Warrior of Fire

by Michelle Willingham

  Carice’s blood ran cold with fear that the High King would believe it, but she didn’t dare meet Rory Ó Connor’s gaze. Instead, she watched the two men battling, stricken at the thought of Raine being hurt.

  He moved with swiftness, striking blows with his left hand while slicing with the right. Although Darren tried to reach his wounded back, Raine was careful to guard it.

  Until his commander lunged and caught a handful of dirt, tossing it into Raine’s eyes. Carice bit her tongue to avoid crying out a warning. It was killing her to feign an impassive expression.

  You cannot let the king know your feelings. You must behave as if Darren lied. But inwardly, she was dying.

  Raine rolled over, and she watched in horror as Darren’s blade cut his shoulder. Blood welled up from the skin, and the two men grappled on the ground.

  Carice closed her eyes, as if to will him to stay alive. Only the tightening of Aoife’s hand made her open them once more.

  She saw the man she loved pinned beneath Sir Darren, the blade inching towards his throat. No. Tears burned in her eyes, her silent scream caught in her lungs. Raine’s fallen weapon lay only inches from his hands.

  At the last second, Raine smashed his head against Darren’s and reached for the blade, burying it in the knight’s throat. The knight’s breath choked with blood before he lay still.

  Carice gripped her hands to her mouth, her heart pounding. Aoife looked at her, and the young woman’s gaze was knowing. She prayed Strongbow’s wife would say nothing.

  Raine stood up from his commander’s body and cleaned his blade. Then he lowered to one knee before the High King, waiting for judgment.

  The Ard-Righ studied him for a long moment before he said, ‘The trial by combat is finished. Go with the Lady Aoife, and leave Tara. I will grant you your freedom as promised, but do not return.’

  The threat within his voice was unmistakable. Carice desperately wanted to turn to Raine, for one last farewell. But if she dared to do so, it would further arouse the High King’s suspicions. Though she was so relieved that Raine was free to go, she was well aware that she did not have her own freedom.

  Instead, she kept her face lowered, trying to hold back her emotions. The man she loved was leaving, and she would not see him again.

  Inside, her heart ached with the loss. Though she desperately wanted to be with him, she would pay any price for his life. Raine would accompany Lady Aoife back to her husband, and Strongbow’s position with the Normans was well-respected. If anyone could free Raine from King Henry’s forces, it was he.

  She heard Raine murmur his thanks to the High King, and then the crowds dissipated. Carice remained where she was, and her father came up behind her. ‘Let me take you back to your chamber.’

  She glanced up for the High King’s permission, and he gave a nod. Her father picked her up, and she allowed him to carry her back. As she rested her face against his tunic, she felt a sense of the world closing in. She was indebted to the Ard-Righ, and if he demanded marriage, she could not refuse.

  Her father slowed his pace and stopped for a moment. Carice could not tell why, but when she lifted her head, she saw Raine standing there. His green eyes met hers with the intensity of a man who loved her. The sight of him cut off any words she might have spoken. Tears gleamed in her eyes, but she sent him a silent message.

  I love you.

  He touched his fingers briefly to his lips before he turned away.

  * * *

  ‘The chief of Carrickmeath is here to see you, Your Grace,’ the servant announced.

  Brian Faoilin raised a knee in deference to the High King. Rory Ó Connor was standing at the top of a wooden raised platform to observe the land surrounding them. The winter air was warmer, and sun gleamed over the green hills of Tara. Brian awaited permission to approach, and when it was given, he climbed the ladder up to the top of the platform. From here, they could see the grassy knolls covered with melting snow.

  Ever since he’d left Carice’s side, his daughter hadn’t spoken. She had stared at the wall, curled up as if she wanted to die. Never had he seen such desolation on her face.

  Although she had promised to go through with the marriage, it was clear that she didn’t want to live without the Norman soldier.

  ‘Are you certain this is what you want?’ he’d asked her.

  ‘I would do anything to save Raine’s life. Even give him up.’

