Trisha Telep: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance

«You knew this mortal?»

Darg raised a fist. «Stole from me! That she dared, but I did steal her from her laird. She would be dead but for me; now she owes me her fealty.» The spriggan cackled then moved a pawn with care. It was a poor choice. «Not dead but enchanted she doth be, while I choose what my vengeance shall be.»

Intrigued, Finvarra snapped his fingers and his wife, Una, brought his silver mirror to his hand. She knew him well. She caressed his hand as she passed the mirror to him, but Finvarra ignored her gesture of affection.

He didn’t imagine her sniff of displeasure, but Una’s pleasure was not his current concern. Not when there was a beauteous woman to be possessed. He murmured to the mirror and its surface swirled before his eyes, the image of this Rosamunde appearing so suddenly that Finvarra caught his breath.

Then his blood quickened.

Una, always able to read his response, spun on her heel. She strode from the hall, her ladies scurrying after her like so many sparrows. Finvarra was oblivious to his wife’s mood.

This Rosamunde was not just beautiful but spirited.

Finvarra had to know more. He touched the queen, his favoured piece, sliding his finger up her carved back. She strolled across the board in perfect understanding of his intent, halted on the desired spot and tucked her hands into her sleeves meekly.

If only all queens might be so biddable.

«Check,» he murmured with a smile.

«No! I shall not die, not by your whim!» The spriggan erupted from its place in fury, jumping across the board and kicking pieces left and right. «I demand we play the game again!»

Finvarra shook his head.

The spriggan scattered the pieces onto the earthen floor, then lunged at Finvarra. There was no contest between them, the spriggan being only as tall as the King’s golden chalice. Finvarra struck the ill-tempered creature with the back of his hand, sending it sprawling across the floor.

The elegantly attired fey stepped away from the spriggan, whispering at its poor manners. It hissed at all of them, then made to run. Two elfin knights seized it, holding tightly while it bit and struggled.

«I have no interest in your life,» Finvarra said with soft authority. The spriggan froze, staring at him in confusion. It was a crafty creature and Finvarra deliberately stated his terms so that there could be no deception. «I would trade your life for a specific treasure in your possession.»

Darg’s eyes narrowed into hostile slits. «No gem do I see fit to spare»—

«The woman,» Finvarra decreed, interrupting what would likely be an impolite diatribe. «I trade your life for that of your captive, Rosamunde.»

The spriggan regarded him warily. «I fear you make a jest of me, and would be freed ’fore I agree.»

Finvarra rose and clapped his hands. «There is no jest. When Rosamunde graces my court, you shall be free to leave.» He reached forwards and snatched at the spriggan, holding it so surely in his grip that it paled. He lowered his face to its sharp features, glaring into its eyes. Darg squirmed. «Deceive me, though, and I will have your life as well as the woman.»

Darg’s eyes gleamed and Finvarra knew the creature would willingly deceive him. He beckoned to his armourer, who produced a fine red thread at his master’s bidding. Finvarra knotted that thread securely around the spriggan’s waist. It appeared to be made of silk but was strong beyond measure and it held the spriggan to Finvarra’s command. The small fairy struggled and fought against the bond, grimacing where it touched the skin.

«It burns, it does, the knot too tight,» Darg snarled. «You cheat when I would do what’s right!»

«Only I can unbind this thread, and I will only do so when you have fulfilled our bargain.»

Darg continued to pluck at the thread, its displeasure clear. It cast a glance over the company, then its lips tightened. It straightened and addressed Finvarra with surprising hauteur. «As you command, so shall it be. You shall see that Darg lives honestly.»

Finvarra smothered a laugh. He didn’t doubt that the creature would try to break both cord and vow, but he knew such efforts were doomed to failure. «Tomorrow sunset,» he decreed. «I would have her by my side for the Beltane ride two nights hence.»

The spriggan grimaced at the time constraint, but before it could argue, Finvarra made a dismissive gesture. «It is enough time. Should it not be.» He raised a brow and the thread bound around the spriggan’s waist tightened an increment. Darg screamed, swore agreement, then scampered across the court, muttering. Three elven knights followed it at a discreet distance, ensuring that it left the hall upon its mission.

Finvarra eyed the path Una had taken, heard the distant sound of her sobs, and decided to remain in his hall a bit longer. He clapped and called for music, for he was feeling as celebratory as Una was not.

After all, soon he would have a new prize to savour.

Rosamunde dreamed.

If she had been asked, she would have said that her expectation was to dream of Tynan through all eternity. But her dream took her further into the past, to an abbey on the coast of Ireland.

She had been summoned there by the bishop, anxious to increase the revenue of his remote diocese with the acquisition of a holy relic. One of the bishop’s men had eyes of brilliant blue and a steady gaze. She strove to ignore him.

The bishop purchased a perfumed braid said to have come from Mary, daughter of Lazarus. They negotiated the price, the coin was counted and then deposited in Rosamunde’s purse. She sensed that the man with the blue gaze thought the bishop intended to cheat her.

Outside, Rosamunde was glad to see her ship. She emitted a high whistle, a signal to Thomas waiting in the dingy out of sight. She was not prepared to find Thomas dead, bleeding in the bottom of the boat. She was not prepared to have a man assault her in the darkness — the purse ripped from her belt, her blade snatched.

And she certainly was not expecting the blue-eyed man to leap out of the shadows behind her attacker, slicing him from gullet to groin and kicking his carcase into the sea.

«I sicken of his thievery,» he said softly, his voice as steady as his gaze.

«I thank you for your aid.»

«You are most welcome, I fear I have lost my employ this night. Have you need of another man of your ship?»

Rosamunde found herself liking this man a great deal. «I always have need of men with stout hearts and quick blades. Have you a name?»

«Padraig Deane.»

Rosamunde shook his hand, liking the heat of his skin, the firmness of his grip.

«Welcome, Padraig. There is no better compliment than knowing a man can be trusted with one’s own life.»

She watched the moonlight play on his muscles as he rowed them back to the ship. He was determined, stalwart, and unafraid. Rosamunde wondered how she had failed to see the full merit of Padraig in all the years he had served her.

What lifted the scales from her eyes now?

Padraig wandered the streets of Galway, paying no attention to his course until he reached the gate in the Norman wall. He glanced back towards the harbour, then ahead to the hills cloaked in starlight and shadow. He chose to pass through the gate and walk out of town, knowing that the way was not without risk. He was but half-Irish, half of town and half of country, though there were those who would have little interest in the details.

He did not care about his fate as much as he once had.

And he had no taste for human company on this night.

He walked as the moon rose ever higher in the sky. He walked as the church bells sounded far behind him. He walked as the stars glinted overhead.

He heard the rustle of small animals in the underbrush and the tinkle of running water. He felt the ale loosen its hold upon his body and grief well in his heart.