The Proud Lord's Daughter

At her sister's death Karliene of Dubhshláine soul turns to ice. With distrust she is betrothed to a deadly Lord whose plans are unknown but to one man. With his long dark hair braided and his black coal eyes, many men referred to him as Balor - the Deadly One.

Excerpt:

"Gasps filled our great hall as the unknown guest made his demands clear.

"And who are you?" the proud Lord of Dubhshláine said to the black cloaked man as he leaned back into the old black throne, "that I must bow so low?"

A deep voice came from beneath the hood, "Oh, but Ainbheartach....I am your master."

The raindrops struck the roof of our hall and echoed in their wake. All wondered who would dare make such a claim and when our lord would end this stranger's life. Yet, I wondered why this man called my father Ainbheartach...a name meaning 'a doer of evil'.

Laughter struck the hall as my father stood causing all to look at him. As he clapped his hands, I realized that my father knew this man - this fact made more clearer as he strode from his throne to gather the cloaked figure in a forceful embrace.

Shock filled my entire being as I saw this scene play out before me. I clenched my fists which lay down by my sides.

"Karliene, come," commanded my father. I wanted to refuse; the spark of rebellion nearly consuming me, but my feet moved of their own accord and I soon found myself standing in front of the two towering men. My father's black eyes met mine in warning before turning to the stranger whom he had embraced so warmly,

"Lorcán, meet my daughter and your betrothed."

I looked up into the hood of the man I was to marry my eyes widening in terror......: