Every head snapped toward her.
Emer marched over to the men, the bucket sloshing with each step. She looked comically tiny in the forest of giants. “Were you planning to retire for the night, or are you up for some games?”
Her sister’s infectious grin spread to all five of the men.
“Absolutely,” Conan answered, his gaze moving to Alannah.
Her ridiculous sister then had the gall to turn and pin Alannah with a look that clearly saidI told you so. Unbelievable.
But she wasn’t about to be the one ruining the fun. Throwing her hands up in defeat, she picked up the clean cups she’d just put away. “I’ll get the knucklebones and some ale.”
Chapter Seven
Laughter erupted asDallan dropped the knucklebones again.
“I’ve never seen you so deep in your cups that you can’t play properly,” Conan snickered, smacking his friend’s back while Finn swapped Dallan’s ale for water.
“How dare you!” Dallan protested, a sloppy grin sliding around his face.
“It’s for my wife, not you,” Finn assured him. “She’ll kill me if you die of drink.”
“You’re married?” Emer turned a curious look to Finn, her head tilting and bringing her black locks with it.
“Aye,” Finn replied, giving Dallan a shove, “to his sister.”
“And I’m married tohissister,” Illadan added, pointing at Finn.
“She just had their first child,” Conan offered, knowing Illadan would never boast but it needed doing. He’d seen the look on Illadan’s face whenever he held that little girl. “Liadan.”
Emer aahed just as he expected from any woman who heard about a new baby. But Alannah simply nodded her congratulations. She was unlike any woman he’d ever met, and not just because she dressed like a man. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but shefeltdifferent, she moved through rooms and conversations like a queen, like she had complete control and she knew it.
“Are you all married?” Emer asked, looking from one man to the next.
“Ardál and I aren’t,” Conan answered with a pointed look to Alannah. He was going to crack her shell if it killed him. He’d made excellent progress since they’d started their game, but she was a challenge and he was more than happy to accept. He didn’t miss the conspicuous elbow bump that Emer gave Alannah’s side after he answered.
Alannah grabbed the knucklebones and tossed her hand, catching them in spite of being three drinks deep into the night. For a woman who seemed so in control, she played awfully coy with what he felt was clear interest. Perhaps she genuinely didn’t return it.
But there was only one way to find out.
“Do you know how to use that sword you carry?” he asked as she made her next toss.
She dropped it.
He rolled his lips to keep from laughing at the fury that speared him from her sapphire eyes. She could glare at him all day if it meant those gorgeous eyes were on him.
“Why would I carry it if I can’t use it?” She passed the knucklebones to Emer, her eyes never leaving Conan.
“To discourage trouble.” He crossed his arms and leaned away from the table, looking as cocky as he could to prick her temper into action.
“Yes, I can use it.”
“Show me.”
“I could demand the same.” She crossed her arms to match his.
In spite of her trews, sword, and fire, she still looked every inch a woman, down to the strong but feminine shape of her arms, folded in defiance. He’d never dare to call her a girl. He doubted the word could ever even slip out on accident, for there was no mistaking the difference in her.
Conan rose, unable to keep the grin off his face. “Happily.” With a spring in his step at the thrill of the chase, he headed to his room to retrieve his sword.
