Binding Vows (10 page)

When Tara and Cassy approached their seats, trumpets sounded, drawing everyone’s attention.

The sound warned everyone the games were about to begin.

Gwen had explained in detail what was expected of her. Tara imagined this event was simply another weekend for the old woman. It made sense she would pick new royalty at each fair, to take the load off her.

Besides, sitting in the sun for hours on end would be difficult for anyone her age.

A young boy dressed in finery fit for a squire bowed to Tara. “My Lady?”

Tara smiled at him and motioned for him to stand.

“My Lady, Madame Gwen said the games are to begin now.” His teeth flashed once his role was done.

“Thanks,” Tara whispered and winked at the nervous boy. She stood and motioned for the trumpets to sound.

The people settled down and all eyes went to her. Tara’s heart tripped over itself before she started to speak. She would never see any of these 78

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people again, and none of them would know if she said the wrong things. At least the thought kept her nerves calm.

Tara looked at Cassy with a wicked grin. “You owe me for this one,” she said out of the corner of her mouth.

“Lords and Ladies, Warriors and Knights, Pages and Squires, welcome.” She paused with their applause, her eyes searched for Duncan while she spoke. “For the brave men who will participate in our games and tournament we wish them good luck and good health.” The crowd clapped their approval.

“Gentlemen.” she presented the trumpeters who immediately called in the warriors.

They rode atop their horses, straight and tall.

The horses pranced around the arena bringing many smiling faces and pointing fingers from the spectators in the crowd.

Tara recognized some of the faces from the previous evening dancing but some she did not. One by one, each rider came forward to Tara with helmet in hand. Each bowed, and then met with a nod and a smile from her. They went on, showing off their mounts and occasionally taking a ribbon or flower from a wife or sweetheart in the audience.

Fin and Duncan were the last two to make their entrance into the arena. Tara saw Fin first. His cocky smile lifted her spirits.

Duncan’s expression intensified when her gaze rounded to him. The tense feeling eased from her neck when she saw him. Her shoulders fell with relief. As his smile reached his eyes, she realized his effect on her was no less powerful. The slight curve of his lips and the depth of his attention would live in her mind forever.

They stared at each other longer, and his bow was deeper than the previous riders had been. When he turned away to circle the arena like the others, 79

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she called out.

“Wait.” She leaned over the balcony and handed him the ribbon from her hair.

The crowd went silent when she picked her
favorite
. Duncan moved his horse closer to the stand and took her boon. He captured her fingers and leaned over them to brush his lips across their soft tips. For a moment, there was no one else but them.

She mouthed the words “good luck” before he let her fingers go.

She heard the click of Cassy’s camera from behind her.

“That was romantic,” Cassy told her once the procession was finished.

“For all the good it will do me.”

“Lighten up. Remember… ‘For pleasure and fun, or fantasy or whatever.’” Cassy who had sworn off alcohol only hours before, reached for the jeweled goblet, which held more wine.

An announcer bellowed over the crowd, telling them of the first event.

The men had replaced their armor with more comfortable clothing, designed to add agility to their feats of skill. The first of which was a challenge to see who could spear a target as close to the center as possible, while their horse was in full gallop.

The crowd had picked their favorite horsemen.

Cheers and boos came and went with every passing of the lance.

The drunk from the night before was sloppy in his saddle and barely reached the target at all.

Because many had seen his actions the night before, he was booed continually, except by those who were obviously his friends.

When it was Fin’s turn, he grandstanded for the crowd by tossing his spear and catching it prior to lunging it at the target. He came close to its mark, 80

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drawing approval from the spectators.

Fin nodded to his brother in a challenge to beat him. Laughingly, Duncan pulled his mount forward and darted a glance at Tara who stood intently watching from the stands. His horse lunged forward with no outward sign from Duncan to do so. His aim was close, but Fin had beaten him by a hair.

So it went. There were similar games involving spearing rings from tall poles and other moving targets. A grand display was made of the mock battles. Swords clashed against swords, sparking cheers from the spectators.

