Page 45 of The Crown of Moonlight
“It’s hard to be humble when you think I’m pretty,”he says, grinning.His voice is still laced with pain, but there’s also that low purr that tightens my breath.
“Don’t do that,” I snap.“And don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean.”
I glance at him, and he no longer looks like Chyr.The perfection of his features is suddenly carved more roughly, and his skin looks two decades older—harder and more weathered.
He looks mortal and ordinary, which is what I wanted.I find that I don’t like it, and his mouth twitches at the corners as though he knows.
“Don’t forget to change the sword,” I say.“It’s too distinctive.”
“The sword can’t be enchanted, but I’ll keep the pommel hidden.”He twitches the drape of his plaid to cover it.
The village is stirring already, though it’s quieter than usual.Blue peat smoke rises from a handful of chimneys.Hens scuttle through muddy yards, a door bangs, and a dog barks once, then quiets.
Ailean limps in from the nearby field as we approach, wiping his wrinkled, work-roughened hands against the skirt of his plaid.
His eyes flick over Chyr, taking in every weapon and every muscle as well as every feature.“You’ve hired a guard for yourself, is it?”
“For the journey I have to make,” I say.“Did everyone get off safely?”
“Aye, or nearly so.”Ailean turns his attention back to me.“Only a few who’re too stubborn to go are left.Most were happy to follow their wives and bairns to the hills when Faolan came with the message.But it will chafe at them, mind you.They’ll not want to stay away too long.”
I take out a small flask from my pack and hand it to him.“I wanted to bring another supply of the hawthorn and motherwort cordial for your granddaughter’s heart.Morag can make up the rest of what anyone might need.”
“Thank you.”Nodding, Ailean accepts the flask.
“I’ll be gone a couple of weeks, but Morag, Catriona, and Faolan will remain.Will you make sure the escape tunnel is dug as soon as possible?You can bring everyone back from the hills once there’s a safe way to get them in as well as out if needed.We should post lookouts on both ends of the road as well to give ourselves time to get to safety.”
“I can take care of that.And you want the escape route to run out to the dry moat from the crypt, Faolan said?”
“With some hidden footholds up the side of the dry moat into the thickest part of the woods.Meanwhile, there’s livestock enough, and we have supplies in the storerooms.But warn our people not to be fooled if they see a ruin as they approach—the appearance isn’t what it seems.Faolan will open the gate when he recognises friends.”
Ailean digests that for a moment, his eyes narrowing.Then he nods.“Magic, is it?And past time, too, for the Mother to send it.What should we say if an outsider asks what’s happened?”
“Tell them a dozen of the queen’s soldiers passed through here with two Greys and a number of our best horses after they destroyed Dunhaelic.They were riding quickly, but you’ve no idea where they went.”
Ailean runs a hand through his wiry grey hair, then folds his arms across his chest.“I’ll ride to the other village and tell them the same.But without wanting to add more worries to your plate, you should know I was told the Clan Council would be meeting soon—without you.”
“Was it the stewards from Ceapaich and Gleanngaradh who told you so?”
“Aye.”Ailean nods.“But the Council would be fools to try.”
I keep my voice level.“The promise of power can make men foolish.That’s no surprise to anyone.Can you hold them off for a couple of weeks?Send word to anyone who’ll help.”
“Don’t dismiss the danger, my lady.And if you don’t mind me saying, it may be time to choose yourself a husband—before the Council chooses one for you.”
“Not you too, Ailean?”My stomach clenches.“I’m not a prize filly to be auctioned off.”
Something flickers at the corner of my eye, and I cast a quick look at Chyr.The illusion he’s been wearing drops away momentarily, giving me a glimpse of the Ever before the human male is back.
Ailean doesn’t seem to have noticed, and I want to keep it that way.“Is there anyone in particular,” I ask him, “you have in mind for me to marry?”
“Ceapaich is a horse’s ass, but he won’t play by any rules.The Gleanngaradh heir is a man who’d suit you better.He’s older and not much to look at, that’s true enough, but he’s good in a fight, and he doesn’t lack for sense.”
Chyr makes a low growling sound that turns into a cough as Ailean casts a glance in his direction.
Then Ailean steps closer to me and lowers his voice.“All of us here would make our oaths to you, husband or no.We know well you’re the one who’s managed Dunhaelic long before your father and Rory died.And you were right about the war when the Council and your father were wrong.Plenty of us will say as much to the Council if you let us.”
“Let’s fight one war at a time, shall we?But thank you.”He’s a good man, and I give him a genuine smile.“If the Council tries to call the meeting before I’m back, don’t tell them I’m away.Simply remind them that I buried the last of my family in the crypt last night.And if that doesn’t work, Faolan to close the gate and make it clear I’ll hold Dunhaelic untilIdecide I wish to leave.”
