Page 129 of Bold Angel

“They mean to fight,” Ambra said.

“Aye.” The word came out brittle and shaky. No matter that Ral was the finest warrior in the land, no matter that his body was honed to perfection, Stephen de Montreale was no coward. He was tough and strong and he was desperate. God only knew what he would gain should Ral be defeated.

Her fingers trembled against the wooden support beneath the roof of the gatehouse.Blessed Virgin, please let him win.

The men raised their blades and the ring of metal against metal echoed across the field with each clanging blow. Caryn shivered at the sound, desperately afraid for her husband, willing him not to lose. Stephen’s thrusts were clean and fiercely delivered, yet they weresporatic, as if the events of the day had somehow dulled his senses. Still, he fought like a madman. Had Ral not met each of his blows with cool control, the man would have seen him dead.

As it was, Malvern soon began to tire and Ral’s heavy blows began to take their toll. Blood appeared on Stephen’s tunic, a streak of bright red visible even from the distance.

A blow sliced into his thigh and he went down on one knee then came back with a vicious arc of his blade that nearly caught Ral full force. He blocked the blow, but in doing so, left himself open. Caryn held her breath, her knuckles white as Stephen lunged toward him, sure his blade would connect with Ral’s chest. Instead, Ral stepped backward and at the same time thrust his blade forward, the tip sinking in, driving deep into Stephen’s malevolent heart.

For a moment the handsome blond lord just stood there, unable to respond, unwilling to believe that in an instant he would be dead. Then he toppled over, falling like a broken twig sailing toward the earth.

Caryn released a small sob of relief, her hand going up to her throat, tears burning the backs of her eyes.

“He is all right, my lady,” Ambra said, smiling and gripping her hand.

“Aye. Thank God he is safe.”

Even before Stephen’s body was dragged away, Beltar signaled to his men and they began to pull back from their positions. The king said something to Ral then turned to his knights and continued to call out orders. Mounting Satan, Ral motioned to his men and they rode back toward the castle, giving Caryn a chance to climb down from the platform and make her way across the bailey to await his return.

With her heart pounding nearly as fast as her feet, she reached the base of the wooden stairs leading inside the keep and turned to look for Ral. She smiled as shewatched him riding forward, sitting his huge black horse so straight and proud. In minutes, he stood before her, a radiant smile on his face.

“The fighting is ended,” he said, “even before it has begun.”

“Aye. ’Twould seem God has answered our prayers.”

“Stephen is dead. His lands and those of his sister have been confiscated by the king. We are safe from his villany at last.”

“What of the villagers?” she asked. “Their homes sat in his path. Have they suffered greatly from Malvern’s mistreatment?”

“There was a good deal of raiding, but no one was hurt. The king has agreed to replace the villeins stores from the riches at Malvern.”

“And the bounty?”

“Is ours. Braxston’s people will at last have the land they deserve.”

Caryn went into his arms and he held her against his mail-clad chest. “I love you, Ral.”

He smiled, his eyes alight with joy, his hold one of fierce possession. “’Twould please me greatly should you come with me upstairs and show me just how much.”

“But the king—”

“William will not arrive before supper. Richard can see that the hall is made ready.”

Caryn smiled, leaned forward, and kissed him on the lips. “Then ’twould be a pleasure to accompany you, my lord.”

Ral tipped her chin with his fingers, bent his head and kissed her, long and deep. “I love you, wife of my heart,” he said softly. Sweeping her into his arms, he smiled as he headed for the stairs.