Share
Chapter Seventy-Nine - Divided Loyalties
Related chapters
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty - Repercussions
The lightning strike had done all the damage, and now Prince Connor Mac Neill lay dying in tremendous pain, one of his legs crushed beneath a fall of rocks. Despite what he had done, turning on them like that, Eithne saw to his comfort, staying with him until the end.Finn was devastated and Ava was nestled in his arms, sobbing openly. That was what death did, it made you remember the good times. In most cases.Though she tried her best, she could not find it in her to mourn her mother, the despised lover and the fake brother.It was an act of God. She would see to it they had a decent burial and that was all.King Ephron seemed to be recovering, as if disaster was making a man of him whereas the ability to do as he pleased had not. Genevieve may have had something to do with that. If he was enamoured that was his affair. Eithne knew Xander’s sister would never consent to be his.They were for Beeveland soon and she was looking forward to seeing the country of his birth. The conqueror
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-One - Beeveland
The pastures were endless here and probably more fertile. Eithne bit her lip. She hoped she was with child, though it was too soon to tell.Each province had its own dialect so that her correct Frankish wasn’t always enough for her to make herself understood. But she seemed to charm all she met. Was that because Princess Genevieve was by her side, waving to the people from the litter? It was quite obvious Xander wasn’t so popular.He probably didn’t care, but she did. If they were going to rule here, they had to command respect from their subjects.“What happened?” she asked him that night as they lay beside each other in bed.She was still his betrothed as the priest had been stricken with something and it had seemed churlish to postpone their trip.“You mean, how did they get rid of me before? I walked,” he said.Her forehead puckered.“I don’t understand.”“The people kept on and on asking me about Genevieve until I couldn’t take it any more.”“So you deposed yourself? If such a th
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Two - Unworthy
Xander said nothing to anyone, though he was beginning to feel he couldn’t hold a candle to the two remaining women in his life. Genevieve had taken over the reins from Henri with aplomb and was ruling magnificently, while Eithne had been through so much and was still prepared to sacrifice herself for him of all people when he knew how much she loved the realm of Ormond.Still, perhaps the castle wasn’t the best place for her to reside any more. If need be, he would tear it down and rebuild it with his own hands just to prove how much he cared about her. But he wasn’t the ruler, not even the self-styled conqueror these days, just a man with wanderlust in his head and a selfless princess in his heart.There was something he could do for her, at least until King Ephron was settled with a worthy consort, and that was to postpone his plans to leave. It didn’t mean never and, with time, his priorities might change. Children did not need an absent father, at any age.That night, in her bedc
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Three - New Beginnings
Eithne could hide nothing from Xander, nor did she want to, and especially not when it came to her condition. He was delighted and swept her off her feet, though with caution, adding after several kisses that they really ought to conclude their arrangement.Procrastination shouldn’t become a habit.She puzzled for a time until she translated that to mean wed sooner rather than later. Illegitimacy remained unspoken between them. While he had so often flaunted his, she knew it rankled more than he let on.They were still arguing about what form it should take and where. Ephron had disclosed that Genevieve was seeking an alliance for purposes of trade and defence. It seemed she had approached Louis, but he wasn’t interested in Beeveland, just its Queen. And marriage was definitely off the table as far as she was concerned.Eithne knew that didn’t mean there was hope for her brother. Or any man, including Halfdan who was probably unaware how she felt.But Xander’s sister was due for a st
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Four - A Royal Wedding
On the day itself, Eithne was sick several times. If only she could hide behind a veil. But there was nothing else for it, however pasty she looked, this was the happiest day in her young life.She hadn’t anticipated she would be staying in Ormond when she wed and, mere months ago, it had seemed as if this day would never come. Slavery had taught her that some people had cruel natures and some did not. Eithne was only grateful it had been Xander who turned up that day, otherwise Clara might well have made the rest of her short life a living hell.Lysette had been found eventually by a dogged Hengest and was now detained at King Ephron’s pleasure. His sister sighed. She hoped he would become immune to her obvious charms and not be tempted to release her from the dungeon anytime soon.He kept saying no harm had been done, but it might well have been.There had been no compromise and she was suffering the kind of endless ceremony she had dreaded. Illness was one way of gaining respite, a
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Five - Peekaboo
One Year LaterHe had been looking forward to this moment for a while, this private time alone with his new family. Drago had sent word via various couriers who had since gone on to do other, possibly more worthy, things.If he had a sense of shame it was in having left them, after all, to pursue his long held dreams. Had it been worth the possible cost? Did she have another in her bed?The evidence was there in front of his eyes. He could scarcely take it in.This lad was very young and without beard. That would come in time.He watched, fascinated, as they rolled together and she tickled his sides making him laugh. It was an infectious sound, soon echoed by the other person present: a girl.Xander knew the imposter had once stood here watching him and Eithne. This act was far different but maybe no less unworthy. He should have announced his presence straight away.Having heard she was back in her old bedchamber he had been curious as to the reason why. Well, now he knew.She was we
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter One - Invaded
Eithne could no longer stand by and watch the children starve when there was plenty of stew in the pot. It was tempting to pick up the ladle and serve them herself but she wasn’t that stupid. Instead she made her way across to the helmeted guard and knelt at his feet. “Yes?” he rasped. “Out with it and make it quick.” “Surely my brother doesn’t want this?” She gestured behind her at the two seven year old twins, Morgan and Maisie. The latter was pale and fading fast while the boy’s eyes were dull and lacking in hope. “Your point, my lady?” The new deference surprised her and perhaps explained her unbound hands and feet. Then she became aware that someone was standing behind her and it wasn’t Ephron. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw a tall, cloaked figure and smelled blood. It was in the newcomer’s hair and beard and still dripping from his sword. “Clean it.” Eithne remained on her knees, unaware the command was directed at her. “Are you deaf, woman?” She eyed the pail in th
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Two - Mercy
Maisie began to moan, an unearthly sound which filled the small hut and made Eithne’s heart heavy. She was certain Xander would have no sympathy for her plight unless she offered up an incentive. He was busy devouring the rabbit stew with a bent spoon, one arm clamped firmly around her waist.“Please,” she begged. “Let me go to her. I think she’s dying.”There was a clatter as he dropped the spoon on the table. “No tricks,” he warned, releasing her.Cuddling the child, she could not help but notice the drool on Morgan’s face. His eyes were closed and she fancied she could sense his pain.A shadow fell across her. Eithne raised tear-filled eyes to his. “I fear I was too late,” she said.“You give up far too easily, girl,” Xander said. “Am I right in thinking there’s a well outside? Some water may revive them. For sure it will ease their passing, should it come to that. Solid food was never going to work.” He put his hands on his hips. “What are you waiting for?”She found a dipper amon
Latest chapter
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Five - Peekaboo
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Four - A Royal Wedding
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Three - New Beginnings
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Two - Unworthy
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-One - Beeveland
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty - Repercussions
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Nine - Divided Loyalties
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Eight - Commitment
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Seven - Duped
