other than Duncan? She would of course, but it was hard to imagine. She hated to think of pretending with anyone else but him.
“It won’t be long now.” Cassy handed Tara a glass filled with wine. “Here, I think you’re going to need this.”
“I can’t. I’m too nervous.”
“What’s to worry about? Duncan will win. And if one of the others does at least they’re cute.”
Tara winced when she saw Fin take a hard blow to his arm holding his lance. “How can you be so sure Duncan will come out on top?”
“He has to. Besides, he likes you and wants it more than the others. Just look how he plucked them off earlier, like apples from a tree. Have some faith.” Cassy took a large drink from the wine she had poured for Tara.
The crowd stood when the next pass ended with Fin off his horse. He brushed away the dirt and favored his sword arm. He bowed and shook hands with Michael then led his mount to the side.
87
Catherine Bybee
Michael and his horse were given time to rest before the final match with Duncan.
Tara wanted desperately to find Duncan and wish him luck and to issue a meaningless threat of great bodily harm if he didn’t win. But getting away this close to the end wasn’t possible.
Minutes ticked by which felt like hours. fair patrons came and went during the intermission, taking pictures, asking questions. Nerves kept her from saying much to the people who stopped in.
When her fingers started to tingle, she forced herself to sit down and slow her breathing. A lot of good she would do if she passed out before the match.
Tara’s mind drifted from her body. The feeling of being on the outside looking in was overwhelming.
She closed her eyes and thought of what Duncan had said earlier. If you fear anything, call on me.
What did she have to fear? Why did he say that?
She closed her eyes and brought a picture of him to her mind. Trust me. His words echoed. A few deep breaths and concentrating on his final words helped slow her speeding pulse.
When the trumpets sounded for the final round Tara felt more relaxed.
More assured.
****
Duncan sensed Tara’s presence in his head.
From across the hordes of people he fixed her with a stare. Even from his distance, he could see her eyes were closed.
He knew she was troubled, felt her reaching out to him with her mind. He called on a power, which remained dormant until his return home. He closed his eyes and pushed words of trust toward her.
He couldn’t tell if he was successful in his efforts, but when he opened his eyes he caught Tara’s returning his stare.
Duncan led Durk to his place along the rope 88
Binding Vows
separating the riders His nostrils flared in anticipation of his flight. Skilled, it took only the slightest touch of Duncan’s knees to command his horse to lunge.
The horse didn’t flinch when Duncan’s lance hit his opponent.
****
Michael took the blow with rage. He wasn’t happy with Gwen’s orders to throw the match. He saw Tara’s ribbon clenched in Duncan’s hand and scowled. It was suppose to be him at the altar.
Him in her bed!
The next pass gave Michael the triumph he wanted. His lance caught and nearly toppled Duncan. He glanced up at the maiden who held her hand to her mouth, worry etched in her features.
His gaze went beyond her to Gwen’s furious scowl. Take the fall! He heard her shout in his mind.
He played with fire for two more passes before he did as he was told and let Duncan toss him off his horse.
****
Tara didn’t realize she held her breath until it came out in a loud gasp. Her body nearly collapsed when she knew Duncan had in fact won the match.
She watched as he accepted the pats on his back from the other riders. She almost heard the heckling he received from his brother when he clenched his arm in a greeting more suitable for medieval times.
Tara wasn’t given much time before Cassy fashioned a veil on her head and prepared her for the ceremony.
“This almost seems real,
“It won’t be long now.” Cassy handed Tara a glass filled with wine. “Here, I think you’re going to need this.”
“I can’t. I’m too nervous.”
“What’s to worry about? Duncan will win. And if one of the others does at least they’re cute.”
Tara winced when she saw Fin take a hard blow to his arm holding his lance. “How can you be so sure Duncan will come out on top?”
“He has to. Besides, he likes you and wants it more than the others. Just look how he plucked them off earlier, like apples from a tree. Have some faith.” Cassy took a large drink from the wine she had poured for Tara.
The crowd stood when the next pass ended with Fin off his horse. He brushed away the dirt and favored his sword arm. He bowed and shook hands with Michael then led his mount to the side.
87
Catherine Bybee
Michael and his horse were given time to rest before the final match with Duncan.
Tara wanted desperately to find Duncan and wish him luck and to issue a meaningless threat of great bodily harm if he didn’t win. But getting away this close to the end wasn’t possible.
Minutes ticked by which felt like hours. fair patrons came and went during the intermission, taking pictures, asking questions. Nerves kept her from saying much to the people who stopped in.
When her fingers started to tingle, she forced herself to sit down and slow her breathing. A lot of good she would do if she passed out before the match.
Tara’s mind drifted from her body. The feeling of being on the outside looking in was overwhelming.
She closed her eyes and thought of what Duncan had said earlier. If you fear anything, call on me.
What did she have to fear? Why did he say that?
She closed her eyes and brought a picture of him to her mind. Trust me. His words echoed. A few deep breaths and concentrating on his final words helped slow her speeding pulse.
When the trumpets sounded for the final round Tara felt more relaxed.
More assured.
****
Duncan sensed Tara’s presence in his head.
From across the hordes of people he fixed her with a stare. Even from his distance, he could see her eyes were closed.
He knew she was troubled, felt her reaching out to him with her mind. He called on a power, which remained dormant until his return home. He closed his eyes and pushed words of trust toward her.
He couldn’t tell if he was successful in his efforts, but when he opened his eyes he caught Tara’s returning his stare.
Duncan led Durk to his place along the rope 88
Binding Vows
separating the riders His nostrils flared in anticipation of his flight. Skilled, it took only the slightest touch of Duncan’s knees to command his horse to lunge.
The horse didn’t flinch when Duncan’s lance hit his opponent.
****
Michael took the blow with rage. He wasn’t happy with Gwen’s orders to throw the match. He saw Tara’s ribbon clenched in Duncan’s hand and scowled. It was suppose to be him at the altar.
Him in her bed!
The next pass gave Michael the triumph he wanted. His lance caught and nearly toppled Duncan. He glanced up at the maiden who held her hand to her mouth, worry etched in her features.
His gaze went beyond her to Gwen’s furious scowl. Take the fall! He heard her shout in his mind.
He played with fire for two more passes before he did as he was told and let Duncan toss him off his horse.
****
Tara didn’t realize she held her breath until it came out in a loud gasp. Her body nearly collapsed when she knew Duncan had in fact won the match.
She watched as he accepted the pats on his back from the other riders. She almost heard the heckling he received from his brother when he clenched his arm in a greeting more suitable for medieval times.
Tara wasn’t given much time before Cassy fashioned a veil on her head and prepared her for the ceremony.
“This almost seems real,
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