A showman on horseback gave the audience a wonderful display of dancing his horse. He pranced, bowed and trotted to the tune played by the small band on the sidelines.

While the horse danced, Gwen made her way to Cassy and Tara’s side. “How are you two holding up?” she asked as she made her approach.

In the light of day, Tara felt more comfortable around Gwen. She looked harmless in her soft blue gown and tinkling bracelets.

“I didn’t think it would be this much fun,” Tara admitted, embarrassed at her earlier behavior toward the woman. “I think I owe you an apology.”

“For what?”

“I think I could have been more gracious this weekend.”

“Nonsense.” Gwen smiled.

The crowd roared signaling the end of the dancing horse and an intermission in the games.

Tara looked past Gwen to see if she could find Duncan. She hadn’t caught a glimpse of him since he left the field. “Looking for your man?” Gwen asked, breaking Tara’s train of thought.

“He isn’t ‘my man.’”

Gwen’s laugh was unsettling. “How about you, Cassy, do you have a favorite?”

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“So many men...” She smiled and waved at a brown-haired hunk as she spoke, “…only one of me.”

“Are you ready for your part when the tournament is over, Tara? Do you have any questions?” Gwen circled in front of them both, cutting off their view of the stands.

“It’s pretty straight forward,” Tara said. “I don’t have to kiss anyone do I?”

“Only if you want to, my dear. By the looks of some of the players, it might not be such a hardship.”

“If Duncan wins, you’ll kiss him,” Cassy chimed in. “And if Fin wins, he’ll kiss you to piss off his brother.”

“It looks like you have the situation under control. I’ll leave you to your food and drink.” Gwen turned to leave, then stopped herself. “Oh, Tara, one more thing. When the handfasting is done, make sure you hold your partners hands like this.” She took Tara’s hands and placed them in hers. “Make sure you’re looking at him, so the pictures look real.”

Tara felt one of Gwen’s rings scratch her palm when she let go. Tara pulled her hand away and saw a few drops of blood come to the surface of her skin.

“Oh, dear, I’m so sorry.” Gwen pulled a handkerchief out of her bag. “Let me get that.” She patted her palm with the cloth. “Let me see.” Gwen turned her palm up and made a show of inspecting the damage.

“It’s fine, really.” Uncomfortable, Tara pulled at her hand firmly in Gwen’s grasp. On the second tug Gwen released her and tucked the bloody cloth away. She muttered another apology then left.

****

“What is her game?” Duncan watched as Grainna left the platform. He and Fin had been making their way to Tara’s side when they spotted the enemy talking with the women.

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“I don’t know, but I don’t like it.”

“A virgin’s blood of Druid decent, only of age to give consent.” Duncan repeated the curse out loud so they both could ponder its interpretation. “Virgin blood will set you free; this is your curse from us to thee.” Duncan watched as Tara talked with Cassy.

“If Tara has to give consent, then force isn’t an option for Grainna. How can she force consent?”

“She can’t. Not without mind control. Tara has a strong mind and is unlikely to fall under any spell Grainna can cast.”

“Maybe,” Duncan murmured. “Damn it to hell but she looks so confident. Like everything is going according to her plan.”

“Agreed,” Fin said in trepidation.

****

Tara took the opportunity to walk through some of the vendors during the intermission. At least that is what she told Cassy. In reality, she wandered the crowd looking for Duncan.

“Searching for someone?” his voice came from behind.

She smiled but didn’t turn. Instead, she got up on her tiptoes and looked over several heads in the crowd. “Just a tall, dark, and handsome man. You don’t know where I might find one, do you?”

His laugh warmed her. She loved the musical sound of it.

Duncan turned her around and gave her hand a quick kiss. When she winced, he turned it over and saw the scratch. “How did this happen?”

“Gwen’s rings caught. It’s fine.” Tara waved her free hand. “How is everything going out there? You look like a natural.”

Duncan rubbed her skin with his thumb.

“What is it?” Tara asked when he didn’t respond to her question and comments.

