Free The Beast of Renald (The Northern Knights) by Amber Dane Page A

wife.’
    ‘Hear, hear,’ Alan grinned.
    The king made a toast before he quickly launched into other business and a few matters of court.
     
    By the time William had downed his second goblet of wine, he was ready to enter the hall. A hush fell over the hall inhabitants once they reached the center of it. Darc knew without turning that his wife had entered. He turned and all he could do was stare at her.
    She looked radiant, like a different woman, despite the shallow pallor of her skin. The only color was the flush of her pink cheeks, which drew even more attention to her unique features. From where he stood he could see how nervous she was. Where was that strength and backbone she’d shown a glimpse of before?
    It was still there for she lifted her chin higher and straightened her shoulders back proudly.
    The rich blue of the gown brought out her brown hair and made the dark pools of her deep set eyes more alluring. The woman was a distraction.
    He grunted and tore his eyes away from her mouth.
    All eyes in the room were on her. Her hair had been done and pulled back from her face in a braided crown and a circlet with a matching veil covered it. His former wife’s gown had been tucked, nipped and hugged her curves. 
    Laur had performed beautiful magic in a short time. Aye, he would have her in her own clothes rather than go another day seeing her in those witch's garments, even if she did look better them.
    God’s teeth! He was noticing too much. Darc felt something move inside him and he found himself growing angrier the longer he stared at her. He’d indulged in too much wine, that was it and he convinced himself that it was so.
    Entering the gallery filled with a few royal guards, Caroline felt uneasiness settle in her bones and that feeling followed her into the hall. Once there the room looked so different than it had earlier. All inside, the linen draped trestle tables, right down to the castle servants, were dressed in their best for the king’s visit and there was no sign of that horrendous black cloth except on her husband. Caroline was grateful for the fresh gown and Laur’s quick skills.
    The lord’s table had been set right and was filled to bursting with an elaborate feast fit for the king. Entertainment was bountiful, provided by the minstrels on both sides of the large hall and the light dancing of a few people added a distracting ambiance to the loud room. 
    More people than she'd believed inhabited the castle now filled the packed hall. Where had they all come from and so quickly? Conversation met her ears from a group of Norman men standing near one table as she stood there taking everything in.
    None were yet eating as they had to wait for the king to sit and right now he stood in the center of the room with her husband, his sharp eyes on her. 
    Caroline prayed her weak knees held out until they were seated. Her husband's size dwarfed the large king next to him. She felt all eyes on her as Darc stepped away from the king and walked toward her.
    He looked like a king himself in his fine tunic, the only color showing on him was the white of his undertunic at his collar. His large body blocked out all around her it seemed. His scabbard on his side, empty, yet a blade tucked in its sheath sat on his right side.
    Her nervousness turned to irritation over noticing how handsome he appeared and just as dangerous as the vein near his scar jumped. Straightening her back, she let out a hard breath as he stood in front of her. He offered her his arm and she placed her shaky hand on his muscled forearm. His arm flexed under her touch and a tingle of electricity shot up her arm. Caroline inhaled deeply over the effect of the simple touch. She was not sure what it meant, but it left something warm to flutter in her queasy stomach.
    Nor did she realize that she leaned into his frame as she curtsied and greeted the king. The king greeted her sweetly and with the quick pleasantries out of the way, Caroline took