‘This isn’t protection,’ Breanne said quietly. ‘This is cowardice. You are using me as a shield because you know this is a fight you cannot win.’ She tried to pull his hand back, but his grip remained firm.
Alarr studied the man closely, wondering if he could somehow disarm him without hurting Breanne.
Oisin called out to his men and ordered them, ‘Take her to my dwelling and bind her. I will come to her later.’
Breanne met Alarr’s gaze with a quiet steadiness. He didn’t know what her plan was, but it was clear that she had no intention of behaving like a meek woman. There was an aura of determination about her, and he questioned what she would do now.
Without warning, Breanne slumped forward, her body going slack.
It was easy to behave like a helpless woman, for Breanne had behaved as such for all her life. But she’d had her fill of being a man’s victim. It was time to act, time to free herself from this prison. The blade was still pressed close to her throat, but Oisin had lightened the pressure after she had let herself fall into a dead weight. Distraction was her aim, and the moment he pulled back the weapon, she shoved him backwards. She regained her footing and ran hard towards Alarr. He caught her in his arms and asked, ‘Are you all right?’
She nodded, and he pressed her back. ‘Go to Feann. He will get you out.’
‘I’m not leaving you.’ She knew, without a doubt, that he would stay and fight—even at the cost of his life. But this time, she had no intention of running away. Not any more. She would rather stand by his side and face the worst than abandon him to his enemies.
‘Breanne, no.’
Before he could stop her, she turned and addressed the people of Clonagh. ‘These men do not belong in your fortress. They have no right to lay claim to your land or your homes.’
She saw her mother take a step forward, as if she wanted to say something. But then, she faltered. Breanne stood at Alarr’s back, heedless of the danger. There were dozens of men surrounding her father’s meagre forces. Yet, she didn’t believe that they wanted to live like this.
‘Oisin is not your ruler. Stand together, and drive him out.’
The men of Clonagh appeared uncertain. It was a grave risk, but one worth taking if it meant saving the man she loved.
‘These men are not fighters,’ Treasa intervened. ‘They know they cannot succeed against his forces. They know what will happen if they betray King Cerball and his son.’ She returned to the centre of the ringfort and faced all of them. ‘Is it not better to be protected by Oisin than to be his enemy? He will guard you and defend you.’
‘He will imprison you,’ Breanne countered. ‘And I have no intention of wedding him.’ She turned to stare at Oisin. ‘You have no place here. I want you to leave.’
‘You may want to reconsider that,’ Oisin responded. Then he looked up towards the guard tower and gave a signal.
Within an instant, arrows descended upon Alarr and Feann.
Chapter Thirteen
Alarr barely reacted in time. He pushed Breanne out of range and raised his shield. ‘Stay back!’ he warned. One arrow grazed his leg, leaving a line of blood on his calf. Feann took an arrow in his shoulder and grunted with pain.
But in that moment, Alarr’s rage erupted. Oisin had threatened the woman he loved, and intended to kill anyone who stood in his way. He moved back from his enemy, out of range of the arrows. But instead of running away, Breanne joined him.
‘This isn’t your fight,’ he cautioned. ‘It’s not safe.’
‘It is my fight more than yours,’ she shot back. ‘Oisin threatened me, my foster father, and the man I love.’
He reached out to take her hand and squeezed it in silent reassurance. ‘I will not let anything happen to you, Breanne.’
‘No,’ she agreed. ‘But Oisin is not going to live.’ Her tone was hardened, as if she had nothing to lose. But she had no experience in fighting, and if she tried to face Oisin, she could die.
‘Let me fight this battle on your behalf,’ he said. ‘Let me be your champion and defend your honour.’
She hesitated, as if she did not want to risk his life. Her eyes gleamed with unshed tears, and she squeezed his hand again. ‘All right. But after you win, I am staying at your side. Wherever you go, I will go.’
Alarr leaned in and kissed her hard. ‘So be it.’
The battle wounds of the past might have weakened his strength, but he would not stand down in this fight. She was his reason for fighting, but more than that, she was his reason to live.
No longer was his life shadowed by the need for revenge. Instead, he would fight to protect the woman he loved.
He moved back towards Oisin, and two of Feann’s men joined Breanne to bring her to her father’s side. The others were with the king, tending his injury. He embraced his foster daughter and spoke quietly to her.
When Alarr glanced back at the archers, he saw that the men of Clonagh had disarmed them, tossing the weapons aside. It surprised him, for it revealed that the people had no interest in Oisin winning this fight.
Then he turned back to face his enemy. ‘Only a coward would send a man to attack from behind or use archers at a distance. You’re afraid to fight me. Because you know you will lose.’
Oisin raised his own shield and sword. ‘I am not afraid of a crippled warrior. You’re going to die, Lochlannach.’
‘Not by your hand.’ He swung his weapon hard, and it struck Oisin’s wooden shield. Alarr knew this was about more than defeating an enemy. It was about protecting Breanne and earning the right to wed her.
As he circled Oisin, more of the people gathered around to watch. They appeared intrigued by the
