The Warrior's Forbidden Virgin by Michelle Willingham Read Free Book Online Page B

others. But Nicholas stubbornly kept alongside him.
    “What are your intentions toward my daughter?”
    “I intend to wed Katherine.” He didn’t ask permission, though it was an expected courtesy. After the nights he’d spent with her, he was not letting her go.
    “And what makes you believe I would grant permission for this match?”
    “Because she could be carrying my heir.” Without waiting for Lord Ardennes to voice his outrage, Ademar spurred his horse faster. They were almost at Ceredys, near Morecambe Bay. In the distance, he could see the tides moving against the vast sands.
    Ademar motioned for the baron to keep his men back. Turning to him, Ademar said, “I may be able to get her out with—without your army.”
    “You will have no part in this,” the baron argued. “You may have dishonored her, but I won’t let you risk Katherine’s life.”
    There was no dishonor in what had transpired between them. Never would he think of it as such.
    “One hour,” Ademar demanded. “And I’ll bring her back.”
    Nicholas hesitated, his face tight with uncertainty. He looked as though he’d rather lay siege to the castle, but he also knew that an open attack would bring a greater risk.
    At last, he gave a curt nod. “One hour. If you don’t return with my daughter, I will send men to demand her release.”
     
    Ademar slipped inside the castle, only to face an enraged warrior with a shaved head and the stature of a giant. The man extended his sword, and his dark eyes stared into Ademar’s, as though he were eager to kill.
    Behind him were almost two dozen armed men—serfs and villagers, from the look of them.
    “And who are you?” the giant demanded.
    Refusing to be cowed, Ademar rested his hand on his own sword hilt. “I seek Lady Katherine of Ardennes. “Lord Ceredys took—took her prisoner.”
    The giant lunged forward with his blade, and Ademar defended the blow, stepping out of range. When his attacker swung again, Ademar switched hands and nicked the giant’s face. “Where is she?”
    “Gone. His men took her toward the coast.” The man’s accent was familiar, with a hint of Irish.
    Ademar eyed the man closer, his suspicions rising. “You’re a MacEgan, aren’t you?”
    The giant’s gaze narrowed. “Trahern MacEgan is my name.”
    Ademar lowered his sword, not asking how the man had arrived at Ceredys. “If you are a brother to—to Ewan, then we’ve no—reason to fight.” Gritting his teeth, he finished, “Is he here?” He’d believed both Ewan and Honora had made it to the island of Erin, but perhaps not.
    “He went back to the shore to protect Lady Honora. I’m gathering these folk to fight against John. Your Lady Katherine isn’t the only prisoner here.”
    “I’ve an army of my own,” Ademar admitted. He gestured in the direction of the trees, where Lord Ardennes and his men were waiting.
    Trahern smiled, and there was menace in his expression. “I think John of Ceredys will no longer be lord of this castle.”
     
    Ademar leaned into his horse, thundering toward the coast. Katherine stood midway down the hillside, between two mounted guards, her black hair whipping about her face. Her hands were bound with ropes.
    John of Ceredys stood upon the shoreline with Honora, while behind him the tides rose up, the waves tipped with white.
    Ademar dismounted, running toward her when he heard Ceredys call out, “Kill her!”
    One of the guards held Katherine, gripping her shoulders and arms. The other soldier lifted his own dagger, prepared to stab her.
    Ademar wasn’t close enough to stop them. He roared out his frustration, as he stumbled down the hill to her. A hot rage like he’d never known mingled with the fear of losing her. If anything happened to Katherine, he would give up his life to avenge her.
    He was in love with her. It didn’t matter if she loved someone else. She had promised to be his. Even if she never felt anything for him but friendship, he would take