Finn wasn’t quite sure what to say to that, finding himself caught somewhere between shock, horror, and curiosity. What must Dallan’s life have been like before now? He could hardly imagine.
Dallan walked over and sat beside him. “What did Eva say?” he asked, his voice filled with concern. “Is she alright? She looked so miserable at dinner.”
“I think she’s lonely,” Finn explained. He knew well how it felt to belong somewhere, yet not be wanted all the same. You could be surrounded by folk, yet still feel more alone than if you were the only person there. In the deep sadness in her eyes, the way she didn’t speak to a soul, rushing off after dinner to stare pensively into the water—in all of it Finn saw a mirror of his own bleak thoughts.
Dallan rubbed his chin, considering Finn’s statement. “I’m sure they’re ignoring her mostly. And she’s probably still upset over father’s death.”
Dallan had never mentioned that. “I’m so sorry,” Finn told him.
“Four months ago,” he offered. “At the battle.”
“The one Sitric lost, forcing him to give Eva as a hostage.”
Dallan’s jaw clenched. “The very same.”
“She doesn’t want you to save her, Dallan.” Finn knew it had to be said. He remembered the desperate look in her eyes when she’d told him as much.
“Of course, she doesn’t. But it’s my responsibility to see to her safety, now that our father’s gone. Letting her spend the best years of her life rotting in Brian’s keep as a trophy is not part of my plan.”
“She said you’d be giving up the kingship,” Finn added. He felt compelled to do justice to her argument, since Eva couldn’t be here to deliver it herself. “And that she chose to be here.”
Dallan shrugged. “Hostages aren’t kept forever,” he replied. “There’s a good chance I’ll be freed before my uncle dies. And, if not, I’d rather have my sister live her life than be king for a month. You and I both know ’tis rare to enjoy so long a kingship as Brian.”
“You see her in the morning?” Finn asked.
“Aye. But then not again.”
“If I were you, I’d sort this out with her then,” Finn advised. “I don’t think I’ll be able to resolve it by going between the two of you.”
Dallan nodded reluctantly, rising to take his leave. “I believe you might be right, my friend. Thank you for your help tonight. We’ll speak on it more tomorrow.”
He left without another word, leaving Finn wondering what else they could possibly discuss. It seemed like a matter between Dallan and Eva, and Finn had no interest whatsoever in getting tied up in family squabbles. Particularly in so powerful a family.
*
Early the followingmorn, Eva was summoned to the great hall. She found King Brian and Dallan clearly in the midst of a contest to see who could look more furiously at the other.
Illadan, King Brian’s dashing nephew, reclined at a table near the smoldering fire in the center of the hall.
“I’ll take my leave,” the king told Dallan. “Don’t be late.” He brushed past Eva on his way out the door, gracing her with a greeting so brief she wondered if he’d even spoken.
Eva rushed to her brother, wrapping him in the tightest hug she could manage, given that her arms couldn’t possibly reach around him. Tears fell against her best efforts, forcing her to sniffle and wipe her eyes.
“Eva.” Dallan sounded so worried she could hardly bear it. He wiped her cheek tenderly. “Everything will be fine,” he assured her. “I’m here to take care of you.”
“It’s so good to see you.” Her voice was the thinnest whisper, fragile even to her ears. “But you must leave. I’m just fine, and I won’t have you risking your life to be the hero I don’t need.”
He chuckled. “Such a warm greeting,” he teased. “And I’m not going anywhere. We’re family. And you don’t have to do this alone.”
“Something tells me that even if you stay, I will still be alone,” Eva replied softly. He wouldn’t have sent Finn otherwise. As refreshing as it had been to have a meaningful conversation with someone other than the owls near the lake, Eva wasn’t about to put her brother at risk over a few lonely tears. “You don’t need tobuyfriends for me,” she hissed, quiet enough that she doubted Illadan could hear.
Dallan hugged her tighter so that he could whisper in her ear. “I’m not paying him. And you do need a friend. If I could visit with you, you know I would.”
Eva pulled away. “I have ladies’ maids,” she told him.
“That’s not the same, and you know it.”
She did know it. But she wasn’t about to admit it. She needed to convince him that she was fine or else he’d never give up his attempted rescue. “I’m managing Cenn Cora in Queen Dunla’s absence,” she told Dallan. “I’ll be plenty busy making sure fifty-two men have meals each day and a healer when they inevitably need one.”
