Eva had been too distracted by his massive size and intentions earlier to notice that he was also incredibly handsome. But now that she sat beside him, somewhat placated, she could clearly see his chiseled jaw that looked as though a master stonemason had carved it. His blue eyes reminded her of the waters of the lake beside them, myriad shades that were smooth on the surface, but held untold depth beneath. The tan on his skin spoke of time spent outdoors. His hair was the color of sand, a pale, mottled gold.
“He told me his sister had been taken hostage and he had a plan to free her but needed help to see it through. Obviously, as we traveled, he told me more of you and a bit of his plan. But not once did he mention his parentage, nor did I ask. I assumed he was some lesser noble’s son. Not a king’s.”
Eva smiled sadly. “He’s a king’s nephew and a king’s grandson,” she told him, taking pity. “Our father was never a king.”
“Will you tell me which kingdom, lady?”
“Laigin.”
Finn swore under his breath.
In his shoes she’d likely have done the same. Until the battle in Dyflin, Laigin had been one of the kingdoms still fighting against Brian’s reign as high king.
Though King Morda of Laigin and King Sitric of Dyflin had taken nominal oaths of allegiance and offered Eva as a hostage, few, including Brian himself, believed the conflict concluded. Her kin were stubborn folk, with no desire for an over-king. Particularly Sitric.
“I suppose I ought to be grateful he had me enter separately. Else we’d both have been run through if it went poorly.”
Her chest tightened on his behalf. How like her brother to keep something so important from the very man helping him. Dallan could be so obtuse. Eva reached out to him, placing her hand over his on the cold sand. “If it helps, he probably thought that the less you knew, the safer you’d be.”
His eyes wandered to her hand, his fingers flexing under her touch. “Or he thought I would abandon him should I learn the truth of what dangers lie ahead.”
“My brother can be foolhardy,” Eva admitted, holding his gaze, “but he doesn’t trust easily. If he believed you the sort to run at the first sign of trouble, he wouldn’t have brought you at all.”
He stood, pulling his hand free and offering it to help her up. “Let me walk you back to the keep.”
“I’ll be fine on my own, thank you.” She didn’t want to risk being seen coming back from the lake alone with a man, particularly one so handsome as Finn. Though it wasn’t so frowned upon to have trysts before marrying as it was in other parts of the world, Eva had no interest in raising gossip. She had had enough embarrassment to last a lifetime already.
“I’m sure you’d be safe, my lady,” he replied. “But it seems to me you lack for company.”
It was a presumptuous thing to say, even if it were true. A fluttering in her belly, nerves most likely, made Eva agree anyway. “Only to the forest’s edge,” she muttered, leading the way back up the hillside quietly plotting how she might end her brother’s ridiculous ploy.
No matter how despondent she grew in her solitude, Eva chose this life so that others need not. She wasn’t about to stand by and watch while anyone—foolhardy brothers included—suffered on her account. But how could she keep her brother from seeing his plan through?
Chapter Three
Finn watched Evamake her way across the hilltop and into the row of lodgings near the keep, wondering what he’d just gotten himself into. When Dallan had talked of his sister, Finn got the distinct impression that she was still a child of fostering age, younger than fifteen summers to be sure.
He had not expected a woman full-grown. And certainly not a woman so beautiful and captivating as Eva. Something about her plucked at his heart like a harp string and, though he was none too pleased with Dallan at the moment, Finn found himself grateful that he might be able to help Eva shed whatever sadness had overcome her.
Over fifty warriors had come to participate in Brian’s trials. Though Cenn Cora boasted a spacious keep and numerous outbuildings, the king couldn’t possibly fit so many men in its walls. In the valley at the base of the hill, a makeshift village of tents had been set up to accommodate the warriors.
When Finn returned to his tent, he found Dallan waiting for him. And he found his own patience running low.
“So when did you plan to tell me you were the nephew of Brian’s sworn enemy?” he asked darkly.
“I see you had a nice chat with my sister.” Dallan stood, crossing his arms and pacing. “I didn’t want to risk your safety any more than necessary.”
“Do you think me a coward?” Finn couldn’t hide his frustration. “Or simply that I cannot be trusted?”
“If I thought either of those things, you wouldn’t be here,” he shot back. “The less you know, the better. Though, I admit, that was rather a large omission.”
“Is there anything else I ought to know?” Finn replied, sitting heavily on his cot. “Are you married to a princess? Is your cousin the pope?”
“My cousin is the King of Dyflin. Sitric.”
Finn looked askance at him. “The Ostman who raided Cenn Lis?”
“Yes, well,” Dallan looked uncomfortable for the first time since they’d met. “Eva and I both told him it was a terrible idea.”
