Eva couldn’t keep the smile off her face or the glow off her cheeks. “I think so,” she laughed. “Either that or I’m dying. I’ve hardly been able to keep anything down for weeks now.”
Finn fell straight into the role of protector. Before Astrid could even congratulate her cousin, Finn took Eva’s hand and started hauling her toward Niamh. “Let’s go get you some herbs. Niamh will know what to do. Niamh!”
They all had a good laugh at Finn’s antics and the excitement of a baby. It occurred to Astrid then that now that she was marrying Cormac, she’d be able to see her cousins regularly. She’d be there for the birth of Eva’s child. One day, perhaps, their children would play together. Smiling to herself at that happy thought, Astrid helped everyone settle into their guest rooms before heading to the hall to discuss the terms of the betrothal. It was the part of the wedding she looked forward to least, as it provided the greatest opportunity for something to go wrong.
Astrid entered the feasting hall to find Cormac, Brian, Dunla, and Sitric waiting. Cormac introduced her to Dunla, a warm, likeable woman with poise and a quiet sort of strength. Astrid could tell from the few words they shared and the way she carried herself that it took a great deal to shake the Queen of Mumhain. She reminded Astrid of Cormac in that way.
They had just sat down to begin when the doors opened and Cahill entered the hall.
Brian stood right back up, his face outraged. “What’s he doing here?”
“Are you suggesting I shouldn’t be a part of my own son’s marriage contract?”
Oh, Gods. Astrid felt in her bones that this would only get worse, but like a runaway horse with a cart, all she could do was watch.
“You disowned him fourteen years ago!” Brian shouted. “Now that there’s money involved, suddenly you’re his father again?”
“Is it true?” Sitric asked calmly, stepping in as mediator. “Did you disown him?”
“Publicly,” Cormac declared.
Astrid exhaled. There, that should put the matter to rest.
“I’m afraid you’ll have to leave, Cahill,” Sitric told him.
“You would side with him after all our discussions?” Cahill pressed.
Uh oh. Astrid’s pulse quickened. This was taking a very bad turn.
Brian turned on Sitric. “Discussions? Have you been meeting with this traitor behind my back?”
“No!” Sitric cried, glaring at Cahill. “He entered his son in the tournament we just held. That’s all.”
“That and our discussions of alliance.” Cahill took a step backward toward the door. “You were open to speaking of it,even if you weren’t ready to commit.” Turning on his heel, Cahill strode angrily from the hall, leaving chaos in his wake.
“You hosted my enemy,” Brian hissed. “You met with him to discuss an alliance, against me, no doubt. You allowed him the chance to make an alliance of marriage through his son.” The king’s face reddened more with each statement. “You are a traitor.”
“Take care with your words,” Sitric warned. “I will not stand to be called a traitor when I have betrayed no one.”
Everything was falling apart before her eyes—her greatest fears come to life. Beside her, Cormac looked just as uncomfortable as she felt. He stood, but didn’t interrupt. It wasn’t their place, and they both knew it. This argument was between her brother and Brian, and nothing they said or did would end it until it had run its course.
“No?” Brian narrowed his furious eyes. “You allowed one of my greatest enemies to remain in your city when you knew I was coming here. How do I know this isn’t a trap set to rid you both of your shared burden of the King of Mumhain?”
Sitric’s fists came down on the table, sending the cups of ale clattering. “I will not be called traitor. I have hosted your men. I have given my hostage. I have given my oath. And I have sworn to marry your daughter. You will pay the honor price for slander.”
“I am finished coddling you like a child,” Brian growled. “Either you are my oathsworn or you are a traitor.”
“I already swore my oath!” Sitric roared. “And you continue to slander me, in public, no less. You owe me the honor price.”
“I’ll not be fined for telling the truth,” Brian countered, taking a dangerous step toward her brother.
Astrid shot from her seat. “Sitric!” she shouted, trying to get his attention. It was of no use.
His eyes fixed on Brian. “Then I demand an honor duel. We will know then who is telling the truth.”
“Sitric, this is madness!” Astrid cried. “There’s no need—”
“I accept your duel.”