He pulled her closer, his voice hurried. “What 83

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did Gwen tell you about today?”

“What do you mean?” His body had stiffened, alarming her.

“Did she ask anything else of you, any other task?” Duncan urged.

Tara shifted from foot to foot. “No, nothing, why?”

He forced a smile and brought her hands to his lips. His eyes closed, he brushed her knuckles to his cheek.

Something was bothering him.

Something was wrong.

“What is it?”

He looked through her. “If you fear anything, Tara, call on me.”

“You’re scaring me, Duncan.”

The trumpets sounded, calling the warriors to the field.

The feeling he projected shook her to the core.

Something was gravely wrong. “Trust me.”

She searched his face, his eyes, trying in vain to see what was bothering him. An uncontrollable tremor went through her.

They both had places to be, both in opposite directions. His hand brushed her chin and left a blaze in its wake.

She watched him march away. His head held high, his stance and stride demanded people part in his path.

And…they did.

****

“Her cure has begun,” he told Fin when he met up with him.

“Tell me.”

“Tara’s hand was marred and crusted with blood. Grainna cut her with her rings.”

“Is Tara suspicious?” Fin asked.

“A little, I think.” Duncan put his armor on over 84

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his tunic. “I believe I know what Grainna has planned.”

“What is it?” Fin fumbled with his own armor.

“She isn’t stopping or changing the outcome of these games. Her salvation has something to do with the end result. Tara has to be consenting. The curse is clear on that account.” He tugged his sleeve down under the armor.

“Aye, but how will she be consenting to a mere stranger? Even if Grainna could control her mind, Tara’s heritage would keep her from making any grievous mistakes.”

He spoke the truth, Duncan knew. “How are we to know she hasn’t found a way around that?”

Fin’s look said all he needed to know.

They didn’t have any assurance Grainna would play fair. Truly, she would play dirty if her past was any guide to her character.

They placed their helmets on in unison. Both held a renewed interest in the outcome of the joust.

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Chapter 7

Back in Tara’s tent, Grainna prepared her altar.

A platform of stone had been constructed with symbols of black magic. A pentagon was carved in the center. Her curse printed out in her native tongue surrounding it.

The cloth with Tara’s blood soaked in her brew.

When Grainna pulled it from her pot the entire rag was thick with blood. Carefully, she carried it to the stone and dripped blood in the etchings of the circle surrounding the star.

Wisps of smoke emerged and sounds of sizzling and popping came with every drop that hit the sacred symbol.

Smiling in triumph, Grainna continued.

****

The first two challengers faced each other on the jousting field. Tara sat in apprehension as she watched them prepare to do battle. It was all in fun, mind racking, but fun. She was certain the lances they held were made of some flimsy material, which fell apart easily. But still she worried about the outcome.

She couldn’t help wondering if one of these men would be the victor.

When the horses took off in a run, Tara watched as the lances merely glazed the sides of their shields.

Only a game, she told herself. Breathing easier, she watched the first few matches and let her body relax.

It was when Fin had his turn, her interest in the 86

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game was renewed. He faced the better of the first few players. Tara wasn’t surprised when Fin toppled the first rider with hardly a swipe and with only one pass.

Because Duncan was Tara’s favored rider, his matches were held toward the end of the tournament. He took the arena much like his younger brother had, but with more accuracy and swiftness.

A powerhouse on the field, he took no chances and toppled his challengers one after another. Some saw him as a formidable foe and chose to dodge his blows, thus forfeiting their game.

Tara watched as the numbers of players for her hand dwindled to only three—Sir Duncan, Sir Finlay and Sir Michael.

Could she go through a mock ceremony with anyone other than Duncan? She would of course, but it was hard to imagine. She hated to think of pretending with anyone else but him.

“It won’t be long now.” Cassy handed Tara a glass filled with wine. “Here, I think you’re going to need this.”

“I can’t. I’m too nervous.”

“What’s to worry about? Duncan will win. And if one of the others does at least they’re cute.”