Page 34 of Ashes of Betrayal

“You’d somehow gotten your claws into me.”

She frowned. “It wasn’t like that.”

“Wasn’t it? You were sent to deceive me, by whatever means.”

“Aye … but I never intended tobondwith you.”

She tightened her grip on her knees then. This conversation had taken a swift turn. It was easier when the focus had been on him. But now that they were talking abouther, she suddenly felt as if she were standing on the edge of a parapet, with the Sharp Billed Wind pushing at her back. One hard gust and she’d tumble.

“That’s why I came to you in the Hallow Woods,” she admitted, wishing her voice didn’t sound so husky, so desperate. “I couldn’t let you walk into an ambush … not after what we’d shared.”

His frown slid into a scowl, and he leaned forward, glaring at her across the fire. “No, you let the rest of my warband die instead.”

“I repeat … I didn’t know that Mor would attack so early,” she replied, her pulse thudding in her ears now. “Let me also remind you that in delivering a warning, I betrayed my people.”

They continued to glare at each other, tension shivering in the air between them.

Skaal shifted next to Cailean, her golden eyes flicking from the enforcer to Bree.Well … this is friendly.

15: ASK ME AGAIN IN THE MORNING

CAILEAN BROKE THEIR stare first. Jaw clenched, he fed some more wood to the fire and waited for the tightness in his chest to ease.

He couldn’t believe he’d spilled his guts to her.

To a Shee spy.

By The Hag’s nails, he wanted to hate her. Instead, he’d told her about his past, about his family, and about his thirst for revenge that wouldn’t be quenched until Eilig was dead.

Bree had suggested that Enya might still be alive, but twenty years with Eilig would have broken her. The fight master was more likely to have killed her, or she might have died birthing the whoreson’s child.

Ice washed through Cailean’s veins at the thought.

Meanwhile, the silence between him and Bree drew taut, like a bowstring.

The tension in his chest didn’t loosen as he’d hoped. There wasn’t the sense of relief that usually came after unburdening oneself.

Drawing in a deep breath, he fixed Bree with a penetrating look. Enough talking about him. It was his wife’s turn. “How did you find me?”

“I traveled from place to place, asking if anyone had seen a huge enforcer traveling with a fae hound.” Her mouth quirked. “You were harder to track down than I thought you’d be.”

Cailean snorted, eyeing her. “What happened when you returned to your people?” he asked brusquely.

Bree pulled a face. “I went before the Raven Queen and lied. She was pleased that I’d warned her of your planned attack at Sheathan, but angry I’d left Duncrag without her leave.” Resentment crept into her voice then. “Having eyes in the High King’s broch was important to Mor.”

Cailean snorted. “You made a terrible spy, Bree.”

She winced at this yet didn’t argue with him. “Aye, well … I’ve made a living by letting a sharp blade and quick reflexes do the talking. I wasn’t prepared for all the sneaking and pretending.”

“Did Mor punish you?”

“No, she merely cast me aside. I didn’t see her again. Granted, she’s been busy … amassing an army.”

Cailean tensed at this admission, and marking his reaction, Bree’s mouth curved into a humorless smile. “Aye, you can’t be surprised. The High King has a sizable force camped at his gates too … the war that has been building for some time will begin soon.”

Suspicion flickered to life in Cailean’s gut. Was his wife withholding things from him again? “Do you know when and where the Shee will strike?” he demanded, his voice hardening.

Bree shook her head, irritation flaring in her golden eyes. “I told you … Mor ignores me these days.” She grimaced then. “I did ask around … but no one would talk to me.”

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