Chapter Eight #2
Raine was startled when she stood from her place and went to stand beside him.
“We will leave now and travel while my father and his men are inside. You may tell him the truth—that you gave me a place to stay before I left.” She unsheathed a blade from her waist. “Raine has told you everything. Now I ask that you let us go.”
The king’s expression grew serious as he turned back to Raine. “You would not have spent the night as our prisoner, had you spoken the truth.”
He believed that, but he hadn’t known what answers to give. Then, too, he didn’t deserve to spend the night in comfort, after all that he had done—and for what he was about to do.
“Now you may tell anyone honestly that I was held in chains.” He held out his wrists while Carice cut the ropes. “And when I return to the Normans, you have my word that no harm will come to any of the MacEgan men.”
At that, the king’s tension relaxed. “Lady Carice, what say you? Do you want to leave Laochre now or await your father?”
“I want to travel with Raine,” Carice insisted, “until I reach my mother’s family in the west.”
She went to stand at his side, and when she placed her hand upon his arm, he forced himself to think of his sisters instead of her.
No one had shown mercy to Elise or Nicole.
Despite Sir Darren’s promise that they were safe, he was uncertain about it.
And whether or not they had been abused, he could not say.
If he killed the High King, they would be free. And although he didn’t relish the idea of murder, for his sisters he would pay any price.
Raine tried to ignore the warmth of Carice’s palm and the soft scent of her skin. He didn’t want to think of how hurt she would be when she learned that the man she trusted had betrayed her. He shut it all out, turning his thoughts to stone.
Queen Isabel reached out for her husband’s hand and regarded them. “We will grant you the time you need to escape. But you must go now.”
Patrick lifted a hand in dismissal. “So be it.”
One of the soldiers returned Carice’s cloak to her, and she leaned against Raine as she fastened it. He realized that, although she had masked her illness well enough, she was still weak.
To the king, she asked, “May we take one of your horses?” The king agreed and ordered a servant to guide them out to the stables.
But Raine had his doubts about leaving during the daylight.
“If we leave now, the soldiers will see you. Even if we wait until they’ve entered the gates, we will still be visible from the castle walls. ”
Carice’s expression grew drawn. “You’re right.
” She thought a moment and her gaze centered upon one of the soldiers.
“I am too easily recognized if I am dressed like this. Perhaps instead, I should disguise myself in the armor of one of your guards. I could keep my hair hidden inside the cowl and then we could ride out past them.”
“They still might recognize you, if there are only two of us,” Raine said. But her idea had merit. Brodie Faoilin’s kinsmen were unlikely to find her if she wore armor.
“King Patrick, could several of your guards travel with us?” Carice pleaded. “Only for an hour or two?”
“She’s right,” Isabel agreed. “It would be safer. And they can accompany both of you far enough that no one will notice if two soldiers do not return.”
Raine gave a nod, but inwardly, he wondered if Carice had the strength to wear chainmail armor. Before he could voice the thought, she turned to him with a slight smile, “Will you help me find the smallest soldier here?”
The chainmail was heavier than she’d ever imagined.
It was like having stones crushing her shoulders and torso.
Carice was barely able to sit upright on the horse, but she forced herself to endure the weight.
About a dozen men rode with her, and Raine remained at her side in the middle of the entourage.
She kept her gaze averted while they departed and her father’s men entered the gates of Laochre.
Though she knew there was no reason to fear, uncertainties closed over her.
Only a few hours of daylight remained, and she knew not where they would find shelter this night.
The king and queen had given them supplies, including a tent, blankets, and food. Yet, her fears did not diminish.
Thus far, no one seemed interested in the soldiers, and they continued to ride as a group toward the north. Raine had suggested it, and since her family lived near the Dingle Peninsula, they would have to travel in that direction regardless.
For many miles, they rode in silence. Her shoulders sank down, and she struggled to keep her seat on the horse. It was like trying to keep a stone pillar upon her shoulders, and she gripped the reins so hard, her knuckles whitened.
“Are you all right?” Raine asked.
She managed a nod. “How much farther will we ride?”
