Page 63 of Bride of Ice
Brand set the platter on the bed. “I brought cherry and apple. I wasn’t sure which you preferred.”
“I like both,” Colban said.
“Aye, right?” Brand enthused. “’Tis like choosing a weapon. Sometimes you like the reach and power of a full blade. And other times you want the speed and flexibility of a dagger.”
“What are you jabbering about, Brand?” Isabel said. “’Tis pastry filled with fruit.”
“Oh, Dizzy Izzy, you wouldn’t understand.” Brand smirked knowingly at Colban.
Isabel bristled. “You’d better guard your tongue, Braying Brand.”
When her fingers tightened on the dagger, Colban decided to intervene before a full-out battle could ensue.
“I wouldn’t mind tryin’ one o’ those cherry tarts right now.”
Brand brushed past Isabel, dangerously close to her bare blade. But he passed unharmed and offered the platter to Colban.
Colban took one of the jewel-red tarts.
“Did ye break your fast yet?” he asked Brand, who was eyeing his bountiful feast. “I have far more than I can eat. Here, have a bit o’ bacon and an oatcake.”
Colban could feel Isabel’s frosty glare from a yard away. She’d brought the food forhim,not for her pesky brother.
Colban took a bite of the cherry tart and then cooed to her, “Oh, lass, ye must try one o’ these. They’re like a wee bite o’ heaven.”
Her feelings somewhat mollified, she put away her dagger and came forward to take a bite of the tart.
She closed her eyes, savoring the sweetness. “Cherry is my favorite,” she divulged, licking her lips.
“Which does your sister prefer?” he murmured. “Cherry or apple?”
Brand barked out a laugh. “Hallie? She wolfs down food so fast, I doubt she tastes it.”
Isabel jabbed the sharp point of her elbow into Brand’s belly, hard enough to make him cough out crumbs of oatcake.
“Don’t be an oaf,” she scolded. “’Tis only that she has no time to dawdle over dinner. She’s too busy training, protecting your worthless arse.”
“Trainin’. Indeed?” Colban interjected, heading off another skirmish. “What weapon does she prefer then?”
Brand straightened proudly. This was something he knew. “Oh, Hallie’s weapon of choice is definitely the longsword. She’s deft and strong. And none can match her for speed.”
“Aye,” Isabel admitted, adding carefully, “though she’s clever enough to avoid a fight when she can. She’s not a violent person by nature.”
Brand scoffed at her. “You didn’t see her lay the friar out flat when he dared to put a hand on her—”
They were startled by a sudden single pound on the door, as if someone had struck it with a battering ram.
“Stand back from the door!”
“Gellir?” Brand murmured.
Isabel nodded.
“Did you hear me?” Gellir added.
Colban realized the lad must be addressing him. “Aye. I’m well away.”
The door opened an inch, and Gellir spoke through the crack. “I’ve got a dagger at the ready. So don’t try anything.”