  Brian had tried to convince himself that she would get over the heartbreak, that she would learn to care for the High King. But the truth was, he knew her feelings too well. When he’d lost his wife in childbirth, he’d felt the same cold emptiness. And he’d have given his own life in her place, if it would have brought Saoirse back.

  When an hour passed and his daughter hadn’t spoken, Brian had spent time reconsidering the choices he’d made. Carice was all he had left, and he didn’t know how many years she had remaining. If he forced her to go through with this marriage, she would wither away and die of grief. And he didn’t want to lose her, too.

  For that reason, he had decided to take matters into his own hands.

  ‘I have come to offer compensation for my daughter,’ Brian began. ‘I will send a hundred cattle and fifty horses.’

  Rory Ó Connor turned to face him. The man’s steel eyes were hard, as if he couldn’t bring himself to answer.

  Brian moved to stand beside the High King. ‘It is not only to apologise for my daughter’s actions...but also for the way I treated your son Killian.’

  ‘I will expect you to give the cattle and horses to him, then,’ Rory answered. ‘If your apology is real.’

  The High King wasn’t going to make this any easier. But though Brian had made many mistakes over the years, he believed it was possible to put them to rights. ‘If that is your wish.’

  ‘You want me to let your daughter go, don’t you?’ Rory said at last.

  Brian moved to stand by a railing and rested his hands upon it. ‘There was a time when I would have done anything to arrange a marriage between the two of you. What father would not want his daughter to be High Queen of Éireann?’ He looked away towards the landscape. ‘But that is not what she wants.’

  ‘She wants the Norman soldier, doesn’t she?’ The High King’s voice was grim, and Brian knew he had to tread carefully.

  ‘I want to make amends, Your Grace. For everything.’

  For a time, the Ard-Righ remained silent. It was all Brian could do not to fill the space with pleading or offers for more. But this negotiation was for his daughter’s happiness.

  ‘She would not have made a suitable bride for me,’ Rory conceded at last. ‘I will put an end to the betrothal, and you will take her home. But—’ He turned and levelled a stare at Brian. ‘—you will tell her that it was Killian’s intervention. Let her believe that he caused me to change my mind.’

  The smug air upon the High King’s face was difficult to face, so Brian turned his attention to the wooden platform. ‘So be it.’

  * * *

  Raine entered Carice’s chamber silently and saw her sitting in a chair facing the wall. Her back was to the door, and she didn’t seem to care that anyone had come inside.

  The emerald gown she wore had slid against one shoulder, and Raine longed to touch his mouth to the bared spot. He could hardly move for fear that all of this would disappear, like awakening from a dream.

  ‘Am I being summoned?’ she asked, without turning around. ‘Has the High King ordered me to wed him?’

  ‘He let you go.’ The moment Raine spoke, Carice turned around. Her expression held such joy and bewilderment, he couldn’t stop himself from kneeling at her feet. ‘You do not have to wed him.’

  She embraced him hard, her tears mingling with a laugh of relief. ‘But why are you here, Raine? I thought he
ordered you to leave.’

  ‘I am taking you with me first.’ He didn’t ask permission, but lifted her into his arms. ‘That is, if you want to go.’

  ‘Yes. Yes, I do.’ Carice wound her arms around his neck and lifted her mouth to his. It was a kiss of wonder that held all the hopes of a new beginning. He kissed her like a starving man, so grateful for this day when he could claim her as his own.

  ‘I love you,’ she blurted out against his mouth. The words warmed his heart, and he could not resist stealing another kiss. This fragile woman had become his very reason for life, and he could not imagine being without her.

  ‘I love you, Carice.’ He pressed back a lock of her hair, still disbelieving what had happened. Though he knew she was still fighting back illness, he wanted this woman for whatever time remained between them.

  She drew back and asked, ‘What of my father?’ Worry creased her face and she added, ‘He will forbid us to leave.’

  Raine sent her a reassuring look. ‘Brian is waiting for us. It was arranged earlier this morn, and he sent me to fetch you.’

