Page 99 of Tears of the Wolf
In that moment, Brynn almost forgot she had argued with Cenric before he left. If her mother was against Cenric, that was a strike in his favor.
The two figures were coming closer. Neirin moved to block them, but they didn’t seem deterred.
Selene started speaking faster, realizing her time was running out. Whoever was here was probably going to end their audience. “What about him is different from any other man?”
Brynn was ready for them to be done. “He’s honorable, generous, and brave and I’d rather be his wife than anyone’s queen.”
“You are a stupid girl. A stupid, stupid girl.” So, Selene was resorting to insults now? That might have cowed Brynn a few years ago, but she was beyond caring now.
“Get out,” Brynn ordered, her arm sweeping toward the door.
“This is a mistake.” Selene stepped toward Brynn, shaking her finger in her face. “You will regret this.”
“I believe my wife told you to get out.”
Brynn jumped. “Cenric.” Her face heated. How much had he heard? “You’re back.”
“I’m back.” Cenric leaned one arm against the doorway. It looked as if he’d shoved Neirin aside and why shouldn’t he? It was his house, after all. A scab marked his lower lip and the knuckles of his right hand bloomed purple. Had he been in a fight?
Something in her chest unclenched at the sight of him. He might have been in a fight, but he was home.
Snapper bounded through the door, nearly crashing into Ash and Guin. The newcomer’s tongue lolled out the side of his mouth in a doggy grin as he left slobbery kisses over Guin and Ash spun happily to greet him.
Cenric’s attention remained on Selene. “Why are you still here?”
Selene’s eyes widened, her back stiffening with indignation.
“You will speak to Lady Selene with respect!” Neirin said.
“Respect is for guests,” Cenric answered. He seemed perfectly unthreatened by Neirin, but Brynn noticed his right hand remained free, ready to grab the sword at his side. “This woman has been told to leave. That makes her a trespasser.”
“This is not over,” Selene grumbled to Brynn, moving toward the door.
“I think it is,” Brynn snapped, putting the weight of her final decision into the words.
Selene and Neirin stormed out the bedchamber and back to their camp in the field, which should now be mostly occupied by Valdari. That would make her mother uncomfortable. Good.
“Is that your mother?” Cenric jerked his head in the direction Selene had gone.
“Yes.” Brynn wasn’t sure why she felt suddenly self-conscious.
“Edric mentioned she’d showed up.” Cenric scratched at his beard, still leaning against the doorframe. He cleared his throat. Was he…nervous?
“Anders said you’d gone to Valdar because of Osbeorn.” Brynn still didn’t understand. She suspected, but she was afraid to know.
She didn’t want to find out that her son had been murdered by Hróarr or another of Cenric’s friends. Just now, it might be her worst fear—the fear that Cenric might bring her son’s killers into their home, to their table.
“I wanted to find you answers.” Cenric exhaled softly. “I would want answers, and I would want the man to answer for it.”
Brynn shook her head, her voice coming out as a whimper. “At what cost?
Cenric’s brow furrowed. “What?”
The words tumbled out all at once. “I…I didn’t know what to think and I…” Brynn’s voice cracked. “Was it anyone you know? Was it Hróarr?”
“No, of course not.” Cenric blinked at her, seeming genuinely surprised.
That was some relief. At least she wasn’t going to have to serve her son’s murderer at feasts. “Alright.”
