Page 85 of Ashes of Betrayal

Lara’s brow furrowed. “Were you worried how I would react?”

“Possibly. You have little reason to trust me.”

The princess flashed her an exasperated look. “Don’t treat me as if I’m made of eggshell. I’m tougher than I look.”

Their gazes held before Bree’s mouth quirked once more. Her friend was wounded and grieving, but she wasn’t beaten. “I know.”

Meanwhile, Gil eyed them both as he stood there, still rubbing the welt on his neck where the iron had chafed.

Lara shifted her attention to Cailean and Torran. “Mac Rab has agreed to step down and take his place as your second again,” she informed Cailean, her manner turning brisk as she focused on practical matters. “Will you be my chief-enforcer, mac Brochan?”

He returned her gaze, his blue eyes veiled. Bree understood his caution: no doubt, Talorc mac Brude wouldn’t have welcomed him back like this. But Lara wasn’t her father. Her face was wan this evening, her throat still bandaged, yet she held herself proudly. Defiantly.

The heir to the Albian throne.

“Aye, Your Highness,” Cailean murmured, his voice rougher than usual. He bowed his head. “It would be my honor.” He paused then, swallowing. “But I will only accept if my wife will be welcome in Duncrag as well.”

Lara raised an eyebrow, glancing back at Bree.

Cailean cleared his throat, and she sensed he was about to plead her case. However, she reached out, her fingers closingaround his wrist in warning. She appreciated what he’d done today, but she needed to handle this.

“Would you suffer a Shee living in your broch?” she asked softly.

Lara raked an assessing gaze over her. “I would.” Warmth flushed across her chest at these words, but Lara hadn’t finished. “Albia requires a strong leader now … but a ruler is only as strong as those at their side.” Her eyes glinted then. “Would you consider becoming my personal warder and counselor?”

Bree jerked, her lips parting as her breath gusted out of her. The most she’d hoped for was for Lara to agree for her chief-enforcer to bring his wife home, to allow her to reside in Duncrag. She hadn’t expected to be offered ajob.

Her breathing grew shallow then, her chest constricting as emotion slammed into her—a blend of elation and something more complex. Guilt. If she took on such a role, her betrayal of her people would be absolute. Even so, she reminded herself that she’d long passed the point of no return. Mor had already named her a traitor.

“That’s quite an offer,” she replied huskily, feeling the gazes of Cailean, Torran, and her brother boring into her. Her eyes stung then, and she blinked furiously. “Are you sure?”

Lara stared back, her mouth lifting into an enigmatic smile. “Aye.”

37: GOING HOME

THE SIGHT OF Duncrag’s beehive-shaped broch, thrusting against dark skies, made Bree’s stomach flutter.

Strange, how it felt as if she were going home.

A rueful smile tugged at her lips then as she remembered the first time she’d set eyes on this fort—the dread that had churned inside her as she considered the mission Mor had given her.

All of that was behind her though. She was making a new start.

However, this time, she was doing so as a lone Shee female, surrounded by Marav. And iron. Already on the journey south, she’d burned herself twice on it. Once, when she’d accidentally picked up an eating knife. The metal had bitten into her palm like a snake. Then, she’d brushed her arm against Cailean’s chest when he’d just slung his knife belt across his front. The burn had made her yelp, even through layers of clothing.

She sat behind Cailean now, astride Feannag. Traveling in the wagon had become too uncomfortable for him, every jolt painful. As such, it was easier for him to ride, although Eldra had strapped his chest up first.

Fortunately, he’d tied his broadsword and fighting dagger to the front of the saddle so she didn’t touch them.

“I never thought I’d return here.” The rumble of Cailean’s voice roused her then. “I told myself that chapter of my lifewas done with … that there are some rivers you can never cross twice.”

“I believed the same,” she admitted, tightening her hold on his waist. “But the twists of fate can surprise you.”

“Indeed, it has brought us back here … together.”

Her throat tightened, her eyes suddenly hot and prickly. Shades, she was on the verge of tears. “It feels right too,” she said, her gaze traveling over the fort's high stone walls. “There are worse places to live than Duncrag.”

“Are you ready for this?” Concern crept into Cailean’s voice then. His big hand covered hers, firm and warm. “A Shee female guarding the Marav High Queen will create a stir.”

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