Warrior of Ice Read online

  Locked in a deadly game!

  Physically and emotionally scarred, Lady Taryn knows no man would want her for a wife. Nonetheless, she’s determined to free her father from his merciless overlord and enlists powerful warrior Killian MacDubh to help.

  He has his own motives for confronting the High King... Born a bastard, Killian longs to carve out a place for himself. Unaware of her true beauty, Taryn is an alluring distraction to his plan, but as traitors are revealed and loyalties tested, their forbidden love becomes the only thing worth fighting for!

  Warriors of Ireland

  Fighting for honor and for love

  In this powerful new duet by Michelle Willingham, step back in time to medieval Ireland, where proud men were willing to die for honor and for the ones they loved—although not without a fight!

  Fans of The MacEgan Brothers miniseries

  will meet some familiar faces along the way,

  but prepare to have your hearts captured

  by two new fierce warriors!

  Meet Killian MacDubh in

  Warrior of Ice

  available now

  and look for

  Warrior of Fire

  coming soon

  Author Note

  Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my favorite fairy tales. In Warrior of Ice I wanted to twist the tale by having a hero with a handsome face but the tormented soul of a beast and the heroine a scarred face but the heart of a beauty.

  I was also very inspired by the character of Jon Snow from Game of Thrones in this story, and I wanted to write a tale where the bastard hero becomes the king he was meant to be. I hope you’ll enjoy the love story of Killian and Taryn as they learn to look beyond appearances. Also look for the sequel to this book, Warrior of Fire, which tells the story of Carice Faoilin, Killian’s “adopted” sister.

  If you’d like me to email you when I have a new book out, please visit my website at michellewillingham.com to sign up for my newsletter. You can also learn more about my other historical romances and see photos of my trips to Ireland.

  Michelle

  Willingham

  Warrior of Ice

  RITA® Award finalist Michelle Willingham has written over twenty historical romances, novellas and short stories. Currently she lives in southeastern Virginia with her husband and children. When she’s not writing, Michelle enjoys reading, baking and avoiding exercise at all costs.

  Visit her website at michellewillingham.com.

  Books by Michelle Willingham

  Harlequin Historical

  and Harlequin Historical Undone! ebooks

  Warriors of Ireland

  (linked to The MacEgan Brothers)

  Warrior of Ice

  Forbidden Vikings

  To Sin with a Viking

  To Tempt a Viking

  The MacKinloch Clan

  Claimed by the Highland Warrior

  Seduced by Her Highland Warrior

  Tempted by the Highland Warrior

  Craving the Highlander’s Touch (Undone!)

  The MacEgan Brothers

  Her Irish Warrior

  The Warrior’s Touch

  Her Warrior King

  Her Warrior Slave (prequel)

  Taming her Irish Warrior

  Surrender to an Irish Warrior

  Warriors in Winter

  The Viking’s Forbidden Love-Slave (Undone!)

  The Warrior’s Forbidden Virgin (Undone!)

  Pleasured by the Viking (Undone!)

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.

  To Fitch, the best cat in the world. You’ve kept me company through each of my books and, although it’s difficult to write when you plant your furry behind on my keyboard, you always make me smile.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Excerpt from Warrior of Fire by Michelle Willingham

  Excerpt from Lord Laughraine's Summer Promise by Elizabeth Beacon

  Chapter One

  Ireland—1172

  His sister was going to die.

  Killian MacDubh could see it, even if everyone around him was in denial. Though Carice was still the most beautiful woman in Éireann, her body was fragile. She left her bed rarely, and when she did, she often had to be carried back. Her illness had struck hard, several years ago, and she’d wasted away ever since. This evening, she had sent word that she needed to speak with him, but he did not know why.

  Outside, the rain pounded against the mud, but another storm brewed inside Killian. There was a restless anticipation within him, as if an invisible threat hung over all of them. He couldn’t place it, but all day, he’d been pacing.

  His tunic and leggings were soaked through, and he stood at the back of the Great Chamber. The moment he stepped inside, Brian Faoilin’s face was grim with distaste, as if a stray dog had wandered into his house. The chieftain loathed the very air Killian breathed. Though he’d allowed Iona to keep the bastard son she’d brought with her, Brian had forced both of them to live among the fuidir. All his life, Killian had slept among the dogs and dined upon scraps from the table. He was forbidden to possess any rights of the tribe or own any land. It should have taught him his place. Instead, it had fed his resentment, making him vow that one day, no man would call him slave. He hungered for a life where others would look upon him with respect instead of disdain.

  He’d spent time training among the finest warriors in Éireann, intending to leave the tribe and become a mercenary. Better to lead a nomadic life on his own terms than to live like this. But then Carice had fallen ill. He’d delayed his plans to leave, for her sake, after she’d begged him not to go. Were it not for her, he’d have disappeared long ago. She was the only family he had left, and he knew her life was slipping away. For that reason, he had sworn to remain with her until the end.

