Unicorn Bride: A Medieval Romance by Claire Delacroix

Author:Claire Delacroix [Delacroix, Claire]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The orange rays of the sinking sun were just touching the tops of the trees when they gained the road, its comparatively wide surface a relief to Alienor. Her mount seemed to feel the same way, for the horse stamped with impatience to run once they were free of the vines and undergrowth.

The road led back to the distant mountains in one direction and toward a town tucked into the shadows of a valley in the other. Dagobert turned his charger toward the town. There were few travelers on the road at this hour and Alienor took the opportunity to ride alongside her husband. She noted his quick sideways glance at her move, but he said naught.

The town ahead grew to considerable size as they approached, proving to be much bigger than her expectations. Alienor dared to imagine that she might soon enjoy that warm bath, and knew she would welcome even a straw pallet after these days of bathing in cold streams and sleeping on the ground.

The walls of the unnamed town rose in the twilight shadows. They were formidable indeed, with high smooth faces and watchtowers aplenty. She wondered how far they had ridden before Dagobert began to bide his time in the woods. Never having left Perpignan before her nuptials, she could not recognize this town.

“Toulouse,” Dagobert supplied unexpectedly from beside her.

Alienor glanced to him in surprise that he should so easily read her thoughts. She thought he almost smiled, but in the half-light it was hard to be sure.

He turned his attention back to the road and she saw him frown before he continued. “We shall seek an old friend of my sire. Raimon is his name, and if he is still the man who rode with my father, a mere glimpse of your smile, my love, will have his entire household at your disposal.”

Alienor blinked at Dagobert’s casual endearment and its import before she realized that it could mean naught at all. Perhaps he teased her. Perhaps he meant to pretend to his friend that their match was an amorous one.

Perhaps this was yet another secret she would not be told.

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