In the Arms of a King (My Warrior Lover) by Daniella Divine Page B

recognizable. Yet it seemed unlikely that any of the Romans here would recognize her, or know anything of her history. Too much had changed since then, and the skinny girl who had been taken away from here in the dead of night was now a grown and formidable woman.
    Some five minutes passed before the sentry returned.
    ‘All right, you are to come in,’ he said. ‘You will be taken to the Commander under guard. Any funny business and you will end up in the dungeons, and you won’t like it down there, I can assure you of that. Understood?’
    ‘Perfectly.’
    The gate opened and Eithne passed through. Two soldiers were waiting to escort her, and they fell in beside her as she walked inside. She was taken to a part of the fort that she was not familiar with – one of the new stone buildings that had been added on in higgledy-piggledy fashion over the years. She was taken into a large room where two soldiers stood either side of a large wooden desk. Behind the desk there was a man in his late forties, thinning on top but still a commanding presence. Eithne didn’t need to look at the purple edging to his toga to know that he was the Commander. The man looked at her with considerable interest as she entered. The two soldiers who had brought her into the room took up positions by the door, presumably to block her exit if she tried to make a run for it. Eithne knew better than to try that. She was in the lion’s den now, and she would have to play the game the way the lion wanted.
    The Commander stood up, walked around the desk and looked at her more closely.
    ‘I am Lucius Maximus, Commander of this fort. I understand you can speak Latin,’ he said. It was more of a question than a statement…an explanation was clearly required.
    ‘Yes, I do. My family has been on good terms with the Empire for many years. I am a friend, not a foe.’
    ‘Then what is your name, friend of the Romans?’
    ‘My name is Eithne, and I have come to give you news of your daughter.’
    Lucius looked Eithne directly in the eyes.
    ‘Before we go any further, let me make one thing absolutely clear. You will tell me the truth – the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If I discover that you are lying to me, you will not leave this fort alive. Do you understand?’
    ‘I understand you perfectly. But remember that I came here of my own free will. I would not risk my life by walking into the Roman camp unless I had information that is of considerable value to you.’
    ‘Then we understand each other. So let’s get straight to the point. What do you know of my daughter’s whereabouts? Most importantly, is she safe?’
    ‘Yes, she is safe and well.’
    Eithne saw the Commander’s shoulders slump with relief. ‘Thank the Gods. Where is she?’
    ‘She is in the forest, with my people. The Picts.’
    ‘The Wild Scots have taken her captive?’
    This was the bombshell. Eithne wondered how the Commander would take it. ‘No, she is not a captive. She is there of her own accord.’
    Lucius Maximus stared at her in astonishment. ‘Of her own accord? What the hell do you mean by that? This is my daughter you are talking about, not some village slut.’
    ‘I have the utmost respect for your position, sir. But you asked me to tell you the whole truth. And the truth is that your daughter is having a relationship with a senior warrior of the clan.’
    Lucius Maximus was having trouble controlling himself now. He swallowed hard, and spoke in a low voice that was full of menace.
    ‘What kind of relationship, exactly?’
    Eithne hesitated…reluctant to say the words. But it was too late to back out now. ‘I apologize for being the one to bring you this news, sir. But the fact is that the relationship is a sexual one.’
    The Commanders’ eyes were almost bulging now. ‘Are you suggesting that my daughter is sleeping with a Barbarian? Think carefully before you answer…your life may depend on your reply.’
    Eithne was beginning to think this had