‘Was there something you needed, Breanne?’ he asked quietly.
She nodded. ‘I have decided to accept your wife’s offer. She told me you could send several of your men as my escorts and return me to Killcobar without Alarr.’ Breanne could see no other alternative than to return home in secret, before he could stop her. Then she would play no part in his attack. The harsh ache in her stomach returned along with her shame.
Styr hesitated before saying, ‘You’ve decided not to travel with him, then?’
Breanne shook her head. ‘He intends to kill my foster father. So no, I will not let him use me in his vengeance.’ If words would not convince Alarr, she had no choice but to use actions instead.
Styr motioned for her to walk with him. ‘Are you certain this is what he intends?’ Although the jarl kept his tone even, she suspected he was probing for more information.
Breanne gazed at him squarely. ‘He wants no ransom. His purpose is revenge.’ From the look in Styr’s eyes, she realised that he did not appear at all surprised. It made her wonder what else he knew.
‘What happened between Alarr and Feann?’ Styr asked.
She chose her words carefully. ‘Feann slaughtered Alarr’s bride and father on his wedding day. Alarr wanted to use me as a means of getting close to him. He planned to avenge the deaths of his family.’ She paused and added, ‘Rurik wanted to stop him. He thought if he brought me home first, then it would stop Alarr from his plans. But then we were attacked.’
‘One man cannot avenge the deaths of so many,’ Styr argued. ‘He would die in the attempt.’
The ache deepened inside her at the thought. ‘He would. But Alarr has said that it does not matter to him.’ Nor did she matter to him. She should have been more guarded with her feelings, but she had allowed him to cloud her sense of reason. ‘I would rather go home by myself. But he cannot know of this.’
Styr’s expression was stoic, and he said, ‘Let us go and speak with Caragh.’
He led her outside, past the other longhouses, until they reached the stables. Inside, the air was pungent, and the animals grazed in their stalls. Caragh was brushing a mare, speaking softly to her. When she heard them enter, she turned and smiled. ‘I could not resist the urge to visit with the animals. I might go riding today if the weather holds.’
‘Breanne wants to return to Killcobar today,’ Styr said to his wife. ‘Without Alarr.’
Caragh’s smile faded. ‘So you’ve changed your mind, then.’
Breanne nodded. ‘I cannot be a part of his revenge.’ She told Caragh of Alarr’s plans and the young woman exchanged a glance with her husband. It was clear that the pair of them were deciding what to do, and in the meantime, Breanne distracted herself by rubbing the ears of a young stallion. The horse nudged her shoulder, wanting more affection, and she gave it.
‘Alarr will pursue you the moment he knows you’re gone,’ Caragh predicted. ‘He cares about you too much, Breanne.’
‘I am his property, nothing more.’ The words cut into her mood, darkening it. ‘I will not go with him. Not if it endangers my family.’ Or his own life, she thought. The worst part was that she could not deny that her own feelings for Alarr had gone past friendship. She needed to distance herself and remember that he was an enemy. He would not set aside his vengeance, no matter how she pleaded.
Styr regarded her and answered at last, ‘I believe it’s too late for me to send men to bring you home—especially now. Alarr would only pursue you and cause harm to my kinsmen.’ He shook his head. ‘I am sorry, but I cannot.’
‘She could go if they leave in the middle of the night,’ his wife suggested. ‘If they ride swiftly, it may be possible.’
‘No.’ Styr was adamant in his refusal. ‘The only thing I can do is send a messenger to Feann. If he wishes to come and claim her, I will allow it. That is the best I can offer.’
Breanne faced the pair of them and realised that she had no choice but to wait. Though she inclined her head and murmured her thanks, inwardly she feared it would not happen. Feann had sent no one to rescue her thus far. This message might have no effect on him, and she would still be forced to go with Alarr.
It bothered her deeply to know that she was alone, with no one to help her. She had relied on others to save her, and it had come to naught. If she wanted to change her circumstances, she would have to form her own plans.
But she would not allow Alarr to use her—not when it threatened the only family she had left.
Three days later
Rurik’s wounds were healing, and Alarr was glad to see his brother walking once again. He needed his brother’s advice about attacking Killcobar. During the past two nights, he had spent time apart from Breanne. She hardly spoke to him any more, and he regretted what he’d said. He had let himself get too close, and that was his own fault. Better to cut his ties now than to watch her anguish when he took Feann’s life.
‘How are you faring this morn?’ he asked Rurik.
‘Well enough.’ His brother exposed the angry red flesh that was healing from his shoulder wound. ‘Would that it had been my left shoulder that was injured. But I can still fight if I must.’
‘Good. I will have need of your blade when the time comes.’
Rurik’s expression twisted. ‘We need to talk.’
He suspected that his brother would try to convince him not to fight Feann. But Alarr nodded and said, ‘We should go outside the