  ‘I don’t understand.’ She shook her head with confusion. ‘Did you speak with the High King? Was this your doing?’

  He wasn’t certain how to answer that, for he’d had no intention of negotiating—he’d planned to steal Carice away from Tara.

  ‘I was already planning to return and capture you,’ Raine admitted. ‘I spoke with Lady Aoife and asked for her help in saving you.’ He sent her a grave look. ‘I would have cut down any man who stood in my way. She knew I was going back, and that I would never let you go. But it was your father who stopped me, only an hour ago.’

  Never had he imagined he would find an ally in Brian Faoilin. But the man had surprised him, blocking Raine’s path before he could shed any blood.

  ‘If you try to take her by force, they will kill both of you. Is that what you want? Especially after all I risked, to save you?’

  He hadn’t understood at the time what Brian was talking about. But given the choice between fighting for Carice or accepting a father’s sacrifice, he’d known which was the better course. ‘He told me that your brother Killian used his influence to end the betrothal.’

  ‘But Killian isn’t here,’ she mused. With a discerning look, she said, ‘This was Brian’s doing.’ She touched a hand to her throat, her face softening. ‘He spoke with Rory and ended the betrothal. I am certain of it.’

  ‘I believe so. But he won’t admit it.’ He kept her in his arms and touched her mouth with his. ‘I would have torn down these walls before I’d have allowed you to wed Rory Ó Connor. Nothing and no one would have stopped me.’

  ‘I know that,’ she murmured. ‘But my father made it so you didn’t have to. I am glad.’

  Although Raine didn’t like being in Brian’s debt, he agreed with her. But more than that, it bridged the way to forgiveness between father and daughter. He would not stand in the way of that.

  He brought Carice from the chamber, and as they departed, he gave orders to her maids to pack Carice’s belongings. Only when they reached the door to the outside did he let her down to walk. ‘Have you the strength to ride?’

  Her face broke into a smile. ‘Yes.’

  He knew that it would not be wise to display affection towards her when they were within the boundaries of Tara. Once he opened the door, he let her lead the way, following several paces behind.

  Her father was waiting for them with horses near the gates. And though Brian appeared uncertain about Raine’s presence, he softened at the sight of his daughter’s joyous smile.

  They rode out of the gates of Tara, through the melting snow and down the hillside. Raine only breathed easier when they were nearly a mile away from the High King’s men. He spurred his horse and moved to ride beside Carice. The moment she saw him, she reached for his hand. ‘I suppose Lady Aoife will be grateful that you didn’t have to storm through Tara’s defences to rescue me. Especially after she tried to save your life.’

  ‘She did invite me to visit her fortress at Leinster,’ he told Carice, ‘and she knew I could not let you go.’ He gripped her palm and asked the question that had been troubling him. ‘If the Ard-Righ had demanded it, would you truly have wed him?’

  She met his gaze and said, ‘I would have wed the devil himself if it meant setting you free.’ With a sheepish smile, she added, ‘But I am glad I don’t have to.’

  ‘And what of us?’ He kept her hand in his, studying those sea blue eyes. ‘Will you wed me now?’

  Carice sent him a sidelong glance. ‘I might. If you can convince me to say yes.’

  A shot of heat rippled through him at the thought. ‘Your father is watching.’ But he reached over and pulled her onto his horse.

  ‘Raine, what are you doing?’ Her eyes widened as he held her in front of him. He tethered her horse loosely to his, and the two animals walked alongside one another.

  ‘Convincing you.’ He kept one arm around her waist and adjusted the folds of her cloak to hide her gown from view. A moment later, his hand found her soft breast. The moment he touched her, his body grew aroused.

  ‘Don’t you dare,’ she warned. In answer, he stroked at her erect nipple, tempting her. With his thumb, he reshaped it, drawing it between his fingertips until she squirmed against him. Her backside pressed hard and the movement made him wish he could lift her skirts right now.

  ‘Say yes,’ he commanded. Her breathing grew hitched as he continued to stroke her. ‘Unless you want me to stop.’

