Two to Conquer Read Online Free PDF Page A

fostered in King Ardrin’s household as a token of friendly relations between the royal house of Asturias and the house of the Hasturs of Carcosa. He would have wished to be his father’s counselor, a sorcerer, a laranzu —he had known all his life that he had not the makings of a soldier—but his father had found him one son too many and had sent him away as a hostage, as he might have sent a daughter away to marry. At least, Geremy thought, Carlina would not be sent away from her home for this marriage!
    The court rose for King Ardrin’s entrance. Bard, standing beside Beltran, listening to the crying of the heralds, still found that he was glancing about the crowd to see if, perhaps, his father had come at the last moment, wishing to surprise him; desisted and angrily faced forward. Why should he care? King Ardrin thought more of him than his own father did, the king had decorated him in battle, given him lands and a rich estate, and a warrior’s red cord, and the hand of his youngest daughter in marriage.
    With all this, why should he worry about his father, sitting home and listening to the poison that filthy hag Jerana poured into his ears?
    But I wish my brother were here. I wish Alaric could know I am the king’s champion and his son-in-law
    … he would be seven, now .…
    At the appointed time he stepped forward, prompted by Beltran and Geremy. Carlina was standing at the right hand of her father’s seat. Bard’s ears were ringing, and he hardly heard the king’s words.
    “Bard mac Fianna, called di Asturien, whom I have made my banner bearer,” Ardrin of Asturias said,
    “we have called you here tonight to handfast you to my youngest daughter, the lady Carlina. Say, Bard, is it your will to enter my household?”
    Bard’s voice sounded perfectly steady; he wondered at that, because inside he was shaking. He
    supposed it was like riding into battle, there was something that steadied you when you had to be steady. “My king and my lord, it is my will.”
    “Then,” said Ardrin, taking Bard’s hand in one of his, and Carlina’s in the other, “I bid you join hands before all this company and exchange your pledge.”
    Bard felt Carlina’s hand in his; very soft, the fingers so slender that they felt boneless. She was icy cold, and did not look at him.
    “Carlina,” said Ardrin, “do you consent to have this man for your husband?”
    She whispered something Bard could not hear. He supposed it was a formal phrase of consent. At least she had not refused.
    He bent forward, as ritual demanded, and kissed her trembling lips. She was shaking. Hellfire! Was the girl afraid of him? He smelled the flowery scent of her hair, of some cosmetic that had been dabbed on her face. As he drew back, a corner of her stiff embroidered collar scratched his cheek a little. Well, he thought, he had had enough women; soon enough she would lose her fear in his arms, they always did; even if now she was a dressed-up doll. The thought of Carlina in his bed made him feel dizzy, almost faint. Carlina. His, forever, his princess, his wife. And then no one could ever again call him bastard or outcast. Carlina, his home, his beloved… his own. He felt his throat thicken as he whispered the ritual words.
    “Before our kin assembled I pledge to wed you, Carlina, and to cherish you forever.”
    He heard her voice, only a whisper.
    “Before… kin assembled… pledge to wed…” but try as he might he could not hear her speak his name.
    Damn Queen Ariel and her idiotic plans to rid herself of him! They should have had the wedding and the bedding tonight, so that Carlina could quickly lose her fear of him! He was trembling, thinking of that. He had never wanted any woman this much. He tightened his hand on her fingers trying to
    reassure her, but felt only her involuntary flinching of pain.
    King Ardrin said, “May you be forever one,” and he loosed Carlina’s hand, reluctantly. Together, they drank from a wine cup held to