“Just to the edge of those trees.” He pointed toward the horizon, and she wanted to weep. He seemed to sense her dismay, and he brought his horse alongside hers. “When we reach the forest, you can remove the armor. I’ll send the soldiers away.”
“Where will we stop to sleep for the night?” She suspected they might have to make camp in the forest, but the idea made her worry. It was so difficult to stay warm, she dreaded the thought of sleeping within a tent.
“It depends on how swiftly we travel,” he answered. “We might reach the village of Casheldrum if we ride in haste. Possibly by later tonight.”
The idea of riding all day made her ache just to think of it. She didn’t know how she would manage it in the armor. Carice tried to tell herself that a few hours wouldn’t matter. But she knew how weak her body was, and she didn’t want Raine to hear her complain.
There was no question that he was right—her father was close by, and Brodie Faoilin might catch up to them if they didn’t continue riding. There was no choice but to keep on the journey.
“You’re tired, aren’t you?” His voice was cool, but beneath it, she sensed that he was aware of her fragility.
“I am. But I will do what I must.” She squared her shoulders, fighting back the pain of the chainmail. “I should probably warn you—I’m going to fall off this horse soon.”
“Then fall toward me.” He reached out for her glove hand. “I’ll catch you, chérie.”
He would, she knew. And the knowledge warmed her. She had come to depend on this man, and though she worried about the consequences of him escorting her, she was glad of his presence.
His cheeks were bristled from not shaving the past few days, and his dark gold hair framed a strong face that captivated her. And his mouth captivated her with the memory of a forbidden kiss. Being this close to him only reminded her that they would be spending time together alone.
Carice tried to push back her attraction and instead squeezed his fingers. “Thank you, Raine. I am so grateful that you changed your mind about traveling with me.”
He acknowledged her thanks with a slight nod, but there was an unreadable expression on his face—almost like guilt. But she didn't doubt his honor at all. He would never lay a hand upon her.
Unless she wanted him to. The thought ignited her senses, making her crave things she shouldn't want. With reluctance, she forced her attention back to their journey.
They continued riding with the MacEgan soldiers until Laochre lay far beyond the horizon.
The harsh landscape was mottled with white snow and darker mud.
To take her mind off the journey, Carice tried to think of the west coast. She had visited her family there only once, but she had never forgotten the stark beauty.
The water had been sapphire while green fields embraced the rocky hills.
The sky was so vast, the clouds seemed to drift down to the water’s edge in feathered wisps.
It was a good place for anyone to live out their remaining days. Weariness slid over her, and she leaned against her horse, resting her head against the animal’s mane. She rode for the last mile, imagining a life where she could sit and simply watch the world go by.
“Carice,” came Raine’s voice. She opened her eyes and saw that they were near the forest. “We’re here.”
She nodded in relief, and he spoke quietly to the MacEgan soldiers before dismissing them to return to Laochre. When they were alone, he helped her dismount and led her into the shadowed trees.
Frost coated the fallen leaves upon the ground, leaving tips of silver. She leaned against Raine as he led her deep into the forest. When they were surrounded by trees, he turned his back. “I’ll stand guard while you remove the armor and put on your gown once more.”
She fell silent for a moment, wondering if she could manage this by herself.
Though she could remove the helm and coif, letting her hair fall to her shoulders, the rest of the armor was heavier than she’d ever thought it could be.
It was impossible to lift her arms above her head.
And while most women would simply struggle their way through it, she knew her limitations.
“Would you help me?” she asked quietly.
He stiffened at her request, though he must know how difficult this was.
The illness had taken too great a toll upon her body, and she needed his assistance.
Slowly, he turned around and regarded her.
She tried to hold out her arms, needing him to lift the chainmail hauberk from her torso. “Lift your arms,” he bade her.
At that, her mouth twisted into a smile. “If I could do that, I wouldn’t need your help.”
The sudden flare in his eyes made her self-conscious. She was well aware of how this must seem to him. Already they were alone, and now she had asked him to undress her. But what did it matter? She was incapable of removing the armor.
Raine reached for the heavy sleeves and held each one while she pulled out her arms, one at a time. Then he rested his hands at her waist.