  Her breathless moan made him laugh softly against her hair. But she tilted her face back to look at him. ‘Raine, I love you.’

  ‘Then you’ll wed me?’

  ‘Yes,’ she whispered. ‘But you had better put me back on my own horse, or my father will have you flayed alive.’

  He didn’t care that her father was watching but took her mouth in a long kiss. She touched his face with her hand, leaning back as he claimed her. The heat of her lips kindled a fire that could only be quenched by her. He gave in to the desire, invading her mouth with his tongue, promising her everything.

  ‘I love you, chérie. And I promise that I’ll take care of you always. For as long as that might be.’

  She stared up at him, and in her eyes, he caught a glimpse of heaven. ‘It will be forever.’

  * * *

  It was silent within the camp, and Carice stirred from her bed furs. Her maids awakened instantly, but she raised her finger to her lips, insisting that they stay behind and not follow her. She slipped outside the tent, pulling the heavy woollen cloak tightly around her.

  Although she was weak and tired, she wanted to spend her first night of freedom with Raine. Quietly, she tiptoed past the rows of tents, keeping to the shadows, until she reached his.

  When she peered inside the flap, an oil lamp was lit, illuminating the space. Raine was not asleep, but he had set aside his armour and wore only his braies and chausses. The moment he saw her, his eyes grew heated.

  ‘Did you need something, Carice?’ he murmured, rising to his feet.

  ‘Yes.’ She untied her cloak and let it fall to the ground. Tracing her palm over his cheek, she said, ‘I needed to see you.’

  The dim light from the lamp illuminated his blond hair, and he looked as if he wanted to run his mouth over her skin. The thought was shockingly sensual.

  ‘I needed to know that this is real,’ she continued. ‘That I won’t suddenly awaken and find myself trapped in a life I don’t want.’

  Raine stared at her for a moment, a faint smile upon his face. ‘This is real, Carice. As am I.’

  She brought his hands to her shoulders, wanting so badly to have this moment with him. Restlessness had flowed over her body until she’d had no choice but to seek him out.

  The anticipation was s
o strong, she needed his arms around her. Even if she did nothing but sleep beside him, she wanted to feel his touch.

  ‘How are you feeling?’ he asked gently, his hands grazing her spine. Her skin grew sensitive, tightening with desire.

  ‘Better with each moment,’ she admitted. Though she’d had to fight to survive, she could think of nowhere else she wanted to be.

  ‘I don’t think you should be standing,’ he said. ‘Lie down.’

  It did feel easier when she lay back against the furs. ‘I didn’t want to be alone tonight. Not without you.’

  He lay beside her and pulled her into his arms. She twined her legs with his, resting her cheek against his heart. ‘Did you ever imagine, when I wandered into the abbey, that it would end up like this between us?’

  ‘No.’ He stroked her hair back, holding her close. ‘I never thought I deserved happiness.’

  She leaned over to kiss him. ‘I want that for you. For us.’ But she knew that the thought of his sisters was still preying upon him. She hadn’t pressed him, but if they were still alive somewhere, she intended to reunite him with them.

  ‘Kiss me,’ she murmured. ‘Be with me tonight.’

  His mouth moved upon hers, as if he were trying to be gentle. She licked the seam of his lips and felt the answering heat of his arousal against the juncture of her thighs.

  She touched his bare chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath her palm. The rapid pulse was like her own, and she moved her fingers over his bare nipples. He sucked in a breath of air, his eyes smouldering.

  ‘Do you know what it did to me when I thought you were dying?’ he asked, catching her fingers.

  She shook her head, stilling her hands upon him. He sat up, pulling her onto his lap. ‘When I saw you fighting to breathe, I couldn’t breathe myself. I didn’t even care that they took me prisoner—all I cared about was your life.’

  ‘I’m going to live, Raine.’ She believed that now, with all her heart. With each day, she grew stronger, and her stomach no longer hurt. And whether that was from embracing a new life with him or whether she had to be careful of the food she ate, she believed she would spend the rest of her life with this man. ‘Besides, I have you to live for.’