He had never promised not to seek revenge—only to grant the king his life. But a gnawing suspicion took root that he could still die in battle. His time with Breanne might only be brief, though he would savour every moment.
It was sobering to think of losing this woman, and he pushed away the thought. Or worse, the idea of betraying her.
Chapter Eight
‘Have you thought about what I said?’ Treasa asked. Her mother had an expectant look upon her face, along with a slight smile. Undoubtedly, she believed Breanne would follow her wishes and wed a different man.
‘I have,’ Breanne answered. ‘And I have decided to remain with Alarr.’ After the night she’d spent in his arms, she believed that he would let her make her own choices. But more than that, she believed that he cared about her. This morn, they had lain in each other’s arms, and he could not stop himself from touching her. The light caresses were an unconscious gesture, and she warmed to the affection. She didn’t want to be with another man—not now.
Her mother sighed. ‘I was hoping you would understand, Breanne. This is about more than your personal needs. It’s about our home and our people.’
Treasa’s unspoken message was: You’re being selfish.
But Breanne refused to be manipulated by guilt. ‘You cannot expect me to sacrifice myself for a home I do not remember and people I have never seen.’
‘It is your duty,’ Treasa said. ‘You are all we have, Breanne. It must fall upon your shoulders.’
Frustration and irritation brimmed inside her at the woman’s expectation. ‘That isn’t true. Why don’t you marry an ally and restore our lands?’
‘I am too old, and no man would have me.’ Treasa’s voice grew weary. ‘I am sorry if I have asked too much of you. I had hoped that you would agree, knowing that you could keep Alarr with you.’
‘No. I would never use him in that way.’ She understood his pride, and Alarr would not allow her to go from another man’s bed back into his. Nor would she consider such a thing. She had honour and loyalty.
Treasa’s gaze narrowed. ‘Was it Alarr’s intent to take command of Clonagh? Is that why he wed you?’
He never wed me, she thought to herself, but sidestepped the question instead. ‘Of course not. Why would you think that?’ It was as if her mother believed Alarr intended to conquer their lands. ‘He wanted to protect me. And he has his own lands in Maerr.’
She spoke with confidence, but the truth was, she knew little about Alarr’s lands or even his family. They had hardly spoken about his life back in his homeland.
Treasa drew her hands together and sat down. ‘I do not know your Lochlannach well enough to understand his intentions. But you are my only child, Breanne. I love you, and I want to ensure that you have a home. I cannot let Clonagh remain part of Cerball’s kingdom.’
Though her mother’s words sounded sympathetic, something did not ring true. She understood her mother feeling responsible for the fate of her people, but Breanne was unwilling to become Treasa’s pawn. ‘Then ask Feann to help you take it back.’ She squared her shoulders and faced Treasa. ‘Clonagh is not mine.’ She had no memory of their lands, and Killcobar was the only home she’d known. She felt no obligation towards Treasa.
Her mother took a deep breath. ‘I am sorry, Breanne. I suppose I should not have put so many of my hopes on you. But... I think you should see Clonagh before you make your decision. It has been a long time since you’ve been there. I could make arrangements for your travel.’
‘No, thank you,’ she said. She saw no reason to create ties with her past. Clonagh had never been her home, and she doubted if it ever would be. The true question was where would she live now? Alarr had sworn that he would stay by her side; yet, they had never spoken about what they would do next. She knew he had planned to remain here for a short time and then go back to Killcobar to confront Feann. But after that? She didn’t know. Did he want to return to Maerr, after Feann paid the corp-dire for his father’s death? She decided to ask him when they were alone.
To her mother, she said, ‘I hope you find a way to win back Clonagh.’
‘So do I,’ Treasa answered.
There was a bitter tone to her voice, but Breanne refused to feel guilty about it. She would not sacrifice her life for strangers. She’d made her choice, and it was enough. She excused herself and walked outside.
She found Alarr among the men who had returned from fishing that morn. They had baskets filled with fish, and when he saw her, he set his own basket down.
‘You look pale,’ he said. ‘Are you well?’
‘I’m just restless,’ she said. ‘Will you walk with me a moment?’
He did, and she told him of her conversation with Treasa. ‘I refused to submit to my mother’s wishes,’ she admitted. ‘I see no reason to give myself up for land I’ve never seen and people I do not know.’
Alarr took her hand in his, leading her back to the privacy of their shelter. Inside, it was dark, with only a few rays of sunlight piercing through the crevices in the wood. ‘I would not have let you go to another man, Breanne. You know this.’
He leaned down to kiss her, and she felt the familiar ache of longing. When had this happened? The thought of being parted from this man was a physical pain, and it confused her. She had given herself as part of a bargain, but with each moment she
