Page 32 of Wolf Heir
“Well, they’ll be expecting you at the castle,” his da said. “They willna like it if you’re late.”
His mother hugged him again, as if he was going away for good.
“I’ll be back.” He hugged her, and then his da and his brother. “If you need me for anything, you come for me or howl.” He was serious. If they needed help, he wouldn’t hesitate to go to their aid.
Aisling could barely sleep.She was so excited about seeing Coinneach at the champion’s table, but then she realized she would be working the women’s table again. Still, she hoped to see him after the meal.
When she arrived at the kitchen to prepare the meal, Cook said, “You will work the champion’s table again.”
Aisling couldn’t help the smile that appeared. She was so thrilled. She glanced at Gormelia, who was scowling at her, but this time she didn’t tell Cook that it was her table to work.
“What table will I serve then?” Gormelia asked.
“The women’s table. And if you try to knock a tray from another server's hands out of spite again, you’ll be dismissed from the kitchen and have to find a position to work elsewhere.”
Aisling couldn’t believe that Cook knew all about the incident. She was glad she had taken Gormelia to task. Gormelia gave Aisling a slicing glare as if she would get her back.
But Aisling hadn’t been the one to start anything. Still, she would have to watch her back.
When she carried the bread to the champion’s table, she smiled at Coinneach. Butterflies took flight in her stomach. She was so thrilled he was there.
He grinned at her, but didn’t help her serve the bread this time, and she was relieved. She finished serving the table and saw Gormelia glowering at her as she delivered the last bread to the women’s table.
They walked back to the kitchen, Gormelia leading the way. But then Gormelia turned around and scowled at Aisling. “One mistake and you willna get your way.”
Aisling brushed past her. If anyone made a mistake, they paid for it; that was true. The same would apply to Gormelia, if she made a mistake while cooking or serving the pack members.
“Are you still practicing with that Viking bow?” Cook asked Aisling as they started to serve the porridge.
“Aye. Every chance I can get. If our enemies ever invade, I want to be able to fight them off.”
“But you didna find that bow dropped in the woods.”
Aisling didn’t say anything. She wasn’t giving up her secret.
“You killed a Viking for it.” How did Cook even know that?
Everyone was watching them now, even Gormelia. Was Cook trying to tell Gormelia to lay off her? That she was a force to be reckoned with? That worked for Aisling.
“Aye,” Aisling finally said, albeit reluctantly.
“Nay, you dinna.” Gormelia waved a knife at her that she’d been using to cut up the cheese. “Coinneach has a Viking sword. He must have given you the dead man’s bow, buthekilled the Viking.”
“Believe what you will.” Aisling wasn’t going to say that Coinneach hadn’t killed the Viking. Besides, there could have been two Vikings that they had eliminated. Maybe Cook’s words would make Gormelia back off with her threats before it escalated to something worse.
Coinneach eyedthe brown-haired Morag as she sat beside Chief Hamish at the long wooden head table with contempt. He couldn’t feel any other way about her. Rupert wasn’t to blame for his mother’s actions, but if he was loyal to his mother, which Coinneach suspected, he needed to be watched also.
Morag’s features were sharp and severe, carved as if from basalt, and her mouth was set in a sneer. Did she ever soften the look with a smile or by laughing? She had a hawkish nose, and her eyes were as dark brown as her hair.
Aodhan slapped Coinneach on the back. “Why do you look so serious this morn?”
Coinneach lost his frown and smiled. “I’m grateful to be here.”
“And to have your lass serve you, aye?” Aodhan finished his bread.
“I’m glad to be able to see her, aye, certes.”
Then the light of Coinneach’s eyes swept into the great hall. Aisling served Aodhan first and then Coinneach, all smiles.
