Page 83 of Bride of Ice
There was a solemn vow in his eyes that said he protected everything that he deemed belonged to him. Whether that was a country. A castle. Or a wife.
That kind of chivalry was rare. Her father possessed it. So did her uncles. Most of the men of Rivenloch had had to learn that kind of loyalty.
But unless the woman was their laird, perhaps one in a dozen men had the kind of the honor to risk their life for a lass. And no one risked their life for a lass they hardly knew. No one but Colban an Curaidh, who had leaped from a window to save the woman who’d taken him prisoner.
Once again, admiration and adoration washed over her like a warm wave, softening her sharp edges, lapping gently at her soul.
“Besides,” he murmured, “if we end up neighbors, we’ll have to be allies. With the English at our door, we can’t afford to be wagin’ war upon each other all the time.”
She bristled at the suggestion Creagor might indeed fall into the hands of Morgan Mor mac Giric. Nonetheless, she nodded.
“So for the moment, until we get word from the king, why not make a pact o’ peace between us? An alliance between Rivenloch and Creagor?”
A pact of peace sounded dangerously close to fraternizing with the enemy. And yet it made sense. There was no point in engaging in aggression before it was absolutely necessary. Unless harm was done to her cousins, hostilities could wait until the king’s decision was announced.
And as she looked into Colban’s earnest, inviting eyes—eyes that sought her trust and melted her heart—the prospect of a pact of peace seemed pleasing indeed.
He offered her his hand, palm up.
Hallie hesitated. She gazed down at his battle-callused hand, extended to her in welcome. Should she trust him? Was that wise? Did Colban actually have the authority to speak on behalf of his laird? Would a pact secure a guarantee against attack? Or would she be letting down her guard and inviting invasion? And how did she know she was making the decision based on logic and not her emotions?
“’Tis the Rivenloch creed, after all, isn’t it?” he asked. “Love conquers all?”
That was true.
But it was a fool who made peace with the enemy without negotiating first for some gain.
“I’ll make a pact with you on one condition.”
“Aye?”
“I’ll have your word that if your laird has harmed my cousins in any way, the pact is deemed broken. Whatever damage he has inflicted will be upon your head.Youwill be punished for his deeds.”
“Done.”
He answered so quickly and with such confidence that she was taken aback. “You’re sure of that?”
He gave her a curt nod. “I know Morgan Mor mac Giric like I know my own claymore. I know the damage he can do. But I also know his limits. My laird won’t harm a hair on their heads.”
She stared at his hand, still extended, waiting for hers.
The fate of Rivenloch rested in her decision about whether to trust him. A pact between them would ensure neither army would attack before her parents could return. That was what she’d always intended.
There was no doubt in her mind that Rivenloch would triumph in any battle between them. But she didn’t want to needlessly sacrifice even one Rivenloch soldier. She didn’t want to endanger the lives of her cousins. And if, by some travesty of justice, the kingdidaward Creagor to mac Giric, she didn’t want to make foes of her new neighbors.
Making peace official was perhaps for the best.
But when she finally reached out to accept his offered hand, he pulled it back.
“I too have a condition,” he said.
She blinked. Surely he wasn’t serious. “I’ll remind you, you’re my hostage. You have no leverage. I’m only agreeing to your pact to ensure the safety of my cousins and to avoid all-out war. You know you’re outnumbered at Creagor. I need not agree to your demands.”
“True,” he admitted with a shrug. “’Tis only a matter o’ courtesy, as one champion to another.”
Champion? Her? He was clearly trying to flatter her. And the flattery didn’t bother her as much as it should have.
“’Tis a negotiation between equals, aye?” he continued. “Then think of it as a noble gesture on your part. A sign o’ chivalry. And respect.”