  The chieftain leaned over to one of the guards, undoubtedly giving the order to throw Killian out. Within moments, his friend Seorse crossed the Great Chamber, regret upon his face. ‘You know you cannot come inside without orders, Killian.’

  ‘Of course not.’ He was supposed to remain outside in the pouring rain, amid the mud and the animal dung. Brian refused to let him be a part of their tribe—not in any way. He was expected to work in the stables, obeying all commands given to him.

  This time, Killian crossed his arms and stood his ground. ‘Will you be the one to throw me out?’ His voice held the edge of ice, for he was weary of being treated like the bastard he was. Frustration clenched in his gut, and he didn’t move.

  ‘Don’t start a fight,’ Seorse warned. ‘Take shelter in the tower if you must, but don’t cause more trouble. I’ll bring you food later.’

  Killian gave a thin smile. ‘Do you think I care about causing trouble?’ He enjoyed fighting, and he’d earned his place among the men as one of the best warriors. Beneath his fur-lined tunic, he wore chain-mail armour that he’d taken from a dead Norse invader during a raid. He had no sword of his own, but he knew how to use his fists and had broken a few
bones over the years. Every time he won a match or bested a clansman, it was a thorn in Brian’s side.

  Seorse dropped his voice low. ‘Why are you here, Killian?’

  ‘Carice sent for me.’

  His friend shook his head. ‘She’s worse today. I don’t think she can leave her chamber. She was sick most of the night, and she can hardly eat anything.’

  A tightness filled up Killian’s chest. It bothered him to see her starving to death before his eyes, unable to tolerate any food at all. The healer had ordered Carice to eat only bread and the plainest of foods, to keep her stomach calm. But nothing seemed to work. ‘Take me to her.’

  ‘I cannot, and you know this. Brian ordered me to escort you outside.’

  He wasn’t about to leave—not yet. But as he moved towards the entrance, he glanced behind him and saw a hint of motion near the stairs. Brian’s attention was elsewhere, so Killian hastened up the spiral steps. Seorse sent him a warning look, but his silent message was clear. He would not let Brian know that Killian was still here.

  Carice was struggling to walk down the stairs. Her skin was the colour of snow, and she held on to her maid’s shoulder, touching the opposite wall for support. Instantly, Killian went to the stairs and offered his arm. ‘Do you need help, my lady?’

  ‘Call me that again, and I shall bloody your nose, Killian.’ Her dark brown hair was bound back from her face, and her blue eyes held warmth. She was far too thin, and he could see the bones in her wrists. But her spirit was as fiery as ever.

  ‘You should not have left your room, Carice.’ He moved up the spiral stairs, and she gestured for her maid to go.

  ‘I’ll sit here a moment and talk with you,’ she said. ‘Then you can carry me back to bed afterwards.’

  ‘You’re too ill,’ he argued. ‘You need to go back now.’

  She shook her head and raised a hand. ‘Let me speak. This is important.’

  He climbed a few more of the stairs to reach her side. Carice sat down, steadying herself. ‘Father shouldn’t treat you this way. You are my brother, and always have been, even if we do not share the same parents.’ She reached out her hand and squeezed his palm. In so many ways, she reminded him of his mother. Gentle and strong-willed, she’d made it her task to take care of him. ‘You deserve a better life than this, Killian. It was wrong of me to ask you to stay.’

  He didn’t deny it, but he knew that once he left, he would never return to Carrickmeath. ‘One day I’ll go. Perhaps when you are married and are no longer fighting my battles for me.’

  She drew back, her face serious. ‘I’m not going to marry anyone, Killian. This winter is my last. I may not live until the summer.’

  Uneasiness passed over him, for her proclamation wasn’t a jest. Each season grew harder on her, and it was only a matter of time before she lost her fragile grasp on life. Though her body was weak, her inner strength rivalled a warrior queen’s.

  ‘Father doesn’t believe me. He thinks I’m going to get well and wed the High King, becoming Queen of Éireann. But he is wrong. And so I have taken matters into my own hands.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ She wasn’t planning to take her own life, was she?

  ‘I will not marry Rory Ó Connor,’ she said. ‘I have made arrangements to leave this place.’ Her face softened, and she admitted, ‘Father has been delaying my journey to Tara for my marriage. He’s told the High King of my illness, but soon enough, the King’s men will come for me. And I will not have my last moments be shadowed by marriage to such a man.’ She reached out and smoothed his hair. ‘I know Rory is your father, but I am glad you are nothing like him.’

  ‘I will never be like him.’ The stories of the High King’s ruthless actions were well known. Rory had plundered and burned the lands of Strabane and Derry, even ordering his own brother to be blinded, in order to seize possession of the throne. It was one of many reasons why no one dared to stand against him.

  ‘In one way, you will.’ Carice’s hand rested upon his cheek. ‘You have the blood of the High King within your veins. You are destined to rule over your own lands.’

  While he wanted to believe that, he didn’t know if he would ever overcome his low birth. Men respected his fighting skills and his strategies, but he needed far more than that to win a place for himself.

