“How did she fight?” Dallan turned to Conan, genuine curiosity in his tone.
“Fair enough for someone who doesn’t make a living of it.” She had the heart of a warrior, but the skill of a novice. With practice, she could be a worthy opponent to anyone.
“She needs a dagger to help her parry.” Ardál’s smooth voice slid into the conversation. “She’ll be relying on her speed and will struggle with heavy blows.”
“Then we’ll make her one,” Conan grinned, pleased with his idea. “The smithy is on the eastern side of the bridge, is he not?”
“Aye,” Illadan agreed. “Do it.”
Even though his involvement with Alannah was at its end, Conan’s chest warmed at the idea of having a dagger made for her. It would serve her well, make her into an even better protector.
And she’d have something to remember him by when he was gone.
The way that thought tugged at his gut, Conan decided Illadan was absolutely right. Not only could it put them at risk of discovery, but spending more time with Alannah could also make leaving even more difficult.
They returned to The Hart’s Rest in time for the evening meal. The gathering room smelled like heaven, warm spices and savory pork accompanying the familiar scent of peat smokeas they entered. Conan’s pulse leapt when he spotted Alannah helping Emer deliver trenchers of stew to the busy room.
She still wore trews, sword hanging at her side, her dark hair in a messy plait. The memory of his hands threaded through her hair rose up, raising the temperature in the cozy room. Suddenly he was famished, his eyes fixed on her delicious hips as she walked back toward the kitchen.
Dallan’s hand on his shoulder pulled him from his trance. “I don’t know how you got her into your bed in the first place,” his voice dripping with sarcasm, “staring like that. Did Diarmid teach you nothing?”
Conan shoved him. “Remind me again how many women have agreed to get intoyourbed?” He knew damn well it was only one.
“Unfair,” Dallan countered. “She’s the only one I asked. It’s one by choice.”
“Whatever you say.” Conan patted him like a child before walking over to a table, satisfied in his small victory.
Emer may not have been the prize, but she certainly could cook. All five of the men devoured the stew, easily the best meal they’d had in months. And the cook at Cenn Cora was famously skilled. Alannah generally avoided their table, keeping busy helping her sister. Conan caught her looking his way once, but she never came over to speak with him.
They’d agreed it was for only one night, yet it stung his pride more than he liked that she seemed content to keep it that way. For his part, he’d happily have spent another with her if Illadan hadn’t forbidden it. Deciding he wouldn’t let the situation between them grow any more awkward, Conan waited until the guests had left for the night before pulling her aside in the far corner of the room. The rest of his companions retired to sleep. They had a long day tomorrow, starting with sparringat sunrise. With Conan’s luck, Illadan would have them running laps around the town as he had in Dyflin.
That thought gave him another one—one that excited him more than it should.
“You ran away before I could thank you,” he whispered, forcing himself to keep his eyes on her face.
“I had things to do.” She managed to keep her face serious, but her eyes were just as playful as they’d been last night.
“That’s good,” he purred, “because I thought you were avoiding me.”
“And I thought we agreed on one night.”
“We did,” he sighed, battling his rising desire. This was going to be a long month. “I had another proposition for you, actually.”
The door flew open before he could tell her his idea.
The bastard from yesterday stormed into the room, looking just as furious as before.
“You havegotto be kidding me,” Conan growled. The man had clearly waited until he thought the women would be downstairs alone. Every muscle in Conan’s body tensed, crying out to put him in his place.
“Get out.” Alannah charged the man, a tempest unleashed. She didn’t attack him, stopping an arm’s length away, hands fisted on her hips.
As much as he wanted to run to her rescue, Alannah wasn’t that kind of woman. She needed to deal with the fool on her own. His hands itched to interfere, his teeth grinding as he watched the exchange.
But he held back.
As far as he could tell, the man didn’t realize Conan was there yet.
“If you don’t stop stealing my business, you’ll force me to take more drastic measures.”
