Page 95 of Ironling
Aislinn managed to catch that several grooms were caught up in a love affair with one of the gardeners, and there was talk of a Choosing being called for, a Choosing being an ancient Eirean custom that saw potential suitors press their suit for the hand of their intended, who had to decide within moments whether to accept any of the suits made. Several of the manticore males were after their other sister Maeve even as she prepared to return to academy in Gleanná, Sorcha and Orek were all moved into their new home but it wasso unfairthat they didn’t let siblings stay the night—oh and Aunt Sofie was feuding with a neighbor in Granach over his pig breaking into her herb garden again.
“The same man she was arguing with over the pumpkins last year?” Aislinn asked.
“The very same,” answered Sorcha, eyes twinkling. “I think it’s their way of flirting.”
Aislinn wanted to know everything, but even more, she wanted to tell Sorchaeverything. Thrilling as it was to sneak around the castle to find secret places to romance her blacksmith, it was its own agony that only Fia knew.
She could feel what she had with Hakon growing stronger, its roots buried deep inside her, around her very heart. She scarcely let herself think what it truly meant, or could mean, and wanted the perspective of her dear friend—and someone who herself had a halfling lover.
Aislinn was also intensely curious over what Sorcha knew about orcish culture and courting.
When the younger Brádaighs finished their litany of news, Aislinn clapped her hands and said, “As promised, Hugh has your sweet buns and—” A round of cheers went up from the excitable children “—and the books you requested have been pulled and are waiting for you in the library.”
“Thank you, Lady Aislinn!” they called as they tore off in the direction of the bailey. Thankfully, the castle staff had been warned in advance of the coming Brádaigh invasion, and the children were favorite guests, even to Brenna.
“I’ll make sure they get where they’re meant to go,” said Orek. “The smithy is that direction, yes?”
Aislinn tried but failed to contain her blush. “Yes, it’s just there. With all the forges.”
Orek nodded, either unaware or gracious enough to ignore her blathering. “And Hakon is in?”
She cleared her throat and tried to shrug. “I haven’t seen him this morning, but I would assume so. It’s where he often is.”
Orek and Sorcha exchanged looks, and Aislinn watched as a whole conversation passed between them within an arch of a brow and tilt of lips. In the span of a few seconds, they’d communicated a wealth of feeling between them, before Orek leaned down to receive a kiss from Sorcha.
“Enjoy your bath,” he murmured against her lips.
“I will. It’d be better with you, though.”
Aislinn coughed. “I’ll have to do.”
Orek and Sorcha chuckled before he waved farewell and headed off after the children.
Sorcha lost no time linking her arm with Aislinn’s. They wended through the castle on their way to the baths. Aislinn always enjoyed her friend’s visits and the opportunity to steal away for a slow afternoon in the baths, catching up and sharing their news. She was grateful this at least hadn’t changed after the wedding.
“Horses are a herd, wolves are a pack. I wonder what a group of siblings is called,” laughed Aislinn.
“A hassle,” Sorcha replied with a mock grumble. “But don’t change the subject. What was allthatabout?”
Hakon and Orek laughed as Wülf pranced around the bailey, letting Blaire and Keeley chase him. The faintclinkof metal behind him told him that Calum was examining the castaway tools from the smithy that he was welcome to take.
“Does Sorcha visit Dundúran often?” Hakon asked in orcish. The language would make Fearghas squint even harder than he was from inside the smithy at them, but it felt good to feel his mother tongue in his mouth. He also didn’t need the old blacksmith to hear or understand everything he said. As obstinate as he could be, Fearghas was an irredeemable gossip.
“Before being taken, yes. She’s been looking forward to it, and the children could use the distraction. They’ll be bored when winter sets in and they’re kept to the house.”
“Keeping to that new house of yours this winter, are you?”
Orek grinned. “Don’t plan to come out for days whenever possible.”
Hakon chuckled. “I envy you, my friend.”
Orek turned his head to peer at Hakon. “How long?”
“Almost two fortnights.” And they’d been the best days of his life without question. He couldn’t spend nearly as much time with her as he wished, but when he was with her, the world was right. The mate-bond sung inside him, a harmony that made thesunshine a bit brighter, the wine a bit sweeter. Aislinn made his life better.
She was his life.
He lived for her hand-talk directions and finding her in hidden nooks, thrilled when he finally caught up to her and kissed her senseless in a disused part of the castle. She wasn’t the only one finding clever ways to steal time together, though.