  ‘I am a bastard,’ he pointed out, ‘and the Ard-Righ will never acknowledge me as his son.’ It was well known that the High King had sired dozens of bastard children, and he had little interest in them. Brian had travelled to visit Rory, hoping to receive compensation for Killian’s fostering, but the King had been away, and his retainers had refused to grant anything. During those years, Rory had been King of Connacht, before he became High King of Éireann.

  ‘That could change,’ she argued. ‘And I know you will fight for the life you want. Just as I will fight for the death I want.’

  The words were chilling, for Carice was the one good part of his life. Her quiet spirit and kindness had helped him to push back his hatred of Brian. Without her, there was no one to fight for.

  ‘Carice, don’t,’ he said, not wanting to speak of it. ‘You cannot give up.’

  She ignored him and continued. ‘I have asked the MacEgan tribe for help. Someone will come and take me to our holdings in the west. I ask that you help me to leave. Do not let Father’s men stop me.’ Though her face remained strong, he caught the rise of tears in her eyes. ‘If I stay, I will have to marry the High King. And I do not wish to endure that wedding night.’

  She took a slow breath, her hands trembling. ‘Help me escape, Killian. You’re strong enough to fight this battle.’

  He bowed his head, knowing that it was peace she wanted. And so he gave a vow he knew he could keep. ‘I swear, on my life, that I will never let you wed King Rory.’

  Her shoulders lowered with relief, and she touched his hair, resting her forehead against his. ‘Thank you. I cannot say when I will leave, but one day soon, I will be gone. I know Father’s men will search for me, but keep them searching to the north instead. Tell them I went to visit friends, if you wish. The MacEgans will protect me with other false stories, if needed.’

  ‘So be it.’

  She leaned against the wall, and he suspected she had not the strength to return to her bed. ‘You are the brother of my heart, Killian, no matter what my father says. I pray that one day you realise how worthy you are.’

  He reached out to lift her into his arms. ‘I’m taking you back to your chamber. Rest, and trust that I will keep you safe.’

  * * *

  Taryn Connelly had never rescued a captive before.

  She knew nothing at all about how to infiltrate the High King’s fortress at Tara and steal a prisoner away, but her father’s time was running out. If she didn’t organise soldiers to save him, his life would be forfeit. But finding warriors was proving to be a problem.

  Her father, King Devlin, had been a good man and a strong ruler. But the last group of men who had gone to rescue her father had all been returned to Ossoria—without their heads. She shuddered at the memory. King Rory had made it clear that he was not going to release his prisoner.

  Her mother, Queen Maeve, had insisted that the remaining soldiers stay behind to guard their province, and they were all too glad to obey.

  Taryn refused to leave Devlin there to die. It wasn’t fair and it wasn’t right. Someone had to save him. And though she wasn’t strong enough to lead men into battle, she could find a warrior who was.

  A sudden rise of nerves caught in her stomach, for she had never left Ossoria before. For so many years, she had remained hidden away, so that no one would look upon her scarred face. Her father had warned that others would scorn her for the physical imperfections if she dared to leave. But now, she had no alternative. Given the choice between facing a jeering crowd and sa
ving his life, she would set aside her fear and risk everything.

  Her mother opened the door to Taryn’s chamber, staring at the open trunk of Taryn’s belongings. Inside lay not only fine gowns, but a box filled with gold pieces, silver chalices, and a small bag of pearls.

  ‘You cannot save him, Taryn,’ Maeve said. ‘You saw what happened to the last group of soldiers who went to the High King.’

  ‘If you were in his place, would you want us to go about our lives, not even trying to bring you home?’ she countered. ‘He’s my father, not a traitor.’

  She was certain of that. Devlin had answered a summons, only to be taken by the King’s men and bound in chains. And whatever the reason, Taryn intended to bring him home. ‘I will not turn my back on him.’

  Her mother was silent, her expression tight. Around her throat she wore a gold torque set with rubies, while her long red hair fell to her waist. ‘I know you believe Devlin was a good father. He tried very hard to make you think well of him.’ Her voice was calm, but it held the unmistakable edge of loathing.

  Taryn tensed, for she’d known that her parents’ marriage had never been a happy one. Her mother had miscarried many children over the years, and it shadowed her moods at all times. She controlled every moment of each day and kept the servants at her beck and call. Those who disobeyed were punished for any infraction.

  Maeve sighed and paced across the room. ‘I am sorry, but you cannot go to Tara. And you may not send more of my soldiers on Devlin’s behalf.’

  My soldiers? Taryn bristled at that. As if she’d already given up on her husband?

  ‘They are still Father’s men, too,’ Taryn corrected.

  But Maeve’s face turned cool. She walked to stand at the window and said, ‘I have not, nor will I, give permission for you to take soldiers against King Rory. Every last man of them would be killed, including yourself. And I am not a woman who sends others to die needlessly.’

  Not even for your husband? Taryn wanted to ask, but didn’t.