Dark Under the Cover of Night (The Kingdom of the East Angles Book 1) by Jayne Castel

lies beyond the flat horizon of this
kingdom by the sea.”
    Raedwyn
bit the inside of her cheek to prevent a sharp retort. Caelin treated her like
a naïve, foolish maid. His comment stung and she wanted to hit back. However,
her temper had gotten her into trouble yesterday, and now she found herself a
little afraid of men.
    They had
reached the main entrance to Ceolwulf’s hall and Caelin turned to Raedwyn, his
dark gaze ensnaring hers.
    “Raedwyn.”
Caelin’s expression had become serious and the teasing tone was gone from his
voice. “After last night, I can understand your fears, but you will come to no
harm here I promise you that. Upon my honor.”
    Raedwyn
watched his retreating back as he went off with his men to eat.
    “Honor?”
Raedwyn’s mouth twisted. “You do not know the meaning of the word.”
     
    ***
                      
    The day
stretched on and Raedwyn spent most of it enclosed within the walls of her
bower. Only at dusk did her guards allow her out once more for a stroll around
the village. She had not seen Caelin for the rest of the day and, since he was
the only one who bothered speaking to her, Raedwyn spent the day in silence.
    That
evening, Raedwyn remained in her bower when Ceolwulf and his men entered the
hall. The aroma of roasting mutton hung thickly in the air, reminding Raedwyn
of how hungry she was. It surprised her that she still had an appetite. She
would have thought seeing her husband killed, and her own abduction, would have
put her off food, but it had not. After last night’s skirmish, she doubted
Ceolwulf would demand she ate with them. However, she hoped they would not forget
about her – the delicious smell of roast mutton was making her mouth water.
    Wondering
how long it would take before they remembered she had not yet eaten, Raedwyn
perched on her pile of furs and waited.
    It was a
long while before her curtain twitched and Caelin looked inside.
    “I thought
you might be hungry.”
    “Starving.”
Raedwyn eyed the platter of mutton cuts, a wedge of coarse bread and a pile of
small boiled onions he carried in one hand, and the clay cup of mead he carried
in the other.
    Caelin placed
the plate and cup on a low wooden table and turned to leave.
    “Enjoy.”
    “You can
keep me company while I eat if you like?” Raedwyn blurted out.
    What in
Woden’s name made me say that?
    Caelin
turned and looked quizzically at her.
     “Milady?”
    “It gets
tiresome being closeted in here all day,” Raedwyn replied hesitantly,
regretting her request but too proud to take it back. “I’m used to my father’s
hall. I miss having someone to talk to.”
     Deciding
that she had humiliated herself enough for one day, Raedwyn sat down on the
floor and began her meal. After a moment’s hesitation, Caelin sat down opposite
her, stretching his long legs out in front of him. Aware of his eyes on her,
Raedwyn ate the mutton, onions and bread. It was plain but good fare.
     “So you
were born at Rendlaesham?” she asked finally, licking grease off her fingers.
    “I was,
Milady.”
    “You don’t
have to keep addressing me as ‘Milady’. Call me Raedwyn.” She surveyed him over
the brim of her cup. “How old were you when you left?”
    “Nine
winters; a young lad, but old enough to understand that I was no longer welcome
in the only home I had ever known.”
    “Why did
you not stay with your mother?”
    “She died
giving birth to me. My father is the only family I have.”
    Raedwyn
digested this information. That explained his dogged loyalty to Ceolwulf.
    “Did you
ever see me?”
    “Once.”
Caelin grinned at her. “You probably don’t remember. You had just turned four
and had lost your puppy, Wuffa. I found him for you.”
    The memory
brought a smile to Raedwyn’s face.
    “That was
you? Of course I remember! It’s one of my earliest memories – the boy in the
orchard who rescued Wuffa. I looked out for you after that but never saw