In the Arms of a King (My Warrior Lover) Read Online Free Page A

Sabina turned to look and saw another woman standing there. She was dressed in finer clothes than Agnis, and had the bearing of someone who is used to enjoying authority. She was younger, too – perhaps late twenties – and she was undeniably good looking, with jet black hair that flowed down to her waist, and breasts that heaved on her chest. There was a heated exchange of words between the two Pictish women, and Agnis left in a hurry. The new arrival turned to Sabina. To Sabina’s surprise, she spoke in near-perfect Latin.
    ‘So you are the witch I have heard about,’ she said. ‘The Roman infidel who has come here to betray us.’
    The woman advanced into the cabin, standing threateningly close to Sabina and staring her in the face. Sabina was taken off guard. ‘I don’t know what you mean. I have not come here to betray anyone.’
    ‘And you expect me to believe that? I am no fool. I am Eithne, and my name means something around here. You will soon discover that. I don’t know how you wheedled your way into Camlan, but I want you to know you are not welcome here. I see your game…I have met women like you before. You think you can seduce Blaine with your Mediterranean looks and your soft, unblemished skin. I bet you’ve never done a day’s work in your life – too busy being pampered by servants. But believe me, I am onto you, and I will be watching you like a hawk. I will not allow you to take away what is rightfully mine.’
    Sabina stepped back, a little shocked at the onslaught. This wasn’t the idyllic new world she had been hoping for. She had never expected to make enemies.
    ‘You’re mistaken. I didn’t intend to end up here. None of this was planned…it just kind of happened.’
    Eithne looked at Sabina with contempt. ‘Oh, really? Now let me guess. I bet it all just kind of happened when you hitched up your skirts and flashed your tits…is that right?
    ‘Eithne…that’s enough.’ Another voice now – a man’s voice barking from the doorway. Sabina turned and was relieved to see Blaine standing there, glaring angrily at Eithne.
    ‘Sabina is here at my invitation,’ he said. ‘I expect everyone here – including you, Eithne, to treat her with respect. Otherwise, you will have me to answer to. Is that clear?’
    Eithne glanced from Blaine to Sabina with fury in her eyes. All of a sudden, Sabina understood…everything began to make sense. There had once been something between Blaine and Eithne…a relationship that she still held a candle for. And learning that Blaine had brought Sabina here had dashed those hopes. Sabina had never heard the expression ‘hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,’ but she sure understood the principles.
    Eithne said nothing. She pushed past Blaine and stormed out into the clearing beyond. Blaine didn’t give her so much as a second glance. His attention was focused on Sabina.
    ‘I’m so sorry,’ he said. ‘You should not have had to tolerate such nonsense. I will make sure it doesn’t happen again.’
    ‘I’m OK. She scared me a bit, that’s all.’
    ‘You have no reason to be scared. I will ensure that you are well protected.’
    Sabina looked into Blaine’s eyes. ‘I know there was something between the two of you. I can see that is why she was so angry.’
    Blaine shook his head. ‘Not from my point of view…there never was. When we were children, she was pledged to me in marriage. And she expected that promise would be fulfilled. But I was not the one who made the pledge. Eithne is a fine woman in many ways, but I have never loved her. And I make my own decisions in life. When I marry, it will be for love, not politics.’
    ‘Then she means nothing to you?’
    ‘Nothing, I promise you. Please don’t dwell on that incident…it‘s all behind us. We have more important things to worry about.’
    But Sabina was not satisfied. ‘She said she will not allow me to take what is rightfully hers…what does that mean? And where did she