Alarr did not want to dishonour Breanne by implying that she had traded herself. Instead, he said, ‘She swore that she would seek justice on our behalf.’
His brother did not appear convinced. He took a step closer and his gaze hardened. ‘If you betray my brother to Feann, you will answer to me.’
Before he could say a word, Breanne released his hand and stepped forward. ‘I will never betray Alarr. After everything I faced, he is the only man who ever fought for me.’ The iron in her voice was unyielding, and her fierce tone made his brother smile.
‘Good.’
Alarr moved to her side, resting his hand upon her waist. ‘Breanne will return to Maerr with us, after this is all over.’
Rurik hesitated and said, ‘I do not think Feann will allow her to go. It would be safer if you do not tell him your plans.’
‘You may be right,’ she agreed. ‘While I don’t think he will seek to harm Alarr, we should all be careful.’ To Rurik, she asked, ‘Who do the clansmen believe you are?’
‘I told them I was from the Ó Callahan clan.’
At that, she smiled. ‘They think you are one of my kinsmen?’
Rurik shrugged. ‘It seemed like a good idea at the time.’
Breanne thought a moment and then said, ‘Do you think anyone will recognise you, Alarr?’
He wasn’t certain. ‘I don’t think so, since it was over a year ago. But it is likely that the king might remember me.’ As for himself, he could never forget the man who had caused his injuries. His legs would never be the same again because of it.
Breanne eyed them both and then said, ‘I do not wish to lie to Feann. But if he does not remember you, that might be for the best. I could tell him that Alarr rescued me and brought me home again.’
Alarr exchanged a look with his brother but said nothing to ruin her dreams. Feann would never believe such a thing. But he only squeezed her hand and silently warned his brother not to speak. ‘We will make that decision when the time comes.’
Breanne immersed herself in the familiar tasks of Killcobar. The activity filled her days, but she was aware that her people were wary of her friendliness with Alarr and Rurik. She and Alarr had decided not to avoid raising suspicions until Feann returned, and for the past week, she had not shared his bed. The strain was growing between them, and she knew he craved her body as much as she longed for him.
A few days ago, she had tried to send her mother’s escorts back to Dún Bolg, but all had refused. She couldn’t understand why. There was no need for them now, but each time she asked, they declined. She was beginning to believe that the men were spying on her with the intent of bringing back news to Treasa.
This morning, she had gone to meet with the captain of the guards. Darin had informed her about Feann’s imminent return and the talk of invasion.
‘Our men train each day,’ he said. ‘They are prepared for any battle or raid.’
‘Good,’ she said. She believed him from what she had seen thus far. And yet, another question abraded her mind. ‘Has there been a recent threat that called Feann away? I thought he intended to return to Killcobar sooner than this.’
‘There have been many threats,’ Darin answered. ‘Not only from other kings, but also from our alliances.’
A sense of foreboding caught her, and she wondered if he meant a threat from Oisin. More and more, she wondered if it had been a mistake to leave him alive. She tried to push back her apprehensions, and she thanked him quietly.
The captain returned to the other soldiers who were training outside. Among them were Alarr and Rurik, though they remained apart from the others. They sparred against one another, using dulled swords. Both men had stripped away their tunics, bared from the waist up. Though it was not a warm summer day, their bodies gleamed with sweat from exertion. Breanne stopped to watch, and she was not alone. Several women found reasons to stop their tasks and observe the sword fight.
Alarr swung his weapon hard, and Rurik blocked it with his shield. Over and over, he struck, and his brother met each blow. Then Rurik took the lead and wielded his weapon against his older brother. Their movements were smooth, like a dance, and their expertise was evident. But after a while longer, she saw Alarr’s movement beginning to change. No longer was it an easy deflection, but instead, she saw the slight limp in his step. His brother seized the advantage and struck harder, forcing Alarr to retreat. His limp grew more pronounced, and Rurik continued to wield punishing blows against him.
Abruptly, Alarr stumbled and dropped to the ground. Rurik moved in for the kill, but before he could do anything, his brother tripped him and sent him sprawling. A moment later, he stood over Rurik with his sword against his brother’s throat.
With a wry grin, he offered his arm and pulled Rurik to stand, while some of the men applauded. Some exchanged coins, revealing that they had gambled on the fight. Alarr waited until the others returned to their sparring, before he walked towards her. Though he tried to disguise it, she could still see his limp.
His gaze was heated, and Breanne stood her ground, watching him. Other women eyed him with interest, but he strode past them until he reached her side. Without a word, he took her hand in his and led her away. She knew his leg was bothering him, but he continued walking towards the stables.
‘Are we going somewhere?’ she asked, but he didn’t answer.
The moment they were inside the stable, he pressed her up against a horse stall and kissed her hard. She wound her arms around his neck, answering his kiss with her own. His tongue threaded with hers,
