Return of the Warrior by Kinley MacGregor Read Free Book Online

horsehair tunic, and walking the whole way on his knees. Men, I wonder at times what goes through their heads.”
    Adara didn’t respond as the woman led them to a large hearth on the opposite side of the cottage. “We have leek and sausage soup, mincemeat pies, roasted lamb and chicken. What have you?”
    Adara had no idea what Christian might like, soshe decided on what would be easiest to carry with them. “Three pies, please, and two skins of ale.” She looked at Lutian. “What of you?”
    He stroked his beard thoughtfully. “I should like one maid to take with us.”
    Adara’s eyes widened as the woman squeaked in horror. Covering Lutian’s mouth with her hand, she cleared her throat. “He was but jesting, goodwife. He would like two pies and a skin as well.”
    The woman narrowed her eyes in warning before she left them to gather their items.
    “Lutian!” Adara snapped. “Shame on you.”
    He only grinned devilishly as he scanned the clean but old room, which was empty save for two little girls who were playing dolls in one corner.
    She smiled as she watched them giggling and chattering about nothing of consequence, and yet it was significantly important to them. How she loved children. She’d always wanted her own, even when she was a girl. She’d played endlessly with dolls in expectation of the day when she would be a mother.
    And she had waited far too many years for a husband who held no desire to grant her the one thing she wanted most.
    She felt her smile falter as sadness consumed her. If she were wise, she would annul this marriage and find a husband who would do his duty.
    However, that was even harder than convincing her wayward spouse to return with her. What man would jeopardize his life by being her consortwhile they were on the brink of war with a kingdom that was determined to annex her own?
    “Go on, my queen,” Lutian whispered in her ear. “No one here knows you are royal. Go and play with your children.”
    “It’s not proper.”
    “Neither is befriending a simpkin.”
    Adara squeezed his arm. “You are far wiser than you let on, Lutian.”
    “And everyone, even a queen, needs a day of play.” He indicated the children with a jerk of his chin. “Lay on, my queen, and have a bit of fun.”
    Before she could think twice, Adara crossed the room so that she could kneel beside them.
    “Greetings, little ones,” she said to the girls, while Lutian stayed by the hearth, waiting on the woman to return. “What are you two playing?”
    “Merry Marge,” the older girl, who was probably around the age of six, said as she brandished a doll that was made from brown homespun. The doll’s hair was coarse black horsehair and two black stitched X’s formed her eyes. The little girl herself had the woman’s bright green eyes and blond hair. “She’s been really naughty and let the beggar steal her shoes.” She held up the doll’s bare feet to show her.
    “Naughty, naughty!” the other girl, who was obviously her sister and who was probably no older than four, cried as she bounced a similar doll up and down on her lap.
     
    Christian traded his horse and Lutian’s for three others. None of the three were anywhere near the quality of his rounsey, but he paid the avener a small fortune to hold Titan here until he could return for him.
    He left the stable and headed for the hostel where he’d left Adara and Lutian. It was getting late and he should most likely stay here for the night. But he wouldn’t chance it. He didn’t like towns, to begin with. They were too confining and held too many sounds that could mask the telltale noises of someone trying to sneak up on him.
    He tied the horses outside, then opened the hostel door and paused as he saw his royal wife on the floor with two small peasant girls who were laughing at her. The sight shocked him. That a woman of her station would do such a thing was unthinkable.
    Adara held two dolls in her hands and was dancing them together.