Free Vow of Deception by Angela Johnson

knight’s hold and huddled against the column. Her eyes grew wide when Rand flew at the man and pummeled him in the face. With a final punch, blood erupted from Golan’s nose and he flew backward. He landed on his arse on the chapel floor, clutching his nose and groaning in agony.
    Fury pumping through him, Rand drew his sword, pressed the sharp tip beneath Golan’s chin, and glared down at him. “How dare you assault my betrothed. I could slay you where you lay.” After seeing Golan force himself on Rose, Rand could never let the marriage proceed. With that in mind, he knew of only one way to convince the king Rose was ineligible to marry Golan.
    Golan scrambled to his feet, blood splatters on his tunic. Rand kept the steel blade steady and shoved Golan’s chin higher.
    â€œYou, Sir Rand, are a liar. Lady Ayleston is my betrothed.” Golan’s eyes glared with a hatred that bordered on madness. “The king just confirmed it this day.”
    Rand curled his lip. “Then I pity you. The lady and I have a prior claim. With unimpeachable witnesses who will swear we were betrothed last spring.”
    â€œI do not believe you. Rose swore she intended to take a vow of chastity.” Golan spun around and headed for the chapel exit. “The king shall hear of this!” he shouted.
    Rand strode over to Rose, crouched against the stone column with her veil pulled over her face. “Oh, God, Rose. Are you all right? Did he hurt you?” He reached out to hold her.
    Rose flinched and whimpered like a wounded animal. He swallowed a growl of frustration and clenched his bruised knuckles to keep from touching her.
    Rand knelt on his right knee before her, bending his other knee up and resting his forearm on it. He had wanted to kill Sir Golan. And he would have were it not a sacrilege to commit homicide in the consecrated edifice.
    Rand spoke in a soft, soothing voice. “Rose. It’s all right. Sir Golan is gone. Prithee, remove the veil and show me your face so I know you are not unduly harmed.”
    Cautious not to frighten her, Rand reached out slowly, caught the tail end of the fabric, and eased it out of her hand and away from her face. Though she didn’t resist, she drew her knees up against her chest and wrapped her arms around them tightly.
    He searched her face. Skin usually soft and clear with good health was mottled and streaked with tears. And her eyes appeared dazed with a deep and unimaginable pain.
    Feeling as though a fist squeezed his heart, Rand gasped. He inhaled deeply, trying to get a breath into his lungs.
    â€œSpeak to me, Rose. Did the bastard—? Did he touch you in a sordid manner?”
    She shook her head violently. “Nay. He tried to convince me that I would enjoy his kisses, but I cannot. I pleaded for him to stop—” she stopped short, exhaling with a shudder.
    â€œâ€™Tis my fault.” Rand frowned. “I heard rumors about Golan, but I did not believe them. I thought you would be better—” He stopped midsentence when he realized Rose was still ignorant about his part in this travesty.
    She raised her gaze, clouded with confusion. The moon silvered her heart-shaped face with a luminescent glow. “What are you talking about, Rand? How could you be to blame? You could not know that Golan would force his attentions on me. Or that he would believe he had a right to do so.”
    â€œRose, I pray you—”
    She ignored him and continued, “You see, the king has given Sir Golan wardship of Jason’s estates.” Her voice dropped to a shuddery whisper. “And giving me no choice in the matter, Edward has demanded I marry the man in two days’ time.”
    Rand dropped his gaze. Flexing his stiff knuckles, he stared at them, unable to look her in the face.
    Though he was not looking directly at her, he saw her entire body stiffen in sudden suspicion. “Rand? Why do you not look surprised