Eva and Finn stood together, as was polite in the company of a higher-ranking noble.
“Thank you, my lord,” Eva answered quietly.
“I’m afraid I need to steal you away,” Cormac kept his voice low, looking toward Eva. “We have a few matters to discuss that require your assistance.”
“Of course.” Eva replied, turning to Finn.
Finn knew the moment she let down her guard. When Cormac had appeared, all expression had left her face. But as she turned away from him and looked back to Finn, he saw the soft look in her eyes, the reluctant smile that told him she didn’t want to leave. A swell of warmth rose in his chest at her intimate gaze. He gave her a reassuring grin and a gentle farewell before watching her walk out the door with Cormac.
The evening still young, Finn headed back to his tent in the fading sunlight. The entire world glowed the faintest, magical gold. When he got to his tent, he found Dallan alone at a campfire, staring into the flames pensively.
“Thinking of jumping in?” Finn quipped, taking a seat opposite his friend on one of the logs laid around the fire.
“Just watching them dance,” Dallan answered, his voice distant. When he finally looked up at Finn, he didn’t attempt to mask his surprise. “You’re back early. Is Eva alright?”
Finn nodded, poking the fire with a stick. Not because it needed freshening, but because it was fun to play with fire. “Cormac needed to speak with her about something.” When he saw the concern on Dallan’s face, he quickly added, “He didn’t look upset. I wouldn’t worry.”
“How is she doing?” Dallan asked, as he did every night when Finn returned from the hall. Some nights he came to listen to her play, but lately he had been leaving after dinner to train harder.
“She’s learning a new song, the tale of the salmon of wisdom. She played the first chords flawlessly just before Cormac interrupted her.”
Dallan smiled, sitting taller. “She’s always loved music. I’m glad she’s finally getting proper instruction.”
“She’s quite skilled,” Finn agreed. “The music cheers her as well. I think she enjoys having company, but you’ve seen her face when she plays. I know that feeling, like there’s nothing in existence except you and the music. It feeds your soul.”
A shadow overtook Dallan’s face, his eyes serious. “You think that even if she didn’t have us with her, it would be enough?”
Dallan was in a state tonight. What had come over him, Finn couldn’t say. Perhaps it had something to do with the secret Finn knew he still kept. He’d been training hard, pushing himself harder than any of the other men. And now he sat in deep introspection before the fire. Something clearly troubled him, and Finn sensed his answer held weight.
“I do,” he told Dallan firmly, feeling the truth in it. “Even if she were lonely, the music would help.”
Dallan nodded, his shoulders swaying slightly along with his head. “I’m going to need your help tomorrow, then.”
“Of course,” Finn replied without hesitation. “What for?”
“We’re going shopping,” Dallan’s voice rang with determination. “I’m getting Eva a harp so she can play on her own and practice more. I’ll be needing an expert’s opinion when I commission it.”
Finn stood, dropping the stick into the fire and watching it burn. “We’ll go during the midday meal,” he declared, heading to his tent.
Though he didn’t relish the thought of visiting town, Finn could already see the look on Eva’s face when Dallan gave her such a grand gift.
And, more than anything, Finn loved to see her smile.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Curiosity played havocwith Eva’s nerves as she followed Cormac through the quiet courtyard to the solar. She turned around to watch Finn leave the hall and head down the hillside. The grin he shot her made her cheeks warm and her belly flutter.
For a long time she had believed that Finn only taught her the harp out of pity, that their lessons were no more than a farce orchestrated by her over-protective brother. But as they spent more time together each night, Eva realized that Finn did seem to actually enjoy her company. And that was before they became more intimate. Entering the solar right behind Cormac, Eva couldn’t help but feel grateful for Finn’s friendship.
An aging fire crackled in a central hearth, the hot coals popping and hissing, the last licks of flame offering dim light to the room. Murrough sat in one of the chairs surrounding the hearth, his boots propped along the edge to warm them.
Cormac crossed the room, closing an open window. He gestured for Eva to join them in one of the chairs alongside the fire. As she settled her skirts, he finally began his explanation.
“Eva, you remember Murrough, Brian’s son. He’s come with a message from Brian regarding the end of the trials.”
Eva nodded, furrowing her brows. “What do I have to do with the trials?” Thus far she’d been more or less excluded from anything to do with the trials themselves. Her focus was managing the keep.
“The trial of bravery has been revised,” Cormac replied carefully. “We will now be traveling to Caiseal instead of hosting it here.”
