convince him to come with her.
He didn’t behave like a soldier, she realized. More like a commander or even a Norman lord. There was a sense about him as if he would never yield or break.
The soldier eyed her. “If I grant you a little time, you must vow to return to your chamber.”
She offered him a blinding smile. “I so vow it. And I thank you for whatever time I may have.”
“If you break that promise, I will carry you back against your will.” With that, the guard unlocked the door.
Carice pushed it open and saw that it was impossibly dark within the space. “Raine, I am here.” She didn’t want to startle him, particularly if he couldn’t see her. To the guard, she asked, “May I have a torch?”
He left to get one, and Carice took off her cloak, bringing it to Raine. In the dark, she knelt down and spread it over him. His skin was icy, his muscles rigid from the cold.
“I’m so sorry that this happened,” she began. “Why did they lock you in here? I still don’t understand.”
Before Raine could answer, the guard returned with the torch. Carice took it from him, setting it within a sconce on the wall. He eyed her and said, “You may remain only for a short while, my lady.”
The moment her eyes adjusted to the dim light, her mood turned grim.
Raine’s wrists were bound in iron chains, and he had nothing to protect him from the cold night air.
She moved to sit beside him and took his hand in hers.
His fingers were freezing and she tried to warm them. “What can I do to get you out of here?”
“I will get myself out,” he said. The dark timbre of his voice made her wonder exactly how he planned to do it. And she didn’t want more death.
“I will talk with King Patrick and see what can be done.” She rubbed his hands, trying to bring warmth into them. “I am sorry you were treated like this. Especially after all that you did for me.”
He gripped her hand. “Do you still want me to take you away from here?”
His question startled her, for she didn’t know if it was possible, given his position within the Norman forces. “Would your commander allow this? I thought you had to return to them.”
He regarded her, and the intensity of his gaze made her look away. “No. He would not allow it. But if they believe I was held prisoner and could not return...”
She understood what he was implying. If he claimed that the MacEgans had held him captive here, the Normans would know the truth of it. “It will not take long,” she said. “If we ride swiftly, we can be there within a few days.”
The thought of journeying with Raine brought about a rush of eagerness. Yet she felt a slight worry about his reasons. Although he had offered once before, she hadn’t wanted to accept his help, after learning what he wanted.
“Why do you want to travel with me?” she asked. “Is it because you want information? I have said already, there is nothing I can tell you.”
“That isn’t the reason why.” His thumb slid over the pulse point upon her wrist. The simple touch undid her senses, and she pushed back the rush of longing.
“Then is it gold or silver that you want?” Her uncle, who dwelled on the Dingle Peninsula, would give a reward for her sake, she was certain. It would not be much, but enough for his trouble.
“No.” The chains rattled slightly as his hands moved to her waist. “That’s not what I want.”
Her heart thundered within her chest, and she didn’t know if she was imagining the interest in his voice. “Then what is it?”
He paused a moment before his hands fell away. “There were...people I wanted to protect once. I failed in that. But I can protect you.”
She started to protest, “It’s dangerous. And I don’t think—”
“Does there have to be a reason?” he prompted. When she said nothing, he added, “We both know the MacEgans will not want to cause trouble between your people and theirs. It is easier if you allow me to be your escort.”
He was right, but she still wasn’t certain about the answer he had given. There was something missing, something he wasn’t telling her. She took a step backwards and was startled when the world seemed to tip. Raine caught her before she fell.
“You look pale. Are you still unwell?”
She took a moment to steady herself. There truly wasn’t a good way to answer his question, for she was always unwell. Instead, she responded, “There are good moments and bad. I’ve learned to live what’s left of my life from hour to hour.”
He didn’t appear pleased to hear that. “You should go back to your chamber and rest.”
Aye, he was right. “I will. Give me a few hours, and I will try to arrange your release.” If that was even possible. She didn’t know how King Patrick would agree to free him. “But what shall I say to the king? He wants answers from you.”
“Tell him I will break my silence.”
Carice moved in and removed her cloak, placing it around his shoulders.
“Try to stay warm until then.” She tucked the wool against him, and he caught her wrists with his chained hands.
In the freezing darkness, a sudden heat rose up within her skin.
She was conscious of every breath between them, and her breasts tightened against her gown.
It was a foolish response, but one she could not suppress.
Raine took the edges of the cloak and drew them around her, cocooning both of them in the wool.
Her heartbeat stuttered within her chest, while her body yearned to move even closer.
On impulse, she hugged him, hiding her burning cheeks against his chest.
God help her, she was wanting far too much. Her feelings were shifting past the brink of friendship into something more. And it was dangerous to both her wayward heart and her mind.
Don’t, she warned herself. He is going to leave.
She knew that, but she also knew that every fragile moment of life was to be treasured. In a matter of hours, she could be curled up in a ball once more, her stomach raging with pain. Moments like these were rare, and she wanted to savor the feeling.
An aching caught inside her, while her emotions weakened beneath the weight of yearning.
She knew there was no future with this man or any other.
If she dared to let herself dream, it would only break her heart when he left her.
And he would leave. He had to return to his duties, and she was fleeing a marriage from the most powerful man in éireann.
Not to mention, she was dying.
Raine’s palms moved up her spine, and her fingers tightened around him in response. She had no right to reach out to this man.
But when he caught her mouth in a kiss, all her resistance melted.
The heat beneath her skin transformed into a shocking fire that burned within her.
She felt her body melting against him, like candle wax beneath a flame.
She wanted to be closer, and when his tongue slid inside her mouth, she felt the echo within her womb.
He spoke against her lips. “The guard is watching us.”
“Is he?” She kissed him back, welcoming the invasion of his tongue. He threaded his hands into her hair, claiming her mouth with a raw power that consumed her. Never in her life had she ever been kissed like this.
And she wanted more.